The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Nov. 2. The Pirates, who were condemned on Tuesday at the Old Bailey, it is said have infested the Southern Coast of this Island for several Years. Most of them were settled at Hastings, in Sussex, and, under the Appearance of Fishermen, carried on the most atrocious Practices, robbing and plundering every Vessel whose Crew they were able to overpower, which, as they sailed in Cutters and large Lug-Sail-Boats, they were too frequently able to do. They generally put to Sea during a Hurricane, and under Pretences of assisting Vessels in distress, took an Opportunity of clapping the Crew, whom they frequently treated in a very barbarous Manner, under the Hatches, and carrying off whatever they could. Their general rendezvous was behind a high Cliff, adjacent to the Sea, near Hastings, where they deposited most of their stolen Goods, till they could get an Opportunity of disposing of them.

It is said that four of the above mentioned Villains having with some of their Companions boarded a small Dutch Dogger, and finding the Crew too many for them, jumped precipitately into their Boats, leaving one of their Companions behind them, whom the Skipper immediately ordered to be hung up; the Pirates, in the mean Time, being reinforced by two Cutters from the Shore, renewed the Attack, and not only wounded most of the Dutchmen in a shocking Manner, but, having knocked down the Skipper, one of them inhumanly cut him thro the Back-Bone with an Axe, and he died with great Agonies soon after. Their Companion, whom they cut down, having hung but a few Minutes, come to his Senses, when he was brought on shore; and it is asserted, was the very Man who made the Discovery by which this terrible Gang was detected.