“Local“, the latest WordPress Photo Challenge theme this week has inspired me to publish a series of posts on the many reasons why I love New Jersey, my adopted state.
First settled in 1660, New Jersey has a past rich in history. Because of its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, more battles were fought in New Jersey than in any other state during the Revolutionary War. In 1787, New Jersey became the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution and the first state to sign the Bill of Rights.
About a 10 minute drive from my home, there sits a huge oak tree right in the middle of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery. It is estimated to be 600 years old. Church historians say that George Washington and his troops “rested under the old oak in the cemetery” on several occasions. But sadly, the tree has seen its last days and it is scheduled to be removed early next year.
Established in 1717, the Presbyterian Church and cemetery stands in the center of a several crossroads. As I took pictures of the oak tree, I noticed the headstones within the cemetery. Many of the headstones date back to the 1700’s and early 1800’s. The cemetery is a resting place for many who fought during the Revolutionary War. The current church building was built in the 1800’s.
Though a sad ending of an enduring life, I think of those countless lives this amazing tree has touched – generations and generations.
Trees
By Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
The New York Times wrote about the oak tree this week.
October 18, 2016 at 2:14 pm
Beautiful post. I’ve seen that tree and been in awe of it. Shame to realize it will be gone, it will leave an empty spot in many hearts as well as the cemetery. Thank you for the pictures inside the church as I’ve never been in there.
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October 21, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Thank you! My first intention was to visit the tree but then I realized that the grounds were also quite historic. I love visiting churches and was glad that this one was open.
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October 18, 2016 at 6:49 pm
I loved your photos and the accompanying NY Times article on such a very special tree! Amazing to think of all the history that took place under it’s arch!
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October 21, 2016 at 3:17 pm
Thank you Debra! I have been wanting to stop and visit the tree for a while now. I have passed it so many times. At least I stopped before they take it down.
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October 18, 2016 at 9:20 pm
It’s too bad that old tree has to come down. I love history like this and had so much fun touring in Boston when my son lived there. Our history in Nebraska isn’t of war but of wagon trains traveling through going west. We have cemeteries full of those lost by Indian attacks, plague, and accidents. We have the Mormon and Oregon trails but we don’t have the cemeteries like they have out east so I loved looking at your photos..
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October 21, 2016 at 3:22 pm
Thank you Julie! We visited Boston for the first time last year and also loved learning about the history that took place there. As I read your comment about Nebraska, I couldn’t help thinking of the computer game, “Oregon Trail” that my kids used to play a number of years back. Our country certainly has an amazing history.
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October 19, 2016 at 1:02 am
I went to school in New Jersey for a while. There was a cemetery near my school too, and while it didn’t have a grand old oak tree, I always thought it was a peaceful resting place. The kids’ headstones always made me sad though.
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October 21, 2016 at 3:23 pm
Yes, that made me sad too. I saw a number of headstones of young children in this cemetery too. I agree, it was a peaceful place.
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