A little historical vignette for you today, because I’m doing other things and don’t have a book to review tonight.

My maternal grandfather was born in the town of Hutchinson, Minnesota. Nice town, west of the Twin Cities. I’ve been there a few times.

I find the town’s history intriguing. It’s named after its founders, who as far as I know never lived there. They were the Hutchinson Family Singers. The HFS hold a unique place in American history, but are largely forgotten today.

In the 1830s, European singing groups began to tour in the United States, and became very popular. The Hutchinsons, New Englanders, originally brothers John, Asa, Jesse, and Judson, emulated them, and began giving public concerts in 1840. In time they would be the most popular musical group in the country. They were the first to popularize four-part harmony in the United States, so if you like gospel quartettes, thank the Hutchinsons. After brother Jesse dropped out to write songs and manage the group, he was replaced by sister Abby, and as the family grew, the act expanded (occasionally splitting up).

The times were like ours in many ways. Political causes were in the air, and the Hutchinsons were highly “woke” by the standards of their time. They were avid Abolitionists, Prohibitionists, and Women’s Suffragists (modern people find it hard to believe, but those causes were closely tied back then. It was always about ushering in the Kingdom of God through legislation). The Hutchinsons’ songs, whether performed by the group in concert or sung off sheet music in American parlors, helped to move public opinion toward Abolition. At one point they toured Europe with Frederick Douglass.

Hutchinson, Minnesota, was (as I understand it; I can’t find it plainly stated in an online search) founded as a model town, one in which vice would be prohibited, and women would have equal rights. I’m sure it would sadden them today to know that alcohol is available for purchase in Hutchnson. But I’m pretty sure slavery is still illegal, and I imagine women run the place, like everywhere else in America.

One of the drawbacks of political relevance is that it doesn’t tend to lead to enduring art. None of the Hutchinsons’ songs is remembered today, except by music scholars. But if you’d like to hear one of them, here’s a recreation of their number, “Get Off the Track.” The tune is almost familiar.