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NOTES AND QUERIESNow straight into a mixed bag of enquiries. The whereabouts of a photograph or other likeness of T.C. Lewis (for Eduard Robbins, 66 Wealden Way, Haywards Heath); info. on Mott whose organ Lincoln removed from St Michael, Cambridge; J. Murgatroyd of Bradford, whose large 3 manual at Muff Field Chapel was opened by Alfred Hollins in 1892; William Munn Chambers of Stroud, 1863; Costello of Isleworth; W.F Stoneham of London; and Victor de Pontigny not an organ-builder, but contributor of organ -uilders' entries in the original 'Grove'. Murgatroyd built several other organs, but I know nothing about him. Costello (never in partnership with Abbott^) is properly Costloe, of South Street, Isleworth, for 30 years or so. Lightwood records an 1876 advertisement for F. F. Costloe & Sons (l), but the only plate I have seen is just 'Costloe & Son' on a rebuild at Isleham (Cambs), formerly at All Saints, Newmarket (l8?7). The firm built an organ at Abridge about 1865, and repaired and cared for St Katherine Coleman 1862-7. A.Costloe (one of the sons?) was advertising organ 'bargains' for sale in 1885 (2), and in 1891 Augustin Costloe was organist of St John Baptist R.C. Church, Brentford. " There was a William Chambers, who might conceivably be the one mentioned, in Oxford, 'Corner of Mr West's Livery Stables, St Aldgates'. He made an organ for the Hornton Methodists about l829, and one at Deddington (where a picture may be seen) in 1840, both in Oxfordshire. Stoneham of 152 Hazlewood Crescent, Westbourne Park, is recorded at Percy Road Chapel, Kilburn, in l893, and at Great Cheverell in Wilts. A Stoneham organ exists in France (3); probably a rebuild, considering the date and description. Pontigny I cannot help with; but I often wish he had had more to say, and had doublechecked a few statements. Incidentally, I am informed that T. R. Willis (4) was for some years organist of St James the Great, Bethnal Green. Grosvenor Chapel 1732; Sperling attributes it to Jordan, Information asked on any history before the 1930 rebuild which, the organist tells me, 'killed it stone dead*. Gerard Smith has also been credited with it, on what evidence, I know not. Description and fate of an organ formerly at Quernmore, and the 1832 ex-barrel once at Nenthead and previously at Alston (old church). St Peter, Wyndham Square, Plymouth is said to have been originally by Green (5); history, please, and does any pipework survive? (rebuilt, Hele 1898). St Peter, Heysham (Lanes) has an organ with a mutilated "goth' front, said to have come from St George's Chapel Windsor, via a Manchester church. Any information welcomed. Description and provenance of organ and case recently moved to Bywell St Peter. Rumours of Father Smith have been attached to Stainforth, one wonders on what basis. In 1921, Stuart Archer visited a small house-organ complete with Cornet, which was in use in a church then being built at St Budeaux. There was a mahogany case and a shifting-movement. Is this still extant? It is well known that Renatus Harris was asked in 1686 to repair the organ at Magdalen College, Oxford 'because his grandfather made it first' (6); and as there was a payment of £40 pro ecclesio. to someone named Harris in 1637, Dr Bloxam said this was 'evidently for the purchase of a new organ' though it would have been rather small for such a purpose and the mysterious 'grandfather Harris' came into the craft. There must of course have been such a person; but people usually have two grancdfathers, and Thomas Dallam was the other one, as has long been realised. In looking through records when studying the chayre organ, I found some which lead me to believe that the £40 was paid to 'Harris ye Joyner', and not to an organ builder. For example, at New College in 1663 there was a payment to him (7). Had Renatus' paternal grandfather been an organ builder, one would have expected Renatus' father to have worked with him, and not to have been 'Old Dallow's servant' (8). In 1742 this advertisement appeared (9); *Any person that will undertake to set 8 or 10 Psalm Tunes upon an organ to perform on pleasure without playing upon the Keys, are desired to send what the Charge will be, directed to Mr Povey,athis House, No 3, in Little Ryliffe Street, Goodman's Fields, and and if the Terms are agreeable, he will come to them to have the Work accompli shed... After the Decease of the proprietor, this instrument is given to the Parish Church of Newington Butts, Southwark'. Charles Povey (10) was a noted pamphleteer, often political and sometimes radical. Of his numerous business enterprises, only the foundation of what became the Sun Fire Office achieved stability. He invented a fire-extinguisher, and organised a halfpenny letter post in London and Westminster in 1709; in each case (to borrow Hinton's tactful phrase about C. S. Barker) 'profiting by the experiments' of others. The authorities took legal action to stop his postal activities. He liberally supported charitable and ecumenical works, and organised weekly concerts in St Martins-le-Grand, in which leading musicians performed. In his Will, dated 1743 (it) he bequeaths to the church mentioned his 'great organ, being five feet in depth, six feet in the front, nine and a half feet in height, containing three sets of keys', together with fifteen guineas towards setting it up. He records that'Mr Aaron Davis, an organ maker' had contracted to 'cause the said organ to play six several Psalm Tunes and four Voluntaries...without any persons playing on the keys thereof as also the bellows of the said Organ to move ... and perform by clockwork'. Is Aaron Davis otherwise known to fame? And did the church, pulled down a few years later, receive this gift? (1) M.T. 1/1876. (2) M.T. 3/1885. (3) The Organ LIV l46. (4) Reporter V 1,2. (5) M.O. 1902. (6) J.R.Bloxam Registers of St. Mary Magdalen College Oxford Vol.ii pp. C & CXXVII. (7) BIOS Journal 4 22.7) H. & R. 1877 120-1. (9) Daily Advertiser 23 November 1742. (10) D.N.B. (11) Daily Post 1 8c 8 July 1743. Relics Department: I do not propose to start an Exchange and Mart column; but the Father Willis keys and pistons found an appreciative home, and from the same stable there is a carved 'trophy', a little damaged, with rampant bird, which stood guard over the console at St Peter, Blackburn; and a five-slider charge pneumatic pedal touch box. |