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| Hurdy Gurdy player is in the foreground in the tan coat from May Morning by John Collett |
The exercise has been more challenging than thought. Who would think that the task of discovering references to an instrument that is not specifically popular in England proper and typically associated with the lower classes of society in a region where most of the art and writings depict the the upper classes would be difficult? Add to that mix that hurdy gurdy is not always used as the reference term. I've run across references to the instrument as the hand organ, humstrum, and wheel fiddle. The first two terms can refer to instruments other than the hurdy gurdy, but the description of playing the instrument points to the HG.
I have found references though.
The earliest reference that I found is French from 1636. It comes from The Jesuit Relations. Although French, the reference does establish that HGs were in North America by 1636.
They received this answer with pleasure, begging that, as a sign of mutual rejoicing and love, some of our young people should dance to the sound of a hurdy-gurdy, that a little Frenchman held. This was granted them, to their great satisfaction.
Then I've hit a large gap. The next reference I've found comes from the New Jersey Gazette in 1778. The entry summarizes the publications of a Philadelphia printer, exiled by the British occupation of Philadelphia, who is publishing anti-British, satirical propaganda. The entry is incredibly offense and obviously should be taken with a grain of salt since it is satire. Although the events described never occurred, I would consider this secondary evidence for the use of HGs in the American British colonies based on the author referencing them being played.
New Jersey Gazette, 8 Apr 1778
Amongst those who left Philadelphia on the approach of the enemy to that city, a Gentleman, who had with him a portable printing-press, took refuge somewhere near Egg-Harbour. By means of a well-conducted correspondence with a friends in the city, he obtained constant and authentic intelligence of the most minute occurrences there provided, he, for the amusement of himself and a few friends, publishes a paper every fortnight, which he calls Pasquin, or the Minute Intelligencer.
As these papers are not for sale, and but a few copies struck off, they do not circulate and are but little known. Being an old acquaintance, he constantly sends me one of his curious performances. As a specimen of the work, I have selected the following articles.
It is said the English ministry, having no hopes of subduing America by force of arms, whilst the inhabitants retain their native virtue, have instructed the officers in their army to try a more certain method of success, by debauching the morals of the men, and seducing the virtue of the women. For this purpose playhouses are opened, gaming- tables established and balls promoted, in a city languishing under a scarcity of the necessaries of life.
His Excellency General Howe, ever attentive to the health of his army, took the advantage of some fair weather in December last, and determined to give his troops an airing, of which they stood in great need. For this purpose he ordered the whole of his forces out, and heading them himself, took a walk into the country. His benevolent intention was to proceed as far as Reading and Lancaster, but finding the roads about Edge-Hill much infested with armed rebels, he thought proper to return to the city; which he did with considerable precipitation, being apprehensive of an approaching storm. Some think he might have forced his way through the banditti, but he was too prudent a General to expend his Majesty's powder and shot on such a ragged crew.
We have the pleasure of assuring the publick that the disputes respecting the arrangement of The Royal African Regiment are now at an end, his Excellency having determined that arrangement in the following manner:
Quaco, Colonel
Sambo, Lieutenant-Colonel
Cuffey, Major
Toney, Captain
Cudjoe, Captain
The contest for pre-eminence between Quaco and Sambo was long and obstinant: it is evident that Sambo had the thickest lips and the whitest teeth, but his Excellency's partiality is in favour of Quaco, as he has honoured him with his company; and at the entertainment lately given by the officers of the Royal African Regiment, his Excellency opened the ball with Colonel Quaco's Lady, and danced very gracefully to the music of a full orchestra of banjoes and hurdy-gurdies. - How far the superior beauty of Colonel Quaco's Lady may have contributed to his promotion, is uncertain.
As I said, incredibly offensive. What can be gleaned from the passage is the probable presence of the HG the British colonies and the societal association of the HG with the lower classes society. A few American travel narratives include references to banjos being played at country dances, typically by the lower sorts or the enslaved.
The next reference is from Boston in 1785 and paints the picture of a rather interesting scene on the streets of the city. Although America did not have the likes of Hogarth or Collett to paint the goings on of the lower sorts in society satire, this is about as close as you're going to get. I would love to see what a satirical artist could do with this passage. Again, the persons involved with the hurdy gurdy appear to be of the lower sorts.
The final passage I've seen found thus far is related to an assault and murder that occurred in Charleston, SC on July 4, 1785. In this case, three men were heading to Yammacraw, which appears to be a market in Charleston, to hear the HG women play. On their way, they investigated a disturbance in a house at which point one of the men was stabbed in the chin with a bayonet as he descended the stairs to enter the home, and another was shot in the back from a second story window. The newspaper speculates that the reason for the attack was personal in nature based on one of the attacked men slighting the residents of the house from which the attack originated.
A secondary article that was published later, gives the account from the victims and provides more speculation for the cause of the attack. The article again mentions the HG. Although no HG was physically present in this story, I cannot help but find humor in the instrument in this case being related to crime.
