History
Native Americans called the island "Nomsussmuc", and Indians sold the island in 1658. Early Newport colonists used the island as a goat pasture. An earthen fort was built on Goat Island in 1703 during the War of Spanish Succession, and it was named "Fort Anne" after the reigning Queen Anne.
On Friday, 19 July 1723, twenty-six pirates (Charles Harris, Thomas Linicar, Daniel Hyde, Stephen Mundon, Abraham Lacy, Edward Lawson, John Tomkins, Francis Laughton, John Fisgerald, William Studfield, Owen Rice, William Read, John Bright, Thomas Hazel, William Blades (Rhode Island), Thomas Hagget, Peter Cues, William Jones, Edward Eaton, John Brown, James Sprinkly, Joseph Sound, Charles Church, John Waters, Thomas Powell (Connecticut), and Joseph Libbey) who had been hanged at nearby Bull's Point (Gravelly Point) after being tried in Newport between 10 and 12 July, were buried on the north end of Goat Island, on the shore, between high and low water mark. "The pirates were all young men, most of them natives of England" (Olden Times Series 5). The following is taken from The Salem Observer, November 11, 1843: "...this was the most extensive execution of pirates that ever took place at one time in the Colonies, it was attended by a vast multitude from every part of New England." (also reference Gutenberg Library, The Olden Times Series, Volume 5, by Henry M. Brooks.)
In 1738 a stone fort was built and renamed "Fort George" after King George II. In 1764 Newporters took over Fort George and fired shots at HMS St. John a British ship with a crew that had allegedly stolen from local merchants. In 1769 Rhode Islanders burned the HMS Liberty, a customs ship, when it drifted to the north end of Goat Island (near where the pirates were buried) in another early act of rebellion against British rule.
Read more about this topic: Goat Island (Rhode Island)
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