10 publishers · first seen Mon, 02 Nov 2026 05:05 UTC · updated Mon, 02 Nov 2026 17:58 UTC
Amateur historian James Bailey claims that Thomas Jones, the namesake of Jones Beach, played a role in aiding notorious pirate Capt. Henry Every and his crew after their raid on the Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695. According to Bailey, documents suggest that Jones, who later became a prominent businessman and landowner in New York, served as a 'wheelman' for the pirates, helping them evade authorities. The pirate crew is said to have committed atrocities on the royal ship, leading to a global manhunt. While some crew members were caught and executed, many, including Every, disappeared. Bailey's research, which he hopes to publish, aims to shed light on Jones's alleged involvement in the heist and his subsequent life in New York.
Bailey's findings are based on colonial-era documents, including depositions from Every's associates, which suggest that Jones was investigated by New York's colonial governor, Richard Coote, in 1698. Coote wrote that a 'barrel of money' from the city ended up at Jones's house, but Jones denied any knowledge of it.
Content auto-generated. May contain inaccuracies.