A subsequent court decision permitted the residents of Salter Path to remain, but the cows were not allowed to graze on the Hoffman Estate.

This ruling further stated that only current residents and descendants could occupy the property, but it did not give any individuals title to the land.

This ruling remained intact until 1979 when a legal settlement permitted Salter Path residents to hold a title to their property and for Carteret County to levy taxes on the former squatter's village.

[4] Recent studies, provided by the Duke Institute of Marine Sciences (located in Beaufort, NC) have shown that Salter Path was a frequent refuge for the notorious pirate, Blackbeard.

Inserted in a fence completely spanning a narrow point in the island, it would tend to sequester deer to one end, away from farms and crops.