The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Reading

[@asalways1504]

I missed when this was live, but when I got home. I got myself a blanket and a warm cup of cider, and sat down before playing the video.

[@ejames6431]

Very cool!👍🏼

[@DebiSunset]

I would die for some fresh cider

[@allthatrouble]

I did the same, but no hot cider. So much fun and rich in storytelling and detail. Loved it!

[@gardensofthegods]

I couldn't sleep and laid here and listened to it with my eyes closed ... I really enjoyed it took me back to when I first read this when I was a teen . The only thing is all those descriptions of food made me kind of hungry ... haha .

[@GK-bg3fh]

Warm cider 🤔

[@jamesrashbrook9485]

This guys like an eccentric uncle you cant wait to visit again

[@ninafry1710]

That's known as a Dutch uncle.

[@YT4Me57]

Exactly!🤣🤣🤔

[@WideAwakeHuman]

Ehh. "Eccentric Uncle" sounds perverted... This is like the best history teacher you had whose class went by so fast because you got caught up listening to the stories and forgot you were in school

[@Marlaina]

He’s just the best narrator!

[@brendahayes98]

My father died in a car accident when me and my twin sister were seven yrs old. He loved telling us ghost stories and would tell us this one every Halloween. He even bought us a vinyl record of the story that we still have today! This brought back happy memories. Loved the beautiful candlelight!! Thanks so much!!

[@flash_flood_area]

So sorry for your loss. Those are wonderful memories. He sounds like a great dad. I guess a brief, but great dad is better than a bad one?

[@brendahayes98]

@@flash_flood_area Yes he was a great Dad and me and my sister were lucky enough to have him that short time. Thanks so much!!

[@naelyneurkopfen9741]

Precious memories ♥️

[@Pieces_Of_Eight]

Your father sounds like a truly wonderful man, and what a treasured gift to impart to you both. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of him with all of us, that makes this whole shared experience even more meaningful. Cheers to the storytellers, the tales they spin and the love they share.

[@neenmach]

Oh, so sorry for your loss. Thankfully you have an everlasting memory. god bless.

[@Kelli.Hicks.5]

This was such a delight. Maybe this should become a semi-regular series? Story Hour at the Nutmeg Tavern. B.Y.O.N. - Bring your own nutmeg. 📖🕯️

[@donnythompson408]

Love this video. As a young lad, “Sleepy Hollow” was my favorite story; my mom used to read it to me every October. I still cherish the story, and while my mom has passed on, I still think of her, when I see the leaves changing, and feel the chill in the air that each October in Ohio brings. And, as I read the story each October, I can still hear her voice... 🙏

[@animula6908]

Rip, Donny’s mom

[@magnificus8581]

20 years ago my wife and I went to a dramatic reading in the actual Sleepy Hollow church. It was a wonderful experience in a beautiful part of the country. Thank you for reminding us of that in your wonderful video!

[@edschneidmuller9496]

Yes, my adult daughter and I went a few years back. Really enjoyed it. We also went to the haunted house at Sleepy Hollow Farm and the Grand Illumination with over 5000 JOLs lit. We spent a couple of days down there and had a great time. Would highly recommend it to all Halloween lovers.

[@madeline6048]

I just visited sleepy hollow last month! I even saw irving's tombstone!

[@LilCletus]

I went to a middle school named after Washington Irving, in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. I enjoyed this

[@SgtRocko]

So wonderful! I went to NYC Public Schools in the late 1960s and we all read "The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." and when we got into Jr. High "The Knickberbocker's History of New-York". Even the kids who normally hated reading loved the wonderful tales... it's sad that they've long since stopped having NYC kids read it. ANYHOW... Sir... that was absolutely marvelous. THANK YOU

[@ejames6431]

My wife and I had dinner at our mountain chalet in Pennsylvania while watching. We very much enjoyed the show. Thank you.

[@carnation6827]

Thanks for a wonderfully spooky story time with jack o’ lantern, candles & nutmeg that I bet was sprinkled in your drink. Please keep the story times coming & Happy Halloween🎃

[@oldmothergooseV2.0]

I’m watching this with my kids for homeschool tomorrow! 🤓

[@nessamillikan6247]

Send those children no more to school, for Hans Von Ripper never knew any good to come of the same reading and writing.

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

Some say the Horseman lost his head at the Battle of White Plains 1776. During Washington's retreat from New York. Oddly, the Battle Happened today on October 28th. A Few days before Halloween.

[@Pieces_Of_Eight]

Always interested in hearing snippets of history threaded into legends and lore, thank you for sharing! :)

[@johnnychaos152]

I visited Sleepy Hollow a few years ago and it is absolutely beautiful. You would never suspect that it is within an hour drive from New York City.

[@christinebethencourt6197]

Is there really a city called Sleepy Hollow ?

[@johnnychaos152]

@@christinebethencourt6197 Sure is. It used to be called North Tarrytown but the name was officially changed to Sleepy Hollow back in the 90s. The church and cemetery featured in the book are located there and that's also where Washington Irving is buried.

[@YT4Me57]

30 minutes if traffic is flowing!

[@YT4Me57]

@@christinebethencourt6197 Yes. It was once called North Tarrytown but was renamed about 25 years ago to reflect the history of the area. My mother's family was based in Tarrytown in the 20th century and my grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents are all buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (that factors in the story).

[@deenababie]

I found your channel by accident. Now I’m hooked. I live an hour away north from where this happened in Albany. LOVE your channel!!!

[@sststr]

I've been doing readings of Edgar Allen Poe's works, and I have to say your ability to read without error for as long as you do is quite remarkable. Especially that kind of older text, where the language is sometimes not quite as we use it today.

[@miseentrope]

Indeed. I know the text well and have worked as an audio proofreader at The American Printing House for the Blind (Louisville, KY, USA) in their recording studio. Jon inspired me to take a whack at recording the tale myself. It ain't easy, folks. Many stumbles and not suitable for children curses. Jon performs an admirable reading.

[@thejkyle]

This was wonderful. I could listen to you read a phonebook and I’d still be interested.

[@ericwilliams1659]

I am sorry I missed this. My family just showed up and I couldn't kick them out just to listen to the live stream. I almost did though.

[@doctorknow]

😂

[@neenmach]

Should have made them listen in.

[@Pieces_Of_Eight]

No worries mate, next time you can just: "So glad you arrived just in time to watch this brilliant piece of American history with me! Pull up a chair and I'll get some popcorn going!"

[@wtk6069]

Washington Irving had at least one other horror-themed story that was reprinted in Weird Tales magazine in the 30s (the same place that birthed Conan the Barbarian and Chtulhu). It also involved a strange beheading, this time on a covered bridge via a sort of Rube Goldberg contraption. "Losing his head" must have been a genuine fear of Irvng's.

[@lnchudej]

I didn't know about the other horror-themed story. Thank you for mentioning it. It gives me a new avenue of research into one of my favorite authors.

[@jamescook5487]

I'll have to come back and listen once the sun has set.

[@MCCProductions2024]

Undoubtedly due to supernatural influence, The Headless Horseman downvoted this 7 times.

[@louisetate5296]

Thanks for the terror-iffic, spooky bedtime story, as it is nearly time for me to turn in for the night here in the uk!! Absolutely loved the pumpkin and the ambience of the tavern! Great atmosphere, just hope I don't have nightmares tonight👻

[@vickistevens423]

So well done, Jon. Thank you so much for this special treat.

[@gkseeton]

My favorite so far of all the Townsends videos.

[@TwentythreePER]

Excellent reading, the perfect ending to a long October day. Scary enough too that the jack o lantern was dimming as Ichabod left the party and it extinguished completely just as the Headless Horseman appeared to him. The ambiance really added to my enjoyment of the story. Thank you

[@kathywolf4558]

Very nice reading. Thank you very much. Brings back childhood memories of being read to during the holiday season.

[@joshrogers7816]

Well done Jon. Very atmospheric. I would have a had a drink to hand but my cat decided to sit on me right at the start and I didn't dare move her or want to miss any of the presentation. I thought of Charles Dickens and his readings and how popular they were. Jon you are following in illustrious footsteps.

[@robertgreen6027]

Thank you! my little brother is asleep now! You are brilliant at telling stories!

[@martinringis7782]

Thanx Jon for the EXCELLENT reading. You've really got talent.

[@Faze-2]

I really like the different lighting style y'all are doing with time of the year. Thanks for doing this special

[@wilkescustomkniveswilkes9664]

I love every thing that yall do on this channel I can't wait to see more awesome things at the homestead and I'm also amazed at the ability that John has to read that book so easily. The old writing is very hard for me to stumble around awesome job

[@Alchemist009]

One of my favorite stories. Most excellently told.

[@danielcasperson7447]

Watching this October 1st, 2024 to kick start the Halloween season! I love this story, and your reading of it was op to the max!

[@nathanhamer8987]

"The doughty donut, the tenderer olecoke... the crisp and crumbling kreuller!"

[@catherinecao4810]

I actually tried making those treats, and they are DELICIOUS. No wonder Ichabod wanted to marry Katrina. If I could eat like that everyday, morals go out the window.

[@AbrahamLincoln4]

Thank God this was archived so I can still enjoy it. Sadly missed the stream though.

[@Janadu]

I had the privilege of visiting Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving, a few years back. It was wonderful seeing where he wrote his manuscripts. You could almost feel his presence.

[@BBHC2]

Always wished to visit sleepy hollow too

[@mandyinseattle]

Thanks!

[@Jae20818]

I agree with John. Definitely an abridged version, but a good one. Always love this story. Thanks for doing it & helping to make Halloween better this year!

[@chrisannm5240]

Saved this until after dark so I could light up my living room with candles and enjoy the ambiance... 🕯 🕯 🕯

[@samuelclaessens7699]

I sure hope you are gonna do something like this this year!

[@crystalw9939]

excellent job on the reading of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow! I enjoyed it

[@Lauren.E.O]

Got to watch this live. So good!

[@d.r.monroe5966]

Didn't get to see this live. But I'm glad I was able to watch this late on Hallowe'en.

[@spencercochran7677]

That was wonderful, John reads so wonderfully

[@antoniobroccoliporto4774]

Love that you wore the perfect period clothing in relation the time period the “Legend”was written. Thanks , Antonio, Period costume designer. Green was also a very popular color at that time...especially in France.

[@honeycaffena4897]

Great job, John!! Going to watch again

[@virginia7191]

Wonderful job of reading this story! Thank you so much!

[@ec6933]

Who the heck down voted this!?! John is doing you a free holiday service!?!?

[@Juniper687]

I'm sure it was probably a mistake. It had to be.

[@BadSkeelz]

@@Juniper687 Or just too spooky for some people

[@jordanhicks5131]

Probably some Halloween SKIPPERS! Cant stand a skipper, may their house be painted in eggs for their crime of no candy

[@OneAccord1]

Whoever it was appears as a partridge perched upon my spindlecock. I simply have to remember this օռе

[@katherinestojanovski6734]

Must be nutmeg haters....

[@cjjenson8212]

Tonight we are watching this again. Congratulations, you have now become a tradition. After our trunk or treat the kids wanted to listen to you again like last year. Thank you and happy allhallows to you and yours.

[@countrygemlife6989]

I love that you have these live reads. My teens have started watching and getting into these classic books because of you and your channel. Thank you. Please keep doing these live reads.

[@victoriaann9942]

This was wonderful! Thank you so much! 💗

[@theresafay7184]

I'm going to watch it again. The livestream was great!! I was in the public library listening to it!!

[@HistoricScents]

Love the ambience and the story!

[@SVDBYTHBLD]

I left this playing at my job and came back an hour later and the secretary was so frightened. It took me several references to prove that this was a fictional story! Hussah!

[@angiedilaj]

I love learning more details about the tale, like Brom's full name being Abraham Van Brunt, or the Tree of The Dead being a tulip tree that was hit by lighting once upon a time. Samhain blessings and happy Halloween

[@lunchmoneyphilipphilip3034]

Hey Angie, very cool information, where can I find more about Sleep Hollow? Thank you, Randy

[@angiedilaj]

@@lunchmoneyphilipphilip3034 John does a reading of Sleepy Hollow and the information is in that video!

[@lunchmoneyphilipphilip3034]

@@angiedilaj Thank you Angie, I'm always looking up this type of information. Did you know that Santa's rein deer where believed to be named after the Writers own horses in his stable.

[@angiedilaj]

@@lunchmoneyphilipphilip3034 That's so cool!

[@lunchmoneyphilipphilip3034]

@@angiedilaj Thank you Angie, I liked how you posted that information, I think you are very cool.

[@tessat338]

Extremely well read! Very evocative on a somewhat overcast autumn afternoon. l I remember being a bit traumatized by this story as a cartoon when I was a child. It was my first experience with a scary story. I always found it sad and a bit betraying that the bully gets away with practicing on the innocent, even a bit of a ridiculous, self-important innocent and that the bully gets the girl in the end. An unsettling story.

[@mraaronhd]

I remember watching the Disney animated version as a kid and I remember it scared me when the Horseman appeared.

[@JJoy-bk8yr]

Ichabod had plans to kill all of the farm animals, then sell the farm and force Katrina to leave her happy home for wild unsettled places. Bram was better suited for Katrina. Bram was a hard-working fellow with deep roots in the community that both he and Katrina loved. And Ichabod did not suffer long term. He landed on his feet. He worked his way up to be a judge, which would serve his ego, and for the rest of his life he would have a great story about how he had survived a terrible ghost, just the type of story he had always loved. He could easily spin himself as the hero. (Now I really want hear his version!)

[@mraaronhd]

@@JJoy-bk8yr yeaaaa Ichabod kinda was a sleazy protagonist wasn’t he? He did only want to marry Katrina just for her beauty and her wealth. He didn’t really care for her, nor her parents.

[@catherinecao4810]

It’s also implied that Ichabod is misogynistic and an extremely bad teacher. He gets annoyed when Katrina or any woman in general has her opinions, and he always tries to get alone time with Katrina during their music lessons. He’s a school teacher, God knows how old, and is taking advantage of a teenage girl so he can take her money. He uses his “private lessons” to try and get intimate with her. In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m Team Brom. Besides, his jokes really are funny. I want to meet the guy who taught a dog to howl when someone sings.

[@nrgltwrkr2225]

Such a wonderful tale for All Hallows Eve! I listened through the witching hour on Halloween.Thank you so much! I felt as though I was transported back in time. I could smell the food at that table, feel the sun on my shoulders, smell the autumn leaves, feel the terror in my bones!

[@FCCENM]

The ambiance is awesome. Great job, guys.

[@nancylitton390]

Excellent!!!!!! I enjoyed it so much. Thank you for sharing.

[@whatzupLizzy]

Wonderful story, wonderfully told. 🎃 👏

[@douglasgrant2190]

I set myself up a tankard of buttered beere, and pressed play.

[@juancholo7502]

This story always leaves me hungry after all the descriptions of food! I always enjoy listening to this story or at the very least watching a film adaption this time of year. Thanks!

[@PendalMarks]

Thanks so much!!! This was such a great treat!

[@merccadoosis8847]

What a wonderful presentation!!! You Tube should grant an award to Townsends for this great show.

[@nightlee11]

Literally Johnny Appleseed, spouting germs of experience and knowledge once written then awoken for you and I. Probably couldn’t have read more than ten minutes without passing out or knocking over a candle further igniting the spirit of the nutmeg night. Cheers! Hope this grows into an annual tradition

[@falx94]

A year late, but this is so comfy to listen to, especially with rain sounds in the background. This is one of my favorite stories, I'm absolutely obsessed with any and all retellings and versions of it and Sleepy Hollow is on my bucket list of locations to visit before I die. Great way to kick off the start of the 2022 spooky season.

[@Pieces_Of_Eight]

What a pleasure! Distill this whole thing into a cup with a dash of nutmeg and call it perfection. Thank you for creating this memorable experience to share with so many around the world. From the engaging tale to the charming atmosphere and outstanding host, enjoyed every drop. (And #TeamGunpowder)

[@catrinlewis939]

Applause!!! Thank you so much! I love the way the Tavern is decorated. I dimmed my lights to listen to this. This might just inspire me to read some old stories on my own neglected channel.

[@gwynethcook5663]

Huzzah!! Was a great story

[@Repubcreek]

Loved it!!! I appreciate you taking the time to read such a classic.

[@kathileedean3851]

You’ve received no doubt many well-deserved accolades for this story, so charmingly read. Lovely!!

[@disco0752]

Thanks for your wonderful readings of poetry and prose galloping through 17th and 18th post Shakespearian and Chaucer sophisticated writings that, after all, transcend the simplicity of their surroundings while dealing with the reality of the new world. Which, in all reality was moving much to fast evolving past the similitudes of pre-simplistic prose into unfathomable technocratic advancement giving us in the end Mark Twain. Thanks Townsend!

[@MichaelVarcade]

Thank you so much for this. Perfect for Halloween!

[@loriannlarocco]

thank you for the reading. brought back wonderful memories!

[@ewittkofs]

Living in Connecticut, not an hour’s drive from Sleepy Hollow, this has forever been a favorite Halloween story for my family. Your telling of this tale has brought many memories of family, customs, and traditions. It was a marvelous story, in which we ate our freshly baked “Van Tassel” ginger cakes. It was a wonderful experience!

[@Ritabug34]

This was absolutely wonderful! Thank you for this shining bright spot to my day. You managed to bring me back to my childhood and returned my Halloween spirit!

[@joezinn2464]

An excellent reading! Well done sir!

[@Cornberry]

I'll be playing this video on Halloween night

[@adventuresinvlogseries9742]

Sadly had to miss this live but we watched as a family after dinner tonight and you made my day! Thank you so much!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Jon. 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@montanamountainmen6104]

As a avid reader of Robert Rourke and Ernest Hemingway, I must say your reading of Sleepy Hollow is very well done. Hope you do this yearly.

[@tedfitzpatrickyt]

This is wonderful, thanks for the reading

[@imahick5723]

Thanks, Jon. You did a great job of reading this story. I love Washington Irving and hearing the details of the 1800s life.

[@MartySarmaidoff]

Cannot commend you enough, John. You give us gifts that you do not have to. I wouldn't buy my smocks and frocks from anybody else. Thank you so much for these things.

[@penniecormier8770]

This was a wonderful reading! Wonderful atmosphere in the tavern with the candles, hearing you read this spooky story. Thank you!

[@agimagi2158]

I think this is one of my most favourite live streams! Excellent reading and perfect ambience! I love that the candle in the pumpkin went out just at the perfect moment! Will return to this every Halloween!

[@user-uc6up8em9v]

Thank you for all that you and your team do. Your videos make going through the current craziness a lot better.

[@shawnmcclain9098]

Well done! A classic story from my favorite time period. Thank you, Mr. Townsend!

[@Odessa-y5p]

Well done! Always loved this story as a kid. I would like to take my kids to sleepy hollow one day. Everytime I thought of this story i could picture a setting like this.

[@markous1967]

You must do more of these readings.

[@serenityn9152]

This was one of my favorite stories as a kid and I love hearing it read out loud. This was great👍😁

[@lacouerfairy]

So great Jon. It's hard reading out loud for that long, especially such descriptive intense language as Irving's! Thank you!

[@jeffgrier8488]

You did a wonderful job telling this story, and i loved every minute of it!

[@edschneidmuller9496]

Really enjoyed this thanks. I've been reenacting for many years and have bought quite a few items from your catalog. I love your tavern scene. I own a home built circa 1760 in the Mohawk River Valley that once served as a tavern/road house.

[@braedan51]

Thank you so very much for this John and the entire Townsends crew. This was a wonderful treat!

[@DamonNomad82]

Perfect to watch this time of year! The descriptions of food were mouth-watering!

[@justina8783]

Omg I love this! Always loved sleepy hallow! Do more of this stuff please

[@davidsiedschlag6961]

Love it...I have a rain and thunder and crackling fireplace ambiance playing every so slightly in the background. A creamy tea with nutmeg in one hand and my wonderful pipe in the other...indulging in this much cozy has to be illegal somewhere.

[@cynthiarowley719]

Nicely, nicely! Thank you, I remember this as hard to read.

[@Pootmaster1]

Been a few years in a row that I make this a tradition for me to listen to around Halloween. I really do appreciate this and love the vibe from this. On to many years of hearing this again!