WILLIAM SMITH
William Smith (perhaps b. Hopewell, N.J., 1761; d. ?, 1808), a composer, was corecipient with William Little of a copyright on shape notation (Philadelphia, 10 March 1798). Little and Smith's The Easy Instructor ([1801]) was the first tunebook printed in shape-notes. When Smith compiled another collection on his own in 1803, the preface named Hopewell, New Jersey, as the place of compilation. Charles Kaufman's efforts to trace the elusive Smith led him to conclude: 'There appears little doubt that William Smith, co-compiler of the highly important Easy Instructor, was a New Jerseyan and a resident of Hopewell.' However, Kaufman was unable to prove that the Hopewell William Smith whose dates are given above was a musician. It is not known whether the William H. Smith, singing master in New York to whom Daniel Read wrote five letters between 1794 and 1802, was Smith the compiler.
Amerigrove, Grove. Also Kaufman 1981, p. 143-46; Lowens 1964, p. 124.
See No. 363ff.
The Easy Instructor, Part II, [1st ed., 1803]
ASMI 471
The Easy Instructor or A New Method of Teaching Sacred Harmony. Part II. Containing the rudiments of music on an improved plan. - With a choice collection of psalm tunes, a number of which are entirely new. By William Smith & Co.
2 p.l., 64 p. 13 x 21.5 cm. 1st p.l., p. 1-64 engraved. Music printed in 4-shape notation.
[1803.] Advertisement dated 'Hopewell, near Trenton, 1803. 1st p.l. recto, t-p.; verso, copyright notice for shape notation; 2d 1. recto, 'Index'; verso, 'Advertisement'; p. 1-3, rudiments; p. 4-64, music. This is to certify, that I have granted to Mr. Willm. Little and to Mr. William Smith, the sole and exclusive right to publish the following characters το designate Sol *, La * , Mi *, Fa *. Upon condition that the books by them made, should be sold upon the most easy terms for the benefit of the public. [New par.] Given under my hand at Philadelphia this tenth day of March, A.D. 1798. John Connelly. Attest, N. Jones. <Copy right secured.). (Copyright notice for shape notation in full.) 'The Publisher of this work meeting with great encouragement in the first edition of the "Easy Instructor," is induced to publish a second edition, and having added the flats and sharps, so that the Singer may take his choice, either to sing by characters, or by line and space, he hopes to meet the approbation and patronage of the friends to Vocal Music.' (Extract from Advertisement.)
67 compositions, incl. 2 set-pieces, for 4 voices (1 for 3); most w. full text, a few textless. No attribs. 10 1st pr. identified (BENHAM, GOLPHINTON, LUBINTIA, MENDHAM, MONTVILLE, MORGAN, OLIVET, SPRING VALLEY, ULSTER, WILBERHAM). 59 compositions traced to Americans (1st pr. assumed to be American, in view of t-p.), 6 to non-Americans (ARCHDALE, BANGOR, DENMARK, OLD 100, PLYMOUTH, ST. MARTIN'S), 2 unidentified (LIVONIA, PSALM 89).
12 Core Repertory.
Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). CSmH (handwritten date 'Harrisburgh 1803'), NjR*.
ASMI 471A
The Easy Instructor. Part II.. By William Smith & Co.
3 p.l., 72 p. p.l. 1-2, p. 1-72 engraved. p. 65-72 printed on pages considerably smaller than preceding pages.
[1803 or later.] Advertisement dated 'Hopewell, near Trenton, 1803,' but added pages indicate that this issue followed the main entry. 1st p.l. recto, t-p.; verso, copyright notice for shape notation; 2d 1. recto blank; verso, 'Lessons'; 3d 1. recto, 'Index'; verso, 'Advertisement'; p. 1-3, rudiments; p. 4-72, music. 1st p.l., p. 1-64 printed from same plates as main entry.
68 compositions, incl. 3 set-pieces, for 4 voices (1 for 3); most w. full text, a few textless. Attrib. to Morgan. No 1st pr. identified. 60 compositions traced to Americans, 6 to non-Americans, 2 unidentified [LIVONIA, PSALM 89].
12 Core Repertory.
Not in Shaw-Shoemaker (no copy on Readex). NBuG (music inc.), NRU-Mus*.
The Easy Instructor, Part II, [2d ed., 1806]
ASMI 472
The Easy Instructor . . . Part II . . . . By William Smith.
3 p.l., 72 p.1 p.l. 1, 3, p. 1-72 engraved. p. 65-72 printed on pages considerably smaller than preceding pages.
[1806.] Advertisement dated 'Hopewell, (New-Jersey,) near Trenton, 1806. 1st p.l. recto, t-p.; verso blank; 2d 1. recto, 'Advertisement' & note: 'Copy Right Secured'; verso, 'Index'; 3d 1. recto, 'Lessons in the Eight Notes'; verso blank; p. 1-3, rudiments; p. 4-72, music.
1st p.l., p. 1-72 printed from same plates as No. 471A.
Music same as No. 471A.
S11387 (MWA). CtHC, MWA, MiU-C*.
NOTE: Although the title and William Smith's authorship might suggest otherwise, this collection is entirely separate from Little and Smith's The Easy Instructor.
ASMI pp. 558-560.