Thomas Goldsmith (pirate)

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Thomas Goldsmith (died 1714) was a privateer from Dartmouth during the War of Spanish Succession. [1] After serving as a privateer around 1710, [2] he turned to piracy aboard his ship Snap Dragon and accumulated great wealth. [1]

He is chiefly remembered not for his piracy but for retiring and dying peacefully in his bed, to be buried in his hometown churchyard in 1714. [1] His gravestone inscription is: [3] [4] [1]

THOMAS GOLDSMITH
Who died 1714.
He commanded the Snap Dragon, a privateer
Belonging to this port, in the reign of queen Anne,
In which vessel he turn’d pirate,
And amass’d much riches.

Men that are virtuous serve the Lord;
And the Devil's by his friends ador'd;
And as they merit get a place
Amidst the bless'd or hellish race;
Pray then ye learned clergy show
Where can this brute, Tom Goldsmith, go?
Whose life was one continual evil
Striving to cheat God, Man and Devil.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gosse, Philip (1924). The Pirates' Who's Who by Philip Gosse. New York: Burt Franklin. p. 137. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  2. "Pirate Ships". brethrencoast.com. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  3. The Weekly entertainer; or agreeable and instructive repository. [Continued as] The Weekly entertainer; and west of England miscellany. Sherborne: R. Goadby and Co. 1784. p.  617 . Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  4. The European Magazine: And London Review. London: Philological Society of London. 1792. p. 248. Retrieved 23 June 2017.