One of the fun things in Appleseed is learning more about our history.
And sometimes you learn things that you never imagined.
And find things that connect in ways you don't expect.
Took a left turn on the Internet and learned the following.
Johnny Appleseed, was a real person.
Not a piece of American Folklore like Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill.
Johnny Appleseed, yes the one who traveled the countryside planting apple tree's and the namesake of our project was born John Chapman in Leominster, Massachusetts September 1774.
Not being familiar with the Massachusetts geography I quickly checked Mapquest and learned that Leominster is 23 miles from Concord.
This is getting more interesting. Googled a little more, then I found this website.
http://thetanseys.webs.com/appleseed.htm (http://thetanseys.webs.com/appleseed.htm)
Where I learned some more interesting facts.
Johnny Appleseed's father was Nathaniel Chapman.
Nathaniel Chapman fought in the Revolutionary war.
Googled a little more.
And found by some accounts, on April 19, 1775, Nathaniel Chapman answered the muster call, leaving little Johnny at home with his mother, and followed Issac Davis as he marched on the North Bridge.
If true, Nathaniel Chapman, made the same decision to make a stand for liberty, and left his wife to take care of the children, just like Issac Davis. Except the children included little Johnny Appleseed.
Unfortunately, there is no way to definitively prove or disprove Nathaniel Chapman's participation in the events of April 19, 1775. But there seems to be enough happenstance to make it credible possibility.
It's a small world.
Who would have figured that:
Johnny Appleseed was 23 miles away from Concord on the morning of April, 19, 1775.
And his father was at the North Bridge fighting for his son's rights to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness".
And of course his right to plant Apple Seeds.
Interesting to ponder that there was even a relationship between Johnny Appleseed and the events of April 19th, 1775.
Xeyed et al,
Little more about Chapman Sr. he was later a memeber of General Washington's bodyguard:
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=15891.0
HH
Quote from: Xeyed on November 13, 2010, 04:41:21 AM
...
Johnny Appleseed, was a real person.
Not a piece of American Folklore like Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill.
...
We know this; he lives right here in California!
Thanks for sharing this info. I met a family member of John Chapman while visiting Lexington; she's a docent at the Clarke House.
Quote from: Francis Marion on November 13, 2010, 02:03:11 PM
Quote from: Xeyed on November 13, 2010, 04:41:21 AM
...
Johnny Appleseed, was a real person.
Not a piece of American Folklore like Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill.
...
We know this; he lives right here in California!
Thanks for sharing this info. I met a family member of John Chapman while visiting Lexington; she's a docent at the Clarke House.
He's aged quite well ;D
He's also a member of the 'spartan' club of red hats: One red hat, one range. solo shoots worked this year? now up to 4?
:bow:a
Very cool information Xeyed. Thanks! I'll be sharing this for sure.
Even this in school, made him out to be an a mere icon of a man sprinkling the seeds about very haphazzardly, in hopes that some took. White washed and deluted again!