Peter Alston facts for kids

Peter Alston (born after 1765 – died February 8, 1804) was an American criminal from the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was known for making fake money (a counterfeiter), stealing horses, robbing people on roads (a highwayman), and attacking boats on rivers (a river pirate). People believe he worked with a criminal named Little Harpe and was part of the famous Mason Gang.

Peter Alston's Early Life

Peter Alston was born in the 1700s. His father, Philip Alston, was also a well-known counterfeiter. Philip Alston was linked to places where outlaws often gathered, like Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, and Natchez, Mississippi.

Peter's mother was Mildred McCoy. He had two brothers, Philip Jr. and John McCoy, and two sisters, Frances and Elizabeth Elise. His uncle, John Alston, also made fake money. The Alston family originally came from the British colony of Province of South Carolina.

It's not clear exactly where Peter was born. It could have been in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, or even places that are now Natchez, Mississippi, Nashville, Tennessee, or Russellville, Kentucky. His family likely moved often to avoid being caught by the law.

Arrest, Escape, and Capture

In early 1803, Spanish officials arrested Samuel Mason and his group, including Peter Alston. This happened near a settlement called Little Prairie, which is now Caruthersville. Mason and his gang were taken to New Madrid, a Spanish area along the Mississippi River.

A three-day hearing was held to decide if Mason was a river pirate. Mason said he was just a farmer. However, the Spanish found $7,000 in money and twenty human scalps in his bags. This convinced them he was indeed a river pirate.

Mason and his family were sent to New Orleans. The Spanish governor decided to hand them over to American authorities. This was because their crimes seemed to have happened in American territory.

While being moved up the Mississippi River, Samuel Mason, Wiley Harpe, and Peter Alston managed to escape. They overpowered their guards. Mason was shot in the head during this escape.

American governor William C. C. Claiborne quickly offered a reward for their capture. Harpe and Alston then brought Mason's head to claim the reward money. It is not known if they killed Mason or if he died from his injury.

Harpe and Alston were recognized as wanted criminals. They were arrested and put on trial in a U.S. federal court. They were found guilty of piracy. Peter Alston and Wiley Harpe were hanged in Old Greenville, Jefferson County, Mississippi Territory in early 1804.

Gallery

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  Peter Alston joined Samuel Mason and his gang of river pirates. They often attacked flatboats, keelboats, and rafts on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. These boats carried valuable goods.

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  Peter Alston and Wiley "Little" Harpe were captured with the Samuel Mason Gang in 1803. They were brought before Spanish officials in New Madrid. The courtroom would have been small, like the Old Cahokia Courthouse (pictured).

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  When Peter Alston, Wiley "Little" Harpe, and the Samuel Mason Gang had their hearing, the frontier courtroom might have looked like the inside of the Old Cahokia Courthouse (pictured).

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  This is a part of the old "Natchez Trace" path. Between 1799 and 1803, Peter Alston, Wiley "Little" Harpe, and the Samuel Mason Gang robbed and attacked travelers here.

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  In 1803, Mississippi Territorial governor, William C. C. Claiborne (pictured), offered a large reward of $2,000 for Samuel Mason's capture. Peter Alston and Wiley "Little" Harpe brought in Mason's head to get the reward, but they were identified and hanged.