1. Benjamin Hornigold was a pirate who may have been born in England around 1655-1660 and settled in Eleuthera, Bahamas.
2. Hornigold sailed with Jonathan Darvell and his son-in-law Daniel Stillwell on the sloop Happy Return to raid Spanish shores in Florida and Cuba, bringing back plunder worth �11,500.
3. Hornigold intercepted the Portsmouth to save Stillwell from being arrested and turned back to the Bahamas, declaring all pirates under his protection and birthing the "Flying Gang" and the beginning of the Bahamas as a pirate nest.
The article provides a detailed account of the early history of the Bahamas and its connection to piracy, with a focus on Benjamin Hornigold. However, there are several potential biases and missing points of consideration that need to be addressed.
Firstly, the article presents a one-sided view of the Puritan settlers in Eleuthera, portraying them as idealistic and democratic. While it is true that they founded a republican government, it is important to note that this was only for white male property owners. The colony also relied heavily on slave labor, which contradicts their purported ideals of freedom.
Secondly, the article makes unsupported claims about Benjamin Hornigold's identity and background. While it is possible that he was the same person as the Benjamin Hornigold who married Sarah Mosse/Morse in Ipswich, England, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim. The article also speculates about his reasons for emigrating to Eleuthera without providing any historical context or evidence.
Thirdly, the article overlooks the role of colonial powers in creating conditions that led to piracy in the Bahamas. The Spanish Empire's aggressive colonization efforts and attacks on English settlements in the Caribbean played a significant role in driving English privateers and pirates to seek refuge in places like Nassau.
Finally, while the article provides an interesting account of Hornigold's involvement in piracy and his role in founding the "Flying Gang," it does not explore counterarguments or alternative perspectives on his actions. For example, some historians argue that Hornigold may have turned to piracy out of economic necessity rather than ideological reasons.
Overall, while the article provides valuable insights into early Bahamian history and its connection to piracy, readers should approach it with a critical eye and consider alternative perspectives and missing evidence.