Continental Vocalists financial journal, W. D. Franklin, Norwich, Conn.

"Account of money received in connection with Continental Vocalists, commencing Sept. 1953. Members of the Company C.W. Huntington, New London, Conn, W.D. Franklin, Norwich, Conn, W.R. Frisbie, Branford, Conn, J.W. Smith, South Glastenbury, Conn, J.A. Sterry, Agt., Norwich, Conn." The Continental Vocalists' first trip commenced September 1853. It included 173 performances and took in $5,503.00. This financial journal lists all debits and credits from 1853 through 1867 for the Continental Vocalists as well as W.D. Franklin's expenses. The second trip featured 177 shows and took in $6,841.00 with the same members of the company. It commenced Sept. 4, 1855. "Second trip ending May 29th of '55. At Jamestown Frisbie taken bleeding at the lungs. Started immediately for home where he died July 9 of '55." 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. Third trip of the Continental Vocalists commenced at Rocky Hill, Conn. on August 24, 1855. Members of company included: C.W. Huntington, New London, Conn.; W.D. Franklin, Norwich, Conn.; T.M. Watson, Holyoke, Mass.; J.W. Smith, South Glastonbury, Conn.; and J.A. Sterry, Agt., Norwich, Conn. Fourth trip of Continental Vocalists commenced at North Glastonbury, Conn. in April of 1856. Members of company included: W.D. Franklin, T.M. Watson, W.B. Hall, J.W. Smith, and W.B. Thompson, Agt. Fifth trip of Continental Vocalists commenced at South Glastobury, Conn., August 24, 1856. Members of company included: W.D. Franklin, T.M. Watson, W.B. Hall, J.W. Smith, Master William Lewis, violinist and W.B. Thompson Agt. Sixth trip of Continental Vocalists commenced at North Glastonbury, Conn. It included company members W.D. Franklin, T.M. Watson, W.B. Hall, J.W. Smith, W. Lewis, and W.B. Thompson Agt. Seventh trip commenced at Elmira, N.Y. in 1857. Members included W.D. Franklin, W.B. Hall, J.W. Smith, B.M. Watson, Master Lewis, and W.M. Bates Agt. Eighth trip was a spring and summer tour that commenced May 3, 1858. Ninth trip commenced Sept. 9, 1858. This was followed by a short winter trip. Later trips included a western trip commencing at New Britain, Conn., on May 2, 1860, and a trip with Panorama that commenced in 1861. The Continental Vocalists continued to perform and bring in receipts through 1864. In March 1865, the Continental Vocalists reorganized and members included: W.D. Franklin - 1st Tenor; J.W. Smith - 2nd Tenor; H.M. Rogers - Alto; and A.W. Woodward - Bass. Additional entries for debits and credits are included for trips through 1867.