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Activities of Outlaw Richard Clarke, 1707- |
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“The proceedings in the case of Richard Clarke, attainted for various heinous acts or designs, such as counterfeiting, piracy, and blowing up the port of Annapolis, show symptoms of a degree of alarm which at present seems rather excessive. But that business can be better studied in the Council Journals.”- Preface, page 9, Volume 27, Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland, March 26 1707 - November 4, 1710.
In February, March , and April 1707, there is alot of official activity in reaction to activities of Richard Clark. The depositions indicate that Clark has been present recently in the region, sometime in the winter, and has escaped with the help of Daniel Wells and a privateer/sailor from Pennsyvania, perhaps in February. There have been a rash of runaway servants and an apparent incitement by Wells for servants to escape and steal boats and the like. The prospect of going a privateering, and even blowing up Annapolis is raised as a pleasant prospect, apparently in the context of tavern discussions. But in reality, depositions of those who are with Clark, indicate that Clark’s main goal is to somehow get his wife and children out of Maryland and move them to N. Carolina, where he has purchased 600 acres. Servants who have gone out drinking w/ Wells talk about a plan to “go privateering” from a N.Carolina base, but Clark’s true intentions of earning a living in N.Carolina are not revealed from the depositions of those who have been with him, other than a Captain Smith is to be contacted in N. Carolina.
Unbeknownst to the Governor and the Board who depose witnesses on March 31 about Wells and the plot to incite servants to run away and abscond w/ boats w/ privateering in mind, and possibly blow up Annapolis, Clark’s hired sloop, the Margaret’s Industry, has arrived in the South River to bring his wife and children out of Maryland. Word of the presense of the sloop and the activities of Aaron Rawlings & others assisting in loading Mrs. Clark’s things in the sloop, reaches the Governor on April 4, and he orders the Sheriff to seize the sloop and arrest Clark’s colleagues on board. Then the depositions of Spry (skipper) and Brereton (mate) and Rawlings (who is required to post a 500 lb sterling bond and told not to leave town) are taken, and one discovers the activities of Clark during this same period. Delegate Joseph Hill is arrested and expelled from the Assembly for helping Clark extract his wife and goods from Maryland. And there is apparently alot of suspicion on the part of the Governor toward others who have political office, including the Clerk of the Assembly, Taylor. The Gov. directs that the depositions be sealed, so Clark can’t distribute copies of the “Queen’s Evidence” and impugns Taylor’s integrity. The Assembly objects to this approach, and refuses to make official its act to expell Hill, until the records become official, and Taylor reacts angrilly by bringing up the issue of back pay and supplies.
The activities of Clark’s colleagues in the region that are revealed by deposition prior to the capture of the sloop, have included passing counterfeit money, selling government gunpowder that apparently came from the Armoury, encouragement of servants & slaves to run away , and encouragement of others whose debts provide a motivation ,to migrate to N. Carolina and engage in pirating. Clark claims to have purchased 6oo acres on the Neuse River in N.Carolina, and his main purpose seems to be to obtain the funds to somehow get his wife and his possessions out of Maryland and down to Carolina. He seems to tap into some dissatisfactions of the community regarding impossible debt service, servitude, and slavery, which make this a cause as much as a criminal undertaking. There was a Quaker community down at the Neuse River, that was in a state of rebellion due to Queen Ann/ War era laws passed that required an oath of allegiance to the C of E, and in Maryland an issue was whether to force Quakers to serve in the war despite their religious objection to war.
“Edward Taylor a Sailor declared that about the latter End of February last he and Mr Jacob Lookerman Junr were going from Annapolis in a Shallop bound for South River and that two Men and a Boy in a small Boat pursued them out of Severn River until they came to the Mouth of South River and then coming up to the Shallop they hailed her and desired a Rope to be handed to them which Mr Lookerman denied and run to the Quarter Deck and caught up a small Hand Spike and demanded their Business to which they replyed No Harm. Then requiring why they pursued the Shallop they pretended to get a Tow down the Bay the next Day going into West River they were informed that two Men and a Boy were run away and pursued by five others He says that the two Men were both well set one of them were long vizaged with brown streight Hair the other had a light Coloured Coat and light Hair.
That he believes he has seen one of them at Annapolis and that he has been informed that one of the Men came from Pensylvania and had been a Privateer.”
(By his Excellency the Governor and Council in Assembly.)
“Several Depositions and Declarations relating to the late Disturbance of the Peace of this her Majesty's Government intended by Richard Clarke and his Accomplices having been communicated to this Board are sent to the House of Delegates and his Excellency has caused the Clerk of the Council to go with the Members appointed to carry the same and read them in the House to the Members thereof who are desired to appoint a select Committee to examine Mr Charles Carroll, Mr Amos Garrett, Mr Levin Denwood, Mr George Gale, Mr Jacob and Mr John Duvall & others who give ACCOUNT OF CLARKE'S DOLLARS AND PIECES OF EIGHT and of CAPTAIN SILVESTER WELSH'S SELLING THE COUNTRY POWDER TO DANIEL WELLS who lately assisted Clarke and his Company out of the Mouth of South River and is now gone with several others to him and of several Persons attempting to run away in Order to join the said Clarke .” Signed p Order W Bladen Cl. Co.
Characters:Gives account of TAVERN CONVERSATIONS IN ANNAPOLIS, with DANIEL WELLS and an UNNAMED PRIVATEER. Information that RICHARD CLARK HAS 600 ACRES IN NORTH CAROLINA, and plans to take up pirating of “Spanish towns”. Wells claims that FORTY MEN AND SEVERAL FAMILIES WOULD BE WILLING TO DEPART TO NORTH CAROLINA for these purposes. Wells indicates he has passed CLARKE’S COUNTERFEIT MONEY in the amount of two dollars. WELLS NAMES A WINTER AND A ROPER WHO HAVE GONE WITH CLARKE. Wells advises STIMPSON TO TAKE HIS MASTER’S SHALLOP AND GO TO RICHARD CLARKS PLACE IN NORTH CAROLINA. Offers Stimpson the post of Second and the Privateer to be Captain. Wells states that Clarke has alot of friends who will support him if he should return to the region:
“Daniel Wells of Ann Arundel County assisted Richard Clarke out of South River and after he was gone stayed in Company with a Fellow that termed himself a Privateer and drank at CHRISTOPHER SMITHER'S AND MRS JANE BURNELL'S IN ANNAPOLIS where they asked Stimpson to swear to be secret and that they would take a Shallop and go to North Carolina to Richard Clarke, who would be merry enough Wells said he could have forty Men go with him andthat he could have several Families out of those Parts Wells said he had broke two of Clarke's Dollars and should be apprehended presently He said he had fifty good Dollars and that Stimpson should have Part if he would go with him. Advised him to take his Master's Shallop told him where Clarke lived in North Carolina saying he had taken up six hundred Acres of Land and they would go to him and then Clarke would be up with his Friends in two Months they told him that if they would go with them he should be Second and the other Sailor Captain. Wells said WINTER AND ROPER WENT AWAY WITH CLARKE That IF THEY WENT TO PLUNDER A TOWN CLARKE WAS TO BE COMMANDER ON SHORE THAT CLARKE WOULD MAKE MONEY ENOUGH AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR LAPS FULL AND PLUNDER THE SPANISH TOWNS AND TO THAT END WOULD GET A VESSEL AND AMMUNITION AS SOON AS THEY COULD. Stimpson asked the Sailor his Name who replyed he was nameless. Daniel Wells said That if Clarke came up to Annapolis, he would find as many Friends as any Body.”
reports that WILLIAM COOPER, A SERVANT OF [AMOS?} GARRETT, encouraged him to runn away, and named others who planned to do so. The escape was planned for MARCH 16, 1707. The plan is to take Mr. Bruff’s Boat:
“ MR GARRETT'S SERVANT, WILLIAM COOPER proposed to him to run away and told him of THOMAS HARVEY, JOHN MURPHY [very much indebted and afraid of arrest], RICHARD WILLIAMS [“THE TAYLOR”], JOHN KEYTON AND RICHARD HICKCOCK who had agreed to do the like Richard Williams named two more. Peacock asked their Names, to which Cooper made Answer what signified it he should know when they came. The Time intended was Sunday the sixteenth of March Instant.They proposed to take Mr Bruff's Boat or any otherVessel.”
“declares That Cooper asked him to go a Privateering down to the Whore Kills and said John Murphy and Mr Edwards Man had agreed to go with him on Sunday next That Murphy would get two Gallons of Rum for their Voyage understood that that they were going down to the WHORE KILLS in order to join Daniel Wells and others who they heard were there and A PRIVATEER BOUND TO THE SPANISH WEST INDIES
William Cooper told him that STIMPSON LAY AT A HOUSE OVER THE BAY WHERE CLARKE HAD LAIN SOME TIME BEFORE who said he would bring a Vessel with Guns and blow up the Town and that the Privateer was an Artist”.
“upon his Examination denied every Thing but was confronted by the Oath of THOMAS HARVEY who declared that Richard Williams asked him to go a Privateering and told him one WILLIAM MONMOUTH had acquainted him of a Privateer setting out and that they would go to Carolina.”
“says that Cooper asked him to go with him to which he agreed and that he had got Provisions. That he went to the Water Side but not finding Cooper there he returned.”
“says That being much in Debt in fear of being arrested he had Thoughts of running away that he discoursed Cooper about it and that Stimpson was privy to their Intentions.”
“declares that he had agreed to run away with Peacock, Afterwards Hickcock and Pearson agreed to go with them after that John Keyton who asked them if he and Stimpson designed to go a Privateering whereto he answered he knew not but if he would come to Town a Parcel of them had agreed to go together. Says Stimpson did not agree to go with them though he discoursed several Times about it That Peacock and Hickcock agreed to take Bruff's Boat, and if that were not sufficient to take MR JONES SHALLOP and go to the CAPES OF NORTH CAROLINA. Says he saw WELLS, STIMPSON AND THE PRIVATEER AT SMITHER'S That he went thither but was not suffered to come into their Company That STIMPSON DESIRED HIM TO GO HOME and Stimpson stayed drinking with them all Night. Says Richard Williams knew their Intent and discoursed several Times in the Old Field about it Stimpson told him that Clarke designed to be up in a little Time and blow up the Town and that he and the Privateer that carryed off Wells would buy a Sloop and come and play some Prank here and then go to Privateering they WOULD FIT OUT OF NORTH CAROLINA. Since Friday Morning he said he believed Daniel Wells was gone to Clarke says John Murphy was much indebted, designed to run away, sold some of his Goods, raised four or five Pounds, got Biscuit, Meat and two Gallons of Rum for the Voyage.”
“Who solemnly declared that John Tunston brought in some Servants which he sold in Somerset County that they had Caballs together wherein they proposed and designed to run away with Mr Gale's Sloop and A WOMAN SERVANT BELONGING TO NEHEMIAH COVINGTON discovered it to her Mistress as also two other Servants of his That PHILIP COVINGTON'S SERVANT had been run away three weeks and concealed by them in a Loft and that they fetcht him from thence That they had a Design to go to the Southward, and that the Day he came from Home they were apprehend with Design to be carryed before a Magistrate.”Then Mr Denwood withdrew and Mr George Gale called in:
“who declared That he was informed by Mr Nehemiah Covington that Servants to the Number of nine whereof were six Men one Lad and two Women were intended to run away with a Sloop belonging to the said Gale and to have carryed with them a Month's Provision What their Intentions was or where to go he he knew not but THERE WAS IN HIS NEIGHBOURHOOD A REPORT THAT ONE CLARK HAD COINED MONEY AND FLED FROM JUSTICE.”
“who declared that about the latter End of February last he and Mr Jacob Lookerman Junr were going from Annapolis in a Shallop bound for South River and that two Men and a Boy in a small Boat pursued them out of Severn River until they came to the Mouth of South River and then coming up to the Shallop they hailed her and desired a Rope to be handed to them which Mr Lookerman denied and run to the Quarter Deck and p. 153 caught up a small Hand Spike and demanded their Business to which they replyed No Harm. Then requiring why they pursued the Shallop they pretended to get a Tow down the Bay the next Day going into West River they were informed that two Men and a Boy were run away and pursued by five others He says that the two Men were both well set one of them were long vizaged with brown streight Hair the other had a light Coloured Coat and light Hair.Mr Charles Carroll says That
That he believes he has seen one of them at Annapolis and that he has been informed that one of the Men came from Pensylvania and had been a Privateer”
“Richard Clarke's wife sent her Son, as the Son told the said Carroll, to buy some Cloathing Bedding and other Particulars Things out of his Store and he demanding of the young Man whether he brought Money replyed he had, whereupon he delivered him such Things as he had desired to the Value of about three Pounds: Upon the producing the Money the said Carroll found it not good but told the Lad he would keep it until he saMr. Richard Clarke's wife to acquaint her therewith. In some small Time after Clarke's Wife coming to the said Carroll's store and dealing with his Storekeeper to the Value of between four and five Pounds the Storekeeper upon Tender of the Money refused to take it until he had shewed the same to the said Carroll who upon View thereof found it was a base Coin such as commonly goes about the Country here and breaks in letting them drop being some Dollars some Pieces of Eight both of one Metal Whereupon the said Carroll returned the Money to the said Clarke's wife and kept the Goods until she had changed the Money received of her Son and brought good Money for what She had bought herself but for Certainty of Time refers to his Shop Books.”Mr Amos Garrett says that
“being informed that his Servant William Cooper designed to run away with six Persons more he took Care to secure his Shallop and the said Cooper and that another Servant of his called. Stimpson being Confederate with one Daniel Wells and a Sailor he took Care to inform his Excellency the Governor of it who committed the said Stimpson to Prison where he lyes That the said Stimpson has confessed he was privy to the Intentions of Wells the Sailor or Privateer and others running away and pretended he could give an Account thereof.”John Duvall says That
“he was informed that Captain Silvester Welsh had sold about three Pounds of the Country's Powder(1) to Daniel Wells That he has lust his Dual and that he suspects Clarke, Winters and one Harrison stole her and carryed two Negroes with them That Wells followed Clarke, and in Pursuit was within a Day's Journey of him as he has been informed.”P. 154 Elizabeth Finely says that
“Silvester Welsh sent by his Negro three Pounds of the Country Powder to Wells and that Wells opened it and took some of it in his Hands and said ‘tis Country Powder and that Wells paid Welsh therefor by his Servants Work in weaving some Cloth for Welsh.
“This Committee having fully heard and considered the aforegoing Declarations do humbly report to the House That they find there was a Design framed by RICHARD CLARKE DANIEL WELLS AND A CERTAIN PERSON WHO TERMED HIMSELF A SAILOR to take some Vessel and get what Assistance they could in Order to disturb her Majesty's Peace and Government here to make an Attempt upon the Town of Annapolis and burn some Houses there and whilst that Consternation continued to seize the Magazine and Powder House to furnish themselves with Arms and Ammunition in Order to go a Privateering
That they had so far prosecuted their Design as to gain SEVERAL HOUSEKEEPERS OF DESPERATE FORTUNES AND OTHER DISAFFECTED PERSONS to their Party and that Clarke by his Prodigality in disbursing and spreading about the Counterfeit Money had so insinuated himself into the Minds of SEVERAL SERVANTS BELONGING TO PERSONS IN AND NEAR THE TOWN OF ANNAPOLIS AND ELSEWHERE to join with them in their Cursed and wicked Design and Intent.
That they had Cabals together especially at Annapolis where a Time for their going was perfixed to be SOME TIME IN MARCH LAST. That they had agreed to take MR BRUFI'S BOAT and if that not Sufficient MR EVAN JONES'S SHALLOP or any other Vessel fit for their Turn and as soon as they had done their Mischeif here go to CAROLINA. That Clarke was assisted out of South River by WELLS AND HIM CALLED THE SAILOR who afterward came to Annapolis to prepare the others but WELLS HAVING BROKE SOME OF CLARK'S MONEY was in Fear of being apprehended Whereupon HE, THE SAILOR AND STIMPSON HAD A MEETING AT THE HOUSE OF SMITHERS IN ANNAPOLIS AND THEN WELLS AND THE SAILOR WENT OFF IN A BOAT and pursued a Shallop wherein was MR JACOB LOOKERMAN JUNR AND ONE EDWARD TAYLOR BOUND FOR SOUTH RIVER but not gaining their Intent made their way down the Bay and came within a Day's Journey of Clark. Sometime after several of them were apprehended in Annapolis and COMMITTED TO PRISON, TO WIT, STIMPSON, COOPER, WILLIAMS, PEACOCK AND KEYTON, where they now lye by his Excellency's Order (who we think deserves the utmost Thanks of the House for his Care therein) for HAD THIS CURSED AND VILAINOUS DESIGN TAKEN EFFECT WE AND OUR POSTERITY MIGHT HAVE BEEN RUINED BY THE BURNING OF THE RECORDS which we are of Opinion was the chief Intent and Design of those Villainies.
As to those Persons that were running away with MR GALE'S SLOOP AT THE EASTERN SHORE we are of Opinion ‘twas to the same Intent of the others.
AS TO THE MONEY WE CONCEIVE CLARK WAS THE MAKER AND IT'S PLAIN HIS WIFE THE DISBURSER THEREOF TO MR CARROLL.
As to SILVESTER WELSH HIS SELLING THE COUNTRY POWDER it's very plain by the Declaration of JOHN DUVALL AND ELIZABETH FINELY that three Pounds of Country Powder was sold by Welsh to Wells; and it is the Opinion of this Committee that THE SEVERAL PERSONS NOW IN PRISON AND CONCERNED IN THE SAME DESIGN AND CONSPIRACY BE PROSECUTED AT THE COMMON LAW and that the House give Order to her Majesty's Attorney General to proceed accordingly.
Signed p Order Richd Dallam Cl. Com.
The Committee met again by Order of the House and upon Examination of MAJOR JOSIAH WILSON and the Depositionsof MR GEORGE HARRIS AND AND ELIZABETH FINELY taken before her Majesty's Honble [Council] are of Opinion That WILLIAM STIMPSON WAS ONE OF THE CHIEF ACTORS IN THE INTENDED DESIGN OF CLARKE AND HIS ACCOMPLICES AGAINST HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT. Also that WELLS AND THE PRIVATEER FOLLOWED CLARKE, came to LONG ISLAND IN THE BAY where Clarke had deen the Day before and enquired after him . That they were in a small Boat well armed That Wells carryed Powder and Shot with him from Home pretended they were in Pursuit of Clarke by Order of Major Wilson That CLARKE PRETENDED HIMSELF A MERCHANT GOING TO SETTLE IN NEWS RIVER IN CAROLINA SAID MANY PEOPLE OF MARYLAND WERE FOLLOWING HIM AND USED MANY ARGUMENTS TO PERSUADE TO INHABITANTS ABOUT THE ISLANDS TO GO WITH HIM.
(1) The successive Armourers, all residents of AnnApolis were: RICHARD BEARD (jr), MAY, 1701 TO HIS DEATH, OCT., 1703; HIS SON, MATTHEW BEARD, OCT., 1703 TO FEB., 1704/5; Andrew Richmond, Feb.20, 1704/5 to after April, 1706; Capt. John Young, on or before Jan. 11, 1707/8 to May 1734; Source: His Lordship’s Patronage; Offices of Profit in Colonial Maryland, Danniell M. Owings, Studies in Md. History No. 1, Baltimore Historical Society, 1953. Richard Beard Jr. was Richard Clarke’s Uncle (his mother’s sister) and Matthew Beard his cousin. Col. Moses Rawlings was related to the Beards by way of his mother, Susannah Beard.
