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John Chapman (1774-1845), best known as '''"Johnny Appleseed,"''' was a colorful, long-haired [[Christian]] who ran to warn Ohio settlers of an imminent Indian attack incited by the British during the [[War of 1812]].<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-18&view=View</ref> 

[[File:JohnnyAppleseedHowe.gif|right|200px|thumb| Johnny Appleseed]]

Nathananiel, Johnny Appleseed's father, fought with the [[Minutemen]] against the British at Concord in 1775.

John Chapman (b. September 26, 1774; D. 1845) best known as '''"Johnny Appleseed,"''' was a colorful, long-haired [[Swedenborgian Christian]] (also known as the [[Church of New Jerusalem]]), who ran to warn Ohio settlers of an imminent British plan to incite an Indian attack against them during the [[War of 1812]].<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-18&view=View</ref> 

Chapman's nickname came from his love for nature, as he called an apple blossom a "living sermon from God," and particularly his habit of collecting apple seeds from cider presses in order to plant over a thousand nurseries in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Upon his death he gave his nurseries, then worth millions, to his sister.  He often quoted from the [[Sermon on the Mount]] and lived with the Indians.

John Chapman was born in Leominster Massachusetts. Nathananiel, Johnny Appleseed's father, fought with the [[Minutemen]] against the [[British]] at Concord in 1775. His mother would die of [[tuberculosis]] during this time. He moved to Western Pennsylvania at age 18.

There is some credence to the legend of Johnny Appleseed wandering barefoot across America, planting apple trees by the thousands.  According to Michael Pollan in ''The Botany of Desire'', most settlers planted apple orchards mainly for the hard cider that resulted from pressing.  Known as "applejack," this drink was a staple of Puritan times and beyond, as much of the water was often tainted or unportable.

 

There is some credence to the legend of Johnny Appleseed wandering barefoot across [[America]], planting apple trees by the thousands.  According to Michael Pollan in ''The Botany of Desire'', most settlers planted apple orchards mainly for the hard cider that resulted from pressing.  Known as "applejack," this drink was a staple of Puritan times and beyond, as much of the water was often tainted or unportable.

 

The year was 1845, the date of his passing and the location of his grave are in dispute.

Poet William Henry Venable said this about Chapman:<ref>''Id.''</ref>

Poet William Henry Venable said this about Chapman:<ref>''Id.''</ref>

:''He served his kind by word and deed''

:''He served his kind by word and deed''

:''In God's grand greenwood chapel.''

:''In God's grand greenwood chapel.''

== References ==

== References ==

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{{DEFAULTSORT: Appleseed, Johnny}}

{{DEFAULTSORT: Appleseed, Johnny}}

[[Category:Christians]]

[[Category:Christians]]

 

[[Category:Early National U.S.]]

Pollan, Michael. The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World. New York: Random House.  2002.

[[Category:Ohio]]