The Leatherman ( 1839–1889) was a vagabond famous for his handmade leather suit of clothes who traveled through the northeastern United States on a regular circuit between the Connecticut River and the Hudson River from roughly 1857 to 1889. Of unknown origin, he was thought to be French-Canadian because of his fluency in the French language, his "broken English", and the French-language prayer book found on his person after his death. His identity remains unknown and controversial. He walked a repeating route year after year, which took him through certain towns in western Connecticut and eastern New York, returning to each town roughly every 34 days. the Leatherman stopped at towns along his loop about every five weeks for food and supplies. He was dubbed the "Leatherman" as his adornment of hat, scarf, clothes, and shoes were handmade from leather.

An early article in the Burlington Free Press dated April 7, 1870, refers to him as the "Leather-Clad Man". It also states that he spoke rarely and when addressed would simply speak in monosyllables. According to contemporary rumors, he hailed from Picardy, France.

Fluent in French, he communicated mostly with grunts and gestures, rarely using his broken English. When asked about his background, he would abruptly end the conversation. Upon his death, a French prayer book was found among his possessions. It is unknown how he earned money. One store kept a record of an order: "one loaf of bread, a can of sardines, one-pound of fancy crackers, a pie, two quarts of coffee, one gill of brandy and a bottle of beer".

The Leatherman was well known in Connecticut. He was reliable in his rounds, and people would have food ready for him, which he often ate on their doorsteps. Ten towns along the Leatherman's route passed ordinances exempting him from the Connecticut state "tramp law" passed in 1879.

The Connecticut Humane Society had him arrested and hospitalized in 1888, which resulted in a diagnosis of "sane except for an emotional affliction", after which he was released, as he had money and desired freedom. He ultimately died from mouth cancer. However, according to researchers including Dan W. DeLuca, as well as his New York death certificate, his identity remains unknown.

Reburial

The Leatherman's original grave in Sparta Cemetery was within of the Albany Post Road, now U.S. Route 9. On May 25, 2011, the grave's contents were exhumed and reburied at a new site in the cemetery. No visible human remains were recovered during the exhumation. Only coffin nails and soil from the original burial plot were reburied in the new grave. One of the reasons for the exhumation was the hope there would be remains that could help determine Leatherman's origins.

References

  • 1965 documentary
  • "Old Leather Man" – Stories of the 364 Mile Man

What I Found on the 365-Mile Trail of a Lost Folk Hero

  • New York Times – The Story of an Old Man and the Road
  • Dan DeLuca interviewed
  • The Leatherman
  • Leatherman's Cave in Watertown
  • Connecticut forest & Parks
  • The Leatherman's Loop
  • Cold Spots: The Legend of the Leatherman