Francis Bell I (abt. 1750 - 1838)

Born about 17 Jan 1750 in Lunenburg, Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Esther (Montgomery) Bell — married 12 Mar 1773 in Guilford, North Carolina

Descendants

Died 24 Aug 1838 at about age 88 in Jackson, Georgia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ginger Dykes [send private message]

Biography

The date of birth has been changed from January 17, 1750 back to 8/27/1750 since the bible record states 8/27/1750.

The date of death is shown as 24 Aug 1838 - it contradicts the bible record for him (November 1839) and the same date written on the memorial stone - picture at findagrave.com. The findagrave site however states his death was August 27, 1838.

A posting on genforum by David Bell -

http://genforum.genealogy.com/bell/messages/775.html

He was born near what is now Lynchburg Va. In 1750 the area was part of Lunenburg Co, Va established in 1746.

Events

Event:

Type: Lived

Date: 1773

Place: Guilford, North Carolina

Event: Lt. under Gen. Rutherford

Type: Military Service

Date: Abt 1775-1783

Event:

Type: Lived

Date: Abt 1820-1839

Place: Jackson, Georgia, USA

Bible Record

Go to the Forsyth genweb page, click on the Bible Puzzle Piece. Look for Bell/Montgomery/ Bell.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gaforsyt/bibles/BellFrancis dot htm Broken Link

Notes

The only known record of Francis Bell is his presence as a witness to real estate transaction between his brothers. About his descendants, if any, nothing is known.

NOTE 1

"Robert had a land grant from Earl of Granville for 360 acres on Haw Rv in Guilford Co, NC in 1762. He sold this to his brother, Samuel, 1770. His father-in-law, John Walker, a witness, also his brother, Francis Bell. Robert was in said County # 691, with 3 males under 10, he 27-45, 1 female 27-45, another female over 45, 1 slave. Neighbors were Jehu Cox and James Johnson."

Getha Gina Bell, The Bells in U. S. A. and Allied Families 1650-1977, privately published, 1977.

Bell, 1977

" He was living in Guilford County, North Carolina by 1773 at which time he married Esther Montgomery (1745-Mar. 4, 1817) on Dec. 3. Esther the dau. of David Montgomery shown in Land Lottery Records (Rev) of Wilkes County, Georgia, ca. 1780, also in Tax Lists 1794.

Frances and Esther moved to Jackson County, Georgia, ca. 1880. In 820 Frances Bell was taxed on 202 1/2 acres of land in the same county for property deeded to his wife Esther by her father, David Montgomery.

His estate was administered in 1840, Jackson County Georgia.

Has death date 12/1839"

Parents

Husband: [[Bell-874|Samuel Bell

Wife: Mary UNKNOWN

Marriage:

Date: Bef 1750

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

Marriage

Here is a link which appears to establish 1773 as the marriage year. ^[1] Search Page

Husband: Francis Bell

Wife: Esther Montgomery

Marriage:

Date: 12 Mar 1773

Place: Guilford, North Carolina, USA

1. Samuel Bell
2. Mary Bell
3. Thomas Bell
4. Jane Bell
5. Francis Bell
6. Esther Bell
7. Sarah Bell
8. Martha Bell
9. Robert Bell
10. Joseph Scott Bell
11. George Washington Bell
12. James Montgomery Bell

Revolutionary War

Lieutenant Francis Bell I served with Guilford County Regiment, North Carolina Militia during the American Revolution.

Francis Bell I is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A008698.

Frances Bell served in American Revolution as lieutenant under General Rutherford and was engaged in the Battle of Kings Mountain. H

A non-commissioned officer in the Continental Arm (sic) and failed to be in the battle of Guilford Court House by reason of being in Command of a squad in detached service at that time.[1]

Listed as a private with the Guilford County Regiment^[2]

Served in the Southern Campaigns of the Revolution. His account in verse of the battle of Guilford Courthouse is in possession of his family.

His services are recorded in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia.

Authorities: DAR lineage #20892;46618. McAllister Va. Mil. in Rev. Jackson County Lottery List - 1825 - Capt. Deaton¹s Dist. 248 - Francis Bell. [2]

Birthdate given as 1-22-1750. Death 8-24-1838. [3]

Birthdate given as 8-27-1750. Death 1838. [4]

No indication of Revolutionary War service. There are several Bells listed but no Francis. [5]

There is no Francis Bell in this index. [6]

There is a Frances Bell of Connecticut. [7]

² BELL: Francis: b 1750 VA d 1839 GA m Esther Montgomery Sol NC² [8]

³ An Ancient Relic

Lines composed by Francis Bell in the year 1781, under Gen. Rutherford in the pursuit of Cornwallis at the raft Swamp¹

1. As I am intending some lines to record, Concerning the battle fought at Guilford.

2 On the 15th of March in the year 1781, When brave Col. Lee brought the whole action on,

3 Lord Cornwallis his men did place, With courage and conduce the British to face,

4 For when they advanced his courage wasn't daunted, But warmly received him right in the face.

5 Brave Col. Campbell on the left wing was placed, A number of riflemen very well placed.

6 But when the British drew nigh,his bullets let fly, Caused a number of the British to die.

7 Brave Col. Lynch on the right wing was placed, A number of riflemen also well fixed.

8 But when they drew nigh he loudly did cry, O, fight my dear boys for sweet liberty!

9 Brave Gen. Green, he ordered a retreat, Officers and soldiers in ranks were complete.

10 Until he avowed at the place he provided, To rally and sally its forces again.

11 Lord Cornwallis, he gained the field, So with a pain in his heart he did feel.

12 For when he looked round, he presently found,Great was his loss in obtaining the ground.

13 Now Lord Cornwallis, the orders he gave, The dead bodies of theirs to lay in their graves.

14 For the rebels would see and presently say, That ten to their one were killed that day.

15 On the 18 of March, in the year 1781, Lord Cornwallis began to run.

16 For plainly he did see, that if there he did stay,Brave Gen. Green the balance would slay.

17 Come all you that are rifleing and plundering do go, In partial accounts you will have for to show.

18 If it does not be here it will be hereafter, So I would repent unless you get the halter.

19 As for the plunder he made this reply, And charges Bell for telling a lie

20 As these lines not fit for the press, Because they had not on the political dress.

21 But out of cold nature were hammered just so, So let¹s see what a rustic could do.

We publish the above at the request of Mr. Curtis Green, of Leon Junction, who is a direct descendant of Francis Bell. The original manuscript, which is now one hundred and thirteen years old, is in the possession of Mrs. Dr. Gray, of Cave Spring, Ga., and is in a good state of preservation.²[9]

Francis Bell - Revolutionary Soldier No. Carolina Command under Nathaniel Greene. Battle of Guilford Co. Courthouse was absent in command of squad to grind sabers. Wrote account of battle, about 1800.

Moved to NE corner of Jackson Co. Ga. between Walnut Fork of Oconee and Shruberry Creek. Buried Liberty Me Church, Hall Co. He was a Presbyterian. Left Continental Script with which he was paid for his military service.[10]

Francis Bell thought to be Lieut. Revolution. See page 82 of Heitzmans History.

Was known to be engaged in the battle of King¹s Mountain N.C.

Left lines composed in the year 1781 under Gen. Rutherford in the pursuit of Cornwallis at Raft Swamp.

Burial

Burial:

Place: Chestnut Mountain, Hall, Georgia, USA

Ellison Farm Rd

Chestnut Mountain

Hall County

Georgia USA

Postal Code: 30517

Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends ...: Landmarks and memorials ... By Lucian Lamar Knight, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Volume: 354; SAR Membership Number: 70783. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls., Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Vol. 1-4. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.

Liberty Church Cemetery (Old) transcribed in 1967 by Eva Snelson. Said to be at Chestnut Mtn. and part of land once owned by Francis Bell and later by Jane Bell Hudgins. Quoting the note before the listings. "This is the cemetery in which Francis Bell is said to be buried. It is logical since he once owned the land. His dau Jane Bell and husband, Beverly Hudgins, and their oldest dau Mary Brown, and wife of a son, Isabella Hudgins- wife of Francis Bell Hudgins, are buried in the cemetery. Everyone with grave with a marker is a descendant of Francis Bell." Listed are 3 Boggs; 4 Hudgins; 1 Porter; 1 Brown; 9 Veal.

source - http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=1645&p=localities.northam.usa.states.georgia.counties.hall

Also supported as Liberty Methodist Church Cemetery in the DAR lineage book vol 47 published in 1918 and noted on page 286 of that book.

Source S140

IGI Family Group Record_128 Title: IGI Family Group Record_128 Text: Family Group Record FamilySearch Ancestral File v4.19 Search Results | Download GEDCOM

Husband's Name Samuel Bell (AFN:1DXT-HRJ) Pedigree Born: Abt 1720 Place: Ireland Died: 1780 Place: Guilford Co, N.C. Married: Bef 1750 Place: Father:

Mother: Wife's Name Mary (AFN:1DXT-HSQ) Pedigree Born: Abt. 1729 Place: <Lynchburg, Va> Married: Bef 1750 Place: Father: Mother:

Children

1. Mary BELL (AFN:1VZJ-CGS) Sex Name F Pedigree Born: 1757 Place: Caswell, North Carolina Christened: Place: Of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia
2. John BELL (AFN:1VZJ-C3J) Sex Name M Pedigree Born: 1755 Place: Caswell, North Carolina Christened: Place: Of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia
3. Samuel BELL (AFN:1VZJ-CFL) Sex Name M Pedigree Born:1753 Place: Caswell, North Carolina Christened: Place: Of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia Died: Abt 1785 Place:
4. Thomas BELL (AFN:1VZJ-CDD) Sex Name M Pedigree Born: 1751 Place: Caswell, North Carolina Christened: Place: Of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia Died: Aft 1787 Place:
5. Agnes BELL (AFN:1VZJ-BXJ) Sex Name F Pedigree Born: 1747 Place: Caswell, North Carolina
6. James BELL (AFN:1VZJ-C7C) Sex Name M Pedigree Born: 1747 Place: Caswell, North Carolina Died: 18 Dec 1820 Place: Limestone, Alabama
7. Mary BELL (AFN:1VZJ-CC6) Sex Name F Pedigree Born: 15 Mar 1738 Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. Francis BELL (AFN:1DXT-HZR) Sex Name M Pedigree Born: 27 Aug 1750 Place: Lynchburg, Va Died: 24 Aug 1838 Place: Jackson Co., Ga Buried: Place: Old Liberty Ch.c, Chestnut Mt., Hall Co, Ga The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=2924&term=francis%20bell
2. ↑ http://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_privates_b.html

• "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHK1-424 : accessed 4 December 2021), Francis Bell, Guilford, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 496, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 568,147.

• Unclassified: "U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900"
  Source number: 1194.010; Source type: Family group sheet, FGSE, listed as parents; Number of Pages: 1
  Ancestry Record 7836 #90039 (accessed 4 December 2021)
  Name: Francis Bell; Gender: Male; Birth Place: VA; Birth Year: 1750; Spouse Name: Esther Montgomery; Spouse Birth Year: 1754; Marriage Year: 1773; Marriage State: NC; Number Pages: 1.

Name: Francis Bell

Gender: Male

Birth Place: VA

Birth Year: 1750

Spouse Name: Esther Montgomery

Spouse Birth Year: 1754

Marriage Year: 1773

Marriage State: NC

Number Pages: 1

• "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRW-MVG : accessed 4 December 2021), Francis Bell, Salisbury, Guilford, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 668, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 31; FHL microfilm 337,907.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112438285/francis-bell : accessed 04 December 2021), memorial page for Pvt Francis Bell (17 Jan 1750–27 Aug 1838), Find A Grave: Memorial #112438285, citing Liberty Church Cemetery Old, Chestnut Mountain, Hall County, Georgia, USA ; Maintained by Jon (contributor 47985592) .
• Guilford NC Records

• Bell, 1977

• http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=1645&p=localities.northam.usa.states.georgia.counties.hall

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 12 November 2019), "Record of Francis Bell", Ancestor # A008698.

• "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2M-YX2J : 1 March 2021), Francis Bell, 28 Jul 1775; citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711093.

• "United States Rosters of Revolutionary War Soldiers and Sailors, 1775-1783," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG2M-FQ9R : 1 March 2021), Francis Bell, 01 Jan 1778; citing Military Service, , Citing various published state rosters, United States; FHL microfilm 101711093.

• Bell, Geta Gina Bells in U. S. A. and Allied Families 1650-1977 (privately published, 1977) As of Jun 2021, this book is not available online due to copyright Bell Family on Wayback machine Note: The web version is excerpted from a longer document provided by June Smith. A lot of the material in it also appears in Fred Hawthorne's database.

See also:

• The following DAR record is flagged, saying that Francis Bell "was not likely a son of this man": Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 12 November 2019), "Record of Thomas Bell", Ancestor # A008807.

Acknowledgements

• This person was created through the import of JDS_09_17_10.ged on 09 February 2011.