MEETINGHOUSE DOCUMENTATION PROJECT
Items Relating to the Bell at the Meetinghouse
1. On the history of the Bell.
2. Receipt dated October 31, 1850 from Henry N. Hooper & Co. of Boston for recasting the bell. With a note on the verso from Benhamin Cutter.
3. Document signed by J. L. Richardson relating to Jonas Cutter for ringing the bell in 1867.
4. Receipt dated September 4, 1861, from James Bailey, Boston, for $1.48 for new "bell rope."
5. Document dated December 31, 1847, signed by Ethan Cutter agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of twenty two dollars and fifty cents.
6. Document dated December 31, 1851, signed by Ethan Cutter. "… to ring the Bell precisely at twelve o'clock at noon and at nine o'clock in the evening each week day and Sunday evenings at eight o'clock to ring the Bell five minuts [sic] each time to ring and toll the Bell on the sabbath as usual to to [sic] toll for all deaths and funerals ring the Bell each there is an alarm of fire as long as it necessary to sweep the meeting hopuse each time it is occupied by the town and to take good care of the house during said time for the sum of twenty six dollars and fifty cents … and I the undersigned agree with said selectmen to deduct six cents each time the Bell fails of being rung during said time." NOTE: The wording of all the agreements here are similar to this.
7. Document dated December 30, 1854, signed by John W. Poole agreeing to ring the bell for a year (1855) from that date. No sum is included.
8. Document dated December 31, 1857, signed by Samuel ? Jewell agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of thirty two dollars and seventy five cents.
9. Document dated December 31, 1858, signed by Samuel ? Jewell agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of thirty four dollars.
10. Document dated December 31, 1861, signed by J. W. Poole agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of thirty dollars.
11. Document dated March 18, 1865, signed by Samuel ? Jewell agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of forty five dollars.
12. Document dated March 15, 1866, signed by Samuel ? Jewell agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of thirty dollars.
13. Document dated March 16, 1867, signed by J. L. Richardson agreeing to ring the bell for a year from that date for a sum of thirty dollars.