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John Rackham
John Rackham (hanged 18 November 1720) was an English pirate, operating in the Bahamas and Jamaica during the early 18th century. Although only referred to as John Rackham in primary sources, he is best known today by the fictional nickname Calico Jack. Rackham was active in 1720, towards the end of the Golden Age of Piracy, and is most remembered for having two female pirate crew members: Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Rackham's life prior to piracy is unknown. The first biography of Rackham comes from Captain Charles Johnson's 1724 book A General History of the Pyrates. According to Johnson, Rackham was a pirate from England who served under Charles Vane before becoming captain. Though Johnson's version of events has become generally accepted, there is little evidence to support it.
Rackham first appears in records around August 1720 after stealing merchant John Ham's sloop from Nassau harbor. After a short two-month run, Rackham was captured by Jonathan Barnet, a former English privateer, in October 1720. Rackham was put on trial by Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica, and hanged on the 18th of November that year in Port Royal, Jamaica.
Little is known of Rackham's upbringing or early life. The surname Rackham is English in origin, originating from the hamlet of Rackham. Many Rackhams are recorded in the Norfolk and Suffolk region of England throughout the 17th and 18th century. While A General History claimed that he was English, during his short fight with Jonathan Barnet, Rackham said he was "From Cuba." This could mean born in Cuba, lived in Cuba, frequented Cuba, or simply was sailing from Cuba. Unlike his associates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, no descriptions of Rackham's clothing were given during his trial, alongside no physical descriptions nor mention of his age or national origin. Claims of wearing calico clothing is not contemporary and not proveable. Prior to August 1720, it is difficult to say anything definitive about John Rackham's early life.
All details concerning Rackham's early life stem from Captain Charles Johnson's A General History of the Pyrates (a greatly unreliable series of pirate biographies). Johnson claims Rackham began his pirate career as a quartermaster on Charles Vane's brigantine Ranger, operating out of New Providence island in the Bahamas, which had been a notorious "pirates nest" since 1713. Vane and his crew robbed several ships outside New York City, then encountered a large French man-of-war. The ship was at least twice as large as Vane's brigantine, and it immediately pursued them. Vane commanded a retreat from battle, claiming caution as his reason. John Rackham quickly spoke up and contested the decision, suggesting that they fight the man-of-war because it would have plenty of riches. In addition, he argued, if they captured the ship, it would place a much larger ship at their disposal. Of the approximately ninety-one men on the ship, only fifteen supported Vane in his decision. Vane declared that the captain's decision is considered final and despite the overwhelming support for Rackham's cry to fight they fled the man-of-war. On 24 November 1718, Rackham called a vote in which the men branded Vane a coward and removed him from the captaincy, making Rackham the next captain. Rackham gave Vane and his fifteen supporters the other ship in the fleet, along with a decent supply of ammunition and goods. According to Charles Vane's trial transcript, a crew vote did occur leading to his ouster. However the quartermaster is unnamed, making it unclear if Rackham was actually associated with Vane.
Despite claims from A General History, John Rackham does not appear in records prior to August 1720. He is not listed on Vincent Pearse's list of pardoned pirates, nor does any newspaper mention him by name. In all likelihood, Rackham was not even a pirate until the year 1720.
Captain Charles Johnson writes that, in 1719, Rackham sailed into Nassau in the Bahamas, taking advantage of a general amnesty for pirates to obtain a royal pardon and commission from Governor Woodes Rogers. Rogers had been sent to the Bahamas to address the problem of pirates in the Caribbean who had started to attack and steal from British ships.
In December, he captured the merchant ship Kingston. The Kingston had a rich cargo, and promised to be a big score for Rackham and his crew. Unfortunately for him, the Kingston had been taken within sight of Port Royal, where outraged merchants outfitted bounty hunters to go after him. They caught up with him in February 1719, while his ship and the Kingston were anchored at Isla de los Pinos off Cuba. Rackham and most of his men were on shore at the time, escaping capture by hiding in the woods, but their ship and rich trophy were taken away.
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John Rackham
John Rackham (hanged 18 November 1720) was an English pirate, operating in the Bahamas and Jamaica during the early 18th century. Although only referred to as John Rackham in primary sources, he is best known today by the fictional nickname Calico Jack. Rackham was active in 1720, towards the end of the Golden Age of Piracy, and is most remembered for having two female pirate crew members: Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Rackham's life prior to piracy is unknown. The first biography of Rackham comes from Captain Charles Johnson's 1724 book A General History of the Pyrates. According to Johnson, Rackham was a pirate from England who served under Charles Vane before becoming captain. Though Johnson's version of events has become generally accepted, there is little evidence to support it.
Rackham first appears in records around August 1720 after stealing merchant John Ham's sloop from Nassau harbor. After a short two-month run, Rackham was captured by Jonathan Barnet, a former English privateer, in October 1720. Rackham was put on trial by Sir Nicholas Lawes, Governor of Jamaica, and hanged on the 18th of November that year in Port Royal, Jamaica.
Little is known of Rackham's upbringing or early life. The surname Rackham is English in origin, originating from the hamlet of Rackham. Many Rackhams are recorded in the Norfolk and Suffolk region of England throughout the 17th and 18th century. While A General History claimed that he was English, during his short fight with Jonathan Barnet, Rackham said he was "From Cuba." This could mean born in Cuba, lived in Cuba, frequented Cuba, or simply was sailing from Cuba. Unlike his associates Anne Bonny and Mary Read, no descriptions of Rackham's clothing were given during his trial, alongside no physical descriptions nor mention of his age or national origin. Claims of wearing calico clothing is not contemporary and not proveable. Prior to August 1720, it is difficult to say anything definitive about John Rackham's early life.
All details concerning Rackham's early life stem from Captain Charles Johnson's A General History of the Pyrates (a greatly unreliable series of pirate biographies). Johnson claims Rackham began his pirate career as a quartermaster on Charles Vane's brigantine Ranger, operating out of New Providence island in the Bahamas, which had been a notorious "pirates nest" since 1713. Vane and his crew robbed several ships outside New York City, then encountered a large French man-of-war. The ship was at least twice as large as Vane's brigantine, and it immediately pursued them. Vane commanded a retreat from battle, claiming caution as his reason. John Rackham quickly spoke up and contested the decision, suggesting that they fight the man-of-war because it would have plenty of riches. In addition, he argued, if they captured the ship, it would place a much larger ship at their disposal. Of the approximately ninety-one men on the ship, only fifteen supported Vane in his decision. Vane declared that the captain's decision is considered final and despite the overwhelming support for Rackham's cry to fight they fled the man-of-war. On 24 November 1718, Rackham called a vote in which the men branded Vane a coward and removed him from the captaincy, making Rackham the next captain. Rackham gave Vane and his fifteen supporters the other ship in the fleet, along with a decent supply of ammunition and goods. According to Charles Vane's trial transcript, a crew vote did occur leading to his ouster. However the quartermaster is unnamed, making it unclear if Rackham was actually associated with Vane.
Despite claims from A General History, John Rackham does not appear in records prior to August 1720. He is not listed on Vincent Pearse's list of pardoned pirates, nor does any newspaper mention him by name. In all likelihood, Rackham was not even a pirate until the year 1720.
Captain Charles Johnson writes that, in 1719, Rackham sailed into Nassau in the Bahamas, taking advantage of a general amnesty for pirates to obtain a royal pardon and commission from Governor Woodes Rogers. Rogers had been sent to the Bahamas to address the problem of pirates in the Caribbean who had started to attack and steal from British ships.
In December, he captured the merchant ship Kingston. The Kingston had a rich cargo, and promised to be a big score for Rackham and his crew. Unfortunately for him, the Kingston had been taken within sight of Port Royal, where outraged merchants outfitted bounty hunters to go after him. They caught up with him in February 1719, while his ship and the Kingston were anchored at Isla de los Pinos off Cuba. Rackham and most of his men were on shore at the time, escaping capture by hiding in the woods, but their ship and rich trophy were taken away.