Legends of the Outer Banks and Tar Heel Tidewater

by Charles Harry Whedbee

From Blackbeard's den at Ocracoke, to the Hills of the Seven Sisters at Nag's Head, to the misty swamps of Shallotte, there is hardly an inch of territory along North Carolina's coast without a legend attached to it. Inlanders may be skeptical regarding the sometimes miraculous, often horror-filled tales that make up coastal folklore, but Outer Bankers accept the incredible as fact.

The phenomena of the Outer Banks range from phosphorescent lights appearing and disappearing over Pamlico Sound to the strange fate of a crewless ship marooned on deadly Diamond Shoals. Legendary heroes such as Captain Jim Baum Gaskill are often truly heroic.. or they may be scurrilous, like Old Quork and Blackbeard. But they all loom larger than life, with deeds and personalities unique to coastal Carolina.

But this book is more than a collection of coastal legends. It is an affectionate portrait of the people who daily pull a living out of the treacherous waters of the Atlantic... and a tribute to the hardiness and courage that has made the Banker a rare breed... a breed whose true stories are, indeed, stranger than fiction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Short Stories, History, Folklore, Historical, Paranormal

165 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1966

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

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book at a beach house while vacationing in OBX. We were caught inside due to the rather turbulent storm (actually watched a fair bit of pier break off and get carried about by the waves) and having little else to do, read. What better reading during that time than the legends of the very town we were staying in and the surrounding area?

This book is exceptionally charming. The stories that are contained within it are ones that pretty much epitomize the experience of being an Outer Banker, or at least visiting the Outer Banks. You'll find an abundance of pirates, some Indians, colonialists and porpoises. You'll learn about the wisdom of the Outer Bankers and the foolishness of those inlanders that think they can forget tradition. You''ll learn more than I can possibly express in a short review about the perspective and culture of a place that's slowly changing, having to acclimate to a changing world and the values that come along with it.

I love these books so much. They're time capsules into ways of life and being that are otherwise so difficult to convey. I think it says a lot about the Outer Banks that so many of the stories are still as prevalent as they are today - in particular the way that Nag's Head and Jockey's Ridge got their names - that rely upon the romanticized notion of pirates. Just fascinating stuff.

So, if you're looking for a book that will keep your kids up at night, or you want an amusing look back at a very different perspective and way of life, this is a great book to illuminate the people of that region.

[Coren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read in the OBX. Lores dating all the way back to Hamilton.

[Jessica Slavensky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been borrowing e-books from my local library to read on my kindle, so it took me a while to finally pick this book back up and enjoy it. Little did I know that after picking it back up less than 3 days ago, I would not be able to put it down. I’m a stay at home mom to a toddler and 6 yr old, so I have very little time to myself, and usually never carry books when I leave the house, but this time I did! I can express enough without any spoilers how fun this book was to read. Sorry, no spoilers are in this review, because I sometimes like to read reviews myself before embarking on certain adventures (books), and don’t like finding spoilers to ruin the surprise. Anyways...

I was born in NC, and visit Nags Head frequently, so this book looked very interesting. I decided to read it and was NOT disappointed, I love the many different stories & legends from the area & look forward to reading & learning more about them. After reading this book, I am very interested in planning another trip to Nags Head soon. I can’t wait to go and check out some of the legends in this story and see for myself the amazing sights so many locals and tourists have seen and talked about to so many. I highly recommend this book if you like history, stories of legend, or just love the Outer Banks & NC in general. It’s a great read & I normally pass down books for others to enjoy, but I may just keep this and put it away someplace safe so my children and I can enjoy it sometime in the future when they’re older and are able to understand and enjoy it as I do.

[Steve Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just plain fun, maybe made more so by my love for OBX.

[Joseph R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of local folklore and had read a previous volume by this author. This volume has more of the same. The stories range from pre-revolutionary era to mid-twentieth century. Some of the stories are about supernatural or seemingly supernatural events. One Outer Banker had a horse race with the Devil, leaving indelible hoofprints that have lasted two hundred years. A kooky old woman (everyone called her a witch) had power over the wind, causing trouble for the local fishermen. A pale dolphin used to lead ships safely through the narrow shoals of the inlets. Other stories are merely fantastic, like a new-built church that floated to a new piece of land or a batch of Prohibition-era whiskey that was tossed overboard when the smugglers thought the Feds were on the way (the beachcombers had a big party that day!). A few pirate stories are included too.

The author has a nice, informal style that makes each story come alive. He has also explored the Outer Banks, discovering some of the strange spots (like the hoofprints) for himself. The book is an enjoyable, quick read.

Recommended.

Sample quote, because I thought this was an awesome story...
One of the proudest traditions of the area is the reply that a grizzled Coast Guard captain gave to a young recruit who asked fearfully whether the boat crew could expect to return alive if they put out through the raging sea on the rescue mission to which they had been called. "Son," replied the Skipper, "there is nothing in the manual that says we have to return. It only says we have to go." [p. 159]

[Willow Redd · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of tales from the Outer Banks region, filled with the mystery and strangeness that has been present since the first attempt at settling the land (as seen in the included Roanoke tales).

From Roanoke, to Hatteras Jack, to Blackbeard, to Theodosia Burr, and even the origins of "Boozyot," Whedbee shares the stories handed down from the old timers. These are tales to be treasured, especially if you've had any experience in the region.

This particular copy belonged to my maternal grandparents and is signed by the author to them.

[Katie Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An older book for the crowd that likes tall tales and yarns that may feel a bit ridiculous but still fun. Not particularly scary or spooky but a fun collection, especially if you have connections to North Carolina like me.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not born in NC, but have lived here for more than 40 years, so I feel like a native. These legends and tales are fun and fascinating. Whedbee has written four of these little gems; I'm currently on my third.

[Courtney Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun easy read. I really enjoyed learning a bit of the lore about the Outer Banks and am excited for my next trip there to look at things with a different lens.

Whedbee did a really great job coloring the stories in a fun and interesting way. I appreciate his flair.

[Athena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories but with so many embellishments and literary flourishes that one questions if there is much if any truth to them.

[Hunter Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with these stories and it was such a treat to find them again. Not only are the stories good but the way they are told brings me back home even when I'm on the other side of the world.

[Jennifer Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has excellent stories in it. Makes me want to read other books by this author.

[Caroline Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

What I wanted: ghost stories! Monsters! Something remotely interesting!
What I got: lots of really offensive material on Indigenous people and *checks notes* Alexander Hamilton fanfic

[Zachary Mezz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little corny in parts, but some interesting tidbits about Outer Bank history.

[Tiffany Cusick-Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these quick beach reads. I have the whole series and am rereading them. Tons of history and important stories to the locals of the OBX. A time lost but not forgotten.

[DUARD MICHAEL MAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Southern History

The bonafide bankers are gone due to TV. Whedbee is a true Tarheel at heart. I love to visit my second home located in Tyrrell County NC.

[Dylan McPeake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about interesting Eastern North Carolina folklore

[Derek Kimball · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thing will always plague my mind about magic cures is how did ancient peoples discover their efficiency?

In this book a young brave is told by a Shaman that in order to free an Indian princess from an evil spell which has placed her in the body of a white deer he must get a tooth from a hammerhead shark. Then he must affix three purple mussel pearls to each of the three corners of the tooth and polish each until it shines. Then he must get a branch from a witch-hazel tree which he must use as a shaft for an arrow for which the tooth and pearls will be the head. Then to fletch it he must use one feather from the wing of a living heron without causing any harm to the bird and let no other human see the arrow. Then during full moon he has to submerge the arrow in a magic spring near Roanoke and guard it there for three full nights and when the sun rises on the third morning he has to point it at the sun and pray to the Great Spirit that it will work. Then he has to hunt the white deer and shoot her directly in the heart with it. This will free the princess.

How does the Shaman know? Was it trial and error?

[Lura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retro rating: 5 stars

I read this book so many times in elementary school I almost wore out the library's copy. Found it on 4 July 2013 at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse gift shop; had to buy it.

Now rating: 4 stars

I really enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it as much as I once did. A few of the stories in it nearly made me cry (again) despite my already knowing them.

"The Ghost Deer of Roanoke" is the second story in the book and has always been my favorite. Its bittersweet ending has made me cry more often than any other story in this volume.

Incidentally, this same tale was preformed by the North Carolina Marionette Theater as "Legend of the White Doe" on the same day I rediscovered and purchased this book at a location less than 1/2 a mile from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The performance was less than 50 feet from where I sat to watch the concert that would start later that evening. So many children - and adults - were between me and the stage that I couldn't hear most of it. But I already knew the story so I didn't mind.

I thought that happenstance rather awesome.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fun read for anyone who is into tales of settlers, pirates, indians and fishermen. I especially recommend it if you have spent any time in the Outer Banks. It helps to know the land that the legends are derived from. The author does a great job of acuurately depicting the beauty of the North Carolina coastal region. There is a lot of real, verifiable history in the book, as I discovered on my last trip to the Outer Banks.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because it was available on the book shelf in the rental house we were staying in on vacation in the Outer Banks, NC. It was fairly entertaining and many of the "legends" were only semi-believable. It was okay for a beach read. It was interesting to learn about some of the stories/people behind the town names ... "Manteo" an Indian chief, "Jockey's Ridge" because of the horse races that were held there back in the day, etc., etc.

[Brandon Ulman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful collection of tall tales relevant to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Whedbee's style is distinct and full of character, and these legends never fail to charm, even when they're a bit tragic. As wonderful an escape as one could hope for and a grand souvenir from my recent vacation to the area. I will definitely be reading the rest of Whedbee's related titles.

[Sonya Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book of coastal lore.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read after just coming back from a vacation to the Outer Banks.

[Gretchen Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really amazing collection of legends and tales. Worth the read.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

for Outer Banks devotees