NATHANIEL BILLINGS

Nathaniel Billings (fl. in upper New York State, 1794-95) was a composer, singing master, and publisher. He taught a singing school at Cooperstown, New York, that concluded in April 1794. His only tunebook was printed in Lansingburgh, New York, in 1795, the same year he and George Gardner published a short-lived newspaper, the Troy, New York. Recorder (26 June-August). There was a Nathaniel Billings who married a Miriam Bullard in Sharon, Massachusetts, 18 July 1785, and had four children there by 1801. Perhaps this was Nathaniel Billings the musician.

Brigham 1947, p. 747; Census 1790, Massachusetts, p. 206; Farnsworth 1795; Sharon Records 1909, p. 11-12, 75.

THE REPUBLICAN HARMONY, 1795

ASMI 98

The Republican Harmony. Containing: the rudiments of music, in a concise manner; together with a collection of sacred music, both ancient and modern: some of the latter are original. Designed for the use of singing schools and worshiping societies. By Nathaniel Billings. Lansingburgh, (New-York): printed by Silvester Tiffany, for the publisher, MDCCXCV.

vii, [i]. 57. [3] p. 12 x 21 cm. p. 1-60 engraved. p. numbers 58-60 cropped.

Prefatory note dated Troy, 1795. p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], prefatory note; p. iii-vii, rudiments; p. [viii], 'Index'; p. 1-60, music. Since this work was first undertaken, many events conspired to delay its progress. The publisher, however, could not suffer despondency when he recollected the extensive patronage, manifested by a large subscription, exceeding, in a short time, the number formed in his most flattering expectation.... [New par.] The Rules laid down are concise, and easily understood with the assistance of a good instructor, without whom none can proceed to advantage, however explicit they may be: for this plain reason he avoids dissertations [on] the abstruce parts belonging to graces, &c. they being matters determined more from experience, good judgement, and a fine taste, than by any precise rule.' (Extract from prefatory note.)

53 compositions, incl. 3 set-pieces, for 4 voices, a few for 3; full text. Attribs, to Benham, N. Billings (19), W. Billings (2), Brownson (3), Bruce, Chandler, French (3), Gillet, Goff, Hall, Hitchcock, Holden, Holyoke, King, Morgan (2), Read (3), I. Smith, Strong, Swan (3), Tansur, Wood. 19 1st pr. identified (BLESSING OF THE SPRING, BOYLSTON, CONVICTION, COOPERSTOWN, FLY CRICK, FRAGILITY, GARDNER, LAST-DAY, MASSACHUSETTS, OAKS CREEK, ORANGE, OTSEGO, PROTECTION, RE-COVERY, REQUEST, SUMMER, SUPPLICATION, UNION, WEATHERSFIELD), also 1 1st Am. pr. (INVITATION). 48 American compositions, 4 non-American, 1 unidentified [INVITATION] (47 attrib. Americans, 1 traced [SANBORNTON]; 2 attrib. non-Americans, 2 traced). 15 Core Repertory.

E28300 (no copy on Readex). CSmH, N-Plattsburgh; xerox of that copy in MiU-C*.

ASMI pp. 168-169