John chapman better known as johnny appleseed was born in leominster massachusetts on september 26 1774 his father nathaniel chapman fought as a minuteman at the battle of concord and. One of americas fondest legends is that of johnny appleseed a folk hero and pioneer apple farmer in the 1800s there really was a johnny appleseed and his real name was john chapman he was born in leominster massachusetts in 1774 his dream was to produce so many apples that no one would ever go hungry. In 1871 wd haley wrote a colorful chronicle of chapmans life for harpers weekly propelling the legend of johnny appleseed into american popular culture he has since been an iconic subject