Jonny Appleseed was a folk hero and one of America's fondest legends. His real name was John Chapman, and he was born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1774. During the time when there was a steady stream of migrants heading west, Jonny would plant apple seeds, then when the trees were started, he would transplant them to the homes of the pioneers. He would go far out in the frontier to plant the orchards, and by the time the pioneers had reached that part of the wilderness, his trees were grown and ready.