Skip to main content

William Dwight Franklin collection on the Continental Vocalists

 Collection
Identifier: 1000-134

Scope and Contents

William Dwight Franklin collection on the Continental Vocalists contains published and unpublished books of music and lyrics. It also contains financial information about the Continental Vocalists' tours, and programs, a scrapbook, and two photographs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1853-1867

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

In public domain - No Copyright - United States

Biographical / Historical

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.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (2 hollinger boxes, 3 oversize flat hollinger boxes and 1 oversize folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

William Dwight Franklin collection on the Continental Vocalists contains published and unpublished books of music and lyrics. It also contains financial information about the Continental Vocalists' tours, and programs, a scrapbook, and two photographs.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired prior to 1980.

Subject

Title
William Dwight Franklin collection on the Continental Vocalists, 1853-1867
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Linda Hurteau, January 2007 Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, January 2007 Migrated to ArchivesSpace by Amanda Nelson, August 2020
Date
August 19, 2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives Repository

Contact:
Olin Library
252 Church Street
Middletown CT 06459 USA
860-685-3864