A list of references from the 19th century to Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Kriskringle, and Father Christmas.
"observed throughout his dominions nor was the day of St Nicholas suffered to pass by without making presents hanging the stocking in the chimney and complying with all its other ceremonies"
Source: (1809) Irving, Washington. A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, pp 252
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"And the sage Oloffe dreamed a dream - and lo, the good St. Nicholas came riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same waggon wherin he brings his yearly presents to children ;"
Source: (1821) Irving, Washington. A History of New York: From the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, A New Edition, pp 77-8
note: Possibly also in a 1812 edition?
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Now commences the infantile revelry,
Happy urchins the story believe,
That Santaclaus,* since ages of chivalry,
Visits the nursery on holiday eve.
Socks intended for gifts are suspended,
And mystic rites blended, the fancy to cheer,
While sweet snap-dragon exhausts the full flagon,
Each Merry Christmas and Happy New-Year.
...
* contracted from St. Nicholas
Source: (1819) The Ladies' Literary Cabinet, Volume 1, pp 54. "The Nativity", Woodworth, S.
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Source: Doolittle, I. (1821). The Children's
friend. Number III. : A New-Year's present, to the little ones from five
to twelve. Part III. : Containing eight coloured engravings. Price 25
cents: plain, 18 3/4 cents. pp 1.
Published by William B. Gilley, no. 92 Broadway. Link: Yale, Beinecke Library
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A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS.
BY CLEMENT C. MOORE
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ;
'The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there ;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced through their heads ;
And mamma in her 'kerchief and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap -
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter ;
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
'Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name ;
"Now, Dasher ! now, Dancer ! now, Prancer ! now, Vixen !
On ! Comet, on ! Cupid, on! Donder and Blixen -
'To the top of the porch ! to the top of the wall !
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all !"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys - and St. Nicholas too.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
'The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish'd with ashes and soot ;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he look'd like a pedlar just opening his pack.
His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry !
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry ;
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
'The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook, when he laugh'd like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump l a right jolly old elf ;
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings ; then turned with a jirk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle ;
But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
Source: (1837) The New-York Book of Poetry, pp217-9
Also: (1826) "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas or Santa Claus", Casket - Vol I, pg 46 (no author)
Also: (1836) "Christmas Times", Rural Repository, Vol 12, pp 128 (attributed to 'Anon'). Also includes a notation to St. Nicholas - "*Santa Claus"
Original: 1823 Troy Sentinel
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Father Christmas do not go
Will you leave your children so
Could we tempt you but to stay
How we'd sport the time away
Mirth in one continued round
Should fall giddy to the ground
Gaiety for ever dance
Light heel'd frolic ever prance
Well it must not always last
Thanks we give for what is past
Thanks for pleasures that remain
Then return to school again
Doubly welcome doubly dear
Christmas and the young New Year
Spread the banquet raise the song
And the happy time prolong
Source: (1827) Christmas and the new year, a masque [in verse, by E. Lees]
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The long wished for thrice repeated warning tap on the door sill is now given, and, without pause or invitation, the latch is raised, and in stalks Old Father Christmas. His garments are of an olden fashion; his white, glossy, and flowing hair is encircled by a coronal, the stout knight Holly is entwined about and wedded unto the meek and tender Lady Misletoe, glistening with pearls like a young lovesick bride; his cheeks are blue and frost bitten, but his eye is gladsome; and although he leans upon a staff it is plain that his strong hands lack no such aid. On his back he bears a rosy, laughing child, who peeps up with a precocious snow drop on his brow, from among the hoar tresses of Father Christmas, which cover his young body as a mantle. Hear the ancient worthy's blunt exordium.
'Here come I, Old Father Christmas, welcome or welcome not;
Why should Old Father Christmas ever be forgot?
He brings you mirth kind wishes lusty cheer.
And at his back a fair young budding year;
Brief guest am I but ere I go,
Younkers come forth, and lip your loves, Beneath my crown of misletoe.
Source: (1827) The Portfolio of Entertaining & Instructive Varieties in History, Literature, Fine Arts, Etc. ..., Volume 2
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Here might be seen a careful dame, tucking up her fardingales or
wrapping beneath her cloak sundry cribbed cookies destined for the
Children, who, as she remarked, poor things, were at borne, no doubt,
looking for Sante claus and they ought not to be neglected ;
Source: (1827) The Buccaneers: A Romance of Our Own Country, in Its Ancient Day
Saint Basil is to the children of Greece what Sante Claus is to the American. The only difference is, that the former does not descend chimneys, but opens purses on a new year's day.
Source: (1844) An Essay on the Ancient and Modern Greek Languages
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Mrs. Mason did her best to entertain them, and succeeded very well. She read some pleasant extracts from Irving's Sketch-book and Bracebridge Hall, about Christmas times in England, and that pretty piece by good Dr. Clement More, "The Visit of St Nicholas." The effect of this last was most potent. I believe both of the young gentlemen realized in their dreams the graphic description of the, poet and that
"Visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."
Edward was anxious to sit up until the party returned, that he might hear Lucy's account of what they had seen. Bed-time however came, and at Mrs. Mason's suggestion, they both retired, and carefully arranged their stockings on a chair for the convenience of Santa Claus.
I shall not attempt to describe the joy which pervaded the house on the morning of Christmas. Suffice it to say, Kriskringle was extremely liberal of his favours, and had forgotten nobody.
Source: (1854) Norton, John Nicholas. The Boy who was Trained Up to be a Clergyman. pp 31
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KRISKRINGLE
(Written for a little girl to speak in one of the Public Schools, in Philadelphia, 1880. The whole School sang the Chorus on the blackboard.)
YOU'VE heard of Kriskringle, who goes roaming around,
He's sought for by thousands, but never is found ;
But how to describe what never was seen,
A creature so rare, yet a human being !
But mediums who hold converse with the dead,
Know where Kriskringle's spirit has fled.
They say he dwells in the regions above.
A happy old man - his heart filled with love -
And once in the year he comes to the earth,
To cause both rejoicing and gladness and mirth.
He's a friend to the children, who gladly obey
Their parents and teachers from day to day ;
And he loves the rich as well as the poor,
And sends them fine presents from door to door ;
He loves the green bushes all cover'd with snow,
And nothing can please like the mistletoe bough.
They say that his face can do nothing but smile.
So lavish his gifts, with pile upon pile !
I think we children should sing him a song,
To encourage his heart and help him along.
He's the king of all givers, living to give ;
May his riches increase, and long may he live !
CHORUS - All hail to Kriskringle !
May he ever live single !
A happy old bachelor he ;
A friend at all times,
When the Christmas chimes
Make our hearts both happy and free.
So all hail! all hail!
May gladness prevail !
For Kriskringle's the man for me ;
His face is so fine,
Just like unto mine,
I think we shall ever agree.
Kriskringle has come,
Both silent and dumb,
And left me a blessing behind ;
So secret his ways
He never betrays ;-
The gifts I am certain to find.
All glory to Kris,
Who brings us such bliss !
I should like to tell him my mind ;
He need not refrain
His coming again,
Till Christmas leaves the year behind.
So welcome, old friend,
You know I intend
To marry no other but ye ;
'Tis gifts win the heart,
At least so in part,
I'll marry if you'll marry me.
Source: (1885) Suttill, Matthew. The Works of the Poet Coachman, pp46-7
