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Alvah was also a popular fiddler around New England. The fiddle tune known as "Atlanta Hornpipe" and "Quigley's Reel" is also known as "Batchelder's Reel." His 1936 arrangement of "Ross's Reel No. 1" was also popular. "Sioux City Sue" was always the last song of the night at Alvah's performances. As a bandleader, Alvah apparently had a good sense of humor. One night at a dance, only a few couples decided to cut the rug. Seeing the mostly empty dance floor, Alvah announced that it wasn't worth the band's time to play if everyone didn't dance. He then put his violin down and turned his back to the audience until they decided to see things his way. Alvah filled out his World War I draft registration card on September 12, 1918. He described himself as a white male of medium height and build with brown hair and brown eyes. Alvah’s wife was Rosa, and, as of the 1920 United States Census, they had three children: Jennie, Freeman, and Lillian. Alvah’s 73-year-old father, Edwin, also lived with them at this time. Freeman had four sons, Ronald, Kenneth, Vaughn, and Edwin, by his first wife, Gertrude Virginia Blair. Freeman died on January 7, 2007. Down East magazine featured an article, "Maine's Master Violin Maker," about Alvah in 1960. I was able to get a copy of this article from the folks at Down East, and it contains some fantastic information. My violin was made by Alvah in 1928 and is labeled "Special" and "No. 44." I also came across No. 68 "Special," which was built in 1946, for sale on eBay. This violin was owned by Gabe Ricci and sold to Thomas E. Murphy in 2007. Additionally, I was contacted by a gentleman named Drexell White who has No. 75 "Special," built in 1953. Ken Smith of Ken Smith Basses, Ltd. also contacted me a few years ago about my Batchelder violin. Mr. Smith had in his possession an upright bass made by A. Batchelder & Son of Pelham, New Hampshire, dated 1875. He believed that his bass was possibly made by the father or grandfather of Alvah Batchelder. I've owned my Batchelder fiddle since 2000, and I bought it from one of Louisiana's top Cajun fiddlers. His name, believe it or not, is Ken Smith! Many thanks to Drexell White, Laurel Coulter, and Deb Kindel (Alvah's great-granddaughter) for the interesting tidbits of information about Alvah. If anybody has any information at all about Alvah Batchelder and his violins, please feel free to contact me. I'd love to learn as much as I can about the man who made this wonderful instrument. Batchelder Photo Gallery Below are thumbnails which open up high-resolution photos of my 1928 No. 44 Batchelder fiddle. Feel free to view my photos!
The photos below show the 1946 No. 68 Batchelder violin. Thanks to Gabe Ricci for permission to use the photos! Click on a thumbnail to see a larger version.
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When
I play the fiddle, my main stage instrument is a violin made
by A.M. Batchelder. Alvah Murch Batchelder (1/18/1879-c.1961)
was from Frankfort, Maine, possibly born in Prospect, Maine.
He worked as a blacksmith at several establishments in Waldo
County, such as the Stockton Springs Ship Yard, Granite Works,
and the Genci & Ellis Stone Shed, and he made all of the
tools he used to build his instruments. Alvah also worked for
the granite quarry that provided stone for Fort Knox in Prospect,
Maine. 
