The Legacy of Robert Howard: Confederate Soldier and Blackbeard’s Descendant on Ocracoke Island

Tucked away on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, lies the grave of Robert Howard—a man whose story bridges two distinct chapters of history. Robert Howard served as a soldier in Company H of the 33rd North Carolina Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, a unit composed mainly of men from Hyde County and Ocracoke. His service ties him to the Confederate legacy, a complex and often debated part of Southern history.

What makes Robert Howard’s story even more unique is his ancestry. He was a direct descendant of William Howard, known as Blackbeard’s quartermaster. William Howard, an infamous pirate in the early 18th century, settled on Ocracoke Island after his pirate days, leaving behind a name that still echoes through local lore.

Today, Robert Howard’s grave stands as a quiet marker not only of his role in the Civil War but also of his family’s deep roots in Ocracoke’s history—blending maritime legends with military service. Visitors to the island can reflect on both sides of his legacy: a soldier tied to the Confederacy and a man carrying forward the bloodline of one of history’s most notorious pirates.

The grave site serves as a reminder of Ocracoke’s layered past—where stories of soldiers and pirates rest side by side under the coastal skies.