Chapm3 begins with Virginia Governor Spotswood's decree that a reward was in effect for the capture of Blackbeard and his crew and ends with the battle between Blackbeard and Capt. Maynard at Ocracoke Inlet.

BONUS: Source "The Last Days of Bladckbeard The Pirate" by Kevin Dufus

The "Local Legend" Theory (Edward Beard)
•    True Identity: Claims Blackbeard was Edward Beard, not "Edward Teach." He was a colonial native, likely the son of Captain James Beard (who owned land in Bath, NC and Goose Creek, SC). Kevin Duffus Official Site
•    The "Black" Alias: Argues "Black" was a nickname or nom de guerre added to his real surname (Beard) to protect his family's social standing. North Carolina Historical Review
•    Local Knowledge: His ability to navigate the treacherous, shallow waters of the Pamlico Sound and hide in Bath (50 miles inland) proves he was a local mariner, not a stranger from England. North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The "Survival" Narrative (The Crew)
Duffus challenges the "General History" claim that the crew was largely wiped out, suggesting many used their social status and spoils to buy their way home.
•    Edward Salter (The Legislator):
o    The Myth: Reported as hanged in Virginia.
o    The Reality: Duffus found he was released, returned to Bath, and became a wealthy cooper, landowner, and member of the Colonial Assembly.
o    Legacy: He was a founding warden of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. His remains were recovered and re-interred there in 2011. St. Thomas Episcopal Church History
•    William Howard (The Island Owner):
o    The Near-Miss: Blackbeard's quartermaster was sentenced to hang but saved by a last-minute Royal Pardon in December 1718.
o    Legacy: He eventually purchased Ocracoke Island in 1759. His descendants, the Howard family, still reside on the island today. Ocracoke Island History
•    Caesar (The Trusted Associate):
o    The Survival: Though often said to have been executed, Duffus cites evidence of a "Caesar" of matching description appearing in the estate inventory of Tobias Knight in 1719.
•    Samuel Odell:
o    Aquitted after proving he was a local man forced into service just the night before the battle at Ocracoke.
The Political Connection (The "Shield")
•    Tobias Knight: North Carolina's Secretary and Chief Justice who acted as a legal shield for the pirates.
•    The Evidence: A letter from Knight was found on Blackbeard's body after his death, proving a direct "pay-to-play" relationship between the pirate and the NC government. North Carolina History Project
Key Departures from "A General History"
•    Characterization: Duffus views them as "Pamlico mariners" and "sons of plantation owners" rather than the bloodthirsty monsters described by Captain Charles Johnson.
•    Motivation: Suggests the pirates were motivated by local economic pressures and political Jacobite sympathies rather than pure nihilism.