O S B O R N E M.S.S.
Additional M.S.S. British Museum Library,
Nos. 19368 ; 19370 and 19371.
-A.1ST .A.OO OTJISTT
SOCIETY OF UNION SCHOLARS,
ESTABLISHED, A.D. 1713.
With the Members' Names, Rules, and Peal Book,
from the original M.S.S.,
AND AN APPENDIX
BT
JASPER W. SNOWDON and EOBEET TUKE,
OF THE
YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS,
: JOHN DALE AND CO., PRINTERS, BIUDGE STREET A^D LEEDS ROAD,
BRADFORD.
1877
O S B O R N E M.S.S.
Additional M.S.S. British Museum Library,
Nos. 19368 ; 19370 and 19371.
-A.JXT .A.OG OTJISrT
<)K THE
SOCIETY OF UNION SCHOLARS,
ESTABLISHED, A.D. 1713.
With the Members' Names, Rules, and Peal Book,
from the original M.S.S.,
AND AN APPENDIX
BY
JASPEK W. SNOWDON and ROBEKT TUKE,
OF THE
YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CHANGE RINGERS,
JOHN DALE AM) CO., PRINTERS, BRIDGE STREET AND LF.EDS HOAD,
BRADFORD.
1877.
BRITISH MUSEUM LIBRARY.
ADDITIONAL MANUSCRIPTS,
Vol. 19,370.
"ACCOUNT OF THE RINGING SOCIETIES
IN LONDON, BY
E. J. OSBORN E.
THE UNION SCHOLAKS, ESTABLISHED, 1713,
This antique Society was established in the 13th year of
the reign of Queen Anne, on the 1st of May, 1713. In the 3rd
article by which the Society was regulated, it was ordered that
the meetings should be held " within the City of London," what
part of the city does not appear, but from the circumstance of
the first peal being rung at St. Dunstan's in the East, the
probability is, the meetings were held contiguous to that church.
As nothing now remains (excepting the record book) to shew the
exact origin of the Union Scholars' Society, it cannot now be
more accurately known than by the following observations ;
but those who are fond of tracing marks of antiquity relating to
the ringing exercise, must, I feel assured, regret the loss of
knowing the true original particulars of this Company. This
neglect, perhaps, may be accounted for by remarking that the
ancients in this exercise were generally very dilatory and
neglectful in recording the exploits of their day.
11G6296
It appears that the beautiful Tower of St. Duustau's in the
East was erected in the year 1690, and the present peal of bells
was cast and put up in 170*2, which is evidenced by the following
singular notice copied from an old newspaper, to be seen in the
British Museum, called the Post Boy, and dated July 25th, 1702,
which states that :
' Whereas, Mr. Abraham Rudhall, of the city of Gloucester,
bell founder, was lately employed to cast 8 bells for the
Parish Church of St. Dunstan's, in London. This is
to give notice that he has performed his contract to
the universal satisfaction of the gentlemen of the said
Parish, and in the opinion of the ablest judges has
made them the best peal of bells in all England.'
The probability is that soon after these bells were put up
the Union Scholars began to hold meetings and practised ringing
of some kind at St. Dunstan's prior to their establishing a
society. I am of opinion, as this was a city society, and from
the fact of their first peal being rung there, the first known
peal upon the bells the Union Scholars were the original
parochial ringers of St. Dunstan's.
The Union Scholars had one book in which are recorded
their Articles, Names and Peals. The Articles, seven in number,
proclaim that every candidate must be a strictly moral character
to become eligible for admission, and if approved, should pay Is.
the entrance fee, and thereby become a member. There are 181
names of members, written in bold German text, with dates. &c.,
shewing accurately the times of their admission and the times
of appointments to the offices of Master and Stewards. A Master
and two Stewards were chosen annually, and the Annual Festival
was ordered to be held on the 1st of May, at some convenient
place in the City of London. The book also contains an account
of 36 peals (mostly plain ringing), the first of which is dated
1718, and the last 1757. There is one circumstance connected
with the three first entries which calls forth some remarks and sur-
prise, i e., the first and second peals were rung in September and
December, 1718, and the space of 18 years passed over before the
next peal was rung. This can possibly be accounted for in the
following manner, i e., by reason of the peal in December being
the very first peal of Treble Bob that ever was rung in the
kingdom which was at the time and many years after called
" Union Bob," so named in honour of the Union Scholars
ringing the first peal in that method, after ringing this peal,
those members who rang it appear to have left the company, as
their names (afterwards) do not appear as Union Scholars, or in
fact as anything else in that way ; the presumption is therefore
that they joined the London Scholars, who were a most respectable
ringing society and of great renown, but whether anything of
consequence was ever done by these people conjointly, in the
way of peals, is now unknown, and will, I expect, be for ever so,
in consequence of the total loss of the London Scholars' record
books. The first peal (before-mentioned) rung by the Union
Scholars is called a peal of " Hick's Tripples," * so named
possibly after the person of that name who invented the method.
There is no note or name of bob caller to either peal. The writings
representing these two peals in 1718, are the oldest ringing
records upon paper in the kingdom, and are in good condition,
considering the number of years they have been written ! At
and after this supposed loss of members above-mentioned, the
Society continued to receive new members, and went on in the
usual way, yet, the fact is they appear to have been so far leduced
as not to be able to ring a peal until 1 8 years afterwards. How-
ever, after the expiration of this period, they again began to ring
peals, as frequently as other societies, to the year 1754.
In the year 1745, Mr. John Holt (the renowned author of
the celebrated peal of Grandsire Triples), was admitted a member
* Mr. Osborne is not quite correct in this, it is entered as " Hick
Tripples" and the "Garthornes Hie Tripples" to be found in Annable's Note
Book, frhew that it was in reality Grandsire with fifth place bobs, and there is
every reason to suppose that the peal was identical with Garthon's peal which
had been performed by the Norwich Scholars on August 26th. 1718.
of the Union Scholars, and in 1749 served the office of Master.
During the time of his Mastership with this Company, he
successfully accomplished his much celebrated long course peal
of Grandsire Triples, which was for the first time rung at St.
Margaret's, Westminster, on Sunday, July 7th, 1751, himself
seated upon a chair in the steeple and conducting the same ; he
afterwards composed the same peal in parts, for the convenience
of the caller, which peal, after being divided into parts, was (I
believe) rung the first time by the Cumberlands, at Shoreditch,
on the 12th October, 1754, and conducted by Mr. George Gross.
In the year 1752, it appears Mr. Holt left the Union
Scholars and joined the Ancient Society of College Youths, and
rang two peals with that company, with whom, it is supposed,
he continued so long as he remained a practical ringer ; it, how-
ever, may be remarked that Mr. Holt's name does not appear in
any peal or performance of any kind with any society whatever
after ringing the two peals above-mentioned with the Ancient
Society of College Youths.
The Society appears (by the book) to have been in a prosperous
state till about the year 1754, but in 1757 their last peal was rung,
at which time the Society became extinct (or thereabouts) as most
of the members' names about this latter date are to be found in
the books of other societies. In the year 1754, Mr. Albion,
an active member of this Company, and a celebrated writer of
peals, appears to have left London to fulfil an appointment as
master of a large school at Bath, where he continued to the year
of his death, 1805, and when the Union Scholars became extinct,
he, being the writer of the peals, the Peal Book was sent to him
at Bath, as a present, with a request to keep it, which he did to
the time of his decease, when the same was afterwards presented
to one John Bush (a Bath ringer), for the Bath Abbey Company,
which he kept, as his own, till his decease, in 1821. It was after-
wards in the hands of others in Bath many years, in fact to the
time I happened to visit Bath (while on a tour through the West
of England), when it by chance was shewn to me, and to my
astonishment I was asked " the meaning " of such a book ! I
soon discovered what it was and, after perusing it, made an offer
and purchased it for 10s. ; this was on the 2nd clay of September,
1846. Upon calculation I discovered this book had been in Bath
nearly 90 years, and was always supposed, by the London people,
to have been for many years entirely lost or destroyed. Prior to
Mr. Albion's leaving London for Bath, as before-mentioned, he
wrote members' names and peals in the books of nearly every
society in London, down to the time of his departure for
Bath, viz. : all the names and peals in the Ancient Society of
College Youths' book from 17 to 1754 ; a few peals in the
Eastern Scholars' book in 1752-3 ; all the peals from 1741
to 1754, and the whole of the names in the Union Scholars'
book, and the members' names from 1747 to 1753 in the
Cumberland's book. This fact is perceptible to anyone possessing
a small portion of genuine discernment of ornamental writing.
Thus Mr. Albion left London in 1754, and his name appears in
a peal of Union Triples with the Bath Company on the 9th of
December in that year, which peal he recorded in his usual
ornamental style upon paper with his name signed as the writer
thereof, which record was presented to me in December, 1846,
by Mr. Albion, his only son (then 80 years of age), as a lover
of ringing antiquities, the possession of which 1 retain to this
day."
ADDITIONAL MANUSCRIPTS,
Vol. 13968, page 23.
Mr. Osborne also gives this account of the finding of thi?
book:
" The following history relates to the singular discovery of
the Ancient Society of Union Scholars' Peal Book, which was
supposed to have been lost or destroyed very many years since,
but was perchance found and purchased by rne, while on a visit
to Bath, in December, 1846.
Whereas, Mr. James Albion, a native of Hackney, Middlesex.
born in or about the year 1797, by profession a mercantile clerk
and professional writer, resided in London till the year 1753,
when he went to live at Bath, and there opened a school, which
he carried on with great reputation to the year 1805, the year of
his death. During his time in London, he wrote all the last
peals in the Union Scholars' Book, and when that Society
became extinct (about the year 1757), this book was sent to him
as a present, being the writer thereof which he kept till his
decease, when the same was presented to the Bath Abbey Ringers
Society, by his only surviving son, James Albion who made
this statement to me in 1846, above-mentioned, and was then
residing at No. 1 , Chapel Court, in the City of Bath, in the 80th
year of his age. This book was entrusted to the care of one John
Bush, a Bath ringer to hand to his society instead of
which he kept it for himself to the time of his death, which
event occurred in 1821, Afterwards it remained in the hands of
different members of that society, as private property, till it was
purchased by me on the 2nd day of December, 1846: At this
period the book was in a very dilapidated state from age and
illusage. 1 brought it to London in its original state, and after-
wards took it to pieces, cleaned the whole of the leaves, mounted
them upon new paper, and made all defects good about the
writing, &c. with a title page to the peals there being no
original added some antique views of churches, with several
other interesting and ancient performances, which do not appear
elsewhere on paper, all of which have been collected and written
by E. J. OSBORNE.
Upon perusal of the original leaves it will be perceived that
Mr. Albion was (besides the writer) a ringing member of the
Society of Union Scholars, and rang in nearly all the peals to
the time of his leaving London for Bath. It will be also, after-
wards, seen that he joined the Bath Einging Company, and rang
a peal of Union Tripples with that Company, which he recorded
upon paper, and the same was presented to me by Mr. Albion
(his son) in 1846, which I have placed for perusal at the end of
these leaves, which originally formed the Society of Union
Scholars Book the subject of this address. E J. OSBORNE."
10
Additional Manuscripts Vol. 19371.
" THE
NAMES OF THE MEMBERS
OF THE
SOCIETY OF UNION SCHOLARS,
Commencing from the 1st of May in the year 1713 :
Stewards.
1713. Masters.
Stewards.
1717. Masters.
1714
Wm: Hodges 1713
1720
Chas. Marsh
1713
Wm. Balding 1715
1721
Edw. Archer
1713
Wm. Freeborn 1714
And. Williams 1721
1714
Robt. French
Robt. Bawlwin
1718.
John Medley
1722
Danl. Steward
1715
Thos. Goodridge
AmbroseTaylorl7^2
1715
Thos. Wright
1719.
1714.
1723
Robt. Stretch
1716
Wm. Coster 1717
1723
Saml. How 1724
1716
Rd. Walker 1723
1724
Rd. Steel 1725
1717
Thos. Richards 1720
1717
Alex. White 1719
1720.
TWTC
1724
Wm. Smithson
1722
*7o
Ed. Franks 1716
Jas. Field
1718
Jno. Stiles
1721.
1718
Rd. Willson
1743
W. Scarsbrook 1746
1716.
1725
Jno. Stanton
1721
Thos. Perrin
1725
Wm.'Smith 1726
1719
Saml. Moss 1718
1719
Jno. Russell
1722.
1720
Thos. Wheeler
1727
Hy. Macfarland
Rd. Oswald
1726
Jas. Mason
1720
Wm. Strange
1726
Wm. Howard 1727
11
Stewards.
i723- Masters. Stewards. 1732. Masters.
1727
Thos. Burnett 1728
1742 Jos. Fielding
1728
Geo. Hawdon
1734 Wm. Young 1743
Wm. Gill 1729
1728
Richd. Quick
1733-
1737 Philip Barringer
1724.
1741 Thos. Fletcher
Jno. Salter
1731
Thos. Fisher
I734-
1731
Thos. Mead
1736 Jos. Brown
Danl. Bigsby
1730
1729
Wm. Ayres 1731
Jno. Flanders 1730
1735 Saml. Walton 1737
Geo. Lawrence
1729
Aron Dove
'735-
1726.
1735-39 Capt. R. Hill 1736
1730
Wm. Killings-
worth 1732
Jno. Adams
1736 Jno. Denmead 1738
Thos. Palmer
1737-46 Ed. Underwood 1740
Fras. Popham, Esq.
1727.
Saml. Vaughan
Adam Children
1732
1743
Jno. Hodges 1733
Saml. Slaughter
1736.
Saml. Randall
H 38-39 Chas Spurt
1728.
1738-39 Chas. Bride
Chas. Kettleby
1738-39 Jno. Hopkins
1732
Jno. Jennings
1738 Hobt. Beard
1729.
1737-
Jas. Newcomb
1740 Jno. Barker
Wm. Fenner
1744 Jas. Bohun 1739
1730.
1742 Jos. Matthews 1745
1733
Andrew Stevens
1733
Jno. Rawlins
1738-
Jno. Braly
1731-
Jos. Dickinson
1734
Thos. Barrett 1735
Jno. Herrin
1737
John Dobvns 1734
Jno Sharp
1737
Thos. Wetherly
Philemon Main-
Jas. Newby waring
Stewards. 1739- Masters.
Stewards. 1747- Masters.
Jas Edwards
Fras. Busshell
Wm. Simms
Thos. Vandyke
Jno. Blake
Jno. Lloyd
Jno. Dagley
Jas. Albion
1740.
1748.
Jos. Ashton
Thos. Jackson
Wm. Lovell
Edw. Powell*
Jno. Jas. Short*
1741.
Jas. Marshall
17-10 Jas. Rodgers 1741
17-11 Wm. Mason 1742
1749.
Edw. Davis
1742.
Thos. Thomas
Thos. Davis
Edw. Thomas*
Thos. James
Jos. Jones
Jas. Davis
1743-
Jno. Lokes
1744 Wm. Mattson
Robt James
Jno. Scollough 1 744
1750.
Thos Fulford
IT. Cowley.Twickenham
1744-
Robt. Fenn
1745 Wm. Meddus
Jno. Meredith
1745-46 Jacob Hall 1747
Phillip Thacker
Jno. Roames
1745-
P. Cowley, Twickenham
John Holt* 1749
Rd. Cadman
Hy. Young
Saml. Vains
174.6
Wm. Sharpe
J./4.U*
Thos. Jones
Geo. Ware
1 747 Hy. Savory, Putney 1 748
Hy. Vestell
fj'as. Tichborne
Jas. Yickers
Hy. Penn
1747 Jno. Brown
Hy. Cashbrook
1747-
Jno, Curtiss, Oxford
1748 Thos. Ward
Mat. Ashley j Hilling-
1 748 Jas. Fawkes
Win. Smith L don.
Isaac Hannum
' Jno. Line j Middlesex
* Extra illuminated,
f Crossed out and X written in margin.
ti
Ste\var<ls. *I75O. Masters.
Stewards. *I750. Masters.
Wm. Underwood
Wm. Cooper
Geo. Fleury
Jno. Barney, Bucks.
1754 Ed. Royce
Wm. Kiddall
Hy. Lewis
Thos. Bowston
1754 Rd. Millson
Wm. Blair
Jno. Jenner
Jno. Frasier
Jno. Wheatley
Matthew Lowns
Saml. Daniel
Jno. Goodspeed
Jno. Hayes
Barnaby Stanton
Jno. Richards
Chas. Powell
Thos. Milton
Thos. Nash
Jno.Card^ell
1757 Wm. Robinson
Win. Richardson
Jno. Shatton
Jno Paddok
Wm. Mills
Jno. Smith
Jas. Keatt
Wm. Stephenson
Thos. Storer '
Wistanley Richardson
Geo Carbery
Chas. Goffe
1757 Thos. Banks.
* All the names after the year 1750 are entered under the same heading,
but it is probable that these are the Members who joined the Society from
17JO to the time of its dissolution. In copying the names etc. from the
original records, all mis-spelt names and words have been produced without
alteration.
14
OEDERS TO BE OBSERVED BY THE SOCIETY OF
UNION SCHOLARS.
IMPRIMIS. It is Order'd,
That on the first Monday in May yearly (being the year's
peal) election be made of three members, one of whom to
serve the office of Master and the other two the office of Stewards
for the year ensuing, and upon refusal of such persons so elected,
they shall forfeit five shillings to the use of the Company.
N.B. That election be made of a member to serve the office of
Master according to his seniority.
Order d:
That the two persons so elected to officiate as Stewards
together with the Master, determine such matters or things as
shall be for the good and credit of the Company.
That no man be admitted except he is a civil man and a
sufficient ringer. For approbation, he shall ring a bell with
the Company, and if approved of, on his paying one shilling at
his entry to the Warner shall be admitted by the Master at a
publick meeting of the Company.
Order'd :
That on the first Monday in May, yearly and every year,
the Company meet together at such convenient time and in such
place (within the City of London) as to them shall seem most
proper, the Stewards to provide a Dinner, and in order to defray
the charge of this Dinner, the Stewards shall receive of each
member two shillings and sixpence, and for the better hindrance
of excess it is further ordered that the year's forfeits be disbursed
towards the overplus (if any such there be) of this expense. The
Stewards to expend no more than any other member and
15
It is unanimously agreed,
That a weekly peal be kept on every Monday, the time
appointed for meeting is precisely at 7 o'clock in the winter and
at 8 o'clock in the summer. N.B. The place of meeting not to
be out of the City aforesaid.
Order'd :
That at all such weekly meetings, each member expend
sixpence and if the reckoning amounts to more the Stewards
shall pay it.
That, if any of this Society being timely warned at any
extraordinaiy meeting shall fail in his appearance, for such
neglect shall pay sixpence, save on a very emergent occasion.
That as Gaming is considered a growing evil and tends
manifestly to the Prejudice not only of this but of all other
Societies
Eesolv'd therefore :
Whosoever shall be found guilty thereof shall forfeit for the
first offence one shilling, and if afterwards the Person so found
guilty commits the same fault, he shall be expell'd the Society.
Order'd
That since no Society, whether for Gain or Pleasure can well
last without having due respect to the Divine Being, whereby 'tis
presumed things may be better regulated for the reputation of
this fraternity, it is
Eesolv'd
That if any Member at any Meeting of Ringing or other
assembly shall curse, swear, or vainly utter the name of God
whether it is owing to his Ebriety or any other unseemly Quality,
for every such Fault shall pay twopence, and if by too frequent a
practice of the same shall be deem'd a Corrupter and Expell'd
the Society.
Order'd
That the Stewards shall keep a brief Abstract of all Forfeits
to the end, that they may be capable to Inform any one of his
offence if Scrupled or Denied.
16
That the Company shall Elect a carefull honest Man to be
their Warner, who, upon the Instructions given him by the
Master or Stewards, shall give notice to such part of the Society
so intended to meet, for the Execution of which office the
Stewards shall collect one shilling per man throughout the
Society, to be paid him on every Feast Day yearly.
That these Orders be in the Custody of the Master and
shall be Read by him or his Order at the Entrance of any New
Member, whereof, if he fail he shall pay one shilling.
And lastly, it is further ordered, agreed and concluded upon,
That if any Dispute should arise, touching or concerning
these Orders or Rules or anything Therein contained, the matter
so in dispute shall be referr'd to the Master and Stewards who
shall Decide the same, and the person or persons concern'd not
submitting to their Determination shall be Expell'd the Society."
(On the next page is a drawing of a Church, under which is written)
" A Perspective View of the Parish Church of St. Clement
Danes in the Strand, most humbly inscrib'd to this Society by
their most humble servt., James Albion."
THE FOLLOWING ARE
THE ORIGINAL PEALS
RUNG BY THE
SOCIETY OF UNION SCHOLARS,
Established the 1st of May, 1713.
(Full page illumination, beautifully executed in Mr. Osborne's handwriting.)
* No. 1. September l%th, 1718.
This Society rang at ST. DUNSTAN-IN-THE-EAST
the first true and compleat peal of
5040 HICK TREBLES.
WM. HODGES 1
HOST. FRENCH 2
WM. FREEBORN 3
JN. MEDLEY
RICHD. OSWALD
TEGS. GOODRIDGE
ROBT. BALDWIN
WM. BALDING
* No. 2. December Mth, 1718.
This Society rang at ST. DUNSTAN-IN-THE-EAST
the first true and compleat peal of
5120 UNION BOB.
JN. MEDLEY 1
ROBT. FRENCH 2
WM. FREEBORN 3
EDWD. FRANKS
RICHD. OSWALD
THOS. PERRIN
ROBT. BAWLD'G
WM. BALDING
8
See Appendix.
IB
*No. 3. February Uth, 1736.
This Society rang at ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS
the first true and compleat peal of
5040 TEN IN.
Call'd by Jno. Denmead.
DANL. BIGGSBT 1
ED. UNDERWOOD 2
SAM. VAUGHAN 3
THOS. PALMER 4
RALPH HILT, 5
Jos. BROWN 6
]Jno. Denmead 7
THOS. BARRETT 8
FKA. POPHAM
SAM. WALTON 10
*No. 4. Thursday February 24f/, 1736.
This Society rang on the eight smallest bells at
ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS
the first compleat peal of
5040 GRANDS'R TREBLES.
Prick't and call'd by Jno. Denmead.
Performed in 3 hours and 10 minutes, by
EDW. UNDERWOOD Treble
SAM. VAUGHAN 2
RALPH HILL 3
GEO. LAWRENCE 4
THO. WEATHERLY 5
JNO. DUNMEAD 6
THO. BARRETT 7
SAM. WALTON Tenor
No. 5. March the xx., MDCCXXXVI.
The Society rang at ST. GILES'S-IN-THE-FEILDS
the first true and compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR
ever performed on those bells, and performed in 3 hours 22 mins.
Call'd by Jno. Denmead.
W. SCARSBROOK Treble
L. UNDERWOOD 2
S. VAUGHAN 3
T. WEATHERLY 4
R. HILL 5
T. BARRATT 6
J. DENMEAD 7
Jos. BROWN Tenor
* See Appendix.
J The name of the Conductor, here given in italics, is printed in red in
the original.
11)
*No. 6. July the 257t, 1736.
This Society rang at ST. GEORGE'S, SOUTHWAEK,
the first true and compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR.
Call'd bv Jn. Denmed.
THOS. PALMER
E"D. UNDERWOOD
RAL. HILL
STEP. PICARD
1
2
3
4
THO"- BARRETT
T. WEATHERLY
JNO. DENMED
SL. VAUGH'N
*No. 7. February the 26tfi, 1738.
This Society rang at ST. GILES'S-IN-THE-FEILDS
the first true and compleat peal of
5040 HAM TREBLES.
perform 'd in 3 hours 1 min.
Call'd by John Denm'd.
JN. JENNINGS
SAM. VAUGHAN
RALPH HILL
SAML. WALTON
Treble
JAM. NEWBY
JN. DENMED
SAM RANDALL
JAS. BOHUN
7
Tenor
No. 8. May the xx., MDCcxxxvrn.
This Society rang at ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FE1LDS
the first true and compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR TREBLES CONTAINING THE TREBLE LEADS
AND BOBS OF YE COMPLEAT PEAL OF 40320 BOB MAJOR, EIGHT IN.
Prickt and called by Jii. Deiimed.
Perform'd in 2 hours 55 mins.
Jos. BROWN
Treble
SAM WALTON
5
JAS. BOHUN
2
JN. DENMEAD
RAL. HILL
3
SAM VAUGHAN
7
SAM NEWBY
4
CHAS. SPURLL
Tenor
'See Appendix.
No. 9. Monday, February the 19th, 1738-9.
This Society rang at ST. SAVIOUE, SOUTHWABK, the first
true and compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR ROYAL, OTHERWISE TEN IN
ever performed on those bells.
It was compleated in 4 hours 10 mins.,
hy y* ten following persons :
JN. BRAUSY Treble
Jos. DICKENSON 2
WM. SCARSBBOOK 3
EALPH HILL 4
JNO. DENMED 5
GEO. LAURANCE
CHAS. SPURLL
SAM WALTON
JNO. HOPKINS
PHILEN MAINWARING Tenor
Call'd by Jno. Denmead.
N.B. The Tenor, 51c: 2: 7.
No. 10. July the 29th, 1739.
This Society rang att ST. MARY'S, LAMBETH, in 3 hours
10 mins., a true and compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR. EIGHT IN.
JNO. HERING Treble
Jos. DICKENSON 2
JNO. SHARP 3
JAS. EDWARDS 4
WM. SIMMS 5
JNO. BLAKE 6
JNO. D AGLET 7
PHILE WAISWAKINO Tenor
No. 11. ALL SAINTS, FULHAM.
The Society on the 23rd! day of November, 1 741, rang compleatly
in 3 hours and 18 mins.,
5264 BOB MAJOR.
The performers were
Jos. ASHTON I
JNO. DAGLET 2
JNO. HERRIN 3
JNO. SHARP 4
W. LOVELL
Jos. DICKENSON
WM. SIMMS
JAS. BOHUN
*No. 12. ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER.
The Society rang on the %lth October, 1747, a compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR,
and. was performed in 3 hrs. 20 mins., by
| JOHN LLOYD 5
JNO. HOLT
JAS Bo HUN
GEO. WARE
JACOB HALL
Treble
2
3
4
JOHN LLOYD
THOS. WARD
JAS. NEWBY
HOST. JAMES
Tenor
The first Treble
lead The Course endsj
21436587
6423578
24163857
2654378
42618375
5236478
46281735
4352678
64827153
6543278 -
68472513
4625378
86745231
2436578
87654321
In this Peal the 6th 5324678
78563412
is at home 12 times. 2563478
75836142
6245378
57381624
3462578
53718264
5634278 -
35172846
2356478 -
31527486
4523678 -
13254768
3425678
13527486
At a bob 4ths
place. of the first 1681
N.B Call'd by John Holt.
* See Appendix.
+ The course ends, followed by a mark ( ), are written in red.
*No. 13. ST. GILES'S-IN-THE-FEILDS.
The Society rang on the 1st day of November, in the year 1747
a compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR,
and in 3 hrs. and 3 mins,,
by the following persons y e same was performed :
WALTER HARVEY
JAS. FAWKES
JACOB HALL
THOS. WARD
16423857
14357682
12654837
16437285
15236847
12647583
13542367
15267381
14365827
16435827
14527683
13624857
16457382
12356847
Treble JOHN HOLT
2 Jxo. LLOYD
3 ROBT. JAMES
4 JAS. BOHUX
13647285
15243867
12367584
14562837
16452837
14237685
These are the bobs 15634827
of the first 1 680. 16427583
13526847
15647382
12345867
13567284
14263857
14235678
CalTd by John Holt.
5
6
Tenor
* See Appendix
23
No. 14. ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FEILDS.
On the 9th day of December, 1748,
a compleat peal of
6040 BOB MAJOR
was rang by the Society on the eight smallest bells,
which peal was performed by the persons following, viz :
JE. HANNUM Treble
THOS. VANDYKE 2
JNO. HOLT 8
ED. POWELL 4
SAML. GREEN f>
STN. PICKHAVKR 6
RT. MORTIMER
GEO. WARE Tenor
The bobti at the course
ends of the first 1680.
16423578
15264378
13652478
12453678
16524378 The bobs of this
13265478 peal were call'd
14632578 by Jno. Holt.
12534678
16325478
14263578
15642378
The treble leads
12357486
13728564
17836245
18674352
16485723
16452837
16423578
of the first course.
See Appendix.
24
*No. 15 ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER.
On the 9th of July, 1749,
was rang by this Society a com pleat peal of
6000 BOB MAJOR,
in 4 hrs. and 8 mins. the same was performed,
JOHN HOLT Treble , EDWARD POWELL 5
THOS. WABD 2 Iv. T^_* ROBERT MORTIMER 6
JACOB HALL 3 the Performers JoH> . LLOYD r
JAMES NEWBY 3 STEP. PICKHAVER Tenor
12357486
14352678 :
12378564
12453678
18645872
15324678
18657423 This peal was never
14523678
16723845 rang before and is
13425678
18267584 exactly 6000.
12584678
18273645 Compos'd and call'd
13254678
12345867 by John Holt.
15432678
12356478
13542678
12367584
12345678
14562837
The bobs of
These are the
the 1st 25 leads.
560 ends.
* See Appendix.
J The course ends followed by a are written in red.
25
*No. 16. ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS.
The Society on the 8th of Angust, 1749 rang a compleat peal of
5040 PLAIN BOB TREBLES
on the eight smallest bells, and the same was performed in
3 hours and 30 mins. by
EOBT. JAMES
Jxo. HOLT
JNO. LLOYD
GEO. MEAKINS
Treble
2
3
4
JACOB HALL
RT. MORTIMER
EDW. POWELL
JNO. JAMES
5
6
7
Tenor
Call'd by John Holt.
The first Treble lead.
The Bobs of
2143657
1235746
2416375
1645273
4261735
1642357
4627153
1526473
6472513
1652473
6745231
1543762
7654321
1354762
7563412
1643527
5736142
1645732
5371624
1235674
3517264
1236457
3152746
1562374
1325476
1256374
1352746
1534726
At a bob 4ths place.
, 1453726
the first 840.
See Appendix.
36
*No. 17. CHRIST CHURCH, SURREY,
October the loth, 1749.
A compleat peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR
was by the Society rang, and in 3 hours and 15 rains.,
the same was perform'd by the following persons, viz :
OLIVER ELLIXGSWORTH Treble
JACOB HALL 2
SAML. GREEN 8
RT. MORTIMER 4
STEP. PECKHAVKU 5
JNO. HOLT 6
JNO. LLOYD 7
THOS. PRIOR Tenor
16423857
15236478
12643857
15267384
16357284
14365827
15637284
16435827
' 12356478
These are the bobs of 13645827
12367584
the first 1680. 16527384
14562837
Call d by John Holt. 12657384
16452837
13526478
15642837
13567284
16237584
14263857
13627584
14235678
See Appendix.
27
-No. 18. ST. SEPULCHRE'S, LONDON.
On the 5th of December, 1749,
was rung by the Society on the eight largest bells, a compleat
peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR,
and in 3 hours and 45 mins, it was performed by
JAS. ALBION
Treble
GEO. HELLIWELL 5
JACOB HALL
2
THOS. WARD 6
JAS. NEWBY
3
JNO. LLOYD 7
' JNO. HOLT
4
THOS. PRIOR Tenor
These are the bobs of the 1st 560.
12357486 12534678
16452837 13425678
16423578 13254678
10437285 13542678
15236847 N.B. This is the 14235678
15264378 first peal of Bob 14352678
15247683 Major ever rang 14523678
13645827 on the New 12845678
13652478 Bells.
13627584 Call 'd by John Holt.
14523867
15867482
12465837
12453678 (The 560 ends of the Peal.)
* See Appendix.
J The course ends followed by a are written in red.
*No. 19. ST. BRIDGET'S alias ST. BRIDE'S, LONDON-.
The Society on the 16th of March 1749/1750, rang on the
eight smallest bells in this steeple a compleat peal of
5056 BOB MAJOR.
and in 2 hrs. and 67 mins. it was performed by the persons
following :
JAS. ALBION Treble
SAML. GREEN
5
WALTER HARVEY 2
JACOB HALL
6
JAS.
NEWBY 3
JNO LOKES
T
JNO.
HOLT 4
THOS- WARD
Tenor
17864523
12654837
13657482
12567483
2356478
6437285
4536278
3462857
2367584
3647285
4567382
6342857
6237584
2436578
2364857
4632857
3627534
2467385
6234857
6257483
5236478
5362847
3624857
5627483
5267384
5324678 These are the bob 6457382
4256378
4365827
6253847 changes of the 5647382
426758 s
4352678
5623847 peal. 3456278
3564827
6543827
6347582
3467582
3542678
4653827
4637582 Call'd by 2563847
6435827
6327485
5346278 John Holt. 2534678-
3645827
2637485
5367482
6325847
6527384
4326578
2465837
2635847
2657384
4367285
6245837
6547283
3526478
5264837
4625837
4657283
3567284
16524837
16537482
12546378
14263857
* See Appendix.
29
*No. 20. ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER,
July Sih, 1750,
was rang by the Society a compleat peal of
5040 DOUBLE BOB MAJOR,
otherwise DOUBLE EIGHT IN.
and in 3 hours 28 mins., it was perform'd by
JAS. ALBION Treble
JNO. HOLT 2
RT. BUTTERSWORTH 3
JNO. LLOYD 4
21436587
24163857
42618375 Call'dby
46281735 Jno. Holt.
64827153 {Course ends of
68472513 the 1st 1680.
86745231
68472531
86745213
87654123
78561432
75816342
57183624
51738264
15372846
15738264
THOS. WARD
JAS, TlCHBORNE
RT. MORTIMER
EDW. THOMAS
43652 65324
56234 35426
23564 45623
62534 26354
52436 35264
42635 63254
36524 42356
52364
5
6
7
Tenor
See Appendix.
* The course ends marked with a are written in red.
30
*No. 21. ST. GEORGE'S, SOUTHWARD
The 9th of September, 1750.
The Society rang in 3 hours and 15 mins., a compleat peal of
5040 PLAIN BOB TREBLES.
The performers were as follows :
OLIVER ELLINGSWORTH, Treble
JOHN HOLT 2
THOMAS WARD 3
THOMAS JACKSON 4
JAMES ALBION-
EDWARD THOMAS
JOHN LLOYD
JAMES DAVIS
5
6
7
Tenor
The first lead.
The Bobs.
2143657
1235746
2416375
645273
4261735
642357
4627153
526473
6472513
652473
6745231
543762
7654321
Call'd by John Holt. 354762
7563412
643527
5736142
645734
5371624
235674
3517264
23645T
3152746
562374
1325476
256374
1352746
534726
453726
of the first 840.
See Appendix.
31
*No. 32. ST. GEORGE'S, SOUTHWARD
The Society on Sunday, January the 20th, 1750, rang a compleat
peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR.
and in 3 hrs. 24 mins. it was performed by the persons following ?
46325
64352
32654
23645
65243
56234
24536
42563
53462
35426
46532
64523
53624
35642
62345
James Davis Treble
John Holt 2
Jacob Hall 3
James Vickers 4
James Newby 5
Oliver Ellingworth 6
Thomas Ward 7
Jas. Tichborne Tenor.
26354
34256
43265
25463
52436
46253
64235
25634
52643
63542
36524
54326
45362
32465
34256
The above Changes are the course ends of the 1st 1680.
The Bobs of this peal were call'd by THOMAS WARD.
See Appendix.
3
*No. 23. ST. SEPULCHRE'S, LONDON,
January %8th, 1750.
The Society in 3 hours and 42 mins. rang a compleat peal of
5094 GRANDSIRE GATORS,
being the first ever performed in that method on these bells
The performers were :
JAMES NEWBY 6
JAMES VICKEES 7
OLIVER ELLINGSWORTH 8
EDWARD WERDEN 9
JAMES DAVIS Tenor
MATTHEW BLACKMORE, Treble
THOMAS WARD 2
JOHN HOLT 3
THOMAS JACKSON 4
JOHN LLOYD 5
213547698 At the end of the last course
231456789 instead of once, 8.9 tis'
324165879 once the 7th with the 8th.
342618597 75293846
436281957 46738295
463829175 These are extraordinary
648392715 65347289
684937251 32567489
869473521 54237689
896745312 35492867
987654132 Course ends.
978561423 78369254
795816243 39785642
759182634 75394826
571928364 89765234
517293846 26849375
1 52739486 These are extraordinary
125374968 Bobs that were called
to bring the bells round.
Call'd by John Holt.
This is the 1st Treble lead of the peal, which peal is divided into 4
courses and the Bobs of each course is called as follows :
Once the 7th behind without the 8th, twice 7.8 twice 8.9 twice 7.8
twice 8.9 twice 7.8 once 8.9.
* See Appendix.
*No. 24. ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS
Tuesday, February }Qth, 1750.
The company rang on the ten largest bells a compleat peal of
5112 GRANDSIRE CATERS,
and in 3 hours 47 mins.
t'was performed by the following persons :
DANIEL BIGSBY
JACOB HALL
JOHN HOLT
JOSEPH DICKENSON
THOMAS WARD
95384726
78965234
JAMES TICHBORNE 6
JAMES NEWBY 7
OLIVER ELLINGSWORTH 8
JOHN LLOYD 9
JAMES DAVIS 10
89765234
26849375
This peal was call'd as the former, except the above changes ,
which are bobs that were called to bring the bells round.
Call'd by John Hall.
*No. 25. ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER.
March Uth, 1750.
The Society rang compleatly
5120 UNION BOB,
in 3 hours and 37 mins, it was performed by
BOB CHANGES
7864523 James Albion
7842635 Jacob Hall
James Newby
John Holt
7823456
7835264
OF THE FIRST COURSE.
Oliver Ellingsworth 5 4237685
Thomas Ward 6 8427685
John Lloyd 7 6234578
Joseph Dickenson 8 8624578
The bobs call'd by John Holt.
These are the
6532478
5463278
course ends of the peal.
4256378
2345678
For the calling of this peal see Appendix,
34
jfNo. 26. ST. MARY'S, HILLINGDON, MIDDLESEX.
The Company on Tuesday, the Sth of April, 1751, rang a corapleat
peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR,
which peal was performed in 3 hours and 30 mins.,
by the persons whose names are particularly underwritten :
JAMES DAVIS 1
THOMAS JACKSON 2
JOHN HOLT 3
JAMES ALBION 4
JAMES VICKERS 5
JAMES NEWBY 6
THOMAS WARD 7
JOSEPH DICKENSON 8
The bobs call'd by John Holt.
23564 35264 42563 25463 34562 45362
52364 42356 54263 34256 53462 23456
These are the bob changes at the course end.
[This peal was completed immediately after ringing 5300
DOUBLE BOB MAJOR, the whole time being 7 hours 30 mins.jf
No. 28. ST. MARY'S, HILLI>-GDON MIDDLESEX.
On Monday, August if 26/t, 1751,
The Society rang in 3 hours and 25 mins., the first true and
cornpleatj peal of
5040 DOUBLE BOB MAJOR,
(with the sixth at home, and in the.tittum course twelve times
each, which was performed by the following persons :
JOHN HOLT 1
JACOB HALL 2
THOMAS JACKSON 3
JAMES NEWBY 4
Compos'd and ca
JAMES ALBION
JAMES VICKERS
JAMES TICHBOURNE
JOHN LLOYD
I'd by John Holt.
5
6
'I
8
See Appendix.
f There is nothing to certify that this peal of Double Bob Major was rung
by the same company, but it seems most probable, as the time shews that it
must have been rung without a stand. It was evidently, although such scanty
particulars are given, reckoned by the Society as a performance, because the
next peal is numbered 28, leaving Nos. 20 and 27 for these two performances.
J As the previous performance embraced a peal of Double Bob Major, it
will be seen that it is not here claimed that this was the ' fi>st true and
compleat peal " ever ran?, but that it was the first of 5040 with the sixth
twelve times each way. Unfortunately, some of these old records are very
indefinitely worded, and when claiming to have rung the first peal in a certain
method on the bells, if taken literally, the claim would be for the first per-
formance in the method.
85
*No. 29. ST. BRIDGET'S, otherwise ST. BRIDE'S.
The Society on the 2Qth of October, 1751, rang a compleat peal of
5104 GRANDSIRE CINQUES,
and in 3 hours and 40 mins.
it was performed by the following persons :
JAMES DAVIS 1
WM. UNDERWOOD 2
JOHN LLOYD 3
JAMES NEWBY 4
JACOB HALL 5
THOMAS JACKSON 6
JAMES ALBION 7
JAMES VICKERS 8
JAMES TICHBORNE 9
JOHN HOLT 10
ROBERT JAMES 11
GEORGE FLEUUY 12
Compos'd and call'd by John Holt.
No. 80. ALL-HALLOW'S CHIPPING WYCOMB,
in the County of Bucks.
The Company on Saturday, December %8th, 1751, rang completely
in 3 hours and 29 mins. a complete peal of
5O4O PLAIN BOB TREBLES.
being the first hitherto ever rang on those bells.
The performers were :
JOHN HOLT 1
THOMAS JACKSON 2
JAMES ALBION 3
OLIVER ELLINGSWOKTH 4
JAMES NEWBY 5
JAMES VICKERS 6
JOHN LLOYD 7
GEORGE FLEURY AND I
JAMES DAVIS
Call'd bv John Holt.
* This record is surmounted with a drawing of a bell, a scroll, on which
is pricked the first lead of bob singles, and a pile of books, on the back of one
of these is written " 's Art of Ringing" unfortunately, by design, some
pne has cut out the name of the author.
86
No. 3 1 . ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER,
February 16th, 1752.
The Society rang completely in 3 hours and 35 mins.,
a true and complete peal of
5040 COURT BOB,
being the first that was ever rang on those bells.
The performers were
JAMES DAVIS 1
WM. UNDERWOOD 2
JOHN HOLT 3
JAMES ALBION 4
OLIVER ELLINGSWORTH 5
JAMES VICKERS 6
JAMES NEWBT 7
JOHN LLOYD 8
Call'd by John Holt.
No. 32. ST. GILES'S-IN-THE-FIELDS.
New style.
September the Mth, 1752.
The Society rang completely a peal of
5040 PLAIN BOB TREBLES.
in 3 hours 10 mins.
It was performed by the following persons, viz :
5
a
7
JAMES DAVIS
JAMES VICKERS
JAMES NEWSY
Jonx HOLT
I
I
ROBERT JAMES
WM. SMITH
JAMES TICHBOURNE
GEORGE FI.FURY
Call'd by John Holt.
37
No. 33. ST. ALPHANES, EAST GREENWICH,
in the County of Kent.
The Company on Sunday, March ISth, 1753,
rang a complete peal of
5166 GRANDSIRE CATERS.
and in 3 hours and 40 mins.,
it was performed by the following persons, viz :
GEORGE FLEURY 1 I JAMES TICHBORNE
ISAAC HANNUM 2 JAMES NEWBY
JAMES ALBION 3
RICHARD ROYCE 4
JOHN CLARK 5
HENRY YOUNG 8
SAMUEL MUGGERIDGE 9
JAMES DAVIS 10
The bobs of this peal were call'd by James Newby.
No. 34. ALL SAINT'S, FULLHAM.
The Company rang on Tuesday, March ].'2th, 1754, a
complete peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR,
and in 3 hours 15 mins. it was performed by the following, viz:
DANIEL BIGSBY 1 | THOMAS JONES 5
RICHARD OSWALD 2 I ROBERT JAMES 6
WALT HARVEY 3 | JAMES TICHBORNK 7 Call'd Bobs.
JOHN CLARK 4 JAMES DAVIS 8
38
No. 35. ST. MARY'S, HILLINGDOX, IN MIDDLESEX.
The Society on Monday, April ]5th, 1754,i'ung completely a
fine peal of
5040 BOB MAJOR,
and in 3 hours and 33 mins.,
it was performed by the following persons :
JAMES VICKERS 1
JOHN FRAZIEK 2
EGBERT JAMES 3
JAMES DAVIS 4
RICHARD MILLSON 5
RICHARD ROYCE 6
JOHN JENNETT 7
SAMUEL DANIEL 8
James Vickers caird the bobs.
No. 36. AT ST. GILES'S IN THE FIELDS.
On Sunday, December ISth, 1757,
This Society rang compleatly, in 3 hours 1 6 mins. a true peal of
5040 GRANDS1RE TREBLES,
with singles, one at the end of each half, and each half
divided into five courses, as it was compos'd by John Holt.
The performers were :
BARXABY STANTON 1
WM. NASH Q
WALTER HARVEY 3 THOMAS JACKSON-
THOMAS DALMER 4 WM. ROBIKSOX
Call'd bv Thomas Jackson."
WM. RICHARDSON 5
THOMAS NASH 6
30
Between the leaves of the peal book on which are recorded the peals Nos.
''-y and 26 Mr. Osborne has inserted a copy of the [tablet in St. Margaret's,
Westminster, which commemorates the ringing of Holt's one part -peal. This
copy and Mi-. Osborne's remarks thereon are here given
; ' Sunday, July 7th, 1751.
The Society of Union Scholars rang in this steeple
with two singles,
the first true and complete peal of
5040 GRANDSIRE TRIPPLES.
which peal was performed in 3 hours and 15 minutes
by the following persons :
JAMES DAVIS Treble
JAMES ALBION 2
JACOB HALT, 3
THOMAS JACKSON 4
JAMES VICKERS 5
J*AMES NEWBY 6
JOHN LLOYD 7
GEO. FLEURY& ED. DAVIS tenor
The peal was composed and call'd by John Holt.
M w
and Mr. \\ilham Goff,
" The above is a copy and account of Mr. Holt's original
one course peal of grandsire tripples which was rang by the
Union Scholars as above described, vide Clavis Campanalogia,
p.p. 56 and 57. This peal was not inserted in that Society's book
with their other peals by reason as (T supposed it was considered
irregular for the conductor to call and not ring at the same time
in the usual way, therefore I have copied the tablet representing
that achievement and have placed it here for perusal as being one
of the principal performances rung by that Society. E. J. 0."
40
At the end of the book is the leaf whereon Mr. Albion recorded the peal
which he performed with the Bath ringers, and which Mr. Osborne alludes to
when relating the events that led to the discovery of this book. The drawing
is surmounted by a bell on which is written " Campana Sonans canore." The
following is the record :
"ST. JAMES, BATH.
The following changes are the back stroke leads of a true
and complete peal of
5040 UNION TRI PPLES.
as 'twas rang by the
Bath Society, on Monday, December 9th, 1754,
and in 3 hours it was performed by the persons underwritten:
JAMES ALBION 1
THOS. TAYLOR
RICHD- SAXSDOWN '4
ISAAC SIMS 4
MARTIN DIBBLE 5
JNO. LUCAS (call'd bobs) 6
ANTHONY MORLEY 7
JNO. JMITH 8
James Albion, Scrip, et delt., 1760."
(Then follows a peal of union tripples by the treble leads.)
APPENDIX.
Mr. Osborne having at length described the doings of this
Society, we purpose therefore only to make mention of such points of
interest as may suggest themselves in connection with the different
ringing performances of the Union Scholars.
No, 1, In the note book of Benjamin Annable, now in
the possession of one of the writers, there is a method called
" Gawthorne's Hie Triples," which is Grandsire with third and
fifth place bobs, the " Hie " being used to denote the latter call.
"We therefore consider that there can be little doubt that this was
a Grandsire peal of this description ; whether however it was
Garthon's original peal there is no means of ascertaining, still
we think the evidence points to this conclusion. In Annable's
book the ordinary method of Union Triples is given under the
heading of " Baldwin's Union Triples," this gives strong con-
firmation to the Hick Triples being Grandsire with fifth place
bobs, as in all probability the author of " Union Triples " was
the same Kobert Baldwin who rang the seventh in this and the
following peal, and from his presumed abilities and his station at
the seventh we may not be considered rash if we point to the
probability of his having conducted both peals.
42
No. 2. Although the calling of this
peal is not given in the peal book, it 5120 B. W. H.
has been handed down to us and so far
back as 1788, it is stated in the Clavis 35264 -
that the annexed peal is the one here 5b'342 -
recorded. Perhaps however the most curi- 64523 -
ous fact js the statement of the authors of 36245 - 2-2
the Clams that it Was not until fifty Fonr times repeated.
years after the time when this peal was rung that the discovery
was made of the necessity of further proof than the truth of the
treble leads in this method, which it is perhaps hardly necessary
to state is that now known as Oxford Treble Bob Major.
No. 3. As the first peal of Bob Royal was the one rung by
the College Youths at St. Bride's, on November 22nd, 1725, it is
probable that the real meaning of this very decided claim to the
first peal is only to be taken to signify that this was the first on
the bells or by the Society. All these ancient records are very
indefinite in such matters.
No. 4. This is one of the unexplained mysteries connected
with the statement so tenaciously adhered to by some persons that
the first peal of Grandsire Triples was not performed until 1751.
No. 6. This is another example of the very indefinite manner
in which these peals are recorded.
No. 7. Mr. Osborne, in an M.S. copy of this peal, calls
them " Hack Trebles " still, although we have every reason to read
it " Hick," we consider " Ham" nearer the mark, though the style of
illumination adopted in this word renders the correct reading
decidedly obscure.
43
Nos. 12 to 14. No. 12 is the first peal in which John Holt
(who joined the Society in 1745) took part. No. 13 is Annable's
well known peal, and No. 14 is a musical example on the five course
plan with the fewest omits possible. The calling of these Bob
Major peals by the usual course end plan is annexed.
No. 12.
No. 13.
No. 14.
5040 M.W.H.
5040 W.M.H.
5040 W. M.
H.
64335 - - -
43652
64235
.
26543 - -
64235 - -
52643 - -
-
52364 - -
26543
36524 - -
43526 -
52364 - -
53462 - -
65432 - - -
35426
24536 -
.
i
46253 - -
24365
45623
65243 -
-
53246 - -
64352 - .
32654 -
-
25634 - -
36245 - -
46325 - -
-
62453 - -
23564
34562 -
34625
52436
25346 -
-
56342 - -
23564 - - -
42635
63254 -
-
45236 -
64523 - -
42635
34256 -
56342
56423 -
35264
45362
42356 - - -
34256 -
Twice repeated.
Twice repeated.
Twice repeated.
J. HOLT.
B. ANNABLE.
J. HOLT.
No. 15. This composition is not very easy to understand by
the course ends, &c., given in the record, as there are several ways
by which the same 560 ends can be brought up. Mr. H. Hubbard
has kindly elucidated the matter by shewing that as the wrong and
middle are called in every course, the following peal is very easily
perceived to be the correct one.
W. M. H. (continued) W. M. H.
These are 45623 - - 23645 -
the bob 64352 - 62534
changes of 36245 " - 56423 -
the first 25 52364 - - - 34562 -
leads: 43526 - - - 25346 -
2357486
9378564
8645372
8657423
6723845
8267534
8273645
2345867
2356478
2367584
4562837
This gives
the course
end 52436,
after which
the peal runs
in five course
parts, thus :
54632
65243
26354
43265
24536
52643
65324
36452
24365
53246
25634
62453
46325
53462
45236
24653
62345
36524
45362
34256
32654
63425
46532
54263
32546
53634
65432
46253
32465
54826
35642
63254
26435
42563
35426
43652
64235
26543
35264
23456
45
Is an interesting peal of Bob Triples in like halves,
ds
No. 16.
with a single at the half peal ends as given below on the left. The
curious feature of this peal is that it is the foundation of the peal
of Holt's without a single, as after the course end 23645, he
subsequently interpolated the following part, which then ran on
from the course end 63542 as this peal and became a peal with-
out a single in three parts. This peal is given in the Clavis.
23456 M. W. H. 23645 M. W. H.
64235
24536
54632
35642
64352
23645
63542
53246
45236
34256
Five times repeated with the addition
singles at the half peal end?.
J. HOLT.
No. 17. This is a
5040 of Bob Major the
given part of which is to
be twice repeated.
No. 18. Is called in
the same way as No. 14.
Out 35246
43256
24635
64532
54236
Fourths 42536
52634
35624
23654
62435
In 63542
[ By introducing this part into the foregoing
peal it runs the extent without singles in
three parts.
No. 17.
23456 W. M. H.
43652
63254
56234
23564
52436
42635
62534
36524
52364
35426
45623
65324
26354
35264
42356
No. 19, 5056 Bob Major. An interesting production which
runs by the course ends thus :
W. M. H.
(continue di
W. M. H.
(continued)
W. M. H.
.23564
62534
36524
52364
43626
53624
63425
26435
43265
24536
54684
64235
36245
24365
53246
23645
63542
46532
53462
45236
25634
65432
36452
45362
34256
24653
64352
56342
34562
25346
35642
65243
46253
25463
43356
32654
62453
56423
42563
35426
45623
65324
26354
35264
23456
There is a Bob before in the first course.
J. HOLT.
Nos. 20, 21, and 22. Nos. 20 and 22 are both Bob Major
peals of 5040 changes, the first being in the Double, and the latter
in the Single method, with regard to this peal it may be remarked
that it is the only one in which John Holt rang that he did not
also conduct, and also that it can hardly be called an original peal
as it is simply Annable's peal with a bob at each course end where
Annable has an omit. No. 21 is the peal of Bob Triples, the calling
of which is given under No. 16.
4.1
No. 20. M. W. H.
No. 22. W. M. H.
43652 -
56234 - -
23564
62534
52436
42635 * --
36524
52364
65324
35426
45623 -
26354
35264
63254
42356 iUJ >-r* v
No. 23. 5094 Grandsire Caters.
64352
23645
56234
42563
35426
parts to be 35642
26354
43265
J. HOLT. 52486
64235
52643
36524
45362
34256
75293846
46738295
52493867
24695837
46392857
63594827
43526
78
65243
32465
54632
35426
78
52643
24365
46532
45623
89
62345
34562
56234
65324
89
32546
54263
26435
53624
78
25346
42563
64235
36524
78
53246
25463
42635
56423
89
23645
45362
62534
46325
89
63542
35264
52436
63425
78
35642
52364
24536
34625
78
56342
23564
45236
65347289
32567489
54237689
35492867
78369254
39785642
J. HOLT.
75394826
89765234
26849375
48
Ho, 24. Is 5112 of Grandsire Caters, called exactly in the
same manner as the preceding peal, only from 35492867
the bob change 35492867, the following bobs
are called to bring it round, and the peal is 95384726
improved as there are fewer changes after the 78965234
tittum position. 89765234
26849375
Ho, 25. The calling of this peal is given with our remarks
under peal No. 2.
Ho, 26, This peal is the same as No. 17.
The above peal is the last of which the calling is given, and
curiously the next peal rung by the Society was Holt's one-part
peal, as recorded at the end of the book by Mr. Osborne.
During the few last years one of the writers has brought to light
certain matters connected with the early peals of Grandsire
Triples, which have pi'omoted some discussion upon the subject
and persons interested in this matter will not fail to observe the
fact that even Mr. Holt's own Society, of which he was evidently
the moving spirit, having taken part in every peal rung by the
Society since his first connection with it, even this company cannot
but we think have been prejudiced against it in some way, as they
would not even insert its performance in their peal book. Whether
this was, as Mr. Osborne surmises, because they considered it
irregular for the conductor not to ring in the peal, or whether from
some objection to the composition itself, is doubtful, but the fact
nevertheless is strong evidence in favour of the theory that the
49
restrictions then placed on Grandsire compositions, precluded the
use of any other calls than ordinary bobs. It will also be noticed
that Mr. Holt did not at once sever his connection with the Society,
but that he rang five peals with them after this occurrence, it
cannot therefore be taken for granted that it was owing to this
incident that he went over to the College Youths. Many points
for consideration in connection with this and other matters will
present themselves to the careful reader, who we hope will not fail
to be interested in, these curious records of the early days of change
ringing.
JASPER W. SNOWDON.
ROBERT TUKE.
ILKLEY, APKIL, 1877.
000