The Old Dutch Church and the Headless Horseman: Separating Fact from Fiction

As children, we are delightfully frightened by the telling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. As adults, a whole new passion for the story is ignited upon learning there is a real town named Sleepy Hollow. This leads to a curiosity about how much of the story is true. After all, if there is a real town, perhaps the people and places mentioned are also real. Separating fact from fiction brings a whole new level of appreciation for this much-loved book. 

Sleepy Hollow Had a Different Name 

The setting of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a real town. However, at the time of Irving’s writing, it was called North Tarrytown. It wasn’t until many decades later, around 1996, that the town renamed itself Sleepy Hollow. 

The Old Dutch Church is Real 

Built in the 17th century, the Old Dutch Church in Irving’s story has stood the test of time. It is one of the oldest churches in New York. Despite going through renovations and expansions over the centuries, it retains its original old-world look and feel. It remains an active place of worship for the Sleepy Hollow residents. Interestingly, the cemetery connected to the church is the burial site for several of the people who served as inspiration for Irving. Catrina Ecker Van Tessel, Samuel Youngs, and Abraham Martling are all buried there. 

The Bridge was Real

The famous bridge mentioned in Irving’s story was an actual bridge that helped people travel to the Old Curch’s yard. Sadly, the original bridge no longer exists. However, visitors to Sleepy Hollow can still visit the site of the original bridge. There is a simple plaque commemorating its original location. The town has also had a replacement memorial bridge built in the cemetery. 

Diedrich Knickerbocker is Irving’s Alter-Ego 

The character of Diedrich Knickerbocker in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow is the narrator of the story being told. In the story, he claims to have heard the story of the headless horseman from a mill worker and housewife. In actuality, Knickerbocker is Washington Irving’s alter-ego. It is a character that Irving has used throughout his writing to portray himself without actually using himself as a character. 

Ichabod Crane was a Real Person 

Irving used inspiration from multiple people to create the character of Ichabod Crane. Some were more pleased than others to appear in the famous writing. The name Ichabod Crane was taken from a real person. Irving never met the man but saw the name in a newspaper and really liked it. Unfortunately for the original real-life Crane, he was nothing like his literary alter-ego. He served in the War of 1812 and dedicated 45 years to the military, earning a reputation for bravery.  He never lived in the town of Sleepy Hollow. Rumor has it that he was not happy to find his name used in Irving’s book. 

Beyond the name, the character Crane’s personality came from a different real-life person. Irving’s family was close with the Young family. Samuel Young was Irving's close friend and was delighted to be used as inspiration for the character. Samuel lived in Sleepy Hollow and was buried in the Old Dutch Church’s cemetery. Another man also contributed to the Crane character, Jesse Merwin. He was a teacher in Kinderhook, NY. The original one-room schoolhouse where he taught still stands today. It has been renamed the Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse in honor of the teacher’s connection with the book. 

The Van Tassels were Real 

Irving knew the real Van Tassel family, but he embellished their story for the book. In real life, Irving’s sister lived with the Van Tassels. For his book, he turned them into a wealthy family. The character of Katrina Van Tassel is assumed to have been inspired by Eleanor Van Tassel Brush. Further, the name Katrina is believed to have been inspired by Eleanor’s aunt, Catrina. 

Brom Bones was Inspired by a Real Person

In the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Brom Van Brunt is the leader of a gang of young men. He and Ichabod compete for Katrina Van Tassel's hand in marriage, with Brom eventually marrying her. The character of Brom Bones was also inspired by a real person living in Sleepy Hollow. The real man was Abraham Martling, a blacksmith. He was famous around town for riding a giant black horse. His nickname was Brom. 

The Headless Horseman Might be Real 

The story's villain, the headless horseman, may have been real. During the Revolutionary War, there were German soldiers called Hessians. There are conflicting stories, but a Hessian soldier was rumored to have lost his head when he was hit with a cannonball. The different versions agree that the headless soldier was unceremoniously buried in an unmarked grave. After the story of the headless soldier got out, it was long rumored that he was unable to continue on in death due to his lack of a head. He became a ghost story that haunted the town. 

Explore Today’s Sleepy Hollow 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has become a fixture in American culture. What makes the story so great is the elements of truth artfully woven throughout. Irving’s ability to take inspiration from the people in his life has given the story a sense of authenticity that makes it relatable. Now that you know the real-life people behind the story, discover Sleepy Hollow. Staying at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel puts you in the heart of Sleepy Hollow. Its sophisticated design makes it the perfect place to rest while exploring this historical and literary town. 

Book your stay at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel and experience the real-life town from this literary masterpiece.