LEWIS EDSON, JR.
Lewis Edson, Jr. (b. Bridgewater, Mass., 23 Jan. 1771; d. Bristol [now Shady], N.Y., 23 May 1845) was a composer, singing master, poet, schoolmaster, nail manufacturer, and house builder. He settled in New York City (1801-15), where he was for a time vestryman and clerk at Christ Protestant Episcopal Church on Ann Street. From 1830 he lived at the family homestead in Shady. His father, Lewis Edson, Sr., composed the widely popular fuging-tunes BRIDGEWATER, GREENFIELD, and LENOX.
Lowens 1964, p. 184-93; New York Dir., 1801-14.
THE SOCIAL HARMONIST, 1801-3
No copy of the first edition has been located. The second edition, however, contains forty pages followed by eight unnumbered pages of music not mentioned in the index. It is likely that the first forty pages of the second edition represent the missing first edition, with only the edition number on the engraved title-page and the text of the Preface changed. (Note that pages 9-40 in the third edition are printed from the same plates as the corresponding pages of the second.) Because such strong indications of its makeup exist, the first edition is tentatively, if incompletely, described here.
The Social Harmonist, [1st ed., before 1801]
ASMI 172
[The Social Harmonist . . . by Lewis Edson Jun . . . .
40 p. p. (1), 4-5, 8-40 engraved.
Published before 1801.
36 compositions, incl. 1 anthem, for 3 & 4 voices; most w. full text, a few textless.]
Not in Evans or Shaw-Shoemaker. No copy located.
The Social Harmonist, 2d ed., 1801
ASMI 173
The Social Harmonist, containing first, the necessary rules of music. Second, a collection of tunes chiefly original. By Lewis Edson Jun. Second edition[.] New York, published according to act of Congress. A.D. 1801.
40 p., 41. 11.5 x 19 cm. p. [1], 4-5, 8-40, 41. engraved.
P. [1], t-p.; p. 2, 'Preface'; p. 3, 'Index'; p. 4-5, "The Gamut or Scale of vocal Music'; p. 6, 'Of Time'; p. 7, 'General Observations For Learners'; p. 8-40, 4 1., music. The first Edition of this work, having met with a very rapid sale, has induced the author to publish a second, with an addition. [New par.] The Gamut, or Rules, in this book, are so very concise, that no person who wishes to understand the pleasing science of Music, can think it a hard task to commit the whole of it perfectly to memory; and teachers of Music can explain them [the rules] as much further as they may think it necessary, and in the way that they may judge most eligible.' (Extract from Preface.)
42 compositions, incl. 2 anthems, for 4 voices (2 for 3); most w. full text, a few textless. Attribs. to Mr. Billings, L. Edson (12), L. Edson Jr. (14), Martin Luther, Mr. Newcomb (6), Mr. Reed (2), Mr. Storm, Mr. Wright. 30 1st pr. identified (all by L. Edson Jr., Newcomb, Storm, Wright; all by L. Edson except BRIDGEWATER, BRITANNIA, GREENFIELD, LENOX). 40 American compositions, 2 non-American (37 attrib. Americans, 3 traced; 1 attrib. non-American, EASTER HYMN traced).
17 Core Repertory.
S433 (NN). NN*, NjNbS.
The Social Harmonist, 3d ed., 1803
ASMI 174
The Social Harmonist; containing, first, the necessary rules of music; second, a collection of tunes and anthems, chiefly original. By Lewis Edson, Jun. The third edition. New-York: published according to act of Congress. A.D. 1803. Printed by Sage and Clough.
79 p.p-3-4,9-79 engraved.
P. [1], t-p.; p. [2], 'Preface'; p. 3-4, 'The Gamut or Scale of vocal Music'; p. [5], 'Of Time'; p. 6, 'General Observations For Learners'; p. 7, 'Ode To Freedom; Composed For The Fourth Of July, 1802. By Walter Townsend,' text of poem; p. 8, 'Index'; p. 9-79, music. 'The first and second Editions of this work, having met with a very rapid sale, has induced the author to publish a third, with an addition.' (Extract from Preface.) p. 3-4 printed from same plates, renumbered, as p. 4-5 in 2d ed. (No. 173); p. 9-40 printed from same plates as 2d ed.
59 compositions, incl. 3 anthems & 3 set-pieces, for 4 voices (3 for 3); most w. full text, a few textless. Attribs. to Mr. Belknap, Mr. Billings (3), L. Edson (17), L. Edson Jr. (20), Mr. French, Mr. Hall (2), Mr. Lee, Martin Luther, Mr. Newcomb (7), Mr. Reed (2), Mr. Storm, Mr. Wright. 10 1st pr. identified (AMERICA, Anthems: The beauty, That day; CARLO, FREEDOM, GARDEN, MILTON, ODE TO SCIENCE, WERTER, WESTERLOW). 156 American compositions, 3 non-American (56 attrib. Americans; 1 attrib. non-American, 2 traced [LANE & EASTER HYMN]). 17 Core Repertory.
S4134 (CtHT-W). CtHT-W*, NHi.
ASMI pp. 254-256