I found POE--

in the "countryside" of New York City

Before I talk about my treks through New York to "find" Poe, it is important to consider first, when he lived (1809-1849) and second, what New York looked like at the time. It's difficult to imagine Manhattan minus the skyscrapers, but of course it had to start some way, some time. Any tour of New York discussed the population movement of the island: the southern tip (home of The Financial District , One World Trade Center, ChinaTown and the Lower East Side) was where people began to live. It took many years before the "migration" up the island was complete. 

It's important to picture this as we explore New York and the places he called home.

Poe and his family (his wife and mother-in-law) lived In New York City at different times and in different places for about 7 and 1/2 years starting in 1837. He moved to Philadelphia for a bit during these years. The VERY first time in New York was not in the City, but as an" almost officer "at West Point, but he was dishonorably discharged after 7 months. I didn't visit West Point, so I will focus on what I saw in the city.

One residence remains standing; the other are memorialized with plaques, and this is when one's imagination comes into play. Think of the New York on the upper photo.  He lived in the Brennan Farmhouse from 1844-1845, and this is where he is said to have written (or at least started) "The Raven." 

After "The Raven" was published in New York's The Evening Mirror in 1845, Poe was asked to read it at social gatherings and academic lectures.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, 

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore— 

    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, 

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. 

“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— 

            Only this and nothing more.” 

Eighteen additional verses later, and Poe's prominence was enough to have him memorialized in a few ways in the area where the Brennan Farm once existed, now the Upper West Side.

There is a restaurant in the area called Edgar's Cafe. I wondered what happened here--I pictured him dining, maybe writing by candlelight...but no.

The cafe was originally on the sight of the Brennan Mansion (which I guess was part of the farmstead)...but the cafe moved its location recently...so close, but no cigar. I was beginning to learn that these locations are estimates and that everyone wants a piece of Poe.

Walking a few blocks farther up 84th Street I discovered yet another claim to Poe---and to "The Raven."

Apparently this building (also) sits on the sight of the former Brennan Farm---keep using your imagination and picture the grassy green farmland......

I was amused by what looks to be an error in spelling on an official plaque! Doesn't that look like someone switched an "E" for that "A"? It made me feel better as I sometimes hesitate when I write his name on the board!

To find more Poe, I hopped on the subway to Greenwich Village, home to New York University...that's NYU! Poe moved to this area sometime in 1845 and lived there for about a year and a half. The address was 85 Amity Street (but was renamed West 3rd Street) and it stood 4 stories tall. It was here that Poe wrote "The Sphinx" and my personal favorite, "The Cask of Amontillado." 

In the 1990's NYU needed more room for its law School, so a demolition was planned. This decision was met with much protest, so as a compromise the school made a memorial to Poe down the street from the original house with the intent of duplicating the residence with some original materials; however, the building is 3 stories, not 4 and the doors and windows do not match the original.  There is, however, a small museum of sorts inside with a nobel attempt to honor Poe.

 My loving (patient) adventurers, Alex and Brad

The next stop was where we would see more than just plaques or estimations. We trekked to the western part of the Bronx to Fordham Cottage, the actual home where Poe and his wife Virginia (yes, she was his cousin and yes, she was 13 when they married, making Maria Clemm both his aunt and his mother-in-law) lived from 1846 to 1849, the year of his death. 

Knowing why Poe moved here is understanding his loving and sensitive side. His wife had been stricken with tuberculosis for five years prior to this move, and Poe thought the fresh countryside air (remember--he moved out of Manhattan to the Bronx)  would help her condition. He paid $100 a year for three years to live here.

The kitchen area---there was no running water. It had to be brought in from a spring 2 blocks away.

While the desk in the living area is not original, it is of the type that Poe would have used because it is portable--notice the handles on the sides. This is perfect for the man who traveled up and down the east Coast of the United States.

The rocking chair is original (Poe sat here!!!)

 And so is this mirror (he gazed here!)

The third original piece of furniture in the house is this bed; sadly, it is where Virginia died from tuberculosis in 1847 at the age of 26. Poe was heartbroken. She was buried in a nearby cemetery which no longer exists; her remains have been transferred to Baltimore to be with Poe.

Poe took advantage of the countryside around him and he often wandered through the area, sometimes to visit his neighbors, the Jesuit priests of nearby Fordham University (then called St. John's.) The tour guide said that Poe liked the men there because they were cultivated men who "smoked, drank, and played cards like gentlemen, and never said a word about religion."

Speaking of Fordham, it is said that Poe wrote the famous (and much-loved by many BC students) poem "The Bells." As a matter of fact, a bell is preserved at Fordham, and it has even been given the name "Old Edgar Allan." Fordham wants to claim ownership of Poe's inspiration for the bells, assuming it was this bell Poe heard as he wrote the poem.

HHHMMM....

I hate to be skeptical, but my ventures this day have led me to question some things...(and my tour guide supported my doubts.) Remember he just came from a busier Manhattan, where there were most likely MANY bells of all sorts, because remember he wrote about the silver bells  golden bells, brass bells, and iron bells. 

         Hear the sledges with the bells--
             Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
       How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
           In the icy air of night!
       While the stars that oversprinkle
       All the heavens, seem to twinkle
           With a crystalline delight;
         Keeping time, time, time,
         In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells         (BEST WORD EVER)
    From the bells, bells, bells, bells,
               Bells, bells, bells--
  From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

(Just a reminder for some of you.)

Anyway, who am I to doubt Fordham University? If they want to believe that "Old Eggar Allan inspired the poem, let them have their glory. What is important is that Poe was inspired at this time of his life to give us an ear worm: "the bells, bells, bless, bells, bells, bells, bells."

It was a wonderful day of discovering and imagination of Poe in New York. Thanks to my trusty tour guide, Alex Hartline, and my dedicated, now-knowledeable- about -Poe husband Brad for spending the day with me!

AND FRIDAY I'M OFF TO PHILADELPHIA TO SEE WHAT MARK POE LEFT ON THAT CITY!

Ocker, J.W, Poe -Land The Hallowed Haunts of Edgar Allan Poe, The Countryman Press, 2015.