Thomas Lester
Whitechapel
1738 - 1752
Thomas Lester took full control of the business in 1738 after the death of his predecessor Richard Phelps.
Lester was his foreman, and was bequeathed the business along with all his work implements and tools; a fire extinguishing engine; 6cwt of gutter bell metal; and £23.
There is no mention of where he learnt the trade, but was most likely from Phelps.
He moved the location of the foundry to its present location, formerly the Artichoke Inn, then 267 Whitechapel Road. He leased the premises from the Mayor of Stepney, and bought it on December 3rd, 1767.
"all that one messuage or tenement customary, with the Bellfoundry, coach house, yard and stable . . . to the use of and behoof of the said Thomas Lester, Bellfounder and his heirs and assigns for ever"
Thomas came from a family highly involved in founding, as we find Lesters in the Worshipful Company of Founders book going back to the 16th century.
He too joined the company in 1743.
He continued the use of Phelp's letters but changed the figure 1 to a J on the date.
His bells are inscribed in a variety of ways, like his predecessor. Either: T LESTER; THOMAS LESTER; and sometimes just the date as shown at Woodford Green, St Barnabas
J748
He introduced a number of new ornaments, Fig. TLE,1 being the most well-known and used, and first used at Chichester, St Pancras.
Fig. TLE,2, as shown at Horsham and Ardingly, was made in more than one size.
The present 7th at Horsham has Fig. TLE, 3, which appears to be a wheel. Fig. TLE,1 usually begins with a < and ends with a >, the letter V was used to do this. However, it has been known for Fig. TLE,4 to replace them, a hollow heart. At Lyminster, we find a pair of them next to each other.
He also introduced engraving the weight on the bell. Separating the number with a - or =.
In 1752, he took Thomas Pack into partnership, working under the name of Lester & Pack.
From this, we can assure that the old 3 and 5 at Horsham were cast before the rest for Pack's name isn't inscribed.
We will cover Lester & Pack in another page.
Lester was his foreman, and was bequeathed the business along with all his work implements and tools; a fire extinguishing engine; 6cwt of gutter bell metal; and £23.
There is no mention of where he learnt the trade, but was most likely from Phelps.
He moved the location of the foundry to its present location, formerly the Artichoke Inn, then 267 Whitechapel Road. He leased the premises from the Mayor of Stepney, and bought it on December 3rd, 1767.
"all that one messuage or tenement customary, with the Bellfoundry, coach house, yard and stable . . . to the use of and behoof of the said Thomas Lester, Bellfounder and his heirs and assigns for ever"
Thomas came from a family highly involved in founding, as we find Lesters in the Worshipful Company of Founders book going back to the 16th century.
He too joined the company in 1743.
He continued the use of Phelp's letters but changed the figure 1 to a J on the date.
His bells are inscribed in a variety of ways, like his predecessor. Either: T LESTER; THOMAS LESTER; and sometimes just the date as shown at Woodford Green, St Barnabas
J748
He introduced a number of new ornaments, Fig. TLE,1 being the most well-known and used, and first used at Chichester, St Pancras.
Fig. TLE,2, as shown at Horsham and Ardingly, was made in more than one size.
The present 7th at Horsham has Fig. TLE, 3, which appears to be a wheel. Fig. TLE,1 usually begins with a < and ends with a >, the letter V was used to do this. However, it has been known for Fig. TLE,4 to replace them, a hollow heart. At Lyminster, we find a pair of them next to each other.
He also introduced engraving the weight on the bell. Separating the number with a - or =.
In 1752, he took Thomas Pack into partnership, working under the name of Lester & Pack.
From this, we can assure that the old 3 and 5 at Horsham were cast before the rest for Pack's name isn't inscribed.
We will cover Lester & Pack in another page.
Alphabets & Ornamentation
Fig. TLE,1 - Walthamstow 8th
Fig. TLE,2 - Horsham 7th
Fig. TLE,3 - Horsham 7th
Fig. TLE,4 - Lyminster 2nd
Fig. TLE,2 - Horsham 7th
Fig. TLE,3 - Horsham 7th
Fig. TLE,4 - Lyminster 2nd
Larger Set
Smaller Set
Inscriptions
- THO: LESTER MADE ME J740
- THOMAS LESTER OF LONDON MADE ME 1742
- 1742 T. L. FECIT
- J750 [Fig. TLE,1]
- THOMAS LESTER OF LONDON MADE US ALL J751
- THOS LESTER MADE ME J751
- T LESTER FECIT
- THOMAS LESTER OF LONDON MADE ME
Sussex bells by Thomas Lester in Chronological order |
.Newtimber, St John the Evangelist (Old Bell) - Undated .Playden, St Michael (Old Bell) - 1740 .Crawley, St John the Baptist (Old 1,2) - 1742 .Chichester, St Pancras - 1750 .Hellingly, St Peter & St Paul (Old 1-5, 6?) - 1751 .Horsham, St Mary the Virgin (Present 7; Old 3,5,8) - 1752 |
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
.History of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry by Amhurst D. Tyssen
.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
.History of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry by Amhurst D. Tyssen
