1830 Robert T. Spence Poem Extract - Letter from W.C.K. to C.L.K., written at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February, 1830 — measures: 7 7/8" x 9 13/16"



Robert Traill Spence, was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, around 1785. His parents, Keith and Mary Traill Spence, were from Kirkwall in Orkney, Scotland, and immigrated to America; with records showing they were settled in Portsmouth by 1779.


Robert Traill Spence was a lyricist, writing the poem (extract shown in this letter). In a collaboration with music composer James Hewitt, the poem was put to music, and published in 1819 by Bacon & Co., Philadelphia.


James Hewitt was an English-born composer, conductor, violinist, and music publisher who became an important figure in early American musical life. He arrived in New York in 1792, where he worked in theater music and publishing; later spending time in Boston as an organist and theater conductor.