© 2008 Tony Kirkman
London, UK -
The Musical Kirkmans originated around mid 1500's in Niederoesch, Switzerland. In the mid 1600's the family moved from Switzerland to the village of Bischwiller, Alsace (then in Germany but now in France). Around 1650 Hans Peter Kirchmann established himself in Bischwiller. At that time he was a weaver by trade. He married Marie Branget who was of Huguenot origins.
In 1710 Jacob, his grandson, was born. Jacob Kirchman emigrated to London in the early 1730s and became the foreman for the eminent harpsichord manufacturer Hermann Tabel. When Tabel died in 1738, Abraham married his widow, formed a partnership with his nephew Abraham, anglicised their names and took over the business.
During the 18th century, the Kirckmans manufactured 1,000 to 2,000 harpsichords.
Famed for excellence, the Kirckmans sold harpsichords until 1809, notably to Queen
Charlotte, wife of King George III; Virginia tobacco planter Thomas Jefferson, and
a pre-
The Kirkmans switched to manufacturing pianos when they became the premier keyboard instrument in the early 19th century. The family’s piano works, located on London’s Broad Street, Golden Square, was destroyed by a fire on August, 20, 1853, but the business survived until it was sold to a competitor in 1898.
Another Jacob Kirkman, a nephew of harpsichord-
Currently, there are three Kirckman harpsichords in Colonial Williamsburg and one, made in 1758, is on display in the ballroom of the picturesque, recreated Governor’s Palace. Kirckman harpsichords also can be viewed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; at Yale University, New London, CT, and in the Boston and New York City Museums of Fine Art.
Click for more on the story of the Kirkman harpsichord and pianoforte manufacturers, and for descendant Stephen Kirkman’s web site.
Key Locations
- Bischweiler, France
- Soho Square
- Hammersmith
- Kensington
- Surrey