Henry Erben
1850ca.

From the 1992 OHS Handbook:
The Henry Erben organ was for many years In the Advent Christian Church in Biddeford, Maine. Its original provenance is unknown. After being owned briefly by Brian Franck of Auburn, and by the Beehive, in Alfred, Maine, the instrument was purchased by Bates College in 1977 through the Organ Clearing House, and restored by the Andover Organ Co. under the direction of Robert Newton.

The organ has undergone some mechanical changes since it was first built. Dudley Jardine signed the interior of the windchest in 1861, and it seems likely that it was the Jardine firm which added the pedal keyboard at that time. The manual keyboard originally folded up into the case, but Is now fixed in place, to allow permanent coupling lo the pedal keyboard. Horizontal shutters, now removed, were controlled by a hitch-down swell pedal.

The date 1850 and the names of Erben workmen D. A Carnes and J. E. Ayres are inscribed on the pipework, the latter on MC of the St. Diapason Treble 8', a common metal Chimney Flute, and the former on TF of the common metal Dulciana 8' (along with the name "Barney's"). Low C of the common metal Principal 4' Is inscribed "D . Kelly N . York. / Dec 5 1850 / 3rd scale / #2".

Status Note: There 1992

OCH. From Advent Christian, Biddeford, ME c. 1978. Altered Jardine1861. 15 note pedal permanently coupled (no pipes). Restored Andover 1978, 1-3. Manual originally folded up.