Van Pelt researchers may be interested in the following entry regarding one Aure Van Pelt. I would be interested to know if anyone has identified him. Executive Journals of the Council of Virginia, Williamsburg, 11 March 1718: "Whereas William Stoke and Aure Van Pelt were at a Court of Admiralty held at the Capitol the 17th day of December last past tryed and convicted of piracy for taking and runing away with the Sloop Providence on the Second day of September last past, and upon their Tryal alledged that they with others concerned in the taking the said Sloop, had two days before desarted from one Charles Vane a Pirate and brought with them 90 Negroes which the said Vane had Piratically taken from a Briganteen bound to South Carolina with an intention to goe into Charlestown to accept of his Majestys pardon, and that the only reason of their pursuing and taking the said Sloops Providence was to furnish themselves with a Pilot to Conduct them over the Barr of Charles town in order to their Surrender; but no proof being made of this their allegation: Sentance of death passed upon them, according to the Facts proved at their tryal. And forasmuch as there is now certain advice that the Crew to which the said Stoke and Van Pelt belong [did] proceed to Charlestown and Surrender themselves and did also deliver up the Negroes which they had rescued from the other Pirates, It is the unanimous opinion of this Board that the said Stokes and Van Pelt are fitt objects of his Majesties mercy, they having endeavoured to get to Charlestown in order to their Surrender and were prevented by bad weather. And that therefore the Governor be requested to grant them a Pardon The Governor desiring the advice of this Board if the Pirates which have been convicted and received the benefit of his Majestys Pardon ought to be allowed the Liberty of Stragling about the Country; being persons of whose behaviour the Governm't can have but Small confidence. The Council are thereupon are of opinion, That if the Capt of his Majestys Ships on this Station are in want of Men, upon their application it is fitt the said Pyrates be Sent to Serve on Board the said Ships as has been Customary heretofore in the case of Vagrant Seamen." Source: Henry Read McIlwaine, ed., Executive Journals of the Colonial Council of Virginia, 5 Vols. (Richmond, Virginia: Published by the Virginia State Library, 1925); digital image. Internet Archive (http://www.archive.org : July 2011), Vol. III, p. 497.