Taws 1791 Square Piano
The square piano originated in Germany around 1742 and, unlike Cristofori’s fortepiano, almost immediately became the most popular piano style from St. Petersburg to London, and beyond. The maker of this piano, Charles Taws, emigrated from Scotland and settled in Philadelphia in 1787. This instrument is thought to be the earliest American piano both signed and dated by its maker.


The first square pianos were inexpensive and promoted domestic music-making. By mid-century they were being mass produced by several US companies.”It has long been the custom with wretched Forte Piano makers in the city, to bribe needy or sordid musicians, for the purpose of recommending their bad instruments to the incautious buyer.” Charles Taws and Sons advertisement in Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, February 21, 1816

The instrument was made by Charles Taws of Philadelphia. Taws was a piano maker and organ builder, as well as a music publisher. His son, Joseph C. Taws was a pianist and composer.

According to History of the Pianoforte (New York, 1890), Taws arrived in New York in 1785 from Scotland, went into business tuning harpsichords and settled in Philadelphia in 1788 and began manufacturing pianos. According to the book, Taws was making piano fortes in Philadelphia before 1795. His name appears in a Philadelphia directory as a music maker in 1793.

We can assume it may be as early as 1790 because the piano located in Pittsburgh by Richard Butler was given to his daughter in 1791.