The Cobhams are believed to have sailed out of Sandy Point, St. George’s Bay. For twenty years, they preyed on shipping along the St. Lawrence routes. The Cobhams mostly stole furs. These were sold for high prices on the black market. Little was known of the Cobhams. Captured crews were killed and their ships scuttled. Owners of lost ships assumed their vessels had been lost in storms.

In 1760, Eric retired to an estate in France. He lived out the last twenty years of his life among the gentry. Eric served as a judge during this time.

Though retired, Eric was still a pirate at heart. While sailing with servants in the English Channel, he found a brig that was not moving. There was too little wind for its sails. The ship was destined for England from the West Indies. Eric and his servants captured the ship. The crew were murdered and dumped into the sea. The ship and its cargo were sent to France to be sold.

Maria went insane during her time in France. She poisoned herself and died in 1770. Eric died of natural causes in 1780. Before dying, he confessed his crimes to a priest. Eric asked that the story of his life be published after his death. Many copies of this book were later purchased by his family and destroyed.