logo
facebook.com/fredericksburgdotcom
facebook.com/fredericksburgdotcom

Man Who Lived 27 Years in the Woods Is Now Forced to Move Out

Lois Oladejo
Aug 15, 2021
07:20 A.M.

After living a peaceful life for over two decades in the woods, an elderly man's remote existence is being threatened. However, he remains determined to stay put and protect his territory.

Advertisement

An elderly man in Canterbury is being forced to leave his home after years of residing in the woods. For 27 years, David Lidstone resided in a small cabin located in the woods along the Merrimack River in New Hampshire.

He made the place habitable by obtaining his energy from solar panels, growing edible plants and vegetables, and sustaining poultry. The man's water source was a nearby stream.

Photo of an old man in the woods | Photo: facebook.com/fredericksburgdotcom

Photo of an old man in the woods | Photo: facebook.com/fredericksburgdotcom

He also had some pets to keep him company and depended on firewood from the surrounding forest to make fire for cooking and warmth. Such was his life for almost three decades until a property owner dragged him to court.

The landowner accused him of illegally squatting on his property for all those years. On July 15, Lidstone ended up arrested on a civil contempt sanction, with the reassurance of being released once he decided to leave the cabin.

Advertisement
Photo of a wooden cabin located in the woods | Photo: Pexels

Photo of a wooden cabin located in the woods | Photo: Pexels

However, the man refused to budge, maintaining during his court appearance that he was prepared to rot in custody while his detainees kept all his property.

Lidstone claimed the owner, Leonard Giles, gave him unwritten permission to reside there years ago.

Amid the ongoing legal feud, a fire recently engulfed Lidstone's cabin, burning it to the ground. Local authorities are yet to determine the source of the inferno, as it remains under investigation.

Photo of a man walking in the woods | Photo: Pexels

Photo of a man walking in the woods | Photo: Pexels

Advertisement

Before going ablaze, the small wooden abode was a two-level, A-frame structure, complete with a kitchen, various utensils dangling from the ceiling, and a make-do beehive. His porch housed a footstool, a mirror, lights, a base made of stacked beer cans, and a pulley-attached clothesline.

While Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Andrew Schulman agreed the 81-year-old man was hurting no one, the law was clearly on the property owner's side. Jodie Gideon, who has known Lidstone for decades, described him as a big caring man who opted to live off the grid for the sake of humanity.

Lidstone claimed the owner, Leonard Giles, gave him unwritten permission to reside there years ago. However, Giles claimed to have no knowledge of his existence in the woods until 2015 and has since asked him to evacuate.

Photo of a cabin in the woods | Photo: Pexels

Photo of a cabin in the woods | Photo: Pexels

Advertisement

Lidstone's case has attracted several sympathizers, including boaters and kayakers who have befriended him these past years. Some of them have kicked off a campaign to gather money to cover property taxes while filing a petition on his behalf.

Another case of someone forced to evacuate his home impromptu was recorded in Chatham. Lewis White, who had been collecting reusable boxes for years, had to move to a bigger home after his box collection filled up his living space.

Photo of a man carrying some boxes | Photo: Pexels

Photo of a man carrying some boxes | Photo: Pexels

Utilizing his boxes, White packed up his belongings and relocated to his new home, which availed him enough space to stack his boxes.

Leaving one's home after years of making memories is not an easy ordeal for anyone, but with the right reasons, the sacrifice could be worth it, like in White's case.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

5 Incredible Stories That Happened Onboard an Airplane

January 31, 2024

30+ Workers Share Bizarre and Fascinating Insights from Serving the Wealthy

February 02, 2024

Wayne Newton Welcomed His Rarely Seen Daughter Long after He Lost All His Money – Photos of His Beautiful Lady

February 06, 2024

Sylvester Stallone's Beverly Hills Mansion He Once Lived with His Family before Selling It for $58M

January 25, 2024

13 Employees Open Up about the Worst Bosses They Have Ever Worked With

January 15, 2024

I Met My Husband's Pregnant Fiancée – Story of the Day

December 26, 2023

Poor Woman Cleans Rich Man's House for 10 Years to Survive, One Day Learns She's Its Owner — Story of the Day

March 03, 2024

Man Spends All Time with Bedridden Wife, She Vanishes as He Leaves House One Day – Story of the Day

March 07, 2024

Famous Actor Hid Affair with This Ex-firefighter for 38 Years - Star Stayed with Him at Hawaii Ranch until His Death

February 26, 2024

Famous Actor Hid Affair with This Ex-firefighter for 38 Years - Star Stayed with Him at Hawaii Ranch until His Death

February 26, 2024

Marguerite Whitley Is OJ Simpson’s First Wife and Mother of 3 of His Children

January 17, 2024

I Met My Husband's Fiancée – Story of the Day

December 04, 2023

I Dumped My Boyfriend the Day after Moving in with Him, as I Discovered a Shocking Truth

January 31, 2024

Husband Leaves Wife & Child for Younger Woman, Years Later Daughter Becomes His Boss — Story of the Day

March 04, 2024