This small collection of items was probably owned by one of Judson Hutchinson’s grandsons
who lived in Milford, New Hampshire. All of the materials have to do with the musical family of
Hutchinsons, a famous and celebrated group of singers that made important and lasting
contributions to the development of American popular music.
The photographs included in the collection were originally mounted on two pages from a
scrapbook. They are duplicates of original photographs that were placed in a scrapbook,
presumably by a member of the Hutchinson family. Holograph inscriptions were written below
two of the photographs. Subjects include: John Wallace Hutchinson (born January 4, 1821; died
October 29, 1908); a lithograph by George Endicott of the Hutchinson Family Singers that was
used on sheet-music covers and playbills; three photographs of a “Reunion with Uncle John
Hutchinson;” a group shot of ten of the Hutchinson brothers, 1844; and two photographs of
Hutchinson boys.
Two performance documents were included in the collection. A generic playbill or poster with a
lithograph of Judson, John, and Asa Hutchinson includes spaces to fill in place and time of
performance. The original typed caption that came with the poster states, "An original handbill,
or poster, of the Hutchinson Family on which, perhaps as an 'autograph' in humorous mood,
Judson has penciled, 'The Court of Heaven some (EVENING) in the Future', John has written,
'God Willing', and Asa has concluded, 'Doubted'. This was one of the prized possessions of the
Dearborn family of Milford. Dr. Dearborn was a grandson of Judson Hutchinson." Another
playbill announces a Hutchinson Family concert “At Mercantile Hall, Wednesday Evening,
March 23d, 1859.” Performing are John W. and Fannie B. with Henry and Viola Hutchinson. A
list of songs and lyrics are included.
Three pieces of sheet music complete this collection of Hutchinson items. Two titles are hand
bound together: “I Cannot Sing the Old Songs,” and “Mrs. Lofty and I” (1858). “Mrs. Lofty and
I” was composed by J.J. Hutchinson. “The Snow Storm,” 1843, indicates the Hutchinson Family
as performers.
