James Bell Sr. (abt. 1705 - 1751)

Born about 1705 in Ireland

Husband of Rachel (McCune) Bell — married about 1728 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 28 May 1751 at about age 46 in Augusta Co, VA

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Biography

He is referred to by some sources as James of Cathey's River to differentiate from other James Bell's who were living in Augusta Co, VA in the middle of the 1700's.

They possbily came over in June 26, 1740 from Great Britian. Bell, James: for himself & John, Margaret, and Elizabeth. [1]

Will of James Bell of the Parish and County of Augusta. Sick and weak but of perfect memory. To wife Rachel Bell all household goods and implements belonging to the plantation work and my two working horses. She shall have the use of the plantation whereon I now live to support my children, until my son William Bell arrive at the age of 21 years, at which time I leave said plantation to him and his heirs. To my son James Bell, 400 acres on a spring branch of Jeninces [?] Branch, and one tract on a spring run a branch of Cathys River and near joyning to the plantation whereon I live. Whereas I have bargained and sold to my cousin Andrew Foster one tract on a spring branch of said Catheys River commonly known as McClures Run, it is my will that said Foster have the said land, he paying to my executors the just sum of ?43 being the sum conditioned for; but if said Foster does not insist for said land, I give it to my son James Bell, he paying thereout unto his sisters hereafter mentioned ye sum of ?20 so soon as he shall arrive at the age of 23 years. But if said Foster hold said land, I will that my said son James Bell have thereout the sum of ?23. All my stock of horse and cow to be sold to the best advantage, and one-fifth part thereof, with all my hogs and sheep, to my wife Rachel Bell. To my four daughters Margret Bell, Elizabeth Bell, Marey Ann Bell, and Jean Bell, the other four-fifths part of my stock, with all the just and solvent debts due to me, to be equally divided and paid to them as they come of age. To my nephews William Bell and James Bell, the land whereon they now dwell, commonly known as Smiths Spring. If either of my two sons die in their non-age, then one-third part of his estate shall go to his brother and the other two-thirds to be equally divided between his mother and his sisters. To my said son Will. Bell, one natural pawing [?] bay mare aged three years old next spring. To my said son Jas. Bell, one natural pawing [?] mare aged two years next spring. Executors: wife Rachel Bell and nephew James Bell. Executed 27 February 1747/8. [signed] James Bell. Witnesses: Alexander Craford, Robt. Renik [? - looks like "Renix" in the probate statement], Samuel Bell. Probated 28 May 1752, presented by both executors and proved by all witnesses. Securities with executors: John Archer, Thomas Armstrong; bond for ?500.

Referred to as "from Cathey's River" - Cathey's River was the original name of Middle River, that runs through Beverley's Manor, a tributary of the Shennandoah.

Parents possibley Robert and Agnes Daughter Margaret McClung - source geni

James Bell acquired a patent of 400 acres "on Buffalo Lick Branch of Cathey's River", on 1 December, 1740. - Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800 by Lyman Chalkley

from above source- Page 263.--21st May, 1747. James Bell to Thomas Armstrong, £20 current money Virginia; 400 acres on a branch of Cathey's River called Jennings Branch. Teste: Andrew Cowen, James Bell, Jr.; Thos. Rutlidge Acknowledged, 21st May, 1747. Rachel releases dower.

Augusta County Will Book 1, page 324. Wife Rachel; son, William (infant); son, James, under 23, 400 acres on Jenning's Branch and one plantation on a branch of Cathey's River near testator's home place, where he lives; cousin, Andrew Foster, testator has sold him a tract on a spring branch of Cathey's River, called McClure's Run; daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary Ann and jean Bell; nephews, William and James Bell, tract on which they dwell known by name of Smith's Spring. Executors, wife Rachel and nephew James. Teste: Alexander Crawford, Robert Renick, Saml. Bell. Executed 27th February, 1748-9. Proved, 28th May, 1751, by all witnesses, and executors qualified, with sureties John Archer and Thos. Armstrong. [Source: Chalkley's Chronicles, Volume 3 - transcribed by D. Donlon]

27th February, 1748-9. James Bell's will-Wife, Rachel; son. William (infant); son. James, under 23, 400 acres on Jenning's Branch, and one plantation on a branch of Cathey's River near testator's home place. where he lives; cousin, Andrew Foster. testator has sold him a tract on a spring branch of Cathey's River, called McClure's Run; daughters, Margaret. Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Jean Bell; nephews, William and James Bell, tract on which they dwell known by name of Smith's Spring. Executors, wife Rachel and nephew James. Teste: Alexander Crawford, Robert Renick, Saml. Bell. Proved, 28th May, 1751, by all witnesses, and executors qualified, with sureties John Archer and Thos. Armstrong. [p.21]

Spouse: Rachel Son: James Cousin: Andrew Foster Daughter: Margaret Daughter: Elizabeth Daughter: Mary Ann Daughter: Jean Bell Nephew: William Bell Nephew: James Bell

While no burial location has been discovered for James, he did live in the vicinity of North Mountain and may have been buried on his land in a family cemetery or at the North Mountain Meeting House. Several monuments were found to have the name Bell on them, but no other information. Page 324.--CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 pages 20-21 ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT. WILL BOOK NO. 1.

James married Rachel McCune 1712-1751

Children

1. Elizabeth Bell Est 1728-1742 -
2. Jean Bell Est 1728-1742 -
3. Margaret Bell Est 1728-1742 -
4. James Bell, of Long Glade ABT 1733 - bef 1783
5. William Bell est 1737-1743 -
6. Mary Ann Bell abt 1744

.

Sources

• Augusta County Will Book 1, page 324
• http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:James_Bell_%2865%29
• http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=adgedge&id=I74763
• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=muckham&id=I4077
• https://www.geni.com/people/James-Bell/6000000009216597726
• reference to Cathey's River - http://www.ourfamtree.org/browse.php/James-Bell/p502748
• Sir Robert Bell and His Early Virginia Colony Descendants: A Compilation of ... - children of this source do not match with wikitree at present
• http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~chalkley/

• Augusta County Early Settlers, Importations, 1739-1740Source InformationNew World Immigrants, Vol. II [database on-line]. https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/48116/NewWorldImmigrantsII-000952-133?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=NewWorldImmigrantsII-000953-134

James Bell Birth unknown Death 1751 Augusta County, Virginia, USA Burial Unknown Memorial ID Find A Grave: Memorial #125369517

https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:James_Bell_%2865%29