Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-04-20
HISTORIC TREES.

The following list includes some of
the more prominent trees that have
been conSecrated by the presence of
eminent personages, or by some con-
spicuous event in the history of our
country.
They all have place in our national
| history, and are inseparable from it
because they are SO consecrated A
knowledge of the events associated
with their memories cannot but engen-
der patriotic emotions in the breasts
Of every true American citizen.
One of the best-known trees in
American history is the Charter Oak,
which stood in Hartford, Conn, until
1856, when it was blown down. This
tree once preserved the written guar
antee of the liberties of the infant col
ony of Connecticut. In 1857 Governor
Andros. whom King James had sent
across the sea to be Governor of all
New England. appeared before the
Connecticut Assembly, then in session
In Hartford, and demanded the col
ony's charter. Tradition tells us that
the charter was brought in and laid
upon the table. In an instant all lights
were eXtinguiShed and the room was
wrapped in total darkness. Not word
was spoken. The candles were again
lighted. but the charter had mysteri-
ously disappeared: and though Sir Ed
mund searched diligently for it, his
search was In vain. Captain James
Wadsworth had seized the precious
charter and concealed II in a hollow
In the trunk of this friendly tree.
All strangers who visit Cam
bridge, Massachusetts. look with inter-
est upon the remnants of the venera-
BILE Elm Tree under which Washington
sat when on the Sd of July, 1878, he
assumed comand Of the Colonial army.
1t stands In the centre of great pub
lie thoroughfare, its trunks protected
by an iron fence from injury by pass
ing vehicles which for more than a
century have turned out for this tree.
A tree interesting from its assocn-
tions with the General OF the Ameri-
can army is the Washington Oak at
Fishkill. Washington's headquarters
remained on the west bank of the Hud-
son, between Newburgh and New
Windsor. from the spring of 1882 to
August 1S. 1888: and during this time
he crossed the river frequently for the
purpose OF visiting the troops In camp
upon Fishkill Plain, near the village
Of that name. The most convenient
landing place on the east bank was
upon long, low point of land formed
to the north of the mouth of Fishkll
Greek, and here. according to the ira
liton Of the locality. under two large
oak trees, Washington always mount
.d and dismounted from his horse az
6 he started and returned from the
amp. The tree is chestnut oak still
healthy and vigorous. and standing
lirectly at the top of the low river
river bank. The trunk girths at the
l present time. over twenty-one feet
{ and, Judging from the age of its com.
oanion, which was blown down few
!. years since, eight or ten centuries may
4 have passed since the acorn from
which 1t sprung fell to the ground
s There is a Weeping Willow in Copps
n ourylng ground near Bunker Hill that
= has grown from Il branch taken from
q {, tree that shaded the grave of Napol-
son at st. Helena. Under this tree
y are buried the remains of Cotton
Mather. so noted in Salem witchcraft
& Copp's burying ground is so near Bun
s ger Hill battlefield that a number of
stones can be seen to-day which
n were pierced through by bullets fired
a oy British soldiers In that battle.
:. 1t was the custom of our New Eng
- and ancestors to plant trees in the
u early settlement Of our country and
&c dedicate them to liberty. Many OF
,hese Liberty Trees" consecrated
70 oy our forefathers. are still standing
d 'Old Liberty Elm" in Boston, was
Is planted by n school master long before
d he Revolutionary War, and dedicated
n oy him to the independence of the col
onies. Around that tree, before the
Revolution, the citizens OF Boston and
tn
& tho advocates Of our countrys free
lie 1om. Around it during the war they
l. met to offer up thanks and supplca
d ions to Almighty God for the success
sf the patriotic armies. and after the
terrible struggle had ended the people
we're accustomed to assemble there
year after year, in the shadow of that
Did tree, to celebrate the liberty and in.
dependence of our country. 1t stood
Ill within few years, living monu.
nent of the patriotism of the people
Or Boston and when at last it fell the
oells In all the churches OF the city
o. we're tolled, and feeling of sadness
IN spread over the entire State.
The Elm Tree at Philadelphia, under
L. which William Penn made his famous
:renty with nineteen tribes of barbar-
-, ans, the only treaty never sworn to
nv h'N'i L HIS Elm was care
FULLY guarded until 1910 when it was
le unfortunately blown down. A monu.
g. nent now marks the spot.
vs. "The Burgoyne Elm" at ALBANY.
which was planted on the day the
A. British General Burgoyne was brought
" prisoner into the city, the day after
- The surrender.
- The magnificent Black Walnut tree,
"a near Haverstraw. on the Hudson. IN