Secret History X

Cher Almoustine,

This is a response to your request for information with regard to relationship between the Bulkeley Family and the Avery and Prescott family. It seems both families in question share a common bond to the island of Roatan in the person of Charles “Kyle” Bulkeley, an early 18th century pirate captain and buccaneer.

In 1723/1724 an approximately 20-year-old-man from New England, Philip Ashton, managed to survive as a castaway on the island for sixteen months until he was finally rescued[1]. During that time they were governed by King Bull Kyle, a red-haired white man, unusual for the location considering it is an island of hispanics.

But who was King Bull Kyle? Researching further I discovered in Ashton’s memoirs additional mention of this mysterious king including his full name. Bull Kyle was the name given to him by the natives, however in discourse with Ashton, he revealed his name as Edward Chauncy Bulkekey. A marooned privateer sailor gone native.

His middle name gave me a clue which led to the unfolding of this man’s origins although much of his personal story remains a mystery. We do not know the full tale of how he ended up the Pirate King on a tropical island off the coast of Honduras. His father was Captain Peter Bulkeley (son of Rev Gershom Bulkeley and Sarah Chauncey) and his mother was Dorothy Hoare Prescott. Dorothy Prescott was the daughter of Captain Jonathan Prescott by his second wife Elizabeth Hoare (daughter of John Hoare and granddaughter of Charles Hoare the Sheriff of Gloucester England).

1669 Gold Guinea

That King Kyle kept his family (including his good reverend Grandfather) well supplied is evident by the will left by Rev Gershom wherein he bequeaths to his daughter in law (King Kyle’s mother) a gold Guinea, and to his daughters in law Hannah Avery[5] and Rachel Wolcott, each a golden ducat. To King Kyle’s uncle the Reverend Gershom bequeathed his grandfather clock (a rumored treasure cache), his seal, his gilt spoon, and silver porrigers, and all his legal books and additional tools for the timber mills [4] which supplied his son’s shipbuilding business.

It is interesting to note that in his journal, Revered Bulkeley mentions in passing the delivery of the clock stating that it was so heavy that one of the men who bore it broke a collar bone.[6]

[1] See Edward E. Leslie, “Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls”, 1988, pp.100–120

[2] See Charles S. Hall, “A SERIES OF SKETCHES OF THE LINEAL ANCESTORS OF THE CHILDREN OF SAMUEL HOLDEN PARSONS HALL AND HIS WIFE EMELINE BULKELEY OF BINGHAMTON NY …”, GP PUTNAM’S SONS 1896: p

[3] ANSON S Voyage. Bulkeley and Cummins Voyage to the South Seas, and Narrative of the loss of the ship ” Wager.” 8vo. 1743

[4] Roatan was also named “Isle del esPina” (Island of Pines)

[5] Hannah Avery’s maiden name was Raymond. She was married to Charles the son of Reverend Bulkeley. Her husband died whilst she was pregnant with Charles’ child (a daughter whom she named Hannah, who was born in India). She remarried quickly to Captain Thomas Avery the son of Captain James Avery.

[6] Proceedings, American Philosophical Society (vol. 131, No. 4, 1987)

Cher Almoustine,

In researching the family connections of the men who sailed aboard the Amity with Thomas Tew in 1692, I stumbled upon the following will and testament illustrating the relationship between Thomas Lewis and Barent Rynder (both men aboard the Amity).

“In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas Lewis[1], of New York, merchant, being in good health, but now bound out on a voyage[2], and knowing that the time is uncertain when it will please God to take me out of this vile and transitory world.” And to the end that no variances might hereafter arise do make this my last will and testament. I give to my son, Thomas Lewis, €5, when he is 21, over and above all other legacies. The rest of my estate I leave to my wife, Frances Lewis, during widowhood, with full power to sell houses and lands with the advice and consent of my brothers, Leonard Lewis and Barent Rynders. If my wife should marry, then she is to have and enjoy the household stuff and wearing apparell, jewels, rings, diamonds, etc., and one half of my estate in houses and lands. When she remarries, the estate is to be divided, and the share of my children is to be put into the hands of my brothers, Leonard Lewis and Barent Rynders, who I name as executors.

Dated January 10, 1699/1700[2].

Votre Ami,

Pamela Bradford

[1] Genealogy charts for Barent Rynders and Thomas Lewis are available on Rodovid.org

[2] This will was written prior to Thomas’ second voyage with Tew.  The cache of treasure (apparel, jewels, rings, diamonds) from his first voyage is mentioned in his will to be given to his wife if she be widowed, and divided evenly if she remarries.