American vagabond of unknown and disputed identityThe Leatherman ( c. 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. [1]Life [ edit ]Entrance to the Leatherman Cave in Watertown, ConnecticutThe Tory's denLiving in rock shelters and "leatherman caves", as they are now locally known,[2] the Leatherman stopped at towns along his 365-mile (587 km) loop about every five weeks for food and supplies. [3] He was dubbed the "Leatherman" as his adornment of hat, scarf, clothes, and shoes were handmade from leather. [2]Health and death [ edit ]The Leatherman survived blizzards and other foul weather by heating his rock shelters with fire. The Leatherman's original grave in Sparta Cemetery was within 16 feet (5 m) of Route 9.