Meacham
Meacham, Meacham and Co., Meacham & Pond
The Met says that “John Meacham was one of the earliest musical instrument makers native to the United States, having been born in Enfield, Connecticut, in 1785. He began manufacturing instruments in about 1810 in Albany, New York. His brother Horace, born about 1787, joined him in 1813. Horace had a son, Roswell, who was born in Connecticut about 1810. The Meachams also sold hardware and military goods. The company became Meacham and Pond in 1828 when the brothers partnered with Sylvanus Pond.”
A database of U.S. craftspersons at Ancestry.com lists John Meacham as a musical instrument maker in directories on Lodge Street in 1815 and 1816, and at 86 and 88 North Pearl, variously, from 1817 through 1827. In 1829 and 1830 he had moved to 24 Montgomery Street. Horace was listed separately, at 76 N. Pearl in 1820-21, and 33 Maiden Lane in 1822-27.
The earliest local newspaper article mentioning the Meacham brothers is from May 1822, an advertisement in the Argus for the Military & Music Store of J. & H. Meacham at No. 34 State street.
“Are receiving daily supplies of Military Goods consisting of all pattern and quality SABRES, Plated, Gilt and Steel Scabbards, or all descriptions; Plain and embroidered EPAULETTES, WINGS, and CORDONS; Lace, Cord and Tassels, and all kinds of Military Trimmings; BUTTONS, in great variety; PISTOLS, Muskets, Rifles, Fur and Leather Caps, and elegant Silk Standards."
ALSO,
“Common and Patent six keyed BUGLES, Double Bass Drums, with the Bust of Washington in the center, and all other kinds of Drums; Plain, Eagle and Ornamental Painting, and all instruments for Martial and Bands of Music; all of which are warranted, and will be sold for cash or approved credit, at the New-York prices.
Also – Pianos, and an elegant ORGANIZED PIANO FORTE.
All orders promptly executed.
Albany, May 3, 1822.”
The Meachams also took on a partner, Sylvanus Billings Pond, who was born in Milford, VT in 1792, and married an Albany girl, Elizabeth Mayell, in 1823. Once source says he was a piano maker in Albany by 1820; he later moved to New York City, in 1832, joined the Firth and Hall, which later, as Firth, Pond & Co., was the principal publisher of Stephen Foster songs., Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of Musicians says that he was a partner in the publishing house of Meacham and Pond from 1820. The American Booksellers Guide of 1869 says that Meacham and Pond were among the three earliest music sellers of whom they could find any trace. In 1831, Meacham and Pond advertised that they would accept second hand piano fortes “in exchange for new instruments, at a reasonable valuation.”
In 1842, John Meacham was declared bankrupt. Horace Meacham was separately declared bankrupt in 1843. We find nothing more about the firm after that. It appears that he lived until Dec. 8, 1844, dying at 59, and that Horace lived until 1861. Meacham rated a mention in Munsell’s Annals, but not much more. It’s rather surprising that what was clearly a pioneering company got so little attention at the time, and we don’t know exactly when the company stopped making pianos. In 1860, Horace was still listed in the census as a piano forte maker, but he would only live another year.
Carl Johnson - December 13, 2018
https://hoxsie.org/2018/12/31/meacham-pianos-of-albany/
16 ½” diameter by 15 ¼” tall.
The maple shell is decorated with a common tack design used by the Meachams, consisting of one vertical row of brass tacks and iron nails, and another vertical row of tacks divided into three sections of 3/5/3. Two concentric circles surround the vent with a diamond pattern above and below the vent. A bone insert decorates the vent.
The counter hoops are 1 3/8" tall and painted red. They are secured with iron nails, as seen to the left, and drilled for ten holes.
Some labels have ink scribbled over a word or phrase, such as this example, or sections cut out. This was done because Sylvanus Pond left the company and these labels contained his name. Rather than waste the labels, they chose to use them and simply removed his name. It helps us to date those drums to around 1832, the year Pond left to join Firth and Hall.
The guts are made from one wide piece cut into strips, and then twisted. This image shows small brass rods that have been inserted through the gut to keep it secure between the counter hoop and flesh hoop.
What happens often to the area above the rope holes is cracking. Sometimes the holes were drilled too close to the top, and over time the tension of the rope causes the wood to crack. Therefore, instead of making an entirely knew counter hoop, iron pieces were riveted over the cracks, which can be seen extending parallel to the drum head.
I had replaced the rope on this drum, but chose to utilize the leather braces that came with it. These are simple in construction and have pinked edges, which is common to see. Rawhide lace was used to tie the braces together, which can be seen hanging down from behind.
16 to 16 3/16" diameter by 13 5/16" tall. Manufactured 1820-1827.
Faux wood grain has been painted on the shell, as well as a floral pattern of red, green, and yellow throughout the tack design. I have examined a few "Meacham" labeled drums that exhibit this sort of odd decoration.
A close-up of the scarf joint shows the use of both brass tacks and iron nails along the seam. Also, the painted decoration was added before the tacks were applied,
From the inside, you can see the very plain grain of the wood, which helps us to understand why a faux grain was added. This also shows the vertical row of iron nails on the right, which have caused the wood to darken. The brass shanks of the tacks have been peened over as well. Also, a nice glimpse of the reinforcing hoops which have not only been glued, but also nailed into place.
When restoring drums, or studying them, I will often come across sets of Roman Numerals cut into the bearing edges of shells, and the bottoms of counter hoops. Unlike the mass production we have today, each drum was made as a set. So, counter hoops were made to fit a certain shell, and the Roman Numerals allowed the maker to match the pieces quickly.
1 11/16" tall counter hoops painted red and drilled for ten holes.
As we see here, the placement of iron nails is identical to the above mentioned drum. Also, the rope holes are drilled relatively close to the top of the rim. It is lucky that they did not crack over time.
The label reads, "New Military Store./ J. & H. Meacham,/ No. 84 State-street, Albany,/ Have just received by the latest arrivals, direct from the manufactories of England & France,/ a complete assortment of MILITARY GOODS, of/ every description, which they offer, at Wholesale or/ Retail, as cheap as can be purchased in the United/ States."
A rare Meacham manufactured drum with beautiful eagle emblazonment. A magnificent eagle, with spread wings, is perched on an American shield flanked by two bundles of flowers. Twelve stars shine above his head, and one graces the top of the shield, totaling thirteen.
The label displays a triangular cut where the name "Pond" would be, an indication of a manufacture date of around 1832. Under the word "ALBANY," it reads, "Military Importers from England and France./ Manufacturers of various kinds of Musical Instruments, and Rifles, Muskets, Leather Caps,/ and Military Equipments in general."
To the left, another label to show the removal of "Pond's" name. Apparently, this drum was repaired by "George B. Stone & Son".
17” diameter by 18” tall
“Made and Sold/By
Meacham (___)/ 84 State Street/ Albany/Importers from England and France/ Manufacturers of Various musical In-/-struments, and rifles, and muskets, leather caps, And military equipments in general.”
A good representation of a Meacham manufactured drum with signature brass tack design and bone vent insert.
The leather braces and metal hooks are later additions, but the shell and hoops are most certainly original components of the instrument.
"This particular drum was used by Drummer John Bolles of Company D, 21st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
Bolles was mustered into service at 27 years of age from his hometown of Ashford, Connecticut, on September 5, 1862 and served through all the actions and engagements the 21st Connecticut was involved with, such as the Battle of Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Drewry’s Bluff, Cold Harbor, The Siege of
23" diameter by 21" tall.
This bass drum, made by the Meachams, would make a perfect match to the snare drum above. It has been restored with the addition of new ropes, heads, and leather braces.
Like the snare drum above, this bass drum utilizes the same basic placement of brass tacks and iron nails, as well as the red, yellow, and green painted decorations.
Even though this label is partially missing, there is enough information to conclude a manufacture date of 1813-1819. The key to this is the address listed: "104 State Street."
23 ¾” diameter by 21 ¼” tall. Manufactured 1820-1827.
Keeping with tradition, this J. & H. Meacham labeled bass drum carries a similar tack design as previously studied drums.
The shell and counter hoops appear to be the same color. It may be the case, that the shell was a very plain grain, and it was decided to paint the whole shell. Two iron carry hooks have also been placed on the shell to attach a sling.
The red painted counter hoops are drilled for twelve holes. The skin heads look to be very old, if not original, to the drum.