Marion in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

“The Crying Tree”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. “The Crying Tree” Marker

Inscription. Sarah Elizabeth “Sallie” Adams (1841-1913) was about five years old when she and her family were sold at a slave auction outside the Smyth County Courthouse. Thomas Thurman, whose house stood near here, bought Sallie to be a body servant for his sickly wife. A slave owner from Lynchburg purchased Sallie's mother, whom she never saw again, and her siblings. In later years, Sallie told her children that, when possible, she would slip out of Thurman’s house and cry next to a white oak tree in the yard. She would sometimes hug the tree and tell it about her burdens and sorrows, and it became her friend and confidant. That tree ultimately became known in the community as “The Crying Tree.”

Erected 2019 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number KD-14.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.

Location. 36° 49.939′ N, 81° 31.388′ W.

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Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. It can be reached from West Court Street west of North Sheffey Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is by the parking lot behind the fire station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marion VA 24354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Marion 9/11 Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); J. C. Campbell House (about 400 feet away); Marion Municipal Building (about 600 feet away); Royal Oak Presbyterian Church

“The Crying Tree” and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. “The Crying Tree” and Marker

(about 600 feet away); Sherwood Anderson (about 700 feet away); Mount Pleasant Methodist Church (about 700 feet away); D.C. Miller Law Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Smyth County War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Also see . . .
1. Sallie's Crying Tree | Appalachian Storytellers | William A. Fields. Fields, Executive Director of the Mount Pleasant Preservation Society, tells the story behind the iconic Sallie's Crying Tree. (Project Southwest, premiered June 9, 2021) (Submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Storm fells Marion's Crying Tree, but its story to live on. Holston Conference of The United Methodist Church website entry (Submitted on October 20, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

“The Crying Tree” collapsed Sept. 27, 2024 when the remnants of Hurricane Helene struck. image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Marsha Melkonian, October 12, 2024

3. “The Crying Tree” collapsed Sept. 27, 2024 when the remnants of Hurricane Helene struck.

Sarah Elizabeth (Adams) Madison (1841 - 1913)
WikiTree entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,996 times since then and 82 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 29, 2023. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on October 12, 2024, by Marsha Melkonian of Warrenton, Virginia.