On June 14 of 1747 several Spanish privateers (privately owned warships with a government sponsored license to attack enemy shipping) from St. Augustine entered Beaufort harbor and made off with several small ships. At the time a militia of only 13 men were posted in the town to protect the area. The Spanish easily escaped.

Only two months later on August 26 the Spanish privateers reappeared. Their intention this time was to take the town. Major Enoch Ward and fifty-eight militiamen responded but were driven from the town. The citizens fled leaving behind everything for the privateers to pillage.

Three days later Colonel Thomas Lovick and Major Ward had collected more men and counterattacked, driving the Spanish out. It is said that without the help of close to 100 farmers and locals, the militia may not have prevailed.

Local folklore suggests that several Spaniards died and were buried in the Old Burying Grounds, also known as Queen Anne's Cemetery.

The original Pirate Invasion was the brainchild of local historian Grayden Paul. Mr. Paul got the idea for an invasion by pirates from a historical marker near the Carteret County courthouse. He wanted the invasion to be the highlight of Beaufort's 250th birthday celebration. Mr. Paul approached the town with his ideas. Town officials "poor mouthed," so Mr. Paul said he would raise the money himself. He needed $10.000.00. Mr. Paul raised $9000.00 from private sources and the Town agreed to contribute $1000.00. Mr. Paul said the 250th year was over before the celebration could be staged, so the 251st birthday was celebrated. The first Pirate Invasion was staged in 1960.

The invasion continued as an annual event for 23 years. Over the years the invasion became the final event of the Beaufort Old Homes Tour staged the last weekend of June. The last Pirate Invasion was staged at 7PM on June 25, 1983.