Maria Lindsey (Mrs. Cobham)

Maria Lindsey was born in Plymouth, England- 18th century. She was the wife of the ruthless pirate captain Eric Cobham. When they met he explained his profession, with all the gory details, and she was enchanted. They married the next day. She left her hometown and joined his pirate crew where they sailed to the Americas where they made most of their wealth. "Murder for her was not merely a business necessity in the pirate trade; it was a pleasure and a sport" (De Pauw). An example of her 'pleasure' was to tie the captain and two mates of a plundered ship to her ship's windlass and used these men for target practice. Both also followed a policy of leaving no survivors.

After 20 years of plundering and murder, the Cobhams decided to retire from piracy in France. They had two sons and a daughter. They settled so well into this community that Eric Cobham was asked to take the place of the late local magistrate, making him a judge! This life was harder for Maria Cobham to adjust to... she took a walk along the cliffs, drank poison and threw herself into the sea. Her body washed ashore two days later. Eric Cobham was 'conscience-striken'. He wrote out a detailed confession and frequented the local church. He gave the confession to the local pastor who made him promise to publish it after his death. The pastor agreed against the wishes of the Cobham family. The family tried to purchase every single copy of the published confession they could lay their hands on.

Back to Women Pirate List