17th century pirate linked to New York's Jones Beach in historic documents

An amateur historian has found colonial-era documents linking Thomas Jones, the namesake of New York's Jones Beach, to the notorious 17th century pirate Captain Henry Every, CBS News reported.

The documents indicate Jones acted as a 'wheelman' who helped Every and his crew escape after their violent 1695 raid on the Ganj-i-Sawai, a royal Indian treasure ship, which involved torture and murder and sparked a global manhunt.

Jones later became a wealthy proprietor of a whaling operation on the barrier beach that now bears his name, and was investigated by New York's governor for his suspected role in piracy.

The historian hopes to publish his research, which adds new details to Jones' previously unclear involvement in this significant piracy event, according to CBS News.

Local history author John Hanc noted that Jones' past was hinted at before but never fully explored in history books.