Scary Legacy

One of the things I enjoy about genealogy is that I sometimes come across some strange tales that have been handed down from generation to generation. Here is one that suits this season:

One of my ancestors was Joseph Bookout (1700-1806). Joseph was born in Holland and this little blip of legacy about him has been handed down:

Many family researchers believe Joseph emigrated from Holland, sailing from Leiden, Netherlands to New Amsterdam (now New York). Others believe that Joseph is the son of Jan BOECKHOUT (BOOKOUT) who arrived Oct. 12, 1662 and settled on Long Island, NY. Joseph migrated to Randolph Co., NC. He died at age 105 and is buried at the Holly Springs Meeting House Cemetery, 5 miles SW of Ramseur, NC. - Paul Pullen.

Here what has been handed down on his brother John Bookhout:

"The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow" (the Headless Horseman) started in the cemetery at the Dutch Reform Church, Tarrytown, New York (near the Hudson River).

John BOOKHOUT or his son was serving on the Board of Elders when the legend was born. Later Washington Irvin made the legend into a published story.