Johnny Appleseed: Man Behind the Legend

Usually portrayed as a lanky man wearing a long-handled pot on his head and spreading apple seeds, the real Johnny Appleseed was a shrewd businessman and religious zealot who played an important role in U.S. westward expansion effort. The History Guy explores the reality underlying the character of American folklore. This is the forgotten history of the man, John Chapman, behind the legend of Johnny Appleseed.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by DDC
#johnnyappleseed #thehistoryguy #ushistory

[@ThePretzelHead]

"Help whomever you can without hesitation." John Chapman

[@Malama_Ki]

‘You get into heaven in the arms of someone you helped’

[@randyrobey5643]

I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I can assure that Johnny Appleseed is an important figure in local folklore and culture. A yearly, two-day festival here is named for him.

[@isthattrue1083]

One of his apple trees is by the VA hospital.

[@deadwingdomain]

An a monument

[@awebb1487]

My hometown in Southeastern Ohio has the Apple Festival every Sept and there's a big water tower downtown that's an apple. Apple cider is everywhere.

[@bjbobbijo5066]

I love the many different apples one can buy from there. I like the re-enacting story telling puppets at the festival.

[@bjbobbijo5066]

@isthattrue1083 I didn't know that. The next time I'm in that area I will have to watch for it. Thank you for telling us that. 🙂🌻💜

[@limbrat5448]

When George Washington Carver was asked why he never married, his response was. No woman would understand a man that woke up at 5 in the morning to go outside to talk to flowers. That quote is why my George is my favorite Botanist.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

How crazy it must have been to not know your birthday or year. They think he was born in born in January or June of 1864.

[@thorpestanford5359]

A strong man

[@davidjacobs8558]

Contrary to popular belief, he did not invent Peanut Butter.

[@limbrat5448]

@@AndyFromBeaverton They didn't keep records for a lot folks back then. My great grandmother's tombstone only has a death date.

[@limbrat5448]

@@davidjacobs8558 True.

[@Slammy555]

I had a friend that called himself Johnny Potseed. You can probably guess why he called himself that.

[@lordfarquar9215]

Best comment, it was because he has shit weed lol

[@PhillyRacer121]

He was a purveyor of fine cookware?

[@theoddtrashcan]

@@PhillyRacer121 wow I was thinking something real different You know like cooking various seeds in bots

[@lindsayschilling8707]

😆 🤣 😂

[@kelteckin]

I had a buddy like that idk what happened to him but he may be the same dude lol

[@davetimmer5149]

My great grand father bought a farm from original settlers in 1905, it had a small orchard next to the old house. One of trees was a quince, my great uncle said it would store well and be ready for pie in early February and that most settlers would plant a couple of them. Around 1995 the tree bore its last fruit. Trees were planted 1850s..

[@WildWestGal]

145 years bearing fruit... amazing and wonderful! Great story, thanks for sharing!

[@scragglewaggle4109]

Fruit

[@ScottishLeo]

What a beautiful history 💜

[@cavemanrob]

The quince tree in my backyard is about 140 years old and still bears fruit each year.

[@ripme6616]

You beauty

[@brianmotter8150]

I'm also from Fort Wayne and have been to the Johnny Appleseed festival many, many times. What a great story. I've watched a handful of "The History Guy" videos and always wonder. Why would anyone dislike these. They are done exceptionally well. Never an agenda, only a short historical story. Keep it up please.

[@jaswin5994]

I dislike some videos because of the bias, but most are okay

[@lancer525]

As my Great-Grandmother always used to say, "Whatever has already happened is almost always going to be more interesting than what some poor fool could make up." She lived to the ripe old age of 112, and I miss her.

[@cecilyerker]

We sang the Johnny Appleseed song in kindergarten 🍎 🍏 “Oh the Lord is good to me And so I thank the Lord For giving me the things I need The sun and the rain and the Appleseed The Lord is good to me!”

[@77trashman]

I sing that tune to myself all the time.

[@lindsayschilling8707]

I've never heard that song! Thank You 😊

[@nealgrey6485]

In 1983 I was a co-worker at the Camphill Village in Kimberton, PA. The Johnny Appleseed song was one of the prayers we sang before lunch.

[@iasimov5960]

That tune was in the 1948 animated short about Johnny Appleseed by Walt Disney.

[@elizabethhoeppner8881]

I listened to the story and song on a record put out by Disney in the 60's.

[@markgaudry7549]

I live near Bedford, PA, one of the cider mill towns Chapman collected his seeds from. I am glad you have brought out the history of this man's work. It is much better than the legend.

[@HemlockRidge]

My Grandparents had a farm near Bedford. In Cessna.

[@jerryjohanan1940]

He is now resting in FT.Wayne Indiana

[@thomasmccrea8149]

Johnny Appleseed one one of my favorite childhood stories ! I read that “Little Golden Book” over and over again!

[@patraic5241]

I live in the area of NE Ohio that was called the Firelands after the Revolution. Johnny Appleseed is a local legend/hero. I grew up hearing stories about him. There's even a couple of enormous old apple trees local legend says we're planted by him. No proof. Just the stories. Who knows, my town was settled about 1800 and incorporated in 1815 so it's not impossible. Tales tell the local Indians liked him as he would plant orchards for their villages too. They seem to have considered him a shaman of sorts. Thanks for remembering him. 🙂

[@jacquelyn4709]

Raised in central Ohio and grew up hearing about Jonny Appleseed especially from my mom.

[@duaneday5474]

I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada. I learned about Johnny Appleseed at a young age. The Annapolis valley in Nova Scotia, settled by the Acadians is well known for its apple orchards.

[@roblockhart6104]

I can remember way back as a kid growing up in the early 80's, the day care our parents left me and my siblings at would show this old Johnny Appleseed cartoon, almost every other day, on one of those ancient clanky film projectors. It was sort of a short film, and while I don't remember much else, I do remember loving that story! So much so that I started wearing a pot for a hat around the house. Now, every time we go through one of those old family albums, there you'll find a bunch of pictures of me, with pot on my head and my pants rolled way up. This brought back some good memories. Thx for sharing!

[@beeazyis]

Melody time movie from Disney

[@shamoy1000]

Never run out of interesting people to remember. Great topic. Great American.

[@FLPhotoCatcher]

Indeed. But so were the Pilgrims who landed in Plymouth in 1620. The story has been distorted by the secular school boards of course, but the Pilgrims really did respect the natives, and they were, as far as I know, the only early group who did not break their treaty with the natives. And some of the events were amazing - like a native greeting them in English! And helping them survive, etc. I'm not a Christian, but I'm asking The History Guy to tell the honest story of one of America's founding 'myths'. They landed 400 years ago this year!

[@kenanway9999]

1 years old t

[@michaeljames5936]

Seemed to have a pretty poor opinion of women and didn't mind assisting the genocide of the natives. (Maybe you meant the presenter.)

[@nekad2000]

Just glad he doesn't have a statue to destroy.

[@MoonDude138]

Next to Daniel Boone and Harriet Tubman, Johnny Appleseed stories were always my favorite ones to hear about as a kid. Did a report on all three of them at different points, too.

[@TheJoker137]

Living in Fort Wayne Indiana and grew up on Chapman Lake in Warsaw Indiana. Fort Wayne's baseball team is called the Tin Caps. I have been to the gravesite. It's on top of a gorgeous hill but people have a tendancy to leave apples or apple cores at the site. You can imagine how well that works out.

[@mh53j]

My parents/grandparents from Ft Wayne (I was born there but never actually lived there). I seem to remember the gravesite was near the coliseum; is that correct? It has been many, many years ago....

[@jerryjohanan1940]

I from Plymouth and some day I like to get there in FT.Wayne

[@sheldonaubut]

@@mh53j -- The grave marker is very near the Coliseum. Go to Google Maps and search on "john chapman's grave ft wayne in" and you will get the location of the marker. It is interesting that it appears to be in the middle of a campground.

[@plantkiller312]

I'm from the fort Wayne area. The grave site is an approximate location. The location of his friends farm that he passed at and believed to be his true grave site is a few miles east in the middle of a now appartment complex (Canterbury green appartments)

[@kdryan21]

@@jerryjohanan1940 I was born in Plymouth and live near the grave site now.

[@William-Marshall]

I can’t say when Johnny Appleseed came into my life, he was just “ always there “. So grateful he was there. Thank you for bringing this wonderful man to “ life” . He already was In my life. You just gave him more “ life”.

[@Xassaw]

You said it so much better than I did.

[@free_at_last8141]

Prohibition was such a destructive mistake.

[@howtubeable]

I agree. That's why we should be weary when progressives become old-age radicals.

[@freaki0734]

@@howtubeable good that non progressive forces haven't made the same mistake the war on drugs is going great is it?

[@gasfiltered]

@@howtubeable prohibition was hardly the work of progressives. Rather temperance is a regressive idea with roots in puritanism espoused by those who wish to conserve some idea of a past society which never actually existed.

[@freaki0734]

@@gasfiltered good point did just accept his claim of a progressive driving force as I don't actually know much about that time period in american history except that it failed miserably for the same reasons that the conservative driven war on drugs is failing to this day

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Much like the moralizing shit today, prohibition was intertwined significantly with "progressivism" and religious conservatism.

[@thomasschoon8407]

The HISTORY GUY......... A Man that deserves to be remembered 👏 🤔👍🤝 Don't ever stop, history is our conscious.

[@Willy_Tepes]

There is an Australian children's song that describes the same kind of guy, Pumpkin Paddy. Pumpkin Paddy was his name Pumpkin planting was his game Wherever he passed through the land He planted seeds in soil and sand Pumpkins, cantaloupes, watermelons too A squash and a gramma or a ripe honey dew The vines grow green where he's passed through There's plenty there for me and you

[@MilwaukeeF40C]

Peter Pumpkinhead Came to town Spreading wisdom and Cash around

[@billbrasky6827]

Do pumpkins grow wild in Australia? You can still find "wild" apple trees in the US.

[@mjrussell414]

Bill Brasky I would think that pumpkins are more of an annual plant...

[@ciarfah]

Marilyn Russell seeds can propagate in the wild

[@ripme6616]

Awesome... so that's where the phrase "Peter' Peter pumpkin eater" comes from

[@Risingstar0324]

I grew up in Ohio, and when about 9yo (1958) we moved to a farm near Dexter City, Ohio. On the hillside in the pasture behind our house stood a large monument commemorating and memorializing John Chapman, Johnny Appleseed. We were led to believe he was buried there. Many times, while taking breaks from the farm chores, we children would take our PBJ sandwiches and vegetables up to the monument, to have lunch with Johnny Appleseed. We would sit and create stories about how we would imagine Johnny carried on, here at our farm. My brother and I would don cooking pots for hats, and carry on, barefoot across the pasture and through the small orchard below. I yet wonder today, if the monument is still there. Those were sweet yet rugged times. Freddie Gillogly-Stanleta

[@wearemilesfromnowhere4630]

Chapman was my first hero some 55 years ago along with the book "5 Acres and Independence". Funny how my life has come to where it is now. Owning a small farm and building machines to help out other small farms. Haven't thought about Johnny in years. Thanks for the reminder, it is worth remembering.

[@thewheelchairprepper8070]

THANKS FOR SHEARING THIS WITH US ALL!🍎🍏💛👍🙏

[@williamdixon8283]

About 18 years ago I helped renovate two buildings at the Urbana University in Ohio. In one was a small display/ museum describing John Chapman and his Swedenborgian beliefs. I was deeply humbled to read of his life and how he ultimately became a great symbol of generosity and love for the natural world.

[@glennpettersson9002]

One of those stories that just leaves you more curious. Thanks.

[@lindaheath784]

When I lived on my grandmother's farm in the Toledo Ohio area I tried to climb every tree in the Orchard. There was one unusually large apple tree in the middle of the Orchard which I couldn't climb . I was told it was a tree from Johnny Apple Seed. It was a green apple tree.

[@daisyunderwood1002]

I grew up in Fort Wayne. The Johnny Appleseed festival was always a great experience back in the early 70's.

[@sparky6086]

In elementary school, my teacher failed to mention, that Johnny Appleseed's apples were intended to make hard cider, an alcoholic beverage!

[@chuckaddison5134]

Funny that seems to have been left out of the grade school narrative universally. I don't recall the uses of the apples being told either. Although, prehaps it shouldn't be ignored. It helps put America's early history in perspective. Here we have Hard cider as a method to preserve crops and bartering currency. Elsewhere we have corn being turned into whiskey for the same purpose.

[@Zobeid]

When you grow apple trees from seeds, you never really know what kind of fruit you'll end up with. But the cider press isn't that choosy, and neither are the pigs.

[@cmdraftbrn]

a lot of things were glossed over or omitted in grade school.

[@tonyhemingway7980]

They could have mentioned cider vinegar, though. Most kids don't realize that you have to have hard cider, in order to make vinegar.

[@92bagder]

not your fault, various media have Johnny eating the apples. When you press cider and fruit it will ferment naturally.

[@ring-and-run]

The first American hippie. He did it right, his way, to benefit all. Thanks for this analysis. As an old orchardist, myself, I appreciate this!

[@georgemckenna462]

The history guy in grammer school fashion goes back to the classics. I feel like a kid again!

[@billhester8821]

It is so hard to dislike you, should one be inclined that way. My family came to the "colonies" around 1632 and spread from Virginia south, and westward, mostly settling Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma. Basic pioneering people. Oklahoma land rush, tobacco farmers, soldiers, doctors...just people. You seem to reflect those same values. Proud of you as a person

[@xiaoka]

Leominster. Now there’s a blast from the past... lots of 18th century American history in Central Massachusetts!

[@georgemckenna462]

@@billhester8821 Irish/Scottich emigrating during the potato famine. Married into German millers by trade or so the story went. That is until recently when a strikingly beautiful woman of Cherokee discent showed up at my uncle's funeral and surprised me with some direct information on unanswered questions about grandpa's true lineage. I hope the History Guy will one day explore the story of the trail of tears.

[@videogameguy101]

*grammar You might want to go back to school, kiddo.

[@georgemckenna462]

@@videogameguy101 Oops! I stand corrected. 2- points for you video game boy.

[@Me2Lancer]

Thank you for sharing. John Chapman definitely deserves to be remembered.

[@andie_pants]

As an Ohio native with a taste for hard cider, Johnny Appleseed is one of my heroes!

[@andrewinbody4301]

Did you see the movie "Paint Your Wagon?" Settlers come to town and Lee Marvin asked where they were from. "Ohio. We had an apple orchard." was the response. Lee says, "Oh. Applejack."

[@Simonsvids]

Cider is very popular in South West UK. Drank pints and pints when I was younger. But beware cider is very acidic and erodes too enamel extensively. Breweries don't tell you that. I now have a mouth full of dental implants :( I drink beer now.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

The Ohio native tugboat engineer with whom I shipped he too had a taste for fermented mash but his was corn. Once a year he'd bring us each several jars to take home. Pure medicine

[@christianfreedom-seeker934]

When I was a little kid I first heard about him and I wanted to be just l Iike him. Learned later that apple trees don't do so well in Arizona! 😄

[@riverraisin1]

Well then, you should have tried to be the next Johnny Lemonseed instead. :)

[@arcade85_]

Greetings fellow Arizonan! Not too long ago, hiking to Horton Springs with my son's boy scout troop, I was happy to see a mature apple tree near the springs. As you say, these aren't indigenous to the area. It was obvious a hiker had tossed an apple core there at some time. Though the apples were small, it was awesome to grab and eat them along the hike ...in AZ.

[@PelenTan]

Another "wow" episode. I knew the legend was based on a real person. I did not know the details.

[@rh5971]

I loved this! Thank you, Sir. As a long time historical presenter and researcher, I greatly value what you do.

[@HouseofRecordsTacoma]

Native Americans giving him a wide berth is testament to something. I would like to have witnessed that encounter which resulted in their belief that he was touched by the divine.

[@catholiccrusader5328]

He was.

[@cliffa2901]

He was a reader of the philosophy of a man born in Sweden in 1687 called emanual Swedenborg.

[@Bildgesmythe]

They didn't think he was divine, just crazy.

[@cecilyerker]

It means touched in the head, like brain damaged.

[@happyfreeliferc]

HouseofRecords Tacoma...i like your comment ,i to would have enjoyed being there. my great Grandfather on my mothers side told me that i was related to John Chapman. we lived in Old Saybrook ,Ct .Chapmans have been there since 1632 its founding. i believe his family came down from Mass. and stayed a bit. we were friends of the Mohegan tribe ,some married and had children. im about to do some more research to find out more but believe im apart of that. im alot like John and spend most of my time in the woods here in New England.its a magical place thats for sure. Cheers

[@vernondoane4865]

Today I expanded my education! Thank you dear History Guy. My first home had 5 apple trees and 2 pear trees of different varieties.

[@markhodge7]

Thank you History Guy. I only knew the childhood story told to me over 50 years ago. Hearing the true story puts that childhood smile on my face once again..

[@seanacameron8940]

Thank you for the lovely story. He was a true humanitarian. Johnny had love for man and beast. Wish we had more of that, now.

[@dennisswartz4937]

Yet another, fantastic snippet of history. It always amazes me how one obscure person or event can have cascading effects that are felt for generations. Good job Mr and Mrs History!

[@landnnut]

One of the best episodes yet.

[@franceslambert8070]

I learned more about Johnny Appleseed from you than I did at school. At school, he was presented as a myth.

[@carvinlambert6899]

Hi there, cousin!

[@elizabethhoeppner8881]

So sad schools are no longer teaching but indoctrinators

[@michaelverbakel7632]

I always thought that Johnny Appleseed was a made up or fictitious person made up in a story. I was surprised later to find out Johnny Appleseed was based on a real person.

[@stevel6939]

​@@michaelverbakel7632really? I grew up in Leominster and was taught he was way ahead of his time as far as forward thinking and planted orchards for settlers. Though he was always presented as very religious and very eccentric. Much like what was presented here. Odd that schools are not consistant in their teaching. huh?

[@jchrist1986]

I expected a retelling of the same stuff I have heard multiple times over the last year. But once again, you definitely never cease to entertain and educate in previously unseen ways. As a Missouri man myself and a history lover since 7th grade. I appreciate your content greatly! Keep up the good work

[@tomallen9179]

Terrific episode. I grew up singing the Johnny Appleseed song, “And so I thank the Lord for giving me the sun and the rain and the apple seed, oh the Lord is good to me.” Wonderful memories. Thanks.

[@codjh9]

Thanks for doing this. I'm over 60, but when I was in elementary school I read a book on Johnny Appleseed. It was cool to watch this as a refresher.

[@jaimejohnesee]

I remember my 8th grade teacher telling us his real story. I was surprised to find out what a good business mind he had, and what a good person he was. He became one of my favorite historical figures. Thank you for taking me back to Mrs. Guerrero's history class; she was one of my favorite teachers. 💙

[@andrewinbody4301]

A good teacher is a lifelong memory. Rest in peace Mr. Evans and Mrs.Chapman.

[@jaimejohnesee]

@@andrewinbody4301 I hear that, I'm 43 and remember her often. I am so glad you had some good teachers too. 💙

[@cliftontorrence839]

I grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. Born a boomer in '47 , you might call my 10 year sojourn from '52-'62 a mid-western Ohio boyhood. John Chapman stories accompanied my youth as Johnny Appleseed is claimed as a patron saint of Richland County. How could he not travel to a place called "Rich Land" ? In America we name our schools after our heroes. I attended Johnny Appleseed Junior High School on Cline Avenue for 3 grades, 7- 8 & 9. We had a full sized football field for sports and below that a small creek course with an ancient setting of gnarled apple trees appearing well over a hundred years old. Yep, the story has always been that Johnny Appleseed planted that orchard. In the summer of 2017 I had a memory lane travel time and drove some 10,500 miles in my old Jeep. I returned to Mansfield for a visit and a walk about. Went looking for the school and the old orchard. I wasn't too surprised to see the whole of it razed and dug out. So, The school was gone but the Leaning Tower of Pizza, my first taste of it in 1960, was still there. The woodsy swale is visible in Google Maps down below the empty lot. Probably filled with houses by now. Applewood Hills, of course.

[@stevenpdxedu]

He lived for others: An epitaph difficult to beat. Thanks HG for helping to remember John Chapman.

[@sarahwithanhyouheathen3210]

Johnny Appleseed has always been my favorite folktale since i was a kid. When i learned in high school that i was born on Johnny Appleseed Day, i was like, how cool is that? Always been a weird little treehugger myself 😁

[@bmguercio]

I enjoy history and learning about people who walked this earth before me. When we travel, I try to imagine what it was like for those peoples of the past to be walking and living their lives during a particular time period. Your videos help me learn more about the history and helps me imagine. Thank you.

[@alitlweird]

it’s amazing to consider that you’ve shared the planet with other incredibly historic figures. Astronauts, Presidents, war heroes, scientists, etc...

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

I've often done the same throughout my life, and I feel doing so has enriched my consciousness considerably.

[@jamesbednar8625]

I do the same thing when traveling/exploring any of the overland trails such as the Santa Fe Trail, Oregon Trail, California Trail, Mormon Trail, Pony Express Trail, Lewis & Clark Trail, and the Transcontinental Railroad. Always try to imagine what those people saw or may have thought or went through when visiting historical sites along the trails. Way more interesting than modern-day history. Living in Kansas, I have access to all of the trails.

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

@@jamesbednar8625 -- How wonderful you follow your interests along these historical lines. Have you kept a notebook of your impressions? Could be interesting to read as a book.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

Including the Indigenous People who were so brutally wiped off the land??

[@christianfreedom-seeker934]

He was the quintessential Yankee! Thank YOU History Guy for covering an Anerican Hero and a Massachusetts native son.

[@ErchweanEmperor]

I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana where his grave is located. Awesome to see what feels like local history to me make it onto this awesome channel!

[@OceanSwimmer]

Mr. Chapman's life of service will be remembered. Thank you, History Guy!

[@EthanDyTioco]

My grade school understanding of Johnny Appleseed was "He introduced apples into the United States," which gave me the impression that apples didn't exist on this continent prior While I'm miffed that I missed out on a proper history teaching as a kid, I'm glad I got to learn the man behind the story at least now

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

There were native crab apples, but apples came over with the earliest European settlement. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6TUYmCeqbGce80

[@92bagder]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel the same goes for grapes which tasted terrible compared to European varieties that had centuries of cultivation. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were noted with experimenting with native species to cultivate American viticulture.

[@marianneaugenstein6381]

Very interesting! I grew up singing the "Johnny Appleseed Grace" in Sunday School and church camp. "Oh, the Lord's been good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, like the sun and the rain and the appleseed. The Lord's been good to me. Amen." It is traditional at Camp Aldersgate that singing this song makes it rain, but I think that's just a coincidence!

[@MichaelTinney]

I enjoy your videos, many people don't understand the good history of the United States. There is so much goodness in our past that is being forgotten at an institutional level. We need people like The History Guy to relate these nuggets from the past so that the current generation won't believe that this country was a horrible place in it's beginning. Keep up the excellent work.

[@MokurenAwakened]

I agree!!!!!

[@gasfiltered]

This man had a huge role in the facilitation of a genocide and personally "owned" thousands of acres of land which he was granted from an illegitimate authority. Most of what you consider the "good" history is a case of the victors writing the books. While land-grabs, war, invasion, and occupation are certainly part of the nature of every pack animal, let's not let our rose-colored glasses hide the gritty details. Johnny Appleseed was an agent of destruction who ushered in the destruction of entire societies, who assisted the expansion of settlements which would ultimately result in the destruction of incomprehensible amounts of old-growth forest. He himself was clearly a good and gentle man who meant only the best, but the consequences of his actions are most assuredly evil and are not "good" history.

[@roblockhart6104]

@@gasfiltered ....just don't forget the part about the bubonic plague and small pox and the toll it took on the native populations. Sort of a big one right there. Thats why Mr. Appleseed was able to walk about, unarmed, without having to worry about hostile natives (that's right, I said hostile). You either look at soundbites of history, or history in its entirety. What happened to native Americans while tragic, they weren't exactly tree huggers and pacifist. Nor did they worship early Europeans as if they were God's. Why did so many early colonies fail? Because they were constantly robbed, looted, ambushed, and slaughtered. Even earlier than that, memoirs from Spanish Conquistadors indicated that many of them suffered from ptsd from all the ritualistic human sacrifice and cannibalism they witnessed. Some of the earliest meetings between Europeans and native resulted in the capture, sacrifice, and cannibalized remains of the outnumbered European explorers.

[@thomasgarrison3949]

Great job, thank you for the video. I drove by Johnny Appleseed Park, in Fort Wayne, Indiana today, I go by it several times a month. I live 27 miles away from the park & have been in the park many times, if you get the chance to come & visit the park, you should come & visit. The next Johnny Appleseed Festival is in 2022, September 17th & 18th, hope to see you there @ the 47th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival.

[@2112jonr]

What a fascinating story, thank you. I grew up in a small mining village in Shropshire, England, and I can clearly remember being told the story of Johnny Appleseed from a very early age, maybe 6 or 7 years old, from school. Shropshire is one of the "Marcher" counties, on the border with Wales, and although it doesn't have a strong association with apples or cider, the county to the south, Herefordshire, does. Infact its best known company is Bulmers, probably one of the best known cider companies in England today, alongside Thatchers in Somerset. Herefordshire is synonymous with cider. So it was very interesting to see the Leominster commemorative plaque and connection, as its namesake town in England is..... in Herefordshire (though the town is confusingly pronounced "Lemster" here). I wonder if there's a connection there between him, the early colonialists, and the old world Leominster where cider is still such a large part of society and agricultural business today, and which is still full of cider apple orchards?

[@pimpinaintdeadho]

Do they make alcohol ciders or non alcoholic ciders?

[@gus473]

That area of Massachusetts today is well known for development and manufacture of plastic products, which itself is an interesting story! A few smaller orchards still exists, I believe.....

[@xiaoka]

Mike Gustafson still lots of Apple orchards in nearby Harvard MA!

[@joeleoleo]

I went to a friends wedding near Leominster Massachusetts about 15 years ago and learned they pronounce their town like “lemon-stuh” after being laughed at for pronouncing all of the vowels and the r.

[@2112jonr]

@@joeleoleo Yep, non-locals do the same in England !

[@artimusbranesample9072]

Having grown up in Ft Wayne (and living here now), I'm embarrassed by how much I just learned. Thank you for that. And, thank you for the effort.

[@alanwchase7449]

Live a life that deserves to be remembered.Well said,something we should all strive for.

[@999theeagle]

I'm from Gardner, MA pass by Leominster every day. We have tons of apple orchards here. Thanks for pronouncing the town right.

[@geoben1810]

It's interesting that his beliefs of how to worship God and his nomadic lifestyle were so similar to Native Americans in a naturalistic way. Being very much a part of nature and nurturing the environment by planting fruit trees. And you couldn't ask for much more than to be remembered as someone who helped others. RIP Mr. Chapman. And thanks for the apples.👍🏻😊

[@TomBTerrific]

When I was young I was told quite a few stories about regular stories most hear. In all of them there was always s social message regarding kindness, charity, good character traits, golden rule stuff. At the time I liked the stories and for the most part tried to practice these. Even the tv shows had lesson or messages certainly to the kids and perhaps to parents too. Today not so much…

[@ghowell13]

One of my favorite childhood memories is of my Great Grandmother telling stories of Johnny Appleseed. I can't wait to show this episode to my daughter, and let another small part of her live on. Thank you, @thehistoryguy!

[@wftoney1]

Great story. Thanks! I grew up in Leominster, Massachusetts, and went to Johnny Appleseed Elementary School. We used to play in the woods off of Nashua Street where the birthplace marker was placed. We found it one day, covered with overgrowth. That was over 60 years ago. This was a nice bit of nostalgia.

[@heyidiot]

10:55 I believe I have one of the grafted "Johnny Appleseed" trees discussed here, in my backyard. It was gifted to us by the subdivision developers when we purchased our home new in 1997. It looks a lot like the tree shown. After 23 years, it now has a 10-12" trunk, is about forty feet tall, requires constant pruning, and still produces far too many apples each year.

[@luifer.00]

My teacher in first grade read me this book! This morning a memory popped up of that story! I'm not sure why, but yes, I've always wanted to live a life that inspired others and maybe I might be remembered for what I do! and if I don't that's okay too. Thanks for this video my good Sir.

[@Psychol-Snooper]

Extending mercy to mosquitoes is too much! Too much I say!

[@raypelling6440]

I'm unconvinced that mosquitos are "God's creatures"-- I have a pet theory/joke that, like elves from orcs in The Lord of the Rings, some dark primeval lord captured some harmless creature like a mayfly or ladybug and twisted it into the mosquito. 😁🤣

[@3-DtimeCosmology]

That was a little weird. 😎

[@diebesgrab]

I mean, mosquitos kill about a million people every year, so yeah, kinda.

[@travellingsoldier5018]

@Angry Applesauce Agreed. Even the Dali Lama could not explain the creator's reasoning for them.

[@andrewinbody4301]

I consider myself to be a kind man. I would not kill any creature needlessly... Except mosquitoes.

[@senator1295]

Hi HG; I must pause occasionally, and stop to say Thank You for all your hard work; so...Thanks!

[@bigcheeezzz7135]

Thank you sooo much for this great episode!. I never knew so much of this mans life!. You made him real for me!.

[@cormacsheedy3522]

What a great story . We never here alot internationally (Ireland)about american folklore . Looking forward to more .

[@lynnmitzy1643]

Thank you, Johnny Appleseed. I love our apples here in Pennsylvania ♥️

[@robertfstrickland6207]

Johnny Apple seed Amen.

[@lizxu322]

Man I wished I could have met him, he seemed amazing. I also am pretty much an outdoorsperson and have been growing apples from seeds since I was 15.

[@dbmail545]

How amazing that such a American icon was a "holy fool". Not unknown in many cultures but rare in this one where holiness counts for so little and most men would rather be thought of as rogues than fools.

[@ronfullerton3162]

"Better to remain quiet and let them think you are a fool than open your mouth and prove them right."

[@guardianoftruth5224]

@Marrowbones Isn't that kind of one sided appraisal of Christianity. Wouldn't you want to mention the multiple millions of just good nice industrious people who did their best to care for their families and neighbors. Who built hospitals, fed the hungry, saved people from lives of sin. Who build one of the greatest cultures ever (IMHO) which has now been destroyed.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

@Marrowbones If we replace the word " Samaritan" as in the parable , for the word "Christian". Perhaps even You, would consider John Chapman aka "Johnny Appleseed", as "The Good Christian". A creature, which seems very close to extinction !

[@grondhero]

@Marrowbones You have a strange distortion of history. The American Civil War was caused by the issue of slavery. Read some of the "declarations" by states that seceded and you'll see they put _not_ being able to own slaves as a reason for revolt. And how on Earth are you trying to blame the Dali Lama for Tibet's drug problem? China didn't end the drug problem; they still have it.

[@whalesong999]

I recall one of my parent's using the word "touched" in a derogatory way. Hearing how it was actually intended here makes a lot of difference. Hail to the natives who had a more wholesome understanding of spiritual things.

[@valsblackcatsrule8740]

A great listen! Thank you for sharing a part of your day with us! Stay safe and healthy!

[@ronammologist16]

I have been watching (mooching) your work for a long time, I seldom subscribe to anyone's channel. But your work "deserves" to be subscribed to. Thank you for teaching us.

[@curtismarean6963]

Having grown up in Massachusetts, I grew up with the stories and legends of this man. I always wondered about the true facts about him. Thanks for the history lessons!

[@Kaptain13Gonzo]

Thanks for the history lesson! As a very young kid, I would carefully set up my dad's reel-to-reel tape machine so my sister and I could listen to stories. The Johnny Appleseed one was a favourite. I've never hear that story (and sing along) since. I'm glad to have gotten "the rest of the story".

[@Bigfoottehchipmunk]

I can see his nickname coming from children asking to hear his story again, remembering Johnny and that he scattered apple seeds. I've always loved hearing about him, suspecting as I grew up that there were some missing pieces. Thank you for filling in the blanks. It's an even richer story in my mind now.

[@raypelling6440]

Reminds me of Jeremiah Johnson... "Do not worry, they will not hurt you on account of you are "touched". Fascinating story of a legend. Michael Pollan helped me learn some as well in his book "Botany of Desire". Great account! Love your work, THG!

[@mikekahl5609]

His real name was John Johnson, read the book about him, the Crow killer. That book got me interested in reading as a kid.

[@kevanhartwig763]

Another excellent story , thank you sir

[@raymondcaylor6292]

Superbly Remembered. Well done History Guy. Cheers

[@devinlabuda5713]

I accidentally looked away right as you got to the "deserves to be remembered" at the end so I hit back ten seconds just to watch you say it. I smile Everytime. Love from Detroit, History Guy!

[@TheNickPenney]

Always love these videos. History that deserves to be remembered

[@koalatea2367]

I bought one of these trees by contacting the Savannah Ohio museum. It's growing in my backyard in memory of Johnny 🍎

[@ImpmanPDX]

And so I thank the Lord who gives me all I need like the sun and the rain and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me :) We used to sing Johnny Appleseed every breakfast at YMCA camp. They probably still do!

[@sdjahof1964]

I remember that tune at Vacation Bible School Camps where we camped for a week in cabins We sang various verses with lyrics referencing the Bible rather than Johnny Appleseed

[@bradleyweiss1089]

It’s a song in a very cute Disney cartoon on a Legends DVD. I think it’s on KZbin.

[@haveaniceday5465]

Thank you sir, that was a wonderful story. I will never forget it.

[@guillermodiego819]

Wonderful story! Never thought there was a real man behind the legend. Thank you History Guy for this!!

[@14beans]

Thank you! My ancestor once hosted him on his travels and got trees in return, and the family's very proud of that. They told everyone "Our family planted the first apple trees in Santa Barbara." Dad and I are amateur arborists, he's always been a hero of ours.

[@reallyseriously7020]

An interesting topic would be how frontier settlers lived when they started out. Did they build log cabins? What did they eat until the crops/gardens began producing? Where did they get supplies? Love your videos, keep up the great work!

[@PAPITO_49]

Johnny was a nightly must see in my house growing up.

[@Luxnutz1]

Thank You for considering this recommendation.

[@ellisgreen4131]

I lived in Leominster for three years on Active Duty, but never knew it as the birthplace of John Chapman. Or maybe I forgot, which is why we are so lucky to have The History Guy!

[@fistandantilusdarkone2684]

I grew up in southern Ohio where we celebrate every year with a festival called "The Apple Festival" The legend of Johny Appleseed is carried on in hometown traditions!

[@BradMajorsMusic]

I grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana as a child and Jonny Appleseed was my first "hero" in life. I admired the stories of this odd man. Always brought a smile to my face.

[@UkraineJames2000]

Another great video. I wish my history teachers were as interesting as this.

[@andrewinbody4301]

I guess I was lucky. I had a high school history teacher whose class I never skipped.

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

I had two that I’ve never forgotten. MR Steubing in 7th and 8th grade, and MRS Watson in the 9th! Amazing teachers!!

[@Steve-qt9ce]

History Guy, when I was a kid back in the 1960's there was a statue of "Johnny Appleseed" on the University of Oklahoma campus. I remember walking by with my dad and he told me the story👍❤

[@diebesgrab]

“Unlike Paul Bunyan and John Henry, Johnny Appleseed was based on a real man” Shots fired!

[@andrewinbody4301]

I wondered about that too. Weren't those other legendary characters derived from actual people? I liked my Paul Bunyan story book when I was a kid. The "Steel Driving Man" was also fun. Another might be Pecos Bill.

[@richardea4223]

Talking about Paul Bunyan, there is a story about a bunyan in which I wish to forget, but don't know how to get it out of my head. 😎

[@syx9986]

There's evidence pointing to who the true John Henry was now.

[@steviedirksen1938]

I resent you saying john henry was not real.

[@Russia-bullies]

Thanks for an appropriate portrayal of a legend.

[@Thx1138sober]

Chapman's childhood home looks almost exactly like my lawnmower's current family home.

[@tranger4579]

Crazy how we take stuff like that for granted. I thought the same thing, then said to myself " settlers in the old days lived in those".

[@thepinkflamingostrikesagai7319]

When I first saw it before he said what it was I thought oh a tool shed to take care of the Johnny Appleseed monument. Then he said it was Johnny's house. I was thinking no way.

[@iansnyder274]

HAH!!!!

[@daniellocke9534]

I live 15 miles from his home in Leominster .mass.I will drop off my old lawnmower there

[@CeeLiberty]

I was in 6th grade (1976) at a public school in California when I first saw "Johnny Appleseed" (Disney version) What a delight! I seriously doubt public schools would be allowed to show that film now.