Henry Erben
1835ca.

From The Republican Journal, Belfast, Maine, 16 July 1835. "A neat and elegant organ was put up in the Unitarian Church in this city, last week, from the manufactory of Mr. Henry Erben, New-York; being the third in this place built by the same gentleman, all of whom [sic] have given complete satisfaction, [Savannah Georgian]."

"The above extract affords us an opportunity to say that the same gentleman has just put up in the Unitarian Church in this village an organ, which for neatness and elegance of workmanship, andfor melody and softness of tone, will not suffer in comparison with any instruments of the kind in this state. Those qualified to judge, pronounce it superior to any they have seen or heard. We rejoice to see the good taste which seems to prevail in our section of the country, in relation to church music. The organ, it must be allowed on all hands, contributes more to the solemnity of religious experiences than any other in fact, all other instruments of music put together. Its deep toned, full-swelling melody carries with it a feeling of devotion which nothing else can supply."

The Erben organ arrived in July 1835, and cost $710, raised by subscription; when it was replaced in 1848, it brought $400. What became of it after that, research has this far failed to reveal. -- 1992 OHS Handbok