From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, by David H. Fox (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1991). —

Born c. 1829 in England; in Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by 1853; in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, by 1856; returned to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by 1864; died August 12, 1877.

Staff: John W. Neel; John Wright.

Sources:

• Barbara Owen, The Organ in New England (Raleigh: Sunbury Press, 1979), 411.
• Robert Sutherland Lord, "John Roberts: Philadelphia and Cambridgeport Organ Builder (1850-1877)", The Tracker 23:3 (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1979), 3.
• Stephen L. Pinel, "Organbuilders and Their Families: in the Population Schedules of the Federal and State Census Surveys", The Tracker: 32:1 (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1988), 26.

Testimonial from Thomas Appleton published in Philadelphia: SALEM, MASS., March 10, 1869--I do hereby certify to the full and entire ability of Mr. John Roberts, now of Frankford, Philadelphia, in the capacity of either organ builder, repairer, tuner or voicer of church organs. Signed by Thomas Appleton The Father Organ Builder of Boston, Mass. Facilities for the building of first-class organs, in every department, unsurpassed. Orders respectfully solicited. The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) · Wed, Mar 17, 1869 · Page 5