09/21/2026
Rhode Island Pirate Bio: Captain Edward Hull
One of 4 to receive Rhode Island Privateering commissions in 1653 against the Dutch, along with Captains John Underhill, William Dyer & George Baxter
Edward Hull, the brother of John Hull, the mint-master who made the “ pine tree shillings. His vessel, the barque "Swallow Frigott" was owned by his father and brother and had sent them wod that he was engaged in a design for the good of the English nation and for the glory of God. He sailed from Boston in the spring of 1653, and captured several vessels from the French and the Dutch and while in Rhode Island waters sent some of his men to Block Island with orders to seize the trading stock in the house of Captain Kempo Sedada, which after wards was valued at nearly one hundred pounds. He then sold the barque and dividing the plunder went to England. Sebada after wards brought suit for damages against the Hulls, the owners of the bark; but they claimed that the vessel was engaged in privateering wholly without knowledge or consent and the court gave the verdict to them. It is interesting to note Edward Hull is styled a “pirate” in the court records and that his father deposed that when he learned of his son's exploits he did not protest for fear he would not see him or the vessel again.
The Pirates of the New England Coast 1630-1730
George Francis Dow, John Henry Edmonds
Courier Dover Publications, Apr 26, 2012
