Page:The Early English Organ Builders and their work.djvu/49

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Organ Builders.
37

bration of the psalmody of the church." According to this resolution, money was collected, and arrangements entered into with Renatus Harris, who erected the organ at present standing in the church.[1]

Nothing more is known of Anthony Duddyngton, "citizen of London"; but it is more than probable that many of the old City organs, destroyed in the great fire, were of his construction.

Organs were not mute in our country parish-churches during the sixteenth century, and constant mention of them is to be found in old accounts.

Among the local builders who have entirely escaped notice, is one Robartt, who lived at Crewkerne about the time of the Reformation. He was an "orgynmaker," who let out organs to churches by the year. Probably this might have

  1. Harris's organ originally consisted of Great Organ and Echo—the predecessor of the modern Swell—and served the worship of the church some forty years. In 1720 it was enlarged and repaired by Gerrard Smith, nephew of the famous Father Smith.