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Note: b The British Institute of Organ Studies 2000 Avon, Bristol__Clifton Victoria Rooms, University of Bristol [N03899] Grid ref: ST5673 Survey date: 1935 University Music Department (Organ no longer present) Date Builder 1873 Robert Allen, Bristol organ by Hill, 1853, for Royal Panopticon, Leicester Square, London, (N16545), moved to triforium of St.Paul's Cathedral (1860-1873), rebuilt and installed here; 1900 Hope-Jones ALLEN Robert Born: 1832c Died: 1883 Established: Floruit: 1859-1883 Located: Bristol Trade: Old Brampton Cross references for this builder Willis & Sons - worked for (& trained by?) (1859) Address From To King Sq Ave, Bristol 1860D 1864D Phippen St, Bristol [16 in 1871 Census] 1865D 1873D 14 Somerset Sq, Bristol 1874D 1875D 17 Phippen St
Bristol Mirror, September 10th 1859, which says: "The organ [for Ebenezer Chapel, Bristol], having been rebuilt by Mr Robert Allen of King Square Avenue (the successor of Mr John Smith), was played for the first time..." Smith's last organ, at Barbados Cathedral, was opened in January 1859, and he died about a year later, having been ill for most of that time. The alleged 'William Allen of Bristol' connection is still intriguing however, since it occurs in so many places. I shall check the references. Robert Allen's organs are publicised in the columns of the Musical Standard from 1859 to 1879 (17 instruments).
Robert must have had good connections in Wantage: the Census records his apprentice Henry Allen Smith, born in that town. He was presumably a relation, judging by the name. Robert built a large organ at Wantage Parish Church in 1860, just as he was starting out, and a number of instruments in the Wantage/Reading area during the next few years.
Name: SMITH, John (junior) Address: 82 Stoke's Croft, St.Paul, Bristol Resident Name Relation Age Trade Born John Smith head 56 ob: 2 men Bristol (St.Paul) Sarah Smith wife 58 Bristol (St.Paul) Sebastian Smith son (age ?) 22 clerk Bristol (St.James) Clement Smith son 20 clerk Bristol (St.James) George Smith son 19 bootmaker Bristol (St.Michael) Nath(an?) Smith son 14 clerk Bristol (St.James) Mary Monday lodger 56 proprietor of house Clifton, Bristol
1891 census for Henry Allen Smith - Organ builder b. Wantage, Berkshire (b.2Q 1851) Wife - Fanny E age 39 b. Plymouth, Devon Son - Alfred H J age 17 - Carpenter's apprentice b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Emily G age 16 - Mantle maker b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Bertha C age 15 - Mantle maker b. Bristol, Gloucestershire Dau - Fanny E age 13 - b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Ruth J age 10 - b. Plymouth, Devon Son - William C age 6 - b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Ada L age 5 - b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Caroline M age 2 - b. Plymouth, Devon
1901 census for Albert Road, Plymouth Henry Allen Smith - Organ builder b. Wantage, Berkshire Wife - Fanny E age 49 b. Plymouth, Devon Son - Alfred H J age 27 - Carpenter b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Fanny E age 23 - Mantle maker b.Plymouth, Devon Dau - Ruth age 20 - Shop Assistant outfitters b. Plymouth, Devon Son - William C age 16 - Clerk b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Ada L age 15 - b. Plymouth, Devon Dau - Caroline M age 12 - b. Plymouth, Devon
Willis was completing one of his first important organs at Winchester Cathedral in 1854: it had been built for the Great Exhibition in 1851, but very much remodelled for Winchester, so it would have been a big job: Willis's men were evidently there for almost the whole of 1854. Installation began in January, but when it was first heard in June the press observed that quite a lot was still silent: the official opening recital was not until November.
Willis built a substantial organ at St Michael, Lambourne in 1858, very near Wantage, which still survives. Robert Allen presumably moved to Bristol in 1859 to take over John Smith's premises at King Square Avenue: he begins to advertize in the 'Musical Standard' at that point.
As for Henry Allen Smith, it is tempting to think that he is in fact a relation of John Smith junior (c.1794-1860)... The latter was a Moravian, and his nine sons and one daughter are fairly well documented in the Bristol Moravian archives: there are no visible Allen (or Wantage) connections.
Perhaps Henry Allen Smith was a grandson, though this is pure speculation.:
Census Reference: HO 107/0730 Year: 1841 born abt. 1811 Name: ALLEN, Charles Address: 11 Sutton Street, (Soho, London) Resident Name Relation Age Trade Born Charles Allen head 30 ob Middlesex Sarah Allen wife 25 Middlesex William Searle 25 coach maker not Middlesex Mary Searle 30 not Middlesex
ALLEN William [Guliemus] Floruit: 1794-1835c Located: London Trade: ob Remarks: William Allen, age 40, shoemaker, listed at 10 Sutton Str in 1841
Address From To 11 Sutton St, Soho, London 1794 1835D
Norfolk, Ingoldisthorpe St. Michael [N06394] Grid ref: TF6832 Survey date: 1959 Anglican Parish Church
Date Builder R. Allen, Bristol 1915 Norman & Beard New organ [Allen organ went to South Wootton Church] Wantage (SU4087) St. Peter and St. Paul Anglican Parish Church
N09898 IIIP(32) (CD+) - 1973 (Specification superseded)
c1850 Robert Allen 1886 Gray & Davison
Somerset Broomfield (ST2231) St. Mary and All Saints Anglican Parish Church
R00151 IP(7) (DHo) - 2001
Robert Allen
Dilton Marsh (ST8449) Holy Trinity Anglican Parish Church
N08425 IIP(19) (FDa+) - 1974
Robert Allen J.G. Haskins
1974 Geo Osmond & Co
Ludgershall (SU2650) St. James Anglican Parish Church
D00793 IIP(9) (AJF) - 1939
Robert Allen
WILL I ROBERT ALLEN recently of the City of Bristol Organ Builder but at present date residing at Winkon near Christchurch in the County of Hampshire carrying on a small drapery and grocery business being of sound mind thus publish and declare this my last Will and Testament revoking and annulling all former disposition of my property. I give and bequeath to my present dear wife Jane ALLEN for her sole and separate use during her natural life all my household goods and chattels and all monies now due or becoming due hereafter whether by Life Insurance or otherwise And I hereby appoint my aforesaid wife Jane sole Executrix. As witness my hand this fifth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three
May 5th 1883 Robert Allen signed acknowledged and declared by the said Robert Allen as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us being present at the same time in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses Thomas Hiscock Winkton and Charles Whitcher Winkton 5th May 1883
In the event of the death of my dear wife Jane happening before she has proved the foregoing Will then I desire that all my goods and chattels and anything connected with my estate be passed over to my very dear sister Elizabeth Ann ALLEN of Longdown Schools near Marchwood Southampton � Governess of schoolmistresses for her sole use and disposition as she may think fit as previously mentioned in reference to my wife Jane and I do hereby appoint my said sister Elizabeth Ann sole Executrix thereto as Witness my hand this 5th day of May one thousand eight hundred and eighty three. Witnesses Thomas Hiscock Winkton and Charles Whitcher Winkton Affidavits of due execution filed on the 1st day of September 1883 Probate of this Will was granted to Jane Allen widow the sole executrix
Gross value of estate �150.
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