Blackbeard the Pirate

· Little is known concerning the origin of Blackbeard the pirate. Documents suggest both Bristol and London in England, the island of Jamaica, and even Philadelphia as his home. He is said to have operated out of Jamaica as a privateer during the Queen Anne's War (1702-1713) previous to becoming a pirate. Historical sources vary as to Blackbeard's real name. Although popularly known as Edward Teach, documents of the time indicate that his surname was most often written "Thatch". He wore Long Black Braided Hair. Could be very charming or very brutal. Used candles in his beard to scare opponents in war.

· Blackbeard was unusual because he was educated, from a middle class family, and fell into piracy as a matter of convenience. Originally was a privateer working for the British government.

· Known as “the fiercest pirate of them all” and as the “Devil incarnate”

· Blackbeard once played to this reputation by shutting himself and some of his crew up below decks and lighting a pot of brimstone. He declared that he could withstand the “Hell on Earth” better than them all. He won.

· In another drinking bout, Blackbeard shot his sailing master, Israel Hands, by secretly drawing pistols under the table, blowing out the candle, and randomly shooting his guns, wounding Hands in the knee. His explanation was “if he did not now and then kill one of them, they would forget who he was.”

· Blackbeard first appeared in Jamaica as a seaman under the famous privateer Capt. Benjamin Hornigold. He “often distinguished himself for his uncommon Boldness and personal Courage”. Though Hornigold's activities as a pirate can be traced back to as early as 1714, it is not known for sure when Thatch joined his crew. The earliest mention of Blackbeard by name found to date is in a ship captain's report indicating his presence in Providence, Bahamas in March 1717. Blackbeard participated in the capture of over fifty vessels, some in association with other pirate leaders, Hornigold and Stede Bonnet.

· Blackbeard used Beaufort harbor for rest, relaxation, careening and supplying his ships.

· Blackbeard’s flag ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge was driven aground in the Beaufort Inlet. The Adventure, piloted by Israel Hands attempted to help warp the QAR off of the sand bar, but she was grounded and lost as well. Blackbeard was accused of intentionally grounding the QAR to reduce the number of pirates with whom he’d have to share the spoils. Blackbeard took the accusers and their followers, all two dozen of them, and marooned them on a desolate sandy island, probably Bogue Banks.

· Some say that Blackbeard had The Hammock House built and stayed there very frequently, rowing in from his ship in The Creek and tying his dingy to the front porch. Some say there was treasure buried in the yard.

· Legend of Blackbeard’s cup. At Blackbeard’s palace on Ocracoke. Password was required to join in the passing of Blackbeard’s Cup, which was actually Blackbeard’s skull guilded in silver.