Old Bell that hung in Berks Court House on Penn Square and was used to
announce to Reading the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Old Bell that hung in Berks Court House on Penn Square and was used to
announce to Reading the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Not since the old Liberty Bell made its last public appearance outside Independence Hall, in Philadelphia, has any bell attracted so much attention as the old bell cast in 1763 for use in Berks County's old Court House, then standing in the center of Penn Square. After being hidden from public view for more than a half century, it now is on a tour of the largest cities of the East, and will finally be placed among the historical effects at the headquarters of the Historical Society of Berks County.
Its history almost parallels that of the Liberty Bell. It was cast in Massachusetts in 1763, making it 12 years older than the Liberty Bell. It answered the needs of the time by announcing court days until the building was removed from Penn Square. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, the bell announced the fact to the citizens of Reading, as did the Liberty Bell, then hanging in the tower of Independence Hall.
When the new Court House was erected in 1851, the bell was purchased by St. John's Union Church, Boyertown, and it was placed in the tower of the edifice then being erected. The bell was used to call the congregation to worship in this church until 1873, when the building was torn down to make room for a more modern structure. It was in the possession of the congregation all these years, until Dr. R.B. Ludy, now of Atlantic City, a native of Boyertown, purchased the historic bell so as to preserve it for all time.
After having it mounted on a hardwood hanger, Dr. Ludy started it on its tour. It is at present on display in one of the windows of the Pomeroy's, Inc., store, Pottstown, and from there will be taken to Philadelphia, where it will be exhibited alongside the Liberty Bell for several weeks. From there it will go to Wilmington, Del., and Atlantic City. It will be exhibited in the historical pageant during the 175th anniversary of the founding of Reading, and after that it will be placed in the rooms of the Historical Society.
The bell weighs about 200 pounds and is two feet in diameter at the rim. It is in good condition and the inscription "Cast for Reading Court House, Berks County, Pennsylvania&emdash;Thomas Bayley, Bridgewater, Foundry, 1763," is as legible as the day it was first placed in the old Court House tower.
Source: Official Program of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Reading, PA, and the 150th Anniversary of the Reading Volunteer Fire Department Sept. 30th to Oct. 6th 1923, ed. by the Chairman of the Publicity Committee, Reading, PA, 1923, p. 109.
Submitted by: Nancy.
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