Belcher, Supply

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Belcher, Supply

Belcher, Supply, American composer and tune-book compiler; b. Stoughton, Mass., April 9, 1751; d. Farmington, Maine, June 9, 1836. After working as a merchant in Boston, he returned to Stoughton as a farmer and tavern keeper. He also was active as a member of the local musical society. Following a sojourn in Hallo well, Maine (1785–91), he settled in Farmington, where he served as town clerk, magistrate, state representative, selectman, and schoolmaster. Belcher was an accomplished composer and acquired a reputation as the “Handel of Maine.” His extant works are found in his tunebook The Harmony of Maine (Boston, 1794).

Bibliography

E. Owen, The Life and Music of S. B. (diss., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1969).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire