Thomas Jackson Denson
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jackson Denson was a notable Alabama
musician and singing school
teacher within the Sacred Harp
tradition. He was the youngest of the four sons of the Levi Phillip Denson, a Methodist minister, and Julia Ann Jones Denson. Thomas J. Denson was born in 1863 in Arbacoochee, Cleburne County
. He was married Amanda Burdette until her death; they had one son: Paine Denson. He later married Lola Mahalia Akers, with whom he had three daughters: Violet Denson Hinton, Vera Denson Nunn, and Tommye Mahalia Denson Mauldin.
Along with his brother Seaborn McDaniel Denson
, Thomas Denson formed the Sacred Harp Publishing Co. In 1933 they purchased the rights to the 1911 J. S. James
"Sacred Harp" and began a revision of it. This revision, known as the "Original Sacred Harp (Denson Revision)", was published in 1936.
Thomas J. Denson was a popular singing school professor, and taught singing schools from Georgia
to Texas
. Some claim that he taught more Sacred Harp singers than any other man. He was affectionately known to many as "Uncle Tom".
A granite monument to the memory of Thomas J. and Seaborn M. Denson was erected on the courthouse square in Double Springs, Alabama
. This was done in 1944, the centennial year of the Sacred Harp. Part of the inscription reads "By the loving hands of their families, pupils of their singing schools, and legions of singers and friends."
Thomas J. Denson died September 14, 1935. His brother Seaborn died in 1936, and Tom's son, Paine Denson, saw the "Denson" edition of the Sacred Harp through to completion.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
musician and singing school
Singing school
Historically, singing schools have been strongly affiliated with Protestant Christianity. Some are held under the auspices of particular Protestant denominations that maintain a tradition of a cappella singing, such as the Church of Christ and the Primitive Baptists...
teacher within the Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp
Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music that took root in the Southern region of the United States. It is part of the larger tradition of shape note music.- The music and its notation :...
tradition. He was the youngest of the four sons of the Levi Phillip Denson, a Methodist minister, and Julia Ann Jones Denson. Thomas J. Denson was born in 1863 in Arbacoochee, Cleburne County
Cleburne County, Alabama
Cleburne County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Major General Patrick Cleburne, of Arkansas. As of 2010 the population was 14,972. Its county seat is Heflin.- History :...
. He was married Amanda Burdette until her death; they had one son: Paine Denson. He later married Lola Mahalia Akers, with whom he had three daughters: Violet Denson Hinton, Vera Denson Nunn, and Tommye Mahalia Denson Mauldin.
Along with his brother Seaborn McDaniel Denson
Seaborn McDaniel Denson
Seaborn McDaniel Denson was a notable Alabama musician and singing school teacher within the Sacred Harp tradition. He was a son of The Rev. Levi Phillips Denson, a Methodist minister, and Julia Ann Jones Denson. Seaborn Denson was born April 9, 1854 in Arbacoochee, Alabama. He married Sidney...
, Thomas Denson formed the Sacred Harp Publishing Co. In 1933 they purchased the rights to the 1911 J. S. James
Joseph Summerlin James
Joseph Stephen James, of Douglasville, Georgia, was a lawyer, shape note singer, composer, and a reviser of the tunebook known as The Sacred Harp.J. S. James works include A Brief History of the Sacred Harp and Its Author, B. F...
"Sacred Harp" and began a revision of it. This revision, known as the "Original Sacred Harp (Denson Revision)", was published in 1936.
Thomas J. Denson was a popular singing school professor, and taught singing schools from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Some claim that he taught more Sacred Harp singers than any other man. He was affectionately known to many as "Uncle Tom".
A granite monument to the memory of Thomas J. and Seaborn M. Denson was erected on the courthouse square in Double Springs, Alabama
Double Springs, Alabama
Double Springs is a town in Winston County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,003. The city is the county seat of Winston County.- Geography :Double Springs is located at .According to the U.S...
. This was done in 1944, the centennial year of the Sacred Harp. Part of the inscription reads "By the loving hands of their families, pupils of their singing schools, and legions of singers and friends."
Thomas J. Denson died September 14, 1935. His brother Seaborn died in 1936, and Tom's son, Paine Denson, saw the "Denson" edition of the Sacred Harp through to completion.