Chapter II: Part 2
"I had the gracious alternative of making a bonfire or of making a
publication [of the _Gordian Knot_]. I decided for the latter--how
wisely time will show."--Harby's _Works_, p. 20.
HATTON, ANN JULIA
ANN JULIA HATTON was a member of the Kemble family and a sister of Mrs. Siddons. She was the wife of William Hatton, a celebrated musical instrument maker, at 3 Peck Slip, New York City.
THE SONGS OF TAMMANY; OR, THE INDIAN CHIEF. A Serious Opera, by Ann
Julia Hatton. To be had at the printing-office of John Harrison,
No. 3 Peck Slip, and of Mr. Faulkner, at the box-office of the
theatre. [Price one shilling.] New York, 1794. 16mo, pp. 16.
The opera from which these songs were taken (_Tammany; or, The
Indian Chief_), was written for the Tammany Society, and was first
played at the John Street Theatre, March 3, 1794, and "had a great
run."
No trace can be found of the play itself being published.
The prologue to _Tammany_ was published in a volume of poems by R.
B. Davis, New York, 1807, pp. 120-1.
HAWKINS, MICAH
THE SAW MILL; OR, A YANKEE TRICK. A Comic Opera. New York, 1824.
12mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, November 29, 1825.
HENRY, JOHN
JOHN HENRY was a native of Dublin, and made his debut at Drury Lane, in 1762, with little success. He joined Douglas's Company in the West Indies, and coming to New York from there made his first appearance on the American stage at the John Street Theatre, New York, December 7, 1767, playing in America until the close of the year 1794. He died in 1795, on a vessel bound for Newport.
"It is recorded that for many years after the Revolution, Mr. Henry was the only actor in New York who kept a coach, and that in his case frequent attacks of the gout rendered it a necessity." The panels of the coach were decorated with a representation of two crutches crossed, and the motto, "This or These."
A SCHOOL FOR SOLDIERS; OR, THE DESERTER. A Dramatic Poem. Printed
at Kingston in Jamaica [W. I.] 1783. 8vo.
This piece was first played in Kingston.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, April 24, 1788.
HILLHOUSE, JAMES ABRAHAM
JAMES ABRAHAM HILLHOUSE, born in New Haven, September 26, 1789, died there January 5, 1841, son of Hon. James Hillhouse, was graduated from Yale in 1808. He came to New York and engaged in business as a merchant, but soon retired, and gave his time to literary pursuits.
PERCY'S MASQUE. A Drama in Five Acts, from the London edition. New
York, 1820. 12mo.
It is doubtful if a London edition of this piece was published.
HADAD. A Dramatic Poem, by James A. Hillhouse, author of _Percy's
Masque_ and _The Judgment_. New York, 1825. 8vo, pp. 208.
DEMETRIA. A Domestic Tragedy in Five Acts.
This was written in 1813, but was not published until 1839, when
it was included in the author's _Works_, Bost. 1839. 2 vols.
HITCHCOCK, EDWARD
EDWARD HITCHCOCK, born in Deerfield, Mass., May 24, 1793, died in Amherst, Mass., February 27, 1864. In 1816 he became principal of the academy in Deerfield, where he remained for three years. He was ordained minister of the Congregational Church at Conway, Mass., in 1821. In 1825 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Natural History in Amherst College. He continued his connection with the college, having been appointed to the presidency with the professorship of Natural Theology and Geology, until his resignation in 1854. He was the author of numerous scientific and theological works. The tragedy mentioned below is his first and probably his only dramatic production. He died in 1864.
EMANCIPATION OF EUROPE; OR, THE DOWNFALL OF BUONAPARTE. A Tragedy.
Greenfield, 1815. 16mo, pp. 108.
HODGKINSON, JOHN
JOHN HODGKINSON was born in Manchester, England, in 1767, died in Washington, D. C., December 12, 1805. His real name was Meadowcraft. His first successes were on the Bath stage. He came to America with the company of Hallam & Henry, and made his debut at the John Street Theatre in 1793. He bought out Henry's interest, and continued one of the managers until 1798. He went to Charleston, S. C., in 1803, but became a victim of yellow fever while travelling, and died near Washington, D. C.
THE MAN OF FORTITUDE; OR, THE KNIGHT'S ADVENTURE. A Drama in Three
Acts. New York, 1807. 16mo, pp. 32.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, June 7, 1797.
Dunlap says that this play was rewritten in prose upon the text of
a manuscript in blank verse in one act called _The Knight's
Adventure_, which Dunlap had submitted to Hodgkinson some years
previously, and declares that the latter seemed unconscious of any
wrong-doing.
ROBIN HOOD; OR, SHERWOOD FOREST. A Comic Opera in Two Acts, by
Leonard Macnally, Esq. From Hodgkinson's Prompt-Book. New York,
1808. 16mo, pp. 68.
HOPKINSON, FRANCIS
FRANCIS HOPKINSON, born in Philadelphia, Pa., September 21, 1737, died there May 9, 1791, was the son of Thomas Hopkinson. Francis was educated at the College of Philadelphia, studied law under Benjamin Chew, and was admitted to the bar in 1761. His career belongs to the public history of the making of the United States. To enumerate his works and honors would transcend the scope of this book. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1776, signed the Declaration of Independence, and was the first head of the treasury department of the new government. The first powerful satire of the British in Revolution, _The Battle of the Kegs_, was from his pen. A ripe scholar and a prolific writer of prose and verse in both humorous and earnest methods, skilled in music and in polite conversation, he was one of the most brilliant of the group of early jurists and writers of our country. He was United States District Judge of Pennsylvania at the time of his death. The authorship of the two anonymous college dialogues cited below is positively given to him in the Brinley Catalogue (New York, March, 1880), in view of which, and of the not less important fact that Thomas Hopkinson died in 1751, I think, notwithstanding the statement made by a contemporary newspaper, that the Dialogue of the 1776 commencement was his work. Of that occasion Sanderson's _Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence_ says in the memoir of Francis Hopkinson: "Among the records of a public commencement of that institution [the College of Philadelphia], held on the twentieth of May, 1766, the board of trustees, comprising the governor, chief justice and most distinguished men of the province, passed the following resolution: 'After the business of the commencement was finished, it was resolved that as Francis Hopkinson (who was the first scholar entered in this seminary at its opening and likewise one of the first who received a degree in it) was about to embark for England and has always done honor to the place of his education by his abilities and good morals, as well as rendered it many substantial services on all public occasions, the thanks of this institution ought to be delivered to him in the most affectionate manner.'"
AN EXERCISE CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND ODE SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
HIS LATE GRACIOUS MAJESTY, GEORGE II. Performed at the Public
Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May 23, 1761. The
Ode Written and set to music by Francis Hopkinson. Philadelphia:
W. Dunlap, 1761. 4to, pp. 8.
AN EXERCISE, CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND ODE ON THE ACCESSION OF HIS
PRESENT GRACIOUS MAJESTY, GEORGE III. Performed at the Public
Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May 18th, 1762.
Philadelphia: Printed by W. Dunlap, 1762. 4to, pp. 8.
DIALOGUE [in verse] FOR THE COMMENCEMENT in the College of
Philadelphia, May 30th, 1765. 8vo, pp. 4.
HOPKINSON, THOMAS
THOMAS HOPKINSON, born in London, England, April 6, 1709, died in Philadelphia, Pa., November 5, 1751, was son of a London merchant. In 1731, having been admitted to the bar, he settled in Philadelphia, where he became a deputy, and finally principal clerk of the Orphan's Court. For many years he was a member of the council of the province and a judge of court. Always interested in letters and science, he became the intimate friend of Franklin, to whom he suggested the use of metal points for the purpose of obtaining electric sparks. The Library Company, the College of Philadelphia, and the Philosophical Society named him among their incorporators and earliest officers. Perhaps his greatest distinction now is that he was the father of Francis Hopkinson, who may have caused the under-mentioned dialogue to be produced "for remembrance."
AN EXERCISE, CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Performed at the
Public Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May 20th,
1766. Philadelphia: Printed by W. Dunlap, 1766. Small 4to, pp.
8.
The _Pennsylvania Journal_ of June 5, 1766, is authority for the
authorship of this exercise.
HOSMER, W. H. C.
WILLIAM HENRY CUYLER HOSMER was born at Avon, in the valley of the Genesee, New York, May 25, 1814, and died there May 23, 1877. He was graduated from the University of Vermont, and was for many years a well-known lawyer and writer on the subjects of North American Indians, and their lore. He contributed a number of articles to magazines, and also published several volumes of poetry. His poetical works were published in two volumes in 1854, when the author was a clerk in the Custom House of the port of New York.
THE FALL OF TECUMSEH. A Drama. Avon, 1830. 12mo.
This play, written when the author was but sixteen years of age,
was his first literary work.
HUMPHREYS, DAVID
DAVID HUMPHREYS was born in Derby, Conn., in July, 1753, died in New Haven, Conn., February 21, 1818. He was graduated from Yale College in 1767, and at the beginning of the Revolution entered the army. In 1778 he was attached to the staff of General Putnam, with the rank of major.
In 1780 he was made a colonel and aide-de-camp to Washington. He was custodian of the standards, surrendered at Yorktown and was presented with a sword by Congress.
In 1784 he was appointed Secretary to the Legation for concluding treaties with foreign powers.
He resided at Mount Vernon until the framing of the Constitution, when he came to New York with the President.
In 1790 he was nominated Ambassador to Portugal, and sailed for that country in 1791. He was afterwards appointed to represent the United States at Madrid, and during this time concluded treaties of peace with Tripoli and Algiers. He was the author of a number of works, including a Life of General Israel Putnam.
THE WIDOW OF MALABAR; OR, THE TYRANNY OF CUSTOM. A Tragedy in Five
Acts. Translated from the French of M. Le Mierre.
This play was published in the _Miscellaneous Works_ of Humphreys,
New York, 1790, pp. 115-176.
First played at the Philadelphia Theatre, 1790. The announcement
of its performance at the John Street Theatre, New York, October
17, 1791, was in these words:
_The Widow of Malabar; or, The Tyranny of Custom._ A play in five
acts, written by a citizen of the United States (acted at
Philadelphia and Baltimore with great applause), with a prologue
by J. Trumbull, LL.D.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, October, 1791.
THE YANKEY IN ENGLAND. A Drama in Five Acts. n. p., n. d. [Conn.,
1815.] 12mo, pp. 110, 1.
Dunlap says he also wrote a comedy, and relates how he endeavored
to persuade the manager, John Bernard, to bring it out, but was
unsuccessful. _The Yankey in England_ was probably the play.
HUNTER, ROBERT
ROBERT HUNTER was born in England, and was appointed governor of New York in 1710. He was afterwards governor of Jamaica, where he died in 1734. He was the author of the celebrated letter on enthusiasm, which has been ascribed to Swift.
ANDROBOROS. A Bographical Farce, in Three Acts, viz., The Senate,
The Consistory, And The Apotheosis. By Governour Hunter.
Printed at Monoropolis since 1st August, 1714.
The first dramatic piece published in America.
It is a severe criticism of the clergy, members, and others of
Trinity Church, the principal among whom was Dr. Vesey.
The piece is excessively rare, and mentioned by few
bibliographers, and then only by the first word of the title. It
was published anonymously, and printed by Wm. Bradford in 1714.
Only one copy is known, now in the collection of the Duke of
Devonshire. A manuscript copy of it is in the collection of Evert
Jansen Wendell, Esq., of New York.
The copy owned by the Duke of Devonshire formerly belonged to John
Philip Kemble, the tragedian. It contains a number of manuscript
corrections, probably from the hand of the author, among them the
word "Bographical" on the title-page, which is changed to
"Biographical"; "Monoropolis," which is changed to "Moropolis."
The title-page has been torn at the bottom, and the figures 14
appear in ink.
The following lines have been written in this copy by Kemble:
"Androboros, etc. Printed at Mosicropolis. Whoever made the
correction meant, I suppose, to imply that it was printed at Moros
Polis--'Foolstown.' The corrections that run all through the
piece, and the key to the characters, make me suppose that this
was the author's copy."
On the title, Kemble has written, "Collated and perfect, J. P. K.,
1798."
Gov. Hunter was assisted in the writing of this piece by Chief
Justice Lewis Morris.
HUTTON, JOSEPH
JOSEPH HUTTON was born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 25, 1787, and died in Newbern, N. C., January 31, 1828. In early life he contributed verses to periodicals of that city; he also wrote prose, and published several romantic stories in a literary paper. About 1811 he published a collection of fugitive poems under the title of _Leisure Hours_. He also published a poem called _The Field of Orleans_, in the style of Sir Walter Scott. In 1823 he removed to Newbern, N. C., where he established himself as a teacher and wrote for the Newbern _Sentinel_.
THE SCHOOL FOR PRODIGALS. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the
New Theatre, Philadelphia. New York, 1809. 18mo, pp. 62.
Played at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, in 1808.
THE WOUNDED HUSSAR; OR, RIGHTFUL HEIR. A Musical Afterpiece in Two
Acts, as performed at the New Theatre, Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, 1809. 18mo, pp. 24.
Another edition, Philadelphia, 1809, 16mo, pp. 62.
Played at the Chestnut Street Theatre, Phila., in 1809.
FASHIONABLE FOLLIES. A Comedy. New York, 1809. 18mo.
Another edition, Philadelphia, 1815, 18mo, pp. 76.
THE ORPHAN OF PRAGUE. A Drama in Five Acts. New York, 1810. 18mo,
pp. 58.
HYER, W. G.
ROSA. A Melodrama in Three Acts. New York, 1822. 12mo, pp. 44.
INGERSOLL, CHARLES JARED
CHARLES JARED INGERSOLL, born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 3, 1782, died there May 14, 1862, was a lawyer of note, elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, 1813-15 and 1841-47. He was United States District Attorney for Pennsylvania from 1815 to 1829. He was the author of the celebrated _Inchiquin's Letters_ (1810) and a _Historical Sketch of the Second War between the United States and Great Britain_.
EDWY AND ELGIVA. A Tragedy in Five Acts. Performed at the New
Theatre. Philadelphia, Ashbury Dickins. 8vo, pp. 84.
Dedicated to Mrs. Merry, who played _Elgiva_ in the original
production in 1801.
IOOR, W.
INDEPENDENCE; OR, WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST, THE PEER OR THE FARMER? A
Comedy. Charleston, 1805. 8vo, pp. 70.
THE BATTLE OF THE EUTAW SPRINGS, AND EVACUATION OF CHARLESTON; OR,
THE GLORIOUS 14TH OF DECEMBER, 1782. A National Drama in Five
Acts. Charleston, for the author, 1807. 8vo, pp. 59.
Played in the Charleston Theatre in 1817.
JUDAH, S. B. H.
SAMUEL B. H. JUDAH was a well-known writer of New York City in the early part of the present century. He wrote a novel called _The Buccaneers_, and a work entitled _Gotham and the Gothamites_, both of which reflected on the society of New York at that time, and caused the author to be sued for libel and his works suppressed. His plays were performed in England as well as America.
THE MOUNTAIN TORRENT. A Grand Melodrama, in Two Acts. New York,
1820. 18mo, pp. v.-54.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 1, 1820.
THE ROSE OF ARRAGON; OR, THE VIGIL OF ST. MARK. A Melodrama in Two
Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 38.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 18, 1822.
A TALE OF LEXINGTON. A National Comedy founded on the opening of the
Revolution, in Three Acts. New York, 1823. 18mo, pp. v-60.
ODOFRIEDE, THE OUTCAST. A Dramatic Poem. New York, 1822. 8vo, pp.
89, [6].
KENNICOTT, JAMES H.
IRMA; OR, THE PREDICTION. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed at
the American Theatre, New Orleans. New York, 1830. Portrait of
James H. Caldwell. 16mo, pp. iv.-56.
This play gained, in competition with five others, the prize of
$300 offered by James H. Caldwell--the manager of the American
Theatre, New Orleans. It was played in that theatre in March,
1830.
KERR, JOHN
RIP VAN WINKLE; OR, THE DEMONS OF THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. A National
Drama in Two Acts. Philadelphia, n. d. 16mo, pp. 76.
Played at the Park Theatre in New York, April 22, 1830, with Mr.
James H. Hackett in the title role.
LATHY, THOMAS PIKE
REPARATION; OR, THE SCHOOL FOR LIBERTINES. A Drama, as performed at
the Boston Theatre. Boston, 1800. 12mo, pp. 46.
LAWSON, JAMES
JAMES LAWSON, born in Glasgow, Scotland, November 9, 1799; died in Yonkers, N. Y., March 20, 1880. He was educated at Glasgow University and came to New York in 1815. He was at first employed as a clerk in the counting house of a maternal uncle, who was a merchant of New York. He began writing for the New York _Literary Gazette_ in 1826, and from 1827 to 1829 was the assistant editor of the _Morning Courier_. He edited the _Mercantile Advertiser_ from 1829 to 1833. For a time subsequently he engaged in the business of marine insurance. He published several volumes of stories and poems.
DRAMATIC SKETCH. Julian and Elphina.
Published in _Tales and Sketches by a Cosmopolite_. New York,
1830, pp. 99-100.
GIORDANO. A Tragedy. New York, 1832. 8vo, pp. 102.
Played at the Park Theatre, N. Y., November 13, 1828.
LEACOCK, JOHN
THE FALL OF BRITISH TYRANNY; OR, AMERICAN LIBERTY TRIUMPHANT. The
First Campaign. A Tragi-comedy of Five Acts as lately planned at
the Theatrum Pandemonium at St. James. The principal place of
action in America. Published according to Act of Parliament.
Philadelphia: Printed by Styner & Cist. 8vo, pp. viii.-66.
Same. Providence, J. Douglas McDougall. n. d. [1776]. 12mo, pp.
viii.-66.
Same. Boston: Reprinted by Gill & Powars & Willis. n. d. 8vo, pp.
viii.-71.
This is an American Chronicle Play beginning with imaginary events
in England before the Revolution, showing the battles about Boston
and ending with the evacuation of that city by the British.
DISAPPOINTED. Philadelphia, 1796. 12mo.
Played in Philadelphia, April 2, 1796.
THE MEDLEY; OR, HARLEQUIN HAVE AT YE ALL. A Pantomime acted at
Covent Garden. 8vo, 1778.
LEE, WALTER
LAFAYETTE; OR, THE FORTRESS OF OLMUTZ. A Melodrama in Three Acts.
Philadelphia, 1824. 16mo, pp. 60.
A drama bearing this title was written by Wm. Woodworth, q. v.
LELAND, AARON W.
AARON W. LELAND, born in Holliston, Mass., May 28, 1761, died in Chester, Vt., August 25, 1833. He was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church about 1786, and settled in Chester, Vt. He was a member of the Vermont Legislature from 1801 to 1811, a councillor for four years, Lieutenant-Governor of the State for five years, and justice of his county court for eighteen years. He refused a nomination for governor in 1828. He was a very effective orator.
THE FATAL ERROR. A Tragedy. Exhibited at Williams College, March 25,
1807. Pittsfield: Printed by Seymour & Smith, 1807. 12mo, pp.
27.
Another edition. Peterboro: Reprinted by Jonathan Bunce & Co.,
[Madison County], 1810. 12mo, pp. 24.
LENNOX, CHARLOTTE
This author was a native of New York, and a daughter of Gov. James Ramsey, of that province. She went to England in 1735 and became a writer of note, Dr. Johnson considering her work equal to that of Fanny Burney and other well-known female writers. The epilogue to _The Sister_ was written by Oliver Goldsmith.
THE SISTER. A Comedy. London, 1769. 8vo, pp. 76.
LILLIBRIDGE, GARDNER R.
TANCRED; OR, THE RIGHTFUL HEIR TO ROCHDALE CASTLE. A Drama, altered
from a Tale of Ancient Times. Providence, 1824. 16mo, pp. 68.
LINDSLEY, A. B.
LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP; OR, YANKEE NOTIONS. A Comedy in Three Acts. New
York, 1809. 18mo, pp. 58.
LOW, SAMUEL
THE POLITICIAN OUT-WITTED. A Comedy in Five Acts, written in 1788,
by an American. New York: Printed by W. Ross, 1789. 8vo, pp. 71.
MACPHERSON, J.
A PENNSYLVANIA SAILOR'S LETTERS, ALIAS, THE FARMER'S FALL; WITH
EXTRACTS FROM A TRAGIC COMEDY, CALLED HODGE PODGE IMPROVED; OR,
THE RACE FAIRLY RUN. The author's sympathy for an Innocent Woman
prevents his publishing the whole of that Dramatic piece. Number
1. Philadelphia, for the author, 1771. 8vo, pp. 64.
MARKOE, PETER
PETER MARKOE, born in Santa Cruz (St. Croix), one of the West India Islands, in 1735, died in Philadelphia in 1792. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, read law in London, and settled in Philadelphia in 1783. He there became addicted to literature and contributed to the leading periodicals over the name "A Native of Algiers."
THE PATRIOT CHIEF. A Tragedy. Philadelphia: Wm. Prichard, 1783. 8vo,
pp. 70.
THE RECONCILIATION; OR, THE TRIUMPH OF NATURE. A Comic Opera, in Two
Acts. Philadelphia, Prichard & Hall, 1790. 12mo, pp. 48.
MAURICE, MARK
THE MANUSCRIPT--COMPRISING "THE FRATRICIDE" AND MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.
Boston, 1827. 12mo, pp. 70.
McHENRY, JAMES
DR. JAMES MCHENRY, born in Larne, County Antrim, Ireland, December 20, 1785, died there July 20, 1845. He was graduated in medicine at Dublin University and Glasgow, and first located in practice at Larne, whence he removed to Belfast. He came to the United States in 1817 and followed his profession in Baltimore, Md., and Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1824 he settled in Philadelphia, where he practiced medicine and carried on a mercantile business. From 1842 to the time of his death he was United States Consul at Londonderry, in Ireland. His home in Philadelphia was the resort of most of the literary people of that and other cities. He published a poem on the _Pleasures of Friendship_ in 1822. He was editor of the _American Monthly Magazine_ in Philadelphia in 1824, and wrote and published a number of novels.
THE USURPER. A Historical Tragedy in Five Acts. Philadelphia, 1829.
16mo, pp. 65.
Played at the old Chestnut Street Theatre.
MEAD,----.
WALL STREET; OR, TEN MINUTES BEFORE THREE. A Farce. New York, 1819.
18mo, pp. 34.
Third edition.
Immortalized by Halleck in the lines:
And who would now the Athenian dramas read,
When he can get "Wall Street," by Mr. Mead.
MEGIA, F.
LAFAYETTE EN MOUNT VERNON EN 17 DE OCTUBRE, 1824. Drama in Two
Actos. Filadelfia, Stavely Y. Bringhurst, 1825. 16mo, pp. 30.
MINSHULL, JOHN
A COMIC OPERA, ENTITLED RURAL FELICITY, WITH THE HUMOUR OF PATRICK
AND THE MARRIAGE OF SHELTY. New York, 1801. Portrait. 8vo, pp.
68.
A COMEDY ENTITLED: THE SPRIGHTLY WIDOW, WITH THE FROLICS OF YOUTH;
OR, A SPEEDY WAY OF UNITING THE SEXES BY HONOURABLE MARRIAGE.
New York, 1803. Portrait of author. 8vo, pp. 64.
HE STOOPS TO CONQUER; OR, THE VIRGIN TRIUMPHANT. A Comedy in Three
Acts. New York, 1804. 8vo, pp. 34.
Pp. 31-34 contain Littleton's Sixth Letter, with note by Minshull.
A COMEDY ENTITLED, THE MERRY DAMES; OR, THE HUMOURIST'S TRIUMPH OVER
THE POET IN PETTICOATS, AND THE GALLANT EXPLOITS OF THE KNIGHT
OF THE COMB. A Comedy in Three Acts. New York, 1805. 8vo, pp.
30.
MUNFORD, ROBERT
COLONEL ROBERT MUNFORD was a distinguished patriot of the Revolution. His poems and plays were collected and published by his son William, noticed below.
THE CANDIDATE. THE PATRIOTS.
The above plays were published in a volume of _Minor Poems_ at
Petersburg, Va., 1798. 8vo, pp. 206.
MUNFORD, WILLIAM
WILLIAM MUNFORD, son of the above, was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., in 1775, and died in Richmond, Va., June 21, 1825. At the age of twenty-one he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He was afterwards a senator from his district, was elected a member of the Privy Council of State, and continued in that office up to the time of his death. His chief literary work was a _Translation of Homer's Iliad_ in blank verse, which was not published during his life-time.
ALMORAN AND HAMET. A Tragedy. Published in a volume of _Poems and
Compositions in Prose on several occasions._ Richmond, 1798.
8vo, pp. 189, [1].
MURDOCK, J.
THE TRIUMPHS OF LOVE; OR, HAPPY RECONCILIATIONS. A Comedy.
Philadelphia, 1795. (Plate.) 12mo, pp. 83.
THE POLITICIANS; OR, A STATE OF THINGS. A Dramatic Piece. Written by
an American and a Citizen of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1798.
8vo, pp. 37, and printed note.
NEAL, JOHN
JOHN NEAL, born in Portland, Me., August 25, 1793, died there June 21, 1876. He was entirely self-educated, and, after a few years of business occupation in Baltimore, he was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1819. He had already begun to have some popularity as a writer of stories, and in 1823 he was led to make a trip to England, in consequence of the popularity which his novels had acquired there. While in England he wrote several articles on America for the _Quarterly Review_, and enjoyed an intimacy with British men of letters, particularly Jeremy Bentham. On his return in 1828 he established _The Yankee_, and was an active journalist for half a century. To his energy is attributed the agitation of woman's suffrage, and the establishment of gymnasiums. He was Poe's first encourager. His _Recollections_ were published in 1869.
OTHO. A Tragedy in Five Acts. Boston, 1819. 16mo, pp. 120.
This play was written for Edmond Kean. It was entirely rewritten
in _The Yankee_ for 1828.
NOAH, MORDECAI MANUEL
MORDECAI MANUEL NOAH, born in Philadelphia, July 19, 1785, died in New York, May 22, 1851, was a journalist and a lawyer. He went into politics when quite young, and was appointed United States Consul to Morocco in 1813; came to New York about 1820, and edited _The National Advocate_. He afterwards established _The New York Enquirer_, _The Evening Star_, and other papers. He published also a volume of travels. He was at one time appointed sheriff of the county. An estimate of his character and popularity is thus given by a contemporary: "He told the best story, rounded the best sentence, and wrote the best play of all his contemporaries.... As editor, critic, and author, he was looked up to as an oracle."
THE FORTRESS OF SORRENTO. A Petit Historical Drama, in Two Acts. New
York, 1808. 16mo, pp. 28.
Taken from the French opera of _Leonora_.
SHE WOULD BE A SOLDIER; OR, THE PLAINS OF CHIPPEWA. An Historical
Drama in Three Acts. New York, 1819. 18mo, pp. 73.
This piece was written for the benefit of Miss Leesugg. It was
finished in three days, and first played in Philadelphia in 1813.
It was performed at the Park Theatre, New York, June 21, 1819.
THE WANDERING BOYS; OR, THE CASTLE OF OLIVAL. A Melodrama in Two
Acts. Boston, 1821. 16mo, pp. 44.
This was also played under the name of _Paul and Alexis; or The
Orphans of the Rhine_. It was written for Mrs. Young's benefit,
and played at Charleston in 1812.
MARION; OR, THE HERO OF LAKE GEORGE. A Drama, founded on the events
of the Revolutionary War, in Three Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, November 26, 1821.
THE GRECIAN CAPTIVE; OR, THE FALL OF ATHENS. A Drama. New York,
1822. 18mo, pp. iv.-48.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, June 17, 1822.
NORVAL, JAMES
THE GENEROUS CHIEF. A Tragedy. Montreal, 1792. 8vo.
This is probably the only original play published in Canada prior
to 1831.
O'CONWAY, JAMES
THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS. A Historical Tragedy, with Notes, as it was
represented on the French Theatre, by the Performers of the
Emperor of the French. To which is prefixed An Interesting
History of the Origin, Character, and Persecution, of That
Illustrious Order. Also the Mode of Receiving Members. The whole
supported by the most Respectable Authorities. Translated from
the original of M. Raynouard, by Matthias James O'Conway,
commissioned interpreter and teacher of the Spanish, French and
English languages. Philadelphia: Published by the Translator,
No. 202 Chestnut Street. Brown & Merritt, Printers, 24 Church
Alley, 1809. Portrait of "Jacques de Molay." 8vo, title, 1 p.
l., pp. lxviii. 3-80, [1]
PARKE, JOHN
JOHN PARKE was born in Delaware about 1750. At the commencement of the Revolution he entered the American Army and was attached to Washington's Division. After the war he was for some time in Philadelphia, and was last heard of in Arundel County, Va. A number of the pieces in his book are dated at camp in the neighborhood of Boston, at Valley Forge and other places.
VIRGINIA. A Pastoral Drama, on the Birth Day of an Illustrious
Personage and the Return of Peace, February 11, 1784 [4 lines of
poetry in Latin].
Published in a volume of poems entitled _The Lyric Works of
Horace_, etc. Printed by Eleazer Oswald, at the Coffee-House,
1786.
Another edition. Philadelphia: Eleazer Baldwin. 8vo, pp. 14, 1789.
This is probably the first attempt to celebrate Washington's
Birthday.
PAULDING, JAMES K.
JAMES KIRKE PAULDING, born in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess Co., N. Y., August 22, 1779, died in Hyde Park, in the same county, April 6, 1860, was associated with Washington Irving in literary work on _Salmagundi_. A paper on political affairs from Paulding's pen led to his appointment by President Madison as Secretary of the Navy Commission in Washington. He was Agent of the Navy at New York, 1825, and Secretary of the Navy under Van Buren.
THE BUCKTAILS; OR, AMERICANS IN ENGLAND. A Comedy, written shortly
after the conclusion of the War of 1812.
This play was published in a volume entitled _American Comedies_,
by W. I. Paulding, Author; Carey & Hart, Publishers. Philadelphia,
1847.
PAYNE, JOHN HOWARD
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, born in New York City, June 9, 1791, died in Tunis, Africa, April 9, 1852, was an actor and journalist. In early life he removed to Easthampton, L. I., where the greater part of his childhood was passed. He played in a number of amateur performances, and made his debut as an actor at the Park Theatre, New York City, February 24, 1809, as _Young Norval_. He made his literary debut by contributing to _The Fly_, a juvenile paper published by Woodworth. He soon after published a little paper called _The Thespian Mirror_, which had a short existence.
After playing in a number of American cities he went to England in 1813, where his success as an actor and dramatist was very great. His first appearance was at Drury Lane Theatre, June 4, 1813, as _Norval_. He also started a periodical in London called the _Opera Glass_.
He returned to America in 1832 and contributed to the _Democratic Review_ and other periodicals. Soon afterward (1841) he was appointed United States Consul at Tunis, where he died.
JULIA; OR, THE WANDERER. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the
New York Theatre. New York, 1806. 16mo, pp. 72.
The first separate writing of Payne, written when he was fourteen
years of age.
Performed as _The Wanderer_ at the Park Theatre, New York,
February 7, 1806.
LOVER'S VOWS. A Play in Five Acts. Baltimore, 1809. 16mo, pp. 90,
[4].
BRUTUS; OR, THE FALL OF TARQUIN. An Historical Tragedy in Five Acts.
London, 1818. 8vo, pp. viii.-53.
Same. New York, 1819. 16mo, pp. 54.
Acted for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London,
December 3, 1818.
First acted in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York,
March 15, 1820.
ACCUSATION; OR, THE FAMILY OF D'ANGLADE. A Melodrama in Three Acts,
from the French, with alterations. London, 1817. 8vo, pp. 79.
Same, Boston, 1818. 18mo, pp. vii.-76.
First acted at Park Theatre, New York, May 10, 1816.
THERESE, THE ORPHAN OF GENEVA. A Drama. New York, 1821. 18mo.
First acted at the Anthony Street Theatre, New York, April 30,
1821.
ADELINE; OR, SEDUCTION. A Melodrama in Three Acts. New York, 1822.
16mo, pp. 41.
Performed for the first time in the United States, at the Park
Theatre, New York, May 1, 1822.
CLARI, THE MAID OF MILAN. An Opera in Three Acts. New York, 1823.
16mo, pp. 54.
Another edition, London, 1823. 8vo, pp. 45.
Performed for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden,
London, May 8, 1823.
In this opera _Home, Sweet Home_ was sung for the first time.
Performed for the first time in the United States at the Park
Theatre, New York, November 12, 1823.
ALI PACHA; OR, THE SIGNET RING. A Melodrama in Two Acts. New York,
1823. 18mo, pp. 36.
Performed at the Park Theatre, New York, May 8, 1823.
RICHELIEU; OR, THE BROKEN HEART. A Domestic Tragedy founded on Fact.
(As adapted for performance at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden,
London, before it was altered by order of the Lord Chamberlain,
and produced under a new name.) Now First Printed from the
Author's Manuscript. New York, 1826. 18mo, pp. 79.
THE TWO GALLEY SLAVES. A Melodrama in Two Acts. London, n. d.
[1823]. Frontispiece. 18mo, pp. 33.
First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New
York, October 27, 1823.
'TWAS I; OR, THE TRUTH A LIE. A Farce in Two Acts. London, n. d.
8vo, pp. 15.
Same, New York, 1827.
Another edition, New York, 1828. 18mo.
First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New
York, May 20, 1826.
CHARLES THE SECOND; OR, THE MERRY MONARCH. A Comedy. [London, n. d.]
18mo, pp. 45.
Another edition, Philadelphia, 1829.
First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New
York, October 25, 1824.
LOVE IN HUMBLE LIFE. A Petit Comedy. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 31.
THE LANCERS. A Farce. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 27.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, 1829.
THE FALL OF ALGIERS. A Drama. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 47.
MRS. SMITH; OR, THE WIFE AND THE WIDOW. A Farce, adapted from the
French. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 20.
Played at the New Park Theatre, New York, March 6, 1825.
PETER SMINK; OR, THE ARMISTICE. A Comic Drama, adapted from the
French. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 16.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, October 14, 1826, as _Peter
Smink; or, Which is the Miller?_ A Farce.
PEPPER, GEORGE
KATHLEEN O'NEIL; OR, A PICTURE OF FEUDAL TIMES IN IRELAND. A
National Melodrama of the Fourteenth Century, in Three Acts.
Philadelphia, 1832. 16mo, pp. 84.
Scenes I. and II. of Act I. of _Kathleen O'Neil_ were first
published in Vol. 1 of _The Irish Shield and Monthly Milesian_, a
monthly journal edited by Geo. Pepper, in New York, in 1829. Vol.
I., of this periodical was, I believe, all that was issued, and
the play was therefore probably never issued complete except as a
separate publication.
Played at the Lafayette Theatre, New York.
(The Lafayette Theatre was burned on the night of April 10, 1829,
and never rebuilt).
PERCIVAL, JAMES GATES
JAMES GATES PERCIVAL, born in Berlin, Conn., September 15, 1795, died in Hazel Green, Wis., May 2, 1856, was an eminent geologist. He was graduated from Yale College, studied medicine and practiced in Charleston, S. C.; was appointed surgeon in the United States Army in 1824, and stationed in Boston, Mass., on detail for the recruiting station there. He left the service, and took up the study of geology at New Haven, Conn., in 1827. He aided Noah Webster in the compilation of his dictionary. He was an official geologist of Connecticut and of the State of Wisconsin.
ZAMOR. A Tragedy.
This play formed part of the Commencement exercises at Yale
College in 1815. It was afterwards published in Percival's first
volume of poems, _Prometheus_, etc., New Haven, 1820, 12mo, pp.
346.
PIRSSON, J. P.
THE DISCARDED DAUGHTER. New York, 18--?
POTTER, REUBEN
PHELLES, KING OF TYRE; OR, THE DOWNFALL OF TYRANNY. A Tragedy in
Five Acts, as performed at the New York Theatre. New York, 1825.
16mo, pp. 76.
Acted three times at the Park Theatre between June 13 and 28,
1825.
PRESTON, WILLIAM
DEATH OF LOUIS THE SIXTEENTH. A Tragedy in Five Acts. New York:
Printed by T. & J. Swords, 1794.
Another edition. Philadelphia: E. Story, 1794. 16mo, pp. 70.
RITTENHOUSE, DAVID
LUCY SAMPSON; OR, THE UNHAPPY HEIRESS. A Tragedy in Five Acts.
Translated by a Citizen of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Printed
by Chas. Cist, 1789. 8vo, pp. 88.
ROGERS, DANIEL
THE KNIGHT OF THE RUM BOTTLE & CO.; OR, THE SPEECHMAKERS. A Musical
Farce in Five Acts, by the Editor of _The City Hall Recorder_.
New York, 1818. 18mo, pp. 16.
Daniel Rogers was the editor of _The City Hall Recorder_ at the
time this play was published.
ROGERS, ROBERT
ROBERT ROGERS was born at Dumbarton, N. H., 1727, died in London about 1798. During the French and Indian War he commanded the celebrated "Rogers Rangers," and participated in the siege of Detroit against Pontiac and the French. Rogers' Slide at Lake George is named after him. He went to London about 1764, and was appointed governor of Michilimackinac in 1765. He afterwards went to Algiers and fought under the Dey. He returned to America in 1775, and professed to be in sympathy with the patriots, but Washington ordered his arrest. He then threw off the mask of friendship, and raised a company of Royalists called "The Queen's Rangers." He went back to England, and his subsequent history is unknown. His best known works are his _Journal of the French and Indian War_, London, 1765; and _A Concise Account of North America_, London, 1765.
PONTEACH; OR, THE SAVAGES OF AMERICA. A Tragedy. London: Printed for
the author, 1766. 8vo, pp. 110.
ROWSON, SUSANNA
SUSANNA ROWSON, born in Portsmouth, England, in 1762, died in Boston, Mass., March 2, 1824. She was an only daughter of Lieutenant William Haswell, of the British Navy, who was, at the beginning of the Revolution, attached to the revenue service, and resided at Nantucket, near Boston. His property was confiscated by the Continental authorities; and himself and family removed on parole to Hingham in 1775, and in 1777 to Abington. A cartel was finally arranged by which Lieutenant Haswell was exchanged and sent back to England with his family. Miss Haswell took employment as a governess in early life, and was greatly devoted to literature. She married William Rowson, a musician in one of the bands of the household troops. About the time of her marriage she wrote and published a novel entitled _Victoria_, which she dedicated to the Duchess of Devonshire, who introduced her to the Prince of Wales. She was enabled, by this acquaintance, to obtain a pension for her father. On account of the financial embarrassment of her husband, they went on the stage in 1792, in Edinburgh. In 1793 they came to America, and first appeared in Annapolis, Maryland. Thence they went to the theatre in Philadelphia, and, after a season there, became members of the Federal Street Theatre in Boston. Mrs. Rowson, who had, in 1790, published in England the celebrated novel _Charlotte Temple_, had continued writing, and the extraordinary popularity of her story of the unfortunate English girl made it easy for her to follow the cultivation of letters. She retired from the stage in 1797, and established a school for young ladies, which remained, during her life-time, the most select and popular in New England. Her last appearance was in May, 1797, in her own comedy, _Americans in England_. Her _Poems_ were published in Boston in 1804, and _Lucy Temple_, a sequel to _Charlotte Temple_, appeared in 1828.
* * * * *
SLAVES IN ALGIERS;
OR, A
STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM:
A PLAY,
INTERSPERSED WITH SONGS,
IN THREE ACTS.
BY MRS. ROWSON,
AS PERFORMED
AT THE
NEW THEATRES,
IN
PHILADELPHIA AND BALTIMORE.
_PHILADELPHIA:_
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY WRIGLEY AND
BERRIMAN, No. 149, CHESNUT-STREET.
M,DCC,XDIV.
* * * * *
SLAVES IN ALGIERS; OR, A STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM. A play interspersed
with Songs, as performed at the New Theatres, in Philadelphia
and Baltimore. Philadelphia, 1794. 12mo, pp. 74.
THE FEMALE PATRIOT. A Farce. Philadelphia, [?] 1794. 12mo.
Played in Philadelphia in 1795.
THE VOLUNTEERS. A Farce, founded on the Whisky Insurrection in
Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, 1795. 12mo.
AMERICANS IN ENGLAND. A Comedy. Boston, 1796. 12mo.
This piece was acted for Mrs. Rowson's benefit and farewell to the
stage.
Although the last three titles are mentioned by Sabin and other
bibliographers, I doubt if they were ever published, as after a
diligent search I have failed to locate a copy of any, and none of
those who give the titles give collations--an almost certain
indication that they have been unable to see copies of the plays.
SAWYER, LEMUEL
LEMUEL SAWYER was a native of North Carolina. He wrote a _Life of John Randolph_ [of Roanoke,] N. Y., 1844. Died 1844.
BLACKBEARD. A Comedy in Four Acts, founded on Fact. Washington,
1824. 16mo, pp. 66.
THE WRECK OF HONOR. A Tragedy. New York, 18--. 16mo, pp. 86.
SELDEN, ALMIRA
NAOMI. A Sacred Drama in Five Scenes.
Published in a volume of poems entitled _Effusions of the Heart_.
Bennington, Vt., 1820. 16mo, pp. 152.
_The Irish Exiles in America_, a drama in five scenes, was also
published in the above mentioned volume.
SEWALL, JONATHAN MITCHELL
JONATHAN MITCHELL SEWALL, born in Salem, Mass., in 1748, died in Portsmouth, N. H., March 29, 1808. He was graduated from Harvard and first entered business life, but eventually became a lawyer. He was Register of Probate for Grafton Co., N. H., in 1774. Author of the song _War and Washington_, very popular during the Revolution. His _Miscellaneous Poems_ were published in 1801.
At a performance of Addison's _Cato_ in the Bow Street Theatre, N. H., in 1778, an epilogue, written by Colonel Sewall, was spoken, the closing lines of which are:
No pent up Utica contracts your powers,
But the whole boundless Continent is yours.
A CURE FOR THE SPLEEN; OR, AMUSEMENT FOR A WINTER'S EVENING. Being
the substance of a conversation on the times over a friendly
tankard and pipe, between Sharp, a country Parson; Bumper, a
country Justice; Fillpot, an innkeeper; Graveairs, a Deacon;
Trim, a Barber; Brim, Quaker; Puff, a late Representative. Taken
in shorthand by Roger de Coverly. America, 1775. 8vo, pp. 32.
A Tory protest against the Revolution.
Another edition with the title: _Americans Aroused in a Cure for
the Spleen_, etc., New York: Reprinted by James Rivington, n. d.
[1775]. 8vo, pp. 32.
SIMMONS, JAMES WRIGHT
JAMES WRIGHT SIMMONS, born at Charleston, S. C., studied at Harvard and made an extensive tour of Europe, whence he came to New York and was for a time a writer for the _New York Mirror_. He was also connected with other New York papers. He afterward held the office of Comptroller General and Treasurer of the Republic of Texas. Died at Memphis, Tenn., aged 68 years.
JULIAN. A Dramatic Fragment, n. p., n. d. [1823]. 12mo.
SMITH, CHARLES
CHARLES SMITH was born about 1768. He was for a time a bookseller in New York, and was the editor of the _Monthly Military Repository_. The following are all translations from Kotzebue:--
THE COUNT OF BURGUNDY.[A] A Tragedy in Four Acts. New York, 1798.
8vo.
Another edition, New York, 1800. 8vo, pp. vi.-69.
SELF IMMOLATION; OR, THE SACRIFICE OF LOVE. A Play in Three Acts.
New York, 1800. 8vo, pp. 54.
THE WILD YOUTH. A Comedy for Digestion in Three Acts. New York,
1800. 8vo, pp. 74.
LE PEROUSE[A]. A Comedy in Two Acts. New York, 1800. 8vo, pp. 40.
THE VIRGIN OF THE SUN.[A] A Play in Five Acts. New York, 1800. 8vo,
pp. 96.
ADELAIDE OF WULFINGEN. A Tragedy in Four Acts, (exemplifying the
Barbarity which prevailed during the Thirteenth Century). New
York, 1800. 8vo, pp. 67.
THE FORCE OF CALUMNY.[A] A Play in Five Acts. New York, 1800. 8vo,
pp. 124.
THE HAPPY FAMILY. A Drama in Five Acts. New York, 1800. 12mo, pp.
84.
PIZARRO; OR, THE SPANIARDS IN PERU.[A] A Tragedy in Five Acts. New
York, 1800. 8vo, pp. 62.
THE EAST INDIAN. A Comedy in Three Acts. New York, 1800. 8vo, pp.
88.
INDIGENCE, AND NOBLENESS OF MIND. A Comedy in Five Acts. New York,
1800. 12mo, pp. 64.
THE WIDOW AND THE RIDING HORSE. A Dramatic Trifle in One Act. New
York. 1800. 8vo, pp. 26.
ABBE DE L'EPEE; OR, THE ORPHAN.[A] New York, 1801. 8vo, pp. 42.
FALSE SHAME; OR, THE AMERICAN ORPHAN IN GERMANY.[A] Newark [?],
1800. 12mo, pp. 63.
[Footnote A: All these titles are Dunlap's. In the list of Dramatic Authors in the Appendix to Dunlap's _History of the American Theatre_ (first edition, New York, 1832), Mr. Dunlap includes this name with the comprehensive line, "Several bad translations from Kotzebue."]
FRATERNAL DISCORD. A Comedy in Five Acts. New York, 1801. 8vo, pp.
74.
THE WRITING DESK; OR, YOUTH IN DANGER. A Play in Four Acts. New
York, 1801. 8vo, pp. 72, last page misnumbered 27.
THE BEAUTIFUL UNKNOWN. A Dramatic History. New York, 1803. 12mo, pp.
50, [2].
SMITH, ELIHU HUBBARD
ELIHU HUBBARD SMITH, born in Litchfield, Conn., September 4, 1771, died in New York, September 21, 1798, a graduate of Yale and physician of Philadelphia, where his father was also a noted doctor. He wrote a number of poems and sonnets for the magazines. He edited the first collection (1793) ever made of American poetry. Founder with Drs. Edward Miller and Samuel L. Mitchell of _The Medical Repository_. His death was caused by yellow fever contracted from a patient, a stranger who was taken by him into his own house for treatment.
EDWIN AND ANGELINA; OR, THE BANDITTI. An Opera in Three Acts. New
York: T. and J. Swords, 1797. 8vo, pp. 72.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, December 19, 1796.
When printed it was preceded by a dedication to Reuben and Abigail
Smith, the author's parents.
SMITH, JONATHAN S.
THE SIEGE OF ALGIERS; OR, THE DOWNFALL OF HADGI-ALI BASHAW. A
Tragi-Comedy. Philadelphia, 1823. 8vo, pp. 140.
SMITH, RICHARD PENN
RICHARD PENN SMITH, born in Philadelphia in 1790, died there in 1854. He was educated as a lawyer. For five years he was editor of _The Aurora_, and contributed to a number of other periodicals. His books, not dramatic, were a novel, in 1831, called _The Forsaken_, in two volumes; and _The Actress of Padua and Other Tales_. He died August 12, 1854. He wrote fifteen plays in all.
THE 8TH OF JANUARY. A Drama in Three Acts. Philadelphia, 1829. 16mo,
pp. iv.-54.
THE DEFORMED; OR, WOMAN'S TRIAL. A Play, Philadelphia, 1830. 12mo,
pp. 87.
THE DISOWNED; OR, THE PRODIGALS. A Play. Philadelphia, 1830. 12mo,
pp. 67.
SNAPDRAGON, HECTOR (PSEUDONYM)
THE RUSSIAN BANQUET. A Drama. Boston [1813]. 16mo, pp. 12.
STEARNS, CHARLES
CHARLES STEARNS, born in Massachusetts in 1753, died 1826. He was a Unitarian clergyman, and from 1785 to his death was pastor of a church at Lincoln, in Massachusetts. He wrote many good poems, and a variety of religious works.
DRAMATIC DIALOGUES. Leominster, Mass., 1798. 12mo, pp. 540.
STOKES, J.
THE FOREST OF ROSENWALD; OR, THE TRAVELLERS BENIGHTED. A Melodrama
in Two Acts, as performed at the New York Theatre. New York, E.
Murden, 1821. 16mo, pp. 33.
Another edition, New York, 1832. 16mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 26, 1820, under the
title of _The Forest of Rosenwald; or, The Bleeding Nun_.
STONE, JOHN AUGUSTUS
JOHN AUGUSTUS STONE, an actor, born in Concord, Mass., in 1801, died near Philadelphia, Pa., June 1, 1834. His first appearance on the stage was made in Boston, and his debut in New York occurred July 10, 1822, at the Park Theatre, as _Old Hardy_ in _The Belle's Stratagem_, and _Old Pickle_ in _The Spoiled Child_. He was for a long time identified with the Bowery and Chatham Theatres. The prize of five hundred dollars offered by Mr. Edwin Forrest for the best American play, was awarded to Mr. Stone in 1829, for his drama in verse, _Metamora_, long and successfully played by Mr. Forrest. He subsequently received from Mr. Forrest one thousand dollars for his drama, _The Ancient Briton_, which, as well as another drama from his pen, _Fauntleroy, the Banker of Rome_, were produced by Forrest. He was also author of _La Roque_, _The Regicide_, _Tancred of Sicily_, and Yankee Hill's famous play, _The Knight of the Golden Fleece_, always the most popular of that comedian's plays. He drowned himself in the Schuylkill River, near Philadelphia, in a fit of mental derangement. Mr. Forrest erected a very handsome monument to his memory.
TANCRED; OR, THE SIEGE OF ANTIOCH. A Drama in Three Acts.
Philadelphia, 1827. 16mo, pp. 45.
STRONG, HENRY K.
THE FALL OF ITURBIDE; OR, MEXICO DELIVERED. A Tragedy in Five Acts.
Pittsfield, Phineas Allen, 1823. 12mo, pp. 38.
TALBOT, CHARLES S.
SQUIRE HARTLEY. A Farce. Albany, 1827. 12mo.
CAPTAIN MORGAN. A Play. Albany [?] 1827. 12mo.
PADDY'S TRIP TO AMERICA: OR, THE HUSBAND WITH THREE WIVES. A Farce
in Two Acts. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 48.
TAYLOR, V.
THINGS AS THEY WILL BE; OR, ALL BARKERS ARE NOT BITERS. A Farce in
Three Acts, by Who d'ye think. New York, 1819. 18mo, pp. 17.
Same. Second edition. New York, 1819. 16mo, pp. [3]; 4-17.
THE BANKER; OR, THINGS AS THEY HAVE BEEN. A Farce in Three Acts.
Respectfully dedicated to the purchasers of _Things As They Will
Be_, etc. By a Tyro. New York, 1819. 16mo, pp. [3], 4-16.
TURNBULL, JOHN D.
RUDOLPH; OR, THE ROBBERS OF CALABRIA. A Melodrama in Three Acts, as
performed at the Boston Theatre. Boston, 1799. 18mo, pp. 141.
Several editions were published of this play.
WOOD DAEMON; OR, THE CLOCK HAS STRUCK. A Drama. Boston, 1808. 24mo, pp. 34.
TYLER, ROYALL
ROYALL TYLER was born in Boston on July 18, 1758, died in Brattleboro, Vt., August 16, 1826. He was graduated from Harvard in 1776 and studied law in the office of John Adams. He was aide-de-camp to General Benjamin Lincoln in the Revolution and in Shay's Rebellion in 1786. He contributed to the _Farmer's Museum_, and when Dennie became editor, Tyler was called in to assist him. He published a series of papers in the _Port-Folio_ for 1801. In 1797 he published, at Walpole, N. H., his _Algerine Captive, or the Life and Adventures of Doctor Updike Underhill, Six Years a Prisoner among the Algerines_; 2 vols. In 1804 he contributed to the _Columbian Sentinel_. In 1800 he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont. He also contributed to _The New England Galaxy and Polyanthus_. In 1809 he published _Reports of Cases in the Supreme Court of Vermont_.
THE CONTRAST. A Comedy in Five Acts. Written by a Citizen of the
United States. Performed with applause at the theatres in New
York, Philadelphia and Maryland; and published (under an
assignment of the copyright) by Thomas Wignell. Philadelphia:
From the press of Prichard & Hall, in Market Street, between
Second and Front Streets. M.DCC.XC. Plate. Sm. 8vo, pp.
xxii-107.
First played at the John Street Theatre, April 16, 1787.
Reprinted by the Dunlap Society, New York, 1887.
* * * * *
As the great business of the polite world is the eager pursuit
of amusement, and as the Public diversions of the season
have been interrupted by the hostile parade in the capital; the
exhibition of a new farce may not be unentertaining.
THE
GROUP,
As lately acted, and to be re-acted to the wonder of all superior
intelligences, nigh head-quarters at Amboyne.
The author had thought proper to borrow the following spirited
lines from a late celebrated poet, and offer to the public by
way of PROLOGUE, which cannot fail of pleasing at this
crisis.
_What! arm'd for virtue, and not point the pen,
Brand the bold front of shameless guilty men,
Dash the proud Gamester from his gilded car,
Bare the mean heart which lurks beneath a star,_
* * * * *
* * * * *
_Shall I not strip the gilding off a knave,
Unplac'd, unpension'd, no man's heir or slave?
I will or perish in the gen'rous cause;
Hear this and tremble, ye who 'scape the laws;
Yes, while I live, no rich or noble, knave,
Shall walk the world in credit to his grave;
To virtue only, and her friends, a friend.
The world beside may murmur, or commend._
_BOSTON_: printed and sold by EDES and GILL, in _Queen-Street_. 1775.
* * * * *
THE GEORGIA SPEC; OR, LAND IN THE MOON. A Comedy in Three Acts.
Boston, 1797. 8vo.
This comedy was written to ridicule the speculating mania in wild
Yazoo Lands, and was performed in Boston with success.
WALLACK, W. H.
PAUL JONES; OR, THE PILOT OF THE GERMAN OCEAN. A Melodrama in Three
Acts, adapted to the New York Theatres. New York, 1828. 16mo,
pp. 52.
WARREN, MERCY
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Early American Plays, 1714-1830Chapter II: Part 2
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