The legend of pirate Captain William Kidd's buried treasure may have a surprising location: Gardiner's Island in the Hamptons, New York. In 1699, Kidd is believed to have stashed a significant portion of his wealth on the privately owned island, which remains in the possession of the same family that owned it during Kidd's time.
According to Samuel Marquis, an author and direct descendant of Captain Kidd, the pirate buried approximately 40 pounds of gold, silver, jewels, and silk. Marquis, who is Kidd's ninth great-grandson, suggests that other caches of treasure may also be hidden along the East Coast, with potential sites in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey.
"A Pirate's Wife: The Remarkable True Story of Sarah Kidd" author Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos challenges the popular image of Kidd as a ruthless buccaneer. She portrays him and his wife, Sarah, as influential figures in New York society, owning considerable real estate and hosting lavish dinner parties. Geanacopoulos suggests that Kidd was a respectable landowner and family man before his downfall, a narrative explored in the new Fox Nation series "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn."
The series aims to uncover the man behind the myth, moving beyond the romanticized lore of pirates to present a more nuanced historical account. Eric Shawn, a senior correspondent for FOX News Channel and host of the series, is known for his in-depth reporting on historical mysteries.
The story of Captain Kidd's Hamptons treasure is featured in the third episode of "Crazy American History with Eric Shawn," available for streaming on Fox Nation.