James Ford (pirate) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Ford
No known portrait of James Ford exists from life. This is an artist's likeness created from his physical description in historical records.
Born	October 22, 1775 (1775-10-22) Ninety-Six District, Province of South Carolina, British America, present-day Spartanburg, South Carolina
Died	July 7, 1833 (1833-07-08) (aged 57) Ford's Ferry, Livingston County, Kentucky, near present-day Tolu, Kentucky
Cause of death	Gunshot wound
Resting place	Ford family cemetery, Kirksville, Livingston County, Kentucky, present-day Tolu, Crittenden County, Kentucky
Other names	James N. Ford, Squire Ford, Captain James Ford, Major James Ford, Satan's Ferryman
Occupation	Justice of the peace, planter, businessman, ferry operator, criminal gang leader, state militia officer, river pirate, slave stealer, slave trader
Employer	Kentucky state government, Illinois territorial government, James Ford and Company, self-employed
Known for	Being a pillar of the community and secretly, the criminal leader of the Ford's Ferry Gang, along the Ohio River
Title	Squire
Spouse(s)	Susan Miles (first wife) Elizabeth "Betsy" W. Armstead Frazier (second wife)
Children	4
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	Kentucky Militia Territorial Militia
Commands held	Captain of Livingston County Cavalry, 24th Regiment of Kentucky Militia (1799-1802) Major of Grand Pierre Company (Grand Pierre a former frontier settlement near present-day Rosiclare, Illinois), 4th Regiment of Illinois Territorial Militia (1810-1811)
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James Ford (born October 22, 1775 – died July 7, 1833) was a well-known leader and businessman in Kentucky and Illinois. This was during the late 1790s to the mid-1830s. To many, he seemed like a respected member of the community.

However, James Ford had a big secret. He was actually a river pirate! He led a group known as the "Ford's Ferry Gang." His gang was like highway robbers, but on the water. They would stop and steal goods from flatboats traveling on the Ohio River. These boats often carried farm products. Ford even used his own river ferry to help with his secret crimes.

Who Was James Ford?

James Ford was born in the Ninety-Six District in what was then the Province of South Carolina. Today, this area is Spartanburg. His parents were Philip and Elizabeth Ford. He also had two brothers, Philip Jr. and Richard.

When James was young, his father passed away. His mother then married William Prince. The family moved to what is now Princeton, Kentucky. This new family gave James important connections. These connections helped him later in his public life and his secret criminal activities.

Family and Marriages

In the late 1790s, James Ford married Susan Miles. Her father, William Miles, was related to the person who ran Miles Ferry. This ferry was located between Kentucky and Illinois on the Ohio River. It was near a place called Cave-in-Rock.

Susan and James had three children together. Their two sons were Philip (born 1800) and William M. (born 1804). They also had a daughter named Cassandra (born around 1805).

Susan passed away in the 1820s. In 1829, James Ford married Elizabeth "Betsy" W. Armstead Frazier. She was a widow whose husband had died at Ford's large farm, or plantation. James and Elizabeth had one more son, James N. Ford, Jr., born around 1830.

The Ford's Ferry Gang

James Ford's gang was known for many illegal activities. They focused on stealing things from boats on the Ohio River. They also stole horses and cattle. Sometimes, they would rob people on roads. The gang even used Cave-in-Rock as a hideout. This cave was on the Illinois side of the Ohio River. It was about 85 miles below Evansville, Indiana.

Ford was also connected to other criminals. He knew Isaiah L. Potts, who led the Potts Hill Gang. They were known for robbing people on roads. Ford was also linked to John Hart Crenshaw, who was involved in illegal activities related to people's freedom.

Images for kids

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  James Ford's signature