Witness Tree Was Historic Local Landmark

 On July 25, 2015 the Allison-Deaver House, known as the oldest standing frame house in Western North Carolina, celebrated its 200^th anniversary.  Many years before its construction a white oak across from where Benjamin Allison would build his home, began its journey toward becoming a local landmark. 

In the late 1700s vast tracts of land in Western North Carolina were purchased by land speculators for small sums.  If the land owners were later unable to pay their property taxes the land would be sold at auction by the county sheriff.

On September 19, 1798 Buncombe County Sheriff, James Hughey sold property, known as the James Hughey Land Grant, for back taxes.  The beginning corner in the property description is marked by a white oak. 

DAR Witness Tree Marker

When George W. Young was establishing his property lines in the 1880s several of the oldest men in the county identified a particular white oak as the beginning corner of the James Hughey Land Grant.  These men had lived here their entire lives, since the time when the property belonged to Buncombe County, through 24 years as Henderson County and finally as Transylvania County beginning in 1861.

This same tree served as a meeting place through its lifetime in Buncombe, Henderson and Transylvania counties and would become known as the Witness Tree.

On September 29, 1958 the DAR placed a plaque at its base reading, “Marker of Hughey Land Grant, 1798. Three county marker and meeting spot.”

Jim Morrow inside a cross-section of the tree
shortly after it was removed.

When Highway 280, known as the Boyleston or Asheville Highway, was being expanded in the 1980s there was a public effort to save the over 200 year old landmark.  On March 13, 1984 the North Carolina Board of Transportation decided to shift the highway alignment and preserve the tree. 

Unfortunately a short time later, an expert examination of the 110 foot tall tree showed that it had decayed through much of its core.  Sixteen feet in circumference at it base, much of shell further up the trunk had only 3-4” of solid wood.  On January 29, 1985 the old Witness Tree came down.

A cross section of the Witness Tree can be seen at the Transylvania Heritage Museum on W. Main St. 

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.