What is the earliest known use of the phrase “Liberty Bell”?
The phrase “The Liberty Bell” appeared in The Anti-Slavery Record, Vol.1, No. 2, published by R.G. Williams, for the American Anti-Slavery Society, in February 1835. The phrase is used on page 23 of the publication and reads as follows: “The Liberty Bell. Being in Philadelphia a few days since, I was invited after viewing the room in which the Declaration of Independence was signed, to ascend the tower of the State House, to take a view of the city. The view was delightful. On our ascent, we did not fail to examine the celebrated Bell. It weighs 2300 pounds, and was cast 23 years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. On that occasion it was rung, and has been run every 22d February and 4th of July since. It is remarkable that the following inscription was on the bell when it was cast. It was considered a sort of prophecy: “PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND, AND TO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF.” May not the emancipationists in Philadelphia, hope to live to hear the sa
