The other one still in use is the old "Cockerel" of Hanover Street Church fame. This was made for the New Brick Church in 1721, and is the oldest of the three. It held its position on this church and its successors, one of which was long known as the "Cockerel Church," for one hundred and forty-eight years, when it was raised on the Shepard Memorial Church of Cambridge, where it now is. "It measures five feet four inches from bill to tip of tail, and stands five feet five inches from the foot of the socket to the top of comb, and weighs one hundred and seventy-two pounds."[12]
Possibly some other specimens of the handiwork of this good Deacon Shem Drowne are still in existence. Who knows?
1 ([return])
Boston Globe, October 18, 1884.
2 ([return])
Neither of these were carved; they were both of metal.
3 ([return])
Boston Evening Record, January 10, 1885.
4 ([return])
Fac-similes of his signature are given in "Memorial History of Boston," vol. II, p. 110, written in 1733, and in John Johnston's "History of Bristol, Bremen and the Pemaquid Plantation," p. 466, written in 1762.