Ye olde Port royle Blue plaque trail
the Bermuda Historical society

No: 15 Lime Street Port Royal

Former home of:

John Bear

Bear was granted a privateering commission in September 1684 by Governor William Stapleton of Nevis, which he used to attack Spanish ships despite the commission only giving him leave to attack Indians and pirates. The Dutch Governor of Curacao in January 1685 ordered Bear tried for capturing a Spanish ship while the Dutch were at peace with Spain, which Bear avoided^] However, in April 1686 Bear led a raid on Tortola, capturing slaves and abusing Dutch and English prisoners.^[2] As a result, the Dutch abandoned Tortola's fledgling colony.^[2] That July Stapleton renewed Bear's commission when Bear appeared in a different ship, claiming his former sloop was leaking which forced them to transfer to the frigate James.