Eric Cobham and Maria Lindsey facts for kids

Eric Cobham (born around 1700) and his wife, Maria Lindsey, were well-known pirates in the early 1700s. They operated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, using Newfoundland as their home base. Eric was from Poole, England, and Maria was from Plymouth.

Their Pirate Adventures

According to some historical accounts, Eric and Maria Cobham were among the first pirates in the St. Lawrence River area. They became famous for being very harsh. They were known for giving "no quarter," which meant they would kill all captured crews and sink the ships. This made them feared for their cruelty.

They were active pirates between the 1720s and 1740s. During this time, they built a reputation for their brutal methods.

Life After Piracy

After their time as pirates, Eric and Maria moved to Le Havre, France. They settled down and became part of the local community. Surprisingly, Eric Cobham was even appointed a judge there.

However, Maria found it very difficult to adjust to a normal life. She became very unwell and struggled greatly. After Maria's death, Eric felt deep regret about his past actions. He confessed his life story to a priest. He asked for the true story of his life to be published after he died.

A book about his life was indeed printed after his death. His family reportedly tried to buy and destroy all copies of this book. However, it is believed that one copy might still exist in the National Archives in Paris. Eric and Maria were survived by their two sons and a daughter.

Is Their Story True?

While the story of Eric and Maria Cobham is exciting, there isn't much solid proof that they actually existed. Other than mentions in a few books, there are very few official records or documents about them. It seems unlikely that they could have had such a dramatic pirate career in the mid-1700s without leaving any clear historical evidence.

However, in a book called Buccaneers and Marooners of America, published in 1891, the editor Howard Pyle mentioned Cobham. Pyle wrote about Cobham as if his adventures were already well-known to the public. He even described Cobham's attack on a Spanish ship in the Bay of Biscay. This suggests that the story of Eric Cobham, and possibly Maria, was a popular tale at the time, even if its historical accuracy is still debated.