Her father, William Cormack, was an attorney in Ireland.

Anne was born in Charlestown in 1697.

She grew up mostly in town, for though her father bought a plantation, he was no farmer.

Like many famous people, stories are told about her youth that are not necessarily true.

But one pirate, James Bonny, wanted more than a good time.

He wanted to marry her, and Anne agreed.

In fact, he understood James far better than his daughter did.

All romance went out of the relationship when Annes cash disappeared.

Anne got back at her husband by screwing every man in port.

Divorce was impossible at the time.

Humiliated, James left Charlestown, taking his young bride with him.

Times were changing in Nassau.

Many pirates came into Nassau specifically to be pardoned for their crimes, and among these was Jack Rackham.

Most of these pictures look very average, but the one of Jack Rackham does not.

This may be an actual portrait.

He proved that no one could tell him what to do, and won himself the name Calico Jack.

Rackham had been Charles Vanes quartermaster, just like in Black Sails.

But he became captain when the crew voted Vane out.

Jack fell for her hard, and spent much of his ill-gotten gains courting her.

Anne seems to have been touched by this genuine concern for her welfare.

She abandoned the baby, and came back to Nassau to spend all her time with Jack.

The only problem was Annes husband.

But Jack had an answer for that.

An ancient law, still on the books, allowed one man to BUY another mans wife.

For once Anne was the level headed one.

She promised the governor shed go home with her husband, and keep loose company no more.

Once they were out of the area, she took Jack to a tavern.

They stole a boat that very night.

At their trail, Anne and Mary pleaded their bellies, telling the court they were pregnant.

Jack was executed on November 18th, 1720.

Mary Read died in prison.

Did she die too?

Marys death was recorded, so it seems that Annes would have been.

Or did her wealthy father buy her way free?

Many of these old folk tales are at least rooted in fact.

Can you imagine having Anne Bonny for a grandmother?

TS Rhodes is the author ofThe Pirate Empireseries.

She blogs about pirates atthepirateempire.blogspot.com