Talk:Tory's Cave (Springfield, Vermont)

Different Mountain

An interesting footnote: https://books.google.com/books?id=IVNKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA438&lpg=PA438&dq=schitchawock&source=bl&ots=dfYW__5q00&sig=1dWYpc8ANOBruT2VxjoS4sxGpXI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV74P-3qvdAhXKVt8KHebaA3kQ6AEwAXoECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=schitchawock&f=false

"Mr Charles Allen and other aged people in Charlestown most postively assert that it was on Mount Cal&vant and not on Schitchawock that Shem concealed himself and that it was tory Harper instead of tory Parker with whom he Rought communication and aftor many inquiries I am inclined to believe that Mr Allen is correct He says that he has heard the account from his father and grand father and says that the above account is correct with the exception of the locality where it took place II HS " Caecias (talk) 15:47, 8 September 2018 (UTC)

The mountain is also called Skitchawaug Mountain in the geological records. Caecias (talk)

Calavant Hill is located across the river in NH. Is this cave really in NH? Caecias (talk)

Tory Harper lived on Calavant Hill. https://books.google.com/books?id=IVNKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA716&lpg=PA716&dq=%22calavant%22+historical&source=bl&ots=dfYYY-arYZ&sig=zBsukV7lixmZF_vizW7KVNiS_i8&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjw--fMyODdAhWLT98KHVFZCQg4FBDoATAHegQIBBAB#v=onepage&q=%22calavant%22%20historical&f=false Caecias (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 15:53, 29 September 2018 (UTC)

I don't think there's any clear description of where this cave is, VT or NH, plus it seems like it's caved in since then. I would like to suggest we remove it from places of interest in the Springfield, VT page. Caecias (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 15:56, 29 September 2018 (UTC)

Here's another "Tory's Hole" not far away by Windsor, VT. https://books.google.com/books?id=2C0_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA174&lpg=PA174&dq=tory%27s+hole+vermont&source=bl&ots=4FSRBVh_dG&sig=qVwTEwjZL8koZohB-9kc3RF4fwo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdwP_gyuDdAhXlguAKHQhGBt84FBDoATADegQIBhAB#v=onepage&q=tory's%20hole%20vermont&f=false Caecias (talk) 16:04, 29 September 2018 (UTC)

Another good source

Here is another source that has more on the story of the cave, also called Tory's Hole it seems. Anyone is welcome to do more research. I created this page because i was getting sources out of Tory cave (New Milford, Connecticut) into their own article for this cave, which i have never been to personally. I hope that this can be taken up by locals and people who know more. It's out of my wheelhouse and locale, but i am glad to get this started. Some very cool historical documents here. SageRad (talk) 13:30, 28 October 2015 (UTC)

Here is text from that:

In 1780, the American Colonies were in the midst of their fight to achieve independence from Britain and were struggling to find the balance of power. At this time there were still many people who were loyal to the King of England. These people were often thought of as traitors by their neighbors and were called Tories.

Many Tories sought refuge in Canada, but the lucky ones found it safer to sail for England. Those who fled to Canada found it necessary to find sympathetic farmers to hide them during the day or in times of bad weather. A sort of underground road such as that used by the slaves during the Civil War was set up along several routes through upper New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. The route along the Connecticut River was the most direct but also one of the most dangerous as most of the local people were very loyal to the infant United States Government.

Many fleeing Tories were forced to exhaust their life savings just to buy food and lodging at these waystops along their route northward. It is said that some outlaws banded together and carried on a brisk business of robbing the Tories. Operating out of the hills along the Connecticut River, which separates Vermont and New Hampshire, they would offer refuge and protection to the unsuspecting travelers. A hot meal and the prospect of a good nights sleep in a warm dry cave without fear of being caught by the vigilantes was usually enough to loosen the travelers defenses and tongues to the point that the hideaway men could find the value of their coin purses. Usually the robbers would wait until the travelers were back on their trail to freedom and away from the hideout before they would strike. Many times they killed their victims and disposed of the bodies in the river or the forest along the trail.

One such cave in Vermont which is known to have been the hiding place of fleeing Tories is today called Tory Hole. Located on Skitchewaug Mountain near the town of Springfield, this cave was used by the local Tory band to hide both northbound and southbound spies.

One of the most intriguing stories about Tory Hole concerns a man known as Shem Kentfield. Shem lived across the river in Charlestown, New Hampshire, and was quite well known locally as a daring hunter and an expert fisherman. He also had a reputation for having a jealous and vengeful disposition. Frequenting the inns and public places seemed to be his only ambition in life and the source of his income was somewhat a mystery. On top of this he appeared to be a Tory and became the object of much ridicule.

One night in 1780, after a particularly heavy round of drinks and arguments during which some accusation and threats were made, Shem Kentfield disappeared, along with one of the best horses of a prominent citizen of Charlestown. He fled to Canada where he planned revenge on his former home.

His plan was to loot the town and burn it to the ground. Kentfield recruited a sizeable group of followers with a promise of sharing the loot. On their way south, several groups of unfortunate travelers fell victim to the Kentfield band. For a short time, they operated along the Connecticut River trail, using Tory Hole for a hiding place. Their intentions were to wait until spring, strike, and then flee north. At this time of year, with the snow melting, the roads would become muddy, making it very difficult for the authorities to follow.

One early morning in March, Kentfield and two companions were returning to Tory Hole after stealing food from a nearby farm house. They met a man near Skitchenwaug Mountain who was recognized as D. Abram Downer. The doctor, who lived in Weathersfield, Vermont, was returning home after visiting a very sick patient, and, as he was a former resident of Charlestown, he knew Kentfield and his reputation. This encounter surprised both parties. The doctor was afraid he was about to meet his doom in the hands of the desperate band, and Kentfield feared his plot would be discovered.

Kentfield admitted that he was the leader of a large band which intended to burn Charlestown and he threatened the life of the doctor if he divulged the plans. After many threats, D. Downer was warned that if he ever told of seeing Kentfield or of his plans, the Doctors friends and family would be killed.

After swearing on this death oath, Dr. Downer was allowed to go. On his way home the doctor stopped by to visit some of his friends in Springfield, Vermont. Noticing his state of semi-shock, one of his friends, a Mr. Lemuel Whitney began to question him. After several hours the story was finally drawn bit by bit from the doctor. Mr. Whitney organized a search party and traced Kentfield from where the doctor had met him on the mountain to the bank of the Connecticut River, where they discovered the ice on the river had just broken up that morning. Fearing that Kentfield might have crossed the river to Charlestown just before the ice broke; they felt they should send an alarm to the townspeople.

One version of the story says a message was attached to an arrow and shot across the river. However it was done, the people were alerted and captured Kentfield before he and his band could do any harm. At his trial it was revealed that Shem Kentfield was a deserter from the American Army, and he was taken to West Point, where he was hung.

The cave was not rediscovered for many years, and when it was, it could not be entered more than a few feet, as a portion of the roof had fallen in. From a description written many years ago you can see that the cave was of impressive proportions.

The cave is there today and may well contain all of the loot that the Kentfield band accumulated before their attempt to raid Charlestown.

Poem may be about another cave

The poem may be about another cave in Roxbury, New Hampshire. I've put a note here on the town's talk page. SageRad (talk) 14:07, 28 October 2015 (UTC)