The First Bells | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · May 27, 1886

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 20

The First Bells.

It is not generally known that the first meeting-house bells made in this country were cast in the town of Abington, of which Rockland was formerly the eastern part. About 1769 a deserter from the British Army, named Gallimore, reached the town in the course of his wanderings. He was a bell founder by trade, and was employed by Col. Aaron Hobart in this business. The air furnace in which the bells were cast was in what is now South Abington. The first bell made was used at the old Congregational Church, which was located where Hatherly Hall now stands. The bell weighed nearly one thousand pounds, and when it was being cast Mr. Hobart tossed fifty silver dollars into the melting mass to give tone to the bell. After years of service the old bell cracked and was recast.

Mr. Hobart also began the manufacture of cannon and cannon balls about the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and was the first person in the country who introduced and conducted the business. Owing to lack of experience and the practice of moulding in sand instead of clay, he was unsuccessful at first, and sustained considerable loss. In the course of time, however, the business was better understood, and he then carried it on largely and profitably. The cannon were cast hollow, and afterward bored to make the inner surface true and smooth. They are now cast solid.—Sel.