Eller, John (Musician)

Item

Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 14th May 1750.
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 28th May 1753.
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 18th February 1760.
Name
Eller, John (Musician)
Description
Publican, musician and music teacher in Birmingham.
Location/Address
See all items with this valueBirmingham, Warwickshire
Biography
In 1750 Eller advertised in Aris’s Birmingham Gazette: 'Sold, Wholesale or Resale, by John Eller, at the French Horn in New-Street, Birmingham, Alderman Calvert's Best Porter Barrell'd at 1s. 4d per Gallon, and Bottled at 6s per Dozen, Bottles included.’
In 1753 he evidently gave up the profession as another advert in Aris's Birmingham Gazette reads ‘JOHN ELLER / At the French Horn in New-Street, Birmingham / Intending to quit the Business of a Public House, is willing to part with his Furniture, and Stock of Liquors, chiefly consisting of London Porter, &c. to any one that will take to the Whole. The House is commodiously situated, and well accustom'd. For futher Particulars, enquire of the said John Eller.’
By 1755 he was firmly established as a musician of the town as he held his own benefit concert ‘At the New Theatre in King-Street, Birmingham, on Friday the 31st of October, will be perform’d A Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Musick. In particular the Overtures of Deidamia, and the Occasional Oratorio, with French Horns, Kettle Drums, &c. Care will be taken to provide a good Band.’ Patrons could purchase tickets at his house in Mount Pleasant.
He served as an agent and described as ‘Teacher of the Horn’ in an advert of 18th February, 1760 in Aris's Birmingham Gazette, ‘Six young Men to learn the French-Horn, and one that is capable of teaching it’ for General Eliott’s Light-Horse. Eller was one of four contacts for potential recruits to enquire to, listed as ‘Mr. Eller, (Teacher of the Horn) in Mount-Pleasant, Birmingham’.
Eller is mentioned in Sir Samuel’s letters from January 1767 to February 1771. Although he is not listed in the trade and town directories of Birmingham for the period, evidence of his activities aside from his involvement with Hellier can be gleaned from other sources. He subscribed to Jeremiah Clark’s Eight Songs in 1760, where he is listed as ‘Mr. Eller, of Birmingham’.
Hellier first mentions Eller in the letter of 15th January 1767, where he suggests ‘If Jonah Cartwright is anxious to begin send a Line to Mr. Eller at Birmingham he can Perhap's get you a Bassoon a while to Practice upon & by that Time I shall be able to send some Down He has one of mine which he Play’s upon himself but I do not
Know if he can Spare it you are heartily welcome to the use of it if he can & you are Under a necessity of applying to him being (Except Mr. Bond) ye only one who can instruct upon the Bassoon’.
Sir Samuel Hellier to John Rogers, 15th January 1767
Item sets
People
Media
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 14th May 1750. Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 14th May 1750.
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 28th May 1753.Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 28th May 1753.
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 18th February 1760.Aris’s Birmingham Gazette, 18th February 1760.

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