Richard Phelps
Whitechapel
1700 - 1738
Upon the death of James Bartlet, the Whitechapel foundry was passed down into the hands of Richard Phelps. It's unclear where he learnt the trade for his name isn't in the Founders Company book.
A bell at Avebury appears to show where he originated from as it's inscribed:
RICHARD PHELPS LONDON NAT PAR HUJUS FECIT 1719
His earliest known bell was at Burham, Kent, cast in 1700, showing that he was casting bells prior to the James Bartlet's death. This bell has since been transferred to Preston next Wingham.
After taking over the business, he introduced a new set of block roman capitals in two sizes. These letters were used by his succeeding founders. He used a very heavy set on Chichester Cathedral's tenor, only example of their kind in the county.
He didn't ornate his bells that much, nor did he use the three bell shield with his initials. Although, the bell formerly at the Chichester Market Cross has three roundels - Fig. RPH,1.
He used a few fleur de lis on his bells and occasionally a flower.
Richard was a very successful founder, reviving the Whitechapel foundry. He must have been in great competition with Samuel Knight and the Rudhall family who were very big during that period.
His last bell is dated 1738, inscribed:
R. PHELPS 1738 T. LESTER FECIT
showing Thomas Lester worked alongside him when he was in ill health.
He passed away August 23, 1738, and most of the work he was sent to do was finished off by Thomas Lester.
Thomas Lester was his foreman, and Phelps' will states that the foundry equipment was passed down to him, including 6cwt of Gutter Bell metal and the sum of £23.
Gutter bell metal is the metal left in the groves leading from the furnace to the bell mould when it's cast. The Stylyard mentioned in his will is a large type of scale.
Richard's bells were all inscribed in a similar fashion.
The majority of them are inscribed using the initial of his first name and his surname in full; succeeded by MADE ME or FECIT, its Latin equivalent; followed by the date. Some of our examples have his first name in full.
His bells haven't got much text on them, but when Thomas Lester joined him, we began to see mottos and quotes inscribed.
A bell at Avebury appears to show where he originated from as it's inscribed:
RICHARD PHELPS LONDON NAT PAR HUJUS FECIT 1719
His earliest known bell was at Burham, Kent, cast in 1700, showing that he was casting bells prior to the James Bartlet's death. This bell has since been transferred to Preston next Wingham.
After taking over the business, he introduced a new set of block roman capitals in two sizes. These letters were used by his succeeding founders. He used a very heavy set on Chichester Cathedral's tenor, only example of their kind in the county.
He didn't ornate his bells that much, nor did he use the three bell shield with his initials. Although, the bell formerly at the Chichester Market Cross has three roundels - Fig. RPH,1.
He used a few fleur de lis on his bells and occasionally a flower.
Richard was a very successful founder, reviving the Whitechapel foundry. He must have been in great competition with Samuel Knight and the Rudhall family who were very big during that period.
His last bell is dated 1738, inscribed:
R. PHELPS 1738 T. LESTER FECIT
showing Thomas Lester worked alongside him when he was in ill health.
He passed away August 23, 1738, and most of the work he was sent to do was finished off by Thomas Lester.
Thomas Lester was his foreman, and Phelps' will states that the foundry equipment was passed down to him, including 6cwt of Gutter Bell metal and the sum of £23.
Gutter bell metal is the metal left in the groves leading from the furnace to the bell mould when it's cast. The Stylyard mentioned in his will is a large type of scale.
Richard's bells were all inscribed in a similar fashion.
The majority of them are inscribed using the initial of his first name and his surname in full; succeeded by MADE ME or FECIT, its Latin equivalent; followed by the date. Some of our examples have his first name in full.
His bells haven't got much text on them, but when Thomas Lester joined him, we began to see mottos and quotes inscribed.
Part of Richard Phelps' will
Item I give and bequeath unto Thomas Lester, fforeman in my business of a Bell ffounder, all my Implements and working tools in my trade or business aforesaid, and also my scales and stylyard and little engine for extinguishing fire, and all such boards and timber as shall or may be in my yards or workhouse at the time of my death, and also six hundred weight of Gutter Bell mettle, and also the sum of twenty-three pounds of lawful money of Great Britain within three monthes after my death
Alphabets & Ornaments
Fig. RPH,1 - Chichester Market Cross
Larger Set
Smaller Set
Inscriptions
- RICHARD PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1706
- R: PHELPS MADE 1707
- RICHARD PHELPS MADE ME 1708
- R. PHELPS MADE ME 1708
- R PHELPS MADE ME 1712
- R. PHELPS FECIT 1713
- 1717
- RICHARD PHELPS MADE ME 1718
- R: PHELPS FECIT 1721
- R : PHELPS FECIT 1729
- R: PHELPS FECIT 1733
- RICHARD PHELPS MADE ME 1734
- R : PHELPS FECIT 1737
- R PHELPS FECIT 1737
- R PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1737
- R : PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1737
Sussex bells by Richard Phelps in Chronological order |
.Chichester, The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity (8) - 1706 .Chichester, Market Cross - 1723 .Chichester, The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity (1,2) - 1729 .Shipley, St Mary the Virgin (5) - 1733 |
Sources:
.Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P Elphick
.The Church Bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.The Church Bells of Essex by Henry B. Walters
.The Church Bells of Kent by J. C. L. Stahlschmidt
.Surrey Bells & London Bell Founders by J. C. L. Stahlschmidt
.History of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.The National Archives - PROB 11/691/122
.Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P Elphick
.The Church Bells of Sussex by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.The Church Bells of Essex by Henry B. Walters
.The Church Bells of Kent by J. C. L. Stahlschmidt
.Surrey Bells & London Bell Founders by J. C. L. Stahlschmidt
.History of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.The National Archives - PROB 11/691/122
