April 14, 2006

Manchester's Bell

Historically, bells have been an important part of New England town life. Manchester's first bell was hung in its second Meeting House in 1696 (the first Meeting House was built in 1656 and replaced in 1685). There is no record of its size or cost. It was moved to the town's third Meeting House when it was constructed in 1721. For much of that century, Ephram Jons, and later Joseph Killam, agreed to maintain the Meeting House and ring the bell for meetings, services, alarms and the 9pm curfew, all for a sum of less than four pounds per year.

In 1785, a second bell was purchased. It weighed 300 pounds and cost 58 pounds, three shillings. The town needed a heavier bell so it could be heard at a greater distance because the town was expanding and the bell was the only source of alarm. In particular, the threat of British ships raiding coastal towns was imminent even after the Revolutionary War and through the War of 1812.

In 1809, the bell was moved to the town's fourth Meeting House- and present First Parish Church. It was replaced in 1845 by a bell weighing 2200 pounds, at a cost of $500. All was well until July 4, 1915 when it was cracked by a shot from the old cannon on Powder House Hill during a July 4th celebration. It was never established whether the shot hit the bell or the concussion cracked it. The town fathers had the bell recast, but it was alleged that when the metal was melted down, the silver was stolen before it was recast and the bell never sounded the beautiful C Sharp tone that it had. Quite a furor erupted when the recast bell was delivered because the names of the Selectmen were made in the casting. Arguments grew heated, and eventually the names were chipped off with a chisel to settle the dispute.

In the late 1800's, a tapping device was put on the bell to sound the fire alarm when a street box was pulled. This was before the air horn was used.

Today, most town bells have been replaced by electronic devices and many have fallen into disrepair. Fortunately, we still have our bell and it still sounds the hour and rings on Sunday mornings. But for how much longer?

The First Parish Church Meeting House Campaign is raising $500,000 to fund the restoration, repair and future maintenance of the building which was built in 1809, served as the Town meeting house in its early years, and houses Manchester's bell! For more information, please visit the campaign website at www.FirstParishChurchMeetingHouse.org; contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 502, Manchester.