This local Charleston pirate historian, reenactor, artist, photographer, writer, game developer, and model has for many years operated the pirate history Facebook page Shipwrecked with Captain Marrow, traveling the southeast shores investigating pirate lore and educating locals.
He lives near the port of Charleston, South Carolina, a location rich in pirate history. There, together with his partner Ava, they care for their family of rescue cats.
In 2018 he began researching and writing his first history book, Pirate Ghosts & Buried Treasures of the Southeast Coast, released in September of 2023 and followed a year later by Northeast Coast. His latest book Arabian Gold: Charleston's Red Sea Pirates of 1692, was released in March of 2025.
My name is Adam Morrow, aka Captain Marrow, a pirate historian, author, reenactor, games designer & developer, who also dabbles in acting, photography, and various other art trades, such as leatherworking, miniature painting and dioramas, and more.
I’ve been featured on Charleston Fox News regarding the release of Arabian Gold and Southeast Coast, and on Discovery Channel for Expedition Unknown as a pirate actor doing scenes at Charles Towne Landing. Before publishing Arabian Gold, I published both Pirate Ghosts & Buried Treasures of the Southeast Coast: A Historical Assessment on Pirate Folklore as well as its follow-up, Northeast Coast. These books relay pirate folklore claims as they are known, but also feature me providing historical context and discussing actual history that may or may not provide some validation for the said claims. My next release is for the same series, regarding Atlantic Canada, which expands the tales and history from New Brunswick to Newfoundland & Labrador.
I would describe my newest book, Arabian Gold, as a historical expose on Charleston’s most important pirate history, the first time Captain George Raynor and his crew’s story has been relayed in full in a dedicated book since their arrival occurred in 1692. Since that time, mentions of their arrival to Charleston have been but footnotes in other pirate tales. Meanwhile they remain historically as the most important pirate interaction Charleston has ever had, that no one talks about. In 1692 a mysterious ship arrived to the Charleston harbor and people feared they were pirates, and they were correct - what transpired regarding their voyage beforehand and their arrival saw a major boost in Charleston’s early economy. My book details the origins of these pirates, their adventure to the Arabian Sea and back, and their influence on Charleston and South Carolina’s history following their arrival.
What inspired you to write this book? Did something specific spark the idea?
I would say that the inspiration behind the topic is the interest of Charleston’s pirate history. While often cited as the most important event regarding our port city and piracy is that of Blackbeard’s blockade, or the capture and subsequent execution of Stede Bonnet, an often overlooked topic is that of pirate Capt. George Raynor. You could spend a year, visiting every historical site, reading their plaques, signs, and obtaining every book in every gift shop, and you would never hear or read the name George Raynor, his crew, of the Bachelor’s Delight.
Who is this story for, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
I would say that this story is for those interested in Charleston’s history, pirate or otherwise. This is obscure information that is but a piece of Charleston’s history, most-often swept beneath the rug.
How long have you been writing, and what got you started?
Well, this book came to fruition rather quickly after accumulating bits of information and evidence over multiple years. In reference to my work as a pirate historian, I’ve been at this actively for about 8 years thus far.
What role does Charleston or South Carolina play in your writing, if any?
Charleston plays a major part. In my first book, Southeast Coast, it’s broken up into chapters based on the states (from FL to VA), and I will say that when relaying and discussing folklore claims surrounding Charleston, that it has quite a few to be sure. Regarding my newest book, Arabian Gold: Charleston’s Red Sea Pirates of 1692, unsurprisingly Charleston plays a large role, as I go over what I consider, as a pirate historian, the most relevant pirate interaction Charleston ever has had that for the most part no one has ever heard of.
Do you have any local heroes?
Well, I would say that I do have other authors and educators in my same field of pirate history that I’m glad to call friends, including Christopher Byrd Downey, Eric Lavender, and Matt McLaine.
What’s your favorite independent bookstore or literary spot in the Lowcountry?
That’s a tough one, years ago I would have stated “Mr. K’s”, as what I love and look for are used books, and with their closure about a year ago or so, there’s no great market for such things aside from crossing your fingers at random thrift stores. I actually became friends with Matt McLaine by coming across his book at Mr. K’s!
How do you stay connected to the local arts or writing scene?
I would say both loosely, and via Facebook. It’s very difficult as an author staying up to date on even just local events occurring. I try to keep myself busy, and while It’s easy to do so through pirate festivals, history festivals, and the like, author-relevant events are very hard to stay on top of and be involved with.
What advice would you give to emerging writers?
Just work on it. It took me five years to come to the conclusion I should self-publish through Amazon. This was debated on much during my work, but when it comes down to it, it depends on how involved you’d like to get in the process regarding the outcome of your work. I wanted to be in control of the formatting, the graphic design, and everything, and opted for self-publishing as a result. I’d recommend it to anyone capable of designing your own cover. But in the meantime, just work on your project. If you complete it sooner, or later, you’ll have a document to submit to someone - but that’s a bridge to cross at that point. For now, just make progress, cross that bridge when it’s time.
What other creative projects are you working on right now?
Haha, I’m notorious for always working on more than a human should. I’m currently finishing up my next pirate history book release, Pirate Ghosts & Buried Treasure of Atlantic Canada, which will finish up addressing the folklore claims of the eastern seaboard of North America. Outside of being a history nerd, I’m a gaming nerd. I’m currently finishing up my more than a year of solid of playtesting of a Van Helsing themed horror, monster hunting, skirmish-miniatures game titled Grim Harvest, which should be going up on Kickstarter come September (hopefully). Aside from that, I’ve just begun playtesting for a pirate-themed miniatures game I’m developing Keelhauled, my next big project over the next year or so.
Do you have any upcoming readings, launches, or events?
Well, normally I try to do a launch event for new titles, so ideally I have a dinner event planned in Goose Creek for Atlantic Canada. Aside from that, I’ll be appearing as a pirate historian and author at Feast of the Pirates near Wilmington in September, followed by Parley of the Pirates in Camden the week afterwards, and then the following week you can find me at Colonial History Day in Moncks Corner, SC. I typically show up along with others of my reenactment crew, Crew of the Bachelor’s Delight, to help portray and teach pirate history.
If your book were turned into a film, who would play your main character?
It’s hard to say who I’d cast as Captain George Raynor, we only have an age and no description nor depiction. It would be humorous and fun to say someone like Chris Pratt, but for it to be historical he’d have to be around 35, clean-shaven or perhaps a buccaneer-style goatee. Still, I’d go the Star Wars route and cast unknown actors.
What’s a book you always recommend to others?
Pirates of the Americas Volume 1 & 2 by David Marley, it's a great resource of pirate history without just being yet another “everything you need to know about pirates.” It’s a great source of information, or if nothing else a great jumping off point as a historian - the book is pricey though. Aside from pirate history and instead looking at fiction, I’d recommend the Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan, fun fantasy series and speaks to anyone who wanted to be Aragorn from Lord of the Rings when they’re not wanting to be Jack Sparrow (no reason).
If you could meet any author (living or dead), who would it be and why?
That would be dead, and would be H.P. Lovecraft. My books published thus far have a lot to do with folklore and that’s no coincidence with the topics of my obsessions. I grew up loving Halloween, doing cemetery photography, and in 2019 took a trip up to the New England area, during which I explored the life of Lovecraft. I visited the grave and his own and his parents, the asylum his parents were in, the asylum that served as the inspiration for Arkham Asylum, visited his two homes, stayed at an AirBnB on his street, the library he visited (because it was one favored by Edgar Allen Poe), the observatory his friend worked at and the college. As well as other locations in Rhode Island and the surroundings that inspired his works, like Marblehead MA, and America’s Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire. Big fan of his works and settings.
Please support local Charleston pirate historian Adam Morrow by following him on social media (linked in the top right), attending an upcoming event, or checking out his books: Pirate Ghosts & Buried Treasures of the Southeast Coast, its followup Northeast Coast, and Arabian Gold: Charleston's Red Sea Pirates of 1692.
