Pipe Organ ca. 1850 Richard M. Ferris American The chamber organ is a moderately-sized piped organ. It typically has a single manual, a limited number of stops, and a limited pedalboard or no pedals at all. It is generally intended for use in small chapels, in homes, or other intimate rooms. As it is capable of long sustained tones, it is sometimes preferable to harpsichord as a continuo instrument in chamber ensembles. Such instruments might also be used in small churches, like those found in small towns and villages throughouth the United States in the nineteenth century. Chamber organs were largely usurped by reed organs after the middle of the century. Richard Ferris was born in New York City in 1818 and began an apprenticeship at the age of 12 with the builder Hall & Erben. In 1840, he established his own workshop, first located on Fulton Street in Manhattan. In 1857, he went into partnership with his half-brother L. U. Stuart and the firm became Richard Ferris & Co. Ferris died i