Privateering was the life Jonathan Weaver had come to love. It was an honorable profession, combining patriotism and profitability. Capturing cargo ships and vessels owned by the British, allowed the American citizens to continue the use and enjoyment of staples such as sugar, molasses, and coffee. But, capturing the ships and vessels was not without loss. The injuries from battle often left a man disabled and even a small infection could become deadly. But, to Jonathan Weaver it was worth the risk. After all, it was at the direction of British Tories that Indians in the Mohawk Valley were encouraged to brutally attack Jonathan Weavers family, killing his parents and scalping his sister.