Pirates, Ghosts, and Coastal Lore

by Charles Harry Whedbee

In 1963, Judge Charles Whedbee was asked to substitute on a Greenville, NC, morning show called Carolina Today while one of the program's regulars was in the hospital. Whedbee took the opportunity to tell some of the Outer Banks stories he'd heard during his many summers at Nags Head. The station received such a volume of mail in praise of his tale-telling that he was invited to remain even after the man he was substituting for returned to the air. "He had a way of telling a story that really captured me," said one of the program's co-hosts. "Whether he was talking about a sunset, a ghost, or a shipwreck, I was there, living every minute of it." Word traveled as far as Winston-Salem, where John F. Blair proposed to Whedbee that he compile his stories in book form. Whedbee welcomed the challenge, though his expectations for the manuscript that became  Legends of the Outer Banks and Tar Heel Tidewater  were modest. "I wrote it out of a love for this region and the people whom I'd known all my life," he said. "I didn't think it would sell a hundred copies." From the very first sentence of the foreword, Whedbee stamped the collection with his inimitable "You are handed herewith a small pod or school of legends about various portions of that magical region known as the Outer Banks of North Carolina as well as stories from other sections of the broad bays, sounds, and estuaries that make up tidewater Tarheelia." The Lost Colony, Indians, Blackbeard, an albino porpoise that guided ships into harbor―the tales in that volume form the core of Outer Banks folklore. Whedbee liked to tell people that his stories were of three those he knew to be true, those he believed to be true, and those he fabricated. But despite much prodding, he never revealed which were which. Legends of the Outer Banks  went through three printings in 1966, its first year. Demand for Whedbee's tales and the author's supply of good material were such that further volumes were inevitable.  The Flaming Ship of Ocracoke & Other Tales of the Outer Banks  was published in 1971,  Outer Banks Mysteries & Seaside Stories  in 1978,  Outer Banks Tales to Remember  in 1985, and Blackbeard's Cup and Stories of the Outer Banks  in 1989. In 2004, the staff of John F. Blair, Publisher, collected 13 of Judge Whedbee's finest stories for Pirates, Ghosts, and Coastal Lore . If this is your introduction to Charles Harry Whedbee, you'll soon understand his love for the people and the history of the Outer Banks. For decades, the folk tales of Charles Harry Whedbee have been available wherever you care to look on the Outer Banks. Their popularity has transcended Whedbee's loyal readership among North Carolinians and visitors from the Northeast and the Midwest. Charles Harry Whedbee was an elected judge in his native Greenville, North Carolina, for thirty-plus years, but his favorite place was the Outer Banks, Nags Head in particular. Whedbee was the author of five folklore collections. He died in 1990.

Genres: History, Folklore, Ghost Stories, Travel, Nonfiction

157 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

CHARLES H. WHEDBEE was born and still resides in Greenville, North Carolina. He was educated at the University of North Carolina, taking his law degree in 1932. He has been Solicitor of Pitt County Court and now serves as Municipal Court Judge in Greenville. He began telling legends of the coastal area on WNCT-TV in Greenville, as a panelist on the "Carolina Today" progrm. He and his wife and their dog, Chief Manteo of Roanoke, spend a large part of their summers at Nag's Head, where Judge Whedbee has been a regular since infancy.

Reviews

[Trevor Lipply · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories by an author local to the Outer Banks, it was a quick read on several different ghost and pirate stories! I enjoyed a lot of the stories, but some of them couldn’t really grab my attention. I bought this at a cute, independent book store in OBX called Buxton Village Books! Can’t wait to go back!

[Caroline C · Rating 3 out of 5]

These stories read as if you’re listening to an old man tell stories, but gets off track in the middle of them, and eventually makes his way back on track

[Amy Neftzger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read about pirate legends in North Carolina, including many references to Blackbeard and stories related to him. I enjoyed the different tales and particularly liked the story about the two women who became pirates while disguising their gender. The last story in the book engages the reader by offering a $1000 reward to anyone who can provide the mysterious punch bowl used in a bizarre Blackbeard ritual. I like the thought that someone may come forward and contact the author.

I think this book is especially meaningful to individuals who have been to this area (particularly Ocracoke Island). If you're planning a vacation to North Carolina you might want to check out this book first and then seek out a few tours of haunted places for extra fun.

[Dorene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to pick up ghosts and legends of local lore when I travel. Most of them are not very good! This is the best one I’ve read of these, by far. It’s very well written in a compelling way, and the stories are very interesting. The author doesn’t try to create unfounded intrigue, but rather relates the stories as I imagine was common in the oral tradition of the past. Most of them are either rooted in historical accuracy or are presented in such a way that the reader can draw their own conclusions.

[Stephanie Moyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. I’ve read one or two of this books in the past. This one is a collection of his “best” stories. Interesting folklore from one of the areas that I call my second home. Cool read if you’re interested folklore and stories told through the generations!

[Tyler Mickley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. I spent a LOT of time in the outer banks as a child and this book brought back those memories and had a wonderful charm to it.

[JOAN]

A very entertaining read. I would like to read more of his stories.

[MizJawnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of stories and lore about coastal Carolina! Would make a lovely summer beach read.

[Willow Redd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judge Whedbee is an excellent storyteller with a vast knowledge of North Carolina history and lore. This book is a collection of some of his best stories from various other books, and it's fantastic.

Tales of pirates, ghosts, Indians, and a general mix of all those; there is something in this book for almost everyone. What became of Virginia Dare? Why does the Cedar Grove Cemetery Arch bleed? Does the flaming ship still appear on the night of the new moon in September? Did Judge Whedbee himself actually drink from a cup made from the skull of Blackbeard?

Not sure which parts are true, which parts are based on lore, and which parts of just good storytelling; but I certainly want to find out. Whedbee keeps it interesting, and I definitely want to read more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best-written books I've read in a long time! The author was obviously a grand storyteller and brings each of his stories to life. His level of detail and knowledge of the history of the Outer Banks is fantastic.

I would love to read some of the other books that he has written!

[Meade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories, particularly if you are familiar with the Outer Banks. Fun vacation read for when you are there! I was pleasantly surprised at how good he was at telling the stories - often little local story books like this aren't well written at all and you put up with it for some local color. No need to put up with anything in this one!

[Soozums · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as I was visiting the Outer Banks, NC. It was definitely a plus to the vacation and knowing exactly where the stories took place.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for North Carolina settings AND good ghost stories, so I really enjoyed this book! Captivating stories, plus some history of North Carolina.

[Tracy Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting stories in this book. I love a good ghost story. Makes you wonder what stories are true and which ones he made up. I like to think that they are all true.