The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-08-06
The Hutchinson Family.

This interesting family is so extensively
known in this vicinity, that we think we shall
give pleasure to large number ofreaders by
quoting the following dclightful sketch Of them
from the pen of VIM. Howitt.-Bee.
"At the moment when i'll will and discord
seemed about to be fomented between the
Old and New World, four young Americans
have come before us like herads of peace and
good fellowship. They have been cordially
welcomed in England, as all advocates of hui
man advancement ought ever to be; and it is
not saying too much when we assert that they
have done their part towards Strengthening
in the public mind spirit of forbearance and
peace. The Hutchinson Family are exactly
what Americans-the children of a young,
bold republic to be full offresh, orig
inal character; free from convcntionalities,
whether of society or opinion vigorous in in
tcllect, ardent in spirit and combining with
all the simplicity and tenderness of the child,
the wisdom and expansive views of the man.
Their singing is perfect illustration of their
own nature and character, deriving its great
power and its greatest charm from the alb
sence of all art. 1t owes nothing to trick or
artifcc of any kind every word is distinctly
enumerated, and the true, natural express
ion is given to every sentiment; and the lis
tener feels that while the most exquisite and
pure taste and skill is employed, that which
really charms him most, is, 4 revelation of the
singers own lofty and unspoiled nature, and
that it is great and effective, because it is the
expression of truth.
The character of their music is peculiar &
original, not exactly resembling either the
part-songs ofthe Germans or our English glees,
which are more artistically constructed
There is q charming nationality about it, and
spirit of psalmody which is easily explained
when the peculiar ties of their life and train
ing are understood. Many of the pieces they
sing are not songs in the ordinary sense Of
the words, but poems of a high order as for |
instance, Longfelow's Excelsior, Hoods |
Bridge of Signs, and Pauper's Funeral, Ten
nyson's May Queen, &c. Their voices, which
are soprano, counter tenor, tenor, and bass,
are extremely fine and well trained, and be-
sides the effect Of long practice in singing to-
gether, have that beautiful affinity which be-
longs to family voices and which renders the
whole so cxquisitely harmonious.
These interesting young people belong pc
cuIiarly to the present age, and their songs
whether in the old or new world-peacc, tenn
the poor and ppressed-which are all advo- !
Gated by eloquent strains of music, appealing
to the Utmost heart. Some people think,
that in this working day world of ours, music
has little to do with topics so grave as these,
and that its principal business is to enliven
oar hearts, and dispel our care and for such
n, these the Hutchinsons have an infinite va
risty of comic and national songs, full Of fun
an | humor, and as fresh as life in the Far
West.
Judson, John, Asa and Abby, are the four
Youngest Of the twelve now living, out of six
teen children of the Hutchinson Family
Their maternal grandfather, by name Lcav-
ett lived in Mount Vernon, New Hampshire
and was a builder by trade In character, he
was deeply religious and being possessed of
great natural musical talent, was extremely
f,nd of psalmody and church music. His
two youngest daughters, Sarah aud Mary, in
herited from him this gift in a still more re-
mrkable manner, and their singing in church.
e. and meeting houses was celebrated far and
wide. Nothing could be more simple and
primitive than the life they led they spun &
wove their own and the family clothes prac-
tised their songs over the wheel andloom, and
on SUNDAYS or meeting-days sung in the
church or the meeting house Mary was very
beautiful, and had many lovers; but Sarah
had the finer voice, and her skill in church
music was so great, that she would take any
part, and people came many miles to hear
her sing. One day when she was from home
she went to sing in church at some distance,
and being on visit, was dressed somewhat
differently to what she was when at home i
her father, however, happened also to be at
the same church, and was astonished by the
beautiful voice Of the singer, whom he saw,
but did not recognize; -" who is that" he ask
ed, turning to a neighbor, "who sings so like
an angel 2" "Do you not know your own
dSushter? was vast the ne reply, winch a SO much
weeping
Mary, also, when she was singing one day
in village choir, stole the heart of young
man from Amherst in the same State. This
,,os Jessn Hutchinson, the son of q farmer. n