|
1222 |
|
Earliest definitive mention of the church as a chapel of the mother parish of St Margaret's. |
|
1524 |
|
The date of the first volume of the Churchwardens accounts (no longer extant but transcribed and publised in an edition by J.V. Kitton in 1901). In the early years they suggest that there were three bells in the belfry through references to the "littill bell" (1525), "Midull bell" (1532-3) and "grete bell" (1528) as well as a "santis bell" (1533-4). |
|
1537 |
|
The old bells were all recast for £13 and hung in a new frame at a cost of £5.13.4. The number of bells is not indicated but the accounts for 1538-9 mention the first payment to the ringers (4s) and purchase of four bellropes, possibly implying that there were by now four bells. |
|
1538 |
|
The Churchwardens Accounts mention the acquisition of 4 bell ropes. In this period a saunce bell was given to the church. |
|
1542 |
|
St Martin's was made a separate parish by letters patent of Henry VIII. Rebuilding of the church started over the next two years. |
|
1545 |
|
One of the bells ("the lytyll bell", implying the treble) was recast at Hounsditch by an unidentified founder. for a little over £2. Possible contenders working in Hounsditch at the time include William Culverden and John & Robert Owen, the Royal gunfounders. Another candidate is Peter Bawde who operated as a bellfounder and gunfounder at Hounsditch in the 1530s but seems to have been working in Sussex by 1543. |
|
1570 |
|
The fourth bell was recast with extra metal at a cost of £3.2.4. Again, the bellfounder is not named. The accounts show that the sum of £3.12.2. was collected in the parish "to paye for the newe castinge of the broken bell". |
|
1573 |
|
A clock was put up at the expense of Messrs Hatton, Mackwilliams and the rest of the gentlemen of the parish. This showed the time on an outside dial and struck the hours on one of the bells, both the dial and the clock hammer being mentioned in the later accounts. |
|
1580 |
|
The tenor was recast by Hugh Walker, at the second attempt. The weight was increased from 9-1-6 to 10-0-9. A collection to raise funds for this recasting began the previous year: of the total cost of £4.18.3, the sum of £2.19.0 was raised by a special collection with the rest was met from church funds. |
|
1584 |
|
The whole ring was recast into a new ring of five by Robert Mot. A subscription was raised for the purpose the previous year, and 67 named subscribers raised £25.4.6. The new tenor probably weighed about 15 cwt and the total weights of the bells was increased from about 30 cwt to 50 cwt, as was recorded in later accounts. Robert Mot received payment of £14.6s on 6 May 1584. |
|
1586 |
|
The treble was recast by Hugh Walker for which he was paid £13.7s. The wording of the accounts is ambiguous as it suggests that a fifth bell was added, but the balance of evidence suggests that the treble was simply recast (unless mention of a fifth bell in 1584 was erroneous). [12] |
|
1592 |
|
The tenor was recast by Laurence Wright (at a cost of £10). [13] |
|
1593 |
|
The treble and 4th were recast by Laurence Wright. [14] |
|
1595 |
|
Church inventories began to unequivocally quote the number of bells in the tower, starting with the five bells plus saints bell. [15] |
|
1604 |
|
The ring of five was recast into a ring of six by Robert Mot and rehung with partly new frames and fittings. It is likely that the tenor weight was increased to 19 cwt. [16] |
|
1605 |
|
One of the bells was exchanged by Robert Mot soon after the ring was installed. It was quite common for bells to be guaranteed for a year and a day from the time of first ringing, and so the cost of recasting would have been borne by the founder. The bell is not identified, but it may have been the third as the accounts include a payment "for Iron used for the third Bell". [17] |
|
1606 |
|
The church was significantly enlarged from 1606 over the next 3 years. [18] [19] |
|
1607 |
|
The fourth was recast by Robert Mot at a cost of £10.16.11. |
|
1628 |
|
The clock, which used to strike on one of the ringing bells, was made to strike on the Saints bell. This bell had just been recast by Thomas Bartlet of Whitechapel, who had increased its weight from 1-2-15 to 2-3-13 to make it more suitable for the purpose. [20] |
|
1631 |
|
The second was recast by Thomas Bartlet. Bartlet died between December 1631 when the bell was cast and 26 March 1632 when the account for £5.15.4. was settled with his widow, Eleanor Bartlett, who gave a bond “to warrant the said Bell to continue sounde, and tuneable for a yeare”. [21] |
|
1648 |
|
The second bell was again recast, this time by Francis Knight of Reading with 56lb of additional metal. [22] |
|
1663 |
|
The north east tower was rebuilt to the designs of Richard Ryder after he and John Davenport had surveyed the old one in 1662 (others consulted includes Edward Marshall). Work commenced in 1663-4 and was completed in 1669-70. The original estimate of 1663 for the rebuilding included provision of £50 “For a New bell frame for 5 bells with new stocks & hanging of them”. By the time the work was nearing completion six years later the parish had more ambitious plans for its bells. Rather than simply put the old bells back in the new tower the parishioners decided to have a new ring. |
|
1669 |
|
On 3 May the vestry considered “how many bells shalbe hanged in ye Tower”. It was agreed that there should be “Six good & sonable bells” and the churchwardens were empowered to obtain them “with all convenient speed” and instructed “to take care alsoe that they bee well hanged”. The new ring of six was cast by William Eldridge I of Chertsey and the frame by the local carpenter, Wilcox. [23] [24] |
| c |
1670 |
|
At some point in this decade there was a benefaction by Nell Gwynn (who died 1687) for a dinner and ale for six ringers to ring for an hour every Thursday evening. This was discontinued by 1742. |
|
1672 |
|
The tower was capped with a new cupola to a design by Sir Christopher Wren and built by Wilcox. Presumably the Bartlet bell of 1628 was hung in this new cupola and reconnected to the clock. |
| c |
1675 |
|
"Six bells" listed in the inventory of c.1675. [25] |
|
1708 |
|
There was a record of 6 bells in the tower. |
|
1713 |
|
On 15 Nov, the Vestry noted that most of the bells were broken and useless. A month later it ordered the churchwardens to get quotes from Matthew Bagley and Richard Phelp's bell foundries and select the cheapest. Matthew Bagley was chosen and on 13 Jan 1713/14 they approved the draft articles between Bagley and the parish. [26] [27] [28] [29] |
|
1714 |
|
The new ring of eight with a tenor of 23-1-5 was cast by Matthew Bagley and hung in March. Payment of £150 was authorised bythe Vestry on 15 Feb. Paterson noted "eight bells newly cast and hung up this month of March 1714". [30] [31] |
|
1717 |
|
There were concerns about the safety of the church. The walls were being forced outwards by the weight of the roof and the old building was comparatively ramshackle and inferior compared with neighbouring churches. The parishioners therefore petitioned for an Act of Parliament to allow them to rebuild the church and raise money for the purpose. |
|
1721 |
|
Before work could begin on demolishing the old church the parish had to make alternative provision for holding services while the new church was being built. They erected a temporary church (known as the Tabernacle) at the edge of the churchyard, transferring various items to it including the organ, a clock and two of the bells, the Saints Bell and the fifth. The remaining bells were placed in the vaults below. The first stone of the new church was laid on 19 Mar, designed by James Gibbs and costing £33,661. [32] [33] |
|
1723 |
|
It is unclear when it was decided to replace the bells, but on 7 Sept 1723 the newspapers reported that new a set of bells was to be cast in the Country. [34] |
|
1724 |
|
It was announced that the Prince of Wales (the future George II) had offered a substantial contribution towards the cost of the bells, indeed, the word was that he had provided them. This might have been an attempt to snub or rival his father (George I) who had given the organ. In practice there is little evidence he was quite that generous as there was plenty of other activity to raise the money. The Vestry met on 3 Nov to confirm the scope of the new ring of bells. It was agreed nem con that there should be eight. A month later the Vestry met again on 8 Dec to consider the suggestion that two more bells should be added to make a ring of ten. This was agreed, and furthermore, the tenor was to be no lighter than 30 cwt. Reports at the time noted that there had been an aspiration for a ring of twelve, but the design of the tower had to be amended during construction in 1724 to thicken the walls by six inches on each side to better carry the weight of the spire. This restriction was throught to make the tower incapable of holding twelve. The new steeple, built in Portland stone, was completed on 19 December. [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] |
|
1725 |
|
Rather have the clock strike on one of the ringing bells, it was decided by Vestry on 3 May to order an additional separate bell for this purpose, serving also as a Saints Bell. Rudhall was having difficulty producing bells of the chosen quality, and he needed to recast a number of them. On 19 Jun he wrote to the Churchwarden explaining that there would be a delay to their delivery. In the meantime, John and Richard Williams, local carpenters who had earlier built the frame at St Bride's, were contracted to build the frame at St Martin's and hang the bells, when they arrive. [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] |
|
1726 |
|
The bells were finally ready, delivered in April and were installed in June or July. On 20 July, the Duke of Somerset visited and donated 100 guineas towards the bells. This money was set aside to provide two additional bells. Rudhall's bill came to £525.2.9 with a further charge of £45.6.9 for the clock bell. The try out took place on 1 Aug (the anniversary of the King's accession) and £300 of the bill was paid. However the tenor wasn't considered satisfactory, and despite's Rudhall's insistance on being paid the balance, only a further £200 was paid. The two bells in the Tabernacle were also sent to Rudhall in part settlement. The church was consecrated and officially opened on 20 October, but the bells were rung in advance of that. The first peal attempt was on 10 Oct by the Society of College Youth, sadly unsuccessful following a broken rope after 3 hours of ringing. The second attempt on 17 Oct was more successful. [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] |
|
1727 |
|
Two further bells were ordered from Rudhall to make the ring up to twelve. The "untunable" tenor was probably replaced at the same time, the cost of which was borne by Rudhall as part of his contract, although the parish paid for carriage and hanging. The bellframe by the Williams brothers was also found to be unsatisfactory, so a new frame was built by William Cole (or Coles) in which all twelve bells could hang on one level. THis cost £51.11.6. Later in the year the treble of the twelve was replaced, and in December Cole was paid £1.1.0 for hanging the new bell (which again, Rudhall would have had to have substituted as part of his guarantee). [61] [62] [63] [64] |
|
1728 |
|
There was a peal ringing competition on 18 Mar between the College Youths and another band of London bellringers. The College Youths were noted to have produced a particularly fine performance. In September the frames for the two trebles needed to be altered and the bells were rehung by Cole. On 22 Oct the gudgeons on the tenor broke causing much consternation amongst the ringers. [65] [66] [67] |
|
1737 |
|
The Society of Union Scholars rang a peal.of Grandsire Triples on 24 Feb. [68] |
|
1758 |
|
The 3 trebles were replaced by Abraham Rudhall. The old 2nd went to All Saints, Fulham (where it remains). There is no doubt that the treble and third were replaced One of them went to All Saints, Fulham (where it remains). The other two were recast. |
|
1770 |
|
The 2nd (of 12) was recast by Thomas Rudhall. [69] |
|
1788 |
|
The first ever peal of Stedman Cinques was rung here, on 6 Oct. [70] |
|
1790 |
|
The bellfounders George Hedderly and John Briant visited the belfry and took detailed measurements and drawings of the frame. These show that the bells were hung on one level. Later inspections show that by 1900 (if not before) the frame was altered to improve the circle, with bells 1 and 2 hung in an upper tier above numbers 3 and 4. The rest of the frame was clearly unaltered between 1727 and 1922 when it was removed. [71] |
|
1840 |
|
The Service Bell was rehung by Thomas Mears. |
|
1912 |
|
Some work was carried out when the bells were said to have been "rehung", but the repairs must have been on a modest scale. |
|
1922 |
|
The bells were retuned and rehung by Mears and Stainbank in a new iron frame. They were rededicated on 11 Nov. |
|
1987 |
|
The 12 bells were removed and sold to Perth in Western Australia as part of the Australian Bicentenary celebrations, with the original intention of being hung in a new tower to be built at the University of Western Australia. This tower was never built and the bells remained in storage for a while. They were last rung at St Martin-in-the-Fields on 30 Aug and the last bell was lowered to the ground on 12 Sept. |
|
1988 |
|
A new ring of 12 bells (plus sharp 2nd) was cast and hung in a new frame lower in the tower (preserving the old 1922 frame) by Whitechapel. The metal was provided by the Australian Government. |
| [12] |
It’m pd vnto Walker the Bellfounder for ye newe Treable Bell & for ye newe castinge of ye old fore bell as by his acquittance appeareth xiijli vijs (Churchwardens' Accounts 1586) |
| [13] |
It’m pd vnto Laurence wright ye bell ffounder for newe castinge of ye great bell as by his Acquittance appears xli (Churchwardens' Accounts 1592) |
| [14] |
It’m paid vnto Laurence wright ye bell founder for ye exchaunge of the iiijth bell beinge craket & for ye exchaunge of ye treable bell viijli (Churchwardens' Accounts 1593) |
| [15] |
It’m in the Steeple v great Bells one sainctus bell And a Clocke (Inventory of Church Goods 8 Feb 1595/6 (38 Eliz) (p.506)) |
| [16] |
Item paid for eleven hundred and xxiiijli pound weight of new mettall to make the bells bigger at iijli xiiijs viijd the hundred amounteth to xlili xvijs iiijd [i.e. 11-0-24 of new metal]. Itm paid to the Belfounder for the exchaunge of ijM viijC xxixli of mettall at ijd the pound xxiijli xis viijd [i.e. old bells weighed 48-1-1] (Churchwardens' Accounts 1603-5) |
| [17] |
Item paid for letting down of the Bell and drawing up the same to Edward Rouland and his helpers vjs. Itm paid for Iron used for the third Bell xijd. Itm paid to Thomas Wilson for carrying & Recarrying one of the Bells iiijs (Churchwardens' Accounts 1605-6) |
| [18] |
Itm for taking downe the olde fourth bell and hanging up the newe xiijs iiijd (Churchwardens' Accounts 1606-7) |
| [19] |
Itm paid to Mott the Belfounder for casting the fourth Bell as by his Acquittance may appeare xli xvjs xjd (Churchwardens' Accounts 1607-8) |
| [20] |
Item paid the xvjth of Aprill 1629 to Thomas Bartlett Bell founder for and uppon the exchaunge of the old Saints bell for a new saints Bell by him made and delivered into ye Church ye said old bell weighing one hundred an halfe and xvli by him taken away at the rate of xjd the pound amounting to vijli vijd ixd and the new bell delivered in weighing CC, iij quarters and xiij li after the rate of xiiijd the pound amounting to xviijli xiijs vjd so due to him more for the new Bell then the old bell came unto xli viijs ixd and for carrying the same bell ijs as by bill appeareth in all xli xs ixd whereof abated in payment vjs ix d and so paid in all xli iiijd. Item paid the xxijth of January 1628 to Leonard Tenant Clockmaker for making the hammer of the Clock to stricke uppon ye Saints bell and for two squares and a tumbler to draw upp the hammer xjs and for oyle for the Clocke ijs in all … viijs. (Churchwardens' Accounts 1627-8) |
| [21] |
Item the Seaventh day of December 1631 for boatehire to and fro throughe London bridge to got (sic) to Thomas Bartlett Belfounder dwelling neere the Barres without Aldgate London to see the second Bell broken weighed, to be newe cast, and to take bond for the tuneable well doeing thereof, and cast redelivery by a prefixed day ijs, and for expences of the Churchwardens and others, and workemens advize, spending therein most parte of the day for dyett iiijs in toto, vjs. Item the xxvjth day of March 1632 paid to Ellenour Bartlett (widdowe of the aforesaid Thomas Bartlett) for casting the said second bell weighing vijC a quarter and iiijli at xvs a hundred, and every pounde of new mettle at xijd a pounde, as by bill and Acquittance appears vli xvjs iiijd. [recasting 7-1-4 cost £5 9s. 4d. at 15s a cwt, and so if total bill was £5 15s. 4d. then the cost of new metal was 6s. – so 6lbs added at 12d a lb, making new bell 7-1-10]. Item for making a bond from the said widow Bartlett to warrant the said Bell to continue sounde, and tuneable for a yeare xijd, for carrying the same Bell to & from Aldgate by Carte iiijs (Churchwardens' Accounts 1630-31) |
| [22] |
To Mr Searle fiftie six shillings to bee paid by him to Francis Knight of Reading bellfounder for 56li of bell mettle added to the second bell £2.16.0. (Churchwardens' Accounts 1648-49) |
| [23] |
Six Bells. Consideration being this day had how many bells shalbe hanged in ye Tower It is Agreed & Ordered that the Churchwardens do take care to have Six good & sonable bells with all convenient speed and to take care alsoe that they bee well hanged (Vestry minutes, 3 May 1669) |
| [24] |
Paid Mr Eldridge the bellfounder as by his bills appeare £198.2.0. (Churchwardens' Accounts 1669-70) |
| [25] |
(damaged and date missing) states six bells [all damaged] (Inventory c.1675) |
| [26] |
Upon the Complaint of the Churchwardens, That most of the Bells of the Church were broken and useless, some consideration was taken about the same” (Vestry minutes, 15 Nov 1713 ) |
| [27] |
16 Dec 1713 Ordered that the Church-Wardens do take to their Assistance some of the Gentlemen of the Vestry, whom they please, and treat with Matthew Bagly and Richard Phelps Bell Founders which of them will cast the Bells the best and cheapest, and report the same to the next Vestry. (Vestry minutes, 16 Dec 1713 ) |
| [28] |
Consideration was taken whether Mathew Bagly or Richard Phelps should new Cast the Bells, and it is Ordered & agreed that Mathew Bagley shall new cast the Bells, and that the Churchwardens and [several people named] or as many of them as please to come are desired to make Articles with the said Matthew Bagley for new Casting of the Bells (Vestry minutes, 29 Dec 1713 ) |
| [29] |
The Draught of the Articles between the Church Wardens of the one part and Matthew Bagley of the other part, for casting the old Bells and adding two new Bells were read and agreed unto, and Ordered that the Churchwardens do execute the same, and that they shall be indempnifyed by this Board for so doing (Vestry minutes, 13 Jan 1713/4) |
| [30] |
£150 to be paid to Mr. Bagley the bellfounder; (Vestry minutes, 15 Feb 1714/15) |
| [31] |
It's built of Stone and Brick, and covered with Tiles, and the Tower all of Stone, about ninety Foot high, wherein are eight Bells newly Cast, and hung up this Month of March 1714 ("Pietas Londinensis: or the present ecclesiastical state of London", James Paterson) |
| [32] |
It is the Opinion of the Committee that the Saints Bell be hung up in the Tabernacle for Ringing and such other Bell as the Workmen shall think proper for Tolling and that the rest of the Bells be laid up in some convenient place to Preserve them… Mr. Gibbs having Represented to this Committee that the Vacancys under the Tabernacle will be necessary to deposit the Bells and Monuments and other things And that the same should be Enclosed This Committee taking the same into Consideration are of opinion that the same will be Convenient to be done And that Mr. Timbrell and Mr. Phillips do bring an Estimate of the Charge thereof at the next meeting of the Commissioners … (Vestry minutes, 15 Jun 1721) |
| [33] |
Timbrell and Phillips for building the Tabernacle, including 2 Sept 1721 “By 7 Days work getting the Bells under the Tabernacle and 30 20d Nails £1.0.2.”. 6 Sept 1721 “By Sinking the Vaults under the Tabernacle lower and Hanging the Bell up in the Tabernacle £7.0.0”. 24 Nov 1725 Thomas Sledge At Belfry Door next the portico making good the Brickwork that was broke down by Hoisting timber for the Bells 2s.6d. (Accounts for rebuilding the church 1721-1727 ) |
| [34] |
estimates of cost for remaining works, including mason’s cost for the steeple £2760, the portico £1623 etc (Mr. Cass), carpenters’ work (Benjamin Timbrell and Thomas Phillips) including three floors to the tower £60, and also the clock and dyall £200, Casting the Bells and frame £400 (Vestry minutes, 4 Mar 1723) |
| [35] |
We hear that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has signified his Intention to present a ring of Ten Bells to the new Church of St. Martins in the Fields. There is a Talk, That most or all of the Eight Bell Rings in London will be augmented to Ten or Twelve, and those of Six to Eight or Ten. (Norwich Gazette, 28 Nov 1724) |
| [36] |
This week was finish’d the Steeple of the new Church of St. Martin’s in the Fields, when the Vane and other Ornaments of copper gilt were put upon it. The Steeple is 215 Foot high, being a most beautiful Design, and an exquisite Piece of Workmanship; and the Church and Steeple are look’d upon to be the handsomest in England, to the Honour of the Commissioners concern’d in building them, the Reputation of Mr. Gibbs the Surveyor, and the Credit of the Parish. Mr. Abraham Ruddle [sic], of Gloucestershire, Bell Founder, has agreed with the Parish for casting a Peel [sic] of ten Bells, the Tenor of which, is to weigh at least 3000lb. The Design was to have had 12 Bells, but the Tower being taken in six inches of a side, has render’d it incapable of holding so many. And we hear, the new Church at Bloomsbury is to be finish’d with all Expedition, and when ‘tis done, to receive the Parishioners of St. Giles’s in the Fields, the old Church being to be pull’d down, and rebuilt. (The Weekly Journal: or, British Gazetteer, Sat.19 Dec 1724) |
| [37] |
…The Design was to have had 12 Bells, but the tower being taken in six inches of a side, has rendered it incapable of holding so many … (St.James’s Evening Post, 15 Dec 1724 ) |
| [38] |
That this Board took into their Consideration about a new Sett of Bells to be sett up in the Steeple of this parish Church now rebuilding. And the Question being put whether a New Sett of Bells should be had, Agreed Nemine Contradicente That a New sett of Bells should be had. And the Question being put whether Eight Bells should be had, Agreed Nemine Contradicente That Eight Bells should be had. Ordered and Agreed That Mr. Ruddle [Rudhall] of Gloucester’s proposal about making a New Sett of Bells communicated to the Vestry by Sr. John Colbatch Knt be agreed unto And that the Said Mr. Ruddle be Imployed to make the said new Sett of Bells accordingly. And that the said Sr. John Colbatch be desired to acquaint him from this Board that they have agreed With his said proposals and to desire him to Come to Town to agree about the same. (Vestry minutes, 3 Nov 1724 ) |
| [39] |
A Motion being made and the Question put for adding two Bells to the Number of Bells Agreed on at a Vestry held the third day of November last past, Agreed that there be two Bells added to the said Number of Bells. A Motion being made that the Tenor of the said Bells Should not be less than thirty hundred Weight, Agreed that the Tenor be about but not less than thirty hundred Weight. Mr. Rudhall proposed and offered to this Board that in Case after the Bells shall be Cast any Crack or other visible Damage Shall appear in any of them when they are delivered at London That then and in such Case he would at his own Costs and Charges recast the same Except the Charges of Carriage and Recarriage. Ordered and Agreed that Articles of Agreement for new Casting the Bells be prepared And in such Articles there be inserted that the Bells so to be cast be all as Sound good and Tunable as any Bells in the Citys of London and Westminster or the Suburbs thereof And that the Churchwardens be made the parties to the said Articles and that they Execute the same And this Board will Indempnify them their Successors Executors and Administrators of and from all and every such covenants and agreements as on their parts are behalf are to be paid done and performed (Vestry minutes, 8 Dec 1724 ) |
| [40] |
The Orders of last Vestry were read Article by Article and Confirmed. The articles executed by the Churchwardens and Mr. Rudhall for new Casting the Bells were read to this Board and Agreed unto. Ordered That the Churchwardens be desired to take the Stocks from off the Bells and to Weigh the said Bells and send them to Gloucester to be delivered unto Mr. Rudhall upon the Key there as soon and in the cheapest manner as conveniently they can (Vestry minutes, 14 Dec 1724 ) |
| [41] |
A Letter being received from Mr. Rudhall of Gloucester of the receipt and giving an account of the weight of the old Bells and desiring to know what we weighed them for here, Ordered that the Churchwarden be desired to answer the said Letter by this Post and that the Clerk of this Vestry Enter the weight of the said Bells in the Vestry Book which is as follows [marginal note “weight of the 7 old bells” (i.e. the Bagley ring)] The Tenor 23C 1qr 5lb, The Seventh 16-2-7, The Sixth 13-1-10, [no record of the fifth], The Fourth 9-0-17, the third 7-3-9, The Second 6-2-15, The first 6-0-24 [sub-totals for the two columns - one listing 1, 3, 6 and 8 as 50-2-20, and the others 32-1-11] Total 83-0-3. The three Biggest Bells had each a false Clapper fastned to the other Staples (which was cast) in the Bells The weight of which was 23lbs For which Mr. Rudhall proposed to allow 2d per pound, and agreed to be accepted (Vestry minutes, 20 Apr 1725) |
| [42] |
[marginal note “About the Bell for the Clock to Strike on”] Ordered that the Churchwarden be desired to Speak with the Clockmaker to be Informed what weight the Bell should be for the Clock to Strike on and that he be Impowered to Imploy Mr. Rudhall of Gloucester to Cast one, accordingly And that the same Bell doe Serve for a Saints Bell (Vestry minutes, 3 May 1725) |
| [43] |
A Letter being read at this board from Mr. Rudhall Bellfounder at Gloucester relating to the peal of Bells which he is now Casting for the use of this Parish Ordered that the said Letter be entered in the Vestry Book which is as followeth (vizt) Gloucester ye 19th of June 1725, Sir, Yours by Mr. Head came to me dated the 14th instant and will take what care I can to send the Bells according to your directions but am afraid they will not be finished this two or three months yet. I have already cast ten Bells that was design’d for St.Martin’s but some are to be cast again. I am thinking them not good enough for your Church. I loose no time that can be helpt it not being for my advantage so to do, but am willing to cast them till they are as good as I can make before I send them away and as soon as they are all cast so well as I think will do well, I’le send you a Letter of it while they are tuning & clappering & I desire to know whether or no you would have a Clapper fitted into the Clock Bell. The dimensions of the Bells are as followeth, The Tenor is 4 foot 7 inches and an half wide, The Ninth is 4 foot 3 Inches wide, The eighth is 3 foot 9 inches wide, the Seventh is 3 foot 7 inches wide, The Sixth 3 foot four inches wide, The fifth 3 foot one Inch wide, The fourth two foot 10 inches wide, The third two foot 8 inches and an half wide, The second two foot 6 inches and an half wide, The first two feet 5 inches and an half wide. I should be glad if you employ the two Williams’s to make your woodwork I having seen often very ingenious workmen as have not been used to hang Bells & some as have been used to it spoile good Bells in hanging and never saw one that could do it well for several peals at the beginning of their practising it, I am Sir, Your most humble Servant, Abr: Rudhall Junr. To Mr. John Walker, one of the Churchwardens, St. Martin’s Parish in the Fields, in London”. Ordered and Agreed that the Churchwardens be desired to treat with the two Mr. Williams’s [word illegible on film] in the foresaid Letter from Mr. Rudhall about [word illegible on film] making the Woodwork for hanging up the new sett of Bells in the Steeple if not contrary to any preceding order of this Vestry for that purpose (Vestry minutes, 27 Jun 1725) |
| [44] |
[marginal note “about ye Williams’ to hang the Bells”] Ordered and Agreed that a Committee be appointed to meet on Wednesday next at 10 a Clock in the forenoon to Consider of hanging the Bells and that they be Impowered and they are hereby Impowered to treat and make a final agreement with Mr. Jno. Williams & partners about hanging the said Bells and that the Gentlemen present at this Board and the Gentlemen of the Committee for Considering of a house for lodging and maintaining of the poor be the said Committee. Ordered that Mr. Gibbs Surveyor and Mr. Cash (sic) Mason have notice to be present at the meeting of the said Committee; Ordered that Mr. Timbrell & Mr. Phillips Carpenters be summoned to be then present and the said Committee are hereby Impowered to treat and agree with them the said Mr. Timbrell and Phillips for providing the Timber to be used in hanging the said Bells and likewise with any person or persons for the Brass & Ironwork to be used in hanging the said Bells (Vestry minutes, 30 Aug 1725) |
| [45] |
The Committee appointed to treat and agree with Mr. John Williams and partners for hanging the Bells Reported they had, at a meeting of them the said Committee of the first of September instant, agreed with the said Mr. John Williams and partners for hanging the Bells as followeth, Viz: It is agreed and the said John Williams, Richard Williams and John Williams the younger do promise and agree In Consideration of the summe of £70 to be paid them as is hereafter mentioned that they the said John Williams Richard Williams and John Williams the younger shall at their own proper Costs & Charges make finish and Compleat in Workmanlike Manner (as soon as Conveniently may be) fit and proper frames Wheeles and Stocks for hanging the said peal of ten Bells and the Sts Bell in the Steeple of the Said parish Church and Shall and will well hang up and fix the Said Bells in the jettings out in the said Steeple without making any alteration or any Damage to the said Steeple having Such Quantity of Timber provided at the Costs and Charges of the Parish and also Iron Work and brass work as shall be necessary for hanging up the said Bells in Manner aforesaid. And this Committee do agree to and with the said John Williams Richard Williams and John Williams the Younger that such quantity of Timber Ironwork and brass work as shall be necessary for hanging up the Said Bells as aforesaid shall be found and provided at the costs and charges of the parish and that the summe of £70 shall be paid to them the said John Williams Richard Williams and John Williams the Younger for making such frames Wheeles Stocks and hanging up and fixing the said Bells in the Steeple as aforesaid from time to time in such manner parts or proportions as the Churchwardens shall think proper and the remainder when they shall perfectly have Completed the said Work and hung up and fixed the said bells in manner aforesaid. [marginal note “Timber to hang the Bells to be found by the parish”] And the said Committee further reported that they had agreed with Messrs. Timbrell and Phillips Carpenters to find and provide sufficient of Timber for hanging the said peal of Bells and Sts Bell and Mr. Thomas Gerves Smith the Ironwork (Vestry minutes, 21 Sept 1725) |
| [46] |
The Churchwardens laid before this board a letter from Mr. Rudhall of Gloucester relating to some Misfortunes which happened to Some of the New Sett of Bells he is now Casting for this Parish. Ordered that the Churchwardens be desired to return an Answer to the said Letter that the Gentlemen of the Vestry are willing to Stay as long as necessary for the well finishing and Compleating the said new sett of Bells (Vestry minutes, 21 Sept 1725) |
| [47] |
Mr Churchwarden Sawcer likewise acquainted this Board that he had received a Letter from Mr. Rudhall Bell Founder at Gloucester Intimating some further Misfortunes happening to the peal of Bells he is now casting for the use of this Parish, and desiring a further time to Recast Such of them as Should be necessary. Ordered that the Churchwardens be desired to return an Answer to Mr. Rudhall’s letter to acquaint him that the Gentlemen of this Board are willing to Stay as long as necessary for the well finishing and Compleating the said new sett of Bells (Vestry minutes, 2 Dec 1725) |
| [48] |
Mr Churchwarden Sawcer acquainted this Board that he had received a Letter from Mr. Rudhall Bellfounder at Gloucester Informing him that the Bells he is Casting for this Parish are near finished and will be ready to be Sent to London by Saturday Sennight next the Sixteenth of this Instant April. Ordered that Mr. Churchwarden Sawcer be desired to write to Mr. Rudhall to know which will be the safest way to have then sent whether by Sea or Land Carriage (Vestry minutes, 7 Apr 1726) |
| [49] |
The Churchwardens laid before this Board a Letter from Mr. Rudhall Bellfounder at Gloucester Intimating that the sett of Bells he had been Casting for this Parish are coming for London the weights whereof are also particularly mentioned in the said Letter. Ordered that the weights of the said Bells be entered in the Vestry Book of Orders which are as follows, vizt: The Tenor 31-2-18, The ninth 23-2-14, The Eighth 17-2-17, The Seventh 15-2-10, The Sixth 12-2-2 [sub-total 101-0-5], The Fifth 10-1-20, The fourth 8-2-22, The Third 7-3-15, The Second 6-2-26, The Treble 6-1-27 [sub-total 40-0-26 with total for other column below 101-0-5 but (not on film) no total – i.e. 141-1-3] (Vestry minutes, 24 May 1726) |
| [50] |
The Churchwarden laid before this Board a Bill or Charge made and delivered to him by Mr. Rudhall Bellfounder for the Casting the new Sett of Bells according to Certain Articles of Agreement between him and the Churchwardens amounting to £525.2s.9d. and a further charge of £45.6s.9d. for a new Bell for the Clock to strike on and new Clappers. Ordered that the Gentlemen present at this Board and any other of the Gentlemen of the Vestry that please be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee to meet at the Vestry Room on Monday next at one a Clock in the Afternoon to Consider of the Bells and whether they are Cast done and performed according to the said Articles of Agreement And that the said Committee may (upon the Approbation and good liking thereof) give directions to the Churchwardens to pay to the said Mr. Rudhall £300 in part of his Bill and the said Churchwardens are hereby Impowered to pay the same accordingly out of the monies Subscribed by the Inhabitants of this Parish and that the remaining part be paid according to the Contract. Ordered that the Churchwarden be and he is hereby Impowered to Treat the Ringers who shall Ring the Bells on Monday next in such manner as he shall see proper (Vestry minutes, 29 Jul 1726) |
| [51] |
This Committee having met to Consider the Goodness of the Bells and upon such Consideration expressed their Approbation and good liking of the same and severall Gentlemen of the said Committee having declared that many Gentlemen who had Judgment in Bells had Expressed their Approbation & a Generall Satisfaction of the Goodness of the said Bells. And Mr. Abraham Rudhall the Bellfounder appearing before this Committee and having declared and Agreed that if any fault shall hereafter be discovered in any of the Bells he will at his own proper Costs and Charges rectify and amend the same. Ordered and agreed that the Churchwardens do pay Mr. Rudhall the Bellfounder £300 in part of his Bill and that they do settle and adjust the whole account with him (Vestry minutes, 16 Aug 1726) |
| [52] |
Ordered that Mr. Turner Churchwarden retain in his hands of the money due to Mr. Abraham Rudhall Bellfounder for the new Sett of Bells by him Cast for this Parish the Summe of £70 untill further Directions from the Board, fault being found by severall Persons of Judgment in bells of the untuneableness of the Tenor (Vestry minutes, 6 Sep 1726) |
| [53] |
Mr Churchwarden Turner laying before this Board a Letter from Mr. Rudhall of Gloucester desiring the Payment of the Remainder of the money due to him, according to the Account by him delivered for the new Sett of ten Bells by him Cast for this parish. Ordered that Mr. Churchwarden Turner be, & he is hereby directed to signify to the said Mr. Rudhall that he is Impowered by this Board to pay him the further summe of Two hundred pounds according to an order of Vestry of the sixth of this Instant September and to cause the two Bells in the Tabernacle to be immediately taken down and sent to him And likewise to acquaint him that the Vestry will settle with him the remainder of the account when he .. London [edge and bottom of page illegible on film] (Vestry minutes, 27 Sep 1726) |
| [54] |
They are beginning to put up a new Set of Bells at the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, 5 of them being already brought thither from the Country (Daily Journal, Sat 11 Jun 1726) |
| [55] |
The Tenor of St. Martin’s Peal of Bells, arriv’d safe at that Church Yesterday (Evening Post, Sat 25 Jun, Tues 28 Jun 1726) |
| [56] |
Last week his Grace the Duke of Somerset gave 100 Guineas towards the new Set of Bells at St.Martin’s in the Fields (St James’s Evening Post, 26 Jul 1726) |
| [57] |
This Day being the Anniversary of his Majesty’s Accession to the Throne, the new Sett of Bells at St. Martin’s in the Fields are to be rung out for the first Time (Daily Journal, Mon 1 Aug 1726) |
| [58] |
Last Monday a Sett of Ringers, call'd the College Youths, began to ring a Peal of 5000 and odd Changes on St. Martin's Bells: When they had rung 3 Hours incessantly, one of the Bell-Ropes broke; to the great Disappointment of the Gentlemen, and a numerous Audience in the Street, (or one Hour more would have compleated their Purpose". (Norwich Gazette, 15 Oct 1726) |
| [59] |
Receipt - Augt. The 2d. 1726 Reced then of Mr. Walter Turner Churchwarden of the parish of St. Martin in the ffields Twenty One Pounds wch. with fforty Nine Pounds before reced of Mr. John Sawcer late Churchwarden of ye said parish is in full of an Agreement made wth. the said parish for making fit and proper fframes Wheels & Stocks & hanging a Peal of Ten Bells & a Sts. Bell in the Steeple of the Church of the aforesaid parish, We say reced. in full for the same £21, John Williams, John Williams and Richard Williams [signatures] (Ms.6036); Receipt – Mr. Churchwarden Turner Dr. to Jno Williams for ye Parish of St.Martin’s, 2 Aug.1726: To lining ye weatherboards of the Bell windows £3.10.0, To making a new fframe for ye Treble £3.3.0, To making five stayes for ye … [illegible word] Bells £1.5.0, To making 7 Trunks for the Ropes £0.7.0, To cleaning 10 pair of Brasses £0.5.0, [Total £8.10.0]. Augt. the 2d. 1726 Reced then of Mr. Walter Turner Churchwarden of the parish of St. Martin in the fields the full Contents of this Bill per John Williams, John Williams [signatures] (Ms.6036) |
| [60] |
Last Monday [October 10th] a Sett of Ringers, call'd the College Youths, began to ring a Peal of 5000 and odd Changes on St. Martin's Bells: When they had rung 3 Hours incessantly, one of the Bell-Ropes broke; to the great Disappointment of the Gentlemen, and a numerous Audience in the Street, for one Hour more would have compleated their Purpose. (Norwich Gazette 15 Oct 1726, also reported in the St James’s Evening Post 11 Oct 1726) ) |
| [61] |
Dec To Mr William Coles for taking down the Treble Bell and hanging up another £1.1.0. (Churchwardens Accounts 1727-28) |
| [62] |
The Churchwardens acquainting this Board that Complaint is made of the present Frame on which the Bells hang And that the same may be new made for hanging all the Bells on a Levell for the summe of forty five pounds or thereabouts. Ordered that the Churchwardens be Impowered to give Orders and directions for making a New Frame for hanging the Bells on a Levell And that they pay for the same (Vestry minutes 30 Mar 1727) |
| [63] |
Upon reading a Letter from Mr. Rudhall, Bellfounder of Gloucester, in relation to the Casting a New Tenor Bell for this parish laid before this Board by Mr. Walter Turner late Churchwarden. Ordered it be referred to the said Mr. Walter Turner and Mr. William House and Mr. Charles Corner the present Churchwardens to pay the said Mr. Rudhall what they shall think proper (Vestry minutes 28 Jun 1727) |
| [64] |
The 10 bells lately hung up in St.Martin’s Church Tower, are to be made 12, by the addition of 2 Treble Bells or Leaders, to be cast by the same person who cast the 10, as also those at St. Bride’s. and they are to be ready before the 28th of May, then to be rung for the first time. (Norwich Gazette, 15 Apr 1727) |
| [65] |
Monday, 18 March ... At St. Martin's in the Fields last Thursday a Ringing-Match was begun, to be perform'd between a Set of Londoners and a Set of the College Youths. The former began at One a Clock, and continued till half an Hour after Four: The latter began yesterday and held it 5 Hours and a Quarter, and was allowed to be the finest Performance yet known of that Nature. (Norwich Gazette, 23 Mar 1728) |
| [66] |
London, October 24. ... On Friday Night last as they were ringing the Bells at St. Martin's in the Fields, one of the Gudgins of the Tenor broke, but the Bell fell no further than the Floor; however, it frightned all the Ringers so that they threw up their Bells, and ran to the Sides of the Steeple. The Bell is 3300 Weight. (Norwich Gazette, 26 Oct 1728) |
| [67] |
Ordered that the Churchwardens be impowered to Cause the Frames of the two Treble Bells to be altered and the said Bells to be new hung as shall be Necessary (Vestry minutes 13 Sep 1728) |
| [68] |
London, March 1. On Thursday last the Society of Union Scholars rang, at the Parish Church of St. Martin’s in the Fields, in 3 Hours and 10 Minutes, the first true and compleat Peal of 5040 Grandsire Trebles; which has been thought an Impossibility by the greatest Proficients in that Exercise, but was composed by Mr. John Denmead, a Member of the said Society. (Norwich Gazette, 5 Mar 1737) |
| [69] |
Agreed and ordered that the 2nd Bell belonging to the Church be new Cast (Vestry minutes 31 Aug 1770) |
| [70] |
Monday last the Society of College Youths rang on the peal of twelve bells at the church of St. Martin in the Fields, a true and compleat peal of 6,204 Stedman's Principle, in 4 hours and 47 minutes, being the greatest number of changes of that peal ever rung in England. This very curious and intricate composition was invented in the last century, but was, by the connoisseurs of the present day, deemed impracticable to be achieved, until these darling sons of distinguished merit have, by this, in addition to many other meritorious performances, shown to their contempories that industry and resolution, united, will ever get through the most arduous task. (London General Advertiser, 8 Oct 1788) |
| [71] |
Notes (p.23) taken by Hedderly on “Dimentions of a peal of Twelve Bells at St.Martins in the Fields, London, Cast By Rudhall of Gloucester, pitch of the Tenor the 8th part of a tone sharp of D and weight 34 hundred pounds [or 3808 lbs – added], taken by G. Hedderly & Jno. Briant in April 1790”, with diameters 1. 26¾”, 2. 27¾”, 3. 29”, 4. 30½”, 5. 32½”, 6. 34”, 7. 36½”, 8. 38¾”, 9. 43¼”, 10. 47¾”, 11. 50¾”, 12. 55¾”, and thicknesses. Frame plan (Hedderley Hanks papers from the Cincinnati Historical Society) |
