Anne Bonny

Anne was the daughter of lawyer William Cormac and his servant woman Mary Brennan.  After Cormac’s wife made his adultery public, William, Mary and Anne moved to Charleston, South Carolina and William bought a plantation there.

Anne Bonny

Mary died When Anne was in her teen years.  At 16 Anne fell in love with and married small time pirate James Bonny, who it was said just wanted Cormac’s estate.  Cormac, who was against the relationship, turned Anne out of his home.

James became a pirate informer which disappointed Anne as she had many pirate friends.  She eventually left James and ran away with Calico Jack Rackam who was a pirate captain.

Captain Jack Rackham

In October 1720 Rackam’s anchored ship was attacked by Captain Barnett, commander of the British Navy.  Rackam’s crew were almost all drunk and the only resistance came from Anne and Mary Read, although they too were eventually overpowered.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read

Anne and Mary escaped the fate of the others which was death by hanging because they both claimed to be pregnant. 

Mary died in prison in Jamaica and it is rumoured that Anne’s father paid a ransom and brought his daughter back to Charlestown where Anne gave birth to Rackam’s child.  Apparently she got remarried to Joseph Burleigh and they had 8 children together.  She died in April 1782.

 

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