Oliver Brownson

BROWNSON, Oliver. b. Bolton, Connecticut 13 May 1746; d. Smithfield, New York, 20 October 1815.  Brownson was a composer, singing master, and compiler of Select Harmony (Hartford[?], Connecticut, 1783-1791), which includes tunes by several American composers not previously published.  He also compiled a less influential work, A New Collection of Sacred Harmony (Simsbury, Connecticut, 1797).  Brownson’s surname at birth was spelled B-r-u-n-s-o-n.  He was a son of Isaac and Abigail Brunson (nda, Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906), and he married Sarah Merrels in 1775.  He was a singing master in northwest Connecticut before moving to Peterboro, New York, during 1802-05.  It...