In 1703, John Quelch set off on the Privateer, Charles but shortly after leaving the dock, tossed the captain overboard and headed to the South Atlantic, on the account. Not long afterwards he came upon a Portuguese gold ship and robbed her. He wasn't concerned that Portugal and england were at peace at the time. Shortly there after he was brought back to Maine and entertained the locals by being hanged and buried between the tides.

His flag is sometimes considered the first known jolly roger, despite the fact that Avery's flag was probably flown before his. It features an "anatomy" with hour glass and pierced heart. The theme was later borrowed by Black Beard and Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts