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EARLY AMERICAN PLAYS 1714-1830

A Compilation of the titles of Plays and Dramatic Poems written by authors born in or residing in North America previous to 1830.

BY OSCAR WEGELIN

Compiler of "Early American Poetry."

SECOND EDITION REVISED

NEW YORK THE LITERARY COLLECTOR PRESS 1905

THE EDITION OF THIS WORK IS LIMITED TO TWO HUNDRED NUMBERED COPIES NO. 156

COPYRIGHT, 1905, BY OSCAR WEGELIN.

_To_

EVERT JANSEN WENDELL, ESQ.

FOREMOST AMONG AMERICAN COLLECTORS OF DRAMATIC LITERATURE, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK

PREFACE

In his ably written introduction to the first edition of this work, Mr. John Malone makes the following statement: "It may be set down as a safe rule of judgment as to dramatic quality that the plays which were printed were fit for no more than the use to which an indulgent Providence and the Dunlap Society have dedicated them--to serve as examples of the good-will and sympathy with which a few great and good men in the days of our country's fiery trial held out their helping hands to the gentle art of drama."

This statement, with a possible exception or two, is in the main correct. Few of the plays which are here catalogued have survived because of their literary excellence. We, however, must not look at the contents of this book from this view-point, but rather from the historical. Poorly written as many of the plays may be, they still possess to the student of American history an interest which far exceeds that of every other class of writing, the purely historical excepted. The _first_ play written by a resident of what is now the United States was _Androboros_ (the Man-Hater) written by Robert Hunter, Colonial Governor of New York, assisted by Lewis Morris. This play, or rather dramatic satire, was written to ridicule sundry residents of that colony, principally Dr. Vesey and several members of Trinity Church. This play, which was issued in 1714, was not followed by another dramatic production, as far as known, until _The Suspected Daughter_, a farce by "T. T.," was printed at Boston in 1751. Who "T. T." was is not known, nor can I trace a copy of the play. Little of importance came to light previous to the Revolution, but that event, stirring as it was, seems to have been a stimulant to native ambition, and a number of dramatic productions were written and printed. Among these may be mentioned _The Battle of Bunker Hill_ and _The Death of Montgomery_ by Brackenridge, then a schoolmaster; _The Adulateur_ and _The Group_ by Mercy Warren, afterwards well known as one of the foremost dames of the colonies; and several others, some from the Royalist side, as Sewell's _Cure for the Spleen_ and an anonymous production, _The Battle of Long Island_.

The second war with England was also celebrated by our early playwrights, as was the war with Tripoli.

The dramatic history of no country would be complete which did not celebrate the deeds and warlike exploits of its aboriginal inhabitants, and the American dramatist was not slow in recognizing the many-sided character of the North American Indian. His wars, his fluent oratory, his virtues, are all told, the best of these efforts being embodied in Stone's _Metamora_, made famous by the acting of Edwin Forrest.

But all of the dramatic productions which were written prior to 1830 did not relate to America, and a glance over the list will show many plays which take for their groundwork the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the Russian Empire and its people, while Love, that mysterious something which lays its finger upon all whether we will or no, is found, as in our fiction, in nearly all of them. What the dramatist, poet, and novelist would do without the help of the fickle goddess is an unsolvable problem.

As will be seen by a glance at the contents of this volume, few of the plays were acted, nor were many of them intended for public entertainment. A large number were written to serve a purpose--political or otherwise--and when that had been attained, were forgotten, even by their authors.

They show, however, what was and could be accomplished in this way, at a time when the average citizen had little time for aught but earnest, sober thought.

When looked at from this view-point we must really wonder that as much remains as has been discovered. Can any country besides ours show a better result--at least for quantity, if not for quality?

Among the interesting facts which will be discovered by a perusal of this list is that a number of the writers of early American plays were men who achieved success in other callings. Thus we find among those who found time to interest themselves in the drama and the production of plays, the names of Judge H. H. Brackenridge, Charles Brockden Browne, the first American novelist, Edward Hitchcock, President of Amherst and foremost among the scientists of his era, David Humphreys, Revolutionary soldier and diplomat, John Neal, the friend of Poe, Jas. G. Percival, the poet, Jas. K. Paulding, coworker with Irving, Royall Tyler, and Samuel Woodworth, author of _The Old Oaken Bucket_.

This edition is issued at the solicitation of a number of collectors and librarians, who were unable to obtain a copy of the first edition, which was issued for members of The Dunlap Society in 1900. I have endeavored to make this list as complete as possible, and it has been to me a labor of the greatest interest. Nothing that I have ever attempted in bibliographical work has given me more pleasure.

Numerous corrections will be found by comparison with the earlier edition, and upwards of sixty new titles are included, discovered since the issue of the earlier volume.

Errors will, of course, be discovered, but I ask indulgence in those who find them, for as all who are interested will readily admit, no bibliographical work was ever perfect.

Probably the most complete collection of early American plays, at this writing in the hands of a private collector, is that owned by Evert Jansen Wendell, Esq., of New York. Several of the titles contained in this volume would be unknown to me at this time but for the kindness of Mr. Wendell, who has given me the opportunity to examine his collection. Another good collection is owned by the Brown University Library, Providence, R. I.

OSCAR WEGELIN.

EARLY AMERICAN PLAYS

ANONYMOUS TITLES

A NEW SCENE INTERESTING TO THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, additional to the Historical Play of Columbus. By a Senator of the United States. [Line from Virgil] Lately performed with applause at the New Theatre, in Philadelphia. Printed by Benj. Franklin Bache, No. 112 Market Street. MDCCXCVIII. 8vo, pp. [3], 4-12.

ALFRED THE GREAT. An Historical Tragedy, in Five Acts, by a Young Gentleman of this City. New York, 1822. 16mo, pp. 107.

AMERICANA; OR, A NEW TALE OF THE GENII. Being an Allegorical Mask in Five Acts. Baltimore, 1802. 8vo, pp. 128.

Dedicated to Thomas Jefferson.

THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN. A Farce in Two Acts, as it was performed on Long Island on Tuesday, the 27th day of August, 1776, by the Representatives of the Tyrants of America assembled at Philadelphia. [6 lines of poetry] New York: Printed for J. Rivington, in the Year of the Rebellion, 1776.

Reprinted in Brooklyn. 8vo, 1873.

THE BATTLE OF EUTAW SPRINGS. A Drama in Five Acts. Charleston [circa 1790] 8vo, pp. 52.

A play with a similar title was written by W. Ioor.

THE BETTER SORT; OR, THE GIRL OF SPIRIT. A Farce. Boston, 1789. 8vo, pp. iv.-80.

THE BLOCKHEADS; OR, THE AFFRIGHTED OFFICERS. A Farce. Bost., Queen St., 1776. 12mo, pp.19[2].

Also, 16mo, pp. v.-43. New York, 1782.

Attributed to Mrs. Mercy Warren.

THE BLOCKHEADS; OR, FORTUNATE CONTRACTOR. An Opera in Two Acts. As it was performed at New York [during the Revolution.] New York, printed; London, reprinted for G. Kearsley. 1782. 2 plates, 8vo, pp. v.-43.

BLOW FOR BLOW. A Tragedy. Baltimore, 1805.

CATHARINE BROWN, THE CONVERTED CHEROKEE. A Missionary Drama, founded on fact. By a Lady. New Haven, 1819. 12mo, pp. 27.

CHARLES THE TWELFTH; OR, THE BATTLE OF PULTOWA. A military tragic piece; in Four Acts. By the Author. Printed and published at New York, 1818. 16mo, pp. 34.

COLUMBIA AND BRITANNIA. A Dramatic Piece, by a Citizen of the United States. New London: Printed by T. Green, 1786. 8vo, pp. 63.

Among the Characters in this play are Fabius (Washington) and Perjuris (Arnold). McKee copy dated 1787.

DRAMATIC PIECES Calculated to exemplify the mode of conduct which will render young ladies both amiable and happy, when their school education is completed. In three Volumes. New Haven: Printed by Abel Morse. 1791. 12mo.

The prefaces to these works are signed P. I.

Contents. Vol. 1. The Good Mother-in-Law, the Good Daughter-in-Law.

Vol. 2. The Reformation, The Maternal Sister: a Drama in three acts.

Vol. 3. The Triumph of Reason, The Contrast. Each piece is paged separately.

* * * * *

THE BLOCKHEADS: OR, THE AFFRIGHTED OFFICERS.

A FARCE.

BOSTON: Printed in QUEEN-STREET.

M,DCC,LXXVI.

* * * * *

ESSEX JUNTO, or Quixotic Guardian: A Comedy, by a Citizen of Massachusetts. Salem, 1802. 12mo, pp. 71.

AN EXERCISE, CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Performed at the Public Commencement in the College of Philadelphia, November 17, 1767. Philadelphia: Printed by William Goddard. [1767] 4to, pp. 8.

The Dialogue was written by Thomas Coombe.

AN EXERCISE; CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Set to music, for the Public Commencement, in the College of Philadelphia, May 17th, 1775. Philadelphia: Printed by Joseph Cruikshank, 1775. 8vo, pp. 8.

AN EXERCISE CONTAINING A DIALOGUE AND TWO ODES. Set to Music. Philadelphia: 1776. Sm. 8vo.

THE FATAL EFFECTS OF SEDUCTION. A Tragedy. Written for the use of the Students of Clio Hall, in Bennington, to be acted on their Quarter Day, April 28, 1789. Founded on the Story of an Unhappy Young Lady of Boston. By a Friend to Literature. [Motto] Bennington: Printed by Haswell & Russell. 1789.

FEDERALISM TRIUMPHANT IN THE STEADY HABITS OF CONNECTICUT ALONE; OR, THE TURNPIKE ROAD TO A FORTUNE. A Comic Opera, or Political Farce in Six Acts, as performed at the Theatres Royal and Aristocratic at Hartford and New Haven, October, 1801. n. p. Printed in the year 1802. 8vo, pp. 40.

THE FEMALE ENTHUSIAST. A Tragedy in Five Acts, by a Lady. Charleston, J. Hoff, 1807. 12mo, pp. 51.

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION; INCLUDING A STORY, FOUNDED IN FACT, OF LEONTINE AND MATILDA. A Drama. Written and Exhibited in the United Fraternity, at Dartmouth, 1790; Exhibited also at Windsor, Vermont, May, 1791. Printed at New Bedford, Massachusetts, by John Spooner, 1793. 8vo, pp. 67.

HEAVEN ON EARTH, OR THE NEW LIGHTS OF HARMONY. An extravaganza in two acts, by Peter Puffem. Philadelphia: 1825. 16mo, pp. 22.

THE HERO OF TWO WARS. A Drama in Five Acts.

Published in _Truth's Advocate and Monthly Anti-Jackson Expositor_ from March to October, 1828. Signed "W."

INDOCTUM PARLIAMENTUM. A Farce, in One Act, and a beautiful variety of scenes. n. p. [1818.] 12mo, pp. 7.

Refers to a law enacted by the Legislature of New York, on the petition of Eunice Chapman, a Shaker, to have the marriage contract between herself and husband dissolved. Among the characters introduced are: "General Radix" (Erastus Root), "His disorderly Sergeant" (Dr. Sergeant), "Lignum" (Speaker Wood), etc.

THE INTOLERANTS. Three First Acts of Things Among Us; as performed at the ... with more effect than applause. Philadelphia: 1827. 12mo, pp. 26.

IS IT A LIE? A Comic Piece in one Act. Boston: 1828. 16mo, pp. 36.

THE ITALIAN HUSBAND. A Dramatic Poem.

This piece is part of a book entitled _Lays of Leisure, The Italian Husband, The Young Dreamer, A Fugitive Offering in Verse_. Philadelphia: Jesper Harding, 1825.

JEFFERSON AND LIBERTY. A Celebration of the 4th of March; a Patriotic Tragedy: a Picture of Corrupt Administration, in Five Acts, written by Nichols. n. p. Sold at the Printing Office, Temple Street, 1801. 12mo, pp. 29.

"Nichols" is probably a pseudonym.

JONATHAN IN ENGLAND. A Comedy. Boston [circa 1828.] 12mo, pp. 32.

This play is a version of Colman's _Who Wants a Guinea?_ and was performed at the Park Theatre, New York, December 3, 1828.

THE LOVER. A Dramatic Fragment.

Published on pp. 59-65 of _The Witch of New England_. A Romance. Philadelphia. 1824.

MARY OF SCOTLAND; OR, THE HEIR OF AVENAL. A Drama in Three Acts. Founded on Scott's Novel, _The Abbot_. New York, 1821. 16mo, pp. 114.

THE MILITARY GLORY OF GREAT BRITAIN. An Entertainment given by the late candidates for Bachelor's Degree at the close of the Anniversary Commencement held in Nassau Hall, New Jersey, September 27th, 1762. Philadelphia: Printed by William Bradford, 1762. 8vo, pp. 15.

THE MONTHLY ASSEMBLY. A Farce. Boston, 1770. 8vo.

NATURE AND PHILOSOPHY. A Drama adapted from the French, by a Citizen of Richmond. Richmond, 1821. 12mo, pp. 28.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, December 10, 1821.

Another edition. New York, 1830. 16mo, pp. 33.

THE NEW ENGLAND DRAMA. In Five Acts; founded on incidents contained in the New England Tale. Dedham, 1825. 12mo, pp. 72.

THE NIGHT WATCH; OR, THE PIRATE'S DEN. A Melodrama by a Gentleman of Boston. Boston, 1820. 18mo, pp. 34.

OCCURRENCES OF THE TIMES; OR, THE TRANSACTIONS OF FOUR DAYS. A Farce. Boston, 1789. 16mo, pp. 23.

THE ORPHAN. A Play in Five Acts. See _The Young Carolinians_.

THE PATRIOTS. A Comedy in Five Acts. Philadelphia, n. d.

Published during the Revolution.

THE PAXTON BOYS. A Farce. Translated from the original French, by a Native of Donegall. The Second edition. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Anthony Armbruster, 1764. Folding plate. sm. 8vo, pp. 16.

PHILIP; OR, THE ABORIGINES. A Drama. New York, 1822. 12mo, pp. 48.

THE PLAN OF A PERFORMANCE OF SOLEMN MUSICK. To be in the Hall of the College of Philadelphia, on Wednesday Evening, April 10th, 1765. For the Benefit of the Charity Schools. n. p., n. d. 8vo, pp. 4.

THE POWER OF CHRISTIANITY; OR, ABDALLAH AND SABAT. A Poem by a Lady. Charleston, 1814. 16mo, pp. 46 [4].

THE PRINCE AND THE PATRIOT. A Poem in Three Dialogues.

Published in _Poems, Moral and Divine_, by an American Gentleman. London, 1756. pp. 79-105.

One of the earliest plays written by an American.

SANS SOUCI, ALIAS FREE AND EASY; OR, AN EVENING'S PEEP INTO A POLITE CIRCLE. An Intire New Entertainment, in Three Acts. Boston: Printed by Warden and Russell, 1785. 8vo, pp. 24.

Second edition. 8vo, Boston, 1785.

SAUL. A Dramatic Sketch.

This piece is probably by N. P. Willis. It was published in the _American Monthly Magazine_ for June, 1829.

A SCENE IN THE FIRST ACT OF THE NEW FARCE. Published as a Specimen. Printed: In the first Year of the new Hegira Secundus, the Paxtonian Expedition. [Philadelphia]: Printed by Anthony Armbruster, [1764]. Sm. 8vo, pp. 8.

THE SEARCH AFTER HAPPINESS: A Pastoral Drama: from the Poetry of Miss More. By a Lady in Connecticut. Catskill, M. Croswell & Co., 1794. 12mo, pp. [2], 30.

SHEPHERDESS OF THE ALPS. A Play in Four Acts, by a Citizen of New York. New York, 1815. 12mo, pp. 51.

THE SUICIDE. A Dialogue Exhibited on the Stage at the Public Commencement of Yale College, Sept. 13th, M.DCCXCVII. Litchfield: T. Collier. 12mo, pp. [5], 6-20.

THE SULTANA; OR, A TRIP TO TURKEY. A Melodrama in Three Acts, founded on Lord Byron's _Don Juan_. New York, 1822. 12mo, pp. 34.

Written by (----?) Bailey.

THE SUSPECTED DAUGHTER; OR, JEALOUS FATHER. A Farce in Three Acts, both Serious and Comic, written by T. T. Boston. 1751.

This is probably the first play written by a native American. Mentioned in Haven's list.

SYLLA. A Tragedy, in Five Acts, as represented at the Theatre Français, at Paris, by E. Jouy, member of the Institute. Translated from the French, by a Citizen of New York. New York, 1826. 16mo, pp. 69.

Same, New York: 1827. 16mo, pp. 79.

Performed at the Chatham Theatre, 1827.

THEODORA. A Dramatic Sketch, in Two Acts. n. p., n. d.

THE TRAVELLER RETURNED. Published in _The Gleaner_. Boston, 1798.

TRICKS OF THE TIMES; OR, THE WORLD OF QUACKS. A Farce of domestic origin. New York, 1819. 12mo.

A satire on New Yorkers of the day.

TWO PAGES OF FREDERICK THE GREAT. A Farce in three Acts. New York, 1826. 16mo.

A TYRANT'S VICTIMS. A Tragedy in Five Acts.

See _The Young Carolinians_.

VIRTUE TRIUMPHANT. A Comedy. Published in _The Gleaner_.

THE YOUNG CAROLINIANS; OR, AMERICANS IN ALGIERS. A Play in Five Acts.

This and two other plays were published in _Essays, Religious, Moral, etc._, by a Lady. Charleston, 1818. 12mo, pp. 242 [1], [1]

XERXES THE GREAT; OR, THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLE. A Drama. Philadelphia, 1815. 18mo.

102; OR, THE VETERAN AND HIS PROGENY. Boston, 1828. 16mo, pp. 33.

ALLEN, ADAM

THE NEW GENTLE SHEPHERD, A PASTORAL COMEDY. Originally written in the Scotch Dialect, by Allan Ramsay, reduced to English by Lieutenant Adam Allen. To which is added a description of the great falls of the River Saint John in the Province of New Brunswick. London: Printed for W. J. & J. Richardson, Ingram Court, Fenchurch Street, 1798.

Dedicated to the Printer's Devil.

Allen has added a Third Scene to the Fourth Act, also a song or two.

BARKER, JAMES NELSON

JAMES NELSON BARKER, born in Philadelphia in 1784, died 1858, was originally in the army as a captain of artillery, and served in the war of 1812. He was afterwards an Alderman and then Mayor of the city of Philadelphia. He wrote a work called _Sketches of the Primitive Settlements on the River Delaware_, and was a contributor to the _Atlantic Souvenir_.

THE INDIAN PRINCESS. An Operatic Melodrama. Founded on an Incident in Smith's _Virginia_. Philadelphia, 1808. 18mo, pp. iv.-74.

First acted in Philadelphia, April 6, 1808. Reproduced at the Park Theatre, New York, June 14, 1809.

This is the story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith.

TEARS AND SMILES. A Comedy in Five Acts, performed at the Theatre, Philadelphia, March 4, 1807. Philadelphia, 1808. 18mo, pp. 85.

MARMION; OR, THE BATTLE OF FLODDEN FIELD. A Drama. New York, 1816. 18mo, pp. vii.-79.

Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 13, 1812.

An adaptation of Scott's _Marmion_. When it was played at the Park Theatre, New York, from the prejudice then existing against American plays, it was announced as the production of an English author, Thomas Morton, "received with unbounded applause in London." It was enthusiastically received, and had a long lease of popularity.

HOW TO TRY A LOVER. A Comedy. New York, 1817. 16mo, pp. 67.

SUPERSTITION. A Tragedy. Philadelphia, [1823].

Played in Philadelphia, Pa., 1824.

THE TRAVELLERS. Philadelphia, 1809.

BARRYMORE, WILLIAM

THE SNOW STORM; OR, LOWINA OF TOBOLSKOW. A Melo Dramatick Romance. By William Barrymore, Esq. Baltimore, 1818. 16mo, pp. 36.

BARTON, ANDREW

(See Colonel Thomas Forrest.)

THE DISAPPOINTMENT; OR, THE FORCE OF CREDULITY. A new American Comic Opera of Two Acts. New York, 1767. 12mo, pp. 56.

Another edition, 16mo, pp. iv.-95. Philadelphia, 1796.

"Air No. IV. is Yankee Doodle."--_Sabin._

BEACH, L.

JONATHAN POSTFREE; OR, THE HONEST YANKEE. A Musical Farce in Three Acts. New York, 1807. 12mo.

BIDWELL, BARNABAS

BARNABAS BIDWELL, born in Tyringham (now Monterey), Mass., August 23, 1763, died in Kingston, Canada, July 27, 1833, was the second son of Rev. Adonijah Bidwell. Graduated from Yale in 1785, and was made LL.D. by Brown University in 1805. He settled in Stockbridge, Mass., in 1793, and was successively Treasurer of Berkshire County, Attorney-General of the State, and Member of Congress. His residence in Canada resulted from his responsibility for some irregularity in his business as a banker.

THE MERCENARY MATCH. A Tragedy. New Haven, Meigs, Bowen & Dana. [1785]. 12mo, pp. 57.

This piece was performed by students of Yale College.

BOTSFORD, MRS.

THE REIGN OF REFORM; OR, YANKEE DOODLE COURT. By a Lady. Baltimore: Printed for the Authoress, 1830. 18mo, pp. 146.

A dialogue, the Characters personating distinguished individuals of the day.

A Continuation of the above. Baltimore, 1830. 18mo, pp. 79, [1].

BRAY, JOHN

THE TOOTHACHE; OR, MISTAKES OF A MORNING. A Petit Comedy in One Act. Philadelphia, 1814. 16mo, pp. 31.

BRECK, CHARLES

CHARLES BRECK, born in Boston, Mass., 1782, died at Amsterdam, Holland, May, 1822, was the third son of Samuel Breck, a wealthy merchant of Boston, who was agent to the army and fleet of King Louis XVI. after the French intervention in the American Revolution. Charles Breck, while travelling in Italy, met and became engaged to a very beautiful young lady of that country. He built in Philadelphia, whither his father had removed from Boston, a residence exactly like that of his betrothed. Her sudden death, just before his arrival in Europe to claim his bride, hastened his own.

THE FOX CHASE. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the Theatres, Philadelphia and Baltimore. New York, 1808. 18mo, pp. 64.

THE TRUST. A Comedy in Five Acts. New York, 1808. 18mo, pp. 82.

BRACKENRIDGE, HUGH HENRY

HUGH HENRY BRACKENRIDGE, born near Campbelton, Scotland, in 1748, died in Carlyle, Pa., June 25, 1816. He came with his parents to America, when only five years of age, was graduated from Princeton in 1771, and continued as a tutor in that college. He next studied divinity, and took charge of an academy in Maryland; was editor of _The United States Magazine_ in Philadelphia in 1776, and a chaplain in the American army in the war of the Revolution. He afterwards studied law under Samuel Chase. In 1781 he crossed the Alleghanies, established himself at Pittsburg, took an active part in the Whiskey Insurrection, and after that affair was over took pains to vindicate his conduct by the publication of _Incidents of the Insurrection in the Western Parts of Pennsylvania_. He was afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. A Dramatic Piece of Five Acts, in heroic measure; by a Gentleman of Maryland.

Pulchrumque mori succurrit in armis.--Virgil.

'Tis glorious to die in battle.

Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Robert Bell, in Third Street, 1776. Frontispiece. 8vo, pp. [8], 5-49, [1].

This play was recited by Brackenridge's pupils in 1776. It was dedicated to Robt. Stockton. The principal characters are well-known officers in the American and British Armies.