Franklin History Shows Purchase of Rare Piano

A rare upright piano like the one purchased by Franklin’s David Gilchrist in 1846. Photo: Public domain

FRANKLIN — The following is a shortened version of the piece written in Albert Garneau’s book The Official History of Franklin, New Hampshire, Vol. I — The Birthplace of Daniel Webster, pp. 661–663. (To read the full story, please refer to the book.)

One of the rarest old pianos in the country, and probably the first upright ever built, was purchased by David Gilchrist of Franklin, in Boston in 1846. The bill of sale shows that it cost $100.

The piano was taken to the Governor Hancock Mansion and was originally owned by Governor John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. The piano was built by William Stodart of London, England.

“David Gilchrist was one the pioneers of the Town of Franklin. The piano was in the house at 50 North Main Street, which was referred to as the Old Gilchrist Mansion.

The Gilchrist Mansion in Franklin, taken around 1890–1891. Photo: Franklin Historical Society

“The piano was eight and a half feet tall, and stood on small legs two feet high. The piano stood in an old-style, low-posted room. When it was brought to Franklin, it was found to be too tall for the Gilchrist parlor. To meet the emergency, the parlor floor was lowered about a foot and a half. To play the piano, one had to sit upon a very low stool to work the pedals. The piano was one of exceeding richness and sweetness of tone, and probably figured in some very swell musicales.

“The Gilchrist house was a favorite resort for the young society people of Franklin, who gathered about the rare old piano and sang the old songs. Each side of the keyboard had a couple of revolving shelves where candles could be placed to light up the music. The woodwork of the piano was either mahogany or rosewood, inlaid with brass, the work showing great expense and having been done in a most artistic manner. The big door in the front of the springboard opened out, and, adjoining the harp-shaped music board, were shelves to keep the music.

“Hope R. Swain thinks that Leonard Davis bought the piano, and moved it to New York. Miss Hope Swain is a former Franklin Librarian.”

In 1969, when Benson Auto Company built their new garage, they bought the mansion house and demolished it. The exact location where the piano was located is now the north front end of Benson Auto Company’s showroom, where the new cars are displayed.