Francis Witherborn ( fl. 1670–1672) was an English

buccaneer Buccaneers were a kind of privateers or free sailors particular to the Caribbean Sea during the 17th and 18th centuries. First established on northern Hispaniola as early as 1625, their heyday was from the Restoration in 1660 until about 168 ...

privateer A privateer is a private person or ship that engages in maritime warfare under a commission of war. Since robbery under arms was a common aspect of seaborne trade, until the early 19th century all merchant ships carried arms. A sovereign or deleg ...

, and pirate active in the Caribbean. He is best known for his brief association with

Henry Morgan Sir Henry Morgan ( cy, Harri Morgan; – 25 August 1688) was a privateer, plantation owner, and, later, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. From his base in Port Royal, Jamaica, he raided settlements and shipping on the Spanish Main, becoming wea ...

History

Witherborn initially sailed with

's fleet in attacks against Spanish cities in Central America. He was part of Morgan's flotilla during their 1670 assault on Panama along with a number of other prominent

s. By 1671 new Jamaican Governor Thomas Lynch moved to curtail

ing against the Spanish, offering pardons to privateers who surrendered and hunting down those who refused. After parting with Morgan, Witherborn took command of the

barque A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts having the fore- and mainmasts rigged square and only the mizzen (the aftmost mast) rigged fore and aft. Sometimes, the mizzen is only partly fore-and-aft rigged, b ...

''Charity'', formerly commanded by Dutch corsair David Marten. Witherborn sailed with Dutch pirate

Jelles de Lecat Jelles de Lecat (fl. 1668-1674, last name also Lescat) was a Dutch pirate and buccaneer who sailed for and against both the English and Spanish. He served with Henry Morgan and was often called "Yellahs," "Yallahs," or “Captain Yellows.” Hist ...

("Captain Yhallahs") for a time before partnering with French captain Dumangle—also a veteran of Morgan's campaigns—and his ship ''Le Diable Volant'' (Flying Devil). The two signed

articles Article often refers to: * Article (grammar), a grammatical element used to indicate definiteness or indefiniteness * Article (publishing), a piece of nonfictional prose that is an independent part of a publication Article may also refer to: G ...

of agreement confirming their intention to go privateering together. They raided Spanish shipping and attacked towns on the

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

n coast through 1671, committing "great violence against the Spaniards". In early 1672 Lynch sent Major

William Beeston William Beeston (1606? – 1682) was an English actor and theatre manager, the son and successor to the more famous Christopher Beeston. Early phase William was brought up in the theatrical world of his father; he became an actor, and also his ...

(who would later succeed Lynch as Governor) in HMS ''Assistance'' to hunt down the remaining rogue privateers. Aided by former buccaneer

John Morrice John Morrice (1811 – 20 February 1875) was an Australian politician. He was born in Jamaica to estate agent David Morrice and Anne White, and he was educated in England. He later settled at Berrima in New South Wales, and on 9 November 1 ...

, Beeston chased Lecat (who had entered into Spanish service) but could not catch him. Instead he captured Witherborn and Dumangle. They were imprisoned, tried, and convicted. Witherborn protested that his

first mate A chief mate (C/M) or chief officer, usually also synonymous with the first mate or first officer, is a licensed mariner and head of the deck department of a merchant ship. The chief mate is customarily a watchstander and is in charge of the shi ...

held the real power, and that Articles he signed with Dumangle were just a ruse, but Lynch, Beeston, and the other judges were not swayed: "Upon consideration of the whole matter all were of opinion that having committed piracy and broken the articles of peace, Captain Witherborn ought to suffer death according to the law." Jamaican officials balked at executing them; when the Spanish too refused to execute Dumangle, he was released for fear of reprisals from French pirates in

Santo Domingo , total_type = Total , population_density_km2 = auto , timezone = AST (UTC −4) , area_code_type = Area codes , area_code = 809, 829, 849 , postal_code_type = Postal codes , postal_code = 10100–10699 ( Distrito Nacional) , webs ...

and Tortuga. Witherborn was sent back to England as a prisoner alongside Henry Morgan. While Morgan was pardoned and released, and eventually became a Lieutenant Governor, Witherborn was instead pressed into

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

service.

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witherborn, Francis 17th-century pirates Year of birth missing Year of death missing English privateers English pirates Caribbean pirates

History

See also

Notes

References