The Old Leather Man

The story of The Old Leatherman is about as old as Watertown itself. Ask anyone who grew up in town, and they will tell you the story, or at least the bits and pieces that have been passed down for generations. If you don’t have anyone to ask, or you just want more than those few bits and pieces, continue reading below to learn about Watertown’s biggest legend.  

The Leather Man was not just a story, but an actual living person. For many years, it was believed that his name was Jules Bourglay, but that may not be true. Though nothing is known of his birth, childhood, or anything before his arrival in Watertown, historians do know that he was in and out of town from the mid-1850s until his death in 1889. It is believed that he was of French origins, born in France or Quebec, since at the time of his death he was carrying a small French prayer book. He also would not eat meat on Fridays, suggesting that he was Roman Catholic.

During this 30+ year span, The Leather Man wandered a specific route between the Connecticut River and the Hudson River through fields, swamps, and forests. In his wooden shoes, this wandering vagabond took the same 365-mile trip every year (known as the Leather Man Loop), stopping in specific towns (including Watertown) about every 35 days, for food and supplies. These supplies were either acquired by purchase from the local general store with what little money The Leather Man had on him, or they were left out on the porches of kind townspeople. Although many men went from town to town seeking employment, The Leather Man was deemed exempt from the Tramp Laws that went into effect in 1879. 

While in Watertown, The Leather Man (who got his name from the all-handmade leather attire he wore) lived in a cave on the outskirts of town. Today, this cave can be visited on the trail inside Black Rock State Park, which is on the border between Watertown and Thomaston.

He died in March, 1889, in a cave in Mount Pleasant, New York, and was buried in the Sparta Cemetery in Ossining, New York.

For more information and to delve deeper into the story, check out our Watertown History Channel video or the resources below. And feel free to leave a comment to tell us what you know or your family’s version of “The Old Leatherman” story.  

Books

1. The Leatherman by Dick Gackenbach (1977, Seabury Press)
2. The Old Leather Man: Historical Accounts of a Connecticut and New York Legend by Dan W. DeLuca (2008, Wesleyan University Press)

Online Resources

1. The Leather Man – Wikipedia
2. The Leatherman – Findagrave Memorial
3. The Old Leatherman Alive in Our Memories – Connecticut History 2019
4. Who was the mysterious Leatherman? – Ripley’s Believe it or Not! 2018
5. Mystery Man: Will Anyone Ever Know the Real Story Behind the Leatherman? – The Village Voice 2016
6. New Canaan ‘Ghost Story’: Traces of the Leatherman – New Canaanite 2014
7. Search For Clues Only Deepens ‘Leatherman’ Mystery – NPR 2011
8. The Old Leather Man – Damned Connecticut 2009
9. The Legend of The Leatherman – Leatherman’s Loop 2009