Modern American conception of Santa

Factual Questions
1

Before Clement Moore’s “The night before Christmas”, was Santa ever depicted as a jolly old elf wearing a red suit with white trim and a black belt with round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly? Or is our modern conception really an outgrowth of the poem?

2

Clement Moore with a strong assist from Thomas Nast:

http://webb-deane-stevens.org/celebrating-the-origin-of-santa-and-three-centuries-of-christmas-at-the-webb-deane-stevens-museum/

3

FYI, here is a SDSAB column on this.

4

Thanks to both of you. The two links provide a pretty complete answer to my question.