eHymns.org

Born: October 6, 1818, Long Island, New York.

Died: May 20, 1883, Brooklyn, New York.

Vail was a hatter by trade, but wrote a large number of songs for Phillip Phillips, who was the first to publish Vail’s compositions. His works include:

* The Athenaeum Collection, 1863, containing previously unpublished songs by Stephen Foster
* Songs of Grace and Glory (with William Sherwin) (New York: Horace Waters & Son, 1874)

Sources

* Nutter, p. 467
* Reynolds, p. 427

Music

1. Close to Thee, Helen
2. Gate Ajar for Me, The
3. Guiding Hand, The
4. Lyndhurst
5. Nothing But Leaves
6. O Be Saved
7. Scatter Seeds of Kindness
8. Where Is Thy Refuge?

Source: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/v/a/i/vail_sj.html