Mary Read

Mary Read was born in England around 1685. She was born an illigitamate child shortly before her older baby brother died. Out of financial neccessity, Mary's mother began dressing and treating Mary as a boy. The husband of Mary's mother and father of the 'legitamate' dead son was 'lost at sea'. Since this man's family was wealthy, Mary's mother was hoping to pass Mary off as the dead son so she could receive a monthly stipend. They were able to fool the husband's mother and received funds up until the mother died when Mary was age 13.

Since Mary was so accustomed to 'playing the boy' and since she now needed to earn a living, Mary served as a "footman" for a French Lady then shortly afterward joined the navy as a cabin boy. After these jobs, she made a change and switched to the Flemish army and fought as an infantryman. She was able to make a name for herself in the army, however she was unable to receive an officer's commission (since she did not have any 'wealthy friends' to recommend her). So she left the army and joined the cavalry where once again she was well achieved.

Then she fell in love with the trooper she bunked with. She started showing her affections by being overly concerned for his safety. She followed him around even when she was not assigned to go. This 'concern' became talked about and the trooper whom she loved thought she was crazy. She divulged that she was a woman and had feelings for him. He was also interested so they became engaged and married once the regiment went into winter quarters. Their regiment, due to the ackwardness of the situation, pursuaded both of them to resign. They assisted the newlyweds in opening a tavern (some have said it was in the Netherlands while other reports say it was in Belgium or Holland).

Unfortunately Mary's husband soon died and business was failing. After a quick return to the army, Mary decided to board a ship for America. This ship was soon captured by English pirates. They let her live since she agreed to join their crew.

This began her life as a pirate until her capture in 1720. Mary soon took up with captain John Rackham, AKA Calico Jack crew. Soon after joining with this crew, Mary fell in love with one Rackham's men. She announced her womanhood to this man and the two exchanged formal vows. As with her first husband, she was very protective of him. He quarreled with another member of his crew and according to pirate law, a duel was called for once on shore. Afraid her husband would be killed, Mary picked a fight with the same pirate and set the time 2 hours before her husband's assigned duel. She killed the man immediately.

Mary was captured in 1720 with the rest of Rackham's crew by Captain Jonathan Barnet off the coast of Jamaica. At the age of 36, Mary and her unborn child died in prison of fever.

The capture and trial of Anne Bonny and Mary Read:
October 1720- An armed sloop sent by the governor of Jamacia trapped and boarded the pirate ship of Calico Jack. All but three pirate members fled below deck (it was said that most were drunk or hung-over). Bonny, Read and one man continued to resist the capture. Read was ashamed of the cowardice of the pirate members and tried to goad them into defending themselves. She even fired into the hold where she killed one pirate and wonded several others.

Read, Bonny and the one man were unable to hold off the law, so all pirates were captured and taken prisoner. Mary's husband was acquitted since he was able to prove that he had joined under compulsion. However, both Read and Bonny were convicted and sentenced to be hanged with the other captives. They 'pleaded their belly' since both were pregnant. Unfortunately, Mary and her unborn child died in prison of fever. Anne, however gave birth to her child which was followed by several execution reprieves. This is where there are no more official records. She was not hanged and she did not die in prision. At the time of her trial she was not yet 20 years old. It is possible that her father was able to help her escape as well as continue the repreives, however nothing is known.

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