The Trustees of the Township of Huntington, who in the eighteenth century also administered the affairs of the church, purchased a bell for the Old First Church in 1715. (“Cost ye Town L75”.) The 556 lb. bell, made of bell metal, a mixture of copper and tin, was originally cast in London and bore the name of the town “Huntington”.
In November, 1777, the bell was taken from the Meeting House by the Town Trustees and hidden at the house of one John Wickes. The British, who by that time were occupying Long Island, came with an armed party in search of the missing bell, which they intended to requisition for their needs. Two British officers seized John Wickes and threatened him with death if he did not reveal the hiding place of the bell. This he reluctantly did, and the bell was taken by one of the officers, Captain James Ascough, and placed on board his armed brig “Swan”.
Deposition on the church bell, dated September 3, 1783: “Personally appeared before me Zebulon Platt and made Oath that some time in the last of November or the first of December 1777, he was taken Prisoner by the Master of the ship called the Swan and was carried on board of the said ship where he saw the Bell belonging to the Inhabitants of Huntington and the Deponent further saith that he and Bell was shifted of a Brigg and from there he and the Bell was put on board of a Tender where the Bell was when he was sent to the Mane Guard in New York. Zebulon Platt
Sworn this 3 of Sept. 1783 Before me
Zophar Platt, Justice”
The bell was used as a ship’s bell on board British vessels during the Revolutionary War. On August 22, 1783 the Town Trustees learned that the bell was on the British brig “Rhinoceros” docked on the East River at New York City. They sent the following petition to “his Excellency Admiral Digby:”
“SR. –Whereas the Church Bell of Huntington on Long Island, was taken from this place in the year one thousand seven hundred seventy seven, by a Party from his majestys ship the Swan ( & we suppose without orders from any proper authority) and carried to New York. Not many Days since it was on board his majestys brig Rhinoceros lying at the Dock near the ship yard in the east River. Wherefore we the trustees of this Town, whose Names are hereunto subscribed, beg that your Excellency would be pleased to order the said Bell to be delivered to _________ who is authorized to receive it, which is discriminated by the Name Huntington which was cast upon it, :& you will very much oblige your excellencys most obedient humble servants.”
The bell was finally returned but it was so cracked that it could not be used. It was then sent to Hartford, Connecticut, to be recast. Around the top of the bell in relief are cast the words “ENOS DOLITTLE, HARTFORD, 1793”.Where the clapper strikes the bell inside are engraved the words ‘THE TOWNE ENDURES.”
This bell has called the faithful to worship from those early times through 1967, when it was retired after more that 250 years of use.
Stanley A. Ransom, Jr.
Church Historian
January 31, 1972
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