The February 2nd Wilmington Star News ran an article to observe the Feb. 2, 1893, birthday of Fort Fisher, North Carolina's famous hermit, Robert E. Harrill.
He is buried in the 217 year-old Newton Graveyard, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 because of efforts by the families of many early Wilmington captains and pilots who are buried there. The cemetery is located off River Road. I'll have to check it out the next time I'm in Wilmington.
His granite stone reads "Robert E. Harrill The Fort Fisher Hermit. He Made People Think. Feb. 2, 1893-June 4, 1976." His death is surrounded by a lot of mystery.
He lived for many years in an old WWII bunker at Fort Fisher and had a hard life with a bad marriage and a son who committed suicide. His grave is outlined in shells.
He even has a blog:
http://thefortfisherhermit.blogspot.com
I was fortunate enough to get to see him holding court several times in my youth. I don't ever remember seeing less than eight to twenty people listening to his stories. He was quite the tourist attraction. There was also the ever-present tip collectin box.
"Fort Fisher Hermit not forgotten, buried in 217 year old Newton Graveyard" by Amy Hotz.
Quite the Character. --Blockade-Runner
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