CHAPTER XVII 

 THE WASHINGTON ELM AT PALMER 



In June 'tis good to lie beneath a tree. 



Lowell 



WHEN the old elm at Cambridge 

 has at last been added to the list 

 of the historic trees of the past, 

 there will still be standing a tree of the same 

 species, bearing the same name; for just 

 beyond the town of Palmer, a quarter of 

 a mile from the railroad bridge, and near 

 the center of a broad curve of the main 

 road to Springfield, is a wide-spreading elm 

 of the oak-tree type, comparatively strong, 

 and most pleasing in its proportions. 



Beneath this tree Washington rested and 

 refreshed himself, and delivered a short ad- 

 dress only three days previous to taking 

 command of the army at Cambridge. A local 

 historian informs us that the place was an old 

 tavern-stand once owned by Daniel Graves 

 who obtained a license to keep the house of 



