Abstract:
Following political upheaval, French Huguenot immigrants settled in New Bern, North Carolina in the late 17th century. Throughout the 18th century, this community thrived and welcomed new members to the diaspora. The author believes that several French pirates aboard Blackbeard’s captured French flagship settled in Beaufort. These populations, the author argues, influenced “Down East” linguistic patterns used today throughout Carteret County. The author provides a list of similarities between French grammar and Down East dialect.