HEZEKIAH MOORS 

Hezekiah Moors (b. Shirley, Mass., 3 Dec. 1775; d. Union, N.Y., 1814) was a composer and farmer. In 1798 Moors purchased land in Mt. Holly, Vermont, where he worked as a surveyor, tax collector, and census taker, before moving by 1813 to Union, near Binghamton, New York. His tunebook contains only his own music. 

Bio-bib. Also Bandel 1976; McCorison 1968, p. 11. 

THE PROVINCE HARMONY, 1809. ASMI 390 

The Province Harmony: being an original composition of airs. Consisting of three and four parts. Adapted to all the metres usually sung in churches. Together with a brief introduction to the grounds of musick. Calculated for the use of singing schools and musical societies. By Hezekiah Moors. Boston: printed for the author, by J. T. Buckingham. - 1809. 

139, [1] p. ¶ 13 x 22 cm. ¶p. no. 35 printed upside down; p. 127 wrongly numbered 227. 

Preface dated March 1809, Mount-Holly, Vermont. Copyright granted, 1 March 1809, District of Vermont, to Moors as author. ¶p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], copyright notice; p. [3]. 'Preface'; p. [4], blank; p. [5]-15, 'A Brief Introduction To The Grounds of Musick'; p. [16], blank; p. [17]-139, music; p. [140], 'Index.' ¶ 'In a country where Musick has not yet become a regular calling, it cannot be expected that a Composition of this kind can stand an inflexible criticism; nevertheless, as every endeavour to serve, in subordination, the interest, or to increase the innocent pleasures of the community, deserves publick pa- tronage, the Author of the following work, without further excuse, respectfully presents it to the public eye. The Author has not written so lengthy upon the rules as he might have done; but concludes, nevertheless, that what is written, is sufficient for common schools. Should the following Composition of Airs meet with that kind of merit the author hopes they will, it is expected that additions will hereafter be made of Anthems, Fuge Tunes, and other favourite pieces, &c. on various subjects.' (Preface in full.)   

96 compositions, incl. 6 anthems & 7 set-pieces, for 3 & 4 voices (1 for 2); full text. ¶T-p.attribs. all to Moors. 96 1st pr. identified. ¶ All are American. ¶No Core Repertory. 

S18112 (MSAE). ¶ CtY, MHi*, MSaE, MiU-C (lacks t-p. & all after p. 138), RPB. 

NOTE: McCorison 1968, lists as item No. 650A an unlocated broadside: 'Proposals for publishing the Province Harmony. By Hezekiah Moors. Rutland: William Fay, 1802. McCorison explains: 'Moors, of Mt. Holly, Vt., was charged on June 14, 1802, by Samuel Williams for printing this broadside. The book was finally published in Boston in 1809.

ASMI pg 468