Mears & Stainbank
Robert Stainbank 1865 - 1883
The business began under the name of Mears & Stainbank when George Mears on Robert Stainbank in 1865. Robert Stainbank was a timber merchant before joining Whitechapel. During the first few years of bell founding, he cast bells inscribing his own name with the rest of his bells bearing "MEARS & STAINBANK."
He gained a prize medal in 1865 for his bells at the Dublin exhibition. The moulds for his bells were made of loam with a band of hay for ventilation purposes and were separated with tan grease. The strickles were wooden. Stainbank's moulding wires did not have any notches to form them meaning that they were made in the same way as the lettering by making an impression in the cope. His bell at Mark Cross has the inscription around the band coming out with the letters on the waist going into the bell. These however are not engraved but were instead stamped into the mould. He used the letters of Thomas Mears and C & G Mears and also kept moulding wires 2 above and below the inscription band.
To tune his bells, a steam engine was used which was also connected to other various machines around the foundry. Before that, the bells were hand-chipped which can be seen at Lewes, St John the Baptist. Robert Stainbank later died at Sydenham on 27th Jan 1883.
No ornaments were used on his bells in Sussex.
Moulding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Alfred Silva Lawson 1883 - 1904
Lawson joined the business when Stainbank dies and introduced a peal of 8 bells in 1884 to the International Exhibition in London and gained a prize and these later were hung in Ringmer.
He used the Robert Mot 3 bell stamp for the trademark shield.
Lawson appears to have introduced new ornaments at Warnham which features Queen Victoria on the Tenor. Like Robert, he used the Thomas Mears & C & G Mears letters. He also stopped using the Conventional canon and started using Doncaster canons. These were used so that the bells could be 1/4 turned easier and also could be made with more ease.
In 1884, he introduced the travelling crane for carrying moulds around and metal from the furnace to the moulds. Mould-drying ovens were introduced in 1885. A new form of making bells was also bought to life by Lawson. Instead of going through the trouble of making a mould each time, iron cases were made. Holes are drilled into them to let the loam seep through to add stability.
Moulding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
The business began under the name of Mears & Stainbank when George Mears on Robert Stainbank in 1865. Robert Stainbank was a timber merchant before joining Whitechapel. During the first few years of bell founding, he cast bells inscribing his own name with the rest of his bells bearing "MEARS & STAINBANK."
He gained a prize medal in 1865 for his bells at the Dublin exhibition. The moulds for his bells were made of loam with a band of hay for ventilation purposes and were separated with tan grease. The strickles were wooden. Stainbank's moulding wires did not have any notches to form them meaning that they were made in the same way as the lettering by making an impression in the cope. His bell at Mark Cross has the inscription around the band coming out with the letters on the waist going into the bell. These however are not engraved but were instead stamped into the mould. He used the letters of Thomas Mears and C & G Mears and also kept moulding wires 2 above and below the inscription band.
To tune his bells, a steam engine was used which was also connected to other various machines around the foundry. Before that, the bells were hand-chipped which can be seen at Lewes, St John the Baptist. Robert Stainbank later died at Sydenham on 27th Jan 1883.
No ornaments were used on his bells in Sussex.
Moulding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Alfred Silva Lawson 1883 - 1904
Lawson joined the business when Stainbank dies and introduced a peal of 8 bells in 1884 to the International Exhibition in London and gained a prize and these later were hung in Ringmer.
He used the Robert Mot 3 bell stamp for the trademark shield.
Lawson appears to have introduced new ornaments at Warnham which features Queen Victoria on the Tenor. Like Robert, he used the Thomas Mears & C & G Mears letters. He also stopped using the Conventional canon and started using Doncaster canons. These were used so that the bells could be 1/4 turned easier and also could be made with more ease.
In 1884, he introduced the travelling crane for carrying moulds around and metal from the furnace to the moulds. Mould-drying ovens were introduced in 1885. A new form of making bells was also bought to life by Lawson. Instead of going through the trouble of making a mould each time, iron cases were made. Holes are drilled into them to let the loam seep through to add stability.
Moulding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Arthur Hughes 1904 - 1916
Albert Hughes took over the business from Lawson. He got his knowledge of founding from Phosphor Bronze Co LTD. He joined Whitechapel in 1884 just before John Mears retired as work at the PB Co LTD became a great interest!
Hughes had 3 sons Albert Arthur Hughes (AAH) & Robert Arthur Hughes (RAH) and Leonard Arthur Hughes.
He introduced the stamp Fig. AH, 1 which is a singular bell and can be seen on the Tenor at Twineham.
A trademark stamp of his own was also developed which was the same design as Robert Mots 3 bell stamp but with his initials A H put on it. This trademark measured 1.38" in diameter. His trademark Fig. AH, 2 was used as a guide for future stamp designs where the initials were changed.
The bells of Epping, St John the Baptist feature this stamp on each of their bells. - Visited by Kye L Leaver, Lucas J Bent, Emily L Wilson & Josh Ashley 22/08/2022
Arthur joined the College Youth in 1883 and became the master in 1907.
During the early 1900s, he and his eldest son did a lot of research into the shape regarding the tone of the bell. This was probably influenced by the work of Canon Simpson.
Arthur died in 1916 leaving the business in the hands of his wife Emma Sharples and his two sons Albert and Robert Arthur Hughes.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Fig. AH, 1 - Twineham 5th; Fig. AH, 2 - Epping 6th
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Albert Hughes took over the business from Lawson. He got his knowledge of founding from Phosphor Bronze Co LTD. He joined Whitechapel in 1884 just before John Mears retired as work at the PB Co LTD became a great interest!
Hughes had 3 sons Albert Arthur Hughes (AAH) & Robert Arthur Hughes (RAH) and Leonard Arthur Hughes.
He introduced the stamp Fig. AH, 1 which is a singular bell and can be seen on the Tenor at Twineham.
A trademark stamp of his own was also developed which was the same design as Robert Mots 3 bell stamp but with his initials A H put on it. This trademark measured 1.38" in diameter. His trademark Fig. AH, 2 was used as a guide for future stamp designs where the initials were changed.
The bells of Epping, St John the Baptist feature this stamp on each of their bells. - Visited by Kye L Leaver, Lucas J Bent, Emily L Wilson & Josh Ashley 22/08/2022
Arthur joined the College Youth in 1883 and became the master in 1907.
During the early 1900s, he and his eldest son did a lot of research into the shape regarding the tone of the bell. This was probably influenced by the work of Canon Simpson.
Arthur died in 1916 leaving the business in the hands of his wife Emma Sharples and his two sons Albert and Robert Arthur Hughes.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Fig. AH, 1 - Twineham 5th; Fig. AH, 2 - Epping 6th
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Albert Arthur Hughes & Robert Arthur Hughes 1916 - 1930
The sons of Arthur Hughes became active partners in the business and they cast bells for Sussex until 1928.
Like their father, they developed the trademark to have their initials on the stamp with AA/H on the left and RA/H.
Fig. ARH, 1 was born. They create this in two sizes: 1.38 & 1.25". Fig. ARH, 1 is widely used at Turners Hill.
The brothers changed their method of tuning in 1920 to the modern 5-tone principle.
In 1928, the pair parted with Albert remaining in the business. Albert was also a keen ringer like his father and was elected a member of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) in 1915 and The Ancient Society of College Youths in 1903 and was master from 1914-1917.
He modified the foundry mark to Fig. ARH, 2 which just possessed his initials A A / H on it.
He married a ringer and handbell ringer named Annie Lillian Smith. They have one daughter and two sons.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Fig. ARH, 1 - Turners Hill 3rd; Fig. ARH, 2 - Elphick, Sussex Bells & Belfries. p.155
Portraits: Albert Arthur Hughes
*Click on images to enlarge them*
The sons of Arthur Hughes became active partners in the business and they cast bells for Sussex until 1928.
Like their father, they developed the trademark to have their initials on the stamp with AA/H on the left and RA/H.
Fig. ARH, 1 was born. They create this in two sizes: 1.38 & 1.25". Fig. ARH, 1 is widely used at Turners Hill.
The brothers changed their method of tuning in 1920 to the modern 5-tone principle.
In 1928, the pair parted with Albert remaining in the business. Albert was also a keen ringer like his father and was elected a member of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers (CCCBR) in 1915 and The Ancient Society of College Youths in 1903 and was master from 1914-1917.
He modified the foundry mark to Fig. ARH, 2 which just possessed his initials A A / H on it.
He married a ringer and handbell ringer named Annie Lillian Smith. They have one daughter and two sons.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Fig. ARH, 1 - Turners Hill 3rd; Fig. ARH, 2 - Elphick, Sussex Bells & Belfries. p.155
Portraits: Albert Arthur Hughes
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Albert Arthur Hughes & William Arthur Hughes 1945 - 1950
Albert's son William joined the business in 1945 at the same time a new set of letters were introduced in the style of Trajan column's letters.
William became a member of the College Youth in 1936 along with his father. The trademark stamp was then changed to Fig. AWH, 1 which features A A / H on the left and W A / H on the right of the central bell.
The Foundry miraculously escaped complete destruction on 29th December 1940 when 2 cottages at the rear of the premises were bombed.
Portraits: William Arthur Hughes.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Albert's son William joined the business in 1945 at the same time a new set of letters were introduced in the style of Trajan column's letters.
William became a member of the College Youth in 1936 along with his father. The trademark stamp was then changed to Fig. AWH, 1 which features A A / H on the left and W A / H on the right of the central bell.
The Foundry miraculously escaped complete destruction on 29th December 1940 when 2 cottages at the rear of the premises were bombed.
Portraits: William Arthur Hughes.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Albert Arthur Hughes, William Arthur Hughes & Douglas Hughes 1950 - 1964
After the war, Albert's younger son Douglas joined the business in 1950 and studied at Christ Hospital near Horsham.
When he joined, the company's trademark stamp was altered to Fig. AWD, 1 which features A A / H in the top left corner; W A / H in the top right corner, and D H at the bottom between the two bells.
After demobilization, and becoming a partner in 1950, he took charge of the handbell department leaving the main part of the foundry to his brother.
This was also a good time to catch up on lost time due to World War II. In 1945, an iron foundry was introduced to start casting headstocks and frames and the crane put in place by Alfred Lawson was replaced with a more up-to-date model.
The company continued to work under the name Mears & Stainbank until 1968. The company name was then changed to The Whitechapel Bell foundry. The trademark was changed to Fig, WBF, 1 which does not feature Albert's initials on it. This is probably the year Albert died leaving the business in the hands of his two sons.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Fig. AWD, 1 - Billingshurst 6th
*Click on images to enlarge them*
After the war, Albert's younger son Douglas joined the business in 1950 and studied at Christ Hospital near Horsham.
When he joined, the company's trademark stamp was altered to Fig. AWD, 1 which features A A / H in the top left corner; W A / H in the top right corner, and D H at the bottom between the two bells.
After demobilization, and becoming a partner in 1950, he took charge of the handbell department leaving the main part of the foundry to his brother.
This was also a good time to catch up on lost time due to World War II. In 1945, an iron foundry was introduced to start casting headstocks and frames and the crane put in place by Alfred Lawson was replaced with a more up-to-date model.
The company continued to work under the name Mears & Stainbank until 1968. The company name was then changed to The Whitechapel Bell foundry. The trademark was changed to Fig, WBF, 1 which does not feature Albert's initials on it. This is probably the year Albert died leaving the business in the hands of his two sons.
Molding wire configuration:
2:2:3:2
Fig. AWD, 1 - Billingshurst 6th
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Inscriptions
ROBERT STAINBANK
- MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON
- MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1870
- MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1871
- MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS LONDON, 1873.
- MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON, 1876.
- MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON, 1878.
- MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1885
- MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. 1885
- MEARS & STAINBANK, WHITECHAPEL, FOUNDRY, LONDON. / RECAST 1889
- MEARS & STAINBANK, WHITECHAPEL, FOUNDRY, LONDON, 1891.
- MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON 1894
- MEARS & STAINBANK, WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY, LONDON, 1894.
- MEARS & STAINBANK FECIT / A.D. 1905
- RECAST SAME METAL 1905
- MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON / REFUSIT 1908.
- MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS LONDON 1912
- MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON 1912
- RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK. 1913.
- MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON Fig. AH,2 / A.D. 1914
- MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON 1921 Fig. ARH,1
- RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON 1921 Fig. ARH,1
- MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1924, Fig. ARH,1
- M & S LONDON 1924, Fig. ARH,1
- M & S. LONDON. 1928. Fig. ARH,1
- RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON 1931
- RECAST / 19 Fig. AWD,1 55
- 1959 / MEARS Fig. AWD,1 LONDON
- RECAST / 19 Fig. AWD,1 59 / MEARS LONDON
- 1961 / Fig. AWD,1 / MEARS LONDON
- MEARS / 19 Fig. AWD,1 64 / LONDON
- MEARS & STAINBANK / 19 Fig. AWD,1 64 / LONDON, ENGLAND.
- 19 Fig. AWD,1 64
- RECAST / 19 Fig. AWD,1 65
Places the have bells cast by Mears & Stainbank in order of date |
.Itchingfield, St Nicolas (1,3) - RS 1866 .Horsham, St Mark - RS 1870 .Brighton, All Souls - RS 1871 .Tortington, St Mary Magdalene (1) - RS 1873 .Iping Marsh, The Good Shepherd - RS 1874 .Brighton, St Margaret - RS 1875 .Merston, St Giles - RS 1876 .Newtimber, St John the Evangelist - RS 1876 .Copthorne, St John the Evangelist (Old Bell) - RS 1877 .Washington, St Mary (2,3) - RS 1878 .Chithurst, St Mary - ASL 1885 .Falmer, St Lawrence - ASL 1885 .Slindon, St Mary (1,3) - ASL 1885 .Brighton, St Nicholas of Myra (Old 1,2) - ASL 1891 .Funtington, St Mary (4,5,6) - ASL 1894 .Cowfold, St Peter (1,4,5) - AH 1905 .Alfriston, St Andrew (3) - AH 1908 .Twineham, St Peter (1,2,5) - AH 1912 .Slindon, St Mary (3) - AH 1913 .Brighton, St Peter (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) - AH 1914 .Preston, St Alban - AH 1914 .Horsham, St Mary the Virgin (5,6,8) - AAH & RAH 1921 .Turners Hill, St Leonard (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) - AAH & RAH 1924 & 1926 .Alfriston, St Andrew (2,4,5) - AAH & RAH 1928 .Crawley, St John the Baptist (3) - AAH & RAH 1931 .Alfriston, St Andrew (1) - AAH, WAH & DH 1955 .Crawley, St Francis & Anthony (1,2,3) - AAH, WAH & DH 1959 .Patcham, Christ the King - AAH, WAH & DH 1959 .Billingshurst, St Mary the Virgin (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) - AAH, WAH & DH 1959, 1964 & 1965 .Crawley - Gossops Green, St Alban (1,2) - AAH, WAH & DH 1961 & 1964 .Crawley, Town Clock (1,2,3,4,5,6) - AAH, WAH &DH 1964 |
🔴 M&S bells cast by R. Stainbank
🟣 M&S bells cast by A. S. Lawson
🟡 M&S bells cast by A. Hughes
🟢 M&S bells cast by A. A. Hughes & R. A. Hughes
🔵 M&S bells cast by A. A. Hughes, W. A. Hughes & D. Hughes
🟣 M&S bells cast by A. S. Lawson
🟡 M&S bells cast by A. Hughes
🟢 M&S bells cast by A. A. Hughes & R. A. Hughes
🔵 M&S bells cast by A. A. Hughes, W. A. Hughes & D. Hughes
Sources:
.Personal investigations
.Elphick's Sussex Bells & Belfries p.146-152
.https://spitalfieldslife.com/2016/12/02/so-long-whitechapel-bell-foundry/
.Personal investigations
.Elphick's Sussex Bells & Belfries p.146-152
.https://spitalfieldslife.com/2016/12/02/so-long-whitechapel-bell-foundry/
