The Life, Trial, Confession and Execution of Albert W. Hicks / The Pirate and Murderer, Executed on Bedloe's Island, New York Bay, on the 13th of July, 1860, for the Murder of Capt. Burr, Smith and Oliver Watts, on Board the Oyster Sloop E. A. Johnson. Containing the History of His Life (Written by Himself) from Childhood Up to the Time of His Arrest. With a Full Account of His Piracies, Murders, Mutinies, High-way Robberies, etc., Comprising the Particulars of Nearly One Hundred Murders! to which is added the Account of His Arrest, Imprisonment, Trial and Execution. Also, His Phrenological Character, as described by L. N. Fowler.

by Albert W. Hicks

But I have resisted the impulse until now, and would die and tell no tales, but that the history of my life may serve as a warning to mankind, and may benefit my wife, perhaps, though it will make her bow her head in deep shame over the crimes of him who is the father of her child.

I feel that after I have unburdened myself of the secrets of my life, I can die easier, and meet my fate like a man; and though I may go to the gallows without hope, without repentance, without any evidence of aught but misery hereafter, the thought that the sale of this, my Confession, will perhaps keep the mother of my child from dependence on such cold charity as the world would show a murderer’s wife, will make me stronger to bear the inevitable doom which is now awaiting me.

For my own sake I would not have done this; but for the sake of her whose fate I have linked in life to mine, and for the sake of the poor little child, who I trust will never know who was its father, I give to the world the wretched

STORY OF MY LIFE.

I was born about the year 1820, in the town of Foster, State of Rhode Island.

My father was a farmer, and had seven sons, of whom I was the youngest but one.

I worked on the farm until I was fifteen years of age, and though I had opportunities of receiving the benefit of public instruction, I never attended school, or profited by the advantages offered me to improve my condition in life by any honest or legitimate means.

I was naturally of a wild, restless, reckless disposition, fonder of wandering about the fields, or lounging by the brook side, than following habits of industry, and among my companions was noted for my headstrong, imperious manner, and was always foremost in all youthful frolics and scrapes, never feeling satisfied unless I could outdo my companions in any enterprise of fun or mischief.

My only ambition was to be rich; but I had no desire to acquire riches in the plodding way in which our neighbors went through life; my dream was to become suddenly rich by some bold stroke, and then to give free reins to the passions and desires which governed me.

I never, even as a boy, hoarded money. I did not care for the mere possession of it. It was only valuable to me as the means of gratifying my passions.