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No restrictions. Copyright for Official University records is held by Wesleyan University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. [Identification of item], William Dwight Franklin and the Continental Vocalists Collection, Collection #1000-134, Special Collections & Archives, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA. Acquired prior to 1980. Processed by Linda Hurteau, January 2007 Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, January 2007 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
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT, USA
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.
William Dwight Franklin and the Continental Vocalists Collection contains published and unpublished books of music and lyrics.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.
These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.
The second trip featured 177 shows and took in $6,841.00 with the same members of the company. It commenced Sept. 4, 1855.
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.
This book is a combination of journal and scrapbook. It includes original writings as well as entry passes, tickets, articles, songs, programs, drawings and announcements regarding Continental Vocalists or their members. It is unfortunate that this scrapbook's pasted-in material has been glued over original writings. An advertisement lists Mr. W.D. Franklin as instructor of Musical Instruction and Cultivation of the Voice.
Inside cover reads
Contents include:
Photograph of Continental Vocalists with Watson, Lewis, Franklin, and Smith.
Negative and photograph of Smith, Franklin, Rogers, and Watson.
W.D. Franklin business card.
Continental Vocalists Programme.
Gospel and educational temperance contribution card.
1873:
1874 invitation:
1876 programme:
1877 announcement card:
1878 programme:
1881 advertisement:
March 1892: note regarding Mr. and Mrs. Franklin from H.E. Parker, Pastor M.E. Church
This series contains a collection of books with lyrics and music of songs performed by the Continental Vocalists. Most of the music books in this box appear to have belonged to William Dwight Franklin. The
Includes an unbound 1860 edition and a bound 1874 edition. The unbound version belonged to W.D. Franklin.
Title page reads,
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by O. Ditson & Co., in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
This hardcover book contains the lyrics and music to the
Title page:
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by J.E. Gould, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Inside cover includes a handwritten
Cover missing. The writing in this notebook may not belong to W.D. Franklin.
Notebook of words and music.
Inside back cover reads:
First page seems to be missing.
Music notebook contains lyrics, music or brief instrumental arrangements on songs.
Notebook of handwritten lyrics and music.
First page reads:
This notebook contains the lyrics to songs sung by W.D. Franklin but not the music.
This book contains handwritten lyrics and music to a collection of W.D. Franklin songs. First page reads:
Middletown School Festival Music, 7 copies