Father Christmas promising baby asleep in a cradle". The figure of Santa Claus had originated in the US, drawing at least partly upon Dutch St Nicolas traditions. A New York publication of 1821, "A New-Year’s Present", contained an illustrated poem "Old Santeclaus with Much Delight" in which a Santa figure on a reindeer sleigh brings presents for good children and a "long, black birchen rod" for use on the bad ones. In 1823 came the famous poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", usually attributed to the New York writer Clement Clarke Moore, which developed the character further. Moore's poem became immensely popular
Nicholas Ruxton Moore of the Committee on Accounts (Thirteenth Congress). He died in Baltimore, and is interred in a private cemetery near Ruxton, Maryland. He was survived by his wife and four children. Nicholas Ruxton Moore Nicholas Ruxton Moore (July 21, 1756October 7, 1816) was a U.S. Representative from Maryland. Born near Baltimore, Maryland, Moore attended the common schools. He served as a member of Gist's Baltimore Independent Cadets and served throughout the greater part of the Revolutionary War, attaining the rank of captain. He served as the commander of the "Baltimore Light Dragoons" during the conflict. While in service, Moore wrote to