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During the 17th Century two families of bellfounders were 
at work in our city, Smith and Seller respectively, the former 
family being the earlier, attention is drawn to their work first. 
ABRAHAM SMITH and WILLIAM CURETON 
cast bells on Toft Green, and used a stamp consisting of a 
a shield bearing two bells, chevron and one bell, impaling 
shield with three braziers, two and one, indicating the joint 
business of bellfounders and braziers. 
In 1659 a new bell was made out of two lesser belonging to 
the Church of St. Lawrence, and hung in Christ Church. It 
bears the words :— 
“ Lavdate Iah quia bonvm et amcenvm est psallire 
Deo nostro 1659.” 
JAMES SMITH 
was probably a son of Abraham Smith, and cast bells during 
the same period as Messrs. Smith and Cureton, probably in 
conjunction with them, as on his early hells he used the 
impaled shield—the stamp of the firm,—and also the stamp of 
William Cureton, a shield of two bells over which are the 
letters “ W. C.” 
James Smith appears to have succeeded to the business of 
the firm, and generally placed his monogram (I S interwoven) 
on his bells. 
A bell of his, at Acomb, was inscribed : — 
“Jesvs be ovr speed 1660 
This bell was recast a few years ago. 
James Smith was succeeded by 
SAMUEL SMITH, 
probably his son. He lived in Micklegate, and had his bell- 
house on Toft Green. His later productions have running 
round the crown two ornamental bands, the upper containing the 
inscription amidst scroll ornament, and the lower the lettering 
amongst an appropriate design consisting of bells and the 
founder’s stamp, shield-like bearing e s b ^ r> 
