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John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2017-08-19
I was raised in Tuscaraws and Carroll counties of Ohio. As a child I spent time out in the country. I knew there would always be an apple tree in a place where the view would be beautiful and always thought Jonny had been there. To this day I think of when I will see him and thank him. At 75, that won't be long.
Crazy john

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2013-12-22
Kyra wrote: "but John Chapman planted apples before they had been cultivated into the large, sweet fruits we know today... Johnny Appleseed 's goal was to bring alcohol to the West." Tisk tisk tisk ;), looks like you were convinced by another author of popular history willing to claim anything to make their audience feel like they’re getting scandalous inside information. The truth is those large, sweet varieties of apples were cultivated in Europe long before Columbus & company beached on the shores of America. Since sustenance was a major consideration for the first settlers, they came prepared with seeds, cuttings, and plants from the best European stock, including the big juicy domesticated apples. John Smith was very pleased that these (along with the peaches, apricots, and figs they’d brought) flourished as they planted them in Jamestown, over 100 years before Johnny Appleseed was born ;). As settlers continued to plant areas of apple trees up and down the east coast, they became adept at breeding improved varieties for baking, drying, juicing, or special climates, and some of these became prized for their superior quality by Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. (While visiting France, Jefferson even mentioned to Madison that the French had no apples that could compare with the Newton Pippin, a favorite variety developed by Americans). This practice of the settlers planting abundant apple trees, and the versatility of the tree to them (for food, drink, medicine, and the best firewood, all without having to be replanted every year) almost certainly gave Johnny Appleseed his inspiration for helping other undeveloped areas in the same way.

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2013-12-15
Unfortunately in 2 of my grandchildren's schools, they left out the part about him being a Christian, spreading the gospel and carrying a Bible. It's a shame that people are rewriting history for their own agenda.

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2011-04-25
Entertaining article, but John Chapman planted apples before they had been cultivated into the large, sweet fruits we know today. What he planted was the type of apple you rarely see today; a berry-sized, excruciatingly tart fruit that settlers used only for making hard cider. Johnny Appleseed 's goal was to bring alcohol to the West.
Kyra
Webmaster's note: So says Michael Pollan in The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
http://www.amazon.com/Botany-Desire-Plants-Eye-View-World/dp/0375760393

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2010-10-05
love this web site

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2010-10-05
very helpful to this homeschooling family!!!!! thanks!!!
amy

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2010-09-30
i dont like this website cuz this doesnt help me at all so ya get a better website u are none helpful
joe joe

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2010-09-30
i think it didnt help me at all
joe

John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed
2010-09-30
i think tht this page wasnt very helpful to me
bob

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John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed)