| By Author | [ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Other Symbols ] |
| By Title | [ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z | Other Symbols ] |
| By Language |
|
Download this book: [ ASCII | HTML | PDF ] Look for this book on Amazon Tweet |
Title: Early American Plays - 1714-1830
Author: Wegelin, Oscar
Language: English
As this book started as an ASCII text book there are no pictures available.
*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Early American Plays - 1714-1830" ***
book was produced from scanned images of public domain
[Illustration: =William Dunlap=
FROM THE PAINTING BY CHARLES C. INGHAM]
EARLY AMERICAN PLAYS
1714-1830
A Compilation of the titles of Plays and
Dramatic Poems written by authors
born in or residing in North
America previous to
1830.
BY
OSCAR WEGELIN
Compiler of "Early American Poetry."
[Illustration]
SECOND EDITION REVISED
NEW YORK
THE LITERARY COLLECTOR PRESS
1905
THE EDITION OF THIS WORK IS LIMITED
TO TWO HUNDRED NUMBERED COPIES
NO. 156
COPYRIGHT, 1905, BY
OSCAR WEGELIN.
_To_
EVERT JANSEN WENDELL, ESQ.
FOREMOST AMONG AMERICAN COLLECTORS OF
DRAMATIC LITERATURE, I DEDICATE
THIS BOOK
PREFACE
In his ably written introduction to the first edition of this work,
Mr. John Malone makes the following statement: "It may be set down as
a safe rule of judgment as to dramatic quality that the plays which
were printed were fit for no more than the use to which an indulgent
Providence and the Dunlap Society have dedicated them--to serve as
examples of the good-will and sympathy with which a few great and
good men in the days of our country's fiery trial held out their
helping hands to the gentle art of drama."
This statement, with a possible exception or two, is in the main
correct. Few of the plays which are here catalogued have survived
because of their literary excellence. We, however, must not look at
the contents of this book from this view-point, but rather from the
historical. Poorly written as many of the plays may be, they still
possess to the student of American history an interest which far
exceeds that of every other class of writing, the purely historical
excepted. The _first_ play written by a resident of what is now the
United States was _Androboros_ (the Man-Hater) written by Robert
Hunter, Colonial Governor of New York, assisted by Lewis Morris. This
play, or rather dramatic satire, was written to ridicule sundry
residents of that colony, principally Dr. Vesey and several members
of Trinity Church. This play, which was issued in 1714, was not
followed by another dramatic production, as far as known, until _The
Suspected Daughter_, a farce by "T. T.," was printed at Boston in
1751. Who "T. T." was is not known, nor can I trace a copy of the
play. Little of importance came to light previous to the Revolution,
but that event, stirring as it was, seems to have been a stimulant to
native ambition, and a number of dramatic productions were written
and printed. Among these may be mentioned _The Battle of Bunker Hill_
and _The Death of Montgomery_ by Brackenridge, then a schoolmaster;
_The Adulateur_ and _The Group_ by Mercy Warren, afterwards well
known as one of the foremost dames of the colonies; and several
others, some from the Royalist side, as Sewell's _Cure for the
Spleen_ and an anonymous production, _The Battle of Long Island_.
The second war with England was also celebrated by our early
playwrights, as was the war with Tripoli.
The dramatic history of no country would be complete which did not
celebrate the deeds and warlike exploits of its aboriginal
inhabitants, and the American dramatist was not slow in recognizing
the many-sided character of the North American Indian. His wars, his
fluent oratory, his virtues, are all told, the best of these efforts
being embodied in Stone's _Metamora_, made famous by the acting of
Edwin Forrest.
But all of the dramatic productions which were written prior to 1830
did not relate to America, and a glance over the list will show many
plays which take for their groundwork the French Revolution, the
Napoleonic Wars, the Russian Empire and its people, while Love, that
mysterious something which lays its finger upon all whether we will
or no, is found, as in our fiction, in nearly all of them. What the
dramatist, poet, and novelist would do without the help of the fickle
goddess is an unsolvable problem.
As will be seen by a glance at the contents of this volume, few of
the plays were acted, nor were many of them intended for public
entertainment. A large number were written to serve a
purpose--political or otherwise--and when that had been attained,
were forgotten, even by their authors.
They show, however, what was and could be accomplished in this way,
at a time when the average citizen had little time for aught but
earnest, sober thought.
When looked at from this view-point we must really wonder that as
much remains as has been discovered. Can any country besides ours
show a better result--at least for quantity, if not for quality?
Among the interesting facts which will be discovered by a perusal of
this list is that a number of the writers of early American plays
were men who achieved success in other callings. Thus we find among
those who found time to interest themselves in the drama and the
production of plays, the names of Judge H. H. Brackenridge, Charles
Brockden Browne, the first American novelist, Edward Hitchcock,
President of Amherst and foremost among the scientists of his era,
David Humphreys, Revolutionary soldier and diplomat, John Neal, the
friend of Poe, Jas. G. Percival, the poet, Jas. K. Paulding, coworker
with Irving, Royall Tyler, and Samuel Woodworth, author of _The Old
Oaken Bucket_.
This edition is issued at the solicitation of a number of collectors
and librarians, who were unable to obtain a copy of the first
edition, which was issued for members of The Dunlap Society in 1900.
I have endeavored to make this list as complete as possible, and it
has been to me a labor of the greatest interest. Nothing that I have
ever attempted in bibliographical work has given me more pleasure.
Numerous corrections will be found by comparison with the earlier
edition, and upwards of sixty new titles are included, discovered
since the issue of the earlier volume.
Errors will, of course, be discovered, but I ask indulgence in those
who find them, for as all who are interested will readily admit, no
bibliographical work was ever perfect.
Probably the most complete collection of early American plays, at
this writing in the hands of a private collector, is that owned by
Evert Jansen Wendell, Esq., of New York. Several of the titles
contained in this volume would be unknown to me at this time but for
the kindness of Mr. Wendell, who has given me the opportunity to
examine his collection. Another good collection is owned by the Brown
University Library, Providence, R. I.
OSCAR WEGELIN.
EARLY AMERICAN PLAYS
ANONYMOUS TITLES
A NEW SCENE INTERESTING TO THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, additional to the Historical Play of Columbus. By a
Senator of the United States. [Line from Virgil] Lately
performed with applause at the New Theatre, in Philadelphia.
Printed by Benj. Franklin Bache, No. 112 Market Street.
MDCCXCVIII. 8vo, pp. [3], 4-12.
ALFRED THE GREAT. An Historical Tragedy, in Five Acts, by a Young
Gentleman of this City. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 107.
AMERICANA; OR, A NEW TALE OF THE GENII. Being an Allegorical Mask in
Five Acts. Baltimore, 1802. 8vo, pp. 128.
Dedicated to Thomas Jefferson.
THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN. A Farce in Two Acts, as it was performed on
Long Island on Tuesday, the 27th day of August, 1776, by the
Representatives of the Tyrants of America assembled at
Philadelphia. [6 lines of poetry] New York: Printed for J.
Rivington, in the Year of the Rebellion, 1776.
Reprinted in Brooklyn. 8vo, 1873.
THE BATTLE OF EUTAW SPRINGS. A Drama in Five Acts. Charleston [circa
1790] 8vo, pp. 52.
A play with a similar title was written by W. Ioor.
THE BETTER SORT; OR, THE GIRL OF SPIRIT. A Farce. Boston, 1789. 8vo,
pp. iv.-80.
THE BLOCKHEADS; OR, THE AFFRIGHTED OFFICERS. A Farce. Bost., Queen
St., 1776. 12mo, pp.19[2].
Also, 16mo, pp. v.-43. New York, 1782.
Attributed to Mrs. Mercy Warren.
THE BLOCKHEADS; OR, FORTUNATE CONTRACTOR. An Opera in Two Acts. As
it was performed at New York [during the Revolution.] New York,
printed; London, reprinted for G. Kearsley. 1782. 2 plates, 8vo,
pp. v.-43.
BLOW FOR BLOW. A Tragedy. Baltimore, 1805.
CATHARINE BROWN, THE CONVERTED CHEROKEE. A Missionary Drama, founded
on fact. By a Lady. New Haven, 1819. 12mo, pp. 27.
CHARLES THE TWELFTH; OR, THE BATTLE OF PULTOWA. A military tragic
piece; in Four Acts. By the Author. Printed and published at New
York, 1818. 16mo, pp. 34.
COLUMBIA AND BRITANNIA. A Dramatic Piece, by a Citizen of the United
States. New London: Printed by T. Green, 1786. 8vo, pp. 63.
Among the Characters in this play are Fabius (Washington) and
Perjuris (Arnold). McKee copy dated 1787.
DRAMATIC PIECES Calculated to exemplify the mode of conduct which
will render young ladies both amiable and happy, when their
school education is completed. In three Volumes. New Haven:
Printed by Abel Morse. 1791. 12mo.
The prefaces to these works are signed P. I.
Contents. Vol. 1. The Good Mother-in-Law, the Good
Daughter-in-Law.
Vol. 2. The Reformation, The Maternal Sister: a Drama in three
acts.
Vol. 3. The Triumph of Reason, The Contrast. Each piece is paged
separately.
* * * * *
THE
BLOCKHEADS:
OR, THE
AFFRIGHTED OFFICERS.
A
FARCE.
BOSTON:
Printed in QUEEN-STREET.
M,DCC,LXXVI.
* * * * *
ESSEX JUNTO, or Quixotic Guardian: A Comedy, by a Citizen of
Massachusetts. Salem, 1802. 12mo, pp. 71.
AN EXERCISE, CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Performed at the
Public Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, November 17,
1767. Philadelphia: Printed by William Goddard. [1767] 4to, pp.
8.
The Dialogue was written by Thomas Coombe.
AN EXERCISE; CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Set to music, for
the Public Commencement, in the College of Philadelphia, May
17th, 1775. Philadelphia: Printed by Joseph Cruikshank, 1775.
8vo, pp. 8.
AN EXERCISE CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Set to Music.
Philadelphia: 1776. Sm. 8vo.
THE FATAL EFFECTS OF SEDUCTION. A Tragedy. Written for the use of
the Students of Clio Hall, in Bennington, to be acted on their
Quarter Day, April 28, 1789. Founded on the Story of an Unhappy
Young Lady of Boston. By a Friend to Literature. [Motto]
Bennington: Printed by Haswell & Russell. 1789.
FEDERALISM TRIUMPHANT IN THE STEADY HABITS OF CONNECTICUT ALONE; OR,
THE TURNPIKE ROAD TO A FORTUNE. A Comic Opera, or Political
Farce in Six Acts, as performed at the Theatres Royal and
Aristocratic at Hartford and New Haven, October, 1801. n. p.
Printed in the year 1802. 8vo, pp. 40.
THE FEMALE ENTHUSIAST. A Tragedy in Five Acts, by a Lady.
Charleston, J. Hoff, 1807. 12mo, pp. 51.
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION; INCLUDING A STORY, FOUNDED IN FACT, OF
LEONTINE AND MATILDA. A Drama. Written and Exhibited in the
United Fraternity, at Dartmouth, 1790; Exhibited also at
Windsor, Vermont, May, 1791. Printed at New Bedford,
Massachusetts, by John Spooner, 1793. 8vo, pp. 67.
HEAVEN ON EARTH, OR THE NEW LIGHTS OF HARMONY. An extravaganza in
two acts, by Peter Puffem. Philadelphia: 1825. 16mo, pp. 22.
THE HERO OF TWO WARS. A Drama in Five Acts.
Published in _Truth's Advocate and Monthly Anti-Jackson Expositor_
from March to October, 1828. Signed "W."
INDOCTUM PARLIAMENTUM. A Farce, in One Act, and a beautiful variety
of scenes. n. p. [1818.] 12mo, pp. 7.
Refers to a law enacted by the Legislature of New York, on the
petition of Eunice Chapman, a Shaker, to have the marriage
contract between herself and husband dissolved. Among the
characters introduced are: "General Radix" (Erastus Root), "His
disorderly Sergeant" (Dr. Sergeant), "Lignum" (Speaker Wood), etc.
THE INTOLERANTS. Three First Acts of Things Among Us; as performed
at the ... with more effect than applause. Philadelphia: 1827.
12mo, pp. 26.
IS IT A LIE? A Comic Piece in one Act. Boston: 1828. 16mo, pp. 36.
THE ITALIAN HUSBAND. A Dramatic Poem.
This piece is part of a book entitled _Lays of Leisure, The
Italian Husband, The Young Dreamer, A Fugitive Offering in Verse_.
Philadelphia: Jesper Harding, 1825.
JEFFERSON AND LIBERTY. A Celebration of the 4th of March; a
Patriotic Tragedy: a Picture of Corrupt Administration, in Five
Acts, written by Nichols. n. p. Sold at the Printing Office,
Temple Street, 1801. 12mo, pp. 29.
"Nichols" is probably a pseudonym.
JONATHAN IN ENGLAND. A Comedy. Boston [circa 1828.] 12mo, pp. 32.
This play is a version of Colman's _Who Wants a Guinea?_ and was
performed at the Park Theatre, New York, December 3, 1828.
THE LOVER. A Dramatic Fragment.
Published on pp. 59-65 of _The Witch of New England_. A Romance.
Philadelphia. 1824.
MARY OF SCOTLAND; OR, THE HEIR OF AVENAL. A Drama in Three Acts.
Founded on Scott's Novel, _The Abbot_. New York, 1821. 16mo, pp.
114.
THE MILITARY GLORY OF GREAT BRITAIN. An Entertainment given by the
late candidates for Bachelor's Degree at the close of the
Anniversary Commencement held in Nassau Hall, New Jersey,
September 27th, 1762. Philadelphia: Printed by William Bradford,
1762. 8vo, pp. 15.
THE MONTHLY ASSEMBLY. A Farce. Boston, 1770. 8vo.
NATURE AND PHILOSOPHY. A Drama adapted from the French, by a Citizen
of Richmond. Richmond, 1821. 12mo, pp. 28.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, December 10, 1821.
Another edition. New York, 1830. 16mo, pp. 33.
THE NEW ENGLAND DRAMA. In Five Acts; founded on incidents contained
in the New England Tale. Dedham, 1825. 12mo, pp. 72.
THE NIGHT WATCH; OR, THE PIRATE'S DEN. A Melodrama by a Gentleman of
Boston. Boston, 1820. 18mo, pp. 34.
OCCURRENCES OF THE TIMES; OR, THE TRANSACTIONS OF FOUR DAYS. A
Farce. Boston, 1789. 16mo, pp. 23.
THE ORPHAN. A Play in Five Acts. See _The Young Carolinians_.
THE PATRIOTS. A Comedy in Five Acts. Philadelphia, n. d.
Published during the Revolution.
THE PAXTON BOYS. A Farce. Translated from the original French, by a
Native of Donegall. The Second edition. Philadelphia: Printed
and sold by Anthony Armbruster, 1764. Folding plate. sm. 8vo,
pp. 16.
PHILIP; OR, THE ABORIGINES. A Drama. New York, 1822. 12mo, pp. 48.
THE PLAN OF A PERFORMANCE OF SOLEMN MUSICK. To be in the Hall of the
College of Philadelphia, on Wednesday Evening, April 10th, 1765.
For the Benefit of the Charity Schools. n. p., n. d. 8vo, pp. 4.
THE POWER OF CHRISTIANITY; OR, ABDALLAH AND SABAT. A Poem by a Lady.
Charleston, 1814. 16mo, pp. 46 [4].
THE PRINCE AND THE PATRIOT. A Poem in Three Dialogues.
Published in _Poems, Moral and Divine_, by an American Gentleman.
London, 1756. pp. 79-105.
One of the earliest plays written by an American.
SANS SOUCI, ALIAS FREE AND EASY; OR, AN EVENING'S PEEP INTO A POLITE
CIRCLE. An Intire New Entertainment, in Three Acts. Boston:
Printed by Warden and Russell, 1785. 8vo, pp. 24.
Second edition. 8vo, Boston, 1785.
SAUL. A Dramatic Sketch.
This piece is probably by N. P. Willis. It was published in the
_American Monthly Magazine_ for June, 1829.
A SCENE IN THE FIRST ACT OF THE NEW FARCE. Published as a Specimen.
Printed: In the first Year of the new Hegira Secundus, the
Paxtonian Expedition. [Philadelphia]: Printed by Anthony
Armbruster, [1764]. Sm. 8vo, pp. 8.
THE SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS: A Pastoral Drama: from the Poetry of
Miss More. By a Lady in Connecticut. Catskill, M. Croswell &
Co., 1794. 12mo, pp. [2], 30.
SHEPHERDESS OF THE ALPS. A Play in Four Acts, by a Citizen of New
York. New York, 1815. 12mo, pp. 51.
THE SUICIDE. A Dialogue Exhibited on the Stage at the Public
Commencement of Yale College, Sept. 13th, M.DCCXCVII.
Litchfield: T. Collier. 12mo, pp. [5], 6-20.
THE SULTANA; OR, A TRIP TO TURKEY. A Melodrama in Three Acts,
founded on Lord Byron's _Don Juan_. New York, 1822. 12mo, pp.
34.
Written by (----?) Bailey.
THE SUSPECTED DAUGHTER; OR, JEALOUS FATHER. A Farce in Three Acts,
both Serious and Comic, written by T. T. Boston. 1751.
This is probably the first play written by a native American.
Mentioned in Haven's list.
SYLLA. A Tragedy, in Five Acts, as represented at the Theatre
Français, at Paris, by E. Jouy, member of the Institute.
Translated from the French, by a Citizen of New York. New York,
1826. 16mo, pp. 69.
Same, New York: 1827. 16mo, pp. 79.
Performed at the Chatham Theatre, 1827.
THEODORA. A Dramatic Sketch, in Two Acts. n. p., n. d.
THE TRAVELLER RETURNED. Published in _The Gleaner_. Boston, 1798.
TRICKS OF THE TIMES; OR, THE WORLD OF QUACKS. A Farce of domestic
origin. New York, 1819. 12mo.
A satire on New Yorkers of the day.
TWO PAGES OF FREDERICK THE GREAT. A Farce in three Acts. New York,
1826. 16mo.
A TYRANT'S VICTIMS. A Tragedy in Five Acts.
See _The Young Carolinians_.
VIRTUE TRIUMPHANT. A Comedy. Published in _The Gleaner_.
THE YOUNG CAROLINIANS; OR, AMERICANS IN ALGIERS. A Play in Five
Acts.
This and two other plays were published in _Essays, Religious,
Moral, etc._, by a Lady. Charleston, 1818. 12mo, pp. 242 [1], [1]
XERXES THE GREAT; OR, THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLE. A Drama.
Philadelphia, 1815. 18mo.
102; OR, THE VETERAN AND HIS PROGENY. Boston, 1828. 16mo, pp. 33.
ALLEN, ADAM
THE NEW GENTLE SHEPHERD, A PASTORAL COMEDY. Originally written in
the Scotch Dialect, by Allan Ramsay, reduced to English by
Lieutenant Adam Allen. To which is added a description of the
great falls of the River Saint John in the Province of New
Brunswick. London: Printed for W. J. & J. Richardson, Ingram
Court, Fenchurch Street, 1798.
Dedicated to the Printer's Devil.
Allen has added a Third Scene to the Fourth Act, also a song or
two.
BARKER, JAMES NELSON
JAMES NELSON BARKER, born in Philadelphia in 1784, died 1858, was
originally in the army as a captain of artillery, and served in the
war of 1812. He was afterwards an Alderman and then Mayor of the city
of Philadelphia. He wrote a work called _Sketches of the Primitive
Settlements on the River Delaware_, and was a contributor to the
_Atlantic Souvenir_.
THE INDIAN PRINCESS. An Operatic Melodrama. Founded on an Incident
in Smith's _Virginia_. Philadelphia, 1808. 18mo, pp. iv.-74.
First acted in Philadelphia, April 6, 1808. Reproduced at the Park
Theatre, New York, June 14, 1809.
This is the story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith.
TEARS AND SMILES. A Comedy in Five Acts, performed at the Theatre,
Philadelphia, March 4, 1807. Philadelphia, 1808. 18mo, pp. 85.
MARMION; OR, THE BATTLE OF FLODDEN FIELD. A Drama. New York, 1816.
18mo, pp. vii.-79.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 13, 1812.
An adaptation of Scott's _Marmion_. When it was played at the Park
Theatre, New York, from the prejudice then existing against
American plays, it was announced as the production of an English
author, Thomas Morton, "received with unbounded applause in
London." It was enthusiastically received, and had a long lease of
popularity.
HOW TO TRY A LOVER. A Comedy. New York, 1817. 16mo, pp. 67.
SUPERSTITION. A Tragedy. Philadelphia, [1823].
Played in Philadelphia, Pa., 1824.
THE TRAVELLERS. Philadelphia, 1809.
BARRYMORE, WILLIAM
THE SNOW STORM; OR, LOWINA OF TOBOLSKOW. A Melo Dramatick Romance.
By William Barrymore, Esq. Baltimore, 1818. 16mo, pp. 36.
BARTON, ANDREW
(See Colonel Thomas Forrest.)
THE DISAPPOINTMENT; OR, THE FORCE OF CREDULITY. A new American Comic
Opera of Two Acts. New York, 1767. 12mo, pp. 56.
Another edition, 16mo, pp. iv.-95. Philadelphia, 1796.
"Air No. IV. is Yankee Doodle."--_Sabin._
BEACH, L.
JONATHAN POSTFREE; OR, THE HONEST YANKEE. A Musical Farce in Three
Acts. New York, 1807. 12mo.
BIDWELL, BARNABAS
BARNABAS BIDWELL, born in Tyringham (now Monterey), Mass., August 23,
1763, died in Kingston, Canada, July 27, 1833, was the second son of
Rev. Adonijah Bidwell. Graduated from Yale in 1785, and was made
LL.D. by Brown University in 1805. He settled in Stockbridge, Mass.,
in 1793, and was successively Treasurer of Berkshire County,
Attorney-General of the State, and Member of Congress. His residence
in Canada resulted from his responsibility for some irregularity in
his business as a banker.
THE MERCENARY MATCH. A Tragedy. New Haven, Meigs, Bowen & Dana.
[1785]. 12mo, pp. 57.
This piece was performed by students of Yale College.
BOTSFORD, MRS.
THE REIGN OF REFORM; OR, YANKEE DOODLE COURT. By a Lady. Baltimore:
Printed for the Authoress, 1830. 18mo, pp. 146.
A dialogue, the Characters personating distinguished individuals
of the day.
A Continuation of the above. Baltimore, 1830. 18mo, pp. 79, [1].
BRAY, JOHN
THE TOOTHACHE; OR, MISTAKES OF A MORNING. A Petit Comedy in One Act.
Philadelphia, 1814. 16mo, pp. 31.
BRECK, CHARLES
CHARLES BRECK, born in Boston, Mass., 1782, died at Amsterdam,
Holland, May, 1822, was the third son of Samuel Breck, a wealthy
merchant of Boston, who was agent to the army and fleet of King Louis
XVI. after the French intervention in the American Revolution.
Charles Breck, while travelling in Italy, met and became engaged to a
very beautiful young lady of that country. He built in Philadelphia,
whither his father had removed from Boston, a residence exactly like
that of his betrothed. Her sudden death, just before his arrival in
Europe to claim his bride, hastened his own.
THE FOX CHASE. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the Theatres,
Philadelphia and Baltimore. New York, 1808. 18mo, pp. 64.
THE TRUST. A Comedy in Five Acts. New York, 1808. 18mo, pp. 82.
BRACKENRIDGE, HUGH HENRY
HUGH HENRY BRACKENRIDGE, born near Campbelton, Scotland, in 1748,
died in Carlyle, Pa., June 25, 1816. He came with his parents to
America, when only five years of age, was graduated from Princeton in
1771, and continued as a tutor in that college. He next studied
divinity, and took charge of an academy in Maryland; was editor of
_The United States Magazine_ in Philadelphia in 1776, and a chaplain
in the American army in the war of the Revolution. He afterwards
studied law under Samuel Chase. In 1781 he crossed the Alleghanies,
established himself at Pittsburg, took an active part in the Whiskey
Insurrection, and after that affair was over took pains to vindicate
his conduct by the publication of _Incidents of the Insurrection in
the Western Parts of Pennsylvania_. He was afterwards Judge of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. A Dramatic Piece of Five Acts, in heroic
measure; by a Gentleman of Maryland.
Pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis.--Virgil.
'Tis glorious to die in battle.
Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Robert Bell, in Third Street,
1776. Frontispiece. 8vo, pp. [8], 5-49, [1].
This play was recited by Brackenridge's pupils in 1776. It was
dedicated to Robt. Stockton. The principal characters are
well-known officers in the American and British Armies.
THE DEATH OF GENERAL MONTGOMERY, AT THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC. A Tragedy,
with an Ode in honor of the Pennsylvania Militia, and the small
band of regular Continental troops who sustained the campaign in
the depth of winter, January, 1777, and repulsed the British
forces from the banks of the Delaware. To which are added
Elegiacal Pieces, commemorative of Distinguished characters.
Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Robert Bell, 1777.
Frontispiece. 8vo, pp. 79, [5].
Another edition, Norwich, J. Trumbull, 1777. 8vo, pp. 68.
Also Phila., 1797. 12mo, pp. 68.
BROWN, CHARLES BROCKDEN
CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN, born in Philadelphia, Pa., January 17, 1771,
died there, February 22, 1810, was originally intended for the bar,
but gave up that study for literature about 1796. He soon took rank
as a novelist of the first class, and was the first American to take
that place in English literature. His first writings were published
in Philadelphia periodicals, notably, _The Rhapsodist_, which
appeared in _The Columbian Magazine_. He published _The Monthly
Magazine_ and _American Review_ (1779-1799), and edited _The Literary
Magazine_ and _American Register_ from 1803 to 1808. He was with
Dunlap and Dr. Elihu Hubbard Smith, a member of the "Friendly Club"
in New York, and one of Dunlap's most devoted friends. He was one of
the first to advocate (in 1803) the purchase of Louisiana from
France; and in a series of articles published in that year strongly
urged the progressive territorial extension of the Union. He was
married in November, 1804, to Miss Elizabeth Linn, daughter of Rev.
Dr. William Linn of New York, and thus became the brother-in-law of
John Blair Linn, between whom and himself a lifelong attachment of
affection existed.
ALCUIN. A Dialogue on the Rights of Women. New York, 1797. 16mo.
BROWN, DAVID PAUL
DAVID PAUL BROWN, born in Philadelphia in 1795, died in 1875, studied
law and was admitted to the bar in 1816. He contributed in early life
to a number of magazines, and wrote _The Prophet of St. Paul's_,
Philadelphia, 1836; _The Trial_, a tragedy, and a farce called _Love
and Honor_. The last two were not acted, and probably not published.
He was also the author of legal works. Besides the play mentioned
below, he wrote and published a number after 1830, not included in
this list.
SERTORIUS; OR, THE ROMAN PATRIOT. A Tragedy. Philadelphia, 1830.
8vo, pp. 87.
BRYCE, JAMES F.
DEMOCEDES, AN INTERLUDE. In one Act. Second edition, revised with
the addition of a Third Scene. Performed with unbounded applause
in Annapolis, Md., August 16, 1827, by Messrs. Mestayer & Co.
Annapolis: 1827. 8vo, pp. 8.
BURK, JOHN DALY
JOHN DALY BURK, born in Ireland about 1776, died in 1808, became,
while at Trinity College, Dublin, an ardent politician, and involved
himself in difficulties with the authorities. It is said he belonged
to a secret political society which tried to rescue a rebel on his
way to execution. Burk took shelter in a bookseller's shop, while his
wolf-dog kept the police at bay. Escaping in woman's apparel, given
him by a Miss Daly, whose name he afterwards added to his own, he
came to America, settled in Boston, and became editor of a newspaper
called _The Polar Star and Boston Daily Advertiser_. He afterwards
settled in New York, and published a paper called _The Time-Piece_.
Arrested on a charge of publishing a libel contrary to the provisions
of the Sedition Law of 1798, he left New York and settled at
Petersburg, Va. In 1804 he published a _History of Virginia_, in 4
vols., the fourth being issued after his death. He also wrote a
_History of the Late War in Ireland, with an Account of the United
Irish Association, from the First Meeting in Belfast, to the Landing
of the French at Killala_, published in Philadelphia, 1799. Also _An
Historical Essay on the Character and Antiquity of Irish Songs_,
published in _The Richmond Enquirer_, May, 1808. He was killed in a
duel with a French man named Coquebert.
BUNKER HILL; OR, THE DEATH OF GEN. WARREN. An Historic Tragedy, in
Five Acts. By John Burk, Late of Trinity College, Dublin, as
played at the Theatres in America, for fourteen nights, with
unbounded applause. Copyright secured according to law. New
York: Printed by T. Greenleaf, MDCCXCVII. 12mo, pp. 55.
Another edition, Baltimore, 1808. 16mo, pp. 39.
Same: New York, 1817. 12mo, pp. 44.
Reprinted by the Dunlap Society.
This play was first played at the Haymarket in Boston, February
17, 1798. It was also played a number of times in New York.
FEMALE PATRIOTISM; OR, THE DEATH OF JOAN D'ARC. An Historic Play in
Five Acts. New York, 1798. 12mo, pp. 40.
Played at the New Park Theatre, New York, 1798.
BETHLEM GABOR, LORD OF TRANSYLVANIA: OR, THE MAN-HATING PALATINE. An
Historical Drama, in Three Acts. Petersburg, 1807. 16mo, pp. 49.
CARR, MRS.
THE FAIR AMERICAN. Philadelphia, 1815. 12mo.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, November 9, 1789.
CHAPMAN, SAMUEL H.
SAMUEL HENRY CHAPMAN, born in London, May 10, 1799; died in
Philadelphia, May 16, 1830, was an actor as well as dramatist. He
made his first appearance on the stage at Covent Garden Theatre,
London, as _Agib_, in _Timour, the Tartar_. He was brought to the
United States in 1827 by Mr. Francis Courtney Wemyss, manager of the
Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, in company with Mr. and Mrs.
Sloman, Mrs. Austin, and Miss Emery, for the stock company of that
theatre. His début was made October 31, 1827, as _Pierre_ in _Venice
Preserved_. He became a favorite immediately, and of him it is said
he had no equal in heroic rôles in his time. In May, 1829, he became
joint manager of the Walnut Street Theatre. He married Elizabeth
Jefferson, daughter of the elder and aunt of the now living Joseph
Jefferson, in the same year. While riding, to illustrate to an artist
the scene of the robbery in Turner's Lane in his own play of _The
Mail Coach_, he was thrown from his horse, and so injured that he
died within a week. It is said his hurt was aggravated greatly by the
fact that he continued to play every night, and having a piece of
brass armor next his skin, blood-poisoning was caused in his wounded
shoulder.
THE RED ROVER. A Drama founded on J. F. Cooper's novel of that name.
Philadelphia, n. d. 18mo, pp. 52.
Played at Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, 1828.
COCKINGS, GEORGE
GEORGE COCKINGS, born in Devonshire, England, died February 6, 1802,
lived a great part of his time in Dartmouth, England, and from there
went first to Newfoundland, where he passed several years, then to
Boston, where he held some small position under the English
Government. For thirty years in England he held the place of Register
of the Society of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce in the Adelphi. He
wrote _War, An Heroic Poem_, Boston, 1764; _The American War_, a
_Poem_, and other works.
THE CONQUEST OF CANADA; OR, THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC. An Historical
Tragedy of Five Acts. London: Printed for the Author, 1766. 8vo,
pp. v.-76.
Another edition, 12mo, Philadelphia, 1772.
CRAFTS, WILLIAM
WILLIAM CRAFTS, born in Charleston, S. C., January 24, 1787; died in
Lebanon Springs, N. Y., September 23, 1826. He was educated at
Harvard and was especially noted there for his proficiency in the
classic languages. He returned to Charleston, where he was admitted
to the bar, and became a leading lawyer and legislator. He was always
a ready and convincing speaker. In 1817 he delivered the Phi Beta
Kappa address at Harvard. He was a constant contributor to the
_Charleston Courier_. His works were published in Charleston in 1828.
He wrote a few volumes of poetry, viz.: _The Raciad, Sullivan's
Island_, and _A Monody on the Death of Decatur_.
THE SEA SERPENT; OR, GLOUCESTER HOAX. A Dramatic Jeu d'Esprit, in
Three Acts. Charleston: A. E. Miller, 1819. 12mo, pp. [5], 6-34.
CROSWELL, JOSEPH
A NEW WORLD PLANTED; OR, THE ADVENTURES OF THE FOREFATHERS OF NEW
ENGLAND WHO LANDED IN PLYMOUTH, DECEMBER 22, 1620. An Historical
Drama. Boston, 1802. 8vo, pp. 45.
CUSTIS, GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE
GEORGE WASHINGTON PARKE CUSTIS, born in Mount Airy, Md., April 30,
1786; died at Arlington, Fairfax Co., Va., October 10, 1857. His
father was the son of Mrs. Washington by her former husband. His
early home was at Mount Vernon, and he was educated at Princeton. He
married, early in life, Mary Lee Fitzhugh, and their daughter married
Robert E. Lee. Arlington House, built by Mr. Custis, thus came into
the Lee family. This beautiful estate, which was confiscated during
the war between the States, and used as a place of burial for the
Federal dead, was purchased from General Lee's heirs at the close of
the war and remains dedicated to the uses of a National Cemetery. Mr.
Custis wrote _Recollections of General Washington_, published first
in the _National Intelligencer_, and in book form in New York, in
1860.
THE INDIAN PROPHECY. A National Drama in Two Acts, founded on a most
interesting and romantic occurrence in the life of General
Washington. Georgetown, 1828. 16mo, pp. 35.
POCAHONTAS; OR, THE SETTLERS OF VIRGINIA. A National Drama in Three
Acts. Philadelphia, 1830. 12mo, pp. 47.
Another edition. 12mo, pp. 45. Philadelphia, 1839.
This play was first acted at the Park Theatre, New York, December
28, 1830, was well received, and was played in different cities of
the United States.
DA CENEDA, LORENZO DA PONTE
(_Called DA PONTE_)
LORENZO DA PONTE DA CENEDA; born in Venice, Italy, in 1748; died in
New York, August 17, 1838, was an ardent poet and dramatist, and was
attached to the Court Theatre at Vienna in 1784, where several of his
librettos were produced with success. He came to New York about 1809,
and established himself as a teacher of languages, finally becoming
Professor of Italian Literature in Columbia College. He was a very
popular figure in New York society, and dearly loved by his
compatriots, to whom he gave an affectionate welcome upon their
coming to his new home. He was an intimate associate of Mozart,
Metastasio, and Joseph II. of Austria. Upon the arrival of the first
Italian opera of Signor Garcia and his illustrious daughter in New
York, they found that Da Ponte had made their way to triumph easy. He
was, in fact, the foster-father of Italian opera in America.
SCENA QUARTA DELL ATTO QUINTO DI ADAD, Poema Dramatico, del Signor
Giacoma A. Hillhouse. Tradatto in Verso Italiano da L. Da Ponte,
N. Y. Gray e Bunce, 1825.
This is an Italian translation of the last act of Hillhouse's
_Hadad_.
ASSUR RE D'ORMUS. Dramma. New York: Stampatori Giovanni Gray e Cia,
1826. 18mo, pp. 47.
IL DON GIOVANNI. Dramma Eroicomica. Nova-Jorca: Stampatori Giovanni
Gray e Cia, 1826. 18mo, pp. 51.
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO. Dramma Eroicomica. New York, Stampatori Giovanni
Gray e Cia, 1826. 18mo, pp. iv. 3-63.
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, IL DON GIOVANNI, E L'ASSUR RE D'ORMUS. Tre
Drammi. [New York], Stampatori Giovanni Gray e Cia, 1826. 18mo,
pp. [2] ii, iv. 3-63, 51, 47.
L'APE MUSICALE. Azione Teatrale in un atto; Da Rappresentari Nel
Teatro Del Park, a New York, Per La Prima Volta. New York,
Stampatori da G. F. Bunce, 1830. 16mo, pp. 37.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, by the Italian Opera
Company, April 20, 1830.
DA PONTE, LORENZO L.
LORENZO L. DA PONTE was the son of the last-named author, and was
Professor of Italian Literature and Language in the University of the
City of New York up to the time of his death in 1840. He published a
_History of Florence_, and _Memorie di Lorenzo Da Ponte da Cenada_, 3
vols., New York, 1823.
ALMACHIDE. A Tragedy. New York, 1830. 12mo.
DARLING, DAVID
BEAUX WITHOUT BELLES; OR, LADIES WE CAN DO WITHOUT YOU. A Musical
Farce as Performed at the Theatre, Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Printed for the Author. Charlottesville, Va. 1820. 16mo, pp. 33,
[1].
DEERING, NATHANIEL
NATHANIEL DEERING, born June 25, 1791; died near Portland, Me., in
1881. His grandfather, of the same name, was one of the founders of
that city. The subject of this memoir began his education at Phillips
Academy, Exeter, and was graduated from Harvard College in 1810. He
was admitted to the Bar in 1815, and practiced for a time in Canaan
and Milburn (now Skowhegan), Maine. He removed to Portland in 1836,
and devoted himself to literature. He was the first editor of the
_Independent Statesman_.
CARRABASSET; OR, THE LAST OF THE NORRIDGEWOCKS. A Tragedy in Five
Acts. Portland, 1830. 18mo, pp. 54.
DEFFENBACH, F.
ONLIATA; OR, THE INDIAN HEROINE. Philadelphia, 1821. 12mo.
D'ELVILLE, RINALLO
THE RESCUE; OR, THE VILLAIN UNMASKED. A Farce in Three Acts. New
York: Printed for the author, 1813. 12mo, pp. 44.
DODDRIDGE, JOSEPH
DR. JOSEPH DODDRIDGE, born in Pennsylvania in 1769; died in
Wellsburg, Brooke County, Va., in November, 1826. He was educated at
Jefferson Academy, Canonsburg, Pa., and ordained to the ministry in
the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1792. He is well known as the
author of _A History of the Indian Wars_, considered the best book on
that subject.
LOGAN, THE LAST OF THE RACE OF SKIKELLEMUS, CHIEF OF THE CAYUGA
NATION. A Dramatic Piece. To which is added, the Dialogue of The
Backwoodsman and the Dandy, First recited at the Buffaloe
Seminary, July the 1st, 1821, by Dr. Joseph Doddridge. Buffalo
Creek, Brooke County, Va.: Printed for the Author, by Solomon
Sala, at the Buffaloe Printing Office, 1823. 12mo, pp. 47.
Reprinted in 4to size, pp. 76. Cincinnati, 1868.
DUNLAP, WILLIAM
WILLIAM DUNLAP, rightly called the father of the American stage, was
born in Perth Amboy, N. J., February 19, 1766, and died in New York,
September 28, 1839. He came to New York in 1777 and commenced the
study of painting, for which he had an early inclination. In 1784 he
went to London, where for three years he worked under Benjamin West.
On his return he became interested in the drama, and wrote his first
play. He soon after became closely identified with the theatre, and
appeared on the stage. In 1796 he became manager of the John Street
Theatre, and, soon after, sole manager of the New Park Theatre. In
1805 he retired from the management a bankrupt, and devoted himself
to his original profession of painting. In 1814 he received the
appointment of Assistant Paymaster General of the New York State
Militia. In 1817 he again took up the brush, and exhibited some of
his large paintings in most of the cities of the United States. He
was founder and vice-president of the National Academy of Design. He
wrote _The Life of George Frederick Cooke_ and _A History of the Rise
and Progress of the Arts of Design in America_--a most valuable work.
He also wrote a number of other works on different subjects.
THE FATHER; OR, AMERICAN SHANDYISM. A Comedy in Five Acts, as
performed at the New York Theatre by the old American Company,
September 7, 1789. Written by a citizen of New York. New York,
1789. 8vo, pp. 68.
Dunlap's first published play.
Reprinted by the Dunlap Society, 1887.
DARBY'S RETURN. A Comic Sketch, as performed at the New York
Theatre, November 24, 1789, for the Benefit of Mr. Wignell. New
York: Printed by Hodge, Allen, and Campbell, and sold at their
respective Bookstores, and by Berry and Rogers, 1789. 8vo, pp.
16.
Sequel to _The Poor Soldier_.
Another Edition. New York, 1806. 12mo.
Also reprinted in the Appendix to _Washington and the Theatre_, by
Paul L. Ford, New York, 1899.
THE ARCHERS; OR, MOUNTAINEERS OF SWITZERLAND. An Opera in Three
Acts, as performed by the Old American Co. in New York. New
York, 1796. 8vo, pp. 94.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 18, 1796.
TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL! A Farce. New York, 1797. 12mo,
pp. 44.
Played at the John Street Theatre, January 9, 1797.
THE KNIGHT'S ADVENTURE. A Comedy. New York, 1797. 12mo.
A play was announced to be played at the John Street Theatre, in
1797, under the title of _The Man of Fortitude; or, the Knight's
Adventure_, by Jno. Hodgkinson [q. v.], and Dunlap asserts that it
was taken bodily from his play while the MS. was in Hodgkinson's
hands.
ANDRÉ. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed by the Old American Co.,
New York, March 30, 1798. To which are added authentic documents
respecting Major André; Consisting of letters to Miss Seward,
the Cow Chase, Proceedings of the Court Martial, etc. Copyright
secured. New York: Printed by T. & J. Swords, No. 89 Pearl
Street, 1798. Sm. 8vo, pp. viii.-139.
Another edition. 8vo, London, 1799.
Reprinted by the Dunlap Society.
First produced at the New Park Theatre, New York, March 30, 1798.
THE STRANGER. A Tragedy. New York, 1798. 12mo.
Adapted from the German of Kotzebue.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, December 10, 1798.
Probably this is a reprint of the English translation.
FALSE SHAME; OR, THE AMERICAN ORPHAN IN GERMANY. A Comedy, from the
German of A. Von Kotzebue. New York, 1800. 12mo, pp. 76.
Another edition. 12mo, pp. 76. Charleston, 1800.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, December 11, 1799.
VIRGIN OF THE SUN. A Drama, from the German of A. Von Kotzebue. New
York, 1800. Frontispiece. 12mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 12, 1800.
THE WILD GOOSE CHASE. A Play in Four Acts, with songs. New York,
1800. Frontispiece. 12mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, January 24, 1800.
PIZARRO IN PERU; OR, THE DEATH OF ROLLO. A Play in Five Acts, from
the German of Aug. Von Kotzebue. New York, 1800. Frontispiece.
8vo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 26, 1800.
ABAELLINO, THE GREAT BANDIT. A Grand Dramatic Romance, in Five Acts.
Translated from the German. Boston and New York, 1802. 12mo.
Another edition. New York, 1803.
Same, N. Y., 1807, pp. 63.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, February 11, 1801.
THE GLORY OF COLUMBIA, HER YEOMANRY. A Comedy. New York, 1803. 12mo,
pp. 12.
Another edition. New York, 1817. 18mo, pp. 56.
This is the play of _André_ entirely rewritten.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, July 4, 1803.
RIBBEMONT; OR, THE FEUDAL BARON. A Tragedy. New York, 1803. 18mo,
pp. 72.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, October 31, 1776,
under the title of _The Mysterious Monk_.
BLUE BEARD; OR, FEMALE CURIOSITY. A Dramatic Romance in Three Acts.
New York, 1803. 18mo, pp. 48.
Another edition. New York, 1806. 16mo.
THE VOICE OF NATURE. A Drama in Three Acts, as performed at the New
York Theatre. New York, 1803. 18mo, pp. 41.
From the French play, _Le Jugement de Saloman_.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, February 4, 1803.
THE FATAL DECEPTION; OR, THE PROGRESS OF GUILT.
Performed at the Park Theatre, New York, April 24, 1794. Published
as:
LEICESTER. A Tragedy. As Performed at the New York Theatre. New
York, 1807. 16mo, pp. 150.
The first American tragedy produced upon the American stage.
FOUNTAINVILLE ABBEY. A Tragedy. New York, 1807. 18mo, pp. 211.
From Mrs. Radcliff's _Romance of the Forest_.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, February 16, 1795.
THE FATHER OF AN ONLY CHILD. A Comedy. New York, 1807. 18mo, pp. 81.
This is the play of _The Father_, with a new title.
THE BLIND BOY. A Comedy, altered from Kotzebue's _Epigram_. New
York, 1808. 12mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 30, 1802.
FRATERNAL DISCORD. A Drama. Altered from the German of Kotzebue. New
York, 1809. 18mo, pp. 69.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, October 24, 1800.
THE ITALIAN FATHER. A Comedy in Five Acts. New York, 1810. 18mo, pp.
63.
Played at the New Park Theatre, New York, April 15, 1799.
RINALDO RINALDINI; OR, THE GREAT BANDITTI. A Tragedy. By an American
and a Citizen of New York. New York, 1810. Frontispiece. 18mo,
pp. 82.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, 1810.
WIFE OF TWO HUSBANDS. A Drama in Five Acts, interspersed with Songs,
Choruses, Music and Dances. New York, 1811. 18mo, pp. 55.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 4, 1804.
YANKEE CHRONOLOGY; OR, HUZZA FOR THE CONSTITUTION. A Musical
Interlude, in One Act, to which are added, The Patriotic Songs
of the Freedom of the Seas, and Yankee Tars. New York, 1812.
16mo, pp. 16.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, 1812.
PETER THE GREAT; OR, THE RUSSIAN MOTHER. A Play in Five Acts. New
York, 1814. 18mo, pp. 56.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, November 15, 1801.
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR. An Interlude in One Act, as performed at the New
York Theatre, February 28, 1803. New York, 1814. 18mo, pp. 12.
LOVER'S VOWS. A Play in Five Acts. Translated From the German. N.
Y., 1814. 16mo, pp. 74, [1].
Although Dunlap states that his translation of the above was not
published, (_History of the American Theatre_, vol. ii, p. 95,) I
have seen a copy of the play and his name is on the title page.
THE WRECK OF HONOR; OR, ADVENTURES IN PARIS. A Tragedy. Translated
from the French. New York, 1828. 16mo, pp. 87.
A TRIP TO NIAGARA; OR, TRAVELLERS IN AMERICA. A Farce in Three Acts.
New York, 1830. 18mo, pp. 54.
Dunlap's last published play.
Played at the New Bowery Theatre, New York, October 28, 1829.
EATON, N. W.
ALBERTO AND MATILDA. A Drama. Boston, 1809. 18mo, pp. 17.
ELLIOT, SAMUEL
FAYETTE IN PRISON; OR, MISFORTUNES OF THE GREAT. A Modern Tragedy,
by a Gentleman of Boston. Worcester: Printed for the Author,
1800. 8vo, pp 40.
Reprinted with this change in title, "by a Gentleman of
Massachusetts," Worcester, Is. Thomas, 1802. 8vo, pp. 40.
ELLISON, JAMES
THE AMERICAN CAPTIVE; OR, SIEGE OF TRIPOLI. A Drama in Five Acts.
Written by Mr. James Ellison. Boston, 1812. 16mo, pp. [5]; 6-7,
[2]; 10-54.
EUSTAPHIEVE, ALEXIS
ALEXIS, THE CZAREWITZ. A Tragedy in 5 Acts.
This play was published in a volume of poems entitled,
Reflections, Notes, and Original Anecdotes, illustrating the
Character of Peter the Great. Boston, 1814. 12mo, [pp. 141-224.]
EVANS, NATHANIEL
NATHANIEL EVANS, born in Philadelphia, Penn., June 8, 1742, died in
Gloucester County, N. J., October 29, 1767, was graduated from the
College of Philadelphia, and ordained in England by the Bishop of
London. As a member of the British Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel in Foreign Parts, he settled in Gloucester County, N. J., and
became noted for his eloquence as a preacher. He wrote some very
graceful verses, which were collected and published after his death
as _Poems on Several Occasions_ [1772].
AN EXERCISE, CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND ODE ON PEACE. Performed at
the Public Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May
17th, 1763. Philadelphia: Printed by Andrew Stewart, 1763. 8vo,
pp. 8.
The Ode was written by Dr. Paul Jackson, of Chester, Pennsylvania.
Also published in Evans's _Poems_. Phila., 1772.
EVERETT, DAVID
DAVID EVERETT, born in Princeton, Mass., March 29, 1770, died in
Marietta, Ohio, December 21, 1813, was graduated from Dartmouth in
1795. Before entering college he taught school at New Ipswich,
studied law in Boston, and wrote for _Russell's Gazette and Farmer's
Museum_, in which his prose papers, _Common Sense in Deshabille_,
became quite popular. They were published in a volume in 1799. He
also contributed to a literary paper called _The Nightingale_ in
1796. In 1809 he edited the _Boston Patriot_, and in 1812 _The
Pilot_, a paper in the interest of De Witt Clinton for the
Presidency. He left Boston in 1813 for Marietta, Ohio, with the
purpose of establishing a newspaper there, but death interrupted his
plans.
DARANZEL; OR, THE PERSIAN PATRIOT. An original Drama in Five Acts;
as performed at the Theatre in Boston; by David Everett,
corrected and improved by a literary friend. Boston, John
Russell, 1800. 8vo, pp. 68.
FAIRFIELD, SUMNER LINCOLN
S. L. FAIRFIELD, born in Warwick, Mass., June 25, 1803, died in New
Orleans, La., March 6, 1844, entered Brown University, Providence, R.
I., at the age of thirteen. He studied so unremittingly, that after a
few months he was attacked with a severe sickness. On recovering he
was forced to leave college and seek a living as a tutor in the
Southern States. In 1825 he sailed for London and wrote his poem,
_The Cities of the Plain_, which appeared in the _Oriental Herald_.
He was received by Lafayette, in France, where he published _Pére la
Chaise_ and _Westminster Abbey_. He returned to the United States in
1826.
MINA. A Dramatic Sketch. Baltimore, Joseph Robinson, 1825. 12mo, pp.
120.
FAUGÉRES, MARGARETTA BLEECKER
MARGARETTA BLEECKER FAUGÉRES, born in Tunkhannock, near Albany, New
York, in 1771, died there January 9, 1801, was a daughter of the
poetess Ann Eliza Bleecker. In 1791 she married Peter Faugéres, a
physician of New York, who dissipated her fortune and died in 1798.
She supported herself by teaching until her death in 1801. Her poems
are appended to her mother's _Posthumous Works_, edited by her, New
York, 1793.
BELISARIUS. A Tragedy. New York, 1795. Frontispiece. 12mo, pp. 53.
Offered to the management of the John Street Theatre and declined.
FINN, HENRY JAMES
HENRY JAMES FINN, born in Cape Breton in 1785, died on the steamer
_Lexington_ off Eaton's Neck, Long Island Sound, January 13, 1840,
was the son of an officer in the English Navy, who retired from that
service, and settled with his family in New York when Finn was a mere
child. His early education was received at the Academy at Hackensack,
and he was for a time a student at Princeton. While a copying clerk
in the office of Mr. Thomas Phoenix, in New York City, he found means
to become a supernumerary in the Park Theatre, and, having a taste
for drawing, took much interest in scene painting. On the death of
his father he was taken to England by his mother, and there was
subjected to such privation that he gladly took a place in a company
of country players. He was finally engaged at the Haymarket, London,
where he first appeared, May 15, 1811, as Lopez in _The Honeymoon_,
and for two seasons was an important member of the company. In 1818
he went to Savannah, where he played successfully for a year, and in
1820 became associated with J. K. Tefft as editor and publisher of
_The Georgian_, a daily newspaper. In 1821 he went again to England,
and, besides playing with success, made material reputation and
profit as a miniature painter. He returned to America, and made a
brilliant success as _Richard III._ at the Federal Street Theatre,
Boston, October 28, 1822. From that time to his tragic death on the
loss of the _Lexington_ by fire, he was a very popular actor of
tragedy and light comedy.
MONTGOMERY; OR, THE FALLS OF MONTMORENCY. A Drama in Three Acts, as
acted at the Boston Theatre. Boston, 1825. 12mo, pp. 11, 56.
This play was acted with much success.
FORREST, COLONEL THOMAS
(See BARTON, ANDREW)
DISENCHANTMENT (DISAPPOINTMENT); OR, THE FORCE OF CREDULITY. A New
American Comic Opera of Three Acts, by Andrew Barton, Esquire.
New York, 1767.
"Perhaps an assumed name for Colonel Thomas Forrest, of
Germantown," a MS. note on an old copy in the Library of
Philadelphia. This opera was rehearsed by the Douglas Company in
Philadelphia, but was withdrawn, supposedly on account of personal
allusions of a rather pointed character. The _Disenchantment_ was
really printed in Philadelphia by Thomas Goddard, although bearing
a New York imprint.
FOWLER, MANLY B.
THE PROPHECY; OR, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. A Drama. New York, 1821.
18mo, pp. 34.
FRISBIE, NOAH, JR.
NOAH FRISBIE, JR., born in Woodbury, Conn., Jan. 23, 1758, was the
oldest son of Noah Frisbie, of the same town, who married Margery
Post in 1752, and was in 1757 a member of Captain Ebenezer Downs's
company of volunteers in the expedition for the relief of Fort
William Henry on Lake George against the French. On the "Alarm of
Lexington," Noah Frisbie with his two sons Noah and Jonathan, and
their kinsmen Asabel, Abiel, David and James, joined the Continental
forces. Noah Frisbie, Jr., appears on the army list at the end of the
war as a lieutenant. No further information, except the printing of
the under-mentioned play, is available.
THE HISTORY OF THE FALCOS. A Comedy in Four Acts. Part First.
Walpole, N. H.: Printed for the author, at the Observatory
Press, 1808. 12mo, pp. 137.
GARDEN, ALEXANDER
KOSCIUSKO; OR, THE FALL OF WARSAW. A Play in Verse.
Published in _The Soldier's Wreath, or The Battle Ground of New
Orleans, and Other Poems_, by Oliver Cromwell, of South Carolina.
Charleston, W. Riley, 1828, pp. [37-72]. The volume is supposed to
be by Alex. Garden, author of _Anecdotes of the Revolutionary
War_. This I am, however, in doubt about, as the author calls
himself "an almost beardless youth." The play is in three acts.
GODFREY, THOMAS, JR.
THOMAS GODFREY, who was born in Philadelphia on December 4, 1736, and
died near Wilmington, N. C., August 3, 1763, was a son of Thomas
Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant. He was apprenticed to a
watchmaker and remained at that trade until 1758. He was an officer
in the expedition against Fort Du Quesne. He removed to North
Carolina and remained there three years. He then went to Philadelphia
and sailed as a supercargo to the Island of New Providence, returning
from thence to North Carolina, where, a few weeks after his arrival,
by exposure to the sun on horseback, he contracted a fever which
terminated fatally.
JUVENILE POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, AND THE PRINCE OF PARTHIA. A
Tragedy. Philadelphia: Printed by Henry Miller, in Second
Street, 1765. 8vo, pp. XVI, 223.
_The Prince of Parthia_ is the earliest known tragedy that was
written by an American. The play was offered to the company then
performing in Philadelphia, but was not accepted.
GRICE, C. E.
THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS; OR, GLORY, LOVE AND LOYALTY; an
Historical and National Drama in Five Acts. New York, 1816. 8vo,
pp. 59.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, July 4, 1816.
HALL, EVERARD
NOLENS VOLENS; OR, THE BITER BIT. Newbern, 1809. 12mo, pp. 92, [2].
HARBY, ISAAC
ISAAC HARBY, born in Charleston, S. C., November 9, 1788, died in New
York City, November 14, 1828. First studied law under Langdon Cheves,
but soon gave this up to become the principal of a school on Edisto
Island. His first literary work was the editing of a weekly paper
called _The Quiver_. This paper had but a short existence, and he
purchased _The Investigator_, which he changed to _The Southern
Patriot_. In 1822 he conducted _The City Gazette_ and wrote for _The
Charleston Mercury_.
The second representation of _Alberti_, in Charleston, 1819, was
honored by the presence of President Monroe. _Alberti_ was written
for Cooper, but he never appeared in the character. Harby is said to
have been the finest dramatic critic of his time in America. He came
to New York in 1828.
ALBERTI. A Play. Charleston, 1819. 12mo, pp. 55.
Republished with a selection of his writings, Charleston, 1829.
pp. 3-54.
This play was performed at the Charleston Theatre, 1818.
THE GORDIAN KNOT; OR, CAUSES AND EFFECTS. [1807].
"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 début 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 début 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 rôle.
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 début as an actor at the Park Theatre, New York City,
February 24, 1809, as _Young Norval_. He made his literary début 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.
ABBÉ DE L'EPÉE; 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 début 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 DÆMON; 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
MERCY WARREN, born in Barnstable, Mass., September 25, 1728, died in
Plymouth, Mass., October 19, 1814. She was the third child of Colonel
James Otis. She married James Warren, of Plymouth, who was appointed
high sheriff in 1757, which place he held up to the breaking out of
the Revolution, when he became general of the American forces about
Boston. She was one of the foremost friends of liberty, and
corresponded with most of the great men of her time. She published a
_History of the American Revolution_. Her correspondence with John
Adams was published by the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1878.
THE ADULATEUR. A Tragedy, as it is now acted in Upper Servia. [6
lines of poetry]. Boston: Printed and sold at the New Printing
Office, near Concert Hall, 1773. 8vo, pp. 30.
THE GROUP. As lately acted and to be re-acted to the wonder of all
superior intelligences, nigh head-quarters at Amboyne. Boston:
Printed and sold by Edes and Gill, in Queen Street, 1775.
A political satire in two acts in verse, published the day before
the Battle of Lexington.
Another edition, New York: John Anderson, n. d. [1775]. With
second and third scenes of Act II. omitted. 8vo, pp. 15.
THE BLOCKHEADS; OR, THE AFFRIGHTED OFFICERS. A Farce. Boston:
Printed in Queen Street, 1776.
A counter-farce to Burgoyne's _Blockade_. Published without name
(attributed to Mrs. Warren) in the _Literary History of the
Revolution_. New York, 1897.
THE SACK OF ROME. A Tragedy.
THE LADIES OF CASTILE. A Tragedy.
The above plays were published in a volume of _Poems, Dramatic and
Miscellaneous_. Boston, 1790.
THE MOTLEY ASSEMBLY. A Farce. Published for the entertainment of the
Curious. Boston: N. Loverly, 1779. 12mo, pp. 15.
Published without name (attributed to Mrs. Warren), by Paul L.
Ford, in _Beginnings of American Dramatic Literature_.
WATTERSON, GEORGE
GEORGE WATTERSON, born in New York in 1783, died in Washington, D.
C., 1854. He was a lawyer in Washington, and was the first Librarian
of Congress. He published several books on law and the topography of
Washington. He also published the _Letters of General Washington_.
THE CHILD OF FEELING. A Comedy. Georgetown, 1809. 18mo, pp. 113.
WETMORE, ALPHONSO
THE PEDLAR. A Farce in Three Acts. Written for the St. Louis
Thespians, by whom it was performed with great applause. St.
Louis: John A. Paxton, 1821. 16mo, pp. 35.
WHITE, JOHN BLAKE
JOHN BLAKE WHITE, born in South Carolina in 1783, died 1859. He was
an artist, lawyer and dramatist, residing in Charleston.
FOSCARI; OR, THE VENETIAN EXILE. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as
performed at the Charleston Theatre. Charleston, 1806. 12mo, pp.
52.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE CASTLE; OR, THE VICTIM OF REVENGE. A Drama in
Five Acts. Charleston, 1807. 16mo, pp. 65.
MODERN HONOUR; OR, THE VICTIM OF REVENGE. A Tragedy. Charleston,
1812. 12mo.
TRIUMPH OF LIBERTY; OR, LOUISIANA PRESERVED. A National Drama.
Charleston, 1819. 12mo.
THE FORGERS. A Drama. Played at Charleston, S. C., 1825.
Published in _The Southern Literary Messenger_, March, 1857, and
reprinted New York, 1899.
WHITE, WILLIAM CHARLES
WILLIAM CHARLES WHITE, born in Worcester, Mass., made his début on
the stage in Boston in 1796, and in New York, at the Park Theatre,
January 19, 1801, as _Young Norval_. He afterwards studied law and
gave up the stage.
ORLANDO; OR, PARENTAL PERSECUTION. A Tragedy, as performed at the
Theatre, Federal Street, Boston. Boston, 1797. Portrait of Wm.
C. White. 18mo, pp. 64.
THE CLERGYMAN'S DAUGHTER. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed at
the Boston Theatre, with the Epilogue by R. T. Paine, Jr.
Boston, 1810. 16mo, pp. 96.
WILLIAMSON, A. J.
PRESERVATION; OR, THE HOVEL OF THE ROCKS. A Play in Five Acts.
Charleston, 1800. 8vo, pp. vii.-75.
WILMER, LAMBERT A.
LAMBERT A. WILMER, born in 1805, died in Brooklyn, December 21, 1863,
was editor of the Brooklyn _Saturday Visitor_, and of _The
Pennsylvanian_ in Philadelphia. He was the author of _The Quacks of
Helicon_.
MERLIN. A Drama. Philadelphia, 1823. 12mo.
GLORIANA; OR, THE ENCHANTRESS OF ELBA. A Drama.
Published in a weekly paper in Philadelphia about 1828.
WOODWORTH, SAMUEL
SAMUEL WOODWORTH, born in Scituate, Mass., January 13, 1785, died in
New York City, December 9, 1842. His father was a soldier of the
Revolution. In early life he chose the profession of a printer, and
went to Boston, where he bound himself apprentice to Benjamin
Russell, editor of _The Columbian Sentinel_. During this time he
employed his leisure in writing poetry for different periodicals in
that city over the signature of "Selim." In 1807 he published a
weekly paper in New Haven called _The Belles-Lettres Repository_. The
next year he went to Baltimore, where many of his best poems were
published. He came to New York in 1810, and during the War of 1812
published a weekly newspaper entitled _The War_. He also edited, at
different times, _The Halcyon Luminary and Theological Repository_,
_The Casket_, _The Parthenon_, and _The Literary Gazette_. He also
was one of the founders and editors of _The New York Mirror_. In
1816 he published _Champions of Freedom_.
THE DEED OF GIFT. A Comic Opera in Three Acts, as performed at the
Boston Theatre. New York, 1822. 18mo, pp. 72.
First acted at the City Theatre in Warren Street, New York,
January 20, 1823.
LAFAYETTE; OR, THE CASTLE OF OLMUTZ. A Drama in Three Acts, as
performed at the New York Park Theatre. New York, 1824. 16mo,
pp. 50.
First acted at the Park Theatre, New York, February 23, 1824.
THE FOREST ROSE; OR, AMERICAN FARMERS. A Pastoral Opera in Two Acts,
as performed at the Chatham Theatre, New York. New York, 1825.
18mo, pp. 42.
First acted at the Chatham Theatre, New York, October 6, 1825.
THE WIDOW'S SON; OR, WHICH IS THE TRAITOR? A Melodrama in Three
Acts. New York, 1825. 16mo, pp. 82.
First acted at the Park Theatre, New York, December 15, 1825.
KING'S BRIDGE COTTAGE. A Revolutionary Tale Founded on an Incident
which occurred a few days previous to the Evacuation of N. York
by the British. A Drama in Two Acts, written by a Gentleman of
New York and performed at the Amateur Theatre. New York, 1826.
18mo, pp. 23, [1].
WORKMAN, JAMES
LIBERTY IN LOUISIANA. A Comedy. Charleston, 1803. 12mo.
Played at the Charleston Theatre in 1803.
WRIGHT, FRANCES ("FANNY")
FRANCES WRIGHT, born in Dundee, Scotland, September 6, 1795, died in
Cincinnati, O., December 14, 1852. She became, early in life, imbued
with French liberalism, and was an admiring friend of Lafayette. She
first came to the United States in 1818, and was introduced in
literary circles here by Joseph Rodman Drake. After a time spent in
Paris she came again to the United States in 1825, and purchased 2400
acres of land in Tennessee, at Neshoba (now Memphis). Here she
established a colony of freed slaves. The State authorities compelled
the relinquishment of the scheme as contrary to the law of the
commonwealth, and the land, which was held for her in trust by
Lafayette, was reconveyed to her. The negroes were sent to Hayti, and
Miss Wright spent three years in lecturing on slavery and social
topics in the United States, especially upon woman suffrage, of which
she was the first considerable advocate. She went again to France,
where she married Monsieur d'Arnsmont, with whom, however, she lived
but a short time, returning finally to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she
made her final home.
ALTORF. A Tragedy, first represented in the Theatre of New York,
February 19, 1819. Philadelphia, 1819. 12mo, pp. 83.
This play was produced in different cities, but was not a success.
Another edition, New York, 1819. 12mo.
* * * * *
PLAYS IN MANUSCRIPT
Many more titles could be added to the following list, but these will
suffice. Ireland's _Records of the New York Stage_, Dunlap's
_American Theatre_ and Rees's _Dramatic Authors of America_ give many
additional titles, but as unpublished plays really do not deserve a
place in a bibliography, I have inserted this list only for the
purpose of comparison between those printed and those unpublished.
ANONYMOUS:
The American Captive. A Farce.
American Tars. (The Purse.)
The Ancient Soldier.
The Battle of North Point.
Capture of Major André.
Down East; or, The Militia Training.
The Festival of Peace.
Greece and Liberty.
The Green Mountain Boys.
Guilt.
Harlequin Panatahah.
The Harper's Daughter.
The Indian Wife.
The Irish Patriot. The Jubilee; or, Triumph of Freedom.
The Lad of Spirit.
The Last of the Serpent Tribe.
Life in New York; or, Firemen on Duty.
Love in a Cloud.
Lucinda.
The Manhattoes.
The Medium; or, Happy Tea Party.
Miantonomah and Nanahmattah.
The Pilot.
The Pioneer.
The Poor Student.
The Return from the Camp.
Ruffian Boy.
A Tale of the Crusade. A Tragedy.
Thirty-Three John Street. A Farce.
The Wigwam; or Templeton Manor.
BARKER, JAMES N.
America. A Mask in One Act.
Attila. A Tragedy.
Written in 1805, and left unfinished.
The Armourer's Escape; or, Three Years at Nootka Sound. A
Melodramatic Sketch in Two Acts.
Played in Philadelphia, March 24, 1817.
The Embargo; or, What News?
Played in Philadelphia, March 16, 1808.
BELL, D. V.
The Fair Maid of Perth.
Played at Lafayette Theatre, New York, 1829.
BURGOYNE, GENERAL JOHN.
The Blockade of Boston.
Played by Burgoyne's Thespians, in Boston, during the
Revolutionary War.
BURK, JOHN DALY.
Joan of Arc; or, The Maid of Orleans. A Tragedy.
Fortunes of Nigel.
A Dramatization of Scott's novel.
Innkeeper of Abbeville.
Which Do You Like Best?
CHAPMAN, SAMUEL HENRY.
Doctor Foster.
Gasparoni.
The Mail Coach.
CLINCH, CHARLES POWELL.
The Spy. Dramatized from Cooper's novel.
The Expelled Collegian. A Farce.
The Avenger's Vow.
First of May in New York; or, Double or Quit Farce.
COLMAN, BENJAMIN.
Gustavus Vasa.
COOPER AND GRAY, DRS.
The Renegade; or, France Restored.
DA PONTE, LORENZO.
The Italian Husband. A Tragedy.
The Roman Wife. A Tragedy.
D'ELVILLE, RINALLO.
Clairvoyants. A Comedy.
DUMONT, J. B.
The Invisible Witness.
DUNLAP, WILLIAM.
The Modest Soldier; or, Love in New York.
The Wedding. A Comedy.
Shelty's Travels. A Farce.
Sterne's Maria; or, the Vintage. An Opera.
The Natural Daughter. A Comedy.
The Temple of Independence.
The Stranger.
Count Benyowski.
The School for Soldiers.
The Force of Calumny.
The Robbery.
The Knight of Guadalquiver.
The Count of Burgundy.
The Corsicans.
Abbé de l'Epée.
Where Is He?
The Retrospect.
Bonaparte in England.
The Proverb.
Lewis of Mont Blanco.
Thirty Years.
It Is a Lie.
Self Immolation.
The Stranger's Birthday.
The Indians in England.
Battle of New Orleans.
Nina. An Operetta.
The Miser's Wedding.
The Soldier of '76.
La Perouse.
The Merry Gardener.
Forty and Twenty.
Robespierre.
The Flying Dutchman.
ELLET, MRS. E. F.
The Duke of Buckingham.
EWING, ROBERT W.
Le Soltaire.
Sponge Again.
The Frontier Maid.
The Highland Seer.
The Election.
The Imperial Victim.
Lafayette.
Quentin Durward.
Exit in a Hurry.
Bride of Death.
FENNELL, JAMES.
The Wheel of Truth. A Farce.
Lindor and Clari.
Picture of Paris.
FIELD,----.
France and Liberty.
Rhyme Without Reason. A Farce.
FOOT, JOHN F.
The Little Thief; or, The Night Walker.
FOSTER,----.
The Inheritance.
HAMILTON, COLONEL.
The Enterprise. An Opera.
HATTON, ANN JULIA.
Tammany. An Opera. 1794.
HENRY, JOHN.
The Convention.
Orvidius.
The American Soldier.
True Blue.
HOLLAND, EDWIN C.
The Corsair.
HUTTON, JOSEPH.
Cuffee and Duffee.
Modern Honor.
INGERSOLL, CHARLES JARED.
Julian the Apostate.
INGHAM, JOHN.
The Times.
The Usurper.
LINN, JOHN BLAIR.
Bourville Castle; or, The Gallic Orphan.
MADDOCKS,----.
The Bohemian Mother.
MERRY, ROBERT.
The Abbey of St. Augustine.
MILNE,----.
All in a Bustle; or, The New House. A Prelude.
Flash in the Pan.
The Eclipse.
The Portrait Painter.
MORRIS, GEORGE POPE.
Briar Cliff; a Tale of the Revolution. A Drama.
NOAH, MORDECAI MANUEL.
Siege of Tripoli.
Played on the night the Park Theatre, N. Y., was burned.
PAYNE, JOHN HOWARD.
Oswali of Athens.
Proclamation.
PHILLIPS, J. O.
The Female Spy.
Paul Clifford.
Beauty and Booty.
POTTER, REUBEN.
Don Alonzo. A Tragedy.
ROBINSON, J.
The Yorker's Stratagem; or, Banana's Wedding.
A Farce.
ROWSON, SUSANNA.
Columbia's Daughter. A Drama.
STOCK, THOMAS.
The Wedding in Wales.
STONE, JOHN AUGUSTUS.
Metamora; a Tragedy.
Restoration.
The Ancient Briton.
Fauntleroy.
La Roque, the Regicide.
Tancred of Sicily.
The Knight of the Golden Fleece.
TYLER, ROYALL.
May-Day in Town; or, New York in an Uproar.
VILLENEUVE, LE BLANC DE.
Le Pére Indien. A Tragedy.
WHITE, WILLIAM CHARLES.
The Poor Lodger.
WILLIAMS, JOHN (Anthony Pasquin).
The Federal Oath.
Manhattan Stage.
WOOD, MRS.
The North Americans. A Play in Five Acts.
* * * * *
INDEX TO TITLES OF PUBLISHED PLAYS
PAGE
Abaellino, 33
Abbé de l'Epée, 72
Accusation, 63
Adelaide of Wulfingen, 71
Adeline, 64
Adulateur, The, 77
Alberti, 42
Alberto and Matilda, 36
Alcuin, 23
Alexis the Czarowitz, 36
Alfred the Great, 11
Ali Pacha, 64
Almachide, 29
Almoran and Hamet, 58
Altorf, 82
American Captive, The, 36
Americana, 11
Americans in England, 69
André, 32
Androboros, 50
Ape Musicale, L', 29
Archers, The, 32
Assur Re d'Ormus, 29
Banker, The, 75
Battle of Brooklyn, The, 11
Battle of Bunker Hill, The, 22
Battle of Eutaw Springs, 11
Battle of New Orleans, The, 41
Battle of the Eutaw Springs, The, 52
Beautiful Unknown, The, 72
Beaux without Belles, 29
Belisarius, 38
Bethlem Gabor, 25
Better Sort, The, 12
Blackbeard, 69
Blind Boy, The, 34
Blockheads, The; or Fortunate Contractor, 12
Blockheads, The; or, the Affrighted Officers, 12, 78
Blow for Blow, 12
Blue Beard, 34
Brutus, 63
Bucktails, The, 62
Bunker Hill, 24
Candidate, The, 58
Captain Morgan, 75
Carrabasset, 30
Catharine Brown, 12
Charles the Second, 65
Charles the Twelfth, 12
Child of Feeling, The, 78
Clari, 64
Clergyman's Daughter, The, 79
Columbia and Britannia, 12
Comedy, A, 57, 58
Comic Opera, A, 57
Conquest of Canada, The, 26
Contrast, The, 76
Count of Burgundy, The, 71
Cure for the Spleen, A, 70
Daranzel, 37
Darby's Return, 32
Death of General Montgomery, The, 22
Death of Louis the Sixteenth, 66
Deed of Gift, The, 81
Deformed, The, 73
Demetria, 44
Democedes, 24
Dialogue, 47
Disappointed, 54
Disappointment, The, 20
Discarded Daughter, The, 66
Disenchantment, 40
Disowned, The, 73
Don Giovanni, Il, 29
Dramatic Dialogues, 74
Dramatic Pieces, 12
Dramatic Sketch, 54
East Indian, The, 72
Edwin and Angelina, 73
Edwy and Elgiva, 52
Eighth of January, The, 73
Emancipation of Europe, 45
Essex Junto, 13
Exercise, An, 13, 37, 47, 48
Fair American, The, 25
Fall of Algiers, The, 65
Fall of British Tyranny, 54
Fall of Iturbide, The, 75
Fall of Tecumseh, The, 48
False Shame, 33, 72
Fashionable Follies, 51
Fatal Deception, The, 34
Fatal Effects of Seduction, 13
Fatal Error, The, 55
Father, The, 32
Father of an Only Child, 34
Federalism Triumphant, 13
Female Enthusiast, The, 13
Female Patriot, The, 69
Female Patriotism, 25
Force of Calumny, The, 72
Forest of Rosenwald, The, 74
Forest Rose, The, 81
Forgers, The, 79
Fortress of Sorrento, The, 60
Foscari, 79
Fountainville Abbey, 34
Fox Chase, The, 21
Fraternal Discord, 35, 72
French Revolution, The, 14
Generous Chief, The, 61
Georgia Spec, The, 77
Giordano, 54
Gloriana, 80
Glory of Columbia, The, 34
Good Neighbor, The, 35
Gordian Knot, The, 42
Grecian Captive, The, 61
Group, The, 77
Hadad, 44
Happy Family, The, 72
He Stoops to Conquer, 58
Heaven on Earth, 14
Hero of Two Wars, The, 14
History of the Falcos, The, 40
How to Try a Lover, 19
Independence, 52
Indian Princess, The, 19
Indian Prophecy, The, 28
Indigence and Nobleness of Mind, 72
Indoctum Parliamentum, 14
Intolerants, The, 14
Irma, 53
Is It a Lie?, 14
Italian Father, The, 35
Italian Husband, The, 14
Jefferson and Liberty, 14
Jonathan in England, 15
Jonathan Postfree, 20
Julia, 63
Julian, 71
Julian and Elphina, 54
Kathleen O'Neil, 65
King's Bridge Cottage, 81
Knight's Adventure, The, 32
Knights of the Rum Bottle & Co., The, 66
Kosciusko, 41
Ladies of Castile, The, 78
Lafayette, 54, 81
Lafayette en Mount Vernon, 57
Lafayette in Prison, 36
Lancers, The, 65
Leicester, 34
Liberty in Louisiana, 81
Logan, 31
Love and Friendship, 55
Love in Humble Life, 65
Lover, The, 15
Lover's Vows, 35, 63
Lucy Sampson, 67
Man of Fortitude, The, 45
Manuscript, The, 56
Marion, 60
Marmion, 19
Mary of Scotland, 15
Medley, The, 54
Mercenary Match, The, 20
Merlin, 80
Merry Dames, The, 58
Military Glory of Great Britain, The, 15
Mina, 38
Mrs. Smith, 65
Madam Honour, 79
Montgomery, 39
Monthly Assembly, The, 15
Motley Assembly, The, 78
Mountain Torrent, The, 52
Mysteries of the Castle, The, 79
Naomi, 70
Nature and Philosophy, 15
New England Drama, The, 15
New Gentle Shepherd, The, 18
New Scene, A, 11
New World Planted, A, 27
Night-Watch, The, 15
Nolens Volens, 42
Nozze di Figaro, La, 29
Occurrences of the Times, 15
Odofriede, 53
102, 18
Onliata, 30
Orlando, 79
Orphan, The, 16
Orphan of Prague, The, 51
Otho, 59
Paddy's Trip to America, 75
Patriot Chief, The, 56
Patriots, The, 16, 58
Paul Jones, 77
Paxton Boys, The, 16
Pedlar, The, 78
Pennsylvania Sailor's Letters, A, 56
Percy's Masque, 44
Perouse, Le, 71
Peter Smink, 65
Peter the Great, 35
Phelles, King of Tyre, 66
Philip, 16
Pizarro, 72
Pizarro in Peru, 33
Plan of a Performance of Solemn Musick, The, 16
Pocahontas, 28
Politicians, The, 59
Ponteach, 67
Power of Christianity, The, 16
Preservation, 80
Prince and the Patriot, The, 16
Prince of Parthia, The, 41
Prophecy, The, 40
Reconciliation, The, 56
Red Rover, The, 26
Reign of Reform, The, 20
Reparation, 53
Rescue, The, 30
Ribbemont, 34
Richelieu, 64
Rinaldo Rinaldini, 35
Rip Van Winkle, 53
Robin Hood, 45
Rosa, 51
Rose of Arragon, The, 52
Rudolph, 76
Rural Felicity, 57
Russian Banquet, The, 74
Sack of Rome, The, 78
Sans Souci, 16
Saul, 16
Saw Mill, The, 43
Scena Quarta dell Atto Quinto di Adad, 29
Scene in the First Act of the New Farce, A, 17
School for Prodigals, The, 51
School for Soldiers, A, 43
Sea Serpent, The, 27
Search after Happiness, The, 17
Self Immolation, 71
Sertorius, 23
She Would Be a Soldier, 60
Shepherdess of the Alps, 17
Siege of Algiers, The, 73
Sister, The, 55
Slaves in Algiers, 69
Snow Storm, The, 19
Songs of Tammany, The, 43
Sprightly Widow, The, 57
Squire Hartley, 75
Stranger, The, 33
Suicide, The, 17
Sultana, The, 17
Superstition, 19
Suspected Daughter, The, 17
Sylla, 17
Tale of Lexington, A, 52
Tancred, 55, 75
Tears and Smiles, 19
Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil, 32
Theodora, 17
Therese, 46
Things as They Will Be, 75
Toothache, The, 21
Traveller Returned, The, 18
Travellers, The, 19
Tricks of the Times, 18
Trip to Niagara, A, 36
Triumph of Liberty, 79
Triumphs of Love, The, 59
Trust, The, 21
'Twas I, 64
Two Galley Slaves, The, 64
Two Pages of Frederick the Great, 18
Tyrant's Victims, A, 18
Usurper, The, 57
Virgin of the Sun, The, 33, 71
Virginia, 61
Virtue Triumphant, 18
Voice of Nature, The, 34
Volunteers, The, 69
Wall Street, 57
Wandering Boys, The, 60
Widow and the Riding Horse, The, 72
Widow of Malabar, The, 49
Widow's Son, The, 81
Wife of Two Husbands, 35
Wild Goose Chase, The, 33
Wild Youth, The, 71
Wood Dæmon, 76
Wounded Hussar, The, 51
Wreck of Honor, The, 36, 69
Writing Desk, The, 72
Xerxes the Great, 18
Yankee Chronology, 35
Yankey in England, The, 49
Young Carolinians, The, 18
Zamor, 66
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Early American Plays - 1714-1830" ***
Copyright 2023 LibraryBlog. All rights reserved.