For Santa Up the Chimney

A poem from young Joseph Chapmen to Clement Clarke Moore. dated Dec. 24, 1840:

Dear Santa Claus
Another year has raced around
Since your last visit to this town
And I expect you will be here
as you have been each passed year
So this epistal (sic) I have preparied (sic)
according to your wish declared
Hoping that you will me remember
On this twenty fourth night of December
And hung my stocking with due care
Of your good things to recieve (sic) a share
Tippets* warm and candy sweet
Please put in my stocking foot
The legs will hold what ere good things
That you perchance may with you bring
This writing I beg you will excuse
Such a wretchied (sic) pen I’ve used
Wishing that you and every friend
May happy Christmas spend
I now do my epistal (sic) end.

– Joseph E. Chapman

* A tippet is an article of clothing, usually made of fur or wool, that covers the shoulders.

A letter from Thomas Chapman to Clement Clarke Moore, dated Dec. 24, 1840:

Dear Santa Claus
AS your teems (sic) do swiftbound
O’er the hard and frozen ground
I hope that you will not forget
That I expect your visit yet
My stocking I have hung with care
Close by the fier (sic) on a chair
A tippet if you was to spare
I should like to have to wear
As Jack Frost is going about
and pinches me when I go out
of any thing that is nier (sic) and dear
Please send me a goodly share
MY letter with this wish I end
That you a happy Christmas spend
And many returns thereof many see
In peace and in prosperity.

– Thomas S. Chapman 

Note how both brothers use minor variations of the line “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care” from Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicholas.”