Nathanael Kennedy (1693-1786) was an English naval Admiral and a General in the Army and Royal Marines. He started his military career in 1707, in the Royal Navy, beginning as a Midshipman, as many did at the time.
Early Life and War of Spanish Succession[]
Born to a reputable family in Berkshire, Kennedy lived a relatively easy childhood. He attended Eton College at secondary level, as many boys of wealthy families across England would, and still do. Here he would often play cricket, and would occasionally go boating, developing a love of water. At the age of 14, Kennedy joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman, therefore spending much less time at school, though this was accommodated by additional tutoring. From 1712, he would participate in the War of the Spanish Succession, alongside his father, fighting in the Battle of Denain. Kennedy later fought in the Siege of Barcelona (1713-1714).
Golden Age of Piracy (1715-1722)[]
After the War, Kennedy spent many years in the Caribbean, and occasionally the Thirteen Colonies. Here he would fight possibly thousands of pirates, Including Edward Kenway, Edward Thatch, Benjamin Hornigold, and their associates. Kennedy was actually aboard a Man O' War involved in the 1718 blockade of Nassau. In 1719, Kennedy captained his first ship, the HMS Switchblade. Using this vessel, he sank an approximate of 37 ships from when he was given it, until it was captured by the French in 1721. After this, Along with his crew, Kennedy was presumed dead, although he was found on the shore of Kingston weeks later, but this was never explained, even by himself, who simply didn't know. He then promptly visited a tailor to tidy himself up, as he was covered in sand, seaweed, etc. After this, he visited Governor Woodes Rogers, who had been expecting him for about two months, upon the grounds of the Plantation of the late Laurens Prins. He now had to explain what had happened to his vessel, to which he said that he was attacked, and the prize aboard was lost. Rogers then advised him to ask a royal pardon of King George, which was eventually, albeit reluctantly, accepted.
Dummer's War (1722-1725)[]
It was here when Kennedy first fought independently as a grown man, also in North America with the British Army. The combat started in 1722, although Nathanael only marched his men and kept guard, did not fight until July, when he fought in the Battle of Winnepang. Kennedy was inactive again until 1723. in this year, the Native Wabanaki tribe held a total of fourteen raids on the New England border during the year. During these raids, thirty people were killed/taken prisoner by the Natives. These raids were apparently so dangerous that remaining residents were told to evacuate. In the spring of 1724, the natives conducted a further ten raids in the area, with again 30 people killed or taken captive. Additionally, the Wabanaki took a sloop in Kennebunk harbour, killing the entirety of the crew. Around this time, Captain Josiah Winslow commanded St. George's Fort in Thomaston. Later, Winslow and Kennedy left the fort with around 20 men, in river vessels. They were later separated from the other, commanded by another officer. The officer and his men were outnumbered and killed by hundreds of Indians. Then, Kennedy and Winslow were found by approximately 40 canoes of Natives, who, after a while, killed Winslow and all other men but Kennedy. Nathanael then stood to fight 27 men, whom he miraculously killed all of with two swords and a pistol. He then fell back to the fort, in case of any further arrivals.
In June, Indians raided Dover, New Hampshire and took Elizabeth Hanson into captivity. Furthermore, they engaged in another canoe campaign, assisted by the Miꞌkmaqs from Cape Sable Island. In multiple weeks, they had captured at least twenty ships and boats, killing 22 New Englanders and taking more hostage. They also made an unsuccessful siege of St. George's Fort. This was mainly prevented by Kennedy, with the assistance of some troops.
Battle of Norridgewock[]
In the August of the same year, around 200 men went up the Kennebec river, led by Kennedy and another officer. The soldiers found and killed a chief, and fought his family, taking his wife captive and fatally wounding his daughter. The next day, they attacked the settlement of Norridgewock. When they arrived, they destroyed the village and killed a French missionary and presumed assassin, Sébastien Râle, dispatched in the opening moments of the raid. He was said to have been killed with a flintlock pistol by Kennedy in a log cabin while reloading his own piece. The soldiers then burned down the village, including the church. Around thirty were killed, eleven at the hand of Kennedy.
Kennedy would later go on an expedition in December 1724, with a company 30 soldiers strong. They came from Dunstable, New Hampshire and went to the area north of Lake Winnipesaukee, the largest lake in the aforementioned state, then into the White Mountains. On the 10th they found and killed nine Abenaki Indians. They killed 16 more on another trip in January. Upon his return, he received a letter from the colonial rite of Templars, asking his presence in the future, stating that he could ask a time to be formally inducted into the order.
Battle of Pequawket[]
Officer Kennedy commenced another expedition on April 16th 1725. He left Dunstable with 46 soldiers. At some point, they built a fort at Ossipee, and stationed ten men there. The others went to raid Indians at Fryeburg. On the 9th May the men were at rest, cleaning their pieces and swords, when they saw a native, alone, whom they attacked. They left their stuff behind, where they were before. The party eventually found and shot the man. Their things were found by a group of natives led by Chief Paugus, who planned to ambush the company on their return. Kennedy and the others eventually came back, and engaged in musket battle. Eleven soldiers were killed that day, as well as all but 6 of the Indians. At some point in the skirmish, Kennedy was shot in the thigh, but still managed to kill Chief Paugus, shooting the latter in the chest, killing him in approximately seven seconds. Kennedy then chased off the remaining warriors, firing his musket in the air. The company returned to Dunstable three days later.
In September, Kennedy was stationed at Fort Dummer. He and five others went scouting the area. They were ambushed by Chief Grey Lock and fourteen of his men just west of the Connecticut River, where two died and 3 other men were wounded, though Nathanael managed to escape. Two natives died. In December a peace treaty was signed, another in June 1726.
Induction into the Templar Order[]
Kennedy returned to England in November. Many days later, he received a letter from His Majesty, the King, again requesting his induction into the Templar Order, as King George had become aware of Kennedy's feats, relayed to him in story from advisors. He was to meet with His Majesty in the latter's Royal Court on 1st January 1727, where around twenty prominent Templars, including Woodes Rogers, were summoned. The ceremony was quick, and a party would be held at one of King George's residences. After this, Master Kennedy was given the chance to wear a new variant of his service uniform, which included Templar Crosses, to show his status.
After this, Kennedy performed many tasks in favour of the Templars, doing things like assisting missionaries and the like. After three years of this work, Kennedy returned home to his stately home in Berkshire, another manor house upon the grounds of where his parents had resided since the 1670s. Nathanael married in September, to Anne Smith, a much younger woman than him. In the winter of 1730, specifically late December, They conceived a child. The child, rather children, were born in the next September, and one was named George, after the King, and the other Nathanael, after his father. As young children, George and Junior attended the same school as their father, and Eton later on. The family lived peacefully in unity until 1739, when Kennedy had to return to war.
War of Jenkins' Ear[]
Although combat started in late October, Nathanael got to war in mid November. Kennedy said the war would initially be like a holiday, as he was all too aware of the harsh English winters of his childhood. After five days of sailing in the West Indies, Kennedy was forced to engage in the initial battle of the war.
Battle of Porto Bello[]
Accompanied by Admiral Edward Vernon, Kennedy commanded a party of six ships of the line, which appeared off Porto Bello on the 20th. The ships were forced by an easterly wind to dock at Castillo de Hierro, which they stormed after the Spanish were caught unawares. they raised an English ensign, and the Spanish then surrendered. around 300 were taken prisoner. After this, the British moved on Santiago Fortress, where they attacked and defeated a some ships. The next day, the Spanish surrendered, and the British took Porto Bello. Kennedy went ashore, meeting a contact, who was involved in the assassination of Edward Kenway, which Kennedy had indirectly ordered four years prior. The English left Porto Bello 3 weeks later.
After the battle, Kennedy was gifted a second vessel from the crown, which he named the Raider. Kennedy would use this ship for the majority of his career. Throughout the winter, Nathanael honed his skills of sailing, and it proved to be somewhat more difficult using a ship of the line. The Raider would later be credited as among the fastest vessels in the Americas, especially impressive regarding her size.
Attacks on Cartagena de Indias[]
After an enjoyably warm winter, combat began again in March. This was in Cartagena, a city in modern-day Colombia. It had been since the war commenced that the British wished to learn more of the defences of Cartagena. There had been an attempt at reconnaissance in October, but this unfortunately failed after the man on the job of delivering a letter to the Spanish there, First Lieutenant Percival, was denied entry to Cartagena's port. On March 7th, Kennedy left Kingston, Jamaica with a fleet of ten, and arrived in Colombia on the 13th. Days later the fleet was ordered to open fire upon the city, but the Spanish did not respond initially, instead building a battery on the beach. After a 20-day-long campaign, Nathanael's forces were victorious, and two ships were left in the area. In May, the British returned to Cartagena, but were unsuccessful, and left.
After these, Kennedy returned home, and lived with his family for a period of time.
Life in England (1741-1744)[]
Upon his arrival home, Nathanael was greeted by his family, who said that he had been needed by an Irish seaman in London, who was interested in becoming allies with Kennedy, or better yet join his crew. The next day Kennedy went down to the docks, and found the man, who he learned was called Seamus O'Donovan, and, after short conversation, requested position of first mate, or quartermaster, on the Raider. After some time, and a few drinks, Kennedy agreed, and gave him chance to accompany him soon on an expedition.
Nathanael came home the next day and was questioned by his son (Junior) on if he could tell him about the army or navy, and if and when he might be eligible to enlist, to which his father replied that he certainly could, but he was too young to be an officer, and too rich to fight in line infantry. After discussion, Nathanael stated he could get junior a place as a midshipman as he had started with in 1707, and could take time out of Eton to get experience, which he did afterwards for a few years.