The History of Genesee, MI, Chapter 10, The Old Flint Band

The instruments were purchased of Adam Couse, then the sole music dealer in Detroit. The first instructor of the band was T. D. Nutting. An old member says, "I took my place in the band very soon after its organization, having succeeded Willard Pettee (bass-drum). I held my position for fifteen years, during which time forty-four persons had belonged; not one of the original members remained at the expiration of that time, and yet, to use a solecism, it was the same old band. Practicing in those old times was pleasant enough to the members, but there were persons living within one or two blocks of the band room who never greeted us with smiles, but, on the contrary, some maternal members of households gave strong evidences of nervous derangement. The old residents that yet remain will remember that those discordant sounds were not confined to the band-room alone; night was made hideous as we wandered up and down the streets playing the music that had charms for us. This band was originated and sustained by the members for their enjoyment and recreation, rather than for nay profit connect therewith. Most of the members were from ranks of prominent citizens--merchants for the most apart. This gave character to the organization, and in it time helped Flint, rendering it pleasant for our neighbors of the surrounding townships and villages to come in on the 'day we celebrate' and others. We played at political gatherings--for all parties alike--for church festivals, on 'St. Patrick's Day in the Morning,' for steamboat excursions to Saginaw river bay, and for nearly all public gatherings in the city. Strangers visiting Flint were very sure to hear from us in the way of serenades. The band members were elected honorary members of the old 'Harmonic society' etc., and came to be one of the 'institutions.' Whenever we went abroad, we were taken by Will Pettee's four-horse team, which was considered something pretentious in those days of ox-teams--no railways with us until long years after. For the purchase of instruments and other expenses, the members were assessed each member on entering the band paying thirty dollars. After this, assessments followed at the rate of from three to eight dollars per capita. I notice the initiation fees of forty-four members before referred to aggregate one thousand three hundred and twenty dollars, and with assessments added would leave little less then two thousand five hundred dollars paid by these band members out of their own pockets."

THE OLD FLINT BAND. Among the organization which began in Flint village and continued to give pleasure to the people of the later city, none were more appreciated then the old Flint Band. This was organized in the summer of 1848, and was composed of the following gentlemen:
Leader, E-flat sax-horn	E. F. Frary
B-flat clarionet	Leonard Wesson
Cornopean	William Hamilton and Franz Barnhart
Slide Trombone	Ira F. Payson and G. H. J. Hazelton
French horn	Homer Hazelton
Ophicleide	Charles D. Little
Trumpet	George W. Hill
Drum	Willard Pettee