Blackbeard is Being Rediscovered!!! | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Blackbeard is Being Rediscovered!!!

    The February issue of Smithsonian has a most interesting story for me: "The Last Days of Blackbeard" by Colin Woodard gives a brief overview of things discovered in about the last 10-20 years of contemporary research. To check the magazine and article out from the Bath Library is unique --- because he married a woman and lived in Bath during the latter part of his career. Another recent publication, "The Last Two Years of Blackbeard," is now out and can be obtained from Amazon. Both these recent research sources belie much the legend and myth have led us to believe. The stuff we commonly believe was formulated within a few years after his grisly death at Ocracoke Island --- and never visited again. The reason is that sneaky and sordid government activities were being covered! There are 2 TV movies/series coming soon which bring him back to life.

    Captain Jack Sparrow is the most recent Disney character to be based on Blackbeard. You see his name here in Bath on the historical marker and our Teach's Point," overlooking the entrance to Bath Creek coming off the Pamlico River. I live where his ship had to pass coming in from Ocrakoke and the Pamlico Sound leading to Bath. The East Carolina dive boat, now working the actual wreck, is docked at little Washington. The artifacts are, first, taken to a clean-up area on the ECU campus in Greenville -- some 45-minutes drive away. I hope to see if I can get access soon as a visitor.

    The first faulty information is the real name of Blackbeard. Commonly we have said Edward Teach. The actual name is "Thatch!" I hope that can be corrected soon on our sign. There are several archaeological digs planned for around here. Who knows what they will find. I keep hoping as I dig in my yard and hit a hard object it might be some hidden undiscovered treasure to save me from the current financial hardships. So far my "finds" have all been big roots! In all likelihood, the State of NC would lay claim to it and pay me nothing anyway!

    The last thing I will cite from the Smithsonian article is the real nature of his death. He operated with the blessings of the King. Virginia Lt. Governor Spotswood launched a 2-pronged mission to kill or capture him in 1718. Death was the result. His head was brought in and placed on a tall pole in Hampton Roads. It was a gruesome end with his body thrown into the Pamlico Sound. On story tells of his headless body swimming around that ship several times!

    Here is the most awful part. Governor Eden of VA, had spent extravagant sums to build an ornate mansion. He needed the treasure to quietly repay the debt he amassed. It covered his "legalized robbery" of citizens' taxes for personal high living! After the 1718 mission to kill Blackbeard, Eden died in 1722 of spotted fever. His tombstone reads: "March 17, 1722 died much lamented." That anniversary is 1 day from now.

    As we look at today's high living in Washington at our expense, I don't think much has changed. Fighters are encouraged to "work for the King" only to be killed in battle. Then they are made "villains" for the real thieves of government big spending and extravagance for personal gain. The Costs of War real thieves from big business and wealthy individuals seem to always try and stay hidden.