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This Cache is named after a local Character in early New
Hampshire History.
Local history tells us that during the time
between the close of the French and Indian War and the
Revolutionary War many deserters from the British Army found refuge
in New Hampshire. Before 1770, a young English soldier named
Hodgeman came to the vicinity of Amherst. When he learned that the
scouts were on his tract, he sought concealment in Purgatory. He
hid in the ravine during the day. Stephen Peabody, who had built a
large house at the top of Strawberry Hill, befriended the refugee,
and furnished him with food during the day and lodging at night.
Hodgeman served in the Revolutionary War, married and settled in
Amherst, and Hodgeman changed his name to William Brown. He raised
a family and died in Amherst in February, at the age of
86.
William Brown's grandson, Robert Brown, became owner of the
farm including the upper falls in the 1870s. Leonard Brown, a
great-great-grandson of Hodgeman acquired ownership by 1953. Many
of the locals remember Leonard Brown's granddaughter, Mrs. Cecil F.
Smith.
The Cache is a lock-lock container. Tucked comfortably
somewhere along the brook. There are two ways to access the
cache's location, the bad way (The trail down the east side) and
the worse way (The trail down the west side). Please use
caution especially once you leave the trail, There are lots of
slippery rocks, holes and cracks to slip, falls on or into. also be
careful on the west side around the cliffs, like many have said in
the past "It's that first step". Go too far down either side and
you will run into fenced and posted private property. If you have
time, take a walk on the marked trail up the west Side from the top
of the Purgatory
Falls to the cliff loop trail. The view is worth it......
Parking is waypointed below, it is the same location as Devil's
Kitchen.....
Good Luck and Happy
Caching