Leeds Waits music manuscript entitled 'English Airs', written probably by William Crawshaw.
Contains digital mediaDetails
Type of record: Archive
Title: Leeds Waits music manuscript entitled 'English Airs', written probably by William Crawshaw.
Classmark: MS 1751
Date(s): 1760s-1770s
Language: English
Size and medium: 1 vol. (57 ff.), manuscript.
Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/8715
Description
Contains the following fifty-seven 1, 2 and 3 part pieces: Strain of Mr. Chilcot, In praise of Bacchus, Collin's farewell to Grisy, The northern lad's complaint, Minuet by Mr. Festing, Vauxhall or Spring Gardens, Minuet, The soldier's song, Trumpet air, Capt. Death, Villa Francha minuet, Scouth tune, An Air by Mr Handel, Gavot, Minuet, The fairing, Minuets by Mr Festing, Lady Millbank's minuet, Lord Downes minuet, Sally, Scotch tune, Duke of Glosters march, Air, The dust cart, Sung by Miss Macklin at the Theatre Royal in Drurylain, Minuet, March, The jigg by Mr. Humphries, Brisk Are, March, The King of Prussia's March, Air, [unnamed piece], Minuet, Le con de chasse or The French chase, Shilinagare, Minuet, Minuet, Minuet, [unnamed piece], March, Mr Chrion's minuet, Hit her upon the bun, Dunkon Gray, March, March, The royal foristers march, The Liverpole march, The Wiltshire militia's march or Ld. Bruce's, The Duke of Bedford's march, Lord Pembrook's march, Collonell Shorton (Thorton?), Vito
primo march of Mr. Hershell, The Macklenburg minuet, Hymn, The new Coldstream march, and The five hunt. Technical notes about music occur on f. 1.
Quarter vellum binding, with marbled paper covering the boards. On front cover a red goatskin label with gold lettering: 'English Airs'. Four lines of music on each page, staves drawn.
Biography or history
William Crawshaw (or Crowshay) is listed in the Leeds Directory for the year 1798 as a musician in Kirkgate. His son, Thomas Crawshaw (1781-1858) appears also in the Directory, as a musician and music teacher of Harper's Yard, Kirkgate, between 1798 and 1837. Thomas was the last Wait of Leeds. Thomas's brother, William, is also listed in the 1798 Leeds Directory as a musician, and it is assumed that William jnr. and William snr. were also waits.
Provenance
The manuscript was probably written by William Crawshaw snr. in the 1760s and 1770s, and later passed on to his sons. Inscribed 'Wm. Crawshaw of Leeds' (1r), 'William Crowshay' (2r), 'William Crawshaw' (57v), 'Thomas Crowshay His Book Leeds 1800' and 'Thos. Crowsha Book, 1803, Leeds' (both 54v).
Access and usage
Access
Access to this material is unrestricted.