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Albert Hicks, The Last Pirate Executed By The United States, Who May Have Killed Hundreds
Hung for piracy in 1860, Hicks may have killed several hundred people during a life of crime that lasted for decades
Although piracy is still perpetuated around the world, it has not been something that has been a problem in and around the United States for many years. Perhaps, that is because of the harsh way the country dealt with those criminals who were caught and held responsible for their crimes. In fact, the last person convicted and executed for piracy on American soil was Albert Hicks, also known as Pirate Hicks, all the way back in 1860.
Albert W. Hicks was born around 1820 in Rhode Island to a farmer and his wife. One of seven boys out of 11 children, he was never sent to school, and instead worked with his brothers on the farm until he was 15 and ran away to Norwich, Connecticut.
Prior to leaving his family, he had developed a behavior for fighting and bad behavior. This did not bode well once he was on his own, and in short order he was arrested in Connecticut for theft. Sentenced to jail, he managed to run away a number of times, but was always caught and returned; each time having additional punishments added. This included spending a full year in…
