Francis Demont

Francis Demont (fl. 1716–1717) was a pirate active in the Caribbean. His trial was important in establishing Admiralty law in South Carolina.

History

Demont, along with fellow pirates Stephen James De Losey (or De Cossey), Francis Rusoe (or Rossoe), and Emanuel Ernandos (or Ernados), had captured the sloop Virgin Queen near Cuba, the ship Tanner in the Bahamas, and the ships Penelope and Turtle Dove off Jamaica around July 1716. The pirates were captured and tried in July 1717. Nicholas Trott presided over the Charleston trial. The pirates all pled not guilty. De Losey, Rusoe, and Ernandos were found guilty and hanged; Demont may have been executed as well, though sources differ, and he may have been acquitted. Having established the authority of South Carolina's Vice-Admiralty Court (a November trial for piracy had resulted only in acquittals),