Note: 3001. Part 4
June 4, 1938
CASTEEL
Pirate and Privateer. At the close of the seventeeth century the port
of Philadelphia was a veritable haven for the pirates that preyed upon
the Spanish and French shipping in time of war under letters of
marque; and in time of peace on any ship they dared board. It was the
practice of wealthy Philadephians to outfit ships with arms, rum and
supllies and send them to the pirates of Madagascar who could offer in
exchange the cargos taken from India merchantmen. So great was the
complaint of Colonial shippers that the Admirality sent Captain Thomas
Robinson from England with a commission to put an end to pirarcy in
Philadelphia.
The report of the commissioner to has superior, the Earl of
Romney, describes his visit to Philadelphia on June 6. 1697, and
complains of his lack of success in "That there were warrants out for
apprehending Charles Goss, Edmond Duke Castell, George Thompson, Adam
Birth, and James Miller and Pyrates notwithstanding which they were
publickly and dayly seen up and down the streets of Philadelphia
without any notice taken of them.("Archives of Maryland," vol. 23,
page 161; Vol. 25, page 569.)
'The Pyrats were much alarm'd at that time," wrote Matthew
Vanderheydens on July 15, 1697, "beingI was tould Occasion'd by
Captain Thomas Robinson his Comming up there with some Commission to
call them to Accot... Ibid, Vol. 23, page 163.)
Apparently Captain Du Chastel continued his career as a "merchant"
and privateersman or pyrate as the commissioner called him with honor
and profit; because during Queen Anne's War he was given command of
the sloop "Resolution" under the letters of marque as the following
abstract indicates: "1707- Nov. 9. Where as her Majesty on the 4 May
1702 declared war against the Kings of France and Spaine and whereas
Capt. George Roach, John van Lawer and the Hurst Merchants hath
equipped the sloop Resolution for a private man of war, Capt. Edmund
Du Castell is commissioned Commander. p. 52 ("Publications of the
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania," vol. 6 page 287; original in
Liber A.A.A. of Commission Office of Secretary of State, Trenton, NJ,
pp 52-53; also in microfilm in college of W.P.A. Historical Records
Survey for New Jersey
WILLS
The will of Capt. Edmon Du Chastel is very brief and reads in part
as follows: "Philadelphia ye Day of Aprill 1702 The Last Will and
Testament of Edmond Du Castell being in health and perfect memory and
extending to take a voyage to sea not knowing how it will please God
to Dispose of me... give to my brother Adam Boone one Silver Spoon and
unto Eve daughter to John and Mary Jordon (?) one Silver Spoon & unto
Each and Every of my Brothers and Sisters . . . one Gold Ring . . .
Item ... unto Christian Du Castell my well beloved Wife all my estate
Both Real and personal in whatsoever part or parts of the World they
they shall happen to be situate in & besides what shall happen to be
in this province. (signed)
Edmond Du Castell (Wax Seal Broken)
This will was proved Mar. 25, 1713-14 (Philadelphia Co. PA.,
Register of Wills Office Book C. p.373, shelf no. 285&1/2). ;
photostatic copy in Hist. Soc. of PA., no 285&1/2). The accompanying
inventory of his personal property lists it at L506 16s. 11d.
The will of his wife is longer reading in part as follows: I
Christian Du Castle . . . Widow. . . give Devise and bequeath Unto my
Son Samuel My Silver Tankard, one Silver Porringer & Spoon and the
Gold Ring with the Seal Also one feather Bed and Bolster & Curtains
Valins and all other furniture belonging thereunto and one half of his
fathers Wearing Apparell IT' I give Devise and Bequeath unto my
Edmond A Silver Porringer & Spoon and ye Black Trunk Also the other
half of his ffathers Apparell Also One ffeather Bed & Bolster with
Curtains Vallins and all other furniture thereunto IT I give unto my
Daughter Christian my Best Cabinet and my Gold Chain or Neckless with
my Gold Girdle Bustle & Gold Shoe Buckle ALSO a large Gold Ring and
ye Silver Porringer marked CDC with the little Silver Spoon belonging
to it And one other Silver Spoon Two Silver Salts Six small Silver
Teaspoons and all my Wearing Apparell IT All ye rest and residue of my
Effects. . . shall be equally divided between my three children
above mentioned. . . And Lastly, I do Hereby Appiont my loving Sister
Wenetie Colett and my friend Edward Church . . . my Exectutors. . .
for their trouble . . .give them the sum of ffive pounds.
(signed) Christian Du
Castle
(wafer seal bearing indistinct impression)
this will was dated Sept. 27, 1714, and proved Nov. 25, 1714.
(Ibid.,Book D., page 13, Shelf no.16, 16B, 16C; photostatic copy in
Hist. Soc. of PA. no. 16, 16B, 16C.
By a writing dated Nov. 27, 1714, and witnessed by "Samuel Du
Castel" and Peter Evans, "Weyntie Collett" renounced her right to
serve as Executratrix under the will (Ibid., shelf no. 16c) There is a
wax seal beside the signature of Weyntie Collett besring the
impression of a woman's head in profile. No later reference to Samuel
Du Chastel has been found. The inventory of Christian Du Chastel's
estate (Ibid., shelf no. 16B) enumerated the articles of furniture in
each room of the house. The personal estate totaled L489 2s. 2d. or
something less than than that of her husband
Toison D'Or
(to be continued)