Pelham, Peter, 1721-1805

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1721-12-09

Death 1805-04-28

Nationality: Americans,

Biographical notes:

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)