Robert Taylor
St Neots
1786 - 1816
Edward Arnold left the St Neots foundry in the hands of his foreman Islip Edmonds in 1784, and in the following year, his apprentice Robert Taylor.
The foundry was located along the River Great Ouse in the priory, and was in the shape of a bell. He moved the location soon after his marriage in 1789 to Cambridge street, as his father-in-law wanted more space to grow his business. Robert met his wife, Elizabeth Rowler at the local brewery, owned by her father. Apparently, Mr Rowler had some connection with Joseph Eayre.
The majority of his bells are inscribed the same. Reading:
R : TAYLOR ST NEOTS FOUNDER
followed by the date.
In 1816, a bell at Riseley bears John Briant's name on it as well as Taylors!
At Broughton, we have one of the only recorded examples were his name is written in full.
None of his bell are ornamented, though we do find the odd initial cross on some of his work, as well as coins.
Together, Elizabeth and Robert had 6 children. Only two of them, William & John, became founders.
They joined their father at the foundry, and around 1816 - 1817, and we begin to see bells being cast with
R TAYLOR & SONS FOUNDERS ST NEOTS
Occasionally, he would change the R to Robt.
The foundry was located along the River Great Ouse in the priory, and was in the shape of a bell. He moved the location soon after his marriage in 1789 to Cambridge street, as his father-in-law wanted more space to grow his business. Robert met his wife, Elizabeth Rowler at the local brewery, owned by her father. Apparently, Mr Rowler had some connection with Joseph Eayre.
The majority of his bells are inscribed the same. Reading:
R : TAYLOR ST NEOTS FOUNDER
followed by the date.
In 1816, a bell at Riseley bears John Briant's name on it as well as Taylors!
At Broughton, we have one of the only recorded examples were his name is written in full.
None of his bell are ornamented, though we do find the odd initial cross on some of his work, as well as coins.
Together, Elizabeth and Robert had 6 children. Only two of them, William & John, became founders.
They joined their father at the foundry, and around 1816 - 1817, and we begin to see bells being cast with
R TAYLOR & SONS FOUNDERS ST NEOTS
Occasionally, he would change the R to Robt.
Inscriptions
- Blestoe: R : TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1786
- Cottingham: R : TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1790
- Rushden: R : TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1794
- Pavenham: ROBT TAYLOR ST NEOTS FOUNDER 1796
- Broughton: ROBERT TAYLOR FOUNDER ST NEOTS FECIT 1803
- Cranfield: TAYLOR . FOUNDER . ST . NEOTS . 1805
- Wollaston: R. TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1806
- Steppingley: R : TAYLOR ST NEOTS. FOUNDER 1807
- Shefford: R. TAYLOR . FECIT ST NEOTS 1808
- Steppingley: R : TAYLOR . ST . NEOTS . FECIT . 1814
- Hanslope: R TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1815
- Riseley: R : TAYLOR & J BRIANT ST NEOTS FECERUNT 1816
Sussex Bells by Robert Taylor in Chronological order |
The are currently no bells by this founder in Sussex. |
Sources:
.Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P. Elphick
.The Church Bells of Bedfordshire by Thomas North
.The Church Bells of Northamptonshire by Thomas North
.The Church Bells of Buckinghamshire by A. H. Cocks
.Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P. Elphick
.The Church Bells of Bedfordshire by Thomas North
.The Church Bells of Northamptonshire by Thomas North
.The Church Bells of Buckinghamshire by A. H. Cocks
