Silas Jones Vail

1818-1884

Born: October 6, 1818, Long Island, New York.

Died: May 20, 1883, Brooklyn, New York.

Vail was a hatter by trade, but wrote a large number of songs for Phillip Phillips, who was the first to publish Vail’s compositions. His works include:

• The Athenaeum Collection, 1863, containing previously unpublished songs by Stephen Foster
• Songs of Grace and Glory, 1874 (compiled for Horace Walters and William F. Sherwin)

Music:

1. Close to Thee, Helen
2. Gate Ajar for Me, The
3. Guiding Hand, The
4. Lyndhurst
5. Nothing But Leaves
6. O Be Saved
7. Scatter Seeds of Kindness