Samuel Bell (abt. 1715 - 1781)

Born about 1715 in Ulster, Ireland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1781 at about age 66 in Guilford, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Liz Shifflett [send private message], Jim Vondrak [send private message], and Diane Hoffman [send private message]

Biography

Samuel Bell is a member of Clan Bell.

This profile is part of the Bell Name Study.

Bell-3884

Samuel Bell was born in 1715 in Ulster, Ireland. His father was James Bell.

He married Mary Blackner in 1746 Together they had 7 children:

1. James Bell
2. Francis Bell
3. Thomas Bell
4. John Bell
5. Agnes Bell
6. Samuel Bell
7. Mary Bell

Samuel also had the following child:

1. Robert Bell

He died in 1781 in Guilford, North Carolina, United States

Summary

Samuel Bell I (hereafter SBI) was born about 1710 probably in Scotland or Ulster. (1.2.1) His father may have been James Bell as indicated above or possibly Matthew Bell. (1.2.3.1) It should be pointed out that the father of Samuel Bell born in Wigton, Scotland in 1717 (see Origins below) was named George. SBI appears in the Cumberland Vally of Pennsylvania in 1736 (1.2.2.2.1) and in present day Nelson County, Virginia in 1752 (it was then in Albemarle County) (1.2.2.3.3). From here SBI moves, first to Caswell County North Carolina about 1759 (1.2.2.4.1), then to Guilford County North Carolina about 1762 (1.2.2.4.2).

Robert Bell I (Bell-884, hereafter RBI), born in 1736 in Cumberland Valley, Bedford, Pennsylvania was, very likely, the son of SBI by a first wife whose name is unknown (1.2.3.3). The first wife died before 1746, when SBI married Mary Blackner (possibly Montgomery). (1.2.3.2) They had seven children, born in Virginia and North Carolina.

SBI was a landowning farmer who joined in purchasing land for the Presbyterian Church in Nelson County, Virginia. (1.2.2.3.3) He served as elder of the Church in Guilford, North Carolina and as member of the Committee of Public Safety (1.2.2.4.2).

SBI dies about 1781 in Guilford County, North Carolina (1.2.2.4.2).

Locations are present day counties.

Details + Evidence

Evidence for the account of SBI's life presented here is in good part circumstantial. Some questions remain unresolved (1.2.3). Ultimately, there remains some doubt that all the account pertains to the same person.

Origins

Octavia Donnell ^[1] says Samuel Bell I (SBI) is born 1710 ± 10 in Scotland or Northern Ireland. G. G. Bell ^[2] says Ireland . Edmundson & Related Families ^[3] has "1722 in Chester County, Pennsylvania". Hardman-Pike Families ^[4] has "1726 at Pa". Octavia Donnell writes earlier than the others and had access to family sources. We think she is most likely to be correct.

A search of parish birth / marriage records for Scotland reveals:

[1] Samuel Bell 1710 Girthon, Kirkcudbright, Scotland

[2] Samuel Bell 1717 Sorbie, Wigtown, Scotland

[3] Samuel Bell 1720 Kirkbean, Kirkcudbright, Scotland

A search of parish birth / marriage records for Ireland reveals:

[4] male Bell 1707 Drumbo, Down, Ireland

These records suggest [1] marries in his birthplace 1733 and has a child there in 1746. They show no evidence that [2] and [3] are in Scotland after their birth. Perhaps worth noting, is that John Walker III (Walker-157), the (likely, but not certain) father of Catherine Walker (Walker-163) (RBI's first wife), was born in Wigtown, Scotland, 1707. He was about the same age as SBI. Family ties in the "old country" could connect [2] with John Walker III. [3] is just marginally old enough.

These records are transcriptions of originals provided by the LDS Family Search website. They are admittedly "incomplete". Whether this means the originals are incomplete, the transcription coverage is incomplete, or both is not clear. Those for Scotland would probably be more complete than those for Ulster.

Dates are are "baptism / christening date" so the actual birth date is earlier. How much earlier this might have been for early 18th century Scotch Presbyterians is not evident to us.

None of these look like an obvious candidate. But, of these, [2] looks most probable. It should be noted that the father for [2] is listed as George not James.

It is likely that Samuel Bell was a "member" of Clan Bell if 'member' is construed broadly enough. There is no evidence that he regarded himself as such.

America

We sketch SBI's movements in America with little supporting evidence and then provide a more detailed discussion of the evidence.

County Residence + County Location Maps

These maps may be helpful in understanding the following discussion:

Virginia Counties

North Carolina Counties

SBI comes to Pennsylvania ~1730 without family. Octavia Donnell ^[1] tells us SBI was "the first of his family in America".

It is possible that SBI can be identified as Samuel among four brothers, James II (Bell-3890), Thomas (Bell-3886), Joseph (Bell-3888) and Samuel. who appear in Pennsylvania and Virginia sometime before 1742. Thomas Bell appears in Franklin County, Pennsylvania in 1742. Joseph Bell appears Augusta County, Virginia about 1740, moving from Lancaster County Pennsylvania. At least three, possibly all, appear together in Nelson County and nearby Augusta County, Virginia in 1752. Thomas moves from Nelson County, Virginia to Woodford County Kentucky where he dies in 1795. James II and Joseph remain in Augusta County Virginia where they die: James II, in 1792; Joseph after 1796 . These are possibly the sons of a James Bell I (Bell-3885). Thomas and Samuel appear to have immigrated from Scotland via Ulster. James II and Joseph may have been born in Pennsylvania.

A speculative narrative explaining the above is this. Four sons of James Bell I, James II, Thomas, Joseph and Samuel, arrive in Pennsylvania about 1730. They come ultimately from Scotland via Ulster. John Walker III (Walker-157) whom the Bells have known in Scotland arrives about the same time. Possibly all or some travel together.

Joseph Bell and John Walker III go to Cecil County Maryland / Lancaster County Pennsylvania, arriving there before 1740. The other Bells, James II, Thomas and Samuel, go to Franklin County Pennsylvania. All marry there; Thomas to Elizabeth Weir and Samuel to unknown first wife. Robert Bell I, son of Samuel is born there in 1736.

Joseph Bell and John Walker III move to Augusta County Virginia about 1740. By 1752 James II has also moved to Augusta County Virginia; Thomas and Samuel to adjacent Nelson County, Virginia.

Thomas Bell moves from Nelson County, Virginia to Woodford County Kentucky where he dies in 1795. James II and Joseph remain in Augusta County Virginia where they die: James II in 1792; Joseph after 1796 .

Samuel Bell and John Walker move, first to Caswell County North Carolina about 1759, then to Guilford County North Carolina before 1762. Robert Bell I marries John Walker III’s daughter, Catherine (Walker-163) in Caswell County about 1762. Samuel Bell dies in Guilford County in 1780. John Walker III (Walker-157) dies 1787 in Walker's Creek, Fincastle, Washington County, Virginia.

Evidence linking linking James II (Bell-3890), Thomas (Bell-3886), Joseph (Bell-3888) and Samuel Bell, probably brothers, possibly the sons of a James I, to SBI (Bell-3884) is provided below by a chronology of the documented location of the individuals in question.

The Bell brothers are described by Coke ^[5] and Railey ^[6]. A “working assumption” is that SBI is the father of Robert Bell I (Bell-884) (RBI), though this is not certain. (1.2.3.3)

The possible path of SBI described above roughly conforms to the general pattern of Scotch-Irish movement from Pennsylvania toward the South described in : Dunaway, Wayland Fuller, The Scotch-Irish of colonial Pennsylvania. Chapel Hill , University of North Carolina Press, 1944. A free download is available here

Pennsylvania

We have no documentary evidence of any of the Bell brothers prior to 1736. It appears likely that they arrived in Philadelphia about 1730.

Cumberland Valley

1736-48

Draper ^[7] as related to him by RBI's son Rev. Robert Bell II (Bell-920) locates SBI “in Penn” at the birth of his son RBI in 1736 and for 12 succeeding years. E. H. Bell ^[8] locates him in “the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania” at the birth of this son.

Thus, it appears that SBI marries in Cumberland Valley, Bedford, Pennsylvania ~ 1735-6 and RBI (Bell-884) is born there 12/1736. RBI's mother dies before ~1746 when SBI marries for a second time.

It is possible that there are other children by the first wife. But, no source mentions others. This suggests that RBI's mother may have died shortly after his birth, perhaps in childbirth.

This assumes that SBI was the father of RBI and resident at the time / place of his birth. (1.2.3.3) The Cumberland Vally is a big place. Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania (below) is about in the middle of it.

Franklin County

1740

Railey ^[6] says the Bell brothers arrive in “near Canacadig, Pennsylvania” in 1740 and all marry soon thereafter.

This locates all Bell brothers in Franklin County, Pennsylvania ; no documentary evidence is provided. Draper ^[7] says SBI was there four years earlier. Samuel does not appear in the account of Railey ^[6] after this point.

Peyton ^[9] tells us:

“Joseph Bell came from Lancaster, Penn., [to Augusta County Virginia] about 1740. He was one of several brothers born in Penn., whose father emigrated from the north of Ireland to America some years previously...The other brothers of Joseph Bell settled in Ohio, Ky., and Tenn., and have left descendants in those States; among them was the late Hon. John Bell of Tenn., a candidate for the Presidency in 1860”

SBI was the great grandfather “Hon. John Bell of Tenn" (Bell-924). This strongly suggests that Joseph was the brother of SBI. See below 1748.

Chambersburg

1742

Coke ^[5] locates Thomas Bell in Canacadig, Pennsylvania “near present day Chambersburg, PA”.

This suggests that Thomas Bell and SBI could have both resided in Franklin County, Pennsylvania ~1740. Google does not know about Canacadig, Pennsylvania.

Aaron McWilliams, archivist with the Pennsylvania State Archives, believes that 'Canakadig' is a variant spelling of Conococheague, which is a creek in present day Franklin County. He further stated that the area was settled in the 1730's and is referred to as the Conococheague settlement. (email 10/23/2012)

Virginia

Amherst County

1748

SBI moves to Amherst, Virginia (1746 - 1748) and then to Caswell, North Carolina (1762 - 1771).

Draper ^[7] locates SBI in “Amherst County VA” in 1748.

"Maj. Robt. Bell [RBI, Bell-884 ] was born in Penn at 12 years of age his father moved to Amherst County, VA. subsequently to Caswell, & in '71 to Guilford County, N.C.

12 years from RBI's birth date 1736 gives 1748.

Amherst County was formed from Albermarle County in 1761 It includes present day Nelson County. So it is plausible that the Samuel Bell mentioned below (1.2.2.3.3) is SBI.

Augusta County

1742-1752

James Bell moves to Augusta County Virginia; Thomas moves to an unspecified adjacent county.

Railey ^[6] has,

“Thomas and James Bell later removed to Virginia. James settled in Augusta County where many of his descendants still reside, but Thomas...settled in an adjacent county...”.

Peyton ^[9] offers a somewhat different account in which the participants and their origins differ.

At this time Augusta County was north west of Albermarle County which included present day Nelson County. It appears likely that Thomas settled in present day Nelson County.

Nelson County

1752

The witness list to a will ^[10] in Albemarle County, Virginia links a James, Thomas and Samuel Bell.

“...Item I give and bequeath to my well beloved son, Matthew Robertson, Two hundred and forty acres of land as it well best answer of that part of my land lying nest to James Bells for the only use of him and his heirs....

Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by the said James Robertson as his last Will & testament in

the presence of us the subscribers.

James Robertson

(Vizt.) Jno. Reid

Thomas Bell

Samuel Bell

At a court helf for Albemarle County the 11th day of June 1752 This last will and testament of James Robertson deced was presented into court by...”

Amherst County was formed from Albermarle County in 1761 It includes present day Nelson County. So it is plausible that the Samuel Bell mentioned above (1.2.2.3.1) is SBI.

Evidently, Thomas and Samuel are present. James is only shown to own land adjacent to that mentioned in the will. It is plausible, but clearly not evident, that the three are related.

If these are the same people mentioned by Railey ^[6], it would appear that Thomas, not James, was in Augusta County. However there is a will ^[11]dated 1787 of a James Bell, Augusta County, Virginia.

Reid Family ^[12] mentions (likely the same as above) Samuel.

“11 Feb 1752 John McWhorter to Alexander Patton for 90 pounds, 120 acres bought from James McCanne 10 Sep 1747. Patented 10 Jul 1745, save 1 acre sold to John Reid, James Robertson, and Samuel Bell for Presbyterian Church of Rockfish – schoolhouse and cemetery."

Woods ^[13] and Owens ^[14] mention the same transaction, but date it at 1746.

If 1746 were correct, Samuel Bell would have been in Nelson County Virginia before SBI arrives in this vicinity in 1748 as calculated from Draper ^[7]. Reid Family ^[12] appears to quote the original document. The text of the original does not appear in Albermarle Deeds ^[10] which covers the period 1748 - 1784. This suggests that the date 1752 is not correct. It appears that Owens ^[14] may derive from Woods ^[13].

Samuel Bell shows up as a witness to a will "---Albemarle County VA Court Records, Book 1 page 140 The Will of John Reid was presented to the Court at August 1746 Session. John Morrison, Samuel Bell, John Small, Alexander Montgomery were named to appraise the estate. This supports an arrival date of 1746.

The location of the land parcels which are the objects of these transactions is not entirely clear. Reid Family ^[12] indicates that the object of the transaction it describes is the site of the Presbyterian Church of Rockfish. Reid Family ^[12] tells us - “(This old church and cemetery are still in existence.)”. In fact, the Rockfish Presbyterian Church is in present day Nellysford, VA and their website discusses the heritage of the church but does not mention Samuel Bell.^[15]

Owens ^[14] and David Bell ^[16] locate the church in Nellysford, Nelson County, Virginia. That the objects of the transactions described in Albermarle Deeds ^[10] are also in present day Nelson County is plausible, but not indubitable.

Railey ^[6] and the will of James Bell ^[11] locate James Bell in Augusta County, Virginia. In 1752, present day Nelson County was totally within Albermarle County which was bordered by Augusta County on the north west. James Bell could have owned distinct parcels of land in both counties, one parcel at the county line. Or these could be different James Bells.

David Bell ^[16] places the above transactions in context and suggests that there may be other documents connecting the three Bell brothers and SBI.

North Carolina

Caswell County

1759

SBI marries again in Amherst, Virginia or Caswell, North Carolina. Children by the second wife are: Agnes and James (1747) who appear to be twins, Francis (1750), Thomas (1751), Samuel II (1753), John (1755), Mary (1757). All are born in Caswell, North Carolina, except Francis who is born in Lynchburg, Virginia.^{[17] [2]}

One wonders why SBI waits so long to remarry. In this society widowers with small children usually remarry promptly. This suggests the first wife dies only shortly before 1746.

SBI's presence in Caswell County is noted in [1] also a road sign mentions Griers Presbyterian Church (originally Upper Hyco - which he helped form in 1753. Narrative can be found at [2]

UPPER HYCO / GRIERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

National Register of Historic Buildings

UPPER HYCO Church, the first organized church still in existence in Caswell County was organized in 1753, Located near the headwaters of North Hyco Creek, Samuel BELL, and his brothers removed from Pennsylvania and settled on the forks of Hyco Creek. They were staunch Presbyterians. The first church services were held under bush arbors and homes of the members.

See the separate Wikitree page which adds to Samuel's profile recalling how the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was formed. It mentioned two daughters Sally and Jane who died in Caswell county.[3]

Albermarle Deeds ^[10] indicates “Samuel Bell of County of Orange in North Carolina” selling land he owned in Nelson County Virginia.

At this time, Caswell County was part of Orange County. It is possible (but not clearly evident) that the parcel conveyed here is the same (or part of) that which Albermarle Deeds ^[10] shows a Samuel Bell buying in 1752.

Coke ^[5] mentions other transactions associated with the move.

“After moving to North Carolina, Samuel Bell d1780 sold some of his Nelson Co Va land in 1759 (Albemarle Co Va deed 2p81) and sold the rest of his Nelson Co Va land in 1765 (Amherst Co Va deed Bp45). This last deed (1765) was witnessed by Thomas Bell & David Meriwether in Amherst Co Va.”

BEFORE 1762

Draper ^[7] says SBI moves from “Amherst Co VA” to “Caswell NC & in '71 to Guilford County, N.C.” No exact date is given for the move to Caswell County. Rankin ^[17] puts him in Guilford County North Carolina in 1762.

A plausible interpretation of this is that Samuel Bell = SBI moves from Nelson County Virginia to Caswell County North Carolina sometime before 1759 and sells his land Nelson County Virginia after he has moved. This appears to be the most convincing evidence that Samuel Bell = SBI.

Note that this identification, based solely on land transactions, is independent of the assumption the SBI is the father of RBI (Bell-884). Indeed, assuming this identification, Draper ^[7] would provide circumstantial evidence that SBI is the father of RBI in that it places the birth of RBI near the location of SBI at the time of his birth (See 1.2.2.3).

Foote ^[18] apparently describes the same move but omits the intermediate location of Nelson County Virginia

"...some time between 1753 and 1760, Samuel Bell, with his brothers and son-in-law, Donnell, removed from Pennsylvania, and settled in the forks of Rico [Hyco ?].”

The “son-in-law Donnell” mentioned appears to be William Donnell (1746-1798) (Donnell-10) husband of Mary Bell (1757-1828) (Bell-1344), daughter of SBI. But, the dates are implausible. Perhaps, it should read “future son son-in-law”. They marry in 1770. Perhaps, the Donnell family, with William at age ~ 14, accompanies Samuel Bell.

Guilford County

1762

SBI is in Guilford County North Carolina.

Rankin ^[17] has:

"Samuel Bell ... located on the Reedy Fork in 1762."

G. G. Bell, p. 231 ^[2] has:

"Samuel Bell (Bell-3884), ... moved from Caswell Co to Guilford Co, NC in 1762, as did his brother Capt. Robert Bell. Their families became members of the Buffalo Presbyterian Church in Guilford Co. Samuel married Mary. He served as a ruling elder of the church, and was a witness to the church trials (records of Buffalo Pres. Records 1773-1796). He was a Revolutionary War pensioner (Col Recs. Vol. 22, p 58). He served as a member of the Safety Committee of the country, and was accused of killing a man, but proved innocent, as the victim was a British spy."

The first two sentences apparently come from Rankin. We have not tried to find the records referenced in the third sentence. It seems unlikely that "He was a Revolutionary War pensioner". Pensions were not awarded until 1789, some years after he died. Moreover, he would have been at least 60 years old when the war began. Perhaps these records do not pertain to SBI. The source for the fourth sentence is not apparent.

We think "his brother Capt. Robert Bell" is an error, perhaps originating with Rankin's sources. (See 1.2.2.3 ).

SBI and son John (Bell-1375) are mentioned in Guilford North Carolina Deeds ^[19]. It appears that SBI sells a parcel to John for a nominal sum and John resells it to two men for a significant sum.

For an account of the community in Guilford County, North Carolina in which the Bells lived see:

Adams, Wendy Lynn, The Nottingham Settlement, a North Carolina Backcountry Community, MA Thesis, Department of History, Indiana University, 2009. A free download is available here.

This is an account of the NC community into which SBI and RBI moved ~1762. It deals only with the period 1750-60. So Bells don't appear. But, the discussion of data sources is relevant to what more might be learned about the Bells. Specifically, note 14, p.8 gives a pretty discouraging account of what is available.

The discussion of the land grant basis for the settlement is interesting and probably applies to the Bells as well. There is an interesting map on p.3, but can't precisely be located on any modern map. The area appears heavily wooded on Google Earth and the streams are small and hard to see.

For a discussion of land grants, see also [4], State Library of North Carolina:

1781

SBI dies in Guilford County North Carolina "...just at the close of the Revolutionary War" ^[17]. A profile for him has been added to findagrave although his burial site has not been documented. ^[20]

Epilogue

1786

Thomas Bell and family move from Nelson County Virginia to Woodford County Kentucky ^[6] .

1792

James bell dies in Augusta County Virginia ^[11].

1795

Thomas Bell dies in Woodford County Kentucky, ^[6].

Unresolved Questions

Birthplace

If one accepts the identity Samuel Bell = SBI, then the account of SBI's ancestry in Scotland suggested in (1.2.1) is untenable. None of the families suggested there show any brothers of the son Samuel with names matching the account of Railey ^[6].

Father

The father of SBI may have been James Bell, somewhat less likely, Matthew Bell or, quite possibly, neither.

Railey ^[6] prompts the conjecture that the Samuel Bell he mentions as a son of James Bell is identical with the Samuel Bell mentioned by Octavia Donnell ^[1] and Rankin ^[6]. Sections (1.2.2.2) and (1.2.2.3) above are essentially an elaboration of this conjecture with supporting circumstantial evidence. But, in the absence of documentary evidence linking the two, it remains conjecture.

Weeks ^[21] provides an alternative candidate for the father of SBI. We have not found evidence supporting this alternative. That the name 'Matthew' is not found among the names of SBI's descendants diminishes the credibility of this alternative.

Marriages

That SBI married twice is conjecture based on the birth dates of his children. The name of the first wife is unknown.

The names of SBI's two wives remain unclear. However, it is petty clear that Mary Montgomery / Blackner is the second wife of SBI and not the mother of RBI. Based on her birth date, 1728, she is far too young to be RBI's mother. Sources agree that the first name of the second wife is 'Mary'. Octavia Donnell ^[1] says that the last name is 'Montgomery'. However, Hardman-Pike Families ^[4] and Edmundson & Related Families ^[3] give the last name as 'Blackner'. Evidence for this is not apparent. It is possible that Octavia Donnell ^[1] confuses Esther Montgomery (Montgomery-250) with the wife of SBI. It looks like 'Blackner' might be the more probable name.

There has been no evidence of the Blackner family living in VA or NC during the mid 18th century. Samuel Bell's second wife's maiden name is more likely Black. To support this - land deeds show that Samuel was party to a transaction for land for the Rockfish Presbyterian Church and according to their website noted early on this profile - the first pastor of that church was Samuel Black. His biography is at [5] Perhaps one of his siblings had a daughter named Mary Black. Vondrak-7 13:23, 3 August 2022 (UTC)

Children

It is not completely clear that SBI is the father of RBI.

Rankin ^[17] provides the earliest known reference to Robert Bell I (Bell-884) and Samuel Bell I (Bell-3884).

"Robert Bell came here from Caswell County in 1762 and located on Sugar Tree Creek (Jordan's Branch). His children appear to have been Samuel, Robert, Francis and James. Robert, Sr. died shortly after the Revolutionary War and his sons moved to Tennessee. Rev. Robert Bell, a noted Cumberland Presbyterian minister, was the son of Robert, Jr., who had married Mary Boyd in 1775. Hon. John Bell, United States Senator from Tennessee, was the son of Samuel.

Samuel Bell, a brother of Robert, Sr., located on the Reedy Fork in 1762. His children were James, Francis, Thomas, Samuel, John, Mary and Agnes. James married Mary Carson in 1773; Thomas married Elizabeth Carson in 1774; John married Jane, daughter of Samuel Scott, Jr., in 1778; Mary married William Donnell, son of Robert, the 2nd, in 1773; Agnes married Henry Reed in 1766. Samuel, Sr., died just at the close of the Revolutionary War, and the most of his children moved to Tennessee."

Note that the list of children of Robert and Samuel intersect on Samuel, Francis and James. The only evidence for the existence of Robert Bell Sr. is Rankin. Other accounts are consistent with Rankin's Robert Bell Sr. being the son of Samuel Bell and the children of Samuel Bell being the union of the lists Rankin provides for his Robert Bell Sr. and Samuel Bell. It appears that Rankin (or his sources) took a father and mature adult son to be brothers.

This is the view taken here. Samuel Bell I (Bell-3884) is taken to be the father of Robert Bell I (Bell-884) who is Rankin's Robert Bell Jr.

In the following references to this data base intended to be in accord with this interpretation are inserted . Robert Bell Sr. is identified with Samuel Bell (Bell-874).

"Robert Bell (Bell-884) came here from Caswell County in 1762 and located on Sugar Tree Creek (Jordan's Branch). His children appear to have been Samuel (Bell-1372), Robert (Bell-884), Francis (Bell-1123) and James (Bell-1373). Robert, Sr.(Bell-874), died shortly after the Revolutionary War and his sons moved to Tennessee. Rev. Robert Bell (Bell-920), a noted Cumberland Presbyterian minister, was the son of Robert, Jr. (Bell-884), who had married Mary Boyd (Boyd-305) in 1775. Hon. John Bell (Bell-924), United States Senator from Tennessee, was the son of Samuel (presumably Bell-1372).

Samuel Bell (Bell-3884), a brother of Robert, Sr. (Bell-874), located on the Reedy Fork in 1762. His children were James (Bell-1225), Francis (Bell-1226), Thomas (Bell-1229), Samuel (Bell-1232), John (Bell-1230), Mary (Bell-1344) and Agnes (Bell-1231). James married Mary Carson in 1773; Thomas married Elizabeth Carson (Carson-387) in 1774; John married Jane (Scott-988), daughter of Samuel Scott, Jr. (Scott-989), in 1778; Mary married William Donnell (Donnell-10), son of Robert, the 2nd (Bell-884), in 1773; Agnes married Henry Reed (Reed-874) in 1766. Samuel, Sr. (Bell-874), died just at the close of the Revolutionary War, and the most of his children moved to Tennessee."

All other accounts seem to derive from Rankin ^[17] including that of G. G. Bell ^[2] See (1.2.2.4.2).

It appears that SBI's family is complete when he and RBI relocate to Guilford, North Carolina in ~1762 (possibly later). RBI is at least 26 years old and lives apart from the SBI family on his own farm. He obtains this farm as a "land grant". He marries his first wife Catherine Walker. We don't know when, but their children are all born after 1762. It looks like he marries, gets title to a farm, moves and starts a family. In 1770 he sells this (some or all?) land to SBI or SBI's son Samuel Bell II (Bell-1232).

RBI apparently operates independently of SBI. One might easily imagine a distant, but cordial, relationship with a father whose attention is primarily focused on his second family. Perhaps, RBI is a bit more economically aggressive than his father (SBI) and initiates the relocation.

It is possible that Rankin's ^[17] sources, encountering SBI and RBI about 1762 in Guilford, North Carolina, mistakenly took SBI's oldest son by a previous marriage for his younger brother. This is would not be surprising, given that SBI's other children were more than 11 years younger than RBI and RBI was an established family man in his own right.

G. G. Bell's Chapter 13 (pp. 231-275) is devoted to the descendants of Samuel Bell I (Bell-874) beginning with those mentioned by Rankin.

It is not clear where G. G. Bell gets the birth dates for her Samuel (b. 1720) and Robert (b. 1722). Rankin does not give any dates. Draper ^[7] provides a birth date of 1736 for RBI (Bell-884) This, in turn suggests that SBI would have been born before 1716.

The birthplace of SBI's son Francis is an aberration. However, note that SBI's wife (second, by this account) was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. This is ~85 mi. from Caswell NC. This might not be too far for a pregnant woman travel for a visit, perhaps in a time of family crisis.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Octavia Donnell Note
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Bell, G. G.,1977
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Edmundson & Related Families
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Hardiman-Pike Families
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Coke, 1993
6. ↑ ^{6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10} Railey, 1968
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6} Draper, 1841-44
8. ↑ Bell, E. H., 1930
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Peyton, 1882
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4} Albermarle Deeds
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2} Will of James Bell
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3} Reid Family
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Woods, 1901
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2} Owens, 2012
15. ↑ http://rockfishpresbyterian.org/index.php/about/heritage/
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} Bell, David, 2012
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6} Rankin, 1934
18. ↑ Foote, 1846
19. ↑ Guilford North Carolina Deeds
20. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223807969/samuel-bell.
21. ↑ Weeks, 1913

Albermarle Deeds

Bell, David, 2012

Bell, G. G.,1977

Bell, E. H., 1930

Coke, 1993

Draper, 1841-44

Edmundson & Related Families

Foote, 1846

Hardiman-Pike Families

Guilford NC Records

Octavia Donnell Note

Owens, 2012

Parks, 1950

Peyton, 1882

Railey, 1968

Rankin, 1934

Reid Family

Smith, 2004

Will of James Bell

Weeks, 1913

Woods, 1901

Acknowledgements

Paula Snyder, Liz Shifflett, Jim Vondrak and Joe Sneed have contributed to this profile.