Evening journal., 1916-04-28
CLOCK IN CITY HALL
Ticks OFF 1lS YEARS
Walter G. Tatnall Would
Have Old Timepiece and
Bell Preserved
WERE GIFT OF JOSEPH
TAFNALL IN MAY, 1913

Many persons did not know until
last night when Walter c. Tatnall ap-
poarcd before City Council and asked
that the old City Hall clock and origi-
nal bell be preserved. that the clock
has been In steady service for IFS
years. The original bell is In the
Phoenix fire house tower and II the
present City Hall is torn down. Dir.
Tamall desires the clock and original
bell turned over to the Delaware His
torical Society. II the City Hall is
TO be converted into "A building for
the Historical Society. the clock can
remain there. AZ any rate, Mr. Tat
nall feels the bell should be obtained
from the Phoenix Fire Company,
which could take the present City
Hall bell
The original bell and clock were
presented by Joseph Tanall. great
grandfather Of Walter G.. Tatnall May
p. 1898, as the following letter viii
show;
"To the Burgesses and Assistants OF
the Borough OF Wilmington Friends
and Follow Citizens
Having for several years past. ap-
pretended great convenience might
arrive to the Inhabitants of this
Borough, by having Commodious
Timepiece erected i'm a Central part
Of the Town. In the first place IL
would accelerate the punctual meet
ing Of the different rcligiously disposed
at their several places of worship.
secondly It. will be OF service to those
who think themselves not OF ability TO
purchase timepieces. and the last bui
/ least consideration Is it would be
some ornament to the place OF my
nativity
Therefore. have procured from
Europe a large and oompleat Town
Clock OF Excellent workmanship
| which ! now present to YOU for the
use OF the Town with sum of money
not exceeding two hundred dollars "a
be laid out in Large. Comploat and
good Bell. TO serve the Clock. as vel
as the Town hall now erecting which
I beg you TO accept
IL am your Friend,
Joseph Tatnall.
"Brandywine Bridge. . Mo 22d. 1898.
Letter Of Acceptance.
The letter of acceptance OF IN
clock and bell. as found by Mr.. Ia
nail today in the Historical Societ
archives. Is as follows:
"ln the House of Burgesses and a.
sistants of the Borough of. Wilminl
ton, 25th of the fifth month. 1898.
"A letter from Joseph Tatnall, +
quire. directed to the House. was pr
scented and read, setting forth that fJ
the convenience as we'll as ornameI
of this Borough he had procured frOl
Europe a large and compleat cloc
CT excellent workmanship. which
presented to the town, together with
sum OF money not exceeding Two hui
dred dollars-tO be laid out I'm th
Purchase Of a large and good Bell,
serve the Town Hall now erecting, a
well as the Clock; Of which he d.
sir'd the acceptance of the House.
"This House taking the same int
consideration hereby accepts Of th
above liberal donations for the us
Of the Inhabitants OF this Borough
Resolved That the Thanks of th
House be Presented TO the said JC
seph Tatnall for this Generous G,
preston of his Affection and FrienC
ship for the place Of his Nativity
"Order'd that the Clerk OF thi
House transmit TO the said JosCp
Tatnall a copy Of this Resolution
Extracted from the Minutes.
John Jones. Town Clerk -