By all accounts Every was the most highly renowned pirate of his time. Books and plays were written about his life (or what many supposed it to be in their romanticized way).
Yet for all his celebrity and the uncertainty some accounts, most sources say that he died in poverty. The first accounts of Henry Every, the 'arch pirate' was born in the west of England near Plymouth in Devonshire. His early life seems to have been spent at sea on a variety of merchantmen.
Differing accounts place him as a Royal Navy tar at the bombardment of the pirate base in Algiers in 1671, as a buccaneer on the Spanish Main, as a logwood freighter captain in the Bay of Campeachy, as a pirate in 1691 and 1692 under Captain 'Red Hand' Nicholls and definitely as a truly underhanded slaver employed by the Governor of Bermuda along the African Guinea coast.
In June of 1694 he was first mate aboard a private ship of 46 guns being outfitted by some Bristol merchant to harass French shipping in New Spain at the request of the Spanish government. The ship's name seems to have been the Charles II (or the Duke by other accounts); its captain was a notorious drunk. One evening as the captain, Captain Gibson, lay sleeping off his latest bout with rum, Every and several confederates slipped out of the Spanish port of La Coruna and set sail with the purpose of pursuing a career of piracy.
Every and crew set sail for Madagascar with the intent to make their fortunes at the expense of others. Along the way they plundered three British ships off the Cape Verde Islands, captured a French privateer near the island of Johanna along with loot taken from the Moors. It was here at Johanna that Every wrote his famous letter:
To All English Commanders.
Let this satisfy that I was riding here at this instant in the Fancy, man-of-war, formerly the Charles of the Spanish expedition who departed from La Coruna 7th May 1694, being then and now a ship of 46 guns, 150 men, and bound to seek our fortunes. I have never yet wronged any English or Dutch, or ever intend whilst I am commander.
Wherefore as I commonly speak with all ships I desire whoever comes to the perusal of this to take this signal, that if you or any whom you may inform are desirous to know what we are at a distance, then make your ancient [ship's flag] up in a ball or bundle and hoist him at the mizzen peak, the mizzen being furled. I shall answer with the same, and never molest you, for my men are hungry, stout, and resolute, and should they exceed my desire I cannot help myself. As yet an Englishman's friend,
There are 160 odd French armed men at Mohilla who waits the opportunity of getting any ship, take care of yourselves.
At Johanna, 18th February 1695
- Henry Every
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