A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mounsey
MOUNSEY. The name of two English lady organists and musicians. The elder of the two, Ann Sheppard, was born in London April 17, 1811, and studied under Logier. She is alluded to by Spohr in his [1]account of his visit to Logier's academy in 1820. In 1828 she was elected organist to a church at Clapton; in 1829 to St. Michael's, Wood Street, E.C., and in 1837 to St. Vedast's, Foster Lane, where she still plays. In 1834 Miss Mounsey became a member of the Philharmonic Society. In 1843 she gave the first of six series of Classical Concerts, at Crosby Hall, London, for one of which (that of 1844) Mendelssohn [2]composed 'Hear my Prayer,' for voices and organ. In 1853 she married Mr. W. Bartholomew, and in 1855 composed the oratorio of 'The Nativity,' which was performed in the same year under the direction of Mr. Hullah at St. Martin's Hall. Mrs. Bartholomew is well known in London as a teacher; she has published upwards of 100 songs, 40 part-songs, and a large number of works for piano and for organ.
The second sister, Elizabeth, was born in London Oct. 1819, and developed considerable musical ability at a very early age. She was appointed organist of St. Peter's, Cornhill, in 1834, when only 14 years old, a post she still holds. The organ of St. Peter's, a fine instrument by Hill, was one of those on which Mendelssohn frequently played during his visits to London. (See pp. 277b, 279b.) In 1842 Miss Elizabeth Mounsey was elected member of the Philharmonic Society. Besides the organ and piano, she at one time devoted much study to the guitar, and in 1833 and 34 appeared in public as a performer thereon. She has published many works for all three instruments.[ G. ]