Tory's Cave (Springfield, Vermont)

Last updated February 13, 2026

Tory's Cave is in Springfield, Vermont, across the Connecticut River from Charlestown, New Hampshire.

The cave has two entrances, one of which has a commanding view of the river.^[1]^[2] The cave contains a room large enough to accommodate several people.^[1]

In 1781, Shem Kemfield, a Tory from Charlestown, New Hampshire, and several companions lived in the cave for a short time.^[1]

References

1 2 3 Richardson, Frederick William (1991). Eighteenth Century Springfield: From Wilderness to Vermont Statehood, 1751-1791 : a Narrative : a Study of the Early Land Records and Some of the Settlers who Lived Here. University of Michigan. p. 136. Retrieved 2013-08-26– via Google Books. The cave, Tory Cave, could be approached either from the steep face in front of the cave or through the marshes from the ... of the entrance of the cave and have a commanding view onto the meadows below and of the busy Connecticut River ...
↑ Saunderson, Henry Hamilton (1876). History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the Old No.4: Embracing the Part Borne by Its Inhabitants in the Indian, French and Revolutionary Wars and the Vermont Controversy : Also Genealogies and Sketches of Families from Its Settlements to 1876. Claremont Manufacturing Company. pp. 436–437. Retrieved 2013-08-26. They came down on the west side of the river, and sought a place of concealment on Schitchawock, a small but picturesque mountain, lying near the Connecticut, opposite Charlestown, in what was known by the name of "Tory's Cave," from which place Shem, who was well acquainted with all the region, hoped to get into communication with some well-known tories, from whom he was expecting to receive aid in carrying out his most adventurous attempt.

43°16′40″N72°25′07″W / 43.2778°N 72.4186°W / 43.2778; -72.4186

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[ECS-1] 1 2 3 Richardson, Frederick William (1991). Eighteenth Century Springfield: From Wilderness to Vermont Statehood, 1751-1791 : a Narrative : a Study of the Early Land Records and Some of the Settlers who Lived Here. University of Michigan. p. 136. Retrieved 2013-08-26– via Google Books. The cave, Tory Cave, could be approached either from the steep face in front of the cave or through the marshes from the ... of the entrance of the cave and have a commanding view onto the meadows below and of the busy Connecticut River ...

[2] Saunderson, Henry Hamilton (1876). History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the Old No.4: Embracing the Part Borne by Its Inhabitants in the Indian, French and Revolutionary Wars and the Vermont Controversy : Also Genealogies and Sketches of Families from Its Settlements to 1876. Claremont Manufacturing Company. pp. 436–437. Retrieved 2013-08-26. They came down on the west side of the river, and sought a place of concealment on Schitchawock, a small but picturesque mountain, lying near the Connecticut, opposite Charlestown, in what was known by the name of "Tory's Cave," from which place Shem, who was well acquainted with all the region, hoped to get into communication with some well-known tories, from whom he was expecting to receive aid in carrying out his most adventurous attempt.

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