Clement C. Moore
1779-1863
A Visit From
St. Nicholas
By Clement C. Moore
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| Clement C. Moore original manuscript, page one, “A Visit from St. Nicholas;” also known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” |
The Poem’s Origin: A Snowy Christmas Eve in 1822
The narrative begins on Christmas Eve 1822, when Reverend Clement Moore’s wife was preparing a traditional feast of roasted turkeys to distribute to the local parish’s poor families. Upon realizing that she was one turkey short, she enlisted her husband to procure the missing bird. Braving the snowy streets of New York City, Moore called for his sleigh and coachman and made his way downtown to Jefferson Market, located in what is now the Bowery section of Manhattan. The jingling of sleigh bells, the bustling market atmosphere, and the spirit of the season must have filled Moore’s mind as he journeyed to fetch the turkey. It was during this ride that inspiration struck, and Moore began composing the verses of the now-iconic poem in his head.
Returning home with the turkey, Moore shared his new creation with his family after dinner. The verses, which vividly described the arrival of St. Nicholas in a miniature sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer, enchanted his children. Its rhythmic cadence and playful imagery captured the wonder of Christmas, weaving together traditions that would come to define the modern depiction of Santa Claus.
From Private Inspiration to Public Treasure
Although Moore intended the poem as a private family treasure, its fame quickly grew beyond his household. Some months after Moore first recited it, his children shared the poem with a visiting family friend, Miss Harriet Butler. Enthralled by the verses, Butler copied them into her album. The following December, likely unaware of Moore’s wish to keep the poem private, she submitted it to the Troy Sentinel, a newspaper in upstate New York. On December 23, 1823, the poem was published anonymously under the title “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”
For over a decade, the author of the poem remained unknown. It was not until 1837, when Moore reluctantly permitted his name to be associated with the piece for its inclusion in The New York Book of Poetry, that his authorship became public. Later, in 1844, Moore included the poem in a collection of his works titled Poems, which he published primarily for distribution among family and friends. From then on, the poem’s renown grew exponentially, becoming a cherished part of Christmas celebrations worldwide.
The Surviving Manuscripts
Of the original poem, only four manuscript copies are known to exist today. The whereabouts of the original draft remain a mystery, and it is presumed lost to history. The surviving manuscripts are preserved at the New-York Historical Society, the Huntington Library in California, and the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York. These manuscripts, along with the poem itself, represent a cornerstone of Christmas tradition and literary history.
Enduring Legacy
Since its first anonymous publication in 1823, A Visit from St. Nicholas has been reprinted countless times and continues to captivate readers of all ages. The poem's whimsical depiction of Santa Claus and the magic of Christmas Eve has cemented its place as one of the most beloved works in the English language. It has shaped cultural perceptions of Santa Claus and inspired generations of Christmas tales, embodying the enduring joy of the holiday season.
Footnotes:
- Jefferson Market: Historically a prominent marketplace in New York City, it was a bustling hub for goods and provisions during the 19th century.
- The Troy Sentinel: A newspaper based in Troy, New York, credited with the first publication of the poem, bringing it to a broader audience.
- St. Nicholas: Moore’s depiction of the character drew from European folklore, but his imaginative portrayal, including the iconic reindeer, solidified the modern image of Santa Claus.
- Surviving Manuscripts: The three known manuscript copies are valued as cultural and literary treasures, reflecting the poem's historical significance.
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| Clement C. Moore original manuscript, page two, “A Visit from St. Nicholas;” also known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” |
The Moore family owned significant land in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, a portion of which Clement donated in 1819—approximately 60 acres along the Hudson River. This generous gift enabled the establishment of the General Theological Seminary, an institution that would become a cornerstone of Episcopal education in America. Moore served as a professor at the seminary from 1821 to 1850, teaching Oriental languages, biblical studies, and scriptural interpretation, and earning a reputation as an eminent lay theologian.
Moore was also a pioneering scholar in the study of Hebrew, authoring A Compendious Lexicon of the Hebrew Language, the first American-published Hebrew lexicon. This scholarly achievement underlined his dedication to advancing theological education in the United States. Earlier in his career, Moore anonymously critiqued Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, reflecting his engagement with political and intellectual debates of the era.
Moore resided near the seminary, in the area of present-day 23rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in New York City. His legacy extends beyond academia to literature, as he is famously attributed with the authorship of the classic poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (commonly known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas), though this remains a topic of scholarly debate. His contributions to education, theology, and culture firmly established him as a key figure in 19th-century American history.
Footnotes:
- Columbia University: Formerly known as King’s College, it was renamed after the American Revolution and remains one of the most prestigious institutions in the United States.
- General Theological Seminary: Founded in 1817, it became a vital institution for the Episcopal Church in America, largely thanks to Moore's philanthropic land donation.
- A Compendious Lexicon of the Hebrew Language: Published in 1809, it was a groundbreaking resource for theological students and scholars in the early United States.
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| Clement C. Moore original manuscript, page three, “A Visit from St. Nicholas;” also known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas,” |
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 in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down 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 reindeer,
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 and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry 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 hand, 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 tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler 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 of 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 laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, 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 jerk,
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."
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