Captain John Coxon

PIRATE OF THE CARIBBEAN

1676

1676, Pirate Captain John Coxon

The infamous 'Brethren of the Coast'

The Brethren of the Coast were a syndicate of pirate captains with letters of marque who regulated their privateering enterprises within a community of privateers. They were primarily private individual merchant mariners of Protestant background usually of English and French origin.  A fictionalized, romanticized version of the Brethren was featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean series of films.

Buccaneers

THE GOLDEN AGE OF PIRACY was between 1670 and 1730. 

It all began when French interlopers were driven away from the island of Hispaniola and fled to nearby Tortuga around 1630.

The Spaniards also tried to drive them out of Tortuga, but the buccaneers were joined by many more French, Dutch, and English adventurers who turned to piracy. They set their eyes on Spanish shipping, generally using small craft to attack galleons in the vicinity of the Windward Passage.

With the support and encouragement of rival European powers, they became strong enough to sail for the mainland of Spanish America and sacked cities.

Viewed from London, buccaneering was a low-budget way to wage war on England’s rival, Spain. So, the English crown licensed buccaneers with letters of marque, legalizing their operations in return for a share of their profits. 

The buccaneers were invited by Jamaica’s Governor Thomas Modyford to base ships at Port Royal. The buccaneers robbed Spanish shipping and colonies, and returned to Port Royal with their plunder, making the city the most prosperous in the Caribbean. There even were Royal Navy officers sent to lead the buccaneers, such as Christopher Myngs. 

Their activities went on irrespective of whether England happened to be at war with Spain or France.

Nevertheless, these rough men had little concern for legal niceties, and exploited every opportunity to pillage Spanish targets, whether or not a letter of marque was available. Many of the letters of marque used by buccaneers were legally invalid, and any form of legal paper in that illiterate age might be passed off as a letter of marque. Even those buccaneers who had valid letters of marque often failed to observe their terms.

In a buccaneer camp, the captain was elected and could be deposed by the votes of the crew. The crew, and not the captain, decided whether to attack a particular ship, or a fleet of ships. Spoils were evenly divided into shares; the captain received an agreed amount for the ship, plus a portion of the share of the prize money, usually five or six shares.

Crews generally had no regular wages, being paid only from their shares of the plunder, a system called “no prey, no pay”. There was a strong esprit among buccaneers. This, combined with overwhelming numbers, allowed them to win battles and raids. There was also, for some time, a social insurance system guaranteeing compensation for battle wounds at a worked-out scale.

Pirate Captain John Coxon

LITTLE IS KNOWN about Coxon’s early life. The first mention of Coxon’s name was August 2, 1676 in a note from Port Royal, Jamaica stating that Coxon was on the island with a French Commission. The British Governor of Jamaica was “using all means to take him and offered his men mercy if they delivered their Captain up” and he was declared a pirate. England was at peace at that time and it was illegal to participate in the war between France, Holland and Spain. Coxon was one of the few who ignored that stricture and in June 1677 he sailed with his French Commission to attack Santa Marta, Columbia.

Attack on Santa Marta

The attack on Santa Marta brought Coxon to public notice. He attacked at dawn and took many captives including the Governor, Vincente Sebastian Mestre and the Bishop, Dr. Lucas Fernandez y Piedranhita. Three Spanish warships with 500 men drove them off Santa Marta and Coxon took the captives back to Jamaica and held them for ransom.

John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery

Jamaica

On July 28th 1677, Sir Thomas Lynch noted that Coxon and his crew had arrived in Jamaica with the captives. Three days later Coxon personally escorted the Bishop into the presence of the islands Governor, Lord Vaughan.

Bay of Honduras

In the summer of 1679, Coxon resumed his activities in the Bay of Honduras. On September 26th 1677 he captured a Spanish merchantman laden with valuable cargo including 500 chests of indigo, cochineal, tortoise shell, money and plate. He again went to Jamaica to dispose of it arriving at Port Royal in late October 1677.

Commander-in-Chief of the Pirates

COXON WAS QUIET for the next two years presumably enjoying his spoils. However at the end of December 1679 Coxon convened a gathering of other pirate captains. They met at Port Morant off the southwestern tip of Jamaica. 

Present were Pirate Captains Cornelius Essex, Bartholomew Sharpe, Robert Allison, Thomas Magott and John Coxon. They agreed to unite under Coxon’s leadership for an assault against the Spanish town of Portobello.

Their original agreement document (now kept in the British Library) is shown below.

The Journall of our Intended Voyage 

by the assistance of God over land into y South Seas leaving our ships att of goulden Islands and landing on Munday Apr the fift. Annogue 1680.

  • Captain Jn Coxon commander in chief Eight gunns
  • capt Peter Harrifs 26 gunns
  • capt Richard Sawlkins in a Barkque 
  • capt Edmond Cooke. a Barkque 
  • capt Batholw Sharp. a Barkque 
  • capt Robert Allisson. a Slooper 
  • capt Thomas Maggott a Slooper 

All these above mentioned captains landed at y Golden Islands, wch lietts about 15 leagues to ye west end of ye west most Point of Darian Bay ………

Attacking Portobello

THE GROUP SAILED from Port Morant on January 17th 1680. As they sailed they were joined by the French pirate Jean Rose and the privateer Edmond Cooke then another French pirate Capitaine Lessone. When they arrived at Portobello the Spanish withdrew to their citadel leaving the raiders to ransack Portobello. The pirates then withdrew with their booty and prisoners to an anchorage 10 miles northeastward.

Days later several hundred Spanish troops appeared but firing from the beach they could not reach the pirate ships. Coxon then instituted a blockade of Portobello. Three days laters they took a 90-ton ship which had come from Cartagena bearing slaves, timber, salt, corn and allegedly 500 pieces pieces of gold which Coxon wronged the group by keeping for himself.
1680 Spanish silver dollar. 'Pieces of Eight'

Sharing the Booty

A general distribution of booty was made resulting in shares of 100 Pieces of Eight per man. Pieces of Eight is the Spanish Silver Dollar.

Coxon transferred his crew to the captured Spanish ship and abandoned his old barque.

Attacking Santa Maria

It was April 1680 that Coxon, Allisson, Cooke, Harris, Maggott, Sawlkins and Sharpe anchored their ships near Golden Island. At 6am on Monday April 15th 1680, Coxon led 332 buccaneers ashore and obtained guides from the local Indians to cross the Isthmus.

Pirate’s Journal (by crew member Ringrose)

Here at the Golden Island, the Indians gave us notice of a Town called Sancta Maria. situate on a great River, which beareth the same name, and which runneth into the South Sea, by the Gulf of San Miguèl. That in the Town was kept a Garrison of four hundred Souldiers; and that from this place much Gold was carried to Panama, which was ga∣thered from the Mountains thereabouts. That in case we should not find sufficient purchase there, we might from thence proceed by Sea to Panama, where we could not easi∣ly fail of our designs. This motion of the Indians we liked so well,*that we landed three hundred and thirty one men, on April the 5th 1680. leaving Captain Alleston, and Mackett, with a party of Seamen, to guard our Ships in our absence; with which we intended to return home.

 

Pirate’s Journal

These men that were landed, had each of them three or four Cakes of Bread, (called by the English Dough-boy’s) for their provision of Victuals; and as for drink, the Rivers afforded them enough. At that time of our Landing, Cap∣tain Sharp was very faint and weak, as having had a great •it of sickness lately, which he had scarcely recovered. Our several Companies that marched, were distinguished as fol∣loweth. First, Captain Bartholomew Sharp with his Com∣pany had a red Flag, with a bunch of white and green Rib∣bons. The second Division led by Captain Richard Saw∣kins,with his men had a red Flag striped with yellow. The third and fourth, which were led by Captain Peter Harris, had two green Flags, his Company being divided into two several Divisions. The fifth and sixth, which be∣ing led by Captain John Coxon, who had some of Alleston’s and Macketts men joyned unto his, made two Divisions or Companies, had each of them a red Flag. The seventh was led by Captain Edmond Cook with red Colours striped with yellow, with a Hand and Sword for his devise. All, or most of them, were Armed with Fuzee, Pistol, and Hanger.

 

The attack on Santa Maria

TEN DAYS LATER they came on the Spanish stockade of Santa Maria at the confluence of the Chucunaque and Tuira rivers. The fort had no artillery and after the attack seventy of the 200 Spanish defenders were killed and the rest massacred by the Indians. Flushed with victory the buccaneers pressed on towards the Pacific. It was noted that Captain Coxon was reluctant to move forward believing they did not have sufficient strength and saying that his men were eager for more voyages.

Pirate’s Journal

Having been in possession of the Town of Santa Maria, only the space of two days, we departed from thence on Saturday April the 17th 1680. We embarked all in Thirty five Canoas, and a Periagua, which we had taken here lying at anchor before the Town. Thus we sailed, or rather rowed down the River, in quest of the South Sea, upon which Panamais seated, towards the Gulf of Belona, whereat we were to disembogue into that O∣cean. Our prisoners, the Spaniards, begged very earnestly they might be permitted to go with us, and not be left a∣bandoned unto the mercy of the Indians, who would shew them no savour, and whose cruelty they so much feared.

 

Attack on Panama City

The group arrived off Panama City in their thirty five canoes and saw at anchor five great ships and three ships that were little men-of-war. The men-of-war sailed directly towards them. 

Pirate’s Journal

At that present there rid at Anchor at Perico five great ships, and three pretty big Barks, called Barcos de la Armadilla,or little men of War; the word Armadilla signifying a Little Fleet. Thesehad been suddainly Manned out, with design to fight us, and prevent any farther attempts we should make upon the City, or Coasts of those Seas. As soon as they espied us, they instantly weighed Anchor, and got under sail, coming directly to meet us, whom they expected very shortly, ac∣cording to the intelligence they had received of our coming.

 

The pirates were able to manoeuvre around the larger ships and shot those on board aiming particularly at the helmsman. The final ship to be taken was the Admiral and the journal description captures the techniques and the violence.

Pirate’s Journal

At that time we came so close under the stern of the Admi∣ral, that we wedged up the Rudder; and withal, killed both the Admiral himself, and the chief Pilot of his ship; so that now they were almost quite disabled and dis-heart∣ned likewise, seeing what a bloody Massacre we had made among them with our shot. Hereupon, two thirds of their men being killed, and many others wounded, they cryed for Quarter, which had several times been offered unto them, and as stoutly denyed until then. Captain Coxon entred on board the Admiral, and took with him Captain Harris,who had been shot through both his Legs, as he boldly adventured up along the side of the ship. This vessel being thus taken, we put on board her also all the rest of our wounded men, and instantly manned two of our Canoas to go and aid Captain Sawkins,who now had been three times beaten from on board Peralta, such valiant defence had he made. And indeed, to give our Enemies their due, no men in the world did ever act more bravely than these Spaniards.

 

Coxon leaves Panama

Pirate’s Journal

Within two or three days after our arrival at Panama, Captain Coxon being much dissatisfied with some reflections which had been made upon him by our company, deter∣mined to leave us, and return back to our ships in the Nor∣thern Seas, by the same way he came thither. Unto this effect, he perswaded several of our company, who sided most with him, and had had the chiefest hand in his Electi∣on, to fall off from us, and bear him company in his jour∣ney, or march over-land. The main cause of those re∣flexions, was the backwardness in the last Engagement with the Armadilla; concerning which point, some stick∣ed not to defame, or brand him, with the note of Cowar∣dize. He drew off with him, to the number of threescore and ten of our men, who all returned back with him in the Ship and Periaguaabove-mentioned, towards the mouth of the River of Santa Maria. In his company also went back the Indian King, Captain Antonio, and Don Andraeas, who being old, desired to be excused from staying any longer with us.


Attacked St. Augustine, Florida

Sir Thomas Lynch

Two years later, on July 6, 1682 the Governor of New Providence wrote to Sir Thomas Lynch, the Governor of Jamaica. He said that Captain John Coxon had been denied a commission to take St. Augustine, Florida but that he had done so anyway and carried away persons. He said that all he did in plundering the Spanish territory was done by his own power. He thought fit to inform Sir Thomas that Coxon was now in Jamaica.

Coxon becomes a pirate catcher

SIR THOMAS LYNCH however, put his trust in Coxon and reported that he had sent Coxon and two other vessels to the Bay of Honduras to bring back a group of logwood cutters. He said that during the voyage Coxon’s men had plotted to take the ship and go privateering. He reported that Coxon had killed one or two with his own hand, forced eleven overboard and brought three back to be hanged.

A pirate again

IN FEBRUARY 1683, Lynch again engaged Coxon to pursue a French renegade who had hijacked a vessel. On the return Lynch reported that Coxon had been tempted to join a group of privateers for an attack on Veracruz. He had decided not to join the privateers and Lynch reported that Coxon was in bad spirits because the attack had been successful and had obtained enormous amounts of booty. Lynch reported on November 12th that Coxon was again in rebellion having resumed his old piratical ways.
Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle

Trial for Piracy

The next report of Coxon was in January 1686 when the new Governor of Jamaica reported that Coxon was to stand trial for piracy at Santiago de la Vega, the capital of Jamaica. The trial did not happen and not for the first time Coxon escaped the gallows.

The Governor reported in November 1686 that Coxon was cutting logwood in the Gulf of Campeche and that he had written to friends to say that he had given up privateering to earn an honest living. The Governor was not convinced and issued a warrant on November 24th to apprehend Coxon. In October 1688, Coxon and several of his men surrendered to the new Jamaica Governor, the Duke of Albemarle. His ship Dorado was taken and was later seized by the French authorities on November 16th 1688.

John Coxon
Roatan, Honduras

It is believed that Coxon retired to living on the island of Roatan, Honduras. Local legend has it that he stayed there until 1697 and that he died in 1698.

Acknowledgements & Thanks

Buccaneers of America, Vol.2 Printed 1685; David F Marley – Wars of the Americas Vol. 1; Colonial Papers Vol XLIX, British Public Records Office; British Library manuscripts; The Lives and Exploits of the Most Noted Robbers, Buccaneers and Pirates of all Countries; Howard Pyle paintings.

Appendix

PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS LIFE STORY

Sir Thomas Lynch (died 1684) was the English governor of Jamaica on three separate occasions in the 17th century. He was also chief justice of Jamaica for a time. He was the son of Theophilus Lynch (born 1603), fourth son of William Lynch of Cranbrook in Kent, and of his wife Judith, eldest daughter of John Aylmer. He served under Robert Venables in the army which went out to Jamaica in 1655. In January 1661, after a period back in England he was appointed provost-marshal of the island for life. In December 1662 Lynch was lieutenant-colonel of the 5th regiment of militia; in April 1663 was sworn in as a member of council, and in April 1664 elected president of the council in the absence of Sir Charles Lyttelton. In June 1664 Sir Thomas Modyford became governor, and Lynch was again sworn of the council. Shortly Modyford wrote to his brother, Sir James Modyford, then in England, asking him to get the Duke of Albemarle to appoint a sheriff, instead of a provost-marshal; but on 12 February 1665 Lynch wrote to Lord Arlington complaining that the governor had discharged him from the council and the office of chief justice without giving any public reason. Lynch was then obliged to return to England. 

At the end of 1670 he was ordered to go out again to Jamaica, as lieutenant-governor, with authority to command in the absence of Modyford. The commission was repeated in January 1671, when Modyford was recalled, and at the same time he received a commission from James, Duke of York to be commander-in-chief of his majesty’s ships in and about Jamaica. He was knighted at Whitehall Palace on 3 December 1670. Jamaica’s buccaneers had been encouraged by Modyford. Under Lynch they acted under the governor’s commission, including Henry Morgan; and the king claimed his share of the Spanish plunder. Diplomatic complaints from the Spanish government, however, compelled the English government to give way. Lynch was recalled, apparently in 1676, and Lord Vaughan was sent out with orders to suppress the pirates and put an end to piracy. 

In 1682 Lynch was again sent out to Jamaica as governor and captain-general, with similar instructions regarding piracy, and these he carried out severely. Lynch died, apparently in 1684 and was buried in the cathedral of Jamaica, beneath a black marble slab.

Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle KG,(14 August 1653 – 6 October 1688) was an English soldier and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1667 to 1670 when he inherited the Dukedom and sat in the House of Lords. At the age of 13, Monck entered politics, having been elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Devon in January 1667. In 1670 he was elevated to the peerage and thus entered the House of Lords, following the death of his father, and thereby also inherited his father’s peerage titles. He became a Gentleman of the Bedchamber and inherited his father’s great feudal title, Lord of Bowland. He was created a Knight of the Garter, Privy Councillor and in 1675 Lord Lieutenant of Devon, in which latter role he served for ten years. He became a titular colonel of several horse regiments of the English Army. In 1673 he raised a regiment as part of the Blackheath Army under Marshal Schomberg. It was intended for service in the Dutch Republic, but was disbanded following the Treaty of Westminster before seeing any action. From 1682 until his death, Monck was Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. In 1685 he resigned the Lord Lieutenancy of Devon to fight against the Monmouth Rebellion, but was largely unsuccessful as a military leader. 

In 1686, Monck was a major investor in a treasure-seeking expedition headed by William Phips, who had located the wreck of the Spanish treasure ship Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in February 1687. Phips returned to London with more than £200,000 worth of treasure, of which Monck received a 25 percent share. After serving in a few more minor positions, in 1687, Monck was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.

John Vaughan, 3rd Earl of Carbery KB, (baptised 8 July 1639 – 12 January 1713), Lord Vaughan from 1643 to 1686, was Governor of Jamaica between 1675–1678. He was the second son of Richard Vaughan, 2nd Earl of Carbery and his second wife Frances Altham (c.1621 – 9 October 1650), daughter of Sir John Altham of Oxhey, Watford, Hertfordshire. He inherited his title and the Carmarthenshire estate (Golden Grove) in 1686 on the death of his father. His elder brother Francis had already died. He was invested as a Knight, Order of the Bath (KB) in April 1661. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Carmarthen between 1661 and 1679 and again for Carmarthenshire between 1679 and 1689. 

He was Governor of Jamaica from 1674 to 1678. His deputy was the celebrated privateer Sir Henry Morgan. He had a reputation for debauchery Samuel Pepys called him “the lewdest fellow of the age”. Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, whose impeachment Vaughan strongly supported, called him a man who was “as ugly in face as in fame”. As Governor of Jamaica he became notorious for corruption, and was even accused of selling his servants as slaves. He was President of the Royal Society between 1686–1689, having been elected a Fellow in 1685. He was Colonel of the Regiment of Foot from 1673 to 1674 and Lord of the Admiralty from 1689 to 1690. On his death his titles became extinct.