Some pirate stories a just good stories, full of adventure and booty. Others show a human side of pirates. The story of Ocean-Born Mary is just such a story. And, it's true!

In 1720 just off the coast of Massachusetts, a ship called the Wolf was becalmed in the sea. The ship had come from Londonderry, Ireland. It was on route to Londonderry, New Hampshire with a group of settlers anxious to make a new life in America.

A sinister looking ship came into view. It was a pirate ship and Don Pedro the Pirate was the captain. The pirates boarded the ship and all aboard were prepared to die. Suddenly, there was the sound of a small baby crying. Don Pedro the Pirate ran down the cabinway to find the new-born child.

Down below-decks, Elisabeth Fulton had just given birth to a little girl. The pirate captain told Elisabeth that he would spare everyone on the ship if he could name the little girl. Elisabeth agreed. He named the baby Mary, after his mother. Because she was born at sea, he called her Ocean-Born Mary.

Everyone on board was relieved when the pirates left without hurting anyone. But then, to the horror of all aboard the Wolf, the pirates turned around and returned to the ship. The pirate gave Elisabeth a bolt of green silk (the same shade of green as Mary's eyes) for Mary's wedding dress and then sailed away.

Mary grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Eventually she married and had four sons. Mary's husband died, leaving Mary with her four sons to raise.

Once again, Mary's fortunes were connected to Don Pedro the Pirate. Don Pedro had grown older and was tired of the pirate's life. He built a large, fine house for himself near Henniker, New Hampshire. He learned that the baby he named Mary was now a widow. He engaged Mary as his housekeeper and eventually married her.

All was well for several years until Captain Don Pedro returned from a trip with a large wooden chest. The Captain and one of his crew members buried the chest. Both men went out to do the digging, but only Captain Pedro returned.

About a year later, Mary came home to find the house empty. She found the body of her husband in the orchard. She buried him according to his wishes.

Mary lived in the house until she died at the age of 94. No one has ever found the buried treasure. Legend has it that Mary still haunts the house today. Maybe she's guarding the treasure!

If you are ever in Henniker, New Hampshire, you can visit the house and see for yourself. You can read more about the haunted house at http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/nh/index.html. Click on the link for The Henniker House.