Michigan Fiddlers

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Fiddle scholar Paul Gifford made a valuable correction to a recent county history post. He noted that the excerpt I used from the St. Clair County History was a standard description that was used in a variety of different county histories and doesn't originate from St. Clair. I've taken the excerpt down and will try to be more careful about that in the future. Thanks Paul!

So, I figured I'd do Hillsdale County next, as next month there will be the Hillsdale fiddlers convention, when great Michigan old time fiddler Danny Johnston will be inducted into the Michigan Fiddlers Hall of Fame. Cheers, Danny!

Source:

History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Page 95.

Commentary:

This is a great excerpt because we actually get an account, or a claim, of who the first dance fiddler was in the settlement of Hillsdale. 1840 is actually a fairly late date, but Hillsdale as a settlement didn't exist much before that. What is interesting is that there would have been a ballroom built in 1838 without a fiddle present. It leaves some questions to be asked, but the excerpt gives reason to wonder if there had not been more music around than suggested. The next excerpt will expand on this.

Excerpt:

"Adam Howder, who occupied a log house, finding its capacity insufficient to meet the demands upon his hospitality, erected in 1838 a new structure, and opened it as a public-house, entertaining all travelers who chanced to come to the settlement, or, passing through it, needed shelter. This building, which was of consequence in its day, was regarded as spacious in its dimensions, being twenty-eight by forty feet, and two stories high. Connected with it was a ball-room of considerable proportions, in which were assembled from time to time the youth and beauty of the county. The music on these festive occasions must have been of a primitive character, for we learn that it was not until the occasion of a celebration and ball on the 4th of July, 1840, that a violin made its appearance, Horatio Bates being the performer. "

Source:

History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Page 129.

Commentary:

This excerpt tells us that Horatio Bates was living in the County as soon as 1835. As a fiddler, he apparently go to be the "first" at more than one event in the Hillsdale area, but there is reason, as the final excerpt may show, to question whether he was the first in the area.

Excerpt:

"Horatio W. Bates, a native of Perry, Lake Co., O., settled in Fayette, Feb. 18, 1835. Christmas, 1839, he played a violin at the first dance held in Reading, and on the 4th of July, 1840, played for the first dance at Hillsdale, the hotel of A. Howder being the place where the festivities were held. He says that during the years 1835 and 1836 he caught 27 wolves."

Source:

History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Page 145.

Commentary:

This is a great excerpt about an event in Jonesville. Now, if Horatio Bates did not arrive until 1835, then we see in the following excerpt a fiddler willing to travel 11 miles just to join in a dance (not knowing he'd fiddle for it) 2 years prior to Bates' arrival. What is more interesting, we have specific tunes here, the Mony Musk, French Four, and Scotch Reel.

Excerpt:

"THE FOURTH OF JULY IN JONESVILLE IN 1833. The anniversary of our national independence was not forgotten by the early dwellers here, and although at the above date no very extensive " celebration" could be held, yet the scattering population met for a royal good time at the then infant village, and enjoyed themselves to the utmost. A dance was held at Jones' tavern-the old " Fayette House,"-and from far and near came the patriotic settlers to indulge in the pleasures of the occasion. A certain man, who lived eleven miles away, was there with " his girl," anticipating a rare treat in measuring time with their feet to the tones of dulcet music which was to be furnished by parties who had been especially engaged to play here on that night. To the disappointment of everybody, the expected musicians failed to put in an appearance, and "gloom was depicted on every countenance." By some mysterious legerdenmain, however, a violin was unearthed, and it was known that our eleven-mile man could play it. Then the faces in the assemblage brightened; the hero of the bow and rosin mounted a chair-back in order to have plenty of elbow room, and the fun began. The well-known notes of " Money Musk," "Scotch reel," "French four," and other lively airs, swelled forth upon the summer air as with magic touch the musician plied his bow, and "joy was unconfined." The feet of the dancers were light, their hearts ditto, and with the passing hours the assemblage continued their evolutions till the gray dawn bade them desist and seek their homes. "

Source:

Commentary:

Here is another interesting excerpt speaking about Ransom Township in Hillsdale County. I think the last sentence is indicating how the fiddler was paid, but I am not certain. 

Excerpt:

"Those early days were not without their recreations. Raisings, loggings, huskins, and quiltings were recreations, and the fiddle the only musical instrument, in town was available in every house as occasion was required. When they got married some paid the justice in money, some in work, some got trusted and some paid a broom."