Jonas Chickering

Jonas Chickering was born in Mason Village, and raised in nearby New Ipswich, New Hampshire, where his father Abner Chickering kept a farm and worked as a blacksmith. Chickering apprenticed for three years as a cabinetmaker with John Gould. In 1818, Chickering secured Gould's permission to moved to Boston, where he worked for cabinetmaker James Baker for a year, then for pianomaker John Osborn at 12 Orange Street.

In 1823, Chickering formed a partnership with pianomaker James Stewart; they sold their first piano on June 23, 1823, for $275. That first year, they produced 15 pianos at workshops at 20 Common Street. Stewart & Chickering dissolved after four years.

In 1830 Chickering became associated with John Mackay, a merchant and organ- and pianomaker who had worked with Alpheus Babcock. They did business as Chickering & Co. at 416 Washington street. In 1837, Chickering & Mackays (with Mackay's son William H. Mackay) built a five-story factory with warerooms and a small concert hall at 334 Washington Street, and a warehouse at Franklin square.

After John Mackay was lost at sea in February 1841, Chickering mortgaged the factory and bought out the Mackays' shares in installments. The Washington Street factory burned on December 1, 1852, putting out of work more than 200 workmen. The $250,000 loss included tools, patterns, and a nearly completed prototype for a grand piano (later indicated as being overstrung). Chickering organized a temporary factory, and began construction of a new steam-powered factory started at 791 Tremont Street, designed by Edward Payson to Chickering's specifications.