“Everything a man owns, you take”: 81-year-old evicted from forest cabin after 27 years—community rallies as home burns under suspicious circumstances

You spend nearly three decades building a home in the woods, far from prying eyes, living self-sufficiently and finding peace among the trees. Then, at 81, all that you own is torn away—first by an eviction notice, then by flames. In the case of David Lidstone, better known to his neighbors as “River Dave,” it’s a story that has sparked outrage, heartbreak, and an outpouring of community spirit in the forests of New Hampshire.

The Reclusive Life of River Dave

For 27 years, David Lidstone lived in contented isolation in the forests of Canterbury, New Hampshire. Tucked away atop a 73-acre wooded parcel, his two-story wooden cabin was accessible only by boat from the banks of the Merrimack River—a location that seemed purpose-built for solitude (and handy if you ever want to dodge unexpected visitors).

Yet far from being a hermit lost to the world, Lidstone made a name for himself as a local character. He nurtured his own vegetable garden—cucumbers included—and heated his cabin with wood he’d chopped himself. His off-grid home boasted solar panels and piped in spring water from the nearby stream. In a 2018 local TV portrait, he proudly declared, “I did all the plumbing. I did everything. There’s not a nail in this house I didn’t hammer myself.” He took pleasure in showing guests his organized but cluttered interior, where every odd artifact, even an old VCR, had its place.

Despite his reclusive setup, River Dave enjoyed plenty of company. He’d wave to passing boaters and kayakers, some of whom would share a meal with him. Regulars in the nearby towns brought him supplies. He once joked about the “laziness of new generations who won’t lift a finger,” chuckling that even the journalist who interviewed him had managed to make the trek. His life, marked by hands-on craftsmanship and creativity, was anything but idle. “I’m not bored,” he told WMUR-TV, “I have chickens and a cat.” His four children and his brother Vincent, aged 77, would visit him, and he even benefitted from social security, mail service, and carried a smartphone.

An Unwanted Legal Spotlight

Despite the idyllic portrait, trouble brewed beneath the pine needles. The land itself had belonged to the same family since 1963, who apparently had little use for it. Things changed in 2015 when Leonard Giles, the 86-year-old property owner, sought to evict Lidstone and demolish the cabin. The spark for this move? A city administrator flagged concerns over unpaid property taxes and possible violations relating to waste disposal and zoning. The complaint filed reads more like a to-do list for a difficult home inspection: “Removal of solid and septic waste and potential zoning violations.”

Lidstone, representing himself without a lawyer, argued that his home was nothing more than a simple hunting and fishing cabin. The judge wasn’t convinced, requesting that Lidstone vacate in exchange for his release from custody. In fact, a similar order had already been in effect since 2017, but River Dave, as his reputation suggested, had not complied. Judge Andrew Schulman, overseeing the case, recognized that Lidstone wasn’t hurting anyone, but had to acknowledge the law was on the property owner’s side. Schulman even encouraged Giles’s lawyer, Lisa Snow Wade, to work with the town to find a way for Lidstone to stay—perhaps a little more faith in society’s ability to build septic systems was warranted, as he dryly remarked. Ultimately, freedom was contingent on one promise: don’t go back to your cabin.

Fire and Outrage: Community Responds

As if legal woes weren’t enough, the story took a devastating turn on August 4th, when Lidstone’s prized cabin, described as cluttered but fully equipped for daily life, was gutted by fire. To date, police have not determined the cause, but the local consensus—especially among his friends—is that foul play should be ruled out only at one’s peril. Jodie Gedeon, a close friend and neighbor from Boscawen, described the loss as heartbreaking. “He will be devastated. That was his home, the only one he’s ever known,” she mourned to the Union Leader newspaper. On Facebook, she called for those responsible for the fire to be punished, describing their actions as both “inhumane” and “cruel,” and warning that things could have been much worse had a forest fire been sparked.

The destruction of his home didn’t dampen local resolve. In fact, it inspired a surge of solidarity: three separate fundraising campaigns sprang up on GoFundMe on August 4th and 5th, all with the goal of helping River Dave secure another home. In total, these efforts have collected over $2,000 so far. Gedeon has been especially active, rallying neighbors and mapping out a plan. After a town council meeting, she shared on social media that the next step is to talk with the property owner and his lawyer about the possibility of renting or selling the land to Dave. They would also need to meet the town’s demands for a new access road and suitable sanitation facilities—a tall order for any DIY enthusiast.

What Now for River Dave?

This veteran of the US Air Force originally came to the woods with his wife for the occasional escape. In the end, that escape became his permanent home, a place where his children would visit and he could sip a beer overlooking the view from his porch. Now, bereft of the only home he’s known for nearly three decades, the community holds its breath, asking: will River Dave want to return at all?

Perhaps his brother Vincent says it best: “He’s 81. Leave him alone.” If only things in life were that simple.