2. Vallentine Hollingsworth Sr.
The first known fact of the Hollingsworth family history is that an ancestor was an Anglo-Saxon who came to Britain during the invasion of the sixth and seventh centuries and eventually settled in what is now the village of Mottram Cheshire County England on approximately 1,000 acres. It was located on the east side of town on the high ground. According to a very ancient pedigree, the family has been seated at Hollynworthe Hall since 1022 and became part of the nobility under King James 1. (This is not a proven fact stated by Harry Hollingsworth in his Hollingsworth Register. We know now the above statement could be wrong and that Henry could have been planted from Scotland.)
According to the Quaker records of Lurgan Meeting, written in the 1660's, Vallentine Hollinsworth was born in Ballymacrandall, Parish of Deago, Co. Armagh, in July, 1632. (taken from Vol 1 of the Hollingsworth Register)
Valentine Sr. settled on a plantation of nearly 1000 acres in Brandy Wine Hundred, Delaware. Shortly after his arrival a meeting was established at his house, and in 1687 he granted [p.206] "unto friends for a burying place half an acre of land for ye purpose, there being already friends buried in the spot." He was a member of the first Pennsylvania Assembly 1682-83, and of the Assemblies of 1687, 1688, 1695, and 1700. He was a signer of William Penn's Great Charter and a justice for New Kent County. He was an overseer of Friends' meeting many years. His second wife died Aug. 17, 1697, and his death occurred about 1711. Both Valentine Hollingsworth Sr. and his second wife are buried in the Friends' graveyard at Newark, Del., which he had given them in 1687. By his first marriage he had 11 children.1682 Valentine Hollingsworth, progenitor of the American Hollingsworth family arrives December 10 with his wife and family (including a son Henry) on the Delaware River. They settle on 986 acres granted by William Penn in Pennsylvania which he names Newworke.
William Edmondson brought the Quaker message to Ireland. He formed the first recorded Meeting for Worship in Lurgan, Co. Armagh in 1654.In 1667 William Penn, (his wife's name was Gulielma Maria Springett) at the age of 22, was in Cork in connection with estates belonging to his father, Admiral William Penn, and joined Friends. Some years later a huge tract of land in America was transferred to the Admiral's estate to repay a large loan made to the King years before. The story has been told many times of how Penn, from 1683 onwards, transformed this land into Pennsylvania, with an enlightened government (that lasted until 1756) based on his beliefs as a Quaker.
Witnesses to marraige
5.19.1682 John Fausett & Judith Thwayte, wit., Valentine, Henry & Ann Hollingsworth. This later marriage happened about the time that Valentine and his family, except Henry, sailed for Penna.Vallentine Hollingsworth son of Henry Hollingsworth of Bellenickcrannell, in the parish of Sego and County of Ardmagh and of Katheran his wife, was borne at Bellenickcranell, aforesaid, about the sixth month in the yeare 1632, and upon the seaventh day of the fouerth month - Anno Domini, 1655, he tooke to wife Ann the daughter of Nicolass Ree of Tanragee in the County of Ardmagh aforesaid, and of Ann his wife who was borne in Tanragee aforesaid about the yeare, 1628, and had by her children borne
And it came to pass that on the first Day of the second month Anno Domi. 1671, the aforesaid Ann (wife to ye said Vallentine Hollingsworth) Died, and upon the twelueth day of the fouerth month, Anno Domi. 1672, he againe tooke to Wife Ann the Daughter of Thomas Calluart of Dromgorr in the parish of Sego and County of Ardmagh aforesd, and of Jane his wife) Who was borne in Killwarling in ye County of Down, about ye ninth month Anno Domi. 1650 and had by her children borne as followeth----
Valentine Hollingsworth, from Co. Armagh, Ireland. He arrived on Delaware River about one month before William Penn, in 1682.
The ship and list of passengers when Valentine Sr. and his son Henry came to America.
Arrived 13 August 1682Individual Ships of Penn's Fleet and their passengers complete list found here:
http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/individual_ships_of_penn.htm
The Lion August 13, 1682, John Compton, master Dr. Edward and Mary Wynne Jones and children Martha and Jonathan William ap Edward and 2nd wife Jane and daughters Katherine and Elizabeth (Williams) Edward ap Rees and wife Mably and children Rees and Catherine (Price) 8th month, 14, 1683, John Crumpton, master Benjamin Acton Lemuel Bradshaw Alice Cales Benjamin Clift Margaret Colvert (Calvert) William Conduit Richard Curtis Edmund Doyle Joseph and Elizabeth Fisher and children: Martha, Mary and Moses Henry Furnace Joseph Furnace Rachel Furnace Rowland Hambridge Valentine Hollingsworth and son Henry Elizabeth Johnson Robert Kilcarth Edward Lancaster Robert Lloyd Peter Long William Long Phillip Packer John Reeves William Robertson Robert Selford Thomas Tearewood Mary TooleRobert Turner, late of Dublin, in Ireland, mercht. came in ye "Lion of Liverpool", John Crumpton Mr; arrived here the 14, 8 MO, 1683; child Martha; servants, Robt. Threwecks, 4 yrs, HEnry furnice, 4, Robt. Selford, 4, Ben Acton, 4, John Reeves, 4, Robt. Hambidge, 4, Richard Curtis, 4, John Furnace,4, Dan; Furnace, 9, Robt. Threwecks, 13, Oemuel Bradshaw, 4, Robt. Loyd, 4, Wm; Long, 4, "Hen' Hollingsworth", 2, Ailolce Cales, 4, Kath/ Furnace, 6, Jos; Furnace, 4. JOseph Fisher and Elizabeth his wife, late of Stilorgin near Dublin, in Ireland, yeoman, borne in Elton in Cheshire, came in ditto ship; cnildren Moses, Joseph, Mary, Martha Fisher; servants Edward Lancastr, 4, Wm. Robertson, 4, Ed; Doyle, 4, Ben; Clift, 4, Tjp' Tearewood, 4, Rob. Kilcarth, 8, Petr. Long,2, Phill; Packer, 4, Wm. conduit, 4, Mary Toole, 4, Eliz. Johnson, 4. Mary Calvert late of Dublin, came in ditto ship.
The Lion August 13, 1682, John Compton, master Dr. Edward and Mary Wynne Jones and children Martha and Jonathan William ap Edward and 2nd wife Jane and daughters Katherine and Elizabeth (Williams) Edward ap Rees and wife Mably and children Rees and Catherine (Price) 8th month, 14, 1683, John Crumpton, master Benjamin Acton Lemuel Bradshaw Alice Cales Benjamin Clift Margaret Colvert (Calvert) William Conduit Richard Curtis Edmund Doyle Joseph and Elizabeth Fisher and children: Martha, Mary and Moses Henry Furnace Joseph Furnace Rachel Furnace Rowland Hambridge, "Valentine Hollingsworth and son Henry", Elizabeth Johnson Robert Kilcarth Edward Lancaster Robert Lloyd Peter Long William Long Phillip Packer John Reeves William Robertson Robert Selford Thomas Tearewood Mary Toole
Valentine and his father Henry had dealings with the Blacker family in county Armagh. Harry Hollingsworth in Vol 7, June 1971, #2, No.26, Page 88, makes reference of a Commander Robert Stewart Blacker, Royal Navy, of Woodbrook, Killane, Enniscorthy, County Wexford. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A HOLLINGSWORTH BLOOD RELATIVE TO VALENTINE CAME DOWN TO COUNTY WEXFORD WITH COMMANDER BLACKER??? And what was the significance of so many Blackers named Valentine???
First General Assembly Of Pennsylvania
First meeting of the Council in Philadelphia, March 10, 1683
http://www.accessible.com/amcnty/DE/Delaware/delaware9.htmThe Legislature met for the first time in Philadelphia, the Council and Governor coming together on the 10th of March, 1683, the General Assembly two days later. The members of the Council were: William Markham, Thomas Holme, Lasse Cock, Christopher Taylor, James Harrison, William Biles, John Simcock, William Clayton, Ralph Withers, William Haige, John Moll, Edmund Cantwell, Francis Whitwell, John Richardson, John Hilliard, William Clark, Edward Southrin, and John Roads. The members of the Assembly, from the three lower counties on the Delaware, were: New Castle.— John Cann, John Darby, VALENTINE HOLLINGSWORTH, Gasparus Herman, John Dehraef, James Williams, William Guest, Peter Alrichs, Hendrick Williams. Kent.— John Briggs, Simon Irons, Thomas Hassold, John Curtis, Robert Bedwell, William Windsmore, John Brinkloe, Daniel Brown, Benoni Bishop. Sussex.— Luke Watson, Alexander Draper, William Fletcher, Henry Bowman, Alexander Moleston, John Hill, Robert Bracy, John Kipshaven, Cornelius Verhoof.
Taxable Land Owners in New Castle Delaware North Christian Creek
North Christiana Creek constablery had sixty-five taxables. Of these, John Ogle and VALENTIN HOLLINGSWORTH(16*) each owned 1000 acres; Morgan Druitt, 500 acres, in the "Bought" on the Delaware; Thomas Wallaceton, deputy sheriff from 1673 to 1679, 370 acres, on White Clay Creek and 100 on Mill Creek; Conrad Constantine, 560 acres, on which Newport was located; Jacob Vandever, 500 acres, on Brandywine Creek, opposite Wilmington; John Nommers, in Mill Creek Hundred, on White Clay Creek, three-quarters of a mile above its mouth; John Conn, 500 acres, on White Clay Creek in Mill Creek Hundred; Arnoldus De Lagrange, 1150 acres, of which a portion was in Christiana Hundred, where he resided; Broor Sinnexsen, 770 acres, 400 of which adjoined the estate of De Lagrange, in Christiana Hundred, where he lived; Abraham Mann, 570 acres on Bread and Cheese Island and west of Red Clay Creek, where he resided (he was justice of the peace two years, and was chosen sheriff in 1683); John Moll, president of the court from 1672 to 1683, 210 acres, in Mill Creek Hundred, above Bread and Cheese Island; Joseph Borne, 350 acres adjoining Moll’s.
Valentine Hollingsworth came to this country prior to the arrival of William Penn and returned to Ireland soon after 1685. His three sons, Valentine, Henry and Thomas, came over in the "Welcome" in 1682 and in 1687, and subsequently owned large tracts in Brandywine Hundred. Henry represented New Castle in the General Assembly in 1695 and filled other offices of importance in Pennsylvania. He was the founder of the family in Delaware and Maryland.
Valentine Hollingsworth was a man of extraordinary ability and influence is demonstrated from the fact that almost immediately after his arrival in the New World, he was called upon to hold office and participate in public affairs. He was a member of the first Assemble of the Province of Pennsylvania, shortly after William Penn's advent, that of 1682-3; also of the Grand Inquest empaneled October 25, 1683, to consider the famous case of Charles Pickering and others charged with counterfeiting. He served in several subsequent sessions of the Assemble, those of 1687, '88, '95 and 1700, from New Castle County, and was a Justice of the Peace from the same county. He was also a Signer of Penn's Great Charter and a member of the Pro-Provincial Council. He died about 17ll. His second wife, Ann Calvert, died August 17, 1697. Both were buried in the old burial ground at Newark, Del., which he had presented to the Friends in 1687.
Ann was born 1628 in Tandgree, Kilmore, Ireland. Ann was the daughter of Nicholas Ree and Ann Ree. Ann died April 1, 1671 at 42 years of age. Buried in Friends Burial Ground in Moyraverty and about 2 miles northeast of the farm at Ballyvickcrannell. A popular place for the Friends. Marriage certificate is on record at Lurgan Ireland Book of Records.
She was born in the wake of the execution of King Charles 1, and living in that part of Ireland, even though it was nearly a decade after the Rebellion and the massacre at Portadown Bridge. Later she was to live at Ballyvickcrannell, just 14 miles over the Lagan River from her home.
Vallentine Hollingsworth son of Henry Hollingsworth of Bellenickcrannell, in the parish of Sego and County of Ardmagh and of Katheran his wife, was borne at Bellenickcranell, aforesaid, about the sixth month in the yeare 1632, and upon the seaventh day of the fouerth month - Anno Domini, 1655, he tooke to wife Ann the daughter of Nicolass Ree of Tanragee in the County of Ardmagh aforesaid, and of Ann his wife who was borne in Tanragee aforesaid about the yeare, 1628,1.12.1675 James Greer & Eleanor Rea, wit. Ann Hollingsworth & Mary Rea. Mary Rea was the sister of Valentine's first wife, Ann Rea. Ann Calvert was the 2d wife of Valentine (who did not sign). This shows a friendship between the two families.
Ann Hollingsworth wife of Vallentine Hollingsworth of Ballyvickcrannell, deceased the first day of the second month ANNO DOM: 1671 and was bured in ye buring place of ye people of god at Monreauerty.
John Hollingsworth visited the cemetery near Portadown where Ann Ree Hollingsworth is buried
and this is part of his email in reference to his visit there in March 2005.The cemetery is small perhaps a 1/4 of an acre (just a guess) with a stone wall surrounding it. It is well kept and green with grass. I recall that it is located on Bluestone road and curiously there are a lot of smooth blue stones located in the little cemetery.
Only a few graves are marked....maybe half a dozen as I understand the Quakers did not believe in marking their graves. There is a large plaque on the wall that lists the date of death, Surname, First name, Relationship and Townland of those buried there.
1671/02/01 HOLLINGSWORTH ANN WIFE OF VALENTINE BALLYMACRAMELL
I believe Ann is the only Hollingsworth buried thereAnn REE-508 [Parents] was born in 1628 in Tanderagee, Ballymore, County Armagh, Ireland. She died on 1 Feb 1671 in Ballyvickcrannel, County Armagh, Ireland. She was buried on 4 Feb 1671 in Moyraverty Cemetery, County Armagh, Ireland. She was sealed to her parents on 5 Apr 1996 in the Jordan River Utah temple. She was baptized on 30 Sep 1994 in the Jordan River Utah temple. She was endowed on 4 Apr 1995 in the Jordan River Utah temple. She married Valentine "The Imigrant" HOLLINGSWORTH "I"-507 on 7 Apr 1655 in Down County, Parish of Shankill, Ireland..
"Ann Calvert, daughter of Thomas Calvert, and granddaughter of "John Calvert of Moresome neere Gisborough in ye county of Yorkshire in Old England...." who came to northern Ireland before 1617. (Lurgan Quaker Record Book, County Armagh.)
Ann Calvert first daughter of Thomas Calvert and Jane Glasford his wife was borne in Killwarlin (now Hillsborough) in the County of Down about the ninth month, Anno Domini, 1650- The Calverts of Maryland were the first family of Maryland from 1632 until the American Revolution, this faimily six generations of them, the sovereign hereditary Lords of the Province. The Maryland Calverts descend from one Leonard Calvert of Denby Wiske, Yorkshire, England.
All the meetings (except the meeting for worship) keep records of their proceedings. These are our precious Quaker records. It was to this group that Valentine Hollingsworth and his family identified themselves. Quaker marriage ceremonies are unique. When the couple decides to marry, they present a request to their Monthly Meeting. A committee is appointed to look into the request and see that there have been no previous engagements or anything that would prevent the marriage. At the next succeeding Monthly Meeting, the couple make a second request. The committee is heard from and if the committee reports favorable, they are "passes," that is, they are permitted to marry. The time is left up to the couple, when they shall appear at a public meeting, usually called for the purpose, and each will make a public declaration, after which the certificate of marriage is signed by all who witness the ceremony. The signed certificate is not immediately given to the couple, but is handed to the "Recorder," who will copy it in the marriage book.
"This is to certify the truth to all people that Valentine Holl- enworth in ye psh of Sego in ye county of Armagh, and Anne Calvert of the same psh having intentions of marriage according to the ordinances of God, and Gods joining, Did lay it before mons meeting before them their marriage being propounded, then ye meeting desired them to wait some time, wch they did, so the meeting makeing inquiry between the time whether ye man be free from all other women, and the woman free from all other man, and so the second time they comeing before the mens meeting, all things being clear, so they being left to their freedome. A meeting of the people of god being appointed and assembled together at the house of Marke? Wright, in the psh of Shankell the twelfth day of the fourth month in ye yeare 1672 whene they tooke one another in marriage in the presence of god and of his people according to ye law of god, we are witnesses of the same whose names are hereunto subscribed ye day and yeare aforesaid Val: Holengworth. Anne Holengworth.
Witnesses: ffrancis Robson William Williams Jo' Calvert Chris Hillery Hugh Stamper George Hodgshon Jam. Harison dorothy Hillery Roger Webb Will pearson Nic' Harison Elis' Gaus Robert Hoope Marke Wright John Wright Alice Williams Michael Staise Timo' kirk James Bradshaw An. Bradshaw Tho. Wederall Rob Chambers Tho. Calvert deborn Kirk Will dixon Antho. Dixon fergus Softly Alice Wright dinc Kirke Mary Walker
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Enoch Hollingsworth second son of Vallentine Hollingsworth and of Ann his wife was borne at Bellenickcranell, aforesd, the seauenth Day of the sixth month Anno Dom. 1675---
Joseph was a cooper or barrel maker. He married probably about 1708-1710 but we have no record. Auther; HH of most of the comments in the family history.
He went from his birthplace to Cecil County, Maryland, with his half brother Henry, and signed as a witness to a deed of 1711 by the latter, and again witnessed two others dated 1721. His removal to Virginia was apparently without any fanfare. H evidently rented space for his barrel making shop or worked as an intinerant.
Alternate dates of birth...(a) 10 Jul 1686...10 Oct 1886.
5 Dec 1686 from files of David Meyer.Joseph & Elizabeth had several children, but no names are known...
Ed Darrah notes that after Joseph died, Isaac Parkins took the Hollingsworth children as wards...
Elizabeth married a "John Rentfrow, Jr." [Hopewell MM minutes dated 13 Nov 1733 noted the marriage]
Joseph's occupation was Cooper (barrel maker)...
When Joseph died he left minor children and Isaac Parkins took them as wards, being a kinsman to them. I am assuming Isaac was either Elizabeth brother or father. Elizabeth went on to remarried a Mr. Johjn Renfro. Names of children not known.
4. Thomas Hollingsworth Link toTom & Don 6th gr grandfather
I believe this Thomas is the son of Henry and brother to Valentine Sr. I also think it was brother Thomas and brother Robert who signed as a witnesses on the land transfer in 1674. Harry of HR thinks a later signature by Valentine's son in 1725 is very similar to the 1674 signature that he believed to be by Valentine's 14 year old son. Both are shown in Thomas's scrapbook for comparison, and I feel they are very different.
It is believed at this time Thomas went to England as a Quaker and is proven to have been a member in 1680 of the Devonshire House Mens Meeting in London, on the 7th day of December 1680. Thomas is listed at attending the meeting. Shortly after this meeting he might have gone back to Ireland for a visit and got caught up in the unlawful assembly. Very likely this Thomas was the brother of Valentine. I must add that Harry Hollingsworth was first to gather this information and to think Thomas is the brother to Valentine.
Thomas Hollingsworth has no occupation or residence listed, he was a Quaker Friend. He was arrested with many others for having participated at an unlawful, tumultuous and riotous Assembly, in White-hart-Court on 12 October then last past. All were brought in quilty. Others being sent to Newgate, for varying terms, it seems Thomas Hollingsworth escaped this time. The year was 1684. But on 18 April of 1686, certain informers came to the Devonshire-house Meeting, where Thomas worshipped. Two Constables, shut the doors and refused to allow anyone to leave, non Quakers included. "In the Scuffle which ensued, one of the Informers, Christopher Smith, had his head broke. Although nobody knew who did it, the Poultry Counter signed by Robert Jerffery, Mayor, as of above date, called the meetings riotous and unlawful Assembly. Thomas married Martha Scampton, a widow, on 23 July 1687.
19. Thomas Hollingsworth the Pirate
There was a notorious pirate named Thomas Hollingsworth who sailed with Captain William Kidd, and was last known to history as he sailed his ship to escape the chase of a French privateer..."Into Dublin Harbour" and up the Liffey River. Was he the father of John, Samuel and William Hollingsworth, that particular "spelling" but really a family continuously using that spelling, is to be found mainly in the Parish of Wigan, Lancashsire, not far from Manchester, nor for that matter, from Mottram, Cheshire. (this was taken from Harry Hollingsworth's HR March 1988 issue)
Thomas sailed with Captain Kidd during the 1690s as a privateer and went on to captain his own ship.
The following is from Pirates of the Eastern Seas (1618-1723), by Charles Grey,
On page 30 in the chapter marked "Avery and Kidd," a brief history of the final exploits of the main gang of the pirates is given. After having befuddled and conned many prominent officials, including those of the British East India Company, warrants for them went out. . After not getting a pardon for themselves from the Govenor of Jamaica (he refused their bribe of L20,000), they split up and attemted to disappear, some doing so in New England - names not given.
The remainder bought sloops at New Providence in the Bahamas (warning: in the old documents it is called simply "Providence" which confused us as to whether Rhode Island was meant), in a final desperate attempt to get home. One Captain Farrell skippered the "Sunflower" carrying Henry Avery and 19 of his crew, which let them off at Dunfanahan on the north Irish coast. From there they went to Dublin. Another sloop commanded by Captain Hollingsworth took sixteen pirates to Dublin. After more than a thousand pounds reward was put up by the British Admiralty and the East India Company, on 19 Oct 1696, 24 of the pirates were arrested and tried, which resulted in six being hanged and the rest transported as slaves to Virginia. Apparently Thomas Hollingsworth was not among the 24 who were apprehended. (Harry Hollingsworth in his HR says the Wexford Hollingsworths were associated with Dublin at this time. Did Thomas turn good, go straight and become our Arklow, County Wicklow and County Wexford progenitor???)
Thomas Hollingsworth the Pirate !!
by Harry Hollingsworth
A lot of people live in fear that some well-meaning ancestor-hunter in their family, will some day find the "horse-thief" of the clan! Your editor has found the Pirate in the Hollingsworth clan! (Run for cover, and for shame!). This fellow was a bona fide water-bourne highwayman of the late 17th century, a contemporary of, and perhaps an acquaintance of, the infamous Captain Kidd! At least, they both were on the high seas at the same time in the same dirty business. Old England didn't frown on their business quite like the French, or others, who seemed to be their target, however.
In the Calendar of (British) State Papers, Colonial, America & West Indies, Volume containing correspondence, etc., for the years 1696 & 1697, (Huntington Library, San Marino, Calif.) we find the scurrilous reports: (p.259 et seq.).
"East India House #517. Secretary to the East India Company to William Popple. Forwarding certain documents respecting certain ports in America from which the ships concerned in the late piracies in the Red Sea where set forth, (signed) Ro. Blackborne (Endorsed) Dec. 18, 1696. Annexed: (517 i) T. South to the Lords Justices of Ireland. Dublin, 15 August, 1696. The best place to send shipping to meet the pirates is to Fernando, an island in latitude 3 or 4 degrees where they must touch to water in Feb., or March. The owners of Capt. Wake's ship live in Boston, New England, and were going in a brigantine to bring clothes and necessities to meet him at Fernando; but hearing that we were coming to Providence they followed us thither but did not arrive till after we came away. THOMAS HOLLINGSWORTH now sailed from Galway will meet Wake at Providence, where Wake will certainly be within six or eight weeks, or else not till after Christmas. HOLLINGSWORTH left money for Governor Trott. Wake had already had a pardon for piracy in King James's time... All the ships that are now out (except Tew, from New York & Want, from Carolina), are from New England. They build their ships in New England..."
(517 iii-ibid) "Narrative of Philip Middleton, of the Ship Charles Henry, to the Lords Justices of Ireland, given on 4 August, 1696 (he himself a pirate - Ed.)... another sloop commanded by HOLLINGSWORTH was chased into Dublin by a French Privateer. She had 16 more of the crew of Charles Henry aboard.
(Ibid, Volume for 1700. Page 277, citation #466 xi) "Examination (dated March 25, 1700) of James Brown who sailed from Rhode Island in 1695 on the Susanna, Thomas Wake, Commander, as a privateer with a Commission from the Governor or Deputy Governor. The company were all upon shares. In the seas of India they met with the Phancy, Henry Every, Commanding, who plundered the Susanna. Examinant being weary of being aboard in those parts, with one Capt. Smithsend, and THOMAS HOLLINGWORTH (sic), embarked on the Phancy, which was then designed for Providence." (NOTE: Captain Kidd is referred to in the same group of papers.)
(Ibid, Page 417, cit. #636 ii) "Copy of a Deposition of Sampson Pendley, Master of the Mayflower of Boston. In 1696 he heard Daniel Smith, William & Benjamin Griffin, THOMAS HOLLINGSWORTH, ____ Mincks, Anthony Packer & Thomas Joy, several times declare that they came to Providence in the Fancy with Henry Avery (sic) the Pirate." Dated July 12, 1700 at Bermuda.
Well, that is the extent of the record available to us. This writer has not seen any extraneous matter on this man. Obviously he is not the Thomas Hollingsworth, son to Valentine the Quaker, and surely not the Thomas Hollingsworth of London, also a Quaker of the same period! Some records of Providence, Rhode Island, Boston or the Royal Navy, may give more about this man. "Hollingsworth " may have been a pseudonym, but this suggestion is doubtful, it would be a highly unusual alias to take.
Continued next week.........A bit of Hollingsworth History:
The following additional information about the Indian Ocean Pirates and our own "Thomas Hollingsworth the Pirate" was sent to me by our member, Simon Hollingworth of Australia. (I included Capt. Kidd's "farewell speech" from a website on the internet.)
Thanks Simon for sending this interesting "follow-up"!
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Thomas Hollingsworth the Pirate !!
(Follow-up information from Simon Hollingworth regarding the article included in the March, 1967 issue of the Hollingsworth Register (Vol. 3, No. 1) written by the late Harry Hollingsworth)
Indian Ocean Pirates
With the decline of the Spanish Main towards the end of the 17th century many pirates shifted their unwelcome intentions towards growing trade in the East. The treasure ships of the Indian Mogul and the merchant men of the various East India Companies provided attractive targets. Most pirates made off for the island of Madagascar (off the east coast of Africa). However, such was the damage to trade and resulting European feeling in India, that governments (and sometimes the traders) were forced to act against the pirates often engaging privateers to seek out and capture pirate ships. Madagascar Pirates -For 30 years from 1690 - 1720 the island of Madagascar was the principle base of the pirates preying on the rich trade of the Indian Ocean. Not colonized and barely explored, Madagascar was the ideal bolt hole for pirates driven out of the Caribbean. A visitor at the end of the 17th century accounted 17 pirate vessels and an estimated population of 1500 men. At various times the island played host to many of the most notorious pirates of the time, including Captain Kidd, Thomas White and Thomas Tew.William Kidd (1645-1701) Captain Kidd experienced a short-lived pirating career but in it he managed to have a great many people killed, some of which he himself murdered in cold blood. Eventually captured and shipped to England from New York, Kidd experienced a terrible death: the hangman’s rope broke twice, the third time it held. Once he was dead: his body was dipped in tar and hung by chains along the Thames River. Kidd’s body served as a warning to all would-be pirates for years to come.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kidd's farewell speech (unconfirmed):My name was Captain Kidd, when I sail'd, when I sail'd,
And so wickedly I did, God's laws I did forbid,
When I sail'd, when I sail'd.
I roam'd from sound to sound, And many a ship I found,
And then I sunk or burn'd, When I sail'd.
I murder'd William Moore, And laid him in his gore,
Not many leagues from shore, When I sail'd.
Farewell to young and old, All jolly seamen bold,
You're welcome to my gold, For I must die, I must die.
Farewell to Lunnon town, The pretty girls all round,
No pardon can be found, and I must die, I must die,
Farewell, for I must die. Then to eternity, in hideous misery,
I must lie, I must lie.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thomas White (1720's)
Henry Avery (aka John Avery, Long Ben/Capt. Bridgeman) (1665-1728?). In September 1695, Avery's ship, Fancy waited outside Mocha for the pilgrim fleet to arrive. Avery was joined by several American pirates:
Captain Joseph Faro on Portsmouth Adventure from Rhode Island
Captain Want on Dolphin from Philadelphia.
Captain William Maze on Pearl from Rhode Island
Captain Thomas Tew on Amity from New York
Captain Wake on Susannah from Boston.This new group effectively doubled the pirate crew numbers and were able to plunder the pilgrim fleet and the Great Mogul's ship producing about 1000 lbs. of loot for each crewman.
It would appear Thomas Hollingsworth provided relief to Captain Wake on the Susannah of Boston (see below).
Calendar of State Papers (CO 323 2 Nos 25, 25i-iv) in the UK National Archives.
T South to the Lords Justices of Ireland Dublin, 15 Aug 1696. I have this morning obtained the following account:- The best place to send shipping to meet with the pirates is to Fernando, an island in latitude 3º or 4º, where they must touch to water in February or March. The owners of Captain Wake’s ship live in Boston, New England, and were going in a brigantine to bring clothes and necessaries to meet him at Fernando; but hearing that we were coming to Providence they followed us thither but did not arrive till after we came away. Thomas Hollingsworth, now sailed from Galway, will meet Wake at Providence, [p.260] where Wake will certainly be within six or eight weeks, or else not till after Christmas. Hollingsworth left money with Governor Trott. Wake had already had a pardon for piracy in King James’s time. Thomas Jones is concerned in Captain Want’s old barque and lives in Rhode Island. Want is gone to the Persian Gulf and in all probability is either at Rhode Island or Carolina by this time. He broke up there about three years ago after a good voyage, and spent his money there and in Pennsylvania. Captain Tew had a commission from the Governor of New York to cruise against the French. He came out on pretence of loading negroes at Madagascar, but his design was always to go into the seas, having about seventy men on his sloop of sixty tons. He made a voyage three years ago in which his share was £8,000. Want was then his mate. He then went to New England and the Governor would not receive him; then to New York where Governor Fletcher protected him. Colonel Fletcher told Tew he should not come there again unless he brought a store of money, and it is said that Tew gave him £300 for his commission. He is gone to make a voyage in the Red Sea, and if he makes his voyage will be back about this time. This is the third time that Tew has gone out, breaking up the first time in New England and the second time in New York. The place that receives him is chiefly Madagascar, where they must touch both going and coming. All the ships that are now out are from New England, except Tew from New York and Want from Carolina. They build their ships in New England, but come out under the pretence of trading from island to island. The money they bring in is current there, and the people know very well where they go. One Captain Gough who keeps a mercer’s shop at Boston got a good estate this way. On first coming out they generally go first to the Isle of May for salt, then to Fernando for water, then round the Cape of Good Hope to Madagascar to victual and water and so for Batsky (sic), where they wait for the traders between Surat and Mecca and Tuda, who must come out at a certain time because of the trade-wind. When they come back they have no place to go but Providence, Carolina, New York, New England and Rhode Island, where they have all along been kindly received. It is hoped that by means of this information they may be taken. Signed T South. 1½ pp.