Comments on: The Old Leather Man

By: John DiLeo

John DiLeo — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:59:01 +0000

Rick, there’s an amazing Leatherman’s Cave in Watertown just north of Waterbury right on the Mattatuck Trail. Just take 8 north to Thomaston, then 6 west past Black Rock State Park. Less than a mile past the park, you’ll see a sign for the trail. Park the car and hike south (opposite side of the road). It’s only about a mile + 1/2 to 2 miles, but it gets pretty steep in places. Where the Jericho Trail cuts to the right, stay with the Mattatuck to the left (both marked). Very cool and enigmatic cave . . .

By: Trade Show Perseverance

Trade Show Perseverance — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:44:12 +0000

[...] In a nutshell: In Connecticut, shortly before the Civil War began, an odd vagabond dressed from head-to-toe all in leather appeared out of nowhere and started walking the same 360-mile circuit over and over again for almost 30 years. It was always the same clockwise route — starting in Danbury and heading east through Watertown to Middletown, then south down along the Connecticut River before turning west along the Connecticut coast to New Caanan, then back north into Westchester County, New York, before turning east again to Danbury. In all his travels he never engaged in conversation with anyone beyond monosyllabic phrases like “Eat” or “Yes,” nor did he ever stay inside, always choosing to spend the nights and winters alone in the great outdoors. His possessions included a walking staff, a leather satchel and the leather on his back. He also never worked nor accepted money, and would’ve made a terrific postman as neither rain, nor sleet nor snow nor dark of night could deter him from his self-appointed rounds. People could almost set their calendars by him as it took him exactly 34 days to complete a lap (depending on the weather). I encourage you to click through and read the whole story here. [...]

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:36:35 +0000

Unlike you all, I grew up on the song, not the stories. Nice article though. Enjoyed it.

By: Rick Weldon

Rick Weldon — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:31:03 +0000

Having been born in Southington, Ct, and living in Waterbury as well as Wolcott, I’ve always been intriqued about Leatherman. I truly hope I can find the caves along his route, and would appreciate anyones help…..
Thank You

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:22:23 +0000

There is a “Leatherman Cave” in Westbrook. Its kind of a right to passage to join out troop all scouts at some point in their scouting career has or will see the cave.

By: Leather Man Mania - Damned Connecticut

Leather Man Mania - Damned Connecticut — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 20:14:58 +0000

[...] be like if I had to stay outside and endure the elements … eventually, I think about the Old Leather Man, how he would be trudging endlessly through the snow along unplowed roads and byways, making his [...]

By: Barbie

Barbie — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:52:28 +0000

On reading some of the personal accounts I found that it wasn’t a cave in East Haven, rather a man made shelter that he used. It must have disappeared a long time ago.

By: Barbie

Barbie — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:27:31 +0000

I never knew that he had a place (cave) that he used in East Haven. where is it?

By: Don

Don — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:31:54 +0000

I’ve also heard that he stayed in a cave in Bristol called Tory’s Den. There’s another good story attached to that cave having to do with the American Revolution, might be a good trip for you guys.

By: First in Flight? - Damned Connecticut

First in Flight? - Damned Connecticut — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:18:08 +0000

[...] also learned a bit about some of the more interesting characters in Connecticut history, including The Old Leather Man, Hanna Cranna and the Jewett City Vampires, to name a [...]