| Description | Upon the removal of the clock tower, the great bell was purchased by the Dean & chapter of st Paul, and during it's removal to the City, by some accident, it fell from the carriage on which it was being conweyed and was split and a boy was killed. Dr James Roger, the solicitor of the Parish of St margaret, from whom I learnt this peculiars, has the papers relating to the sale and also thosw relating to the inquest on the boy, in his possesion. the bell was afterwards recast and is now the great bell of St Paul's Cathedral. W E Walmingly.
The Image show Great Tom as a recast for St Paul's Cathedral 1716. the bell was originally cast in the reign of Edward III for the clock tower, built in Edward 1st's reign, which stood in New Palace Yard facing Westminster Hall. It was first named Edward of Westminster after the Royal Confessor, but afterwards Great tom. The tower becoming ruinous , was given by William III to the Churchwardens of St Margaret's, the materials to be sold for relief of the parish poor. Sir Christopher wren bought the bell for the Cathedral then building, at tenpence a pound. |