Henry Bell (1778 - 1838)

Born 1778 in Frederick, Virginia, USA

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 29 Aug 1838 at about age 60 in Fairfield, Nelson, Kentucky, USA

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Biography

Third Generation from immigrant and first in Kentucky

Henry Bell was born in 1778 in Frederick, Virginia, his father, George, was 23 and his mother, Sarah Elizabeth, was 22. He married Ruth Nixon in 1808 in Front Royal, Frederick Co VA when he was 30. During their 19 years of marriage they had 10 children. He died August 29, 1838 in Fairfield KY at age 60 and is buried at St. Michael's. Henry had a large plantation and lands in Virginia – see his will below. His will (dated 5 Sep 1837), witnessed by William Forman and John McAlvain, named John Coe and Ruth Bell are administrators and was probated in Bardstown on October 8, 1838.

Ruth Nixon was born in 1794 in Frederick Co. VA. Ruth’s Grandfather George Nixon was from Enniskillen, Fernanagh, Ireland – he arrived in Virginia around 1750. Her family held land in Fairfax Co VA. Ruth and Henry had 5 sons and 5 daughters; George, Samuel, Henry, John, William & Harriet, Polly, Lucinda, Elizabeth and Dolly. Ruth appears in Nelson Co Kentucky in the 1840 Federal Census without Henry. A Henry S. Bell appears on the 1810 & 1830 Kentucky Census in Nelson Co as a slave owner, but it is unclear if this is Henry Sr. or Henry Jr. After 1840 Ruth lived with her son Samuel and his wife Maria, she died between 1870 - 1880.

Henry purchases and inherits land in Frederick VA, which he develops and maintains during his early life. By 1810 he appears in the census records in Nelson County KY and begins purchasing land there as well.

VA Property

Purchased an additional 180 acres next to his Father George Bell with partner Christopher Heiskell on May 4, 1805 - signed by John Page, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Land Grant for Henry Bell - land borders George Bell Description: 120 acres on the western foot of the Blue Ridge, adjoining the lands of John Palmer, Joseph Groves, and George Bell on drains of Shenandoah River. 09 Mar 1809 • Frederick, Virginia, USA

Received from father George Bell's will "all land to the south of the road next to Capt. Williams" 05 Jan 1829 • Frederick, Virginia, USA

Upon his death Henry directs his brother Squire to sell all of his remaining land and to divide the proceeds between his five sons.

KY Property

Henry and Ruth Nixon Bell owned a farm in Fairfield, Nelson County, Kentucky on Cartwright Creek. They built and lived in a large log house on a hill.

"The Last Will and Testament of Henry Bell

In the Name of God Amen. I, Henry Bell of the County of Nelson and State of Kentucky am in good sound mind do make and declare this to be my last will and testament whereof I shall hereafter affix my hand and seal. In this just place my debts are few but must be punctually paid. I wish my wife Ruth Bell to keep possession of the plantation whereon we now live with horses, wagons, and stock of every kind, farming utensils, and household and kitchen furniture to have and to hold during her single life, my five daughters are to be supported during their single life's as they have been during my lifetime. I wish my five sons to have the plantation whereon I now live to be equally divided between them as well as everything that I have given in the possession of my wife during her single life. In consequence of the gift to my sons they must be bound to 1/2 each of their sisters five hundred dollars with a mare, bridle, and saddle to be given to them as they become of age or marry. What money may be on hand at my death my sons are to have so to enable them to pay their sisters, if either of my daughters should die without heirs my wish is that their share should be divided equally among their sisters that are living in like manner. If either of my sons should die without heirs their share to be equally divided between the living brothers. I also give to my five sons George W. Bell, Samuel Bell, Henry Bell, John Bell, and William Bell, all the land I have in Frederick County Virginia to be equally divided between them, my wish is that my brother Squire Bell should sell this above named land in Virginia for the benefit of my sons as he is better acquainted with said land than any person living in that state.

This given under my hand the twelfth day of July 1837.

Henry Bell Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of William Forman and John McAlvain"

• Entered for probate the eight day of October 1838, Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky

Accomplishments

Helped to establish the first catholic parish, St. Michael's, in 1792 that served the Bell & Clark families.

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100885843/henry-bell: accessed 29 August 2022), memorial page for Henry Bell (1778–29 Aug 1838), Find A Grave: Memorial #100885843, citing Saint Michael's Cemetery, Fairfield, Nelson County, Kentucky, USA; Maintained by Shortpoket (contributor 47309823) .
• Source: S72 Ancestry.com 1810 United States Federal Census Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Third Census of the United States, 1810. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1810. M252, 71;
• Source: S97 Ancestry.com 1830 United States Federal Census Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1830. M19, 201;