Sam Patch’s Ghost:Rochester’s Haunted History
Just like Niagara Falls has had its share of daredevils, Rochester New York is no different. They had a gentleman with the name Sam Patch. Patch was a 19th century daredevil born in Pawtuckett Rhode Island at the age of in 1807. He worked as a child at a local textile mill where he began his daredevil career during his breaks from work. He would entertain the other laborers by jumping off the mill works into the river below. It wasn’t long before his jumps drew the attention of local media and grew into well-advertised events drawing hundreds of people. He quickly moved from jumping off the mill dam to higher locations including water falls and bridges. But it was when he was only in his mid-twenties did Patch become known as one of Niagara Fall’s first daredevils.
In 1827, according to American Heritage Magazine, Patch was invited to jump over Niagara Falls as an added attraction when the local town was blasting an area of the falls known as Table Rock. Table Rock was a large shelf of rock that jutted out over Niagara Falls from the Canadian side of the falls. As the horseshoe falls receded, it became noticed in the early 1700 and served as the first vantage point for tourists to the falls until the early 1800’s. For safety purposes, the government planned to blast away part of the shelf after a rock collapse that sent a carriage and his driver plummeting to their death at the falls. Patch was invited to perform at this event but missed the appointed day. Although late, Patch still found the stunt very inviting so on Saturday October 17, 1827 a crowd gathered at Goat Island and across the Niagara River in Canada to watch the amazing stunt. On the appointed day it was pouring rain but Patch boldly climbed a ladder to the platform, which had been built from four trees spliced together and fastened by ropes running back upon Goat Island. With a kiss to the American flag before ascending, he shed his shoes and coat and tied a handkerchief about his neck. Ignoring tearful farewells and protestations from persons at the foot of the ladder, he mounted the narrow, swaying platform which was barely large enough for a man to sit upon, Patch dived into the swirling hood of Niagara Falls. A moment of silence fell over the crowd broken by a joyous celebration when Patch surfaced from the waters. His next challenge was to be Genesee Falls in Rochester New York.
Patch, by this time, had gathered a strong national following as well as sponsors urging him on to higher, more dangerous stunts. In Rochester, a twenty five foot scaffolding was erected at the brink of the falls to increase the jump to 125 feet. It was Friday November 13, 1829 and just over 8,000 people gathered around the falls to watch the death defying feat. Interestingly, the Federal Census taken the following year listed the population of Rochester at 9,207. While on his tour in Buffalo, Patch had acquired a pet bear cub which he would now hurl into the waters before any jump that he took. This jump was no different. Poised on the scaffolding, Patch raised his pet above his head and hurled it into the waters below the Genesee Falls. Patch quickly followed. Reports say that about half way through the descent, Patch lost the proper dive posture and a loud splat was heard at the base of the falls. Patch never resurfaced.
Some believed that during the one practice jump Patch had made at the falls that he had discovered the small cave that lies behind the falls. It was there that he had stored dry clothes, some food and a bottle of alcohol for plans to later appear. Others believe that he had used “the spirits” to calm his nerves too much before the jump and attempted the feat drunk.
It wasn’t until March 17, 1830 that a body was found by a local farmer where the Genesee River empties into Lake Ontario. It was believed to be the body of Patch. As for the pet bear, no one really knows what happened to it. Some reported seeing the bear inside taverns and others claimed that John Sears, a local barber, killed it and made bear grease out of it, according to a Rochester Historian Ruth Rosenberg-Naparsteck.
To this day, there have been reports of individuals seeing a figure diving into the falls on that same fate filled November day. Perhaps an entity replaying its last greatest moment. A residual haunting such as this is not unusual when there is so much energy surrounding the original event. In many ways it records the event, and replays, like an old movie over and over again until the film finally degrades. On occasion, there have also still been reports of bear sightings in the gorge area. Bears have migrated into the Rochester area over the years in search of new food supplies and to avoid the expansion of man so it wouldn’t be unheard of for a bear to actually exist in the gorge. But who is to say this isn’t the pet bear looking for his master?
As for the cave behind the falls, it does exist. In fact, reports have said that should you venture into the cave you can find it riddled with graffiti but also laden with melted candles and various symbols marked on the ground and walls. Signs of magic and a suggestion that maybe some people believe that Patch still exists there today.

