An important early American classical musician, James Hewitt was highly regarded as a prominent composer, conductor, violinist, organist and publisher. In 1808, Hewitt was appointed director of music activities at the Park Street Theatre in New York. In 1811 Hewitt moved to Boston, where he was the organist at the TrinityChurch and inspector of music at the Federal Street Theatre. In 1817, Hewitt moved back to New York where he was composing, teaching and had a very successful music publishing business.