The Mayor of Boston ordered the cities Bells to be rung in his honor.Ĭhickering was a member of St. Over 800 people marched in parade at Chickering's funeral, many coming from the various societies of which he was a member. Chickering held several patents including one for a single piece iron frame for a piano. This was almost twice of his closest competitor. At the time of his passing, Chickering's company had produced 12,000 pianos, roughly 1,500 per year for an annual revenue of $200,000. Unfortunately Chickering never lived to see his new factory completed, passing away on December 8th, 1853. At the same time he ordered a new, steam powered factory be created, providing the specifications himself. Chickering found a new temporary factory and went back to work. Also lost were prototypes for a new grand piano. In 1852, shortly before Chickering's passing the factory burned down, putting 200 workers out of work and causing a loss of $250,000. Chickering mortgaged the factory in order to buy out Mackay's relatives. In 1837, the two men built a new five story piano factory which included a concert hall. In 1830, Chickering started working with John Mackay, a local merchant as well as a piano and organ maker. One of the mechanical arts was architecture and masonry. They were arts unbecoming of a 'free' man, considered servile and vulgar. The 'mechanic arts', coming from a medieval concept, are considered to be in contrast to the seven liberal arts and sciences. Explore the history of the piano, which was made by Boston’s Chickering & Son, its connection to Historic Beverly and the role it played in 18th and 19th century social life. The organization was 'formed for the sole purposes of promoting the mechanic arts and extending the practice of benevolence.' Paul Revere was a member of the organization as well. In 1829, Chickering joined the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. They dissolved the business after four years. In 1823 they had sold 15 pianos at $275 each. He formed a business with James Stewart, a piano maker in Boston, and the two began producing pianos. In Boston he worked for a short time with another cabinet maker before going into the piano business. In 1818, Chickering moved to Boston with the permission of the master cabinet maker with whom he was apprenticed. When he was old enough Chickering apprenticed with a cabinet maker for three years. He was raised in nearby New Ipswich, New Hampshire where his father owned a farm and had a blacksmith business. Jonas Chickering was an American piano maker and innovator.Ĭhickering was born on April 5th, 1798 in Mason Village (now Greenville), New Hampshire. Today in Masonic History Jonas Chickering passes away in 1853.

Chickering piano history