The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by Heather Maureen Millott

"The autumn air was filled with hints of rain. Dew settled on the moss outside wafting a woody scent into my chamber window. A cool breeze snuck in, flickering my candles light as I sat writing the moments of the day down in my journal. I was beguiled by the amethysts last light on the horizon. It was dusk and I should settle in for the night. All was quiet in Sleepy Hollow with exception to the nightingales last calls of the evening coming from the forest walls. At once I heard a faint sound coming from the cobblestone path below. Who could it be at this pale hour? When the lamps are snuffed out and all good things retire safe in their beds. What trickery is this which my ears deceive me? No man nor creature would dare be out in the darkness traveling these woods at night. No creature in its right mind. Some poor mistaken fool I bet. One who is misinformed or foolish to ignore the legend. Just then I heard it again, the sound like clacking hoofs drew closer until that was the only sound reverberating in my head. Horse hoofs."

Ever wonder where some of the best writers of all time get the ideas for the tales they tell? I often wonder about Nathaniel Hawthorn and Edgar Allen Poe. The scenery had to be breathtaking for these authors to conjure their ghosts and legends and then live to tell about it. One of my favorite stories that I watch annually at Halloween is Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Nothing like a little folk lore in the evenings pale hour. Everyone knows the famous story of the headless horsemen and the nerdy school master. I attended a theater guild last year and was able to see the theater company perform it live.

You can take a trip to original site of Irving's inspiration and visit Sleepy Hollow, New York. Once know as Tarrytown. Tarrytown Cemetery, now known as Sleepy Hollow cemetery is not the actual cemetery that resided in Irvings tale. It did not exist at the time. It's name was changed much later to honor Irving who is buried in the south end of the cemetery overlooking the grounds of the Old Dutch Church. The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow and its burying ground are the setting for the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Both seem to blend together as The old dutch church is surround by the 90+ acres of the cemetery.

Why the name change? I was fascinated to learn that Tarrytown changed its name not as I had thought because of the tale being made famous but by a request from Irving himself! He had written a letter to the editor of the Knickerbocker when the cemetery was being founded. It was dated April 27th, 1894. and reads as follows:

My Dear Clark:

I send you herewith a plan of a rural cemetery projected by some of the worthies of Tarrytown, on the woody hills adjacent to the Sleepy Hollow Church. I have no pecuniary interest in it, yet I hope it may succeed, as it will keep that beautiful and umbrageous neighborhood sacred from the anti-poetical and all-leveling axe. Besides, I trust that I shall one day lay my bones there. The projectors are plain matter-of-fact men, but are already, I believe, aware of the blunder which they have committed in naming it the "Tarrytown," instead of the "Sleepy Hollow" Cemetery. The latter name would have been enough of itself to secure the patronage of all desirous of sleeping quietly in their graves.

I beg you to correct this oversight, should you, as I trust you will, notice this sepulchral enterprise.

I hope as the spring opens you will accompany me in one of my brief visits to Sunnyside, when we will make another trip to Sleepy Hollow, and (thunder and lightning permitting) have a colloquy among the tombs.

Yours, very truly,
Washington Irving


It didn't stop with the cemetery, in March of 1997 the town officially changed its name as well. Sleepy Hollow, once a fictitious place conjured in the mind of the great Irving, was now a haunting reality.

The Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground, has been there since the mid-17th Century. Built prior to 1865 by Dutch immigrant, Frederick Philipse (who is also interred there), it is the area of grave markers directly behind the church.

Irving himself was very mysterious about the characters from his book so only speculation can be made. Among many that are buried in the Dutch burying ground, the Van Tassel family is likely the same as the family of Irving's story. Irving in real life purchased a farm that belonged to Petrus Van Tessel. It is known as his Sunnyside estate.

The old covered bridge, the eerie walkway where Ichabod is terrorized by the horsemen and his steed, is unfortunately, due to the deterioration of time, no longer standing. Its location would be in now what is Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. However, it has been replaced with a more modern bridge where a plaque hangs in honor of Irving's spooky tale. Located on cemetery road about 0.3 mile inside the cemetery's south gate you may just even hear the faint sound of hoofbeats clattering on the boards. Even today Sleepy Hollow remains one of the quietest places on earth.

If you are planning a vacation to Sleepy Hollow, take a walk and see if you can trace Irving's steps and follow the legend in today's historic Sleepy Hollow. During October, you can attend the annual reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the Old Dutch Church. The Headless Horseman has been known to ride through the village, beginning his ride at the cemetery. If you would like to visit the cemetery, please be respectful and honor cemetery hours. They are not open until sunset so plan on going early; they close promptly at 4:30 pm throughout the year. Guided tours are available.

Sunnyside estate, Irving's homestead, holds a "Legend Weekend" during the month of October. There are readings of ghost stories, magic shows and guided walks through the woods surrounding Irving's home. It is open from March-December daily except Tuesdays from 10-5pm. The grounds are open for strolling, the house by guided tour only.

Till next time,
Heather

About the Author:
Heather Millott is a Halloween artist who admits to being shamelessly addicted to primitive folk and vintage Halloween art. Each month she plans to bring us another "Curious Good.." column. If you have a story suggestion for her, feel free to email her. Visit Heather here on HalloweenArtists.com or on her website at www.witchhollowprimitives.com.