I discovered an unusual musical duo in Vermont’s digital archives. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any recordings of their music (unsurprising, considering audio recording was not readily available at the time). Fortunately, the Carter Family has graciously stepped up to provide musical accompaniment, if you’d care to hear.
The first picture features three musicians. Seated on the left, holding a ukulele, is Julius Willard. Next to him sits Miss Alice Perham with her banjo. The name of the gentleman standing on the right with a guitar is unknown.
Alice and Julius were a familiar musical duo in and around the Windham County, Vermont area. Their collaboration is an interesting one. They would have attracted a lot of attention. At the turn of the century, it was still a rarity for a female musician to perform publicly. Also, Julius was a blind man whose musical genius extended to many instruments. And, of course, Alice was a white woman and Julius was a black man.
Neither Julius nor Alice ever married. Alice was an only child who never moved away from her parents’ home. She and Julius had been playing musical gigs together since at least 1897, when she was 24 years old and he was 40.
The two were apparently great friends. Julius lived at Alice’s parents’ home, possibly as a boarder.
The archives contained some newspaper blurbs related to the pair.
Bellows Falls Times Jan 27. 1897
The Brattleboro Daily Reformer Aug 7, 1913
Julius died suddenly in 1914, two days after suffering a stroke. I couldn’t find any more newspaper notices about Alice performing publicly after his death. After her father and mother passed away in 1924 and 1931 respectively, Alice lived alone until her own death in 1953.
The Brattleboro Reformer Dec 18 1914
old spirituals 
What a wonderful article about simpler times! Such a lovely story of friendship between two people with disabilities and the love of music. I would have loved to hear Julius play the violin at the church Christmas service!
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So would I! I thought Julius’ obituary was very nice. It’s the kind of things you’d like people to say about you: Cheery, intelligent, well-liked, and talented.
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The 1870 Census reports a Willard household in Sangdon, NH, that included Linus Willard (father), a “Whitewasher;” Hattie Willard (mother), “Keeping House;” Hattie, age 16; Julius, age 13; Ernest, age 11; Newell and Nellie both age 4, Sophie, age 69.
Ten years later, the 1880 U.S. Census reports a Julius Willard, age 23, living in St. Albans, Vermont, with a wife, Eva, age 20. The Census reports him as a “Laborer” and Eva as a “K House,” likely meaning “Keeping House.” Eva’s maiden name was “Newport” and she was born in Rouses Point, New York. The marriage of Julius L. Willard to Eva M. Newport is documented as July 16, 1878, taking place in St. Albans, Vermont. If Julius was blind, how he was working as a laborer is beyond imagination, unless he lost his sight as a result of a work injury. Though correlated to the musician Julius L. Willard, one has to wonder if it is the same Julius Willard since documents relating to Eva after the marriage seem to be for a different Eva Newport.
I also uncovered a newspaper story of September 22, 1899, in “The Reporter” of Springfield, VT, that reported Julius Willard, the eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. Linus Willard, visited his parents accompanied by his sisters, Mmes. Williams and Roberts. During the visit, Julius gave “several recitals of vocal and instrumental music of a high order of merit at private houses.” The report comments that, “Mr. Willard is a fine violinist and one of the best banjoists in the country, having traveled for years both in the United States and Europe. . . . ”
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That’s some impressive research, Jax! I would venture that at least the newspaper article is about the same Julius Willard. Too much of a coincidence to have another violinist of the same name!
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Me too! We don’t celebrate friendship enough. I like this one because they’re unlikely friends 🧛🏽♂️🧙🏼♀️
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We have so many barriers and distractions and preconceived notions about others, it gets harder to make new friends as an adult!
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Au contraire! Chances are they are still “long distance” friends, thanks to technology. I can attest to that first hand.
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