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The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate—Within Every Legend Lies a Grain of Truth
History remembers the notorious Black Beard the pirate as the greatest, most successful pirate who ever lived. When Black Beard arrived at what was then called Topsail Inlet, North Carolina, on June 10, 1718, he commanded one of the most powerful pirate fleets in history—400 men aboard four ships, including his prized, cannon-studded flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. But, fewer than six months later, when he was captured and killed at Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina, he was in the company of just 20 men and the only treasure found in his possession was some sugar, cocoa, cotton and a mysterious letter.
What happened during Black Beard’s last days that precipitated his demise? Who, truly, was Edward Teach, and from whence did he come? What was his true name? And where may he have hidden his treasure?
For more than 35 years, researcher, author and filmmaker, Kevin Duffus has followed the wake of the pirate captain’s journey through history. Along the way, Duffus observed that many historical accounts describing the pirate’s last days were inaccurate, insufficiently researched, and, as it turned out, not nearly as interesting as the truth. Duffus posed the question: “Is it possible to go back to the trodden ground of original sources and learn something new about a popular historical figure? After so long, is it possible to learn something new about the pirate known as Black Beard?”
After conducting extensive research at the archives of Great Britain, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, and exploring the pirates favorite haunts at Bath, Ocracoke, and Philadelphia, Duffus discovered the answer was, yes, it is possible to learn something new. And the true facts about Black Beard’s last days promise to substantially change his story—and history.
Real-life history detective Kevin Duffus invites readers to follow him into the dimly-lit passageway of time and learn surprising contradictions to previously-published historical accounts of the last days of Black Beard the pirate. He discloses new information about how Black Beard was cornered and attacked at Ocracoke in 1718, why he tried to escape rather than to fight back, and how his life might have been spared had he lived for three more weeks. He reveals the true meaning of a mysterious letter found in Black Beard’s possessions, and explores the possibilities of government conspiracies and coverups. New research finds that many of the 25 pirates who remained with Black Beard after the wreck of the Queen Anne’s Revenge were sons of North Carolina families. And for the first time, Duffus proves that most of Black Beard’s captured crew members were not hanged in Virginia but returned home and became grandfathers of American liberty.
For the first time, Duffus exposes the truth behind many of the enduring Blackbeard myths—his Bristol, England, birthplace; his 14 wives, including Mary Ormond; the burning of fuses in his hair to frighten his victims; and the countless tall tales of buried treasure, secret tunnels, and the shocking origins of the legend of his silver-plated skull used as a drinking cup by a secret society.
In addition to dozens of new discoveries one revelation promises to stand-out as the most amazing. With the help of groundbreaking research by three courageous genealogists, Kevin Duffus shares long-forgotten clues to the potential identity of Black Beard, beginning with a long-held myth about his sister, Susannah—and the conclusions are staggering and certain to be controversial.
This is the book’s third edition featuring the latest research and discoveries not available in the print editions, including the shocking secret of Black Beard’s lost treasure.
What happened during Black Beard’s last days that precipitated his demise? Who, truly, was Edward Teach, and from whence did he come? What was his true name? And where may he have hidden his treasure?
For more than 35 years, researcher, author and filmmaker, Kevin Duffus has followed the wake of the pirate captain’s journey through history. Along the way, Duffus observed that many historical accounts describing the pirate’s last days were inaccurate, insufficiently researched, and, as it turned out, not nearly as interesting as the truth. Duffus posed the question: “Is it possible to go back to the trodden ground of original sources and learn something new about a popular historical figure? After so long, is it possible to learn something new about the pirate known as Black Beard?”
After conducting extensive research at the archives of Great Britain, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, and exploring the pirates favorite haunts at Bath, Ocracoke, and Philadelphia, Duffus discovered the answer was, yes, it is possible to learn something new. And the true facts about Black Beard’s last days promise to substantially change his story—and history.
Real-life history detective Kevin Duffus invites readers to follow him into the dimly-lit passageway of time and learn surprising contradictions to previously-published historical accounts of the last days of Black Beard the pirate. He discloses new information about how Black Beard was cornered and attacked at Ocracoke in 1718, why he tried to escape rather than to fight back, and how his life might have been spared had he lived for three more weeks. He reveals the true meaning of a mysterious letter found in Black Beard’s possessions, and explores the possibilities of government conspiracies and coverups. New research finds that many of the 25 pirates who remained with Black Beard after the wreck of the Queen Anne’s Revenge were sons of North Carolina families. And for the first time, Duffus proves that most of Black Beard’s captured crew members were not hanged in Virginia but returned home and became grandfathers of American liberty.
For the first time, Duffus exposes the truth behind many of the enduring Blackbeard myths—his Bristol, England, birthplace; his 14 wives, including Mary Ormond; the burning of fuses in his hair to frighten his victims; and the countless tall tales of buried treasure, secret tunnels, and the shocking origins of the legend of his silver-plated skull used as a drinking cup by a secret society.
In addition to dozens of new discoveries one revelation promises to stand-out as the most amazing. With the help of groundbreaking research by three courageous genealogists, Kevin Duffus shares long-forgotten clues to the potential identity of Black Beard, beginning with a long-held myth about his sister, Susannah—and the conclusions are staggering and certain to be controversial.
This is the book’s third edition featuring the latest research and discoveries not available in the print editions, including the shocking secret of Black Beard’s lost treasure.
- GenresNonfictionPiratesHistory
412 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
13 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 6, 2023
The most well researched book you’ll find about Black Beard. Unlike previous histories and biographies, Kevin Duffus uses hardcore research of deeds, wills, genealogies and much more to support his theory. This is my go to for information about Blackbeard
October 7, 2025
The true Black Beard
When reading about pirates, It's so hard to sort fact from fiction, especially where the pirate Blackbeard is concerned. In my opinion, this book is the premier authority on the man Edward Black Beard!
When reading about pirates, It's so hard to sort fact from fiction, especially where the pirate Blackbeard is concerned. In my opinion, this book is the premier authority on the man Edward Black Beard!
January 25, 2026
Meticulous research using archival history to discover as much factual information as possible on who the NC pirate, Blackbeard, truly was. This story is ripe for translation into a work of historical fiction (a good one) and Duffus' book is the perfect reference with which to start.
April 13, 2015
Did you know Blackbeard probably wasn't much more than 30-years-old when he died in his final battle with Lt. Maynard? Of course not. All of the popular illustrations we see of the famous sea rogue make him look as though he was well into his 50s and had long burning fuses in his black beard.
I own the first and fourth editions of this book, and would buy any new editions as they are released because the information uncovered by the author is so riveting and well-researched.
A lot of people don't like their long-cherished notions about Blackbeard to be questioned, but then again, a lot of people also haven't examined the evidence like Kevin Duffus has done in "The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate."
Unfortunately, virtually every book that exists about the notorious sea rogue relies upon one source—"A General History of the Robberies & Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates" by Captain Charles Johnson (pseudonym), more popularly known as "A General History of the Pyrates." A lot of people long attributed "A General History" to Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe, assuming he was writing under the pseudonym of Capt. Johnson. In reality, contemporary research points to the real author as one Nathaniel Mist, a fervent Jacobite. For goodness' sake, "A General History of Pirates" was actually registered in Mist's name at Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
The issue of Jacobites and Pirates could fill up a volume all on its own, but for people to understand how unreliable "A General History" is as a reference books on the pirates of the Golden Age, they must at least do some cursory research on the subject. Then, they might realize it's worthwhile to consider the ACTUAL source documents, genealogical, and colonial records, which strongly suggest that not only did Blackbeard have deep roots in eastern North Carolina, but that many of his men who were said to have been hanged, in fact, were not and lived out the rest of their days as neighbors in Bath, North Carolina. This can be easily demonstrated by a brief examination of old Bath County (later Beaufort County) record books.
Buy the book and read it through. It will be well worth your time, and an eye-opener for sure.
I own the first and fourth editions of this book, and would buy any new editions as they are released because the information uncovered by the author is so riveting and well-researched.
A lot of people don't like their long-cherished notions about Blackbeard to be questioned, but then again, a lot of people also haven't examined the evidence like Kevin Duffus has done in "The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate."
Unfortunately, virtually every book that exists about the notorious sea rogue relies upon one source—"A General History of the Robberies & Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates" by Captain Charles Johnson (pseudonym), more popularly known as "A General History of the Pyrates." A lot of people long attributed "A General History" to Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe, assuming he was writing under the pseudonym of Capt. Johnson. In reality, contemporary research points to the real author as one Nathaniel Mist, a fervent Jacobite. For goodness' sake, "A General History of Pirates" was actually registered in Mist's name at Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
The issue of Jacobites and Pirates could fill up a volume all on its own, but for people to understand how unreliable "A General History" is as a reference books on the pirates of the Golden Age, they must at least do some cursory research on the subject. Then, they might realize it's worthwhile to consider the ACTUAL source documents, genealogical, and colonial records, which strongly suggest that not only did Blackbeard have deep roots in eastern North Carolina, but that many of his men who were said to have been hanged, in fact, were not and lived out the rest of their days as neighbors in Bath, North Carolina. This can be easily demonstrated by a brief examination of old Bath County (later Beaufort County) record books.
Buy the book and read it through. It will be well worth your time, and an eye-opener for sure.
July 30, 2014
I got the chance to hear the author explain his theory almost by accident a few years ago. We saw that the NC Transportation Museum was having an event focused on Blackbeard. We took the kids and prepared for a day of fun with a piratical theme. We were a little surprised to learn that the event was a book talk and that it wasn't really kid focused. Despite our error, we stayed any way and listened to Kevin Duffus discuss his theory. The kids made it through most of the presentation, and I was convinced I need to read the book by the time we left the event. Unfortunately, it took me several years to come across it, remember it, and convince myself to buy it. I'm glad I did!
This book was a very entertaining depiction of the author's theory of Blackbeard's origins and his exploits. The theory could truly be summed up in a few pages, but where's the fun in that? The author takes you through his journey in researching Blackbeard, and to add some extra entertainment along the way, the author jumps in and out of story telling mode, giving his image of how events transpired and what conversations may have taken place. I thought the book was extremely well written and easy to read.
For anyone with an interest it colonial American history, or just someone who enjoys pirate tales, this is a great book.
This book was a very entertaining depiction of the author's theory of Blackbeard's origins and his exploits. The theory could truly be summed up in a few pages, but where's the fun in that? The author takes you through his journey in researching Blackbeard, and to add some extra entertainment along the way, the author jumps in and out of story telling mode, giving his image of how events transpired and what conversations may have taken place. I thought the book was extremely well written and easy to read.
For anyone with an interest it colonial American history, or just someone who enjoys pirate tales, this is a great book.
August 27, 2015
This is a great book, by far the most scholarly work on the legendary Blackbeard. A must-read for any serious student of the Golden Age of Piracy. With his acute research, Duffus gets to the heart of both the man and the myth. An exceptional volume with much new research on Caesar the slave and the other Africans taken from the French slave ship that would go on to become Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard's illustrious flagship. A seminal work from an exceptional historical sleuth and author.
April 19, 2015
A fascinating, easy to read, and thoroughly researched history of Blackbeard the pirate. The author did painstaking research into Blackbeard's identity and journeys and located new and otherwise ignored information to produce a much more believable history of Blackbeard than what is universally known.
May 30, 2011
I was not interested in reading this but Mr. Duffus gracious left this to read and so I felt that I should. I am so glad that I did. It was researched wonderfully and written with feeling and passion for his subject. Well done!
October 6, 2011
Clear historical account of Blackbeard with little speculation added. Beautiful graphics that help give context to the life and times of Mr. Teach. Even delves into the templar myth of the Blackbeard cup.
March 21, 2013
Through.
Realistic.
Interesting genealogical histories.
Realistic.
Interesting genealogical histories.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews