Charter Oak, large white oak tree that stood in Hartford, Connecticut, until blown down in August 1856, when it was computed to be nearly 1000 years old. Tradition has it that when Sir Edmund Andros was appointed governor-general of New England, he went to Hartford in 1687 to procure the colonial charter. The colonists were loath to surrender the document, but, appearing to submit, they carried it to the council chamber. During the debate the lights were extinguished, and in the ensuing confusion the charter was carried from the room to its hiding place in the hollow of the tree. It remained there until 1689, when Andros was deposed, making further concealment unnecessary.