Canton has long held a position of historical importance in the history of our country. One unlikely field in which the Town surpassed its neighbors was in the field of music. At one time Canton was the inspiration of the country in all areas of musical endeavor.

Elijah Dunbar, with all of his other contributions to the Town’s development, was a prominent figure in our musical development and background. While attending Harvard College he supplemented his educatio9n in Greek and Latin with courses in reading music. After graduating in 1760, he returned to his home town and organized a singing school.

Historical records indicate that as early as 1762, singing meetings were popular in Stoughton (Canton). About that time the people formed an organization for "practicing vocal music". When the Town was besieged by an epidemic of small pox in 1764, it became necessary to notify the Bridgewater singers that they best remain at home until the plague was gone.

In those days the singing meetings were held in private homes. Neighbors were often heard to speak of the "prodigious jangling" of the music makers. When William Billings and Mary Leonard were married in December, 1764, about forty guest, including John Kenney, who was an outstanding bass, gathered for the festivities, and enjoyed "much singing".

During the year 1767, the Braintree Singers journeyed to Canton for an evening of song and music, but unfortunately a religious debate erupted into an argument and the pleasure of the occasion was lost. Later in the year, the group returned for a celebration at the old May Tavern. This time the music started immediately and "great love and harmony" was evident throughout the inn.

The home of Elijah Crane was a favorite meeting place for the local singers. History has recorded that "sweet singing" was heard at Crane’s place. At another time "fine fiddling" was enjoyed.

The singing group consisted of many notable figures besides Elijah Crane, Elijah Dunbar, John Keeney, Sam Capen, Thomas Crane, George Blackman, Abner Crane and Benjamin Gill are some of the more familiar names found in the group’s membership.

By 1774, William Billings, then 28 years old, had begun a singing school in the tavern of Robert Capen. The young people found him to be extremely interesting and he inspired them with his own enthusiasm. He organized several choirs and taught them to despise foreign music, especially that from England.

He brought such patriotism and religion into his work that he became one of the most successful organizers of music in America. Such an influence did he have over his pupils that one of them, Lucy Swan, eventually became his wife.

In 1786, about twenty-five people organized a music society of which the Hon. Elijah Dunbar was the president, destined to be reelected twenty-two times. His voice has been described as "like many waters". Dunbar’s love for music led him to establish one of the largest collections of books on the subject ever recorded. Even in the twentieth century the Stoughton Music Society has had some of the finest voices in the state.

At the beginning of the eighteenth century the hall of Carroll’s Tavern frequently rang with old continental music. Exchange ministers of the area would return to their own congregations with abundant praise for the music heard at Stoughton.

Eventually the group from the First Parish Church in Dorchester challenged the Stoughton society and a contest was scheduled in a Dorchester hall. The Dorchester choir consisted of a bass violin and all female singers, while the visitors from Stoughton were all male voices, led by Mr. Dunbar, and had no instruments.

The "home team" performed first, the beauty of their voices ringing through the great hall. Stoughton followed, singing a new anthem written by one of their members, The Heavenly Vision. The audience, prejudiced though it was, was spellbound. Dorchester sang a second time, followed by Stoughton’s rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah. The challengers readily admitted defeat and confirmed the stories of praise for Stoughton brought to them by their minister.

The society boasted of its excellent composers as well as its fine singers. Edward and Jacob French, both of Canton, created many of the most popular anthems of the period, as did Samuel Capen.