SIMEON JOCELIN
Simeon Jocelin (b. Branford, Conn., 22 Oct. 1746; d. New Haven, Conn., 5 June 1823) was a composer, clock maker, engraver, and storekeeper. He settled in New Haven by the early 1780s and lived there for the rest of his life. His son Nathaniel (1796-1881), apprenticed in his youth to his father as a watch and clock maker, became a noted artist and painted a portrait of Simeon Jocelin in old age. The portrait survives.
Bio-bib, Metcalf. Also Connecticut 1966, p. 98, 121.
THE CHORISTER'S COMPANION, 1782-92
It was customary for American musicians to identify themselves as authors on the title-pages of tunebooks they compiled, but Simeon Jocelin did not observe this custom. Between 1782 and 1792 Jocelin brought out several collections, all naming him only as publisher. Yet there is no reason to doubt that Jocelin compiled the works he published.
The title-page of The Chorister's Companion (1782) names both Jocelin and Amos Doolittle as publishers. The preface, which is unsigned, uses the plural 'we,' suggesting that the two were co-compilers as well as co-publishers. In contrast, the second edition of The Chorister's Companion (1788) names Jocelin as sole publisher, with Doolittle identified only as the engraver. The preface, again unsigned, is written in the singular, indicating that Jocelin had by this time entirely assumed the compiler's role. Further evidence can be found that Jocelin compiled The Chorister's Companion. In 1786 he wrote to request Timothy Swan's permission to print some of Swan's tunes in a forthcoming collection - The Chorister's Companion, second edition-and to solicit new music. (See letters of 9 & 27 June 1786, Swan Papers.) Finally, Evans 24434 notes that a Connecticut district copyright for the Supplement to the Chorister's Companion was issued on 30 Jan. 1792 to Jocelin 'as author and proprietor.'
The first edition of The Chorister's Companion appeared in two Parts, each paged indepen-dently and carrying its own title-page. The Parts, however, were conceived as a single collection. Nearly all extant copies of The Chorister's Companion are bound with The Chorister's Companion Part Third, and no copies of Part Third alone have been found. Moreover, the title-page of The Chorister's Companion promises 'a variety of plain and fuging psalm tunes: together with a collection of approved hymns and anthems. The Chorister's Companion is devoted entirely to psalm tunes, and the work's only hymn tunes and anthems appear in Part Third-ample demonstration that Part Third is an integral portion of the whole.
Because of their separate pagination The Chorister's Companion and Part Third are described separately here and given different numbers even though no copies of the former without Part Third have been found. The Chorister's Companion, a popular collection, was reprinted at least three times before a revised second edition appeared in 1788. The original plates were used for all post-1782 issues, and only small variations in the typeset portions distinguish these issues.
The Chorister's Companion, [1st ed.], 1782
ASMI 297
The Chorister's Companion: or Church Music Revised. Containing, besides the necessary rules of psalmody; a variety of plain and fuging psalm tunes: together with a collection of approved hymns and anthems. Many of which, never before printed. Amos Doolittle Sculpt. 1782 New Haven printed for and sold by Simeon Jocelin and Amos Doolittle.
1 p.l., 18, [2], 64 p. 11.5 x 18.5 cm. 1 p.l., p. 5-12, 1-64 engraved by Amos Doolittle. p. 5, 1st group, wrongly numbered 1.
Preface dated New Haven, 16 Dec. 1782. New Haven Connecticut Journal, 19 Dec. 1782, advertises work as just published. p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. [1]-2, 'Preface'; p. [3], 'Advertisement'; p. 4, 'The Gamut explained'; p. 5-12, 'The Gamut, or Scale of Music'; p. [13], 'Of Tuning And Forming The Voice'; p. 14-18, 'Observations on Singing'; p. [19]-[20], 'Index'; p. 1-64, music. 'It is very obvious, that Psalmody hath undergone a considerable revolution, in most of our religious assemblies, within the course of a few years, not only with respect to the method and order of singing, but even the tunes formerly in common use, are now generally laid aside, instead of which, those of a more lively and airy turn are substituted. And, altho' many improvements have been made in Church Music, yet there appears a danger of erring, by introducing, in public worship, light and trifling airs, more becoming the theatre or shepherd's pipe; a liberty (as we apprehend) by no means admissible in the solemnities of Divine Service. [New par.] Wherefore, that the schools and congrega-tions might be furnished with a collection of tunes, particularly calculated for the purpose of worship, that should be neither too dull on the one side, nor too licentious on the other; we have published the following. . . . [New par.] This Collection contains a number of tunes, never before published, (composed by several Gentlemen in the country) which appear to be done with so much skill and ingenuity, that we think they cannot fail of obtaining the applause of all lovers of Psalmody. [New par.] As our principal aim was to serve the interest of social Worship, we were under the necessity of filling our Book, in a great measure, with Psalm-tunes and Hymns, for which reason, we could include but few Anthems; and therefore hope this deficiency will be excused.' (Extract from Preface.)
87 compositions for 4 voices; some w. full text, some w. incipits, some textless. Attribs. to Billings (15), Brown, Brownson (2), Bunnel, Edson (4), Ingersoll, Johnson (4), Read, Unknown (index identifies only 'American Authors'). 14 1st pr. claimed; 14 identified, also 5 1st Am. pr. (BRENTWOOD'S, CHILDERDITCH, FULHAM, LEBANON, QUEENBO-ROUGH). 35 American compositions, 50 non-American, 2 unidentified [FULHAM, WILLINGTON (30 attrib. Americans, 5 traced [NORWICH, PARIS, PSALMS 9, 89, WHITE HAVEN]; 50 traced to non-Americans).
38 Core Repertory (1st pr. BRIDGEWATER, GREENFIELD, LENOX, STAFFORD, VIRGINIA).
E17567 (MWA). Ct, CtY (2; 1 w. engraved rudiments paged 1, 6-8, instead of 5-8), DLC*, MWA, MB, NN, NcWsM (2, both lack t-p., I w. inc. front matter, I lacking front matter; both b.w. the issue of Part Third dated [1782-83] below), RPB. All b.w. Part Third.
NOTE: The DLC copy bears the inscription, 'Alexander Gillets book 1783.' Gillet was a Connecticut clergyman and composer. The MWA copy on Readex is actually the issue [1783-84] described in No. 299.
The Chorister's Companion, Part Third, [1st ed., 1782-83]
ASMI 298
The Chorister's Companion. Part Third. Containing a collection of approved hymns and anthems. In three and four parts. Some of which never before printed. New-Haven; printed by T. and S. Green, for Simeon Jocelin and Amos Doolittle.
15, [1], 32 p. p. 1-32 engraved [by Amos Doolittle].
[1782-83.] Evans 17988 assigns the date 1783. However, Part Third might have been issued with The Chorister's Companion, which was first advertised on 19 Dec. 1782.1 p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], note about texts; p. [3]-15, 'Select Hymns' (hymn texts); p. [16], 'Index'; p. 1-32, music.
29 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 1 set-piece, for 3 & 4 voices; some w. incipits, others w. full text. Attribs. to Billings (9), Brownson (2), Carpenter (2), Edson, Read (index identifies only 'American Authors'). 15 1st pr. claimed; 5 identified, also 9 1st Am. pr. (DARTFORD, EATON, EVESHAM, EDENBOROUGH, FEVERSHAM, GEORGIA, HELMSLEY, HEXHAM, OLDFORD), & 1 poss. 1st Am. pr. (PORTSMOUTH). 15 American compositions, 11 non-American, 3 unidentified [EATON, EVESHAM, HEXHAM] (15 attrib. Americans; 11 traced to non-Americans).
3 Core Repertory (poss. 1st Am. pr. PORTSMOUTH).
E17988 (MWA). CtY (2), DLC, MWA, MB, NN, NcWsM (2; 1 w. some front matter mutilated), RPB. All b.w. The Chorister's Companion.
NOTE: The MWA copy on Readex is actually the issue [1783-84] described in No. 299.
The Chorister's Companion & Part Third, [1st ed., 1783-84]
ASMI 299
The Chorister's Companion Amos Doolittle Sculpt. New Haven printed for and sold by Simeon Jocelin and Amos Doolittle.
[2d t-p.] The Chorister's Companion. Part Third . . . New-Haven: printed by Thomas & Samuel Green, for Simeon Jocelin & Amos Doolittle.
1 p.l., 18, [2], 64, 15, [1], 32 p. 1 p.l., p. 5-12, 1-64, 1-32 engraved.
[1783-84.] T-p. & Preface undated. MWA copy dated 28 July 1784 in contemporaneous hand. p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. [1]-2, 'Preface'; p. [3], 'Advertisement'; p. 4, 'The Gamut explained'; p. 5-12, 'The Gamut, or Scale of Music'; p. [13], 'Of Tuning And Forming The Voice'; p. 14-18, 'Observations on Singing'; p. [19]-[20], 'The Index'; p. 1-64, music; p. [1], 2d t-p.; p. [2], note about texts; p. [3]-15, 'Select Hymns'; p. [16], 'Index'; p. 1-32, music. Engraved portions printed from same plates as 1st issue & Part Third (Nos. 297 & 298).
Music same as Nos. 297 & 298 combined: 116 compositions, incl. 2 anthems & 1 set-piece, for 3 & 4 voices; some w. full text, some w. incipits, some textless. Attribs. to Billings (24), Brown, Brownson (4), Bunnel, Carpenter (2), Edson (5), Ingersoll, Johnson (4), Read (2), Unknown (index identifies only 'American Authors'). 1 19 1st pr. claimed; 19 identified, also 14 1st Am. pr. (as in Nos. 297 & 298). 150 American compositions, 61 non-American, 5 unidentified [EATON, EVESHAM, FULHAM, HEXHAM, WILLINGTON] (45 attrib. Americans, 5 traced [NORWICH, PARIS, PSALMS 9, 89, WHITE HAVEN]; 61 traced to non-Americans).
41 Core Repertory (1st prs. as in Nos. 297 & 298).
Not in Evans (MWA copy on Readex as E17567). CSmH, ICN, MWA*.
ASMI 299A
The Chorister's Companion . . . New Haven printed for and sold by Simeon Jocelin and Amos Doolittle.
[2d t-p.] The Chorister's Companion. Part Third . . . New-Haven; printed by Thomas and Samuel Green, for Simeon Jocelin, and Amos Doolittle.
1 p.l., 18, [2], 64, 15, [1], 32 p.1 p.l., p. 5-12, 1-64, 1-32 engraved.
[After 1784?] T-p. & Preface undated. Imprint of Part Third reads "Thomas and Samuel Green,' as opposed to earlier 'T. and S. Green' or 'Thomas & Samuel Green.' Contents same as main entry. Engraved portions printed from same plates as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). NN*.
ASMI 299B
The Chorister's Companion . . . New Haven printed for and sold by Simeon Jocelin and Amos Doolittle.
[2d t-p.] The Chorister's Companion. Part Third . . . New-Haven: printed by Thomas and Samuel Green, for Simeon Jocelin and Amos Doolittle.
1 p.l., 18, [2], 64, 15, [1], 32 p. 1 p.l., p. 5-12, 1-64, 1-32 engraved.
[After 1784?] T-p. & Preface undated. P. 17, 1. 3, last word spelled 'Hallelujah'; same word spelled 'Halleluiah' in earlier undated issues, and the more modern spelling suggests that this follows other variant issues. Contents same as main entry. Engraved portions printed from same plates as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). ICN*.
NOTE: Table 9 covers variations between issues of The Chorister's Companion. Unidentified copies are owned by MHi (front matter inc.) and NNUT (lacks t-p. & all front matter; Part Third lacks t-p. and some music).
The Chorister's Companion, 2d ed., 1788
ASMI 300
The Chorister's Companion, containing, besides the necessary rules of psalmody, a choice and valuable collection of psalm-tunes, hymns and anthems, from the most celebrated ancient & modern authors; together with several tunes never before published. The second edition, corrected and enlarged. Doolittle sculpt. New-Haven 1788[.] New-Haven, published and sold by Simeon Jocelin.
1 p.l., 26, [2], 120 p.p.l., p. 5-12, 1-120 engraved by [Amos] Doolittle.
Preface dated New Haven, 5 Feb. 1788. New Haven Connecticut Journal, 6 Feb. 1788, advertises work as just published. p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. [i]-ii, 'Preface'; p. [iii], 'Advertisement'; p. [iv], 'The Gamut Explained'; p. 5-12, "The Gamut'; p. [13], 'Of Tuning and Forming the Voice'; p. 14-19, 'Observations on Singing'; p. [20], 'Explanation of Terms used in Singing'; p. [21]-26, 'Select Hymns' (hymn texts); p. [27-28], 'Index'; p. 1-120, music. The Publisher hereof, from the encouragement given in the sale of the Chorister's Companion, and having received, from England, several late and approved compositions, and collections, of Church-Music, which had never been printed in America, has been induced to publish this second edition: in which, though many tunes, (and several valuable ones) in the first edition, are omitted; those, however, of approved merit, and most commonly used, are retained: in selecting which, many Gentlemen of the musical profession have been consulted, whose ready assistance is here gratefully acknowledged: -from several of whom, new pieces of music have been received, which, it is presumed, will be no small recommen-dation of the work. [New par.] Most of the additioinal music is contained in 72 pages, beginning with the 49th. The whole designed to accommodate the several musical, and religious, societies in the United States.' (Extract from Preface.) p. 2, 4, 6, 14 are printed from plates used for the corresponding pages of the 1st ed.; p. 33 is printed from the plate originally used for p. 57, p. 34-35 from p. 2-3 of Part Third, and p. 36-37 from p. 60-61. Parts of other pages appear to have been printed from plates used in the 1st ed: p. 1 top, 3 top, 7 bottom, 8 top, 10 top, 11 top; and p. 38 bottom & 39 are printed from plates used for p. 6 bottom & p. 7 of Part Third.
110 compositions, incl. 6 anthems, 4 set-pieces, I canon, for 3 & 4 voices; most w. full text, some w. incipits, some textless. Attribs. to Adams's Coll., Alcock (2), Arne, Billings (11), Blow, Brownson (4), Bull, Chetham, Clark & Green, Crane (3), Davenport, Edson (3), Geatrix, Hawley (2), Heighington, Jocelin (2), Johnson (3), Lyon, Milgrove (2), Read (3), Stephenson (4), Swan, Tans'ur (5), Tuckey (4), Valentine (3), Weeks (2), Williams (14). 10 1st pr. claimed; 10 identified, also 13 1st Am. pr. (Anthem: Glory be; CHRISTMAS CAROL, CHRISTMAS HYMN, DARWENT, DIDSBURY, FROME, LEONI, MANSFIELD, NEWTON, PSALM 103, ST. ASAPH'S, TRIUMPH, WATERFORD). 141 American compositions, 68 non-American, I unidentified [EVESHAM] (40 attrib. Americans, I traced [NORWICH]; 38 attrib. non-Americans, 30 traced).
37 Core Repertory (1st Am. pr. NEWTON).
E21177 (MWA). CCC, CSmH, CtHi (2), CtY (2), ICN, InGo, MHi, MSaE, MWA (front matter misbound), MiU-C, NHi, NN, NJPT.
ASMI 300A
The Chorister's Companion . . . The second edition . . . New-Haven 1788. . . .
2 p.l., 26, [2], 120 p. 2d p.l., p. 5-12, 1-120 engraved.
Preface dated New Haven, 5 Feb. 1788; 1st p.l. recto dated 9 Aug. 1788. 1st p.l. recto, 'Errata in the Chorister's Companion, (second Edition.)'; verso blank; thereafter contents same as main entry. 'N.B. The above mentioned Errors are not all to be found in all the Books; corrections having been made, when discovered, to this 9th Day of August, 1788.' (Note on 1st p.l. recto, following list of 22 errors.) Engraved portions printed from same plates as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex).NNUT (lacks all before p. 9 of music; errata bound after p. 120), RPB* (errata list pasted to front flyleaf).
ASMI 300B
The Chorister's Companion. The second edition New-Haven 1788..
1 p.l., 26, [2], 120 p. p.l., p. 5-12, 1-120 engraved.
Preface is undated. NN copy has written on inside back cover: 'Rudolph Snyder / Bought in John street of Stephen Humbert for One Dollar in 1788. New York.' Contents same as main entry. Engraved portions printed from same plates as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
Not in Evans (no copy on Readex). MB, NjNbR*, NN.
ASMI 300C
The Chorister's Companion . . . The second edition, corrected and enlarged. Doolittle sculp. New-Haven, published and sold by Simeon Jocelin. Copyright secured.
1 p.l., 26, [2], 120 p. p.l., p. 5-12, 1-120 engraved.
[1792.] T-p. & Preface undated. The copyright claim on the t-p. dates the work 1792, since Jocelin obtained a federal copyright on this collection on 30 Jan. 1792. The copyright notice is printed in the New Haven Connecticut Journal, 1 Feb. 1792. Contents same as main entry.
Engraved portions printed from same plates as main entry.
Music same as main entry.
E23472 (MWA; however, copy on Readex is apparently only a partial reproduction of a copy in MWA b.w. the Supplement to the Chorister's Companion, q.v.). No copies located.
NOTE: For several years after the publication of The Chorister's Companion, 2d ed., the New Haven Connecticut Journal carried advertisements for all or parts of it. Beginning on 3 Sept. 1788 Jocelin ran a notice that the full work, bound, was available at 8/, and that 'the principal additional Music, contained in 72 pages'-p. 49-120 of the full collection-was selling for 4/9. (See also the ad of 9 Sept. 1789.)
By Sept. of 1790 Jocelin was offering both a bulk rate and a reduction in the price of single copies. The full collection now sold for: 'bound, 12 1/2 dollars per dozen-78 3 single-half bound, 11 1/2 dollars per dozen-6s gd single. The 72-page 'additional Music ... may be had separate, half bound, price 2 [pounds] per doz.-4s single.' In addition, Jocelin was offering 'The Rules, contained in 8 pages' apparently p. 5-12 of the full collection at '5s per dozen-6d single. (Connecticut Journal, 8 Sept. 1790; see also the ad of 28 Sept. 1791.)
On 1 Feb. 1792 Jocelin advertised a 16-page Supplement added 'gratis' to The Chorister's Companion, bringing the length of his collection to 164 pages, as he noted in an advertisement later that year. (See Connecticut Journal, 19 Dec. 1792.) As late as 20 Nov. 1793 the paper carried an ad for the work. Jocelin by this time was offering The Chorister's Companion with Supplement, 'half bound' at $1 1 per dozen and 6/6 single. The 72 pages of 'additional Music' cost 2/6 each per dozen or 3/single. The Supplement sold separately at $2 for a dozen and 1/3 single. And the price of the 8-page Rules held steady at 5/ per dozen, 6d single.
The Chorister's Companion, Supplement, [1st ed.], 1792
ASMI 301
Supplement to the Chorister's Companion, containing 16 pages of psalm and hymn tunes, newly composed, or not before printed in America. New-Haven, published, as the act directs, by Simeon Jocelin, Feb. 1st. 1792.
16 p. Engraved throughout [probably by Amos Doolittle]. See note above, under Doolittle.
Advertised as just published, New Haven Connecticut Journal, 1 Feb. 1792. p. [1], caption title; p. [1]-16, music.
17 compositions, incl. 2 set-pieces, for 4 voices; full text (2 w. partial text). Attribs. to R. Atwell (2), Caswell, Hawley, Ives (4).18 1st pr. identified (BABEL, CONNECTICUT, CREATION, FUNERAL, HAMDEN, SALVATION, SAVANNAH, SYLVAN STREAM), also 8 1st Am. pr. (DOMINION, MIDDLEFIELD, PARADISE, PSALM 18, RELIANCE, SPRING, URANIA, WESTMINISTER). 8 American compositions, 5 non-American, 4 unidentified [MIDDLEFIELD, PARADISE, SPRING, URANIA] (8 attrib. Americans; 5 traced to non-American sources [DOMINION, LYNN, PSALM 18, RELIANCE, WESTMINSTER]).
No Core Repertory.
E24434 (MWA). DLC, ICN, MHi, MWA*, NBuG, PPIPT.
The Chorister's Companion & Supplement, [2d ed., 1792]
ASMI 302
The Chorister's Companion... The second edition, corrected and enlarged. Doolittle sculp. New-Haven, published and sold by Simeon Jocelin. Copy-right secured.
1 p.l., 26, [2], 120, 16 p. p.l., p. 5-12, 1-120, 1-16 engraved.
[1792.] T-p. & Preface undated; caption title of Supplement dated 1 Feb. 1792. Connecticut Journal, 1 Feb. 1792, advertises The Chorister's Companion (with the Supplement gratis). The same newspaper, 19 Dec. 1792, reminds prospective buyers: 'The Chorister's Companion now contains 164 pages,' counting the 'Introductory Part' and the Supplement. p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; p. [i]-ii, 'Preface'; p. [iii], 'Advertisement'; p. [iv], 'The Gamut Explained'; p. 5-12, 'The Gamut'; p. [13], 'Of Tuning and Forming the Voice'; p. 14-19, 'Observations on Singing'; p. [20], 'Explanation of Terms used in Singing'; p. [21]-26, 'Select Hymns' (hymn texts); p. [27]-[28], 'Index'; p. 1-120, music; p. 1, caption title, 'Supplement to the Chorister's Companion'; p. 1-16, music. p.l., p. 5-12, 1-120 printed from same plates as No. 300; p. 1-16 printed from same plates as No. 301.
127 compositions, incl. 6 anthems, 6 set-pieces, & 1 canon, for 3 & 4 voices; most w. full text, some w. incipits or partial text, some textless. Attribs, to Adams's Coll., Alcock (2), Arne, R. Atwell (2), Billings (11), Blow, Brownson (4), Bull, Caswell, Chetham, Clark & Green, Crane (3), Davenport, Edson (3), Geatrix, Hawley (3), Heighington, Ives (4), Jocelin (2), Johnson (3), Lyon, Milgrove (2), Read (3), Stephenson (4), Swan, Tans'ur (5), Tuckey (4), Valentine (3), Weeks (2), Williams (14). No 1st pr. identified. 49 American compositions, 73 non-American, 5 unidentified [EVESHAM, MIDDLEFIELD, PARADISE, SPRING, URANIA] (48 attrib. Americans, I traced [NORWICH]; 38 attrib. non-Americans, 35 traced).
37 Core Repertory.
E24433 (no copy on Readex). DLC (t-p. mutilated; music inc.), ICN (lacks t-p.; front matter inc.; flyleaf bears handwritten date of 1794), MWA*, MiU-C, N, NHi.
NOTE: Evans 24433, dated 1792, locates no copy, but gives the pagination 164 p., suggesting that he saw the advertisement quoted above. Shipton & Mooney inaccurately dismiss the issue as 'a ghost arising from the old NL catalogue.'
A COLLECTION OF FAVORITE PSALM TUNES, 1787
ASMI 303
A Collection of Favorite Psalm Tunes, from late and approved British Authors: never before printed in America. New Haven, printed for & sold by Simeon Jocelin. A Doolittle Sculpt.
9 unnumbered 1. 12 x 18.5 cm. Engraved throughout by Amos Doolittle. [1787.]
New Haven Gazette, 22 Feb. 1787, advertises work as just published. 1st 1. recto, t-p.; verso blank; 1. [2]-[9], music.
14 compositions for 4 voices; full text. identified (all except ABERDEEN, ZION). No attribs. T-p. claims 14 1st Am. pr.; 12 T-p. claims 14 non-American compositions; all traced to non-American sources.
No Core Repertory.
E20432 (MWA). MWA*.
ASMI pp. 366-374