Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure
By Charles M. Skinner in 1896
The specter of Captain William Kidd, the infamous privateer-turned-pirate, looms large over the American coastline, not just in historical accounts, but in the enduring legends of buried treasure. The tales, spun and embellished over centuries, paint a picture of a man who, if he indeed squirrelled away his ill-gotten gains, scattered caches of gold and jewels from the sun-kissed shores of Key West, Florida, all the way up to the rugged coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This article delves into the fascinating lore surrounding Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure, exploring the locations whispered to hold untold riches and the spectral guardians said to protect them.
The sheer ubiquity of these legends is remarkable. From the sandy expanses of Gardiner’s Island to the imposing cliffs of Dunderberg and Croton Point (formerly Cro’ Nest), from the bustling port of New York City to the serene beaches of Coney Island, and even stretching to the distant shores of Ipswich, the murky marshes behind Boston, the windswept dunes of Cape Cod, and the isolated Nantucket, the rumors persist. Even the Isles of Shoals, Money Island, Ocean Beach, the exotic Bahamas, and the Florida Keys, all are mentioned in the Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure. This widespread belief in hidden wealth has, over the years, spurred countless expeditions, fueled by the intoxicating hope of striking it rich.
The driving force behind these often-fruitless searches is the age-old allure of "something for nothing." The promise of effortlessly acquiring a fortune in doubloons and guineas has proven irresistible to many. The fervor is periodically reignited by sensational reports of discoveries, typically involving a farmer unearthing an iron kettle containing a modest collection of gold and silver coins while plowing fields near the coast. These finds, however, are often attributed to clandestine burials during the tumultuous periods of the American Revolution in 1776 and the War of 1812, rather than the legendary pirate himself. The legend surrounding Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure is compelling.
Gardiner’s Island, nestled off the coast of New York, stands apart from the other rumored locations. Unlike the rest, it boasts a documented history of serving as a temporary repository for Kidd’s plunder. In 1699, the Earl of Bellomont, then Governor of New York, recovered a significant amount of treasure from the island, including 783 ounces of gold, 633 ounces of silver, exquisite cloth of gold, luxurious silks, fine satins, and glittering jewels. Adding to the island’s mystique, the old Gardiner Mansion once housed a precious shawl, purportedly gifted to Mrs. Gardiner by Captain Kidd himself, a tangible link to the pirate’s presence. The enduring power of Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure is felt in every location.
William Kidd, a figure shrouded in controversy, was born in New York and initially embarked on a naval career as a privateer, tasked with hunting down pirates. However, he eventually succumbed to the allure of piracy himself, becoming a notorious robber of the seas. His career was cut short when he was captured in Boston, where he was reportedly swaggering about the streets with characteristic boldness. He was subsequently transported to London, where he faced trial and was ultimately hanged in 1701. In maritime folklore, the ghostly apparition of his ship is sometimes conflated with that of the infamous Flying Dutchman, further cementing his place in nautical legend. Even today, the legend surrounding Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure is alive.
Beyond the tangible realm of gold and silver, the tales of Captain Kidd’s treasure are often intertwined with supernatural elements. At Lion’s Rock, near Lyme, Connecticut, it is said that a portion of his treasure lies guarded by a malevolent demon. Legend dictates that any intruder attempting to unearth the hidden wealth must recite scripture to ward off the demonic guardian, lest they fall victim to its wrath.
The narrative takes a darker turn at Charles Island, near Milford, Connecticut. One fateful night, a group of treasure hunters from Milford, emboldened by the rumors of Kidd’s visit to the island, embarked on a clandestine excavation. They believed that Kidd’s presence ashore could only mean one thing: the clandestine burial of treasure. As they unearthed the lid of an iron chest, a terrifying figure materialized from thin air: a headless man. The spectral figure bounded out, causing the treasure hunters to abandon their endeavor in terror. The headless man leaped into the pit, which then erupted in blue flames. Upon returning, the diggers found their tools vanished, and the ground inexplicably smoothed over, as if the night’s events were nothing more than a nightmare.
The Maine coastline is equally rich in lore. Monhegan Island harbors a sea cave said to be the repository of treasure guarded by watchful spirits. Treasure seekers once discovered a heavy chest within the cave, but as they prepared to lift it, one of the party inadvertently uttered a forbidden word, breaking the spell. The vigilant spirits immediately snatched away the treasure, leaving the group empty-handed. Years later, in a desperate attempt to recover the lost chest, the cave was enlarged through blasting. The island’s inhabitants clung to an age-old saying, passed down through generations, that promised: "Dig six feet, and you will find iron; dig six more, and you will find money."
On Damariscotta Island, near Kennebec, Maine, lies a saltwater lake, locally reputed to be bottomless. According to legend, Kidd sank some of his valuables within its depths, securing the entrance with a chain strung between rocks, the points of attachment still visible as bolts on either side. Ring bolts were believed to have been used to secure buoys, marking the precise locations of the submerged chests. Like many of the alleged treasure sites, Damariscotta Island is also considered haunted ground.
Appledore, one of the Isles of Shoals in Maine, is another location steeped in Kidd’s lore. Legend claims that Kidd murdered one of his crew members to ensure that his ghost would haunt the island, deterring future treasure hunters. For years, fishermen avoided landing on the island after nightfall, fearing an encounter with "Old Bab," a spectral figure with a red ring around his neck, dressed in a ragged frock, his body emitting an eerie phosphorescence. The sight of Old Bab’s dreadful white face was enough to send even the most seasoned seafarers fleeing in terror.
Near the Piscataqua River, which forms the border between Maine and New Hampshire, another treasure-hunting expedition unfolded in the early 19th century. A group of seekers, with two wielding picks and spades and a third solemnly reading from the Bible within a protective circle, struck upon an iron chest. However, as they attempted to unearth it, the chest mysteriously slid sideways into the ground. The expedition was further disrupted by the sudden appearance of a monstrous horse, which flew silently towards them before abruptly halting at the edge of the circle. The horse grazed and circled the group for some time before dissolving into thin air, causing the treasure hunters to abandon their quest.
Croton Point on the Hudson River, features a prominent rock formation known as "Kidd’s plug." This projecting knob, resembling a bung sealing an orifice, is believed to conceal a cavern containing barrels of Kidd’s wealth. Despite its seemingly inaccessible location, perched 200 feet up the cliff, the legend suggests that supernatural forces aided in sealing the cave. It is said that if the stone were ever dislodged, a shower of doubloons and diamonds would erupt from within.
Even the Rock Hill estate in Medford, Massachusetts, has its share of spectral tales. Some believed the resident ghost to be that of a New Hampshire farmer, robbed and murdered on the estate. Others, however, attributed the haunting to the spirit of Kidd himself, drawn to the iron treasure chests found in the cellar. These chests, like the one near the Piscataqua River, seemed to possess a supernatural ability to sink out of sight whenever touched by shovels.
The Misery Islands, near Salem, Massachusetts, were also subjected to extensive digging, guided by spiritual consultations, in the hope of unearthing more of Kidd’s hidden wealth. However, these efforts proved fruitless.
Money Hill, on Shark River, New Jersey, is said to require no fewer than half a dozen ghosts to guard its hidden riches, suggesting a substantial treasure. These spectral guardians include sailors in tattered uniforms, skeletal figures, and a chorus of peaceable and threatening spirits. Local residents claim to possess heirlooms acquired from Kidd’s sailors in exchange for apple jack and provisions. According to lore, two sailor-like figures once removed a strongbox from Money Hill, absconding with two bags of gold. Subsequent digging yielded nothing but frustration for the prospectors.
Sandy Hook, New Jersey, particularly near "Kidd’s tree" and the clay banks of the Atlantic highlands, is another area suspected of concealing buried treasure. However, the cairn known as Old Woman’s Hill at the Highlands is said to be haunted not by Kidd’s men, but by the spirit of a disgruntled Native American woman, who was driven away by the Indians themselves with stones.
In Oyster Point, Maryland, a man named Paddy Dabney claimed to have encountered Captain Kidd in 1836. Returning home late from the tavern, he was drawn to a light emanating from a pine thicket. There, he witnessed a strange gathering playing bowls in a clearing, bathed in an ethereal glow. A fierce-looking man, seemingly overseeing the game, spotted Paddy and leaped towards him, causing the Irishman to flee in terror. Upon turning back, he found the phantom of the pirate chief had vanished. Paddy believed the others were devils, as many sea rovers were said to have sold their souls to Satan.
A flat rock on the north shore of Liberty Island, in New York Harbor, was once believed to mark the location of Kidd’s treasure. As late as 1830, Sergeant Gibbs, stationed on the island, attempted to unearth the treasure with the aid of a fortune-teller and a recruit. However, upon reaching a box, a winged, horned, and tailed being erupted from the coffer, breathing blue flames. Gibbs fell unconscious into the water, narrowly escaping drowning, while his companions fled in terror.
The shore surrounding Dighton Rock, Massachusetts, has been extensively examined, as it was once believed that Kidd inscribed the rock to mark the burial place of part of his hoard.
In the days before the American Revolution, a black man named Mud Sam, residing in a cabin at the Battery of New York City, was caught in the dark near what is now 100th Street and East River. While waiting for the tide, he took a nap under the trees. Upon waking, he was startled by the sound of voices and the gleam of a lantern. He hid in the shadows, fearing he was dreaming, as Hell Gate was known for its eerie legends: skeletons in a shipwreck with glowing eyes, a spectral pirate, and a drowned brawler who haunted the waters riding an iron chest.
When the strangers entered the woods, Mud Sam followed them and watched them bury a strongbox. Startled by a threatening remark, he cried out, drawing a pistol shot. Years later, Wolfert Webber and Dr. Knipperhausen, promised him wealth and protection if he guided them to the spot.
After the doctor performed incantations, they dug, but a red-capped rogue leaped from the bushes. They fled, and when they returned, there was no sign of digging or treasure. Webber, having neglected his cabbage farm, grew poor. However, when he learned that a new street would make his land valuable, he recovered and prospered.
The Legends of Captain Kidd’s Treasure continue to captivate, fueling dreams of riches and reminding us of the enduring power of myth and legend.