A Message from the Past

Does anyone remember carving these initials in this beech tree? If you do, you would need to be about 140 years old! While the author of this message is no longer known the 32-inch diameter (measured 6 feet above the ground) beech tree dutifully trumpets the affection between R.J. and V.D. (or, at least one of them) presumably pronounced on August 20, 1875. This tree continues to stand today in a woods on a farm occupied by Glenn and Dorothy Bayes. Dorothy Bayes is included in the photograph above to provide perspective. The known record of ownership of this farm is: Joel (1853 1928) & Martha Jones (1867 1950); then, Homer (1905 2003) & Ruth Jones (1906 1989); then, Glenn & Dorothy Bayes (both livivg); then Glenn & Dorothy s son and daughter, Phil & Debbie Tustin & Gary & Kim Bayes.

Photo taken Spring of 2009

Provided by Dorothy Bayes

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