Boyington Oak at Church Street Cemetery

The Boyington Oak is a historic Southern live oak in Mobile, found within the Church Street Cemetery. According to legend, Charles R.S. Boyington was a printer who came to Alabama from his home in Connecticut in 1833. Boyington was a known gambler, and a year later he was seen accompanying Nathaniel Frost, who allegedly owed him money, on a walk to the cemetery. Frost was later found dead and Boyington was quickly accused and convicted of the crime. Before his execution in 1835, Boyington declared that a mighty oak would spring from his heart as testament to his innocence, and sure enough the oak grew just above his grave. Some visitors also claim that they can hear phantom cries and whispers in the area surrounding the tree.