Amateur historian links Jones Beach namesake to 1695 pirate raid

James Bailey, a retired Rhode Island corrections officer, has presented new colonial-era documents linking Thomas Jones to the 1695 raid on the Indian treasure ship Ganj-i-Sawai. Bailey argues that Jones, the namesake of New York’s busiest state park, acted as a logistical helper for English pirate Captain Henry Every and his crew. The claim connects a well-known Long Island landowner to one of the most infamous thefts in maritime history.

Bailey first gained attention five years ago after discovering ancient coins associated with Every. He has since analyzed depositions and other records to trace the movements of the pirate crew. The evidence indicates that Jones served as a wheelman, assisting the band in moving tens of millions of dollars in gold and silver while evading British authorities. The crew’s violent assault on the royal ship sparked the first global manhunt in history.

Jones was born in Ireland around 1665 and served as a major in the English military before settling in the American colonies. He initially lived in Rhode Island before moving to New York. There, he established a whaling business and accumulated thousands of acres on Long Island’s south shore. The property he developed eventually became the site of Jones Beach, a park that draws millions of visitors annually.

New York Governor Richard Coote investigated Jones in 1698 under orders from the British crown to suppress piracy. Coote noted that a barrel of money arrived at Jones’ home from the city. Jones, whom the governor described as formerly a pirate, testified that he did not know the origin of the funds. Records show that in 1696, Jones’ father-in-law, Thomas Townsend, gifted him a large tract of land on Long Island. Bailey believes this property allowed Jones to establish a new identity away from the search for Every in New England.

Rumors of Jones’ pirate past persisted after his death in 1713. His mansion was reportedly haunted, and his grave was robbed by those seeking buried treasure. A 1906 family history called these stories slander. However, historians note that Jones operated as a privateer, a role that blurred the line between legal naval combat and piracy. When wars ended, privateers often continued raiding without royal sanction.

John Hanc, author of a history of Jones Beach, says the new documents clarify a part of local history that remained vague. Meagan Schulman, a doctoral candidate at Fordham University, explains that privateers were often viewed as state-sponsored pirates. She notes that while Jones may have been called a pirate by others, he likely saw himself as a legitimate seafarer. The findings align with the broader historical trend of piracy generating wealth for colonial families.

Richard Blakemore, a maritime history professor at the University of Reading, cautions that Thomas Jones was a common name. He suggests the evidence is compelling but not definitive. Kevin McDonald, a history professor at Loyola Marymount University, agrees that the link shows how piracy contributed to the economic foundation of prominent Northeastern families. The research highlights the economic integration of piracy into early colonial society.