Captain Kidd

[Matusalem]

I was on Block island a couple of days ago....decided to go up into the old cemetary to do some period grave rubbings for the pyrate sketchbook project. Found a pair and made the 'understatement of the year' in the pyrate sketchbook thread when I said these people probably knew Captain Kidd , and then realized the understatement when I got home to read The Pirate Hunter .

Pg. 233 reads:

Kidd sailed back out to his rendezvous point, off Block island. he stopped briefly close to shore to land two small cannon (weighing 300 pounds each) and ammunition, to be cared for by his friend Edward Sands, trying to cover every possibility, was preparing just in case he needed to make a rushed getaway in some other ship and needed to retrieve extra firepower. His wife might soon be staying on Block island: he wanted to protect her.

pg 240 reads:

Sara Kidd reached Block Island and stayed at Newshorum (today spelled "New Shoreham") at the house of family friends, the Sands, where Captain Kidd already dropped off two cannon.

~

Sarah Kidd wanted company at the reunion, and invited along mary Sands And her husband Edward, 30. Kidd Anchored at the east end of Block island and the men rowed out Sarah, and little Sarah, and Mary and Edward Sands.

I couldn't get a full grave rubbing because the stones are 7' X3' each, and my tracing paper was about 11"X17". it is kind of hard under these situations because the lechins (fungus) and the New England weather has done a number on them for the last 300 years, but they are quite legible. Read the epitaphs here.

On the left is the grave of "Captain" Edward Sands, died 1708, and on the right is his father James Sands, died in 1695.

In reference to the ship being anchored off the east end ,I reckon he meant the old harbor. The east end of the island is no where near as breathtaking as the southeastern portion of the island , in this case ,Mohegan Bluffs (....you west coast people can laugh)

[Dutchman]

mary and joseph!!!! wow what a neat find. we all read about these folks. but to put a hand on them, so to speak. now thats history!