Henry Johnson (pirate)

[2] He was known as a ruthless and bloodthirsty pirate, said to be an excellent shot despite missing a hand:[3] “though he has but one hand, he fires a piece very dexterously, laying the barrel upon his stump, and drawing the trigger with his right hand.”[4] He was also said to keep loaded pistols with him, even when he slept, in case of surprise attack or to take his own life if capture was imminent.

[6] Johnson's pirates boarded and looted the John and Anne, threatening to hang its crew for daring to resist.

Johnson also intervened when Poleas tried to rape the pregnant wife of the ship's doctor, who had been killed in the fighting.

[1] Cockburn's 1734-1735 autobiography "The Unfortunate Englishmen"[c] told the story of his marooning, escape, and two-year-long overland journey starting with his capture by Johnson.

[4] While some elements of the autobiography may have been sensationalized, the story itself was reported in period newspapers, such as The Weekly Register, or Universal Journal, from 23 October 1731: Shipping.