{"name":"Hangman's Elm","city":"New York City, New York","canonical_url":"https://gydeinfo.com/new-york-city/places/hangman-s-elm/","markdown_url":"https://gydeinfo.com/new-york-city/places/hangman-s-elm.md","updated_at":"2026-06-19T23:52:45.091218+00:00","facts":[{"claim":"This source frames the tree's execution history as a long-passed-down legend.","citation":"https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-hangmans-elm-of-washington-square-park/","source_title":"The “hangman's elm” of Washington Square Park","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:50.493621+00:00","fact_type":"anecdote","as_of":"2024","confidence":0.86},{"claim":"The source repeats the legend that Marquis de Lafayette supposedly witnessed a 1824 hanging of 20 highwaymen near the elm.","citation":"https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-hangmans-elm-of-washington-square-park/","source_title":"The “hangman's elm” of Washington Square Park","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:50.493621+00:00","fact_type":"notable_events","as_of":"2024","confidence":0.62},{"claim":"The source says the only actual recorded execution nearby was Rose Butler's 1820 execution across the street.","citation":"https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/the-hangmans-elm-of-washington-square-park/","source_title":"The “hangman's elm” of Washington Square Park","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:50.493621+00:00","fact_type":"notable_events","as_of":"2024","confidence":0.93},{"claim":"A 2025 writeup describes the elm's cultural significance as both painful and celebratory.","citation":"https://nysufc.org/finally-the-english-elm-in-washington-square-park-has-signage/2025/05/12/","source_title":"Finally, the English Elm In Washington Square Park Has Signage!","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:49.699114+00:00","fact_type":"history","as_of":"2025","confidence":0.7},{"claim":"The article states there are no records of the tree itself being used as a hanging site, though hangings occurred nearby.","citation":"https://nysufc.org/finally-the-english-elm-in-washington-square-park-has-signage/2025/05/12/","source_title":"Finally, the English Elm In Washington Square Park Has Signage!","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:49.699114+00:00","fact_type":"notable_events","as_of":"2025","confidence":0.92},{"claim":"The tree stood on private property west of Minetta Brook until 1825.","citation":"https://nysufc.org/finally-the-english-elm-in-washington-square-park-has-signage/2025/05/12/","source_title":"Finally, the English Elm In Washington Square Park Has Signage!","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:49.699114+00:00","fact_type":"history","as_of":"2025","confidence":0.85},{"claim":"Rose Butler was hanged on nearby gallows on July 9, 1819, according to the article.","citation":"https://nysufc.org/finally-the-english-elm-in-washington-square-park-has-signage/2025/05/12/","source_title":"Finally, the English Elm In Washington Square Park Has Signage!","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:49.699114+00:00","fact_type":"notable_events","as_of":"1819","confidence":0.83},{"claim":"Atlas Obscura places Hangman's Elm in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park.","citation":"https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-hangmans-elm-new-york-new-york","source_title":"The Hangman's Elm in Manhattan - Atlas Obscura","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:48.892791+00:00","fact_type":"location","as_of":"2024","confidence":0.98},{"claim":"Atlas Obscura describes it as the oldest known living tree in Manhattan and notes the execution legends.","citation":"https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-hangmans-elm-new-york-new-york","source_title":"The Hangman's Elm in Manhattan - Atlas Obscura","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:48.892791+00:00","fact_type":"significance","as_of":"2024","confidence":0.9},{"claim":"Atlas Obscura repeats the legend that the tree was involved in hangings, including during the Revolutionary War.","citation":"https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-hangmans-elm-new-york-new-york","source_title":"The Hangman's Elm in Manhattan - Atlas Obscura","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:48.892791+00:00","fact_type":"notable_events","as_of":"2024","confidence":0.6},{"claim":"Atlas Obscura says there are no public records confirming hangings, but the area was once a burial ground for enslaved people and yellow fever victims.","citation":"https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-hangmans-elm-new-york-new-york","source_title":"The Hangman's Elm in Manhattan - 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Wikipedia","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:47.267685+00:00","fact_type":"significance","as_of":"1989","confidence":0.9},{"claim":"A measurement around 2000 placed the tree at 135 feet tall with a diameter of 67 inches.","citation":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangman's_Elm","source_title":"Hangman's Elm - Wikipedia","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:47.267685+00:00","fact_type":"architecture","as_of":"c. 2000","confidence":0.84},{"claim":"The name 'hanging tree' appears in sources no earlier than the late 19th century.","citation":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangman's_Elm","source_title":"Hangman's Elm - Wikipedia","source_type":"manual","allowed_use":"facts_with_citation","retrieved_at":"2026-06-19T23:06:47.267685+00:00","fact_type":"anecdote","as_of":"late 19th century","confidence":0.91},{"claim":"Research cited by Wikipedia says the tree stood on private farm land until the city bought the land and added it to Washington Square in 1827.","citation":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangman's_Elm","source_title":"Hangman's Elm - 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