James lord pierpont biography

James Lord Pierpont (April 25, 1822 – August 5, 1893) was an American songwriter, arranger, organist, and composer, best known for writing and composing “Jingle Bells” in 1857, originally entitled “The One Horse Open Sleigh.” He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and died in Winter Haven, Florida. His composition “Jingle Bells” has become synonymous with the Christmas holiday and is one of the most performed and most recognizable songs in the world.

James Lord Pierpont was born on April 25, 1822 in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, Reverend John Pierpont (1785-1866), was a pastor of the Hollis Street Unitarian Church in Boston. James was the uncle of the financier and banker John Pierpont Morgan. He was also an abolitionist and a poet. Robert Fulghum mixed him up with James Lord Pierpont in his book It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It (1989) and erroneously attributed the authorship of “Jingle Bells” to Rev. John Pierpont. His mother was Mary Sheldon Lord, the daughter of Lynde Lord, Jr. (1762-1813), and Mary Lyman. John and Mary Pierpont had six children.

On March 27, 1852, James Pierpont published his composition “The Returned Californian”, based on his experiences in San Francisco, published in Boston by E. H. Wade of 197 Washington Street. “The Returned Californian” was originally sung by S. C. Howard, of Ordway’s Aeloians and was written expressly for Ordway’s Aeolians “by James Pierpont Esq.” and was arranged by John Pond Ordway (1824-1880). The song describes Pierpont’s experiences during the California Gold Rush and the failure of his San Francisco business: “Oh! I’m going far away from my Creditors just now, I ain’t the tin to pay ’em and they’re kicking up a row.

Later arrangements of the song changed the word “joy” to “fun” in the chorus and slightly simpl

American songwriter and composer

Musical artist

James Lord Pierpont (April 25, 1822 – August 5, 1893) was an American composer, songwriter, arranger, organist, and Confederate States soldier. Pierpont wrote and composed "Jingle Bells" in 1857, originally titled "The One Horse Open Sleigh".

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and died in Winter Haven, Florida. Although Pierpont is obscure today, his composition "Jingle Bells" has become synonymous with the Christmas holiday and is one of the most performed and most recognizable songs in the world.

Early life and career

James Lord Pierpont was born on April 25, 1822, in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, the Reverend John Pierpont (1785–1866), was a pastor of the UnitarianHollis Street Church in Boston, an abolitionist and a poet. Robert Fulghum confused James with his father in the book It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It (1989); erroneously attributing the authorship of "Jingle Bells" to the Rev. John Pierpont. James' mother was Mary Sheldon Lord (1787-1855), the daughter of Lynde Lord, Jr. (1762–1813), and Mary Lyman. James was the uncle of the financier and banker John Pierpont Morgan. John and Mary Pierpont had six children.

In 1832, James was sent to a boarding school in New Hampshire. He wrote a letter to his mother about riding in a sleigh through the December snow. In 1836, James ran away to sea aboard

James Lord Pierpont  was a prolific 19 century American poet, songwriter and musician whose major claim to fame is a song that is still sung at Christmas time all over the world.  It is popularly known as Jingle Bells and almost everyone who has sung a Christmas song knows at least the chorus.  Pierpont’s original title for this poem, later turned into a song, was

He was born on the 25 April 1822 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of a Unitarian pastor who was also a poet and abolitionist.  He took his middle name from his mother who was called Mary Sheldon Lord and she had six children in total.  The family were able to send James to boarding school and, prophetically, the boy once wrote to his mother describing a sleigh ride through the New Hampshire snow-bound countryside.  He attended this school from 1832-36 but then ran away in order to board a whaling ship called “The Shark”.  Obviously enamoured by the thought of a life at sea he then joined the US Navy, serving up to the age of 21.

Following these adventures Pierpont returned to New England and met and married his wife Millicent who bore him three children.  Unfortunately she died a few years into the marriage but not before he had tried his hand, briefly, at a photography business in California.  Following her death he went to live with his Unitarian minister brother in Savannah, Georgia, joining him in church duties as organist and music director.  He managed to supplement his living giving singing and organ lessons as well.

Pierpont had been writing poetry throughout his life but it took until 1852 before his first major piece saw publication.  It was turned into a song called

and was clearly about his failed business adventure in San Francisco during the Gold Rush period.  It includes the lines:

Further songs followed included

which were sung by an organisation called

The so-called black-face minstrel singing was becoming popular at that time and he wrote

which were sung by an o

Often thought of as a traditional Christmas song, the words and music to the famous Christmas Carol “Jingle Bells” were written in 1857 by organist and choir director James Pierpont for a Thanksgiving church service in Savannah, GA. It was so well received that the children were asked to repeat the performance at Christmas service and it has remained a Christmas standard ever since. The sheet music, first published in 1857 by Oliver Ditson with its original title “The One Horse Open Sleigh,” was reissued two years later with only one title change chosen by the public: “Jingle Bells.”

James Pierpont was born in 1822 in Massachusetts the son of an ardent abolitionist. In the 1850’s he moved to Savannah, Georgia, joining his brother John who ministered to Savannah’s Unitarian congregation. James took a post as the organist and music director of the church and it during the fall of 1857, with Pierpont living in the south, that he began writing of his New England Christmases and longing for the snow and traditional New England customs.

After the death of his first wife, Millicent Cowee of Troy, NY, James married Mayor Thomas Purse’s daughter, Eliza Jane in the late 1850’s. At the outset of the Civil War, he joined the Isle of Hope Volunteers to the Confederacy, the Fifth Georgia Calvalry. Pierpont survived the war and lived until 1893 when he passed away in Winter Haven, FL. He was buried in Laurel Grove beside his brother-in-law Thomas who had been killed in the first battle of Bull Run. The family would again come to great national prominence through the work of James’ nephew, famed capitalist J. Pierpont Morgan.

The Unitarian Church where Pierpont played the organ and directed the first rendition of “Jingle Bells” has been moved from its original location, however a “Jingle Bells” marker honoring its composer was dedicated to Pierpont at the site of the ch