'Deadman's Island' map hoax and Cerris Francis' claims debunked

[Bocaj]

Harold T. Wilkins in 1940 claimed Henry Avery (Every) travelled to Oak Island and buried treasure. I have read earlier sources than this but do not remember them right now. However, Wilkins undeniably was claiming Avery sailed to Oak Island 64 years before you:

View attachment 2258482
View attachment 2258481
As I said, there is nothing really new in your book. You are rehashing dubious claims without evidence from many decades ago.

I think Wilkins must have mixed up the chronology if he writes that Avery sailed there after Kidd's death.

In any case the idea the Avery 's treasure was masked as Kidd's is a valid one. Not for the reasons he states but for legal issues. Pirate treasure would be open to legal claims by either the EIC or the richest man of the world wherever it resurface. Kidd's treasure on the other hand is less problematic especially for those who hid the French passes. They could at least argue it was taken from a legal prise.

It is a possibility that Kidd was send to recover Avery's treasure which location was given to secure pardons or new identities to Avery and his crew. The legal issue was solved by declaring it Kidd's spoils. Make sense as he had a King's commission and was best positioned to do such a deal.

 

[releventchair]

Any confirmation of Bottings account of St. Thomas being where the booty was converted? What would Avery be hiding then that was in the form of the prior plunder to i.d. it?
John Dann's later arrest had him in possession of half sovereigns and ten guineas. Being foreign enough to cause alarm along with jewels in Bristol attempts to divulge of them. The mention of jewels begs if they were plundered ship jewels ; or post plunder having been fenced jewels.
Kind of a surprise that such coins would cause much notice in such a port but the who and how many likely factored too. As would the jitteriness level of Bristol/Londons jewelers/smiths.

The Sea Flower (one of many such named craft) relieved itself of a number of slaves. Doesn't mean Avery was aboard at the time absent confirmation.

Disappeared can mean dead. And greatly reduces confirmed sightings after a while.
Last seen or near in time is a start for where someone might end.
Turning away from near Ireland what was the next route?
A price on ones head and crossed prior sponsors limited options.
Where would reversing course have directed?
The problem with Nova Scotia is winter severity , for starters.
The problem with the Francis' proposal of a Kidd/Avery project on the island even indirectly is their individual status and spheres. And the proposed project ( refining plunder.) Warehousing plunder during off season would contrast greatly with the traditional fencing operations of "friendly" governors getting dibs.

After his biggest prize. Avery was marked. On the wrong side of cannons and free will at sea.
Being sequestered on a frozen isle eating frozen cabbage for months on end under the control of a wanted fugitive wouldn't make for willing hands. A guy could disappear just for trying to recruit or impress a crew for that. Let alone watching them die. And who didn't know the fate of many in Avery's raiding the Ganj-i-sawai?

Oak Island projects then would need to predate that big haul. But why?
Year round and escapable options abounded elsewhere. With fresh fruit, nonfrozen beer, water, and climes.

 

[Bocaj]

The idea that the gold needed to be (re)coined is not necessarily a bad one especially after Kid became branded as pirate as well which would have kind of spoiled the above idea of masking Avery's treasure as Kidd's. Only Kidd for sure (being hanged dead) would never be involved (neither the burned QM). Avery after recovering his treasure could have sailed to OI but there is no indication of that. Also the suggested constructions are totally out of scale. We speak of gold and precious stones in a value of around 100k£ which is 150-300k gold in weight at the start of the 18th century. No need for a huge underground construction.

It is really important to look at scale and economy. Difficult maybe for those who watched to many Hollywood Indiana Jones movies. In any case Avery would not risk to sail that much treasure all the way up north without assurances. He left the Fancy in Nassau and a small sloop has no way to escape or fight coastguard or navy vessels when stopped to be searched on the way. He must have left the bulk of the treasure behind on the way to be retrieved after negotiating an agreement with the crown. This is what I think was his motivation to get right back into the lion's den (England). 100k£ in gold would have been able to change the course of history. In that age it was relatively spoken a huge amount! Hard cash urgently needed be all those different power groups struggling to keep the wheel of speculation turning after the glorious revolution.

 

[releventchair]

The idea that the gold needed to be (re)coined is not necessarily a bad one especially after Kid became branded as pirate as well which would have kind of spoiled the above idea of masking Avery's treasure as Kidd's. Only Kidd for sure (being hanged dead) would never be involved (neither the burned QM). Avery after recovering his treasure could have sailed to OI but there is no indication of that. Also the suggested constructions are totally out of scale. We speak of gold and precious stones in a value of around 100k£ which is 150-300k gold in weight at the start of the 18th century. No need for a huge underground construction.

It is really important to look at scale and economy. Difficult maybe for those who watched to many Hollywood Indiana Jones movies. In any case Avery would not risk to sail that much treasure all the way up north without assurances. He left the Fancy in Nassau and a small sloop has no way to escape or fight coastguard or navy vessels when stopped to be searched on the way. He must have left the bulk of the treasure behind on the way to be retrieved after negotiating an agreement with the crown. This is what I think was his motivation to get right back into the lion's den (England). 100k£ in gold would have been able to change the course of history. In that age it was relatively spoken a huge amount! Hard cash urgently needed be all those different power groups struggling to keep the wheel of speculation turning after the glorious revolution.

If Trott found aboard ship the alleged amount of plunder he was credited for acquiring what was removed by the departing pirates had to be of impressive value. And portability probably.
Caching any to not get caught with it would be restricted to the island or one near. Not a Nova Scotia island near , but near.

 

[Oak Island Sage]

Harold T. Wilkins in 1940 claimed Henry Avery (Every) travelled to Oak Island and buried treasure. I have read earlier sources than this but do not remember them right now. However, Wilkins undeniably was claiming Avery sailed to Oak Island 64 years before you:

View attachment 2258482
View attachment 2258481
As I said, there is nothing really new in your book. You are rehashing dubious claims without evidence from many decades ago.

Hi Cryptid1990, please elaborate on your statement that Quote, "Harold T Wilson claimed in 1940 Henry Avery (Every) travelled to Oak Island and buried treasure." What specific book was that in? and what page number please? I have read a book by H T Wilkins but I don't recall ever reading that interesting piece of information.

The question is not whether or not Captain William Kidd sailed to Oak Island, I'm personally convinced of that, because I believe the Deadman Island map was drawn by him and it depicted Oak Island.

If there is clear evidence somewhere that Captain Henry Every sailed around Nova Scotia I am delighted hear this, it considerably strengthens my theory that Captain Every hid out on the nearby Cape Breton Island, (a notorious pirate haven). This adds credence to my theory that Henry Every was previously involved at Nova Scotia with the Oak Island project, and with his secret partner William Kidd.

So please disclose what book by H T Wilkins in 1940 are you quoting an extract from?

Oak Island Sage

 

[Cryptid1990]

Hi Cryptid1990, please elaborate on your statement that Quote, "Harold T Wilson claimed in 1940 Henry Avery (Every) travelled to Oak Island and buried treasure." What specific book was that in? and what page number please? I have read a book by H T Wilkins but I don't recall ever reading that interesting piece of information.

The question is not whether or not Captain William Kidd sailed to Oak Island, I'm personally convinced of that, because I believe the Deadman Island map was drawn by him and it depicted Oak Island.

If there is clear evidence somewhere that Captain Henry Every sailed around Nova Scotia I am delighted hear this, it considerably strengthens my theory that Captain Every hid out on the nearby Cape Breton Island, (a notorious pirate haven). This adds credence to my theory that Henry Every was previously involved at Nova Scotia with the Oak Island project, and with his secret partner William Kidd.

So please disclose what book by H T Wilkins in 1940 are you quoting an extract from?

Oak Island Sage

It is from an article not a book. You can read the article here (see below). There is no evidence Henry Avery sailed around Nova Scotia or buried a treasure on Oak Island. I only mentioned this article to show - 64 years before you someone else claimed Avery visited Oak Island.

 

[Oak Island Sage]

It is from an article not a book. You can read the article here (see below). There is no evidence Henry Avery sailed around Nova Scotia or buried a treasure on Oak Island. I only mentioned this article to show - 64 years before you someone else claimed Avery visited Oak Island.

View attachment 2258547

Hi Cryptid1990, I was not aware of this article presumably made by HT Wilkins in 1940, nor can I read the tiny print that suggested that Avery may have visited Oak Island, can you enlarge that section please. If it is presented as a short suggested possibility it does not in any way constitute an in-depth study or compare with my extensive historical narrative containing places and dates.
There is nothing anywhere in print that predates my 2004 theory that Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every (Avery) were secret partners, especially in a covert operation involving Oak Island.
In my book I have tried to include as much information as I could about the separate voyages of both of these men with information gleaned from old books etc. The windows of opportunity were there for the two men to have met and planned their ambitious and illicit scheme.

Both Captain Kidd and Captain Every were well known to have sailed around Nova Scotia, and in the vicinity of Oak Island set in Mahone Bay, this lends considerable credence to my narrative. The Memorial Stone to Captain Kidd is still on the relatively nearby Cape Breton Island, where I suggest that Captain Henry Every went into hiding. The Deadman Island Map drawn by Captain William Kidd in 1699 is the finale piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

Oak Island Sage

 

[Cryptid1990]

Hi Cryptid1990, I was not aware of this article presumably made by HT Wilkins in 1940, nor can I read the tiny print that suggested that Avery may have visited Oak Island, can you enlarge that section please. If it is presented as a short suggested possibility it does not in any way constitute an in-depth study or compare with my extensive historical narrative containing places and dates.
There is nothing anywhere in print that predates my 2004 theory that Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every (Avery) were secret partners, especially in a covert operation involving Oak Island.
In my book I have tried to include as much information as I could about the separate voyages of both of these men with information gleaned from old books etc. The windows of opportunity were there for the two men to have met and planned their ambitious and illicit scheme.

Both Captain Kidd and Captain Every were well known to have sailed around Nova Scotia, and in the vicinity of Oak Island set in Mahone Bay, this lends considerable credence to my narrative. The Memorial Stone to Captain Kidd is still on the relatively nearby Cape Breton Island, where I suggest that Captain Henry Every went into hiding. The Deadman Island Map drawn by Captain William Kidd in 1699 is the finale piece of the jigsaw puzzle.

Oak Island Sage

You never actually substantiated your claim you first came up with the "theory that Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every (Avery) were secret partners, especially in a covert operation involving Oak Island". However, since there is no evidence Kidd and Every met I do not think it much matters. I am personally not wasting any more time on this. Your claim that the Deadman Island map was drawn by Kidd was thoroughly disproven pages ago, for example, see the comments by @BAW (here) and @Red-Coat (here) concerning the watermark.

 

[Bocaj]

If Trott found aboard ship the alleged amount of plunder he was credited for acquiring what was removed by the departing pirates had to be of impressive value. And portability probably.
Caching any to not get caught with it would be restricted to the island or one near. Not a Nova Scotia island near , but near.

Sure and I think I am closing in on the probable spots. Mostly studying navigation and pirate history. Also the historic background etc. Also it is possible that he didn't transport the main treasure on the Fancy. While by far the most powerful it was also the most visible and identifiable one. He was a very smart planer knowing what he was doing.

I think he left the haul with some reliable crew in a place where they would wait for further instructions. That means it must have been safe for pirates but at the same time relatively close to main shipping lanes so they could exchange letters and travel without raising suspicion. Also they need to be able to leave when needed.

All those factors narrow the choice of the place and this is the best method so far to get closer. I can of course not know if the treasure was fully or partiality recovered...

 

[Oak Island Sage]

You never actually substantiated your claim you first came up with the "theory that Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every (Avery) were secret partners, especially in a covert operation involving Oak Island". However, since there is no evidence Kidd and Every met I do not think it much matters. I am personally not wasting any more time on this. Your claim that the Deadman Island map was drawn by Kidd was thoroughly disproven pages ago, for example, see the comments by @BAW (here) and @Red-Coat (here) concerning the watermark.

Hi Cryptid, I have substantiated my theory several times, it's just that you don't want to hear it. Nobody has proven at any time that the Deadman Island map was not drawn, dated, and signed by Captain William Kidd, that's because it was as I have repeated proven, by the fact that things drawn on it are still there today, or at least some were in say 1960 before various searcher projects obliterated them.

As for my theory regarding the possible secret partnership of Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every, perhaps you can explain this, how did the fabulous Indian Cradle Blanket laced with gold thread (that was among the items stolen by Captain Henry Every from the great Moguls of India's Flagship Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695) come to be in the possession of Captain William Kidd in 1697 ?
It was eventually left as a present by Captain Kidd on Gardeners Island, and even more mysterious was the fact that it was not shown in Captain Kidd's ships manifest list at the end of his own separate voyage.
That's where I started my research into their possible collusion and foolishly confided my theory to Paul Hawkins, he promptly made it his own😡.

Oak Island Sage

 

[Bocaj]

As for my theory regarding the possible secret partnership of Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every, perhaps you can explain this, how did the fabulous Indian Cradle Blanket laced with gold thread (that was among the items stolen by Captain Henry Every from the great Moguls of India's Flagship Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695) come to be in the possession of Captain William Kidd in 1697 ?

It was eventually left as a present by Captain Kidd on Gardeners Island, and even more mysterious was the fact that it was not shown in Captain Kidd's ships manifest list at the end of his own separate voyage.

Interesting, never heard of any item from Gardiner accredited to Avery before. Where do you source this information from?

 

[Cryptid1990]

As for my theory regarding the possible secret partnership of Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every, perhaps you can explain this, how did the fabulous Indian Cradle Blanket laced with gold thread (that was among the items stolen by Captain Henry Every from the great Moguls of India's Flagship Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695) come to be in the possession of Captain William Kidd in 1697 ?

It never did.

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4526763

KIDD, William (Captain) (1645-1701)]. A PIECE OF THE KIDD BLANKET, a square of green and red striped fabric (4 x 5¾ in.), with floral designs and gold thread. An accompanying manuscript note entitled, "Piece of the Kidd Blanket, Property of Frederick Thompson," explains that "This cloth of gold was given in the year 1697 by the pirate Captain Kidd to Mrs. Elizabeth Gardiner, wife of John Gardiner, the third proprietor of Gardiner's Island. It was captured on the ship "Queda Merchant" by Kidd & was part of the dowry of the Grand Mogul's daughter."

The blanket with gold thread came from the Quedagh Merchant.

 

[Oak Island Sage]

Interesting, never heard of any item from Gardiner accredited to Avery before. Where do you source this information from?

Hi Bocaj, I found a short reference to it in the index at the back of the book by H T Wilkins entitled Captain Kidd and his Skeleton Island, it was my starting point, see what you can find that hopefully supports my theory.

Oak Island Sage

 

[Oak Island Sage]

It never did.

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4526763

The blanket with gold thread came from the Quedagh Merchant.

Cryptid1990, The Cradle Blanket came from the Ganj-i-Sawai and was among several things captured by the crew of the Fancy. On board the partially dismasted ship was one of the daughters of the Great Mogul who was going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, the blanket was taken by her to present at the Shrine of Mahomet, she was apparently abducted by Captain Henry Every.

There is no evidence at all anywhere that the Cradle Blanket was ever on the Moorish ship the "Queda Merchant", that was/is incorrect speculation, the vessel was just one of seven Armenian merchant ships sailing with heavy laden cargoes of silks, muslin, and spices, the cradle blanket would have been totally out of place on board a merchant ship.
The fact remains that there is a real mystery as to how it came into Captain Kidd's hands. I have stated my theory that on the Isle of St Thomas located in the Leeward Island, and later in Campeachy Bay located in the Great Bay of Mexico William Kidd and Henry Every became secret partners. The Cradle Blanket may later have deliberately changed hands in New York, and I have stated in my book my theory regarding what the devious reason for them to do this was.

Oak Island Sage

 

[Cryptid1990]

Cryptid1990, The Cradle Blanket came from the Ganj-i-Sawai and was among several things captured by the crew of the Fancy. On board the partially dismasted ship was one of the daughters of the Great Mogul who was going on a pilgrimage to Mecca, the blanket was taken by her to present at the Shrine of Mahomet, she was apparently abducted by Captain Henry Every.

There is no evidence at all anywhere that the Cradle Blanket was ever on the Moorish ship the "Queda Merchant", that was/is incorrect speculation, the vessel was just one of seven Armenian merchant ships sailing with heavy laden cargoes of silks, muslin, and spices, the cradle blanket would have been totally out of place on board a merchant ship.
The fact remains that there is a real mystery as to how it came into Captain Kidd's hands. I have stated my theory that on the Isle of St Thomas located in the Leeward Island, and later in Campeachy Bay located in the Great Bay of Mexico William Kidd and Henry Every became secret partners. The Cradle Blanket may later have deliberately changed hands in New York, and I have stated in my book my theory regarding what the devious reason for them to do this was.

Oak Island Sage

Where is your evidence the blanket (cloth) came from the Ganj-i-Sawai?

Hi Bocaj, I found a short reference to it in the index at the back of the book by H T Wilkins entitled Captain Kidd and his Skeleton Island, it was my starting point, see what you can find that hopefully supports my theory.

Oak Island Sage

Aka confirmation bias. Ignore the contradictory evidence and cherry-pick an unsubstantiated claim published 234 years after Kidd died because it fits your preconceived idea. Why is there not a single maritime historian who supports what you have claimed about the blanket?

 

[releventchair]

https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2026/07/the-kidd-palmer-maps-conclusively-proven-to-be-a-hoax-lifted-directly-from-fiction/

Hi Bocaj, I found a short reference to it in the index at the back of the book by H T Wilkins entitled Captain Kidd and his Skeleton Island, it was my starting point, see what you can find that hopefully supports my theory.

Oak Island Sage

HT Wilkins .
A writer of historical FICTION.

 

[releventchair]

Hi Cryptid1990, You have made a clear statement now prove it. Please quote any source before 2004 that suggested collusion existed between Kidd and Every and their theorized correction with Oak Island.
Yes I am most certainly taking the credit for being the first person to put forward that theory, Paul Hawkins merely adapted it for his own use. In addition to that I am still convinced that my theory is true. Now all you have to do is find some old book that suggest a covert partnership existed between Kidd and Every, and their clandestine connection with Oak Island, and then prove that this other person's theory was in print somewhere before - 2004, go ahead ask AI.

Oak Island Sage

[Please quote any source before 2004 that suggested collusion existed between Kidd and Every and their theorized correction with Oak Island.]

Mol states the earliest accounts mention such. See [Henry Avery and the communal bank].
Earliest accounts pre date 04 don't they?

Perhaps on your next visit you could press him for footnotes regarding the collaboration?

Captain Kidd and the Hidden Maps | The Curse of Oak Island

The oldest theory and the name that started it all. A privateer's commission, a dying sailor's confession, hidden treasure maps, and a trail of 17th century ...

thecurseofoakisland.com

 

[Oak Island Sage]

Where is your evidence the blanket (cloth) came from the Ganj-i-Sawai?

Aka confirmation bias. Ignore the contradictory evidence and cherry-pick an unsubstantiated claim published 234 years after Kidd died because it fits your preconceived idea. Why is there not a single maritime historian who supports what you have claimed about the blanket?

[Please quote any source before 2004 that suggested collusion existed between Kidd and Every and their theorized correction with Oak Island.]

Mol states the earliest accounts mention such. See [Henry Avery and the communal bank].
Earliest accounts pre date 04 don't they?

Perhaps on your next visit you could press him for footnotes regarding the collaboration?

Captain Kidd and the Hidden Maps | The Curse of Oak Island

The oldest theory and the name that started it all. A privateer's commission, a dying sailor's confession, hidden treasure maps, and a trail of 17th century ...

thecurseofoakisland.com

Hi Criptid11990, where is your own evidence that it did not, I have presented a theory for researchers to investigate the possibility, you are just a nay-sayer with some some sort of theory of your own and you hate to be told you are wrong.

Oak Island Sage

 

[Oak Island Sage]

[Please quote any source before 2004 that suggested collusion existed between Kidd and Every and their theorized correction with Oak Island.]

Mol states the earliest accounts mention such. See [Henry Avery and the communal bank].
Earliest accounts pre date 04 don't they?

Perhaps on your next visit you could press him for footnotes regarding the collaboration?

Captain Kidd and the Hidden Maps | The Curse of Oak Island

The oldest theory and the name that started it all. A privateer's commission, a dying sailor's confession, hidden treasure maps, and a trail of 17th century ...

thecurseofoakisland.com

[Please quote any source before 2004 that suggested collusion existed between Kidd and Every and their theorized correction with Oak Island.]

Mol states the earliest accounts mention such. See [Henry Avery and the communal bank].
Earliest accounts pre date 04 don't they?

Perhaps on your next visit you could press him for footnotes regarding the collaboration?

Captain Kidd and the Hidden Maps | The Curse of Oak Island

The oldest theory and the name that started it all. A privateer's commission, a dying sailor's confession, hidden treasure maps, and a trail of 17th century ...

thecurseofoakisland.com

Hi Releventchair, there is no evidence that a covert partnership ever existed between Captain William Kidd and Captain Henry Every anywhere before 2004, only a mere suggestion by HT Wilkins. If however anyone can find any such evidence (that supports my theory of this hypothetical collusion) before that date I would be pleased to hear it.

Oak Island Sage

 

[Carl-NC]

Hi Criptid11990, where is your own evidence that it did not, I have presented a theory for researchers to investigate the possibility, you are just a nay-sayer with some some sort of theory of your own and you hate to be told you are wrong.

Good grief, man, did you even bother to click on the link in post 132? He handed you the evidence.