Captain Otway Burns

(1775-1850) Of all the graves at the Burying Ground, THIS one is one of the two must-sees. His tomb is surmounted by a cannon taken from his privateer, 'Snap Dragon' .

Historians say he was one of North Carolina's greatest naval heroes in the War of 1812. He received Letters of Marque and Reprisal from the U.S., which had only a small navy. He sailed from Nova Scotia to South America plundering British ships. It is said he captured cargo worth more than $2 Million on one trip alone.