[ps...last week for Thursday 13 I had some 'free' Halloween Thursday 13 post headers for anyone that wanted them -HERE]
Edition 78
This week will be 13 facts from a favorite book not only for the season, but anytime – any place. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and the author’s history -Number 12 being a favorite passage of mine from the book.
If you visited this past Tuesday you viewed an ‘old shoppe’ type wooden sign I made for Halloween decor in my home. [If you missed it, it's HERE and the link should open in a new window] Of all books, and not only for Halloween, this is one of my favorite short stories…..
1] The short story was written by Washington Irving, as we all know. But, in 1820 his work of “Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle” was published under the name of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. [being Washington Irving]
2] The publication under Crayon was called “The Sketch Book” and it was a ‘serial’ [meaning it came out in a 'series' through the year 1819-1820] of some 30+ essays.
3] Geoffrey Crayon was one of the first pseudonyms used by Irving
4] Irving was offered, and he turned down, a position of Secretary of Navy [his brother, William, was Congressman of New York].
5] The original date of publication of the short story, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, was March 15th, 1820
6] Icabod Crane [the school master], according to Irving, was based on a real life character – Jesse Merwin from Kinderhook New York.
7] There was a ‘real life’ person named Icabod Crane…a colonel in the Army during the war of 1812.
8] The Headless Horseman was supposedly a Hessian Soldier, where during the American Revolutionary War, he was beheaded at the battle of Chatterton Hill, from a rocketing cannonball.
9] The horseman is fabled to be buried here:
The Old Dutch Church
10] Irving lived in the area, and died. He is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Which by the way, at Irving’s request upon his death be changed in name from Tarrytown Cemetery to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Washington Irving’s Resting Place
11] The character of Katrina [the love interest of Brom Bones and Icabod Crane] is thought to have been based upon Eleanor Van Tassel Brush, in which case her name is derived from that of Eleanor’s aunt Catriena Ecker Van Tessel.
12] …”yet, daylight put an end to all these evils; he would have passed a pleasant life of it, in despite of the Devil and all his works, if his path had not been crossed by a being that causes more perplexity to mortal man than ghosts, goblins, and the whole race of witches put together, and that was–a woman.” [Icabod]
13] Images from my copy of “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” with a great children’s illustrator: Russ Flint
~…end Thursday 13
[comment link here for those that wish to skip the Halloween Treat below]
And finally, the Halloween Treats:
All righty then, for today’s trick or treaters, I’ve started using this new ‘treat’ for the week. I’m handing them out for commentors to my blog who leave ME treats this month with their kind words. Don’t be dismayed, I plan on handing them out daily. Only take them if your name appears for the day—
So, check back often, you’re name may show up here!
To begin my traditional fun, as I love Halloween, today the trick ‘r’ treaters are:
Philos
Kat
Angie
Sarah
CorgiDogMama
And the treat this week will be:
When your name appears above, if you’d like to save this, click on it to enlarge…you’ll then be able to grab the treat and run! Happy October, Happy Halloween.
