Helen Cripe. Thomas Jefferson and Music. Appendix I, pp. 97-104.

Jefferson's Catalogue of 1783
Transcription of the Music Section [1]
5. Music. Chap. 35. Theory.

Chap. 36 Vocal
Chapt. 37 Instrumental


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Helen Cripe. Thomas Jefferson and Music. Appendix I, pp.97-104

Collections of Jefferson Family Music
Part 1

Monticello music collection: Manuscripts Department, Alderman Library, ViU, Acc. No. 3177. [Spec. Coll: Acc. No. 3177-A, Call No. MF 2256-2260] When this collection was acquired, it was sorted and stored in six boxes and one oversize box. For convenience, I itemize it according to the manner in which it is presently stored.
Box 1, folder 1:
Minuets with their Basses ... for German Flute, Violin, or Harpsichord. [London, ca. 1753]. This book contains about 110 short minuets, some with names and some without. Those named are generally named after some person, or simply after the composer.

Box 1, folder 2:
Manuscript music book containing a mixture of songs, hymns, excerpts from Corelli violin solos, minuets, and scales and preludes in all of the major and minor keys. Several hands are represented, and some of the writing has been identified as that of Martha Wayles Jefferson.

Box 1, folder 3:
Several individual pieces of music bound into one volume:
Box 1, folder 4:
The Psalms Set Full for the Organ or Harpsichord, by Mr. Daniel Purcell, [London, n.d.] Several have the words written in, possibly in Martha Randolph's handwriting. The book contains: "Canterbury Tune," "York Tune," "Southwell Tune," "St. Mary's Tune," "100th Psalm Tune," "Windsor Tune,""London Tune," "St. David's Tune" (one of TJ's favorites), "119th Psalm Tune," "148th Psalm Tune," "113th Psalm Tune."

Box 1, folder 5 (filed in oversize box):

Box 1, folder 6:
Volume of several groups of selections, bound together:
Box 2, folder 7:

Box 2, folder 8:
Green bound volume of manuscript music, entitled Sonatas Pour le Clavecin par differens auteurs 1788. Contains:
There are several much smaller sheets in this volume that are obviously not part of it, but were just placed there. They contain: "Black Eyed Susan," "Two Catches," "War Song" -- from Moore, "Dulce Domum," "My Nanie O."

Box 2, folder 9:
Bound volume, with green cover, contains:
All of these are typical of the many selections published in arrangements for solo instrument and thoroughbass. The keyboard instrument played the thoroughbass and any instrument could be used for the solo -- usually the violin or flute was used. These selections by Nicolai were published in France, ca. 1780-83.
In this folder there is also an additional folder of loose pieces of manuscript music and a printed song from Handel's Alexander's Feast. They were removed from the collection a number of years ago, and the person who removed them did not know exactly where to put them back.

Box 2, folder 10:
Bound volume, with green cover, contains:
Box 3, folder 11:
Bound volume, with brown cover, contains:
Box 3, folder 12:
Bound volume, with cover missing, contains:
The following are issues of: Bland's Collection of Sonatas, Lessons, Overtures, Capricios, Divertimentos, &c, &c for the harpsichord or pianoforte without accompaniment, by the Most Esteemed Composers. This series was published in London, ca. 1790-94
No. 21, Vol 2:
  • Edelman's Sonata I, Op. 1
  • Vento -- Sonata
No. 22, Vol 2:
  • Edelman's Sonata I, Op. 16
  • Overture to The Bastile
  • Edelman's Sonata II, Op. 16
No. 28, Vol 3:
  • Pleyel's "Cottage Maid"
  • Edelman's Third Sonata, Op. 8
No. 29, Vol 3:
  • Edelman's Third Sonata, Op. 16
  • Martini's Grand Overture to Henry the Fourth
No. 38, Vol 1:4:
  • Gluck's Overture -- Paradie ed Elena
  • Edelman's Sonata IV, Op. 16
No. 42, Vol 3:4:
  • Overture Oedipe à Colonne, Arranged by Lachnitth
  • Eichner's fourth Sonata
Haydn's Grand Orchestra Sinfonie, adapted for Piano Forte or Harpsichord. With an Accompaniment for Violin by Rimbault, [London, ca. 1785]. Haydn's Grand Orchestra Sinfonie ... at the Nobility's Concerts. Adapted for Organ, Harpsichord, or Piano Forte. [London, ca. 1785.]
Concerto, pour le Clavecin ... by J. C. Fischer, Berlin and Amsterdam, n.d.

Box 3, folder 13:
Several loose sheets, some unidentifiable:
  1. "The Plain Gold Ring," "Buy a Broom," "I'd Be a Butterfly," "Let Us Haste to Kelvin Grove"
  2. Overture to The Deserter
  3. 12 pages of unidentifiable sheets

Box 3, folder 14:
Bound volume, with green cover, contains:
Box 4, folder 15:
Bound volume, with green cover, contains:
Box 4, folder 16:
Manuscript book of songs, waltzes, melodies from operas, tables of note values and rests, and miscellaneous unidentifiable pieces, in several different handwritings. Leaves of music are tied together with string.

Box 4, folder 17:
Unidentifiable printed scraps and fragments, including six sonatas.

Box 4, folder 18:
Trois Quatuors de M. Ignace Pleyel. With Violin accompanyment by [Ludwig Wenzil] Lachnitth, [Paris, ca. 1788].

Box 4, folder 19:
Ouverture de la Bonne Fille ... arrangee Pour le Clavecin ... par L. F. Despreaux, [Paris, ca. 1785].

Box 4, folder 20:
A group of selections from some operas popular in Paris during the Jeffersons' stay there: "Le Carillon des Trois Fermiers," "Trio d'Azor," "Air des Trois Fermiers," "Rose Chérie de Zemire et Azor," "Air de Trois Fermiers." There are notes and lyrics throughout the pieces in the handwriting of Martha Jefferson (Randolph).

Box 4, folder 21:
Unbound scrap containing two sonatas, or parts of two sonatas, by Edelman, Op. VII, for pianoforte and violin.

Box 4, folder 22:
Bound volume, with covers missing, contains:
Box 4, folder 23:
Bound volume, containing three small volumes of French songs, mainly pastorals, romances, and rondos:
Box,5, folder 24:
Large bound volume, with MISS JEFFERSON [sic] stamped in gold on the cover, contains:
Box 5, folder 25:
Bound volume, with green cover, contains:
Box 6, folder 26:
Bound volume, with green cover, contains:
Box 6, folder 27:
Manuscript and music book inscribed "Virginia J. Randolph." Several different handwritings. Contains: Overture to Lodoiska by Knetzer; Dutch Minuet; "Murphy Delany"; "Jack Lahn"; Variations to "Duncan Grey"; song by Lord Lytellton; "New Crazy Jane"; "Arietta" from La Fausse Magie; "Rural Felicity" with variations.

Box 6, folder 28:
Manuscript music book inscribed "Ellen Wayles Randolph, Eliza Waller, Jane Blair Cary." Several different handwritings and many unidentified pieces. Contains: "La Canonade" by Balbastre; "God Save the Commonwealth"; "Rise Cynthia Rise"; "Lullaby"; Sonata of Edelman; German Waltz.

Box 6, folder 29 (in oversize box):
Many loose sheets of fragmentary manuscripts in various handwritings, a few pieces tied together with string. Contains: "Vedrai Carino"; "New York Serenading Waltz"; "Fin Ch'han del vion" from Don Giovanni by Mozart; "Aurora"; "Batti Batti" from Don Giovanni by Mozart; "Valse Hongroise"; several vocal exercises; Rondo de Paganini; Air de Ballet; "Charming Village Maid"; "There's Nothing True But Heaven"; Musette D'Armide; Air de Danse de Roland; Sonata by Haydn; Duo de Blaise et Babet; "Ye Lingring Winds."

Box 6, folder 30 (in oversize box):
Manuscript music book, bound but fragmentary, contains: Variations on Sicilian Hymn; "Life Let Us Cherish"; "The Knight Errant"; "The Portrait"; Hungarian Waltz; "Come Rest in This Bosom"; "The Ill Wife"; A Favorite Scots Air; Air in The Battle of Marengo; "The Waltz Cotillion"; Fin Ch'han del Vino"; "De Tanti Palpiti"; "Merrily Danced the Quaker's Wife"; "Je Suis Lindor" -- Air du Barbier de Seville; The Spanish Fandango; "The Haunted Tower"; Clementi's Grand Waltz; Overture of Panurge - Gretry; Overture de Chimene; Choeur de Voyageurs de la Caravanne; Air Lison Dormoit; "Home Sweet Home"; "There's Nae Luck About the House"; vocal scales and exercises; Bonaparte's Grand March; A Much Admired Waltz by Mozart; "God Save the Emperor"; "Lord Courtney"; "Gramachree" -- with variations.

Box 6, folder 31:
New and Complete Preceptor for the Spanish Guitar, Philadelphia, publ. by John Klemm, 1827, sold at P. Thompson, Washington. Contains 14 pages, some obviously missing: several pages of instructions and exercises; "Come Rest in This Bosom"; "Where Roses Wild Were Blowing"; "The Gallant Troubadour"; "Comin' Thru the Rye"; "Draw the Sword Scotland."

Box 6, folder 32:
Der Freischutz (opera) by Carl Maria von Weber. Complete score, inscribed on title page, "Margaretta Deverell."

Box 6, folder 33:
Small manuscript music notebook of songs, in handwritings of Martha Jefferson Randolph and several others. Contains: "A Poor Little Gvpsy" -- by Arne; "The Silver Moon" -- by Hook; "Owen," a Welch Song; "Ellen Aroon"; "Flutt'ring Spread Thy Purple Pinions"; Air du Barbier de Seville; "Life Let Us Cherish"; "Song in the Stranger"; "Crazy Jane"; "When Pensive I thought of My Love" -- from Bluebeard; "The Tear"; "Poor Richard"; "Ah! Gentle Hope"; "The SailorBoy"; "The Wedding Day"; "Dear Nancy I've Sailed the World All Around"; "M'ha Detto la mia mama" -- by Martini; "Thou Art Gone Awa' Mary"; "Flora"; "A Prey to Tender Anguish"; "Psalm 148"; "Old 100th Psalm"; "Psalm 134"; "Psalm 57, verse 8" by Handel; "Psalm 146, verse 6" by Handel; "Psalm 42, verse 9" by Handel; "Easter Hymn"; "Sanctus"; "Lewis Gordon"; "Evening Hymn"; "The Mermaids Song," by Haydn; "The Blind Boy"; "Duke of York's March."

Box 6, folder 34:
Two pages of manuscript music and notes in the hand of Thomas Jefferson. Opening phrases of compositions of Carlo Antonio Campioni which Jefferson owned, inscribed "On this paper is noted the beginning of the several compositions of Campioni which are in possession of T. Jefferson. He would be glad to have everything else he has composed of Solos, Duets, or Trios. Printed copies would be preferred; but if not to be had, he would have them in manuscript."

Part 2

Music from the library of Thomas Jefferson. A collection of eighteenth-century songs. Inscribed "John Wayles," father-in-law of Thomas Jefferson. This bound volume is in the Rare Book Room, ViU. It consists of several books of songs and many loose pieces of sheet music all bound together as one volume. In the last part of the volume, many of the loose pieces of sheet music were mounted on pages from the Bristol Journal, [ca. 1766-67]. [Spec. Coll.: McGregor A 1723-1790 .J4 no. 1-9 (folio)] Contents of the volume:
Lyric Harmony -- 18 entire new ballads, with Colin and Phaebe [sic] in Score -- performed at Vauxhall Gardens by Mrs. Arne and Mr. Lowe -- composed by Thomas Augustine Arne -- printed -- Wm. Smith, Middle Row, Holborn, [ca. 1740-41].

A Second Collection of Favorite Songs Sung at Vauxhall - composed by J. C. Bach -- printed by Welcker in Gerrard St., St. Ann's, Soho, [ca. 1762-68].

The Laurel Book II -- English Songs and Cantatas -- composed by Mr. Joseph Baildon -- printed for I. Walker, in Catherine St. in the Strand, [ca. 1736-66]. Songs listed by first lines.

(separate sheet) "The Love Rapture" -- by Mr. Arne

The Jessamine collection of songs by Mr. Thomas Curtis, organist of St. Mildred's, Bread St. Printed by I. Cox at Simpson's Musick Shop in Sweeting's Alley, opposite the East Door of the Royal Exchange, [ca. 1765-96].

The Ballads Sung by Mr. Dibdin this Evening at Ranclagh .... composed by Mr. Dibdin -- printed and sold at the composer's house, at the Lyre and Owl, in St. Martin's Lane; at Mr. Griffin's, bookseller in Catharine St; at Ranelagh House, [ca. 1764-76]. Listed by first lines.

Three Cantatas by Mr. G. Hayden [Haydn] printed John Johnson, Harp and Crown in Cheapside, [ca. 1740-62].

A Collection of Songs Sung at Marybone Gardens -- by Mr. Rennoldson -- music by Mr. Heron, organist of St. Magnus, London Bridge, and to the Earl of Peterborough -- Book IV -- Longman, Lukey and Co., 26 Cheapside, [ca. 1769-75].

[Same as above] Book V, 1771

The Favorite Songs Sung At Ranelagh .... printed for Robert Bremner, Harp and Hautboy, opposite Somerset House in Strand, [ca. 1762-89].

The following are separate sheets of music, and comprise the last part of the bound volume:


Part 3

Manuscript music book, supposedly belonged to Martha Jefferson Randolph. Several unidentifiable selections and fragments of selections, along with the following listing. Ace. No. 7443-F, Manuscripts Department, ViU. [Spec. Coll.: M-2260]


Part 4

Music manuscript notebook (ca. 1770). This notebook allegedly belonged to Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson. It contains words and music of several songs. Deposited with Manuscripts Department, ViU, by Mr. James A. Bear, Jr., Curator of Monticello. [Spec. Coll.: Acc. No. 5385-ab, M-2260]


Part 5

Monticello music collection, Curator's Office, Monticello Acc. No. 71-6331
Folder A
Collection of sheets of music, tied together with string. Some of the pieces are individual editions of songs in sheet music form; a few are selections cut from other volumes. Inscribed "Elizabeth Virginia Lightfoot" and "Elizabeth Virginia Nicholas" in several places. Most of these pieces of music date from the 1790s. There is no way of telling how or when they came into the possession of the Jefferson family. The following list contains as much information on each piece of music in this folder as is available.
Folder B
Pages 17-30 of a collection of songs. All of the pieces in this selection are written in one- or two-staff treble clef arrangements. Arrangements such as this were usually used for violin or flute. None of the songs have lyrics, or any evidence of composers or date of composition and publication. They probably date from the early 19th century. The following tunes are in this collection:
Folder C
Collection of miscellaneous pieces of sheet music for voice and pianoforte, some being separate sheet issues and some excerpts from other collections. They are in very bad shape. Someone has stitched them together with string. The following list includes whatever is known about each selection.
Folder D
Pieces of music from a book of B. F. Peale's arrangement for Spanish Guitar, published by G. E. Blake of Philadelphia, July 29, 1826. Jefferson's granddaughters, Cornelia Randolph, Virginia Randolph Trist, and Septimia Randolph Meikleham, all played the guitar. Jefferson bought Virginia an expensive Spanish guitar in 1816, and there are many passages in the family correspondence that mention the fact that she played it, probably rather well. The date of this guitar music indicates that it was very likely used by Virginia, and perhaps later by Cornelia and Septimia.
Folder E
One-page manuscript fragment, "Row Gently Here -- A Popular Venetian Air, from [?]." Piano and voice arrangement, with lyric.

Folder F
One-page sheet, "Flutt'ring Spread Thy Purple Pinions." Piano and voice, with guitar and German flute parts. Published by John Lee, No. 70 Dame St., at the corner of Eustace St., Dublin, [ca. 1778-1803].

Folder G
Two pieces of sheet music, bound together with string.
Folder H
Miscellaneous pieces of manuscript music and lyrics in various hands, one of them Martha Jefferson Randolph's.
Folder I
Fragment of a book of Scotch songs. Pp. v-vi of introduction, the table of contents, nos. 1-24 of the lyrics, and nos. 1-23 of the music are intact. Published, Blair-Sweet, Edinburgh, May 1, 1793.

Folder J
Six Ariettes Choisis, Avec Accompagnement D'un Clavecin ou Piano Forte Arrange Par Mr. L. Prix 4 livre 4 sols A Paris. Chez le Sr. Sieber Musicien rue St. Honore entre la rue D'orlean et Celle des vielles Etuves vis avis l'Hotel D'Aligre chez l'Apothicaire No. 92.
Folder K
Miscellaneous sheets from several issues of a weekly music journal published in Paris. Voice and piano, or harpsichord.

Return to Introduction
Notes:
Transcription from Nolan, Carolyn Galbraith. "Thomas Jefferson: Gentleman Musician." M.A. thesis. University of Virginia, 1967, pp. 112-19. Unlike the print version, this web document does not attempt to reproduce the page layout of Jefferson's original. Jefferson's check marks which indicate which items he actually possessed in his library have been transcribed in this web version as equal signs (=).

Sonneck, Oscar G. A Bibliography of Early American Secular Music. Rev. and enl. William Treat Upton. Washington, D.C.: Music Division, The Library of Congress, 1945.

These selections are pp. 55-56 and 53-54 from No. 7 of the Gentleman's Amusement, published ca. May 1796. According to the Music Division, DLC, this copy of pp. 53-54 is the only extant copy of this page. See Sonneck. See also correspondence: Mrs. Helen Cripe to Music Division, DLC, from Curator's Office, Monticello, Nov. 10, 1971, and Music Division, DLC, to Mr. Bear and Mrs. Cripe, Nov. 22, 1971.