In the second episode of our series: Legends and Lore of the Empire State, A New York Minute In History explores the mystery of the inspiration for Natty Bumppo, one of the most recognizable characters from James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales series. A trip to Hoosick Falls wouldn’t be complete without a drive down Main Street. As you pass the cemetery, with row upon row of stone monuments dissected by shade trees, an interesting red and gold marker catches your eye. The title reads “Natty Bumppo” a name that is familiar but you can’t quite place it just yet. Reading the marker’s text, those hazy details come streaming back: NATTY BUMPPO IN THIS BURIAL GROUND LIES NATHANIEL SHIPMAN THE INSPIRATION FOR JAMES FENIMORE COOPER'S FAMOUS "NATTY BUMPPO" CHARACTER NEW YORK FOLKLORE WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2019 Natty Bumppo, one of the most recognizable characters from James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales series. He was the rugged frontiersman who dressed