Billings (William) is born in Boston.

William Billings grows up without a musical background, is apprenticed to a tanner, and begins to memorize psalms and learn music on his own. Billings organizes a singing class in Stoughton that becomes the Stoughton Musical Society, the oldest musical organization in the U.S., in 1774. He also leads choirs at the Brattle Square and Old South Churches. Billings becomes a teacher of singing masters and the first American composer to have his works published in 1770.* He dies in Boston on September 26, 1800.