John Taylor (pirate)

[2] Taylor began his piratical career in 1718 as a crewman aboard the trading sloop Buck when Howell Davis staged a mutiny, took over the ship, and convinced the crew to take up piracy.

Taylor was elected Captain when Cocklyn died, partnering with Edward England and Jasper Seagar aboard the Fancy.

[4] In July 1720 Fancy and Victory found the East India Company ship Cassandra at anchor off Johanna.

[4] At Reunion Island in April 1721 Taylor, Levasseur, and Seagar captured probably the most valuable prize in pirate history, the 700-ton Portuguese treasure ship Nossa Senhora do Cabo (Our Lady of the Cape).

[b] The ship carried gold, uncut diamonds and church regalia belonging to the retiring viceroy of Goa in Portuguese India.

Levasseur, Seagar, and Taylor made off with treasure then maximum valued at approximately a million pounds sterling.