"Legend of the Leatherman" to Come Alive on Sunday

A piece of local history will come to life this Sunday as the Ossining Historical Society presents “The Legend of the Leatherman: New York’s and Connecticut’s Mysterious Wanderer Told in Story and Song by the Hudson River Ramblers."

The event will feature master storyteller Jonathan Kruk and folk balladeer Richard Bala telling the tale—in song—of the mysterious man who came through Briarcliff Manor, Ossining and the in the 1800s.  

The who came into Westchester during his travels—sleeping in caves and accepting food from the townspeople. He was nicknamed "The Leatherman" after the patched leather suit he wore on his journey.

The Leatherman was buried in Sparta Cemetery near the Briarcliff Manor/Ossining border after his death in 1889.

Earlier this year, his remains to relocate him to a quieter part of the cemetery.

However, only coffin nails were discovered at the site where a headstone marked the grave of "Jules Bourglay," which some believe was the Leatherman's given name.

the nails—and soil in between them—were reburied at Sparta Cemetery.

“He was an important because he was a symbol,” said Former Mayor Miguel Hernandez. “People counted on him and looked forward to his visits. He remains a mystery; no one really knows where he came from or who he was.”

On Sunday, in addition to the storyteller and the balladeer, there will be signed copies of The Old Leather Man: Historical Accounts of a Connecticut and New York Legend by Dan W. DeLuca available for sale.

Former Ossining Mayor Miguel Hernandez will be dressed in 19 Century garb—playing the part of Munson I. Lockwood, an Ossining politician from the 19th century. Lockwood will act as master of ceremonies.

The event is child-friendly and free to the public, but a donation to the Ossining Historical Society is welcome. The Leatherman event is a part of the “Holy Ossining Sacred Spaces Peaceful Places” program started by Hernandez a year ago.

“I take people to churches, synagogues and cemeteries and I lead tour," said Hernandez. "It’s not a tour, but it is part of the Holy Ossining Tours."

This is also the first event designed to get kids interested in Ossining’s history.

“[The Ossining Historical Society] is an adult-orientated organization, but we need to start a program to get kids interested in the history of Ossining," explained Hernandez.

The Leatherman event will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Sparta Cemetery at Route 9 and Revolutionary Road in Ossining. Admission is free, but bring folding chairs and refreshments. Parking is available across the street at the Scarborough Presbyterian Church.

Local Editor Sarah Studley contributed to this report.

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