PETERSON, Captain.
Of Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1688 he arrived at Newport in a "barkalonga" armed with ten guns and seventy men. The Governor prosecuted him for piracy, but the grand jury, which consisted of friends and neighbours of Peterson, threw out the bill. Among other charges, Peterson was accused of selling some hides and elephants' teeth to a Boston merchant for £57, being part of the booty he had previously taken out of prizes in the West Indies.
PETERSON, Erasmus.
Tried for piracy with the rest of Captain Quelch's crew at Boston. Was hanged there on June 30th, 1704. When standing on the gallows "He cryed of injustice done him and said, 'It is very hard for so many lives to be taken away for a little Gold.' He said his peace was made with God, yet he found it extremely hard to forgive those who had wronged him. He told the Executioner 'he was a strong man and Prayed to be put out of his misery as soon as possible.'"
PETERSON, John.
A Swedish pirate, one of Gow's crew. He was hanged at Wapping in June, 1725.
PETIT, Captain. French filibuster.
Of San Domingo.
In 1634 was in command of Le Ruze, crew of forty men and four guns.