Books › Ayars, Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston (1937) — the Squier, Farley, Rettberg, Rockwell and Elias Howe matter, 1937 › scan 176
Scan 176
Ayars, Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston (1937) — the Squier, Farley, Rettberg, Rockwell and Elias Howe matter, 1937
17 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 150. See the scan on archive.org.
1Mass., and the 4th was taken by the Unitarian Society in Sudbury, Mass.
3"In 1833 Mr. Goodrich built a church Organ for the Unitarian Society Charlestown, Mass., which was finished and put up in Aug. 1833. This was the last Organ that he ever wholly finished. He was building one for a Society just forming when he died, Sunday, Sept. 15, 1833." 28
5When the original PanHarmonicon was lost at sea William Goodrich built another like it. After exhibition at a museum in Boston for a time this also was sent to foreign parts. 29
7"He was a self-taught and exceedingly ingenious mechanic, a student of general knowledge, a diligent investigator, with a correct musical ear and considerable proficiency in music. He united these faculties in his devotion to organ building with such success that during the time he continued in business, from 1805-1833, but three foreign organs were introduced into Boston, while his instruments became known throughout the whole of the United States." 30
8He was a man of strong character and "made a study of foreign manufactures and domestic failures." 31 His brother worked with him about twelve years, before commencing business with Thomas Appleton.
10"The organ now [1902] used in the First Parish Church in Templeton [Massachusetts] is a specimen of his work. This organ was in part donated by him to the society, Mr. Sanger, a native of Templeton, having contributed very generously towards its purchase. It was placed in the church in 1832, and has been in service ever since. The tone of this instrument is still good, although the mechanical part is somewhat worn, and the beauty of the case would do credit to any modern builder. It is to be hoped that if this organ is ever reconstructed or replaced the fine front will be retained." 31
11When the church obtained a larger electric organ in 1903 this instrument was given to the Unitarian Church in Gardner, Massachusetts. This caught fire on February 17, 1927 and much of the church and organ were destroyed. One wooden pipe "D#" is in the Narragansett Historical Society Building in Templeton.
1328 Facts Concerning William M. Goodrich, Esq., Organ Builder—Copy from Manuscript in possession of Hook and Hastings Company.
1429 Information supplied by Mr. Francis E. Appleton from family records.
1530 A Hundred Years of Music in America p. 326.
1631 Goodrich, Henry A. Church Organs: Some Early Builders in New England p. 7 or 8.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.