Langeberg, Ashton, Dutch Reformed Church

Abstract

Ashton, Dutch Reformed Church. The Dutch Reformed Church at Ashton has a bell in a tower, separate from the main church building. The maker's name does not appear on the bell itself, as is usually done with bronze bells, but on the yoke from which the bell is hung. On the yoke we find, The C. S. Bell Co. 32 Hillsboro O. where the number 32 appears in the middle – see below for further information. On the reverse side, No 82 Yoke. The company to which these inscriptions refer is situated in Hillsboro, Ohio, U.S.A. Similar bells have been found in many wine estates like Paarl, Montpellier, Tulbagh and in Zonquadrift, Riebeek Kasteel. The main difference between the bells in the wineries and the one in Ashton is its mere size. The numbers in the middle of the yoke probably refer to an internal numbering. For example, the number 2 in Paarl indicates that the bell was probably made shortly after 1894 when the company emerged from a former partnership. To decide about the age of the bell it is important to include the text on the yoke in the description of the bell. There are three possibilities: C.S. Bell (1875-1882), C.S. Bell & Co. (1882-1894) and The C.S. Bell & Co. (1894-1970).