Batcheller's Cave Explained

Batcheller's Cave is a small cave in Roxbury, New Hampshire, United States, said to be the hiding place of Breed Batcheller, a town founder who failed to support the rebellion of the colonies against England in the Revolutionary War.[1] [2]

The cave was immortalized in the poem "The Tory's Cave" by F.H. Meloon, Jr:

THE TORY'S CAVE

(The legend is of Roxbury, N.H., early founded by the Buckminsters [perhaps ''sic''], and now practically deserted.)

By Roxbury's deserted town,Not a full mile outside,Where oaks in rude defiance frown,A Tory once did hide.The mad rebellion 'gainst the kingWas little shared by him,And so he dwelt, a hunted thing,Within a cavern dim.

By Roxbury's deserted townThe trav'ler still decriesA rocky cave, half tumbled down,Before his wond'ring eyes.'Twas there the Tory dwelt of old,'Twas there they found him dead,'Twas there they laid him 'neath the mouldWithin his lonely bed.

By Roxbury's deserted townThe summers come and go,The sun's successive smile or frownAbove the winter snow.Go ask Buckminster, if you will,Who is that ghost-like knave?He'll bid you hold your speech untilYou've trod the Tory's Cave.

[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of Roxbury. Town of Roxbury - A good dam town. Town of Roxbury. 28 October 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151018015950/http://www.roxburynh.org/history-of-roxbury.html. 18 October 2015. dead.
  2. News: Frank. Carolyn. The "Hated Tory of Roxbury" stood up for what he believed in. 29 October 2015. Keene Sentinel. 2004.
  3. Meloon. F.H.. The Tory's Cave. The Granite Monthly: A New Hampshire Magazine Devoted to .... 1903. 34. 315. 27 October 2015.