Pelham, Peter, 1721-1805

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Born, London, 1721; emigrated to Boston in 1726. Married Anne Creese, 1746; fourteen children. Moved to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1749. Served as organist at Bruton Parish Church; gaoler; and clerk to the House of Burgesses. Died, Richmond, 1805.

From the description of Receipt, 1777 November 22, Williamsburg, Va., to Sheriff of Louisa County, Va. (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation). WorldCat record id: 18921489

Peter Pelham (9 December 1721 – 28 April 1805) was an English-born American organist, harpsichordist, teacher and composer. Born in London, Pelham and his family immigrated to Boston in 1730. While there, Pelham's father apprenticed him to Charles Theodore Pachelbel, son of composer Johann Pachelbel. Pelham followed Pachelbel to Charleston in 1736, and remained there for a number of years, studying with Pachelbel and later becoming a harpsichord teacher himself. Pelham returned to Boston in 1744 to serve as the first organist of Trinity Church. In 1750 Pelham moved to Williamsburg, VA to serve as organist at Bruton Parish Church. While in Williamsburg Pelham actively participated in the city's musical life, giving concerts and conducting. Additionally, he supported himself and his family by running a small music store and being supervisor for the printing of currency from 1758 to 1775. Between 1770 and 1780 Pelham was superintendent of the Public Gaol. In 1802 Pelham became blind. He died in Richmond, Virginia. (Source: Wikipedia)

From the guide to the Peter Pelham Manuscript, 1744, (John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Stanton, Lloyd,. Pelham family genealogical notes. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Peter Pelham Manuscript, 1744 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Tax Book, 1768-1769. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Brockenbrough, William, fl. 1763,. Papers of the Carter and Wellford family of Sabine Hall, 1650 (1736-1874) 1936. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Tucker, St. George, 1752-1827. Collection, 1771-1821. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Freemasons. Williamsburg, Va. Lodge No. 6. Treasurer's book, 1773-1784. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Norvell, William, 1725?-1802. Williamsburg and James City County, Virginia, Tax Book, 1768-1769. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pelham, Peter, 1721-1805. The Peter Pelham manuscript of 1744 : an early American keyboard tutor. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pelham, Peter, 1721-1805. Receipt, 1777 November 22, Williamsburg, Va., to Sheriff of Louisa County, Va. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Pelham, John Burwell, b. 1802,. Pelham family genealogical notes. Library of Virginia
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Freemasons. Williamsburg, Va. Lodge No. 6. corporateBody
associatedWith Goff, Lewis. person
associatedWith Handel, George Frideric, 1685-1759. person
associatedWith Louisa County (Va.). Sheriff. corporateBody
associatedWith Lully, Jean Baptiste, 1632-1687. person
associatedWith Norvell, William, 1725-1802 person
associatedWith Norvell, William, 1725?-1802. person
associatedWith Pachelbel, Charles Theodore, ca. 1690-1750. person
associatedWith Pelham, John Burwell, b. 1802, person
associatedWith Pepusch, John Christopher, 1667-1752. person
associatedWith Stanton, Lloyd, person
associatedWith Tucker, St. George, 1752-1827. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Virginia
Louisa County (Va.)
Subject
Fugitive slaves
Keyboard instrument music
Music
Penal transportation
Piano
Songs (High voice)
Songs (Medium voice)
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1721-12-09

Death 1805-04-28

Americans

Information

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