William Chapman, Thomas Lester's nephew came into the business through him, and worked alongside Lester and Thomas Pack in 1769. Lester passed away in this year, and in his will, he hoped that Pack and Chapman would become equal partners.
This happened and they supplied us with a number of bells in Sussex.
Thomas Pack passed away in 1781, leaving William Chapman in full control of the business. Through right of his wife (Thomas Lester's grand-daughter), Robert Patrick succeeded ownership of the foundry premises and attempted bellfounding himself.
William Mears re-joined the foundry in 1782 after he became bankrupt and worked equally with Chapman until 1784. It was in this year where William Chapman passed away, leaving William Mears working alone.
Our only Sussex examples by him alone are at Berwick and Penhurst, both dated 1781.
This happened and they supplied us with a number of bells in Sussex.
Thomas Pack passed away in 1781, leaving William Chapman in full control of the business. Through right of his wife (Thomas Lester's grand-daughter), Robert Patrick succeeded ownership of the foundry premises and attempted bellfounding himself.
William Mears re-joined the foundry in 1782 after he became bankrupt and worked equally with Chapman until 1784. It was in this year where William Chapman passed away, leaving William Mears working alone.
Our only Sussex examples by him alone are at Berwick and Penhurst, both dated 1781.
Inscriptions
- 1781
- WM CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1781
Sussex bells by Richard Phelps in Chronological order |
.Berwick, St Michael & All Angels (Service) - 1781 |
Sources:
- ELPHICK, George. P (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries p.
- History of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry by Amhurst D. Tyssen
