His name was John Chapman, and he was a real person. But history remembers him as Johnny Appleseed.
He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1774.
His mother died two years after his birth, and Chapman’s father remarried.
1792: John, age 18, convinced his half-brother Nathaniel, age 11, to go wandering with him.
The boys left Massachusetts for the wild west, which at that time was western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Later, their father brought his family west, and they made a homestead. Young Nathaniel remained there.
But John Chapman kept wandering. Alone.
Stories of his travels, some substantiated and some not, had him trekking throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio, the latter of which was still Native territory.
Wherever he went, Chapman planted apple seeds.
He also proselytized his religion. Chapman believed in Swedenborgianism.
The New Church, as it was called, was founded by Swedish theologian Emanuel Swedenborg.
The church’s followers, essentially Christians, believe that doing good deeds brings one closer to God and His Heavenly reward.
One of the most famous Swedenborgian followers, aside from Chapman, was Helen Keller.
Chapman’s religion, therefore, was his principal reason for planting seeds. It was his righteous duty.
Native Americans had no quarrel with the man. Some saw him as a divine spirit.
Most people thought he was eccentric. Maybe a bit crazy. But harmless.
Eventually, Chapman had orchards all across northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
That was a financial boon, because he sold his apples to men who made hard cider.
Despite the income, Chapman remained frugal and appeared to be a pauper as per his religious beliefs.
Chapman sometimes lived in the woods under the stars.
He wore rags and often traded full apple trees for new clothes whenever he could.
He carried with him a tin cooking pot with which to cook his meals. To protect his head from the elements, though, he began wearing the pot like a cap.
Chapman often went barefoot. He was seen trudging miles through winter snow with no shoes on his feet.
In return for a hot meal and shelter for the night, he told tales as entertainment.
Chapman became known as Johnny Appleseed and was a legend in his own time.
After wandering the woods for about 40 years, he died in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1845.
Memorials to him exist in various places. A statue of Chapman is in a cemetery in Cincinnati. His birthplace is recognized with plaques at Johnny Appleseed Lane in Leominster.
ALSO
The Fort Wayne TinCaps are a Minor League Baseball organization in Indiana affiliated with the San Diego Padres.
The Single-A team’s nickname is in reference to Chapman wearing his pan on his head.
Comments