When the first dutch settlers came to america they brought along their tradition of St. Nicholas. The protestant revolution took a dim view of saints and the traditional christmas celebration involving the honouring of St. Nicholas was discouraged. So much so that the tradional was wiped out in England but not so entirely on the European continent. So when the Europeans immigrated to the Americas they brought these traditions with them. In particular it was the Dutch tradition that caught the fancy of the early settlers in New York.

John Pintard in 1804 founded the New York historical society and promoted St. Nicholas as the patron saint of both the society and the city.

In 1809, Washington Irving joined the society. On St. Nicholas Day he published a satirical history of the city titled Nickerboker's History of New York. This work contained numerous references to a jolly St. Nicholas.
This was also among the first references of St. Nicholas coming down chimney's to deliver gifts.

John Pintard reinforced this notion the following year with a celebration on St. Nicholas day with more stories and pictures of a jolly St. Nicholas giving gifts and filling stockings with presents.

Over time the story kept being added to and changed until we are at our present celebrations. Something almost unrecognizable from these early ideas. It will be interesting to see what new traditions are added in the next 50 years.

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