Israel Hands

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Israel Hands was an 18th century pirate, perhaps best known for being second in command to Blackbeard (Edward Teach).

Hands piracy meandered through the early eighteenth century, with no significant recognition until 1718 when he became Teach's second in command. Blackbeard gave command of David Herriot's ship Adventure to Hands after Herriot was captured by Teach in March 1718.

Daniel Defoe wrote that Hands was shot in the knee by Edward Teach after Teach fired at another of his crew, missing him but striking Hands. Hands supposedly inquired of Teach his meaning in this act, whereupon Teach remarked, "That if he did not now and then kill one of them, they would forget who he was".

When Teach was killed by Robert Maynard, Hands was captured and taken to Virginia for trial. Hands testified against corrupt North Carolina officials whom Teach had consorted with in exchange for pardon. What happened to Hands after this is not known for certain, however in Daniel Defoe's A General History of the Pyrates, Hands is said to have died a beggar in London.

[edit] References in popular culture

In the book Treasure Island one of Long John Silver's pirates is named Israel Hands. In the 2005 BBC miniseries Blackbeard: The Real Pirate Of The Caribbean, Israel Hands was played by Mark Noble, supporting James Purefoy as Blackbeard.