A short time ago band members were made aware that a drum, played during the Civil War, was being offered for sale on the Web. They purchased it and on close inspection discovered a label that read:

They wanted more information.
Henry, contacted Gerry & Yvette HEROUX, and with the help of our genealogist (and super sleuth) Sue DESTEFANO, found that George Washington TENNANT lived on Ames Street, in the Harris section of Coventry. He was a blacksmith/machinist by trade, employed for many years with the Lanphear Machine Co. at Harris.

Henry was puzzled. “How did Mr. TENNANT acquire the skills to make a drum?” Also, the number “3” indicates that this was not his first. “Was he a drummer? A member of one of the local bands? More information was gathered. George W. TENNANT died on December 13, 1911 in his 84th year. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery. His obituary mentions that he devoted a good deal of time to music. His wife,Selina (SLOCUM) TENNANT, and one son, Dr. George C. TENNANT, a “well-known” dentist, survived him in Providence. He died in 1933, at the age of 80, leaving his widow Grace May (HANDY) TENNANT.

Going over more records led to discovery that Mr. TENNANT had a brother, John H. TENNANT, a veteran of the Civil War, who lived at O’Donnell’s Hill, in Natick. He enlisted in the 2nd RI Volunteers, as a fifer, serving three years and was mustered out as a drum major. Sometime after the war he was a constable for the town. He died in 1908 at the age of 83 and is buried in the family lot in Brayton Cemetery. This brings up another question: “Did George W. TENNANT make the drum for his brother?”

Henry spoke about how the drum was made and how unique it is. He also spoke about how the drum was restored. He talked about different styles of drums and of drummer’s duties during the war. He also explained that during the Civil War the government allowed band members to use their own instruments. Henry also brought examples of drum music from the Civil War.

Note: At that time Harris, in Coventry, was called Harrisville.

If anyone has any additional information or would like to help out in the investigation, please give us a call or e-mail Sue at our web address.

Adapted from “The Pawtuxet Valley Historian”, March 2006, volume 19, issue 7.

SAMPLES of CIVIL WAR MUSIC HE BROUGHT

LINKS: Providence Brigade Band
Civil War Band Music
Excelsior Cornet Band
Home Page
PVHistory@yahoo.com