History - Cranston Herald

The notorious Captain Kidd visits Rhode Island

Captain William Kidd, friend and confidant of Rhode Island pirate Thomas Paine obtained much of his reputedly great wealth off the coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean in 1697-1698. The amount … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 4/25/13 | 18 views

A get rich quick scheme

In 1695 Captain Kidd went to London in his own vessel. E.R. Snow tells us that, while there, Kidd received a commission as a private man-of-war, obtained through the influence of Robert … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 4/17/13 | 40 views

Pirates: William Kidd ‘Innocentest of Them All?’

In 1690 Rhode Island’s captain Thomas Paine (1632-1715), accused on numerous occasions of piracy, drove French pirates from Block Island and became a celebrated hero. The pirates, under the … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 4/4/13 | 20 views

Pirates: Governor Cranston accused of ‘Conniving at pirates and making Rhode Island their sanctuary’(2)

All pirates were not beneficial to Rhode Island, of course, and some of them were not as fortunate as Malbone. One example of the wrath that could descend on the pirates came in 1723 when two sloops … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 3/28/13 | 7 views

Pirates: Thomas Paine drives pirates from Block Island

On a number of occasions Rhode Island has benefited from her liberal policies toward those who engaged in piracy and quasi-legal escapades on the high seas. Usually these adventurers claimed to have … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 3/13/13 | 93 views

Notorious pirates and their wicked haunts: Port Royal, 'The Sodom of the West Indies'

During this period, William Brown, writing for American History Illustrated, tells us that in 1655, after the forces of Oliver Cromwell failed to take Hispaniola, they captured Jamaica from Spain. … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 3/7/13 | 3 views

Pirates: Notorious pirates and their wicked haunts

During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Rhode Island greatly displeased her sister colonies and the British magistrates because of her attitude toward pirates and privateers. Along with a host … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 2/28/13 | 8 views

Governor Cranston accused of 'Conniving at Pirates and Making Rhode Island Their Sanctuary' continued

All pirates were not beneficial to Rhode Island, of course, and some of them were not as fortunate as Malbone. One example of the wrath that could descend on the pirates came in 1723 when two sloops … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 2/20/13 | 2 views

Rhode Island - Discovered by a pirate, named by a pirate and nurtured by pirates

Rhode Island's long history has been crisscrossed with episodes of pirates, privateers, buccaneers, "gentlemen of fortune,” free-booters, corsairs and "brethren of the coast.” The … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 2/7/13 | 348 views

John Brown: The cleverest boy in Providence Town

One of Rhode Island's most famous characters, John Brown, was considered a rogue by some, a rascal by others and a pillar of the community by many. Brown was a man who was truly an excellent example … more

Terry D'Amato Spencer | 1/24/13 | 44 views