THE NATIVE TREES OE RHODE ISLAND. 
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England have become historic in character. Such was the “ Char- 
ter oak,” in Hartford ; and the “ Regicides’ oak,” in Woodbridge, 
Conn.; also “Eliot’s oak,” in Newton, Mass.; and the “Catholic 
oak,” in Lonsdale, Rhode Island. There is a considerable num- 
ber of these grand old oaks scattered over our State. Their 
preservation is now a matter of private ownership. A vandal, in a 
day, may destroy the growth of centuries. Legislative aid should 
come to the rescue. 
The “ Catholic ” oak at Lonsdale will undoubtedly be preserved. 
It is now guarded by a substantial iron fence. According to the 
note book of the late Dr. C. W. Parsons, from which the writer 
several years ago had permission to copy, “This tree formerly 
stood in the same enclosure as the adjoining land of Whipple’s, 
which includes Blaxton’s grave. It was in the way of travel, and 
Jeremiah Whipjffe’s father gave the land and tree, or, rather, 
allowed a road to be carried around it, not surrendering the fee. 
It had formerly a much wider spread of branches. The branches 
were cut off many years ago. Through the agency of the Rev. J. 
C. Richmond, acorns from this tree have been distributed through 
many towns of Germany, and its offspring are thus propagated.” 
It has often been reported that the first Episcopal service held in 
this State was conducted under this tree. To get the historical truth 
concerning this, the author wrote to Bishop Thomas M. Clark, and 
received the following reply, which is certainly a valuable record : 
“Eeb. '2d, 1900, 
Bishop’s House, 
Providence, R. I. 
L. W. Russell, Esq. 
Hear Sir: — In reply to yours of the first instant, I would say, it has al- 
ways been the tradition that the first Episcopal service held hi Rhode 
Island was conducted under what is known as the Catholic Oak, at Lons- 
dale, under the Rev. Mr. Blackstone. The Rev. J. C. Richmond frequently 
held service and preached under this tree, and I have no doubt that he 
widely distributed the acorns from this tree, as is reported of him. 
■ Faithfully yours, 
THOMAS M. CLARK. 
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