From an article “Roads out of Manchester” by Edwin Waugh published in the Manchester Times, 2nd July 1881.
… They were all proud of their relative, James Leach, the composer of the “Psalmody”; and I can very well remember that in those days of my early youth, when I accompanied my mother to her native village, and we went from one house to another amongst our kinsfolk, I have often heard them sing and play James Leach’s touching melodies, with tears in their eyes. I remember some of these tunes still, and I think I shall never forget them. Though nearly 80 years have passed since his tunes were first published, many of them are still in use; …
From the letter in response to the article
“James Leach published several sets of original tunes and sacred odes about 1780-90. The melodies are of a very florid character, and the harmonies, though not scientifically accurate, rather elaborate, some of the pieces being written in eight parts. Leach’s music was long pre-eminently popular inLanashire and Cheshire. He met his death by a fall from the top of a coach before 1800.”.
It then goes on to cite from Manchester Mercury, Tuesday, Feb 13th, 1798: “On Tuesday evening the 6th Feb., 1798, Mr.James Leach of Salford, musician, was killed by the overturning of a chaise caused by a wheel coming suddenly off. He has left a large family to lament his loss.”
Read the article and letter HERE