William Dwight Franklin collection on the Continental Vocalists

The Continental Vocalists was a successful and popular band of four members, all Americans and natives of Connecticut. It is strongly believed that all group members had musical training, played instruments and sang. They toured the country singing pure music and were well received every place without regard to population, politics or religious beliefs. One member of the group, J. Wesley Smith, began performing as a young boy with his family as part of the "Smith Family" in 1840. Mr. Smith organized a company which he styled the "American Vocalists." Mr. Smith receives credit for having first advanced the project of a Continental Band, to represent, in costume, the Patriots of 1776, while performing National music.

W.D. Franklin was born November 25, 1825, in Brooklyn, Connecticut and studied music at the Boston Teachers Institute. He taught guitar, violin, violoncello, and voice for eight years before helping to found the Continental Vocalists quartet. Franklin married Mary Barrett on September 4, 1843. Mrs. Franklin opened a millinery in the 1870s at 54 Broad St., Middletown, CT.

The Continental Vocalists first trip commenced September 1, 1853 and collected $5,503 in receipts. Members of the Continental Vocalists for the first two trips included: C.W. Huntington, New London, Conn.; W.D. Franklin, Norwich, Conn.; W.R. Frisbie, Branford, Conn.; J.W. Smith, South Glastenbury, Conn.; and J.A. Sterry, Agt., Norwich, Conn. The second trip ended May 29, 1855, when at Jamestown, Frisbie was bleeding at the lungs and they started immediately for home where he died July 9, 1855. The group continued to tour with a replacement of Frisbee. The Financial Journal gives a detailed account of the band's daily events from 1853 through 1857.