In the charming town of Newport, Rhode Island, stood a beloved gathering place by the name of White Horse Tavern. Its doors had been welcoming travellers and locals alike since 1673.
The establishment offered a warm and inviting space for people to come together and share stories.
The tavern was located on Farewell Street, in the heart of Newport’s historic district. This made it a convenient and popular spot for sailors, merchants, and other travellers passing through the port city.
With its rich history and warm hospitality, the tavern was a staple of the community. Over the years, it had hosted countless meetings, meals, and celebrations.
From lively debates and business deals to joyful weddings and festive holidays, the White Horse Tavern had seen it all. Its walls had heard the whispers of generations of patrons.
Yet, the White Horse Tavern is also forever linked to a period that captivated the imagination of people around the world – the Golden Age of Piracy.
A Pirate’s Life
One man who would forever add extra flavouring to the White Horse Tavern was William Mayes Jr.. He was a charismatic and adventurous individual who would later become its proprietor.
Mayes Jr.’s early life is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that he was born in Provence, France, around 1662. And, eventually, he would make his way to the high seas, where he became embroiled in a life of piracy.
At times, his pirating activities were sanctioned by the authorities. It is known that he obtained privateering commissions from the acting Governor of New York, Jacob Leisler, and later from Governor Benjamin Fletcher.
His exploits would take him to the Indian Ocean. There he sailed alongside infamous pirates like Henry Every and Thomas Tew.
In this region, Mayes Jr.’s pirating days were marked by adventure and danger. He plundered numerous ships and eventually managed to amass a small fortune.
Despite his pirating activities, Mayes Jr. was openly welcomed and protected by the townspeople of Newport when he returned to the town. This strongly suggested that his reputation as a pirate was not universally reviled.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Mayes Jr.’s pirate life is his association with the mythical Libertatia.
This fabled pirate paradise was said to be a bastion of freedom and democracy. A place where pirates lived by their own rules and rejected the authority of monarchs and governments.
Libertatia’s existence is debated among historians, but its legend endured for centuries.
The Elusive Libertatia
Libertatia’s story is a captivating one, filled with tales of pirate camaraderie and rebellion against the established order.
According to accounts, the colony was founded by Mayes Jr. and a group of like-minded pirates. These men sought to create a society free from the constraints of traditional authority.
They established a system of direct democracy, where every member had a say in the decision-making process. It was a bold experiment. Something that flew in the face of the monarchical systems that dominated Europe at the time.
Despite its allure, Libertatia’s existence remains unproven. Some have argued that it is nothing more than a fantasy. Just a work of utopian fiction created by Daniel Defoe – a writer of the time.
Others believe that it may have been inspired by real events. Although, its exact nature and location remain a mystery.
For example, some researchers point out that there were pirate settlements on and around Madagascar. Places like Abraham Samuel’s at Port Dauphin or Adam Baldridge at Ile Ste.-Marie.
These establishments were known to have existed. Still, it’s unclear whether they were connected to Libertatia or not.
Additionally, Libertatia is only mentioned in one historical text – A General History of the Pyrates. This leads one to question its validity.
Still, others argue that the text’s author, Captain Charles Johnson, had access to information and sources that are now lost to us.
It’s worth noting that Captain Charles Johnson may have been a pseudonym for Daniel Defoe.
Whatever the truth may be, Libertatia’s legend has become an integral part of pirate lore. It symbolizes the ideals of freedom and rebellion that defined the Age of Piracy.
The White Horse Tavern
After his pirating days, William Mayes Jr. made his way to Newport, Rhode Island. His family had established a thriving business.
His father, William Mayes Sr., had acquired the White Horse Tavern in 1673 and had converted it into a popular gathering place.
In 1702, Mayes Jr. succeeded his father as the tavern’s proprietor, taking over the reins of the family business.
The tavern had a long history, dating back to 1652, when it was built as a residence for Francis Brinley.
The original building was a two-story, two-room structure, with a gambrel roof and a central chimney. Over the years, it had underwent several renovations and expansions. This included the addition of a large meeting room and a tavern area.
The tavern’s interior was warm and welcoming, with wooden beams, stone fireplaces, and comfortable furnishings.
As a popular gathering place, the White Horse Tavern had hosted numerous notable figures. Such as the members of the Colony’s General Assembly who used the tavern as a meeting place for many years.
Mayes Jr.’s new role marked a new chapter in the tavern’s history, one that would be forever linked to the pirate’s own story.
Conclusion
William Mayes Jr.’s life was marked by adventure and intrigue. His pirate life took him to the Indian Ocean and brought him into contact with infamous pirates.
This is a significant part of his story and meant a continued interest for historians.
The fact that he was associated with a pirate wonderland that embodied the ideals of freedom and rebellion, only added to his legend.
William Mayes Jr. died in September 1718.
After his death, the tavern was taken over by his sister’s husband, Robert Nichols, and remained in the Nichols family for over 200 years.
The tavern continued to thrive in Newport. The power of enduring pirate legends didn’t hurt.
It can be regarded as a testament to the appeal of pirate folklore and the lasting legacy of William Mayes Jr.
