The Great Tree Of Richland
Posted: Wednesday, February 03, 2010
by Jack H. Schick
Legend has it that, in a clearing in the Great Swamp , there stood a Great Oak Tree. Under that tree, for many generations, the Native Americans met for council and ceremony. It stood as a symbol of Mother Earth watching over her children, providing for the needs of all the people who called the Great Swamp home.
By 1681, the Lenape had lived and farmed in the Great Swamp for thousands of years. They'd harvested the plentiful game, and carved out plots in the wooded marshes to raise corn and beans and squash. They'd raised their families in wigwams of bark and hides and reeds. They praised the gods that provided plenty, under the bows of the Great Oak Tree. For uncounted generations the Lenape had been in the Great Swamp, but their way of life would soon come to an end.
Two great storms came to The Swamp. The Manor of Penn and the township of Richland were now designated, delineated and drawn. The land was now owned by "people", a concept alien to the Natives. More Quakers continued to arrive. They built their homes of stone and boards and mud. They worshiped their God and prophet in a strange, silent, meditative way. The clearings grew larger. The trails became roads. Although treated with respect and equality, as is the way with Friends, there was no stopping this storm. Soon the winds of change swept the Native culture away.
Although it had stood for hundreds of years, a reminder of the smallness of Man, one day, in a year the Quakers called 1710, nature herself rose up in angry storm and toppled the Great Oak down. Its roots torn up, its limbs shattered, it lay in ruins in the clearing where so many had met in peace and harmony. Both Lenape and Quakers felt the tragedy. Something mighty and great was now gone.
Together, the Natives and Friends, two people both equal in the eyes of their Lord, took from the swamp a seedling. They planted it by the stump of the Great Oak so it might gain nourishment form its final decay, and grow on into the new age. They remembered their past. With hope, they gazed toward the future through the veil that no one can lift. Those people have long since gone. They are but vague shadows in our memory. They now stand together in the Light where all Men finally reside.
Lo, there! See it reborn, spreading its arms, as it once did so long ago. There looms the Great Tree of Richland Meeting. A monument from the past, it stands, into the future. It towers above, a symbol yet, in this age. It lives still, in this time, where the ideals and principles of those Friends endure, where the people still meet in pensive meditation, in the Light, in the clearing, under the bows of the Great Oak Tree.
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More commentsThis article did nothing for me. I am not sure what you are talking about, maybe I am just simple.maybe you just need to be a member of Richland Meeting. Wasn't really written for here.
Despite the fact that the Great Oak was ripped from the earth, this is a "peaceful story of hope". I enjoyed reading it.a legend at our meeting house- see comment to Wilda, above
Excellent article Jack. I presume that this is Richland, PA? I'll have to search it.Richland Monthly Meeting, Quakertown, PA. Just a legend. We celebrate our 300th this yearthat's great!
Hi Jack.Great article and great legend. It reminded me of the huge Acacia tree near my school and church. My father used to tell me a lot of stories about the tree. Thank you so much for sharing this well-written piece.All the best to you and yours,NenitaThanks for reading and commenting
what is the real point I miss it
What a great story-- thank you so much for posting!you should see the rewrite. Thanks for reading and commenting
Very well written and inspirational; trees are truly one of God's greatest gifts.Thanks for reading and commenting
Excellent way of presenting you have truly written painstakingly and it shows very-very well.If only people felt and attached more importance to trees and plants instead of just cashing/milking them for timber/resin or whatever other products that can be exploited.Thanks for reading and commenting
This was an interesting story- I enjoyed reading it. I learned something I've never heard before. Your writing is always so smooth and easy to read- a pleasure.__Always--EllaOne of our Meeting members is a NYC hot shot on Broadway. She talked to me about this article since it's being published for our 300th anniversary. The rewrite is much better. If you'd like to see how a pro helped me edit it. email and I'll send it.
Fairly decent article by this author. He gives a brief history lesson to readers.
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