Witness To History

        The witness to history I would like to write about today is not about a person in my family tree, but an actual tree that has watched over and shaded the final resting place a 5x great grandfather of mine (Christopher Saur/Sower) for over 233 years. This amazing tree has witnessed so much history in its lifetime, and I would like to share its story, how I was introduced to it eight years ago, and how in some small way it has weaved its story into our own family tree.

In late June 2017 I was on a family history trip by myself to explore an area about 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia PA where many of my ancestors were born, lived and passed on. I had cemeteries to visit, an old tavern to see that my 4th great grandfather ran for many years (The Harleysville Hotel), some scrapple to eat for breakfast (which no one in Fargo has ever heard of - big surprise!), and to just drive around the area to get a feel for where so many ancestors called home. Let me say now that it was a trip I will always treasure.

Methactin Oak prior to June 2017

One of my days there I had a Sunday morning free, so I decided not only to visit my 5x great grandfather’s grave, but to also take in a church service that was next to the cemetery. The church was the Methacton Mennonite Church. I had never been to a Mennonite church before and I was a little nervous. 

When I arrived, the pastor was greeting people outside. She told me good morning, and since I was a new face, she asked me if I was here because of “the tree.” I got a puzzled look on my face, and explained I was there because I was visiting the area and had ancestors buried in the adjoining cemetery. She went on to explain that just a few days prior, they had lost an ancient oak tree that had been destroyed by lightning. The tree was very well known to people in the area, and many newspapers and TV stories were done about its demise. Before the fatal lightning strike the tree measured at least 14' circumference, height of 50' and spread of 84'.

Methacton Church Sign

This small church and its members were so very welcoming. I made many acquaintances there that morning, one of which is still long distance friend. Much of the service was dedicated to this tree, which I learned afterwards had just missed hitting my ancestors’ headstones when it fell. The church even had a song that they sang about the tree. The “tree song”  by Ken Medema and sung by Evie Karlsson on Youtube. I still tear up when I listen to it.

Front of the church

This Methacton Charter Oak tree, a variety of White Oak, had seen close to four centuries of history unfold under its branches. It is estimated that it started its life around 1634, which was about 10 years before William Penn was even born (1644)  and about 145 years before the Revolutionary War. That is almost 400 years of changes to the countryside, the countries themselves, and the people who lived there. Landscapes changed, fields were cleared and farmed, roads and houses were built, horses were replaced by automobiles for transportation, populations grew. And still the oak tree continued to grow and thrive.

 

Inside the Methacton Mennonite Church - notice quilt on wall

The native Lenni Lenape tribe were the people living in this area when the tree started growing its roots and spreading its branches. During the Revolutionary War the Methacton Mennonite Church served as a military hospital, and received many wounded soldiers after the bloody Battle of Germantown. Soldiers who died in the church building were buried under the tree. 

After the service, Mike, a church member, walked me over to the cemetery and what was left of the tree. I gathered a few of the acorns and leaves that were on the ground. When I returned home, I dried the leaves, and a few years after that I created a book with photos and information about the tree and that eventful day. In the back of the book I enclosed one of the leaves of the tree in each book. I even gave a copy of my book to the church for their library. And I have since learned that one of the church members was successful in getting an acorn to sprout, so now it has been planted by the cemetery. Its a beautiful thought that this new tree will continue overseeing this place. 

New headstone 1938 to commemorate 200th anniversary of Sower printing Press