The Old Bell
‘EX DONO MR: JOHAN: REID’
CARSPHAIRN R. M. FECIT. EDR: 1723’
So reads the embossed inscription on the old bell, which may be translated as ‘From the gift of Master John Reid. Made by Robert Maxwell, Edinburgh 1723’.
The latter had taken over the Edinburgh Foundry from John Keikle to whom he had been apprenticed. He was admitted a Burgess of Edinburgh in 1700 as a ‘founder’ and freeman of the corporation of Hammermen in 1701. He continued making bells until 1734.
Whether this was the first of Carsphairn’s bells or whether it replaced an even older one we do not know, but it remained ‘in action’ until Sunday September 4th 1881!
‘On the Sabbath last at 10 a.m. when the old Kirk bell was being rung (as it may have been over 16,000 times before) the pin connecting the bell with the axle gave way and the bell fell down alighting on top of a tombstone, and was broken into pieces......’
Kirkcudbright Advertiser Sept 9th 1881
Presumably shortly after this, rather than having the bell recast, it was roughly repaired. The broken piece was riveted to iron plates on the inside, which had rusted over time. This was then stabilised with an anti rust preparation.
It was then kept in the church and, as Trotter in East Galloway Sketches records,
‘... preserved and shown to visitors...’ It was presumably replaced in the belfry at this time by the bell which now hangs there.
This bell was in turn was replaced with electric chimes by the late Mr. Sievewright who had a friend with expertise in these matters. It was because ‘young bloods’ from the village could not resist the temptation of tolling it and awakening the village on their return from the Salutation, which was the village pub at the time.
By the time of the linkage of the Parishes in 1972, the old bell had been relegated from the church to the manse garden, where it was found in the midden by the first purchasers of the manse, Mr. & Mrs. Phillip Smith. We are greatly indebted to Lt Colonel John Clark Kennedy for returning it to the church.
The Auld Bell
A poem by John Clark Kennedy
Oh! I am the bell of Carsphairn Kirk
Many long years I did my work!
Many generations obeyed my voice
Calling to mourn - or rejoice!;
By ‘R.M’. in Edinburgh I was cast,
And John Reid intended me to last!
When he gave me to the Carsphairn folk
He never thought I’d get broke!
But, alas!, I had a ‘ringing’ fall,
In an accident I can’t recall!
And as I came crashing down,
Like Humpty Dumpty broke my crown!
A kindly blacksmith patched me up
But my ‘voice’ was cracked, and like an old cast tup,
They cruelly sent me down the road!
Amongst a rubble and rubbish load!
The Beadle threw me on the midden;
Midst dung and old leaves I lay hidden
Long years went past - the Manse changed hands
Was bought by folks from Africs’ land.
Then one fine day I woke to see
A charming face smile down at me!
And Mollie Smith cried ‘Phillip, dear!
Come quick and see what I’ve found here’!
They cleaned me up and polished me
And made me once more fit to see!
And then, with pride, I’m sure you’ll pardon,
I featured, proudly in their garden!
And when they moved to Carsethorn shore
They set me up there as before
Then learning of the anniversary
They thought it right to return me
Now back at Carsphairn where I started
From thence, again, I’ll ne’er be parted.