SAMUEL BABCOCK
Samuel Babcock (fl. Watertown, Mass., ca. 1787-1804; d. French Mills, Pa., 23 Nov. 1813) was a composer and singing master who published only his own compositions. Babcock served as a grand juror for the town of Watertown, 1794-95, and he taught singing schools there as late as 1804.
Bio-bib. Also Watertown Records 1939, p. 36, 39, 71, 79, 94, 179, 191, 214, 345. Death reported in Columbian Centinel, 15 Dec. 1813.
THE MIDDLESEX HARMONY, 1795-1803
The Middlesex Harmony, [1st ed.], 1795
ASMI 31
The Middlesex Harmony. Being an original composition of sacred music, in three and four parts. By Samuel Babcock.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.-Psalm xxxiv. 3.
Published according to act of Congress. Printed, typographically, at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews, Faust's statue, No. 45, Newbury Street. Dec. 1795-
55, [1] p. 13 x 21 cm.
Preface dated Watertown, Dec. 1795. Copyright granted, 22 Dec. 1795, District of Massa-chusetts, to Samuel Babcock (Mass 1:56). p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], 'Preface'; p. [3]-55, music; p. [56], 'Index.' 'Copies from the following Work having frequently been taken, and by passing through different hands doubtless become erroneous, the Author, therefore, after much solicitation... is induced to let the following Pieces appear in print. And although he is conscious of their imperfection, he still enjoys this consolation, that gentlemen whose musical abilities, as well as every other advantage, have been vastly superior to his, will not severely censure even what they cannot applaud. (Extract from Preface.)
26 compositions, incl. 3 anthems, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. T-p. attribs. all to Babcock. 26 1st pr. identified. All are American. No Core Repertory.
E28221 (MWA). CLU, CHC, DLC, MH, MHi, MWA", MiU-C, NBuG, NJPT, RPB.
The Middlesex Harmony, 2d ed., 1803
ASMI 32
The Middlesex Harmony: being an original composition of sacred music, in three and four parts. Containing a concise introduction to the art of singing; together with a great variety of airs, suitable for divine worship, adapted to all the various metres now in use; besides a number of favourite pieces. By Samuel Babcock. Second edition, with large additions and improvements. Published according to act of Congress. Printed at Boston, by Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews. Sold by them and the booksellers in general, and by the author at Watertown.-Jan. 1803. Price 75 cents single-8 dollars per doz.
viii, 3-110 p.
Preface dated Watertown, 25 Jan. 1803. p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], 'Preface'; p. [iii]-vii, 'Introduc-tion To The Art Of Singing'; p. [viii], 'Index' & 'Errata'; p. [3]-110, music. Although the first Edition of the Middlesex Harmony was not intended for a school-book, being published without the Rules, and consisting chiefly of Music not calculated for that purpose; yet the kind reception it has met with, has induced the Author to enlarge the Work. He has now published a concise Introduction, together with a great variety of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, suited to the various metres now in general use. He has not consulted his own inclination entirely in introducing fuging music into pieces intended for public worship: But as it has been the general practice, wherever he has given in to it, he has endeavoured to preserve the sense of the lines entire, so as not to 'make a jargon of words.' [New par.] At the request of a number of gentlemen of that Fraternity, he has published, at the end of this Work, the Mason Song, which was composed by their particular desire, and for their use. (Preface, almost in full.)
71 compositions, incl. 4 anthems & 8 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. T-p. attribs, all to Babcock. 43 1st pr. identified (all except ANDOVER, Anthems: Comfort ye, Lord thou has been, O come let us sing; ASHFORD, BABEL, CALDONIA, CHRISTMAS, DELAWARE, DISSOLUTION, DORCHESTER, ELIM, FLANDERS, HAMBURG, HOREB, IMMANUEL, INTERCESSION, MILTON, NEEDHAM, NEWTON, NORFOLK, OMICRON, PALMYRA, POMFRET, RESIGNATION, SUNDAY, WATERTOWN, WESTON). All are American.
No Core Repertory.
S3706 (MWA). CtHC (lacks t-p.), CtHT-W, CtY (2), DLC (2), ICN, MB, MWA, MiU-C, NRU-Mus, NcWsM (music inc.).
AMSI 103-104