James Otis, "The Patriot" - American Revolution Patriot Graves on Waymarking.com

James Otis was born in West Barnstable in February 1725, and graduated from Harvard University in 1743. He quickly moved up in the legal profession from there. In 1760, he received an appointment to be the Advocate General of the Admiralty Court. However, he resigned soon afterwards when he learned that he would have to argue for the British "Writs of Assistance," which included allowance for search of any property without advanced warning, or reason given. Otis, instead, argued against them before the Superior Court. In what is now the Old State House, Otis had a five hour oration that argued against it so well, that John Adams wrote later, “Every man of a crowded audience appeared to me to go away as I did ready to up arms against the writs of assistance. Then and there was the first scene of the first act of the opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then and there the child of Independence was born.” He went on to have a successful political career. For more information, see the Wikipedia entry, referenced. (visit link)

Currently, a bronze marker put up by the Sons of the American Revolution designates the spot where is buried.

Patriot Name: James Otis Type of Service Provided: Orator for the cause of Independence Cemetery Name: The Granary Burial Ground, Boston Text of the Grave Marker: "Here lies buried "James Otis "Orator and Patriot of the Revolution "Famous for his argument "against Writs of Assistance "Born 1725 Died 1783" Grave Marker Type: Modern Bronze Marker Historical Background: In 1760, he received an appointment to be the Advocate General of the Admiralty Court, but instead, resigned and argued against them before the Superior Court. Otis had a five hour oration that argued against it so well, that John Adams wrote later, “...there was the first scene of the first act of the opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then and there the child of Independence was born.”

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