Shift #35 - Collections Research
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 6:45-8:00 pm CST/7:45-9 pm EST (50 min)
Captain John Massey, executed on July 26, 1723, was convicted of piracy that took place near St. James Island on the northern coast of Africa (now called Kunta Kinte Island/St. James Fort on the River Gambie in the country of The Gambia. He was a man that seemed a devout believer/perhaps Catholic but records state he may have had a mental illness of some kind, though it is unclear what (“he was said to be in some measure disturb’d in his head”). Even in his captivity, he didn’t show any violent tendencies. As soon as he heard his sentence (approximately a week before his scheduled execution), he asked to receive his sacrament. It was customary for those sentenced to die to receive the sacrament right before their execution but Massey ended up receiving it a week before his death, due to his seriousness and obvious devotion to his faith. His trial began on July 5, 1722 – there was a lot of evidence against him and in addition, he admitted his crimes; he was found guilty of piracy. He was 28 years old at the time of his sentencing.
Massey came from a regular family, nothing extraordinary in his upbringing. It was noted that he seemed to have some sort of wildness in him, even though he had a sober countenance. This was thought to be either some type of mental illness (“a degree of lunacy”) or a temper that could flare up. It was perhaps this wildness that he was encouraged to make a life for himself on the high seas or to serve in the military. As a soldier, he was part of the Siege of Lille and fought under the Duke of Marlborough's command, eventually becoming a lieutenant. He participated in several other sieges and was recorded to have fought valiantly. After his time as a soldier, he went back to England and lived a devout life – he daily went to prayers at church and attended mass every Sunday. His serious life devoted to faith was upended when he was influenced by a woman of loose morals and fell in love – it is assumed that he made deliberate choices to live a life without care. However, he did not marry her; he traveled to Ireland after hearing that he was to resume his duties as a solder and go with his regiment (it is unclear where he was supposed to serve). In Ireland, although away from the woman he loved, he continued “a life of Debauchery” (image 293) without committing serious crimes like murder or robbery.
After some time in Ireland, he went back to his regiment and was commissioned as the Chief Engineer (along with a new promotion of Lieutenant-Colonel), where his company set sail from England towards Africa. It was during these travels that marked the start of an unfortunate life into piracy. Record shows that officers (including himself) and the ship’s commander treated their soldiers poorly, depriving them of food and drink. These are the same solders that were supposed to staff and safeguard a fort at their destination. There is not a stated reason for the officers' actions but it is noted that most of them became sick. The officers also became ill, and eventually they all died but Massey. The remaining crew managed to travel to The Gambia where, in their desperation, they drank river water that added to their illness. While at the river, a ship came upon Massey and his dying crew. The ship’s captain harassed him to join them though not as a soldier, but as a pirate. The record shows that Massey felt he should have prayed to God for guidance instead of succumbing to the orders of criminals.
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