JOHN BUSHNELL

John Bushnell (fl. Saybrook, Conn., 1803; near Northampton, Mass., ca. 1807) was a composer. The only evidences of Bushnell's identity or whereabouts are a manuscript music book in RPB, signed 'John Bushnell Say Brook Connecticut October 5th 1803, and The Musical Synopsis (Northampton, 1807). A Bushnell genealogy lists several John Bushnells in Saybrook; only one (b. 23 Nov. 1752 at Saybrook; d. there 16 April 1816) seems a likely candidate for the composer-compiler.

          Bio-bib, Bushnell 1945, p. 131, 233.

THE MUSICAL SYNOPSIS, 1807

ASMI 134 

The Musical Synopsis. Containing, concise rules of vocal music; together with a variety of tunes suitable for public and social worship. By John Bushnell. Published according to act of Congress. Printed, typographically, at Northampton, by Graves & Clap, - for the compiler. 1807.

  1. 87, [1] p. 12.5 x 21 cm. 

The Northampton Republican Spy, 28 July 1807, advertises the formation of a partnership between Horace Graves and Ebenezer Clap: "The Printing business in future will be carried on under the firm of Graves & Clap, at their office in South-street [Northampton]... Music printed typographically on the shortest notice.' Thus Bushnell's The Musical Synopsis, printed by Graves & Clap, appeared during the last five months of 1807. p. [i], t-p.; p. [ii], 'Advertisement'; p. [iii]-vi, 'Concise Rules Of Vocal Music'; p. 7-87, music; p. [88], Index. In collecting the tunes for this publication great care has been taken to select such only, as are esteemed excellent, and that there might be such a variety in the airs, that all classes of singers may find something suited to their different tastes. [New par.] It has been thought proper to insert a number of old tunes, fully sensible that there cannot be any better to supply their places. Those pieces found in this collection. [sic] never before published, must speak for themselves.' (Extract from Advertisement.)

          75 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 1 set-piece, for 4 voices, a few for 3; full text. Attribs. to Austin, Belcher (5), Billings (2), Bull, Bushnell (22), Coan, Doolittle, Dwight (2), Edson, Holden, Holdroyd, Ingalls, Ingham (6), Jenks, Kilbourn, Kyes, Madan, Mor-gan, Munson, Post, Read, Rollo, Stone, Swan (3), Walker, West, Wood, Woodruff (2). 29 1st pr. identified (ASCENSION, BEGINNING, BURLINGTON, CAMBRIDGE, CHATHAM, CONFLAGRATION, CONNECTICUT, CONQUEST, CONVICTION, DELUGE, ERIE, EVENING, FALMOUTH, FERONIA, HERALD, HUDSON, KENTUCKY, LIBERTY, MANSFIELD, MORNING, OTSEGO, PHOEBUS, POUGHKEEPSIE, PSALM 147, SHILOH, SUPPLICATION, THAMES, VENICE, WEST SAYBROOK), also 3 1st Am. pr. (BURTON, MOUNT OLIVE, TUNBRIDGE). 166 American compositions, 6 non-American, 3 uniden-tified [BURTON, MOUNT OLIVE, TUNBRIDGE] (60 attrib. Americans, 6 traced; 3 attrib. non-Americans, 3 traced [BATH, FARNDON, LUDLOW]). ↑ 

10 Core Repertory.

          S12255 (MWA). CtHC (last few p. mutilated), MWA, NcWsM, RPB.

ASMI pp. 212-213