The pirate Thomas Anstis

Question

I'm looking for ancestors of the pirate Thomas Anstis.  He sailed with Capt Howell Davis and Capt Bartholomew Roberts. 

He was born in England and was first recorded on the sloop Buck in 1718 out of Providence, RI.  Thomas was an active pirate between Apr 18, 1721 - Apr 1723.  He capitaned Brigantine Good Fortune.

I'm looking for a connection to the Anstiss family from Quainton, Buckinghamshire, England.   

 

*Further research- The Buck sailed from New Providence, Bahamas and not Providence, RI

Comments

Hi I have just come across your question whilst looking for information on Thomas Anstis pirate. I was reading back my emails from a cousin in Canada who says that his grt grandmother born 1870 told storys of a pirate being in the family. My cousin and I share Thomasine Anstis as our 4 x grt grandmother. She was born abt 1865 in St Germans Cornwall.

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I too have heard family stories of Thomas Anstis( Pirate) but our Thomasine Anstis married James Carpenter both of St Germans. She was Baptised in 1766 and married James in 1789 St Germans. unfortunately I live in New Zealand so getting the family information is a bit harder. Could this Thomasine also be of your family

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Hi Suzanne, Thomasine is my 4x grt grandmother. Her son Bernard is my 3 xgrt grandfather, His son James is my 2 x Grandfather. My grt grandmother is his daughter Emily Selina Carpenter. If I can help with any research let me know. Lynda

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my goodness have just seen how long it's been since you replied to my question about Thomas Anstis the pirate apologies to you for not thanking you sooner.

James Herbert Anstis was my Grandfather who married Isabel Clara May Kirkwood and son of William Charles Anstis and Mary.

If ever you need anything on the New Zealand Anstis families don't hesitate to email me

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Hi Suzanne, my name is Jeanne Chauval and James Herbert Anstis was my grandfather too and my grandmother is Isabel Clara Mae Kirkwood - one of her daughter's was Myra, Mary Myrtle Anstis and I am the daughter of Myra.

May I get more information from you please? If I could I would be very grateful indeed. Thanks everso much Jeanne

Answer 1

Thomas Anstis

mentioned in the record of Elizabeth Anstis

Name	Thomas Anstis
Gender	Male
Wife	Elizabeth
Daughter	Elizabeth Anstis

Name	Elizabeth Anstis
Gender	Female
Christening Date	27 May 1719
Christening Place	THORNBOROUGH,BUCKINGHAM,ENGLAND
Father's Name	Thomas Anstis
Mother's Name	Elizabeth

CITING THIS RECORD

"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N5N1-GMX : accessed 10 May 2016), Thomas Anstis in entry for Elizabeth Anstis, 27 May 1719; citing THORNBOROUGH,BUCKINGHAM,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 0919250 IT 2.

Comments

I do not think this is the correct Thomas Anstis as everything I have seen about the Pirate Thomas show that he was pirating in the Caribbean between 1718 and 1723 when he was murdered by his crew in a mutiny.

I noticed I made a typo on the dates above.  Thomas Anstis was put in command of his own ship in 1721.

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The daughter who was born in May of 1719 would have been conceived in 1718.

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Yes but the mutiny aboard the Buck happened in September or October of 1718.  Thomas would have had to been in New Providence or at sea in August when baby Elizabeth was conceived.

 

Gov. Woodes Rogers arrived in New Providence 22 Jul 1718 and began the end of the Golden age of Piracy.  These events spurred the mutiny aboard the Buck.