John Abbott
began 1832; still living as of writing (1890)
Biography
John Abbott trained in the shop of R. & W. Nunns before opening his own business at 66 Walker Street, New York, in 1832, quickly earning a reputation for well-made instruments, though he left the trade after a few years. In 1835 he won the gold medal at the Mechanics' Institute for a pianoforte that received special mention, and in 1836 he moved to 267 Bowery, where he exhibited a grand piano that took second premium at the Institute's fair. Spillane notes Abbott was still living at the time of writing and belonged to a family long connected with the piano trade; his brother James Abbott ran the action-making firm Abbott & Sons in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Highlights
- Trained in the shop of R. & W. Nunns before opening his own business at 66 Walker Street in 1832.
- Won the gold medal at the Mechanics' Institute in 1835 for a pianoforte.
- Exhibited a grand piano in 1836 that won second premium at the Mechanics' Institute.
Source
Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 159, 160.
Public domain.