Samuel Wakeman’s death wasn't just a random pirate attack; it was a consequence of high-stakes "Puritan Privateering."
The Mission: Cotton and Colonists
In 1641, the Puritan leaders of Massachusetts Bay were facing a severe economic depression. Samuel Wakeman (the father-in-law of our 9th great-grandfather) co-chartered a voyage to Old Providence Island (off the coast of modern-day Nicaragua, not to be confused with New Providence in the Bahamas). Their goal was twofold: trade New England goods for cotton and tobacco, and potentially relocate struggling settlers back to Massachusetts.
The Spanish Ambush
Unknown to Wakeman, the Spanish had finally reached their breaking point with the "heretic" colony on Old Providence, which had become a base for privateers raiding Spanish treasure ships. Just weeks before Wakeman’s arrival, a massive Spanish fleet had captured the island.
When Wakeman’s ship sailed into the harbor, they expected a friendly Puritan welcome. Instead, the Spanish forts opened fire. According to Winthrop's Journal, a cannon shot struck the ship, and flying splinters or a direct hit "sorely wounded" Wakeman in the thighs. He lingered for ten days in the tropical heat—likely battling gangrene—before dying. His death was a shock to the Hartford colony, where he was a highly respected figure and a frequent deputy to the General Court.
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