Captain Samuel Burgess was a member of Captain William Kidd's crew in 1690 when the Blessed William was seized by Robert Culliford and some of the crew, with William May named as captain. In 1693, Edward Coates became captain and the former Captain Burgess left the ship and went to New York City. He arrived in April, bought a house and took on a job with Frederick Philipse, New York's wealthiest merchant. Over the next few years Burgess made many profitable voyages to Madagascar selling supplies and guns to pirates in exchange for gold and slaves.