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 1846.

Location. 36° 49.939′ N, 81° 31.388′ W. Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. Marker can be reached from West Court Street west of North

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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.

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 (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. Sarah Elizabeth (Adams) Madison (1841 - 1913). The little girl known as "Sallie" grew up to became the mother of 10 children and a founder of Mount Pleasant Methodist Church in Marion. (WikiTree) (Submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

“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

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 876 times since then and 117 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.