Ann Bonny
and
Mary Read’s Trial
The Testimony
… the two women, prisoners at the bar, were then on board the said sloop, and wore men’s jackets, and long trousers, and handkerchiefs tied about their heads; and that each of them had a machete and pistol in their hands, and cursed and swore at the men, to murder the deponent; and that they should kill her, to prevent her coming against them ; and the deponent further said,that the reason of her knowing and believing them to be women then was by the largeness of their breasts. An other witness stated the women were very active on board, and that Ann Bonny handed gunpowder to the men ; also, “that when they saw any vessel, gave chase, or attacked, they wore men’s clothes ; and at other times, they wore woman’s clothes.”
The Verdict
“You, Mary Read, and Ann Bonny, alias Bonn, are to go from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of execution; where you shall be severally hanged by the neck till you are severally dead. And god of his infinite mercy be merciful to both your souls.”
The Last Word
Ann Bonny spoke to John Rackman who was being hanged, “Had you fought like a man, you need not have been hang’d like a dog.”
November 17, 1721
