Batcheller's Cave facts for kids

Batcheller's Cave is a small cave located in Roxbury, New Hampshire. It's famous for being the secret hiding spot of Breed Batcheller, one of the people who helped start the town. During the American Revolutionary War, Breed Batcheller chose to support the King of England instead of the American colonists who wanted to be free. Because of this, he was known as a "Tory" or "Loyalist" and had to hide.

What is Batcheller's Cave?

Batcheller's Cave is a natural rock formation, not very big, but it became an important part of local history. It's nestled in the landscape of Roxbury, a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. The cave's story is connected to the exciting and sometimes dangerous times of the American Revolution.

Who was Breed Batcheller?

Breed Batcheller was one of the early settlers and founders of Roxbury, New Hampshire. When the American colonies decided to fight for their independence from Great Britain, not everyone agreed with this idea. Some people, like Breed Batcheller, remained loyal to the British Crown. These individuals were called Loyalists or Tories. Because they supported the King, they were often seen as enemies by the American patriots and sometimes had to go into hiding to stay safe.

The Legend of the Tory's Cave

The cave became well-known because of the legend that Breed Batcheller used it as his hiding place. The story says that he lived there to escape those who supported the American rebellion. This tale of a hidden Loyalist in a dim cavern has been passed down through generations in Roxbury.

The cave's story was even captured in a poem called "The Tory's Cave" by F.H. Meloon, Jr. The poem describes the cave as a place where a "Tory once did hide" and mentions that he was a "hunted thing." It adds to the mystery, suggesting that the Tory was eventually found dead in the cave and buried there. This poem helped to make Batcheller's Cave a lasting part of New Hampshire's local folklore and history.