also famous as the scene of many episodes in Cooper's novel, "The 

 Spy." 



Black Walnut of Maplewood 



The large, spreading black walnut still standing in front of 

 Timothy Ball's house at Maplewood, N. J., was planted in 1743, the 

 year that the house was built. A magnificent shade tree, and still 

 bearing a plentiful crop of nuts, it is rich in historic association. The 

 Balls were Washington's cousins, and the General often visited them, 

 and tied his horse to an iron ring in the trunk of the walnut. Old 

 people, still living, remember when the ring was visible, though now 

 it is doubtless hidden by the growth of the trunk around it. 



The old tree also served another purpose ; it stood about half-way 

 between two Presbyterian churches, and was considered to mark the 

 dividing line between them. Residents to the north of it were ex- 

 pected to attend the Orange church, those living south the Springfield 

 church. 



Walnut Beside Washington's Tomb 



This tree, planted by George Washington's father, and in the 

 shade of which the first President of the United States was buried, 

 became conspicuous on account of a large burl or knot on its trunk, 

 measuring five feet through, and probably one hundred years old, 

 when removed and sent to the National Museum at Washington, D. C. 



The Treaty Tree of Philipse Manor 



Many historical and literary associations cluster about the beauti- 

 ful tract of country on the east bank of the Hudson, once known as 

 Philipse Manor, N. Y. 



At least a portion of it is said to be one of the last grants of land 

 in America signed by William and Mary of England. In 1672, 

 Frederick Philipse purchased a large share of it, originally in the 

 possession of de Jonkheer Adrian Van der Donck, the future site of 

 the town of Yonkers, N. Y., and then proceeded to add to his pro- 

 perty until it included thousands of acres of forest, field and hill. 

 His fine estate has been described as "virtually a barony under the 

 management and sway of the masterful proprietor." 



In 1682, "the Dutch Millionaire" as he was dubbed, built his 

 manor-house near New York City, and later erected "Castle Philipse," 

 at Sleepy Hollow in Tarrytown, N. Y. Both residences were hand- 

 somely furnished, and the grounds surrounding them were beautified 

 with imported shrubbery and flowers. Near the "castle" stands a 

 memento of those early days, of equal, if not greater interest than even 

 the homestead. 



This is the well known "Treaty Tree," a huge chestnut, measur- 

 ing over twenty feet in circumference. Though the last sign of life 

 has departed from its leafless branches, the ancient tree has not been 



84 



