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John Hill Hewitt

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John Hill Hewitt

Birth
New York, USA
Death
7 Oct 1890 (aged 89)
Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA
Burial
Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland, USA Add to Map
Plot
Confederate Hill, Section V, Plot 5
Memorial ID
View Source
Composer and Playwright
New York Times, New York, New York, 8 October, 1890, Wednesday, Page 5
Obituary
PROF. JOHN H. HEWITT.
Prof. John H. Hewitt, poet, story writer, musical composer, teacher, and soldier, died yesterday in Baltimore, aged ninety years. By a strange coincidence, his death occured on the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's death.
Poe and Hewitt were rivals in Baltimore's literary wold fifty or sixty years ago. A paper offered prizes for the best story and the best poem. Both writers tried for each prize. Poe won the story prize with his famous tale, "A Manuscript Found in a Bottle." Hewitt won the poem prize with "The Song of the Wind." Poe believed that he should have captured both prizes. Hewitt thought both should have come to him. After the awards Poe and Hewitt met on Baltimore Street and began to discuss the result. Words grew warm and pretty soon there was a lively fist fight, with several knock-down blows. Friends finally separated them.
Mr. Hewitt was born in New-York City. He enterd West Point Military Academy in 1818, and was one of the crowd of cadets who tried to blow up the place. He left the army and led a life in the South, teaching music, studying law, and editing a newspaper on behalf of Henry Clay, whom he knew personally. His father's illness took Mr. Hewitt to Boston. Then he came to New-York, where he married in 1824, Miss Estelle Mangin, daughter of the Spanish Consul. She died in 1860. He took up residence in Baltimore in 1825, and began writing for the press. He also wrote a comedy, "The Governess," which was successfully produced; likewise a play called "Washington; or, One Hundred Years." His ballad compositions are the best known of his works, among them "The Minstrel's Return from the War," and "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother." His oratorio, "Jeptha's Daughter," was much praised. He published several books of poems and reminiscences which had a local circulation.
In 1877 Mr. Hewitt published a volume of sketches of the persons he had met during the fifty years preceding. This volume he called "Shadows on the Wall; or Glimpses of the Past. A Retrospect of the Past Fifty Years." Mr. Hewitt saw Fulton's first steamboat on the Hudson River, was present when the first dispatch was sent over Morse's telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, and was a passenger in the first train of cars drawn by a locomotive that left Baltimore.
He was twice married, the second time, in 1863, to Miss Mary Aletia Smith.

The Valley Virginian, Staunton, Virginia, 3 July 1890, Thursday, Page 3
Prof. John H. Hewitt
Our people will remember Prof. Hewitt as being at one time in charge of the musical department of the Wesleyan Female Institute. The Baltimore Herald, of June 27th, announces that "Prof. Hewitt, the well known poet, musician and essayist, has been critically ill for 10 days at his residence, 1502 East North Avenue." Prof. Hewitt has never recovered from a severe accident he sustained about two years ago. Very little hope was entertained of his recovery.
Prof. Hewitt is the father of our townsman, Geo. W. Hewitt, doing business at No. 5 S. New street. Mr. Hewitt was summoned to the bedside of his father by telegram.
Prof. Hewitt was born in New York in 1801. He graduated at West Point Military Academy in 1822, and entered the army as Second Lieutenant of Infantry. Not satisfied with his appointment, young Hewitt immediately resigned and entered into business life as Professor of Music in a Young Ladies Academy at Greenville, -S.C. He continued to teach music, wrote plays, and contributed to Northern and Southern periodicals.
In 1824 Mr. Hewitt married Miss Estelle Mangin, daughter of the Spanish Consul at New York. In 1825, he moved to Baltimore and engaged actively in writing for newspapers and composing poems and ballads. He wrote "The Governess." which had a successful run at Holliday Street Theatre. He also dramatized "Irving's Rip Van Winkle."
In poetry and songs he composed "Take me Home to the Sweet Sunny South." "Rock me to Sleep, Mother," and "The Dying Girl." Mr. Hewitt was at one time in charge of the Chesapeake College at Hampton, Va. During the war he lived in Richmond, Va., and in 1863 married Miss Alethia Smith, of South Carolina, granddaughter of Sir Richard Launcelot Bland. He returned to Baltimore after the war and has remained there ever since. Mr. Hewitt's life has been an eventful one. During his stay in Greenville, S.C., he studied law under Judge Earl, but never offered for practice.
In a book written by Prof. Hewitt in 1877, he gives a sketch of many prominent gentlemen with whom he met and was well acquainted "for fifty years past." Among them David Crockett, Henry Clay, George Washington Parke Custis, Daniel Webster, President Tyler, and others.
Prof. Hewitt had a fall in 1888 and fractured his left hip-bone. He was named after his grandfather, Capt John Hewitt of the English Navy, who came to this country in 1794.

Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express, Buffalo, New York, 14 October 1890, Tuesday, Page 6
Musical Matters
Prof. John H. Hewitt who died in Baltimore last week, was known to many as the father of the American ballad. His first effort in this direction was "The Minstrel's Return from the War," which was published in 1819, and was excedingly popular. It was written when he was 18 years old. "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother," was another of his most popular compositions. During his 89 years he wrote over 200 songs.

The Norfolk Landmark, Norfolk, Virginia, 18 October 1890, Saturday, Page 3
Staunton Spectator, Staunton, Virginia, 15 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 2
The World, New York, New York, 11 October 1890, Saturday, Page 4
Shenandoah Herald, Woodstock, Virginia, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 1
The World, New York, New York, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 1
The Buffalo Commercial, Buffalo, New York, 27 June, 1890, Page 1
Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, 28 June 1890, Page 1
Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, 11 July 1890, Friday, Page 1
The Buffalo Times, Buffalo, New York, 27 June, 1890, Friday, Page 1
Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, Virginia, 27 June 1890, Friday, Page 3
Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York, 12 October 1890, Sunday, Page 13
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 25 October 1890, Saturday, Page 10
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 8 October, 1890, Wednesday, Page 2
The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Morning Post, Camden, New Jersey, 27 June 1890, Friday, Page 1
Fitchburg Sentinel, Fitchburg, Massachusettts, 30 June 1890, Monday, Page 5
The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, 8 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 1
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 10 October, 1890 Friday, Page 1
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 27 June 1890, Friday, Page 5
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 2
Deutsche Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland, 2 July 1890, Wednesday, Page 4
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 1
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 28 October 1890, Page 8
Monmouth Democrat, Freehold, New Jersey, 16 October 1890, Thursday, Page 2
The Morning Post, Camden, New Jersey, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 4
Deutsche Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland, 7 July 1890, Monday, Page 4
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 8 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 1
Deutsche Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland, 4 August 1890, Monday, Page 4
The Vermont Tribune, Ludlow, Vermont, 31 October 1890, Friday, Page 1
Fall River Daily Evening News, Fall River, Massachusetts, 13 October 1890, Monday, Page 4
Yorkville Enquirer, York, South Carolina, 15 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 2
The Parsons Daily Sun, Parsons, Kansas, 9 October 1890, Page 1
The Record-Union, Sacramento, California, 8 October 1890, Page 1
The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California, 8 October 1890, Page 8
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 7
The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 3
The Philadelphia Inquirer,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 28 June, 1890 Saturday, Page 1
The Muncie Morning News, Muncie, Indiana, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 3
Olney Advocate, Olney, Illinois, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 2
Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, 16 October 1890, Thursday, Page 3
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, Fort Worth, Texas, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 4
Spokane Falls Review, Spokane, Washington, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 2
The Times-Democrat, New Orleans, Louisiana, 10 October 1890, Friday, Page 4
Knoxville Daily Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Weekly Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 1
Henderson Gold Leaf, Henderson, North Carolina, 16 October 1890, Page 1
Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 4
The Wilmington Messenger, Wilmington, North Carolina, 11 October 1890, Saturday, Page 4
The North Carolinian, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, 14 October 1890, Tuesday, Page 4
Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa, 8 October 1890, Page 8
The Morning Democrat, Davenport, Iowa, 23 November 1890, Sunday, Page 3
Fayetteville Weekly Observer, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 10 July 1890, Thursday, Page 1
Fisherman and Farmer, Edenton, North Carolina, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 7
Quad-City Times, DAvenport, Iowa, 23 November 1890, Sunday, Page 7
The Wilmington Messenger, Wilmington, North CArolina, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
Greensboro North State, Greensboro, North Carolina, 3 July 1890, Thursday, Page 1
Hamilton Times, Hamilton, Alabama, 30 October 1890, Thursday, Page 3
The Eufaula Daily Times, Eufaula, Alabama, 9 October 1890, Page 4
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Washington, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 9
The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 7
The North Carolina Intelligencer, Raleigh, North Carolina, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Wilmington Morning Star, Wilmington,North Carolina, 8 October 1890, Page 4
The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, 8 October 1890 Wednesay, Page 1
Daily Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Arkansas, 3 July 1890, Thursday, Page 6
Mississippi Enterprise, McComb, Mississippi, 17 October, 1890, Friday, Page 2
Composer and Playwright
New York Times, New York, New York, 8 October, 1890, Wednesday, Page 5
Obituary
PROF. JOHN H. HEWITT.
Prof. John H. Hewitt, poet, story writer, musical composer, teacher, and soldier, died yesterday in Baltimore, aged ninety years. By a strange coincidence, his death occured on the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's death.
Poe and Hewitt were rivals in Baltimore's literary wold fifty or sixty years ago. A paper offered prizes for the best story and the best poem. Both writers tried for each prize. Poe won the story prize with his famous tale, "A Manuscript Found in a Bottle." Hewitt won the poem prize with "The Song of the Wind." Poe believed that he should have captured both prizes. Hewitt thought both should have come to him. After the awards Poe and Hewitt met on Baltimore Street and began to discuss the result. Words grew warm and pretty soon there was a lively fist fight, with several knock-down blows. Friends finally separated them.
Mr. Hewitt was born in New-York City. He enterd West Point Military Academy in 1818, and was one of the crowd of cadets who tried to blow up the place. He left the army and led a life in the South, teaching music, studying law, and editing a newspaper on behalf of Henry Clay, whom he knew personally. His father's illness took Mr. Hewitt to Boston. Then he came to New-York, where he married in 1824, Miss Estelle Mangin, daughter of the Spanish Consul. She died in 1860. He took up residence in Baltimore in 1825, and began writing for the press. He also wrote a comedy, "The Governess," which was successfully produced; likewise a play called "Washington; or, One Hundred Years." His ballad compositions are the best known of his works, among them "The Minstrel's Return from the War," and "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother." His oratorio, "Jeptha's Daughter," was much praised. He published several books of poems and reminiscences which had a local circulation.
In 1877 Mr. Hewitt published a volume of sketches of the persons he had met during the fifty years preceding. This volume he called "Shadows on the Wall; or Glimpses of the Past. A Retrospect of the Past Fifty Years." Mr. Hewitt saw Fulton's first steamboat on the Hudson River, was present when the first dispatch was sent over Morse's telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, and was a passenger in the first train of cars drawn by a locomotive that left Baltimore.
He was twice married, the second time, in 1863, to Miss Mary Aletia Smith.

The Valley Virginian, Staunton, Virginia, 3 July 1890, Thursday, Page 3
Prof. John H. Hewitt
Our people will remember Prof. Hewitt as being at one time in charge of the musical department of the Wesleyan Female Institute. The Baltimore Herald, of June 27th, announces that "Prof. Hewitt, the well known poet, musician and essayist, has been critically ill for 10 days at his residence, 1502 East North Avenue." Prof. Hewitt has never recovered from a severe accident he sustained about two years ago. Very little hope was entertained of his recovery.
Prof. Hewitt is the father of our townsman, Geo. W. Hewitt, doing business at No. 5 S. New street. Mr. Hewitt was summoned to the bedside of his father by telegram.
Prof. Hewitt was born in New York in 1801. He graduated at West Point Military Academy in 1822, and entered the army as Second Lieutenant of Infantry. Not satisfied with his appointment, young Hewitt immediately resigned and entered into business life as Professor of Music in a Young Ladies Academy at Greenville, -S.C. He continued to teach music, wrote plays, and contributed to Northern and Southern periodicals.
In 1824 Mr. Hewitt married Miss Estelle Mangin, daughter of the Spanish Consul at New York. In 1825, he moved to Baltimore and engaged actively in writing for newspapers and composing poems and ballads. He wrote "The Governess." which had a successful run at Holliday Street Theatre. He also dramatized "Irving's Rip Van Winkle."
In poetry and songs he composed "Take me Home to the Sweet Sunny South." "Rock me to Sleep, Mother," and "The Dying Girl." Mr. Hewitt was at one time in charge of the Chesapeake College at Hampton, Va. During the war he lived in Richmond, Va., and in 1863 married Miss Alethia Smith, of South Carolina, granddaughter of Sir Richard Launcelot Bland. He returned to Baltimore after the war and has remained there ever since. Mr. Hewitt's life has been an eventful one. During his stay in Greenville, S.C., he studied law under Judge Earl, but never offered for practice.
In a book written by Prof. Hewitt in 1877, he gives a sketch of many prominent gentlemen with whom he met and was well acquainted "for fifty years past." Among them David Crockett, Henry Clay, George Washington Parke Custis, Daniel Webster, President Tyler, and others.
Prof. Hewitt had a fall in 1888 and fractured his left hip-bone. He was named after his grandfather, Capt John Hewitt of the English Navy, who came to this country in 1794.

Buffalo Morning Express and Illustrated Buffalo Express, Buffalo, New York, 14 October 1890, Tuesday, Page 6
Musical Matters
Prof. John H. Hewitt who died in Baltimore last week, was known to many as the father of the American ballad. His first effort in this direction was "The Minstrel's Return from the War," which was published in 1819, and was excedingly popular. It was written when he was 18 years old. "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother," was another of his most popular compositions. During his 89 years he wrote over 200 songs.

The Norfolk Landmark, Norfolk, Virginia, 18 October 1890, Saturday, Page 3
Staunton Spectator, Staunton, Virginia, 15 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 2
The World, New York, New York, 11 October 1890, Saturday, Page 4
Shenandoah Herald, Woodstock, Virginia, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 1
The World, New York, New York, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 1
The Buffalo Commercial, Buffalo, New York, 27 June, 1890, Page 1
Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, 28 June 1890, Page 1
Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, 11 July 1890, Friday, Page 1
The Buffalo Times, Buffalo, New York, 27 June, 1890, Friday, Page 1
Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, Virginia, 27 June 1890, Friday, Page 3
Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York, 12 October 1890, Sunday, Page 13
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 25 October 1890, Saturday, Page 10
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 8 October, 1890, Wednesday, Page 2
The Macon Telegraph, Macon, Georgia, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Morning Post, Camden, New Jersey, 27 June 1890, Friday, Page 1
Fitchburg Sentinel, Fitchburg, Massachusettts, 30 June 1890, Monday, Page 5
The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, 8 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 1
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 10 October, 1890 Friday, Page 1
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 27 June 1890, Friday, Page 5
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 2
Deutsche Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland, 2 July 1890, Wednesday, Page 4
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 1
Evening Star, Washington, DC, 28 October 1890, Page 8
Monmouth Democrat, Freehold, New Jersey, 16 October 1890, Thursday, Page 2
The Morning Post, Camden, New Jersey, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 4
Deutsche Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland, 7 July 1890, Monday, Page 4
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore, Maryland, 8 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 1
Deutsche Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland, 4 August 1890, Monday, Page 4
The Vermont Tribune, Ludlow, Vermont, 31 October 1890, Friday, Page 1
Fall River Daily Evening News, Fall River, Massachusetts, 13 October 1890, Monday, Page 4
Yorkville Enquirer, York, South Carolina, 15 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 2
The Parsons Daily Sun, Parsons, Kansas, 9 October 1890, Page 1
The Record-Union, Sacramento, California, 8 October 1890, Page 1
The San Francisco Call, San Francisco, California, 8 October 1890, Page 8
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 October 1890, Wednesay, Page 7
The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 3
The Philadelphia Inquirer,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 28 June, 1890 Saturday, Page 1
The Muncie Morning News, Muncie, Indiana, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 3
Olney Advocate, Olney, Illinois, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 2
Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, 16 October 1890, Thursday, Page 3
Fort Worth Daily Gazette, Fort Worth, Texas, 28 June 1890, Saturday, Page 4
Spokane Falls Review, Spokane, Washington, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 2
The Times-Democrat, New Orleans, Louisiana, 10 October 1890, Friday, Page 4
Knoxville Daily Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Weekly Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 1
Henderson Gold Leaf, Henderson, North Carolina, 16 October 1890, Page 1
Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 4
The Wilmington Messenger, Wilmington, North Carolina, 11 October 1890, Saturday, Page 4
The North Carolinian, Elizabeth City, North Carolina, 14 October 1890, Tuesday, Page 4
Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, Iowa, 8 October 1890, Page 8
The Morning Democrat, Davenport, Iowa, 23 November 1890, Sunday, Page 3
Fayetteville Weekly Observer, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 10 July 1890, Thursday, Page 1
Fisherman and Farmer, Edenton, North Carolina, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 7
Quad-City Times, DAvenport, Iowa, 23 November 1890, Sunday, Page 7
The Wilmington Messenger, Wilmington, North CArolina, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
Greensboro North State, Greensboro, North Carolina, 3 July 1890, Thursday, Page 1
Hamilton Times, Hamilton, Alabama, 30 October 1890, Thursday, Page 3
The Eufaula Daily Times, Eufaula, Alabama, 9 October 1890, Page 4
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Washington, 9 October 1890, Thursday, Page 9
The Galveston Daily News, Galveston, Texas, 17 October 1890, Friday, Page 7
The North Carolina Intelligencer, Raleigh, North Carolina, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 8 October 1890, Wednesday, Page 1
The Wilmington Morning Star, Wilmington,North Carolina, 8 October 1890, Page 4
The Montgomery Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, 8 October 1890 Wednesay, Page 1
Daily Arkansas Gazette, Little Rock, Arkansas, 3 July 1890, Thursday, Page 6
Mississippi Enterprise, McComb, Mississippi, 17 October, 1890, Friday, Page 2


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