AMOS BLANCHARD
Amos Blanchard (b. Andover, Mass., ca. 2 Feb. 1766; d. Lynn, Mass., 25 May 1842), a schoolmaster, farmer, storekeeper, and singing master, played fife in the Continental Army at age fourteen. He lived variously in Andover and in Exeter, New Hampshire-teaching penmanship and music in those towns' academies-and also in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Milford, New Hampshire, until about 1811, when he settled in Lynn. There he took charge of the district school, worked odd jobs as accountant and scrivener, and led the singing in the 'old church' until 1824. In 1823 he opened a singing school in Salem, Massachusetts. The Constitution of the Essex Musical Association (Newburyport, 1798) lists Blanchard as a member.
Bio-bib, Metcalf. Also Abbott, n.d., p. 12, 28, 36, 47; Andover Townsman, 31 March 1899; Hurd 1888, p. 274.
THE AMERICAN MUSICAL PRIMER, 1808
ASMI 117
The American Musical Primer; containing a correct introduction to the grounds of music, rudimental, practical, and technical. Together with a collection of tunes, of the various metres now in use in religious societies; and calculated for the improvement of youth, and the worship of God. . . . . . The whole carefully selected from some of the most celebrated European writers, both ancient and modern. By Amos Blanchard. Exeter: printed by Norris & Sawyer, and sold at their book-store. . . . Sold also by the booksellers in Boston, Salem, Newburyport, and Portsmouth April, 1808.
77. [3] p. 13 x 21.5 cm.
Copyright granted, 8 April 1808, District of New Hampshire, to Amos Blanchard as author. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice & 'Advertisement'; p. [3]-9, 'Introduction'; p. 10. 'Lessons for Practice'; p. [11]-77, music; p. [78], 'Alphabetical Index'; p. [79], 'Metrical Index'; p. [80], 'Explanation of Musical Terms. A Conviction of the necessity of a small Music Book adapted to the capacity of youth, and calculated to form a correct taste in Sacred Music, has induced the Compiler to offer to the Public the following Sheets. (Extract from Advertisement.)
67 compositions, incl. 1 anthem & 4 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices; full text. Attribs, to Bland & Costellow's Coll., G. Breillat, W. Burney, J. Chetham, J. Clark, Coombs, Costellow's Coll., Dr. Croft, B. Cuzens (3), German (3), Dr. Green, G. F. Handel, Har[monia] Sacra (3), Harrison, H. Heptinstall, J. Husband (2), Jennings, Kirby, C. Lockhart (2), Martin Luther, Dr. Madan, B. Milgrove (3), Dr. Nares, Dr. Purcell, F. Remy, W. Richardson, I. Smith (3), Tansur's Coll., Wainwright, W. Wheall, W[illiams] Coll. (2), A. Williams, A. W[illiams] Coll. (2), T. Williams, T. Williams Coll. (15). 16 1st Am. pr. identified (BARTON, JUDGMENT, ORPHAN'S HYMN, SOVEREIGNTY, WHITEHALL, WORTHY THE LAMB). All non-American compositions (63 attrib. non-Americans, 4 traced).
26 Core Repertory.
S14537 (MWA). CCC, CtY (2), DLC (2), ICN, MB, MH (music inc.), MSaE (2; 1 b.w. other items as 'Musical Miscellany No. I'), MWA, MiU-C, NN, NRU-Mus, NcWsM (b. w. Holden, The Worcester Collection, 8th ed., 1803).
THE NEWBURYPORT COLLECTION, 1807
The copyright was granted to Amos Blanchard as proprietor. In addition, the frontispiece is signed by the engraver as being 'for Amos Blanchard's Newburyport Collection. Thus, although no author's name appears on the title-page, the work is listed here under Blanchard's name.
ASMI 118
The Newburyport Collection of Sacred, European Musick; consisting of psalm tunes and occasional pieces, selected from the most eminent European publications. . . adapted to all the metres in general use. To which is prefixed. A concise introduction to the grounds of musick. Exeter: printed by Ranlet & Norris, and sold at their book-store. 1807.
Front., 149, [3] p. 13 x 23 cm. Frontispiece engraved. Signed by J. Aikin.
p. 133 wrongly numbered 131.
Copyright granted, 27 May 1807, District of New Hampshire, to Amos Blanchard as proprietor. Advertisement dated Newburyport, 28 May 1807. Front.; p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice & 'Advertisement'; p. [3]-6, 'A concise Introduction to the Grounds of Musick'; p. [7]-149, music; p. [150], 'Alphabetical Index'; p. [151], 'Metrical Index'; p. [152], 'A concise explanation of the terms which most commonly occur in Musick' & Errata. As this Compilation is designed as a Supplement to the other musick books, principally in use in the New-England States, the European Musick in them is principally omitted in this; and as it is selected from some of the most celebrated European publications, the Compilers flatter themselves that it will meet the approbation of the lovers of real harmony.' (Advertisement in full.)
87 compositions, incl. 3 anthems & 11 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices (1 for 5); full text. Attribs. to Dr. Arnold (5), C. Burney (2), I. Burney, W. Burney (4), J. W. Callcott (5), Giardini (3), G. F. Handel (7), Harmonia Sacra (4), Dr. Howard, Italian, Rev. J. Johnson, Lock Hospital (4), C. Lockhart (12), Dr. Madan (13), Milgrove (11), Purcell, R. Taylor, Williams Coll. (8). 127 1st Am. pr. identified (ACCESS, AGONY, ALTON, BENEVOLENCE, BERWICK, BETHEL, BLOXHAM, BRUNSWICK, CALVARY, CROSS, CRUCIFIXION, DIALOGUE HYMN, EXETER, FARRINGTON, FUNERAL HYMN, INTERCESSION, LAUS, MONTPELIER, MORTALITY, MUSICIANS, ORANGE, PARADISE, PSALM 34, REDEEMING LOVE, REDEMPTION, SABBATH, STOCKWEL), also 1 poss. 1st Am. pr. (WORCES-TER). All non-American compositions (84 attrib. non-American sources, 3 traced).
13 Core Repertory.
S12167 (MWA copy on Readex b.w. No. 227). CtY (2), DLC, ICN, MB, MH-AH, MHi, MSaE (2; 1 b.w. other items as 'Musical Miscellany No. 1'), MWA (b.w. Grand Hallelujah Chorus), NN (lacks front., t-p. mutilated), NNUT, NcWsM, RPB.
NOTE: The frontispiece bears the following note: 'Engraved by J. Aikin, for Amos Blanchard's Newburyport Collection of Sacred Music, published and sold by him Exeter, also by Thomas & Whipple Newburyport, by the principal Booksellers in Boston, Salem, and Portsmouth, and throughout the New England States.’
ASMI pp. 189-191.