"The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane"
painting by John Quidor
1858
Search For The (Historical) Headless Hessian
of Sleepy Hollow
Since childhood, my favorite ghost story or specter, has been the mysterious & legendary Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
While Washington Irving's classic Headless Hessian of Sleepy Hollow was based on folklore & legend of the Dutch Westchester County region of New York's Hudson Valley, there was enough facts from Revolutionary War battles and raids in & around Tarrytown involving Hessians, Loyalists, & Colonial Militia to help spawn America's first ghost story.
I have wondered for years, after watching many film versions or seeing various artistic interpretations, just what kind of uniform would the Headless Hessian have worn, had he existed (I'm not saying he never did by the way).
After joining von Prueschenk's Company of the recreated Feldjäger Corps, a Revolutionary War era living history unit, I became even more interested in all things "Hessian", & my interest in the Horseman became piqued even more (it didn't hurt that about this time Tim Burton released his version of Irving's tale).
This website is a result of my life long interest in the Horseman, & that question that has haunted me for so many years. It is part historical research & part detective work in an attempt to put a uniform on the figure of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
I hope you have as much fun reading it as I have pondering this question...
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THIS WEBSITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.