He Wandered Connecticut In A Home-Made Suit That Weighed 60lb; Meet 'The LeatherMan'
The figure known as the "Leatherman" presents a quiet yet fascinating example of 19th-century itinerant life in rural America. While much of his life remains enigmatic, he is remembered not for any grand deeds, but for his regular and repetitive journey through parts of New York and Connecticut, and for the way he quietly became a part of the communities he passed through.
The Origins of the Leatherman
Most historical accounts place the birth of the Leatherman around 1839, though even this basic fact is somewhat uncertain. His appearance in American records begins in the late 1850s, specifically in 1857, when people first began to note the presence of a man dressed entirely in handmade leather garments. These heavy, rough-hewn clothes were what would come to define his physical appearance, and they would be a constant presence throughout the remaining years of his life. The entire suit — shirt, jacket, trousers, boots, scarf, and hat — weighed an estimated 60 pounds, a fact that often struck observers as remarkable given the strenuous lifestyle he led.
The Leatherman was said to be fluent in French, which led to speculation about his origins. Some believed he came from the Picardy region of France, while others thought he might have been from French-speaking Canada. He was also known to carry a French prayer book among his few personal belongings, which reinforced the idea of a French-speaking background. He adhered to certain religious practices as well, such as declining meat on Fridays, leading many to conclude that he was a Roman Catholic. While these clues point to a possible background, the Leatherman never revealed anything about his past, leaving even the most basic facts of his life open to interpretation.
A Nomadic Routine
What sets the Leatherman apart from other itinerants of his era was the remarkably regular path he followed throughout his adult life. He walked a precise 365-mile loop through parts of New York and Connecticut, moving clockwise between the towns and villages of Westchester, southern Putnam, and western Fairfield counties. His route included stops in Purdy’s, Kensico, South Salem, Croton Falls, Yorktown, Shrub Oak, Briarcliff, and Bedford Hills, among others. Incredibly, the entire loop took him roughly 34 to 36 days to complete, and he stuck to this schedule with remarkable consistency. The Leatherman’s regularity was so reliable that people along his route could anticipate his visits nearly to the day.
This pattern of movement, however, was more than just a wandering route — it was a way of life. Unlike many vagrants of the time who might seek out temporary work or charity, the Leatherman was entirely self-sufficient in terms of his basic survival needs. He made his home in caves scattered throughout the region, of which there were nearly 100 along his route. These caves, known locally as "Leatherman caves," offered him shelter during all seasons, and he developed a reputation for his ability to survive even in harsh winter conditions. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, a nature preserve in New York, still has one of these caves, where it is known the Leatherman stayed during his journeys. He would often build fires to stay warm, and though he suffered from occasional frostbite, he generally appeared in good health throughout his years on the road.
Interaction with Local Communities
Though the Leatherman lived a solitary life, he did maintain limited interactions with the communities through which he travelled. He would regularly stop at farmhouses, seeking food, and over time, the people in these communities came to expect his visits. In fact, many local families prepared for his arrival by baking extra bread or preparing food in advance. His reputation for politeness and gratitude spread, and in return for the hospitality he received, he would often offer thanks in a quiet, reserved manner. Miss M. Louise Bouton, who was born in 1889 and lived in Lewisboro, recalled that the Leatherman would visit her family’s home once a year. She remembered that he would always approach from the same side of the house, knocking on the drainpipe to announce his presence. Her mother would give him food, which he would accept with a simple “Thank you so much, lady,” never looking directly at anyone.
Despite his rugged appearance, the Leatherman was known to be harmless, and over time he became a fixture in the communities he visited. He communicated in broken English, rarely speaking more than a few words at a time, though he was capable of more fluid conversation in French. His stoic nature and calm demeanour reassured people, and he became something of a local celebrity. His visits were so regular and anticipated that even when Connecticut enacted an anti-vagrancy "tramp law" in 1879, ten towns along his route passed special ordinances to exempt him from the law’s provisions. These ordinances allowed him to continue his travels unimpeded, a sign of the unique place he held in the local culture.
While the Leatherman’s relationship with local communities was generally positive, there were moments when authorities became involved. In 1888, the Connecticut Humane Society briefly arrested him and had him committed to a hospital, concerned for his wellbeing. However, after an examination, it was determined that he was mentally sound apart from an unspecified emotional condition. The hospital released him shortly afterward, allowing him to return to his itinerant life. There were few other incidents involving law enforcement, and the Leatherman generally remained on good terms with both the local authorities and the people he encountered.
Curiously, it is not known how the Leatherman funded his resupply efforts. On several occasions, he was seen purchasing small amounts of food from local stores, such as bread, sardines, crackers, coffee, and even small amounts of alcohol. One shopkeeper in particular kept a record of these purchases, noting the simplicity of his requests. However, where he obtained the money to fund these purchases is unclear. He did not appear to engage in any form of labour, and his simple lifestyle did not suggest that he had a steady income. This has led to further speculation about his origins, but no definitive answers have emerged.
The Leatherman’s travels came to an end on 24 March 1889, when his body was discovered in a cave near Mount Pleasant, New York. He was found by a local farmer named George Dell, who had noticed that the Leatherman had not moved from his usual resting spot. Despite living a hard life, the Leatherman was in relatively good physical condition at the time of his death, save for the fact that he had developed cancer in his mouth, likely as a result of his use of chewing tobacco. He was buried in nearby Ossining, at Sparta Cemetery, where a simple tombstone was placed to mark his grave.
Initially, the name “Jules Bourglay” was added to his gravestone, following a report in the Waterbury Daily American that claimed this was the Leatherman’s true identity. The story suggested that he had been a French merchant who, after suffering financial ruin, had taken to wandering the American countryside. However, this story was later retracted, and the name "Jules Bourglay" was debunked as a fabrication. Despite this, the name remained on his gravestone for many years. It was not until 2011, when construction near the cemetery required the exhumation of his remains, that the mistake was rectified. By this time, little of the Leatherman’s body remained, and no new information about his identity was uncovered.
A Lasting Historical Curiosity
Though his life was modest and largely devoid of material possessions, the Leatherman’s legacy endures. He is remembered as a quiet, solitary figure who navigated his world with a sense of purpose known only to him. His life offers a glimpse into the unique forms of itinerant existence that persisted in 19th-century America, and his story has become a part of local folklore in the regions through which he travelled. Each year, the Leatherman’s Loop 10k race is held in his honour, a testament to the lasting impact of this quiet, unassuming figure.
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