Thomas Goldsmith (died 1714) was a privateer from Dartmouth during the War of Spanish Succession.[1] After serving as a privateer around 1710,[2] he turned to piracy aboard his ship Snap Dragon and accumulated great wealth.[1]

He is chiefly remembered not for his piracy but for retiring and dying peacefully in his bed, to be buried in his hometown churchyard in 1714.[1] His gravestone inscription is:[3][4][1]

THOMAS GOLDSMITH
Who died 1714.
He commanded the Snap Dragon, a privateer
Belonging to this port, in the reign of queen Anne,
In which vessel he turn’d pirate,
And amass’d much riches.

Men that are virtuous serve the Lord;
And the Devil's by his friends ador'd;
And as they merit get a place
Amidst the bless'd or hellish race;
Pray then ye learned clergy show
Where can this brute, Tom Goldsmith, go?
Whose life was one continual evil
Striving to cheat God, Man and Devil.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gosse, Philip (1924). The Pirates' Who's Who by Philip Gosse. New York: Burt Franklin. p. 137. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  2. ^ "Pirate Ships". brethrencoast.com. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  3. ^ The Weekly entertainer; or agreeable and instructive repository. [Continued as] The Weekly entertainer; and west of England miscellany. Sherborne: R. Goadby and Co. 1784. p. 617. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  4. ^ The European Magazine: And London Review. London: Philological Society of London. 1792. p. 248. Retrieved 23 June 2017.


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