Sam Patch, the Famous Jumper

Sam Patch, the Famous Jumper (2003) is a biography and cultural history written by American historian Paul E. Johnson. The book centers on the life of Sam Patch, a 19th-century American mill worker and folk hero who became famous for his daring jumps off waterfalls. Johnson examines Patch’s jumps in New Jersey and New York within the context of environmental and social changes in 19th-century America. Major themes in the book include class conflict, industrialization and landscape change, and the ethics of celebrity culture.

This guide is based on the 2011 Hill and Wang e-book edition.

Summary

The preface introduces the difficulty of writing a biography when so few historical records survive of Sam Patch’s life. Sam’s father, Greenleaf Patch, was born into a relatively prosperous family. However, as a result of his father’s debts, Greenleaf entered adulthood with no property. In 1788, Greenleaf married a pregnant 17-year-old named Abigail McIntire. Abigail’s father allowed the newlyweds to raise their family on his property, but family disputes led to their eviction by 1798.

In 1807, the family moved to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where Greenleaf, now addicted to alcohol, abandoned the family. Abigail Patch sued Greenleaf for divorce and established her own household.