Huntsman, John [compiler]. Social Melodies, being a collection of the most popular Hymns and Spiritual Songs, now in use, And designed to encourage and stimulate the Spirit of Devotion. St. Clairsville, O.: Published by E. Harris & J. Huntsman | Printed by Heaton & Gressinger, 1842. First Edition. [11134]
Leather spine, green paper over card, boards are scruffed and worn, corners rounded, small nick top of spine, joints with short splits at top edges, 10.2 x 6.5 cm (4 x 2 5/8 inches). 255 pages, text is complete, end papers present, some light infrequent foxing. Page 211 with probable printer error, affecting some lines. Very good. Hardcover.
163 hymns and one chorus, with index. Words only.
"John Huntsman" is a very common name during this time period in Ohio. The source of the record below suggests that this John Huntsman was the author of a hymnal, but was not definite about it. We give it to you with that caveat.
John William Huntsman (1811-1863), b. Jacobsburg, Ohio; d. Glencoe, Ohio. At the age of 51 Huntsman enlisted as a musician with Company H, 61st Infantry Regiment, Ohio. He gave his birth year as 1814 and entered the ranks as 48 years old. He received a disability discharge on Oct. 11, 1862, at Washington, DC., and died 13 months later. There is a photo of him extant holding a fife while in uniform, with a grey beard, which may be found under his name at FindAGrave online, where it states, "John may have been the author of a hymnal." This photo is added here by permission of the owner.
With a signed provenance card from the music collection of A. Merril Smoak, Jr., DWS.
