History in 5 Minutes or less

The Tragic Tale of Black Sam Bellamy
The year is 1715, and a young, ambitious sailor named Sam Bellamy has just landed in Cape Cod. Little does he know, he is about to become the wealthiest pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy. Born in Great Britain and with experience as a former Royal Navy sailor, Sam is no stranger to life on the ocean. But his path to piracy begins in an unlikely way, through love.

A Pirate’s Love Story
Sam’s journey into the pirate world begins after meeting a young woman named Goody Hallett. Though she would later become known as Mariah in local legend, there’s little historical evidence to support that was ever her true name. What is clear, however, is that it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, Goody’s parents, wealthy and proper, disapprove of their relationship. They see Sam—an impoverished sailor—as unworthy of their daughter, who deserves a life of luxury.

But fate takes a turn when Goody finds herself pregnant with Sam’s child. In early 1716, with Goody’s family in disarray over the scandal, Sam leaves Cape Cod, joining a group of men who seek the treasure of the Spanish fleet, wrecked off the coast of Florida during a hurricane the previous year. While it’s unclear if Sam knew of Goody’s pregnancy at this time, it is clear that he wants to make a name for himself, earn riches, and ultimately give Goody the life she deserves.

The Pirate’s Rise
By the time Bellamy and his crew reach the Spanish wreck, they find that others, including the notorious pirate Benjamin Hornigold, have already looted it. Rather than return empty-handed, Bellamy joins forces with Hornigold, quickly rising to the position of his right-hand man. However, a mutiny soon follows, and Bellamy takes over Hornigold’s crew.

It is around this time that Bellamy earns the nickname “Black Sam” Bellamy, not for any violent deeds, but because he preferred to tie his long, black hair with a ribbon, defying the fashionable powdered wigs worn by most gentlemen of the time. As his reputation grew, so did his fortune. During his short but successful pirate career, Bellamy captured 53 ships, amassing a staggering $120 million in plunder (in today’s dollars). His merciful nature earned him the nickname “Robin Hood of the Sea,” as he often spared the lives of his captives and redistributed their wealth to the poor.

The Whydah Galley
In 1717, Bellamy’s most famous capture came when he seized the slave ship Whydah Galley on its triangular trade route between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Bellamy quickly took a liking to the Whydah, favoring it over his previous ship, the Sultana. He made the Whydah the flagship of his fleet and decided to sail back to Cape Cod, intending to retire from piracy and live out his days with Goody.

The Tragic Fate of Goody Hallett
However, unbeknownst to Bellamy, Goody had given birth to their child in his absence. Local legend suggests that the child died shortly after birth, and Goody—consumed by grief and shame—was blamed for the death. She was imprisoned, and after her release, she was exiled from the town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. This marked the beginning of Goody’s tragic transformation. Cast out by society, she grew bitter, consumed by rage and madness. Over time, she became known as the “Witch of Wellfleet,” a label that would haunt her for the rest of her life.

The Final Voyage
After two long years, Bellamy set sail again, determined to return to Goody and start anew. With the Whydah leading his fleet, Bellamy’s journey began smoothly, but on the night of April 26, 1717, disaster struck. A sudden, violent storm swept the ship onto a sandbar, just 16 feet of water. The Whydah’s masts snapped, and the heavily loaded ship capsized. In a tragic turn, 143 pirates drowned in the wreck, and only two crew members survived. The body of Black Sam Bellamy was never recovered.

Legend says that on the night of the storm, Goody Hallett was seen standing atop a cliff, gazing down at the wrecked Whydah. Some say she was cursing the storm that had claimed her love; others whisper that she may have caused the storm herself in a fit of vengeful rage for Bellamy’s abandonment. The truth remains a mystery, but the tale of Goody and Sam has become a tragic part of local folklore.

The Discovery of the Whydah
The Whydah Galley remained lost for centuries until 1984, when it was finally discovered off the coast of Wellfleet. The wreckage revealed much about the pirate life of Black Sam Bellamy and the infamous Whydah, helping to corroborate many of the stories and legends that surrounded his rise and fall. Though the facts of Bellamy’s life can now be pieced together, much of the story, especially the legend of Goody, remains shrouded in mystery.

Conclusion
Black Sam Bellamy’s life was a blend of ambition, love, betrayal, and tragedy. His brief career as a pirate catapulted him to fame and fortune, but his heart remained with Goody Hallett, the woman he loved and who, according to legend, cursed the sea for taking him from her. Today, the story of Bellamy and Goody is as much a part of pirate lore as the treasure he sought, the ships he plundered, and the storm that claimed his life.

Happy Halloween! A spirited story from the shores of Cape Cod. Kinlin Grover Compass. (n.d.). https://www.kinlingrover.com/blog/happy-halloween-a-spirited-story-from-the-shores-of-cape-cod/

Sippell, M. (2023, January 31). The legendary love story of black sam bellamy and “goody” Hallett. MovieMaker. https://www.moviemaker.com/black-sam-bellamy-goody-hallett-witch-of-wellfleet-lost-pirate-kingdom/