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The oldest bells in North America are at The Old North Church in Boston. The eight change ringing bells were cast by Abell Rudhall in Gloucester, England in 1744. They were hung in 1745. In the ringing room today hangs a copy of a 1750 charter in which the guild agreed upon a democratic organization of the tower. Paul Revere is the second signature on that contract.
The bells were restored in 1894, and then were mostly idle. They were restored (again) in 1975 with the help of Geoffrey Davies, of Simon W. Robinson Lodge in Lexington, for the Boston Bicentennial celebration. They have been rung regularly ever since.
Bell Specifications
The eight bells of Old North are:
| • |
| Bell 1 |
| Sound |
(Treble) F |
| Weight |
5 cwt, 2 qr, 4 lbs |
| Inscription |
Abel Rudhall of Gloucester, cast us all, Anno 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 2 |
| Sound |
E |
| Weight |
5 cwt, 2 qr, 6 lbs |
| Inscription |
Since generosity has opened our mouths, our tongues shall ring aloud its praise. 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 3 |
| Sound |
D |
| Weight |
6 cwt, 1 qr, 3 lbs |
| Inscription |
The subscription for these bells was begun by John Hannmock and Robert Temple, Church Wardens, Anno 1743; completed by Robert Jenkins and John Gould, church Wardens, Anno 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 4 |
| Sound |
C |
| Weight |
7 cwt, 1 qr, 3 lbs |
| Inscription |
William Shirley, Esq., Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England. Anno 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 5 |
| Sound |
B flat |
| Weight |
7 cwt, 1 qr, 21 lbs |
| Inscription |
God preserve the Church of England. 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 6 |
| Sound |
A |
| Weight |
8 cwt, 1 qr, 24 lbs |
| Inscription |
We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America. A.R. 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 7 |
| Sound |
D |
| Weight |
10 cwt, 2 qr, 24 lbs |
| Inscription |
This Church was founded in the year 1723. Timothy Cutler, DD, the first Rector, A.R. 1744. |
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| • |
| Bell 8 |
| Sound |
(Tenor) F |
| Weight |
13 cwt, 3 qr, 5 lbs |
| Inscription |
This peal of eight bells is the gift of a number of generous persons to Christ Church, in Boston, N.E. Anno 1744. A.R |
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Note: One hundred (cwt) is 112 lbs. One quarter (qr) is 28 lbs. These are the time-honored measues of the weights of change ringing bells. |
Change Ringing
There is usually ringing on Saturday mornings every week, but this will vary. Further bell ringing information can be obtained by contacting Harry Carter.
Click here to visit the MIT Guild of Bellringers website.
The information for this page was originally complied by Roberta E. Young.
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