Captain William Kidd held a letter of marque issued by William of Orange himself to plunder and seize the bounty of Spanish gallions headed back to Castile.
During storm season Spaniards would ground their ships and row to shore to wait out the heavy seas. Cap'n Will and crew would tie on and empty their hulls.
They even went as far as to steal a smaller gun boat which they renamed "Knave's Row ". Young Jack Leeds would pilot that crew for Cap'n Will's protection.
They'd plunder come Summer. During the spring thaw they dropped anchor near Deep Fjord on the Dela'wer just up from Timber's Creek just in land from ye old Fort Nassau which overlooked the Village at Gloucester. They'd bunk at Woodbury's farm.
They'd rum and ruckus with local folk further in. Took the piker's Black Horse path to Scotland's Run near the groves where the Keys Crossed. T'was there they played the game.
Many came from all parts to witness the contest. They wagered their silvers and traded barrels of rum for snuff and smoke that grew in Lord Fairfax's south lands called Virgin's Dominion.
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William Kidd was arrested, tried and hanged in 1702. His crew buried nine lock boxes in deep Downe Jersey. They were filled to the brim with Mexican silver coin.
In 1909 a wooden box was unearthed near Estelle Manor. Inside were four playing cards, Jack of Hearts, Ace of Spades, Queen of Diamonds and King of Clubs. This was known as a "Knave's Row" stud hand.
Shortly after 1702, a rumor spread of a screaming demon roaming the sandy swamps of southern New Jersey. Someone wanted to keep curious eyes away.