Over the years that followed, he left the nurseries in the hands of others and move on to other frontiers, coming back every now and then to check up on his business. Fact. support@the1thing.com. Johnny Appleseed was an American nurseryman pioneer best known for introducing apple trees to many states in the U.S. Johnny Appleseed) was born to … Born and raised in Leominster, the man remembered as "Johnny Appleseed" left Massachusetts in the 1790s just as farmers were moving into the Midwest. … Before long, he had a booming business on his hands, growing apple trees and teaching others how to tend to them. He Loved Animals. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Was there a real person called Johnny Appleseed? He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, in 1774 and died in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1845. Now, if that was all there was to John Chapman, it’s doubtful he would have ever achieved legendary status. Johnny also used to wear a pot on his head for a cap! Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Johnny Appleseed is the main protagonist from the Legend of Johnny Appleseed, a segment of the 1948 Disney package film Melody Time. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Johnny's mother and brother dies Johnny's mother dies as well as his little brother Jan 1, 1780. As most Chapmans know, Johnny Appleseed was a nickname for one of the many John Chapmans. Visit Fort Wayne for the 39th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival September 21-22, 2013 to learn more and pay homage to this legendary Hoosier. He spent 50 years of his life growing apple trees in America so that people could enjoy apples, and also apple cider (a common apple drink). John Chapman, owner of 1,200 acres of planted land, died from exposure in 1845, but the legend of “Johnny Appleseed” lives on in numerous literary works. Johnny Appleseed(John Chapman) was born on Setember 26th in Leominster. He was the second-born child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Chapman. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Chapman, America's Story from America's Library - Biography of Johnny Appleseed, Johnny Appleseed - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Johnny Appleseed - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Often, as was the case of John Chapman, we inspire others to lead their own extraordinary lives. JOHNNY APPLESEED. Johnny Appleseed was the nickname earned by John Chapman, a Massachusetts-born nurseryman and orchardist, who planted more than 100,000 square miles of orchards across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. His father, Nathaniel Chapman was a Minuteman who fought in the Revolutionary War and served with General George Washington. Apples grow up and down both coasts, and they flourish in the Northeast. Even though the path was laden with hard work and dangerous terrain (not to mention bears), the simple prospect of living a new life in a new part of the world oozed with opportunity (and bears). He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1774. There are a number of legends living in the hearts of Americans everywhere, but none are as wild as Johnny Appleseed (Sorry, Wild Bill). On this day in 1845, John Chapman died having made a fortune planting apple saplings on the American frontier. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. With a tin pot on his head and a bag of seeds in his pocket, this nomad is said to have wandered the western United States planting apple trees for no particular reason save his love of apples. In fact, there’s a reason behind that fabled sack of apple seeds he carried. John believed grafting, the process of growing apple trees using the buds of existing trees, was harmful to the plant. Determining what you consider to be “wealthy” is a matter of personal journey and self-discovery. As referenced in The Botany of Desire, author Michael Pollan credited John’s decision to grow trees using seeds with creating not only the delicious and the golden delicious apple, but also the “hardy American apple.”. You can hardly miss him if you visit the city. Of Jonathan Chapman Two things are known, That he loved apples, That he walked Alone.… The Stalking Indian, The beast in its lair Did no hurt While he was there. “I feel like most people hear cider and start thinking of plaid and hayrides and leaves and New England,” Pete McCoubrey, … One of America’s fondest legends is that of Johnny Appleseed, a folk hero and pioneer apple farmer in the 1800’s. 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