Margaret Debenham
B.A. Hons. (First Class), The Open University, 1990
Ph.D., Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, 2001
Historical Musicology: New Resources
From time to time this page will feature articles on newly identified findings relating to the musical scene in London during the latter half of the eighteenth century and the early years of the nineteenth century. This material is supplementary to the main thrust of my collaborative research with Professor George Bozarth into the life and work of William Southwell - a complementary ‘side dish’, if you will!
I would like these findings to be readily accessible to both academic colleagues and others with an interest in the field alike. For this reason I have decided to make the articles available for download as PDF files (subject to my copyright) via my website.
I hope readers will find the material reported informative and useful — and of course enjoyable! And I will be happy to receive feedback.
Article 1: Margaret Debenham (2011). 131 Cheapside: The Longman Connection
The story recounted in this article is a sequel to that described in my earlier co-authored paper with Professor George Bozarth, ‘Piano Wars: the Legal Machinations of London Pianoforte Makers, 1795–1806’ (2009)1. The evidence I shall present provides new insights into the history of James Longman in his final years, in particular focusing on his relationship with John Longman of 131, Cheapside. I draw upon original court case documents, contemporary newspaper and magazine notices, directory entries and wills.
Abstract
Recently identified court documents relating to a case brought in the Court of Chancery in 1806 by William Shaw and John Jeyes against John Longman and Frances Loftis (alias St. John), the long-term mistress and executrix of the music and musical instrument seller James Longman (1740–1803), reveal more of the increasingly desperate and unscrupulous behaviour to which the latter resorted in 1801, before his second incarceration in the Fleet Prison for debt. The evidence that emerges from these documents lends weight to the claims of Muzio Clementi and his partners that James Longman was guilty of double dealing, as previously described by George Bozarth and myself in our paper ‘Piano Wars: the Legal Machinations of London Pianoforte Makers, 1795–1806’, 2009 (hereafter referred to as Piano Wars).
The testimony of the Defendant, John Longman, of 131, Cheapside, a relative of James Longman and his brother John, chronicles a sorry saga of deception and betrayal of trust. John relates how early in the year 1801 he had been persuaded to assign a one third share of his new barrel organ patent to his kinsman for a pittance on the basis of James’ grandiose promises that he would go into business with him and make his fortune. James, he says, had claimed that the new business would then garner most of the trade of Muzio Clementi and Co.—this at the time when he [James] was still employed by them. James had later re-assigned this promised third share of the patent rights to William Shaw as surety for a debt. As we shall see, the 1806 case in question centres around the dispute that arose in consequence of this transaction, some three years after James Longman’s death in 1803.
The picture that emerges of James Longman is of a flawed character—charming, gifted and persuasive undoubtedly, but beneath this facade a calculating, manipulative and self-serving persona. Here was a man prepared to abuse the trust of colleagues, friends, and even members of his close family without compunction.
1 George S. Bozarth and Margaret Debenham. ‘Piano Wars: The Legal Machinations of London Pianoforte Makers, 1795–1806’ in Royal Musical Association Research Chronicle Vol. 42 (2009). London: Royal Musical Association, pp 45-108. ISSN 1472-3808.
The full article is available in PDF format via the link below:
131 Cheapside - The Longman Connection 13-03-2011. Copyright © Margaret Debenham, 2011. Permission is granted to print or download one copy for the purposes of personal private research only. No further reproduction of any part of the material may be made without the express permission of the author.
Citation: Debenham, M. (2011). 131, Cheapside: The Longman Connection. Margaret Debenham: website publication (www.debenham.me.uk).
in case of queries.Page last updated 12 March 2011.
