Today is a celebration of love. But love is more than just affection, flowers, sweets and other gifts. Love is dedication and trust. Which is why we would like to take some time to share the history, love and dedication between Captain William Kidd and his beloved wife Sarah Kidd.
William married Sarah Bradley in 1691, despite the terrible rumors/misfortune that followed her. In that same year, he shifted his career to a merchant so that he could remain close and provide for his wife. After the death of Sarah’s second husband John Oort, William worked hard to settle the debt he had put on Sarah, helping her and her brother Samuel reclaim their ownership of their land. William cherished Sarah and Samuel, and Samuel became like a son to him. Despite his restlessness to go to sea, William stayed within the New York area for ten years, helping Sarah raise their daughter. When news spread far and wide that Captain Kidd had turned pirate and was wanted, William did everything he could to protect his wife and daughter from that danger/disgrace. He hid them away among friends they had in the colonies, and debated taking his family and running for Caledonia to the south to ensure they wouldn’t be entangled in his affairs. He remained because he was convinced he could prove he was innocent, unaware that so much was stacked and rigged against him.
Sarah’s dedication to her husband matched his own - when William brought the idea to her for him to pursue a better career, he went to her and they made the agreement together. He left for London, seeking a position in the Royal Navy. When this failed and he was offered a privateer commission to hunt Pirates and French ships, she supported his career move all the same. When he finally returned home, over a year late on that voyage and now the most wanted man in England, she stood by his side and believed his innocence. She moved her family to Boston during the time period he was stuck in jail, working with their local friends to try and get him out. This went on for over a year until a ship finally arrived to take him to London for trial. To the bitter end, she could not free her husband, but still tried to bribe the captain with her valuable golden ring in exchange for his freedom. After Captain Kidd’s death, she remained her fourth husband. Despite finding new happiness with another, she named one of her sons after Kidd to honor his memory.
Rarely do we see examples in history where the wife was treated like an equal. In William and Sarah’s case, there is plenty of evidence that shows William respected and valued her opinion at every turn they took together. The bond between them was strong, despite the world ripping them apart.
