Wilbank foundry bells

[R.Uritis]

Seeking information on Wilbank bells, including any photographs of bells from that foundry. Thanks, Robert

[John Eachus]

John Wilbanks was a German immigrant who lived in Germantown, Pa. He cast bells. I only know of three in existance in the US. The bells are beautifully cast and have an excellent clear musical note that can be matched to new cast bells. John Wilbanks was asked by the City of Philadelphia to cast a new Liberty Bell; his contract specified that he must transport and dispose of the original. The City of Philadelphia filed a law suit when he refused.

[hjlong]

My Grandfather and subsequently my mother had a Wilbank Bell. We sold it about a year ago. It was about 20 inches at the base. It was a beautiful bronze bell with a cast iron bracket. It is the only one that I have ever seen.
Harry Long, MD

[Neil Goeppinger]

I've only come across one bell by this firm. It was available for purchase about 20 years ago and I passed on it because of the price. It was a small bell, about 14 to 18 inches in diameter. The inscriptions and reeds were large and heavy, and it appeared to be quite old (1800 to 1850 era). I don't think it was dated. -- Neil

[admin]

Here is a "way past due" request that I neglected to post:

This past week, I was asked to work a rare bell:

1832 J Wilbanks Bell Foundry, Philadelphia. My archives show only that this foundry was in Germantown suburb of Philly.
The bell is German profile cast bronze ringing a perfect G#, i.e. all five musical particles.

Does anyone have information concerning this foundry?

John Eachus

If you can help, please post a response.
Admin

This inquiry was originally sent to the ABA's Internet Coordinator. Responses are opinions of individuals based on their personal research and knowledge.
-01051-

[hjlong3]

John Wilbank was a Bronze Founder in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA. His greatest claim to fame was his ownership of the cracked Liberty Bell. In 1828, in preparation for a visit to Philadlephia by the Marquis de Lafayette, the ciry fathers renovated the old State House where the Marquis "held court". The Pass & Stow Statehouse Bell was cracked and had a poor tone. The city fathers contracted with John Wilbank to cast a new bell for the clock tower at the Old State House (Independence Hall). In order to reduce the cost, they gave the Liberty Bell to Wilbank for scrap value ($400). When Wilbank saw it in the clock tower, he felt that it would cost him more than $400 to remove and cart it to his foundry. The city sued him, and the Judge gave him ownership of the bell, but allowed him to leave it with the city on permanent loan. Subsequently, the Liberty Bell became the centerpiece of the Abolition Movement because of its inscription. In recent years, Wilbank's heirs sued in court to take possession of the Liberty Bell. The original court records could not be found, and the Liberty Bell remains in the possession of the National Park Service. This is all that I know about John Wilbank. His foundry was obviously in existence in 1828, and the new clock tower bell was delivered in 1832. The bell that my mother had was John Wilbank & Son, so the foundry probably existed for at least two generations. His bells are attractive and are similar in design to the British Bronze church bells. The current bell in the clock tower of Independence Hall is the Wilbank Bell.
Harry Long, MD

[cmecarson]

I have an old grandfather clock which has been in my family for a long time which appears to be vintage 1800-1830 by the world maps which are painted on the face. The bell inside is stamped John Milbank. I'm assuming this must mean it was made my the same guy? Does anyone know of any other small bells made by John Milbank? Thanks!

[hjlong3]

The age of your Granfather Clock would suggest that the small John Wilbank Bell within the ringing mechanism of the clock was made by the famous John Wilbank. I am not aware of any small bells that were made by him, but if he made large bells as part of large clock mechanisms (Independence Hall Clock Tower Bell), then why not for smaller clocks also. This is a rarity.
Harry Long, MD