ISRAEL TERRIL, JR.

Israel Terril, Jr. (b. ca. 1774; d. 1807 [buried in Naugatuck, Conn.]) was a composer, music engraver, and probably a singing master. Terril flourished in New Haven from about 1800 until 1806, and in the latter year he fled from justice, accused of being engraver for a group of counterfeiters. The newspaper account of that escapade apparently set no high value on his activities in sacred music, for it reported: 'We are happy to learn, that so far as is yet known, there is no person connected with [the counterfeiters], who had hitherto sustained a reputable character, most of them being from the dregs of society.'

          Bio-bib. Also Connecticut Courant, 30 July 1806. Gravestone inscription indexed in Connecticut State Library, Hartford, as Naugatuck 214, Cemetery 5, p. 224.

THE EPISCOPAL HARMONY

ASMI 483 

The Episcopal Harmony. Calculated for the Christian worship in the United States of America. By Israel Terril.

To God, the Lord, a hymn of praise with grateful voices sing; / To songs of triumph tune the harp, and strike each warbling string. Ps 147th, 7th.

Newhaven West Society, engrav'd, printed and sold by the author.

40, [16 p.], 12.5 x 20 cm. Engraved throughout; p. 1-40, [41]-[48] apparently engraved by Terril, as claimed on t-p.; p. [49-56] appear to have been engraved by another hand, with clef signs and note-stems markedly different from the rest. Pagination garbled; 1st signature paged [1], [6?], [5?], 2, 7, [4?], [3?], 8; p. 32 wrongly numbered 30; blank pages separate p. 37 & 38 and p. 39 & 40.

[1803 or earlier.] This work includes 6 tunes identified as 1st pr. which also appear without Ist pr. designation in Terril's The Musical Melodise, dated Nov. 1803 in the Preface. Thus, The Episcopal Harmony preceded The Musical Melodise (No. 484) into print, though by how long is not known. p. [1], t-p.; p. [5?], 'Eight Notes'; p. [6?], 'Introduction'; p. 2, 'Preface'; p. 7, 'General Remarks' & 'Contents'; p. [4?]-[3?], 'Introduction'; p. 8-37, music; 2 blank p.; p. 38-39, music; 2 blank p.; p. 40, [41]-[56], music. 'The Holy Scriptures inform us, that singing praises to God is a duty enjoined upon all; and as it has been practised by Christians in every age, let us also be engaged in the same delightful work: It is a matter of regret that the ancient mode of singing, viz by Chants and Anthems, has been so much neglected; and having been requested by the Bishop, and a number of the Clergy and other friends of Christianity, to publish an edition of this kind, it is hoped the following will answer their expectations. As the subsequent edition contains, not only Chants and Anthems, but also a number of tunes suited to the different meters, it is hoped it will meet with the approbation of the public.' (Extract from Preface.)

          31 compositions, incl. 8 anthems, I set-piece, & 4 chants, for 4 voices, a few for 3; full text (1 w. partial text). Attribs. to Coan, Edson, Ingalls, Mr. Morgan, [Terril] (21).21 1st pr. claimed; 21 identified, also 3 1st Am. pr. (Anthem: Lord have mercy; Chants: Cantate Domino, Deus Miseretur). 26 American compositions, 2 non-American, 3 unidentified [the 1st Am. prs.] (4 attrib. Americans, 22 traced; 2 traced to non-Americans: Anthem: Behold I bring you; MEAR). 

3 Core Repertory.

          Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). CLU, CtY*.

NOTE: The index shows several inaccuracies. Among others, it does not list JUDGMENT ANTHEM, which appears on p. [49]-[56], suggesting that the piece may have been added after the collection's first printing.

THE MUSICAL MELODISE, 1803

ASMI 484 

The Musical Melodise: or The Art, of Psalmody. By Israel Terril[.] Engrav'd & printed by the auther. [Title enclosed in circular canon set to following text:]

Descend ye nine descend & sing / The breathing instruments inspire / Wake into voice each silent string/ & sweep the solemn sounding lyre / Hark hark the numbers soft& clear / That jently ste[a]l upon the e[a]r. / Now louder & yet louder rise / And fill with spreading sounds the skies.

2 p.l., 9-48 p. 12.5 x 20 cm. Engraved throughout by the author. 2

[1803.] Preface dated 'Newhaven West Society,' 4 Nov. 1803; advertised for sale in New Haven Connecticut Journal, 22 December 1803. 1st p.l. recto, t-p.; verso, 'Preface'; 2d 1. recto, Jeneral Directions'; verso, 'Index'; p. 9-48, music. 'The Author of the followin Work, has endeavoured to make a Puplication that will be useful and pleasing . . .  Let the minds of youth be engaged in the impro [v]ement of this sublime Art, and it will be a mean to lead them to shun vice and immo[r]ality and in this way be[c]ome peaceful members of society. It is regreted by the f[r]iends of publick Worship that so little regard has bin paid to this part of the performance. In order to encourage this plan, it is necessary that schools should be repoutedly [reputably?] set up, and schilful Teachers be imploy'd to instruct the same.' (Extract from Preface.)

          50 compositions, incl. I set-piece & I canon (on t-p.), for 4 voices; a few w. full text, most w. partial text. No attribs.; all apparently by Terril. 44 1st pr. identified (all except ETERNITY, HUMILITY, JUBILEE, POLINA, YARMOUTH, ZEAL). All are American. 

No Core Repertory.

          S5154 (Ct). Ct*.

NOTE: The canon text on the title-page has two letters engraved backwards, here corrected and bracketed. The preface page is slightly mutilated. A few words have a letter obscured, here corrected and bracketed.

VOCAL HARMONY NO. 1, 1805

ASMI 485 

Vocal Harmony. No 1 [.] Calculated for the use of singing schools, and worshiping assemblies. By Israel Terril[.] Newhaven, West Society, engrav'd printed and sold by the author. [Title encircled by a canon with the following text:]

What distant music melts upon the ear / So sweet the tones the symphonies so clear / Some seraph sure has touch'd his golden lyre / And praise resounds through all ye heavnly choir. / Ye mortals catch ye soul commanding sound. / Learn ye blest theme & chant ye corus round / The soothing swelling harmonies of sound / Fill ev'ry breast that glows with love divine

64 p. 12 x 20 cm. Engraved throughout by the author.

[1805.] Copyright granted, 21 Aug. 1805, District of Connecticut, to Terril as author. New Haven Connecticut Journal, 17 Oct. 1805, advertises work as just published. p. [1], t-p.; p. [2], 'Preface' & copyright notice; p. [3]-[6], 'Introduction'; p. [7], 'General Directions'; p. [8], 'Index'; p. 9-64, music. 'My Christian friends. If singing praises to God be explicitly enjoined upon Man, in the holy scriptures; and if, as we are abundantly asured, it has ben the practice of Christ's disciples, ever since the Christian aera; let us be stimulated both by example and precept, and by every consideration of intrest and duty, to unite our hearts and voices, in this most beautiful part of divine worship. And that the following pages may contribute, in this life, to the happiness of all those into whose hands they may fall; and to magnify their felicity in the life to come, is the most ardent prayer of your humble servant, the Author.' (Preface in full.)

          55 compositions, incl. I anthem, 2 set-pieces, I canon (on t-p.), for 4 voices; full text. No attribs.; all apparently by Terril. 29 1st pr. identified (Anthem; BELONA, Canon, CONDESCENSION, DELERIUM, ERROR, FLUVANNAH, FREEDOM, HERMON, ITALY, JUNO, MESSIAH, MOUNT CALVARY, NEW HOLLAND, NEW MILFORD, NORTHFIELD, ORANGE, ORMONDO, PROTECTION, RETIREMENT, SALEM, SAVANNAH, STRATFORD, SUMMER, SWEET REPOSE, UNITY, VERNON, WESTHAVEN, WESTON). All are American.

No Core Repertory.

          S9465 (CtY). Ct, CtHC, CtHi, CtY*, DLC, NNUT, OCHP.

ASMI pp. 577-580.