WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Halloween is here.
For many children and adults, Halloween is an eagerly awaited time of year filled with old and modern traditions. One tradition that has been taking place for centuries is the telling of ghost stories.
The tradition dates back to the Celtic holiday of Samhain, which took place between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. It was believed that this was the time of year when the veil between the world of the living and the dead lifted, and spirits were allowed to roam the earth freely.
In modern culture, those stories have evolved into books, movies and TV shows, ranging from humorous to scary to outright horror. One of the earliest wholly American ghost stories published is Washington Irving’s “Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
Washington Irving was born in New York City in 1783 and moved with his family to the New York countryside, where he spent much of his life. A lawyer by trade, it was a chance meeting with famed Scottish author Sir Walter Scott on a trip to England, who encouraged him to return to his love for writing.
Irving soon published a book of short stories titled “The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent,” which contained the famous tale of Ichabod Crane and his fateful encounter with the Headless Horseman.
The short story has been adapted numerous times over the years, from stage plays to cartoons, movies, and television. It is a popular subject for adaptation.
For the story, Irving drew on his life in and around the area where the story takes place. Below are the people and places that helped inspire his classic tale.
Locations
First, there is a real Sleepy Hollow. However, it was originally called North Tarrytown, and its name was changed later to associate it with Irving’s story. Irving lived in the village of Tarrytown, just to the south, which is also mentioned in his story.
The bridge Ichabod crosses over is long gone, but a new paved bridge with a historical marker sits in its place. The Old Dutch Church, complete with its cemetery, still stands and is the oldest church in New York State.
The story mentions another ghost story about a woman in white who haunts Raven Rock, which is located inside the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
People
Ichabod Crane’s inspiration is likely Irving’s close friend Jesse Merwin, a school teacher in the area. The actual name belonged to Marine Col. Ichabod Crane, who commanded the military fortifications at Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Frontier. Irving met Crane in 1814 when he served as military aide de camp to New York Governor Daniel Tompkins.
Katerina Van Tassel and Bram Bones are believed to have been based on Eleanor Van Tassel Brush, and Bram Bones is believed to have been local blacksmith Abraham Martling.
The Headless Horseman is believed to be based on a real person. During the 1776 Battle of White Plains, a cannonball reportedly decapitated a Hessian mercenary fighting for the British. The unidentified soldier is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery next to the Old Dutch Church, and you can visit his grave. The actual tale about him returning from the dead to haunt the area is likely based on European folklore about a huntsman or phantom hunting parties that numerous cultures share.
Irving’s tale, like Halloween, is now a deeply rooted part of American culture. It will likely continue to inspire adaptations and other stories for years to come, as it has since it was first published since it is in the public domain.
You can download a PDF copy of the story from the Library of Congress by clicking here.