History at Sunset Walking Tour: Cotton Mather and the Pirate Trial of 1717

Park Event · Boston National Historical Park · Oct 22, 2026 · 5:30 PM–6:45 PM

Join a National Park Service Ranger as they share Boston’s diverse history through unique guided tours.

Pirates and Puritans: Cotton Mather and the Pirate Trial of 1717

July 23 & October 22

In 1717, six captured pirates faced trial for piracy in Boston. Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister, condemned piracy but also offered salvation to these six pirates. This tour will explore the moment during which the opposing worlds of Puritan Boston and piracy collided. Walk in the footsteps of the condemned pirates through Boston’s North End where they met their fate.

• Meeting Point: Find Your Park Space in the lower level of Faneuil Hall, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA 02109
• Final Stop: Copp's Hill Terrace
• Route Info: The tour will cover approximately 1.1 miles over uneven surfaces, moderate hills, and cross multiple intersections in a highly populated urban area.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).