Bell Genealogy, North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana

Some new information from a Bell Cousin:

I thought you might be interested in the fact that I took one of the DNA swabs and I am registered on the Beal-Bell site as 'Bell 334'

The markers indicated that our family group were of a sub group associated with the north west part of Ireland that seem to center around Sligo and Roscommon in general. I took the 42 marker test and I was contacted by another person interested in the results. He said that a group at Trinity College in Dublin has profiled a DNA sub group based on their theory as coming from the north west part of Ireland and traced back to around the 6th century and identified with 'Naille of the nine hostages". He is famous for being an early Irish Warlord. My sample was a match on 41 points and only 1 digit off on the 42nd marker.

One major source of information for some of my work here is the book "The Bells of Pleasant Ridge" by Paul E. & Patricia A. Coffman.

From the Introduction: The Families of Pleasant Ridge:

"The Pleasant Ridge Church and School are gone, but at the edge of the cemetery, close to where the church once stood, an old tree stands as a sentinel and its leaves whisper the names of the families that came to settle this wild knob, known as Pleasant Ridge. McKinley, Akers, Baggerly, Bell, Bradford, Brock, Coffman, Nicholson, Packwood, Schardein, Scott, Wade and Whitson were some of the early pioneers along with Davis, Johnson, Martin, Miller, Schleicher, Temple and True. Later came the Koetter, Rosenberger, Stumler, and Huber families these later ones being of German origin.

In the early days the McKinley clans were the largest land owners at Pleasant Ridge and reared quite large families. They were growers of orchards and livestock. From an early date some became shop keepers, hotel owners and sawmill operators. Some had tanneries and grain mills. There were some that held political offices and some were postmasters. Many became teachers and good ones too. This narrative names but a few of the many interests and occupations of the McKinleys'. The surname McKinley, still abounds in the community of New providence (Borden).

Note: The photo of the oldest church was furnished by Walter Nicholson and it was the first church. The photo of the second, Pleasant Ridge Church, was taken by George L. Bell.

The Bells were great land owners and had orchards and livestock. Some were blacksmiths and some were of the political nature. Later Bells engaged in the sawmill business, as well as, dry cleaning and shop ownership. Some raised produce and shipped it by rail to large cities. Berry growing was one of the things "The Bell Family" took great pride in. In the beginning Bells had large families, however as time passed, many moved on to other frontiers and the ones that stayed had smaller families. The Bell line lives on in the generations passed through the daughters, but the surname is greatly diminished in this area.

According to the History of Clark County, written by Captain Lewis C. Baird, Elias Bell and Jerry McKinley were instrumental in starting the Church at Pleasant Ridge. From this we can see they were dutiful in the worship of God. There were at different times, probably three churches at Pleasant Ridge. The History of Clark County written by Captain Lewis C. Baird, page 710 (first edition) tells that the first church was a log house built about 1847-1848. The second was of frame construction and the congregation became so large that it was torn down and a larger church was built. Later the third church was abandoned and torn down. The cemetery is well maintained and still being used for burial. Another small cemetery close by, on the Borden-Greenville road, is the Packwood McKinley cemetery. This cemetery is the resting place of James McKinley I, father of Jemima (McKinley) Bell.

There was more than one Pleasant Ridge School. From some of the older members, of the neighborhood, we learn that the first was probably close to the church, the second was about 1/4 mile away, and the third was on the Borden-Greenville road close to where Paul Nicholson now lives. Grace (Bell) Coffman attended the second one and her son Paul, attended the third Pleasant Ridge School."

I recently (May 2004 and 2005, 2007, 2008) visited the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Wood Township, Clark County Indiana where my Bell's settled after arriving from North Carolina and Kentucky. Several of my Bell ancestors are buried in this cemetery.

BELL RESEARCH: 1790 BELLS in Randolph County, North Carolina Census
377	Bell Linsey	2 2 5 . .
378	Bell, William	1 . . . .
773	Bell, Francis	3 1 2 . .
778	Bell, John	1 1 . . .
780	Bell, Thomas	1 2 8 . .
782	Bell, William	3 3 4 . .
1084	Bell, William	1 . 2 . 16
1790 Guilford County, NC Census
496	Bell, Francis	1 2 6 . . .
496	Bell, James	3 1 8 . . .
501	Bell, Samuel	4 4 6 . . .

Here is a timeline on John and Rachel Bell that was prepared by Oliver Bardes of Naples, Florida. This narrative contains his Bell research. Oliver has localized his research to the North Carolina area, collecting valuable information, in his search of the early ancestors of the Bell families. This is also an excerpt from the book "The Bells of Pleasant Ridge"

Please note: I spent the month of October 2006 in North Carolina and could not find any information on our Bell line, nor did I find any connection to the Bells who I did find in the area (Randolph County).

1760	Rachel Bell, wife of John Bell, born NC. Maiden name unknown but probably Gabriel. She is 90 yrs old and in the home of Elias Bell. (Named in 1850 Census, Wood Township, Clark County, IN.)
1760	Rachel Gabriel, Born 1760 in Anson County, N. C. Daughter of Jacob Gabriel born circa 1730. Rachel Gabriel's spouse is Abram (Abraham Forney). 1800 Federal Census has Abraham living alone in Lincoln county and over 45 years. He is a son of Jacob Forney, Sr. Spouse Abram (Abraham) Forney, born 10/15/1758 (m) circa 1778-1788. Relationship unknown. One researcher stated a child, John Forney, born circa 1782 and Earhardt, born circa 1784.
1763	John Dunbar is a tax payer in Anson County, N.C. Relationship unknown.
1769	Nathaniel Gabriel is a tax payer in Craven County, N.C. Relationship unknown.
1771	Tax payers in Bute County, N. C. were Jesse Bell, Joseph Bell, Samuel Bell, Thomas Bell, William Bell. No Dunbars.
1771	Tax Payers in Franklin-Warren, Vance) (Franklin from Bute 1779; Warren ditto; Vance from Granville, Warren, Franklin, 1881) were Francis Bell, Jesse Bell, John Bell, Joseph Bell, Linsey Bell, Samuel Bell, Thomas Bell. No Dunbars.
1779	Randolph County, N. C. Established from Guilford County. Many County records lost; reason unknown.
1779	Tax payers in Randolph county, N. C. were Francis Bell, Jr., Francis Bell, Sr., John Bell, Robert Bell who (m) Mary Boyd 1/17/1775 in Guilford county. Hugh Robertson, Bondsman; Wit: Alex McClaran.
1782	William Bell acquired 100 acres, on a State grant, in Randolph county, N. C. (Book 1, page 135).
1783	9/8/1783 - William Bell & Mary, his wife, sell 100 acres for 30 pds. to John Arnold on Toms Creek, Randolph county, N. C. Property adjacent t Edward Hughs. (Book 2, page 11)
1784	1784-1787 - John Dunbar in Richmond County, N. C. Richmond formed from Anson County - 1779, relationship unknown. (Sate Census N. C., 1784-1787).
1785	8/11/1785 - Francis Bell buys 150 acres for 50 pds, from Wm Brookshier on waters of Jackson (Creek) Randolph County, NC, adj James Blalock and John Wallis? Wit: John Arnold, Martha Arnold and Clement Arnold. Has relationship to John, Thomas, William and Pearce Bell (Bk 13, pg 249). Note: See 1817 entry for disposition.
1787	8/18/1787 - State site grant to Thomas Bell 170 acres on Back Creek, Randolph County, NC, adj to John Winslow & Gibson (Book 3, page 218) David, George, John Gibson, Major Gibson and John Winslow at James Dunbar, deceased, sale January 1, 1794. All were tax payers in Randolph County in 1779.
1789	1/24/1789 James Dunbar buys 290 acres for 225 pds., in Randolph County on Uharie, adj, Coans, From Patrick Travers (Bk 3 pg 347)
1789	9/17/1789 - John Bell of Mecklenburg county, buys one town lot (#--) in town of Johnstonville, Randolph County, NC (Bk 7, pg 29). William Bell involved in the development or town judicial process. William Bell owned two lots in 1815. Note: Probably brother of William (Martha) and Walter Bell.
1790	John Bell in 1790 Census is the only John Bell head of household with one male under 16. Note: Possible son by a first marriage or if Joseph Bell, born NC was a younger brother of John Bell, he would qualify as in the 1820 Census for Wood Township, Clark County, IN. Joseph born 1776-1794
	Question - Was he the John Bell in 1779 Tax Roll or another John Bell who bought the town lot in Johnsonville in 1789.
1790	1790 Census for Randolph County, NC, enumerates only James Dunber (Dunbar). This is the James Dunbar (Sr) deceased, as William Draper, a neighbor, built a portion of his coffin (Estate receipt). First census indicates in close proximity Francis Bell (3-2-1); John Bell (1-1-0); Thomas Bell (1-2-8); William Bell (3-3-4); James Dumber (Dunbar) with (1-2-2). In another section was Lindsey Bell (1-0-2) and 16 slaves. (not related).
1793	John Dunbar, born Randolph County, NC, to James (Sr) and Rachel Dunbar. John died 1863, Randolph County, NC. She may have been pregnant at the time of James (Sr.'s) death.
1793	James Dunbar (Sr.), died Randolph County, NC
1793	James Dunbar, deceased, sells 105 acres to William Clark (Bk 5, pg 37. Appears to have 185 acres remaining on Uharie. (NC)
1793	Second Monday of December, 1793, Rachel Dunbar and Archibald Hopper post 300 pounds permanent money for administrator bond re: estate of James Dunbar (SR) deceased.
1794	1/1 or 1/11/1794 - Estate inventory sale of James Dunbar (Sr), deceased. Related family buyers at sale include Rachel Dunbar, Admr, John Bell; Thomas Bell and William Bell. Total sale 12 pds, 12 shillings, 2 pence.
1794	4/3?/1794 - Rachel Dunbar administrator of the James Dunbar estate receives 2/6 for services as payment in full. Signed James Roberts.
1795	1/23/1795 - Rachel Bell, Administrator of James Dunbar, deceased. (Receipt between Rachel Bell and Jacob Skeen)
1795	2/2/1795 - John Bell is now the administrator of James Dunbar, deceased, estate. He paid two pounds, six shillings and seven pence for claim.
1795	John Bell married 4/3/1794 - 1/23/1795 Rachel Dunbar widow of James Dunbar (Sr.) deceased. Now Rachel Bell. John Bell is now stepfather of James Dunbar (Jr.), Alexander, Archibald and the last baby John (born 1793)
1795	?/28/1795 - Thomas Bell of Back Creek conveys 36 acres on the south side Back Creek to Zebulon Overman. Note: NO other Thoas Bell in Randolph County (Book 7, page 223).
1796	John Bell, born North Carolina. Probably the first child of John Bell and Rachel (Dunbar) Bell and named after father. Relocated to Washington County, Indiana. Named two sons by a first marriage, Thomas (1) and Elias (2). Washington County is West and next to Clark County. Relationship not confirmed. This is my line
1796	Thomas Bell sells two acres on Back Creek to Joseph Edgerton. (Bk 8, page 179)
1797	Gabriel Bell, born circa 1795-1799, Randolph County, NC, married Mary Akers in Clark County, IN on 3/6/1817. Note: No records and many VA records reveal no earlier Gabriel Bell. Conclusion this is almost certainly Rachel Bell's maiden name.
1798	3/13/1798 - Thomas Bell sells 150 acres on the South side of Back Creek to Gideon Newby. No Thomas Bell now owns land in Randolph County. This conveyance concludes disposition of his plantation (BK 7, pg 338)
1800	August term, 1800-John Bell, administrator of the estate of James Dunbar. Court appointed William Bailey, Michel Harvey and William Lowe to reach a settlement. One line item was a work out of debt owed of William Bell for 7 shillings, 2 pence. Account stated one third of the total proceeds went to the "the widow" (not named). The estate owed a total of 11 debts not including the widow.
1800	Census enumerates all Bell's in Randolph County, NC: Andrew Bell (2); John Bell (2); Joseph Bell; Pearce Bell; Thomas Bell; William Bell (3), Note: Linsey Bell not shown (1800 Census of NC)
	RE: William Bell. Note: there was a wealthy William Bell in Randolph County. Hsd 16 slaves in 1790 census. His 1820 will revealed his wife, Martha. Had two brothers, John Bell and Walter Bell; sister Jean. John Bell died before 1820. His widow, Rachel Bell, had a son, John and seven daughters. Walter Bell had a son, William Bell. John and William inherited 2000 acres in 1830 and conveyed to Jesse Walker. (Bk 18, pg 419). In 1790 Census, there was a third William Bell (1-0-0) as head of household. Almost certainly, he is the son of Walter Bell who lived in Randolph until 1784 when he conveyed 500 acres to William Bell. will includes subject 500 acres in 2000 acres. (Book 2, page 143) John Bell, brother of William Bell, probably was John Bell who married Rachel Price; Robert Price, Bondsman; in Mecklenburg County 12/18/1792. (Marriage Bonds). Conclusion - No relationship with William, Walter or nephews to our William/John Bell line.
1800	John Dunbar in Lincoln County, NC: Chrispan Dunbar in Randolph County. Relationship unknown. (1800 Census of NC)
1802	Dunbar Bell, born circa 1802 in NC. While no proof, it is given that he is a son of John Bell and Rachel (Dunbar widow) Bell. John Bell is the stepfather of the four Dunbar boys. (1860 Census, Greenville Township, Floyd County, IN) Two of his sons were John Bell (father's name) and James Bell (older half brother - James Dunbar). Further evidence that he is a son of Rachel Bell is that an aged female (Rachel) is in the residence with Dunbar in the 1830 Wood Township, Clark county, IN)
1803	3/3/1803 - Francis Bell buys 100 acres from Charles Gray on the waters of Batchelor Creek in Randolph, NC. Relationship unknown. Probably Francis, Jr. (BK 12 page 149).
1804	Josiah Bell born circa 1804 in NC. Had a child Rachel in Sullivan County, IN. Josiah Bell almost certainly a son of John and Rachel Bell of Randolph County, NC. There is an outside chance that he was a son of Joseph. Three of his children were names: Josiah, William, John and Rachel Bell.
1806	Elias Bell, born NC, almost certainly the son of John and Rachel (Dunbar) Bell. Family relocated at a later date to Wood Township, Clark County, Indiana. Gravestone has born 1808 which is an error. Federal Census indicates 1806.
1806	9/13/1806 - Francis Bell conveys 100 acres on the waters of Batchelor Creek. Consideration 12 pounds and 6 shillings (?) Note: Acquired 1803 from Charles Gray. (Book 11, page 342).
1806	Andrew Bell sells 100 acres to Abraham Bulleban for a consideration of 50 pounds (?) on the South Lick (?) of the south Fork of the Uharie River. Appears neighbor of John Fouts. Relationship unknown. (Book 13 page 456).
1811	Anna Dunbar - Dismissed from Back Creek Meeting House, i.e., Center Meeting? Relationship unknown. Note: John Dunbar named a daughter Anna. Probably sister to four James Dunbar deceased sons.
1811	James Dunbar (Jr) married Nancy Pearson 4/12/1811, Randolph County, NC. John Bell, his step-father, was Bondsman. Witness: Hugh Naun. Pearson family lived on Back Creek. She born 10/26/1792. (Pearson family members are available).
1812	War of 1812. Archibald Dunbar is in Fourth Company, detached from Randolph regiment. John Steed is also in unit. No Bell's or other Dunbar's are indicated from Randolph county.
1812	Kentucky soldiers of War of 1812. Alexander Dunbar, James Dunbar and John Dunbar. * Alexander Dunbar enlisted from Newport, KY.
1814	10/16/1814 - Archibald Dunbar married Lucy Bass in Randolph County, NC. James Dunbar, Bondsman (brother) Wit: Andrew Balfour.
1815	2/13/18 - Elizabeth Bell married Jonathan Emmons (by David Fannin), Clark County, Indiana. Father unknown, probably John and RAchel Bell or Joseph Bell? In 1820 Census Joseph Bell had two daughters under 10 yrs of age.
1815	1815 Tax List of Randolph County, NC enumerates as follows: Captain Burns' District - William Bell, 4297 acres and two lots in Johnsonville (not related); Captain Steed's District - Joseph Bell, Thomas Bell and William Bell. Poll tax only, no real property. Alexander Dunbar 46 acres on Uharie; Archibald Dunbar 339 acres on Uharie; Capt. ----'s District -- Linsey Bell, poll tax. Captain Naylor's District - Andrew Bell, poll tax; Capt Rush's District - Pierce Bell, 100 acres on Jackson's Creek. Note: No enumeration of any John Bell's, Francis Bell's; James (Jr) or John Dunbar.
1815	Pierce Bell has 100 acres on Jackson Creek. Enumerated in 1815 TAx List of Randolph County, NC. Captain Rush's District. Probably born circa 1775-1782. Possibly son of Lindsey Bell, deceased. Appears also in 1800 Census but not 1790. Believe h had a son, Pierce M. Bell.
1816	John Dunbar marries Sally Ridge 11/5/1816, Randolph County, NC. Clement Arnold, Bondsman, Witness: Jesse Harper.
1816	8/30/1816 - Archibald Dunbar acts as agent for James Dunbar, Alexander Dunbar, John Dunbar, James Dunbar (Sr.), deceased, convey 165 acres on the waters of the Uharie River for consideration of $775, Randolph County, NC to Joshua Crow. (Bk. 13 pg. 335) Note: Legal as a corner to Thom's Creek. Probably contiguous to John Bell's 200 acres. (Bk 13, page 360). It appears that James and Nancy Dunbar are in Indiana.
1817	3/6/1817 Gabriel Bell, Born NC, married Molly Akers daughter of Simon Akers in Clark County, IN. Note: No Akers were taxpayers in Randolph County, NC in 1789 or any other NC counties during Tax List (1701-1786). No Akers found in 1800 Federal Census, but there were an estimated 10 percent spelling errors.
1817	10/18/1817 - Francis Bell deceased and John Bell, William Bell, Thomas Bell and Pierce Bell convey 150 acres Jacksons Creek to Clement Arnold for 75 pds. The four were heirs but gave no other relationship. Plantation Francis Bell lived on. Note: John Bell signed. Others were (x). (Book 13, page 372)
1817	11/11/1817 - John Bell sells 200 acres on the waters of Toms Creek to Joshua Crow. Consideration $126.00 Signed by John Bell and witnessed by Thomas (x) Bell. Bk 13, pg 360). Note: Review 1816 entry, Dunbars to Joshua Crow.
1818	11/26/1818 - Archibald Dunbar (2) married Elizabeth Bell, daughter of Thomas Bell in Clark County, IN. Second marriage for him.
1820	James, John and Archibald Dunbar in Wood Twp., Clark County, IN (1820 Census)
1820	Thomas Bell, John Bell and Joseph Bell are now in Wood Township, Clark County, IN. Thomas and John Bell are both over 45 yrs thus born circa 1750-1774. Joseph Bell was age 26-44 years, thus born circa 1776-1794. (1820 Census). Joseph is probably a younger brother of Thomas and John. (1820 Census). IN 1800 Census, Randolph County, NC, Joseph and wife were both 16-26 yrs. This indicates born circa 1774-1784, but with two daughters, under ten, range probably is 1776-1780.
1822	James Dunbar, Jr., acquires a land patent on section 22 land in Wood Township, Clark county, IN.
1825	12/7/1825 - Josiah Bell, born circa 1804, NC marries Rebecca Kennedy in Clark County, IN. Had a child Rachel. Believed a son of John and Rachel Bell or possibly Joseph Bell.
1826	James Dunbar (Jr.), and wife Nancy, of Wayne County, IN, sell Section 22 land in Wood Township, Clark County to Elias Bell a half brother.
1826	4/22/1826 - John Bell & wife Rachel conveys 80 acres in Section 15 to Gabriel Bell and heirs.
1826	4/22/1826 - James McKinley sells John Bell and wife land in Section 15 with acreage unknown.
1827	1/27/1827 - Gabriel Bell obtains 40 acres and 80 acres in Section 15 from the heirs of Simon Akers. Part believed inheritance of Mary "Polly (Akers) Bell.
	Note to self: There is a Archibald Bell listed in the Bourbon County, KY Northern District 1840 census at age 84, making him born in 1756. Who is he? There is another Archibald Bell listed in the 1840 Gallatin Kentucky 1840 Census with 11 persons in the household. Who are they? Note: There is a John Bell living alone in Nelson Co., KY 1840 census listed @ 91 yrs, making him born in 1749. Brother to Archibald above? He is also listed as a Pensioner for the Revolutionary War or for Military service.
	In the 1830 Bourbon, KY Census, there are these Bells listed: Archibald Bell Archibald Bell John Bell Thomas Bell In the 1820 North Middletown, Bourbon Co., KY these Bells are listed: Archibald Bell Archibald Bell Asa Bell Mary Bell Thomas Bell In 1810 Census, these Bells are listed in Stoner, Bourbon, KY: Archibald Bell Asa Bell James Bell Thoomas Bell and a John Bell is listed in Bullitt County for same year.

Randolph County, NC, Petitions 1785 and 1788

The following two petitions dating from the late 1780s and listing many male residents of Randolph County, NC, in the late 1780s have been of great value to genealogists in identifying not only many heads of households living in the new county, but also many unmarried males, some of whom I believe had not reached their majority when they signed the petitions. The petitions followed within 10 years the formation in 1779 of Randolph County, which before being formed consisted of the southern third of Guilford County, Guilford in turn having been stricken off Orange County in 1771.

The two petitions to the North Carolina State Assembly ensued from dissatisfaction by the county residents signing the first petition, about 1785, with the location of the county courthouse and other county government activities in the northeastern part of the new county. Location of the seat of government at such a great distance from residents in the south part required them to spend more than a day reaching the seat of government, attempting to conduct their business there during daytime hours, and returning home. This petition, containing 331 names, asked that the courthouse, jail, stocks (punishment and confinement devices), and other governmental operations be moved to the center of the county. On the other hand, most of those living in or near the area where court and other county business was transacted preferred that the seat of government remain where it was in the northeastern location, and they, in turn presented a second petition in 1788 with 360 names to the State Assembly urging that the courthouse not be moved.

After consideration for several years amidst political maneuvering by both factions, the State Assembly finally acted to relocate the courthouse to a site near the center of the county, where the new court held its first session on Wednesday, 12 June 1793. The new site was named Asheborough -- now Asheboro -- after Samuel Ashe, North Carolina governor from 1795 to 1798. The two petitions were found among the papers of the State Assembly in the 1970s, and an excellent article appeared in the Journal of the Randolph County Genealogical Society in the fall of 1978-79 under the authorship of Mac Whatley (Lowell McKay) Jr., of Asheboro, describing the background of and the political considerations that attended the actions which ended with the relocation of the county seat.

Two matters about the petitions are of concern to genealogy. The first is that there are a number of duplicate names, most resulting from the actions of two militia commanders signing the names of the members of their company to the second petition “by consent,” a number of these 155 residents having already signed the first petition. The second is that the names of several members of a family sometimes appear to be in the same handwriting, and includes household members who are known from placing their “marks” on deeds and other sworn documents to have been unable to sign their own names; but their names nevertheless attest to their presence in Randolph County at the time.

1788 Petition

To the Honourable the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Randolph Couny humbly Sheweth that a good Court House Prison Pillory & Stocks have been lately Erected at the Cross Roads, in, and for the use of, the said County; That Some people however Seem to be dissatisfied therewith & perhaps may send a petition to the Assembly, to get the Said Publick Buildings removed, or in other words, to Cause a new Set to be Erected at some other place; We Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the may be continued at the Cross Roades; and we further pray that an Act of Assembly be passed to lay of & Establish a Town at the said Cross Roades, and Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray etc.

Robert BRATTAN, Joseph JACKSON, John LOWE, Joseph SMITH, John MURDOCK, Christ. NATION, Phillip RODY, Joseph CURTIS, James DUNBAR, Bartho. GROGAN, Benjamin MEANS, Amor DAVIS, Isaac ROBINS, Sen. Christopher NATION, Mathew McFETRIDGE, Jacob HOOVER, Abram NATION Daniel FERREE Edw. BEESON Daniel HOOVER Saml. ALEXANDER James SMITH Isaac RIGHT Abram. ELIOTT Stepn. ALEXANDER Wm. ALEXANDER George MOORE John HUSBANDS George YOUNT Israel ELIOTT John SMITH Subal YORK James BAIN John THOMPSON Simor YORK Wm. ELIOTT George ALEXANDER Wm. RIDGE Joseph CLARK Wm. ALEXANDER Wm. ROBINS Wm. COLTRAIN John JOHNSON Dan MERREL Nathl. KERR John McDAID Jos. ELIOTT Saml. ELIOTT Silas WORTH Wm. WILSON John LOVE Ser. Frank. DOLLERHIDE Jacob VARNOR Elija MOLLEY Joseph LAIN Jacob KEEVIT John WHITE, Insign Wm. MATHEWS Solomon EVINS John SWIFT Malcom CAMMEL Francis FRAZUR James Fruit John EAMICK Hugh BLARE Evin HARRIS, Wm. WILSON Henry JOHNSON George WRIGHT James ROUTH Eli BURGESS John ALLREAD George BLACK John HUSBAND Elias SWIFT John ALDREG William GRAY John DUNCAN Wm. BURGESS John SPENCER Charles DUNCAN John FRAISURE Samuel Clark Wm. YORK Saml. STOUT Moses Robines Semor YORK Antheny RAINS Robert GRAY Jesse STROUD John WALKER Joseph JOHNSTON John STROUD Eli LOLLAR James CURTES Stiphen LEWIS Robert WILKERSON Thomas WHITE Thos. GARNOR Jacob ROUTH Andrew MEANS Wm. BARKER James FRAZURE Andrew McPHEETERS Hugh GAVIN John CAMPBELL John HILL Wm. SMITH Solomon MOFFETT Nathan LOW Isaac LAIN Ezekiel ALLDREDGE Saml. McFETRIDGE John CRABTREE Absalom McDANIEL David COLTRAIN Wm. SWAFORD John Burgess Joshua CURTIS Raney JULIN Peter KEEVIT Joseph ROBINS Solomon LONG Edmond YORK William BRATTAIN Semor YORK Edmnond HAYS James YORKE Junr., Isaac YORK John LOLLAR Wm. MILLIKAN Shubel JULIN Jacob STEALY Edward GRAY Thos BENSON Jas. MOFFETT Thomas SHARP Isaac ODEL John LINEBURY Pephere? BRYAN Amos COX Dobson BURROW (Petter?) Archebel HOPPER Michael BEECK Isaac SNOW Jas. BOTSFORD Jeffre BECK Ebenezer SNOW John ALLREAD son of John Adam BROWER Conaway STONE William ALLREAD Jur. Jacob WATSON Isaac ELDERS Solomon TROGDON Jones BURROW John ELDERS John TROGDON Abraham LANE John STILES Robert WALKER Wm. DAVIS Abner LOE Samuel WALKER of Wm. Peter STOUT William BAILEY Wm. COOD Wm. WILLIAMS Thomas HILL Tobias MOSER Henry GARNER William FAGAN Samuel Walker son of Sol. Wm. COX Clement WOOD Ezekiel WELBURN John BARKER William THORNBERY Joseph McLAIN Abraham McDANIEL Edward CLARK John WILBORN David CHAPLAN William SWIGERT John JONES Alexander CAMPBEL Phinehas HUNT Joh- HUTSON Evin LOLLAR Marmaduke VICKERY Jas. PUGH Wm. Mc GOUNE John DENNIS Wm. HUSBANDS Balaam BURROW Enos BLEAIR John HUSBANDS John CLAP R. McLAIN, Capt. James McCOLLUM John MILLAR Thos. SWIFT, Liut. John GRIMES Isaac McDANIEL Cristen MORRICE John DAFREN John AVERY John CHANEY John CHAMBERS Stephen JONES John WHITE Junr.

Signed by the Consent of My Company by Me, R. McLEAN, Capt.
-------------------------------

Thanks again to Harold Hopkins for this contribution!

The Bells in Floyd and Clark Counties Indiana came from North Carolina, possibly from Randolph County, NC. My Elias Bell, son of John Bell and Rachel Dunbar (best guess right now and probably accurate) was born in Floyd County, IN and is somehow tied to this line above, my Elias' father was a John Bell that was in the 1850, 1860 and and the 1870 Howard Township, Washington County, Indiana Census (the family moved from Floyd County, IN west to Washington County). John and his family (including my Elias) lived near my WOOD line in Washington County and my Elias Bell married Nancy Wood, daughter of Nancy Hall and Elisha Wood.

This John Bell who I believe is my Elias' father, put down different ages in different census (54 in the 1850 and 67 in the 1870); or the census taker got it wrong, whichever, these ages make him born between 1796 and 1803. This would make it plausible that he was either another son of the original Thomas/John Bell who came to Indiana from North Carolina (below) or some other relation. I know that this John Bell and my Elias Bell are some how related to the Thomas/John Bell Line below because of the obvious reason, the family name of ELIAS. I recently read on another researcher's page that there was a large migration of families to Indiana from Randolph County, NC just after the turn of the century (1800).

From the History of Washington County History, page 828: Mr. Hodges says that "Blue River Church was organized November 23, 1845, with twelve members. In 1876 the membership had reached eighty. "Elders, Moses Sellers, John Bell, A. Allen, I Coker and John R. McCoy all served as Pastors.

The Thomas/John Bell Line that came into Southern Indiana, Floyd and Clark Counties From North Carolina that I believe my Elias Bell, born 1833 in Floyd County, fits into.

Generation One

early map of Indiana From the Bells of Pleasant Ridge, the book cited above:

Thomas Bell was born between 1760-1780, possibly in Randolph County, North Carolina. The 1820 Census of Wood Township, Clark County, Indiana shows; Thomas Bell, over 45, farmer, only one working his land. His wife over 45; 2 boys under 10, 1 boy 10 to 15, 1 girl under 10 and 2 girls 10-15

The History of Clark County by Captain Lewis C. Baird, cites Thomas Bell and Rachel Dunbar as the parents of Elias Bell. Family legend gives Jeffersontown, Kentucky as the place of his burial. We have searched for his grave, but have not found it. After Thomas died, Rachel, age 90, lived with her son Elias, (information from Clark county Census 1850). Other evidence points to the early ancestor as being a John Bell and Rachel Dunbar. We do find deeds, for early property, which are signed by John and Rachel Bell.

From deeds and family papers we have Uriah Bell, Joseph Bell, Gabriel Bell, Smith Bell, and John Bell named, but have no proof as to how they fit into the family structure. We also find a Dunbar Bell in the early census of Clark County, Indiana; at a later date he is in Floyd County, Indiana and has two children buried at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

The History of Clark County, by Lewis C. Baird, lists Pennsylvania as the birthplace of Elias, however in the 1850 Census of Clark County, Indiana, Elias gives North Carolina as his birthplace. From this we surmise that Thomas/John Bell and Rachel (Dunbar) Bell lived in North Carolina and later came to Indiana by way of Kentucky.

Summary: Thomas Bell is not in the Wood Township Census for 1830. He has either moved or died. In the 1840 Wood Township, Clark County, Indiana, in the household of Elias Bell there is a female 70-79 years of age, this is probably Elias's mother Rachel Dunbar Bell.

1820 Clark County Census

Head	Males Under 10	Males 10-16	Males 16-18	Males 16-26	Males 26-45	Males 45-up	Female under 10	Female 10-16	Female 16-26	Female 26-45	Female 45 - up
Thomas Bell	2	1				1	1	2			1
John Bell		2		1		1	2				1
Gabriel Bell	1			1			1		1
Joseph Bell	2	1			1		3	1	1
	5 Bell Males Born between 1810-1820	4 Bell Males Born between 1810-1816		2 Bell Males Born between 1810-1816	1 Bell Male born 1775- 1794-	2 Bell Male born 1775 or before	7 Bell female born 1810-1820	3 Bell female born 1810-1820	2 Bell female born 1794-1804		2 Bell female born 1775 or before

One theory I'm working is that the John Bell, father of my Elias Bell is a brother to Thomas Bell, (both are listed as being 45 & Up) and Gabriel and Joseph are sons of either Thomas and Rachel or John and Rachel, and the John Bell listed above (I'll call him senior) could be my John's father, this John, Sr. above has a son between 16-26 which would fit with mine being 24 in 1830 (born in NC in 1796).


George W. Bell and Frances M. McCutchan

There is a marriage record between a John Bell and a Sarah Keenan on September 23, 1820 in Floyd County, Indiana. I believe this is my John Bell, when they married, they would have been 24 and 21 respectively. In Washington County, Indiana a John Bell married a Sarah Dudley on November 11, 1834; I believe that this is probably my John Bell's second wife.

John Bell (or Thomas Bell) and Rachel Dunbar had the following children:

Gabriel Bell, born circa 1790 to 1795? married Molly Akers on 6 March 1817 in Clark County, Indiana, there was a Gabriel Bell in the Civil War, although not this one, could be his sone. Gabriel Bell: Enlist Date 14 August 1862: Enlist Rank private: Served B Co. 81st Inf Reg IN: Mustered out at Nashville TN 13 June 1865---source: Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana. Picture left are descendants of Gabriel Bell, George Bell and Fannie McCuthan. Gabriel and Mary or Molly Akers had, Uriah, John, Cyrus, Maynard, Nancy, Elizabeth, Jane and Edith Bell.

ii.

Joseph Bell, born circa 1777 to 1795 listed in the 1820 Clark county as having one male 45 & up and one 26-45, making him either a brother to the original John/Thomas or an uncle, depending on which male he is in the census, 26-45 or 45 and up; I am assuming he is the 45 and up.

iii.

Possibly My John Bell, born 1796 in North Carolina. Moved to Washington County, Indiana, had a son named Elias in 1833 in Floyd County, IN.

vi.

Elizabeth Bell, born abt 1799 in North Carolina, she married Archibald Dunbar, on 26 Nov 1818 in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana, he was born about 1789 in North Carolina

Dunbar Bell, born about 1800, he married Kizziah Smith, she was born about 1801 in Shelby County, Kentucky, they married 28 Nov 1822 in Floyd County, Indiana - they had Morgan, George W., Mary, John and James Bell. Dunbar, his wife Kizziah, Morgan, George W., Mary, John and James are listed in the New Albany, Floyd County, IN 1850 Census near Uriah Bell, his brother. DUNBAR Bell could be a son of James Dunbar and Rachel. Perhaps he was in womb when James died?

vi.

Elias Bell, born 9 January 1806 in North Carolina and died ________ Elias married Jemima McKinley, who was born March 8, 1807 in Kentucky. They were married on 3 Aug 1826 in Clark County, Indiana Note: "Baird's History of Clark County, Indiana , 1909" "Elias Bell came to Clark County in 1812. He was an extensive stock raiser and dealer. He was a religious man and was a deacon in Pleasant Ridge Church, which he helped establish, which is located about one mile from where George W. Bell lives. This church was established in about 1847 or 1848. It was first an old log house. Hiram Green was among the first men to preach there. Elias Bell, Joe Nicholson, and Jerry McKinley were the first trustees of this church. Elias Bell was one of the best known and most influential men of this community in his day. Jemima McKinley was born 1807 in Kentucky and she died in Wood township, Clark County, in 1888. Nine children were born to them; Thomas, (this is Ray and Ron's line) James, John, Elias, Alexander, George, Gabriel, Mary and Sally. Elias is buried at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, row 6, grave 26.

The National Democrat, dated September 12, 1890, page 4 Column I has this information. New Providence Sept 8 - Mrs. Jemima Bell age 84 yrs died at her home 4 miles south of New providence on Sunday at 6 p.m. of old age. Deceased was the only girl left of the old McKinley set. She was the wife of Elias Bell. Also The Evening News, page 4, column 2 has her obit. She was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, St. John road, Clar County, Indiana in row 6 grave 27. We have Jemima's spinning wheel which she used for spinning flax. This spinning wheel has been handed down from family to family with George Lynn Bell being the owner before giving it to us. We are told, by Grace (Bell) Coffman and George Lynn Bell that Jemima smoked a clay pipe. It was said that her fingers were so calloused that she could take a live dember from the fire and light her pipe. We are fortunate that George Thomas Bell saved some of the old family photos and we now have one of Jemima (his grandmother ) that was given to us by his son, George Lynn.

Listed in the 1860 Clark County Census: BELL, Elias 53 NC - Jemima 51 KY - John 28 - George 22 - Gabriel 19 (male) - Sally 14

Elias and George, in red above, (sons of Elias Bell and Jemima McKinley) were involved in a family fight, so to speak. From Ron Bell: "Around 1885 Elias Jr. buried a hatchet in his brother George W's head over a family fight. George W. was thought to be critical. Elias was thought to commit suicide. Their brother Tom (my ggg grandfather) was the town Marshall and would not arrest his brother Elias. I think all hell broke loose after that and a lot of the family decided to move on to greener pasture. George W. had the last laugh though, he outlived all of his brothers."

My line, starting with John Bell and Rachael Dunbar, goes through Elias Bell who is a brother to Josiah Bell. The next generation is from James BELL who married Mary Frances McCutchan. James is buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Clark Co., as are most of Elias' children. James and Mary Frances "Fannie" McCutchan had ten children, seven boys and three girls. Their son Charles P. Bell, who married Lydia Ann McCoy, was my G-Grandfather. Charles P. Bell, born 25 April 1863, died 9 Oct. 1917 in Noblesville, IN, buried Stampers Creek Cem. Paoli Twp., Orange Co. IN. Married Lydia McCoy 16 Aug. 1885, she was born 3 Nov. 1863 in Stampers Creek Twp. Orange Co. IN, died 2 Dec.1958. They had six daughters, Flora, Mary Frances, Carrie, Velma, Lula, and Ida.

Flora Bell was my grandmother, born 27 June 1886, died 16 Apr. 1983 and is buried in Stampers Creek Cem. She married Henry Elbert Buchanan 30 July 1905. They had an infant that died at birth and Lena May Buchanan, who was my mother. Lena May Buchanan, born 30 Aug. 1909, died 7 Mar. 1988, buried Stampers Creek Cem. She married Elbert Taggart 28 Aug. 1926. I was their only child, Billy born 15 Nov. 1927. I married Margie Ruth Riester 24 Nov. 1945. We have three daughters, Phyllis, Donna and Sharon.

Yes, I have visited all the cemeteries where my Bells and Buchanan's are buried, including Pleasant Ridge in Clark Co.

Bill Taggart

410 S. Roosevelt St.

Orleans, IN 47452

Tel. 812-865-2976

btaggart@kiva.net

Note: Bill Taggart and I are descended from Both the Bell's and the Buchannan's

vii.

Josiah Bell, born 13 Nov 1807 in North Carolina, he died on 19 November 1895 in Sullivan county, Indiana. Josiah married Rebeckah Kenaday on 8 Dec 1825 in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana. This couple lived in Clark County and moved to Sullivan County Indiana, where my mother and I were both born. (author's note). Josiah his wife Rebeckah and several of their children and grandchildren are buried in the Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Sullivan County, IN

viii.

Uriah Bell, born abt 1818 in Indiana, Married Mary M. Shields who was born 26 Sept 1823 and died 31 July 1857. She is buried in the Friends Cemetery, Utica Township, Clark County, Indiana. This couple had Susan M. Bell, born 12 Jul 1857. Uriah Bell is listed in the 1850, New Albany, Floyd County, Indiana Census with children Gabriel, Moses, Elias, and George. They are listed in the Clark County, Utica Township, 1860 census as: BELL, Uriah 42 - Rebecca 35 KY - Gabriel 18 (male) - Moses 16 - Elias 14 -Cyrus 13 - Samuel 9 - George 9 - John 5 - Abel Newt 2/12 - TRUE, Mary 16

Uriah also married a Catherine Scott, who is buried in the Pleasant Ridge cemetery, (left) she died in 1850 from Cholera, and her father Moses died in the same epidemic.

Regarding the Elias E. Bell that married Jemima McKinley from the book "The Bells of Pleasant Ridge" by Paul E. and Patricia Coffman:

Elias Bell and Jemima "Gemima" McKinley

"A family legend tells that Elias Bell worked for the McKinley family and fell in love with their daughter, Jemima. He waited until Jemima became of age and then they married. If this is just another love story, we cannot tell, but it is told by the Bell's as well as by the McKinleys, and I want it to be true. (Jemima McKinley's picture on left and tombstone on the right.

Elias was of Scottish descent, we are fairly sure, but have no proof that his ancestors came from Scotland. He does list his birth as North Carolina in the 1850 Census of Wood township, Clark County, Indiana. Jemima's ancestors were from Ireland and were Scott/Irish. This following narrative was give to Bertha (Kelly) McKinley by her grandmother Malinda (McKinley), Kelly, who was a granddaughter of James McKinley I.

History of the McKinley's, by Malinda McKinley Kelly, given to her granddaughter Bertha (Kelly) McKinley

James McKinley I and William McKinley, brothers of Scotch-Irish

decent, came from Omagh, in County Tyrone, Ulster Ireland, as British soldiers to fight in the American Revolution*. They came down to Valley Forge, and when they saw the American soldiers fighting barefooted and ragged, they decided the American cause must be right or they couldn't fight so bravely that way. They secretly made it up, among themselves, to flee the British and go over to the Americans.

When they were sent to the spring to get water, they filled their buckets and set them down and fled toward the American camp with their hands up and gave themselves over to fight for the American cause. When the war was over, they came through Valley Forge, James I went to Kentucky and we think William went into Ohio and was the ancestor of President William McKinley. Ten of our presidents' ancestors came from Omagh, Ireland.

James McKinley met Jemima Kendall in Kentucky, and they were married in Jefferson County Kentucky on January 18, 1789. In the early 1800s they came from Kentucky to Indiana and settled on the knob's south of Borden called Pleasant Ridge Knob.

James McKinley I was killed by a fall from a spirited horse. His head struck a white oak root, breaking his neck in 1830. The children of James McKinley I and Jemina (Kendall) McKinley were: John, Thomas, Nancy, Isabell, James II, Elizabeth, Jeremiah, Alexander, Jemima, William, Mary and two infants that died.

The children of James II were: John, who married Martha Johnson; Alexander who married Lorinda Hogan; James III, who died young; Samuel, who married Louise Schleicher, William, who married Emma Littell; Judith, Genesis "Jincy", who married Herbert Scott and had 15 children; Eliza, who married Davis Hogan; Emaline, who married a Johnson and Malinda who married John T. Kelly.

*We do not find any Revolutionary War records that have James McKinley listed as in the Continental Army, however, he may not have formally enlisted. (Pat and Paul Coffman).

Notes from Bullitt County, KY : I sure wish I knew more about Asa BELL. He was probably born before 1800 and Asa HALL did not marry Catherine BELL till 1806 so if he was named after Asa Hall then there was some reason to name him that BEFORE the Hall/Bell marriage.

Asa Bell is shown on the tax lists as living on McCullocks Run with the Halls, Stringers etc. I think he fits with Robert BELL and Samuel BELL (who married Mary CHISELDINE) who were on Floyds Fork but I sure haven't found anything that strings them all together or tells where they came from etc.

DEEDS: John Bell, Edward Truman, William Shoptaugh, Jesse Kirby, Valentine Nicholas, Michael Troutman, 1797/1802/1804, Bullitt County, KY

4 Oct 1796 Bullitt Co. Deed Book A2 p. 33 John BELL and Margaret BELL his wife of Bullitt County and State of Kentucky to Edward TRUMAN of the County and State aforesaid... that for and in Consideration of the sum of thirty pounds Current money of the State aforesaid to them in hand paid have hereby bargained and Sold one hundred acres of Land Situate lying and being in the County aforesaid on rocky run waters of Coxes Creek.

(signed)
John BELL
Margaret (her mark) BELL

Recorded 27 November 1797 Bullitt Co. KY Court

5 Feb 1802 Bullitt Co. Deed Book A2 p. 237 John BELL and Margaret his Wife of Bullitt County and State of Kentucky of the one part and William SHOPTAUGH of Nelson County and State aforesaid of the other part that for and in consideration of the full and just sum of One dollar to them in hand paid have given granted and confirmed unto them all title, claim and interest in a certain tract or parcel of land in Bullitt County containing 120 acres by Survey Situate lying and being on the Westwardly side of the West fork of Coxes Creek a part of the afs?d John BELL?S Eight hundred acre survey and bounded by NICHOLAS? line.

(signed)
John BELL
Margaret (X) BELL

In the presence of
James SHANKS
Valentine (X) NICHOLAS
George BELL

Recorded 10 March 1802 Bullitt Co. KY Court

5 Feb 1802 Bullitt Co. Deed Book A2 p. 238 John BELL and Margaret his Wife of Bullitt County and State of Kentucky of the one part and Jesse KERBEY of Nelson County and State aforesaid of the other part that for and in consideration of the full and just sum of One dollar to them in hand paid have given granted and confirmed unto them all title, claim and interest in a certain tract or parcel of land in Bullitt County containing 120 acres by Survey Situate lying and being on the Westwardly side of the West fork of Coxes Creek a part of the afs?d John BELL?S 800 acre survey and bounded by George BELL?s Corner... to
SHOPTAUGH?S Corner

(signed)
John BELL
Margaret (X) BELL

In the presence of
James SHANKS
Valentine (X) NICHOLAS
George BELL

Recorded 10 March 1802 Bullitt Co. KY Court

5 Feb 1802 Bullitt Co. Deed Book A2 p. 238 John BELL and Margaret his Wife of Bullitt County and State of Kentucky of the one part and Valentine NICHOLAS of Nelson County and State aforesaid of the other part that for and in consideration of the full and just sum of One dollar to them in hand paid have given granted and confirmed unto them all title, claim and interest in a certain tract or parcel of land in Bullitt County containing 125 acres by Survey bounded by SHOPTAUGH?S Corner... a Corner of TRUEMAN?S and KIRBEY?s line.

(signed)
John BELL
Margaret (X) BELL

In the presence of
James SHANKS
Valentine (X) NICHOLAS
George BELL

Recorded 10 March 1802 Bullitt Co. KY Court

5 Feb 1802 Bullitt Co. Deed Book A2 p. 238 John BELL and Margaret his Wife of Bullitt County and State of Kentucky of the one part and George BELL of Nelson County and State aforesaid of the other part that for and in consideration of the full and just sum of One dollar to them in hand paid have given granted and confirmed unto them all title, claim and interest in a certain tract or parcel of land in Bullitt County containing 137 acres by Survey a part of John BELL?s 800 acre Survey... bounded by KIRBEY?S Corner
(signed)

John BELL
Margaret (X) BELL

In the presence of
James SHANKS
Valentine (X) NICHOLAS

Recorded 10 March 1802 Bullitt Co. KY Court

19 October 1804 Bullitt Co. Deed Book A2 p. 396 George BELL & Susanna BELL of the County of Ohio and State of Kentucky of the one part to Michael TROUTMAN of the County of Bullitt and State aforesaid... that for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred pounds current money to them in hand paid have given granted bargained and sold a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being on the waters of the West Fork of Cox?s Creek in the County of Bullitt containing one hundred and thirty seven acres and bounded by as follows:

Beginning at three Black Oaks corner to John BELL?s 800 acre survey...to KIRBY?s corner.

(signed)
George BELL

Recorded 4 December 1804

(Susanna does not and she does not appear to have released her dower right when the deed was recorded)

THOMAS L. BELL

b.cir.1797 KY, d.1838 in Jefferson Co, KY
m. Sarah M. Heathman, b.1806, d.1873 in Jefferson Co. KY

Parents of 7 children:
1-James Francis, b.1827, d.1897, married America L. KNIGHT
2-Thomas Jefferson, b.1829, d.1885, m to Lucy B. BROOKS
3-Napoleon Bonaparte, b.1831, d.1852
4-Anna Maria, b.1823, d.1834
5-Martha, b.1835, d.1862, m to Samuel Joseph GENTRY
6-Mary, b.1835, d.1913, m to Preston BROWN
7-Elvira Sarah, b.1837, d.1885.

1-James Francis BELL
b.1827, d.1897
m. America Louise KNIGHT, b.1834, d.1915, daughter of George KNIGHT
Parents of 4 children:
1a-Ada J, b 1855
1b-George Thomas, b.1859
1c-Linnie S. b 1868
1d-Franklin Knight

1d-Franklin Knight BELL
m. Bertha DENT
Parents of one known child:
1d(1)-Ada L, b.1907

2-Thomas Jefferson BELL
b.1839, d.1885
m. Lucy BROOKS, b 1858, d 1886
Parents of 3 children:
2a-Niva, b.1880, d.1917
2b-Thomas Jefferson, b.1883, d.1912
2c-Virginia, b.1885, d.1941

5-Martha BELL
b 1835, d 1862
m. Samuel Joseph GENTRY, b 1827
Parents of 3 children:
5a-Smith Thomas GENTRY, b.1857, d.1899
5b-John GENTRY, b.1859
5c-Mattie Belle GENTRY, b.1862, d.1862

6-Mary BELL, b.1835 m. to Preston H. Brown, b.1834, d.1912, son of Wm Brown and Hettie Gentry
Parents of 2 children:
6a-Lulu Belle BROWN
6b-Mattie Bell BROWN

Bullitt Co. KY Will Book D p. 57
20 Sep 1847 On the motion of CHARLES CAROTHERS and C. R. HOKE Admins of the Estate of JOHN DUNBAR dec'd ordered that AUSTIN HALL, N. P. SAUNDERS, THOMPSON BELL and JOSEPH SWEARENGEN or any three of whom being first sworn be, and they are hereby appointed Appraisers to appraise in current money the personal Estate and Slaves, if any, of said Decedent and make report to Court.

Inventory taken 2 Oct 1847 which included:

One negro woman CLARY 40 years old (is in bad health St. Vtus dance) $150.00
One negro boy WILLIAM 5 years old $325.00
One negro boy JORDAN 4 years old $275.00
One negro girl, LUCY, 2 years & 6 months $200.00
Total amount $1045.27 1/2

CORNELIUS HOKE & CHARLES CARRITHERS Exors.

Recorded 2 October 1847 Bullitt Co. KY Court

INDEX TO WILLS - Bullitt Co., KY (A - F surnames)
General Index to Wills, etc, Bullitt County, KY

Transcribed and Contributed by Donna M. Hall, Mt Washington, KY bobndonnaky@aol.com

ABOUT THE BOOK:
The General Index is a volume found at the Clerks Office at the Bullitt County Courthouse in Shepherdsville listing the names of people who have documents in the Will Books. This particular volume contains persons who have entries in Will Books 1 and 2, and Will Books A thru J, and the location(s) of the entries. The entries in the volume are, for the most part, in CHRONOLOGICAL order, not alphabetical. However, they are segregated by first letter of the last name. What this volume means to the modern researcher is this: if a person died in Bullitt County or had property in the county at the time of death, they are mentioned in this book.

The book has the following categories: Wills, Appraisements, Sale Bills, Settlements of Executors and Appraisers, Settlements, Guardians Settlements, Guardian Reports, Receipts, Divisions, Dowers, Misc, and Bundles. As this is a very large volume, covering a span upwards of 75 years, this data will be submitted in several installments.

The first group of installments will list the decedent, and the locations of Wills (annotated by "W"), Appraisements (APP), Sale Bill (SB), Settlement of Executors and Appraisors (SET 1), Settlements (SET 2), and Guardian's Settlements (GSET) followed by book and page number.

BELL, John / (SET 1) E, 91, 242, 388
BELL, Wm W. / (W) F, 300...(SET 1) G, 296
BELL, Squire / (W) F, 606
BELL, Malinda / (W) F, 609...(APP) G, 19...(SB) G, 61...(SET 1) G, 315
BELL, C / (APP) H, 356...(SB) H, 397...(SET 2) H, 395
BELL, J. F. / (W) J, 224
BELL, Thos. J. / (APP) 1, 84...(SB) 1, 186...(SET 1) 1, 100
BELL, Lucy B. / (APP) 1, 235...(SB) 1, 239... (SET 1) 1, 92
BELL, Nancy / (SET 1) 1, 44

TAX LIST: Nelson County Tithes 1785-1791, Nelson Co., KY

Bell Henry - see Zephaniah Bell 37 Atk Hill #2 1788
Bell James 1 9 J. Ferguson 1787
Bell John; Abraham Neill; John Tolbort 3 5 Ben Pope 1791
Bell John 1 73 David Cox 1785
Bell John 1 47 David Cox 1786
Bell John 1 53 Atk Hill #2 1788
Bell John 1 62 Tho. Morton pg2 1790
Bell John 2 41 James Baird 1791
Bell Peter - see Zehaniah Bell 1 Philip Philips 1790
Bell Peter - see Zephaniah Bell 37 Atk Hill #2 1788
Bell Richard 1 125 I. Cox 1785
Bell Richard 1 52 Jesse Davis 1787
Bell Zephaniah; Henry Bell; Peter Bell 3 37 Atk Hill #2 1788
Bell Zephaniah; Peter Bell 2 1 Philip Philips 1790

This Section is About Josiah Bell who also ended up in Sullivan County, his son named Elias died in the Civil war at Ft. Donnellson in KY, but they have to be related to my Elias somehow and if I can prove the relationship between these two, I might be able to prove my line piggy backing on to Josiah's. He could be his father's brother, and hence an uncle.

Josiah Bell, was born on 13 November 1807 in North Carolina and died on 19 Nov 1895 in Sullivan County, Indiana when he was 88 yrs old. On December 8, 1825, when he was 18 yrs old he married Rebeckah Kenaday who was born on 27 October 1808 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. They were married in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana. Josiah and his wife Rebecca and their daughter Priscilla are in the 1880 Sullivan County, Indiana census and Josiah lists his birthplace as North Carolina. They lived in Clark County, Indiana until 1853 then moved to Sullivan County, Indiana.

On August 20, 1861, three sons enrolled for service in the Union Army, a fourth son late in 1863. The oldest son, Elias, was killed Feb 13th or 14th, 1862, Ft. Donaldson, TN. John, the second son discharged 1862 from disabilities. William Bell, my great grandfather, after four years and three months of active service was discharged Dec 8, 1965. The fourth son, Zechariah he was also discharged at this time. (From: Sullivan County, Indiana 175th Anniversary 1816-1991 Commemorative Edition, Pg. 209. Bio of Virgil and Mildred Bell).

Josiah's will signed and dated October 1895 States:

"I will, devise and bequeath to my children, John Bell, William Bell, Zachariah T. Bell, Rachel Breedlove and Priscilla Bell and to my Grandchildren, the children of my deceased sons and daughters, Elias Bell, Jonah Bell, Phebe (sic) Lamb, and Elsie Merritt, each set of said set of said grandchildren, counting as one person, the same as their parents would count if living and taking a like interest as my five children herein named each.

Clark County, Indiana
Marriage Records
1825-1854 & January 1855
Books A-F
Name: Rebeckah Kenaday
Spouse: Josiah Bell
Marriage Date: 08 Dec 1825
Book: B
OS Page: 73
County: Clark

Josiah Bell and Rebeckah Kenaday had the following children:

i.	Elias Bell, born 1833 in Floyd County, Indiana, he was in the Civil War and died at Ft. Donelson. There is other information out there indicating that this IS my line, but it's NOT.
ii.	John Bell, born in 1836 in Clark county, Indiana, he married Nancy D. Reins (Rains) on 28 October 1859 in Sullivan County, Indiana. Nancy Reins was born in 1836. This couple had Rebecca R., William A., Mary L., and Amanda, according to the 1880 Sullivan County, Indian Census
iii.	William Bell, born 1845 in Clark County, Indiana. William is living next door to his father, Josiah, in the 1880 Sullivan County Census, and he has a wife (I'm assuming) named Eliza J., and the following children: Mary R., 13, Leonard G., 11, James M. 8, Charley, 4, Harvey B. 2, Bell Infant. William is listed in the 1870 Turman Township, Sullivan County, too, with wife Eliza J. daughter Mary R. and son Leonard G. His father, Josiah, mother Rebecca, sister Percilla and brother Josiah are also living next door in 1870. Leonard G. above is listed as marrying Floraette Jeck or Heck according to the Sullivan Co., Indiana Marriage Index Record.
iv.	Phebe Bell, was born in 1845 in Clark county, Indiana. She died before 1895. Phebe married William Lamb on 25 January 1866 in Sullivan County, Indiana. This couple had Noah Z. Lamb, Leonard J. Lamb and Henry H. Lamb.
v.	Zachariah T. Bell, was born on 16 January 1848 in Clark County, Indiana. He died on 15 Nov 1934 in Decatur, Illinois and was buried on 19 Nov 1934 in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, Illinois. Zachariah married Elizabeth S. Rains on 24 December 1868 in Indiana. Zachariah was employed as a grocer. It appears that Zachariah T. Bell changed his name to Andrew. He was living in Hamilton Township, Sullivan County, Indiana at the time of enlisting in the Civil War in 1864 when when he was 16 yrs old. 1870 Census for Sullivan Co., Indiana shows Zachariah T. Bell age 21 with wife Elizabeth S. age 22 and daughter Martha E. age 4 months. Zachariah T. Bell also married Sarah M. Click on Feb 12, 1877. The 1880 Census for Sullivan Co., Indiana shows Zachariah T. Bell age 32 with wife Sarah age 28 and children Martha E. age 10, Ira Age 8, Isaac age 6 and William age 1. Zachariah T. Bell was in the 31st Regiment Company D Indiana Volunteers. (our Apple line was in the 38th Indiana Infantry Volunteers, and our Monticue Boys were in another regiment in IN as well.
vi.	Priscilla Bell was born in 1852 in Clark County, Indiana
vii.	Jonah Bell, died before October 1895.
viii.	Elsie Bell, died before 1895, married a Merritt
ix.	Rachel Bell, married Noah Breedlove Dec 13, 1850, can't read it, according to Sullivan County, Indiana Marriage Index; 1850-1920.

In 1895 in Josiah's will he names his sons John, William, Zachariah and Priscilla, and his grandchildren by his deceased sons and daughters, Elias Bell, Jonah Bell, Phebe Lamb and Elsie Merritt. Josiah died in Sullivan County, IN (left).

John Bell was born in 1796 in North Carolina, according to Indiana census records.

There is a marriage record between a John Bell and a Sarah Keenan on September 23, 1820 in Floyd County, Indiana. (Indiana Territorial Pioneer Records 1801-1820, Vol II, Compiled by Charles M. Franklin). I think this is my John Bell and Sarah below, they each would have been 24 and 21 respectively.

There is also a marriage record in Washington County, Indiana for John Bell Marrying a Sarah Dudley on November 11, 1834. If this is my John below, then it could be a second marriage for him as he had children born before 1834.

The Bell Bible states that Elias was born in Floyd County, IN in 1833.

1830 New Albany Township, Floyd County, Indiana Census Extract

Wood, John

One Male under 5
One Male 30-40
One Male 5-10
One Male between 10-15

One Female under 5
One Female 5-10
One Female 30-40

There are NO Bells Listed in 1830 New Albany Twshp, Floyd County

1830 "Other" Townships, Floyd County, Indiana Census Extract

John Bell

One Male under 5
Two Males 5-10
One Male 30-40

One Female under 5
One Female 5-10
One Female 10-15
One Female 30-40

I believe this is "our" John Bell and wife Sarah, their son Elias isn't born until 1833.

1840 "Other" Townships, Floyd County, Indiana Census Extract

John Bell

Two Males under 5
One Male 10-15
One Male 40-50

One Female under 5
One Female 5-10
One Female 10-15
One Female 30-40

William Bell (nxt dr to John)

One Male 10-15
One Male 20-30
One Male 60-70
One Male 70-80

One Female 20-30
One Female 50-60

Sometime after 1840, John Bell and his family moved from Floyd County over to Washington County, IN (Click on the Bell migration pattern on left; and then after residing in Washington County for many years, my Elias moved to Sullivan County, Indiana.

In the 1850 Washington County, IN Jackson Township Census the following family is listed, I am sure this is my Elias' family, but determining how John Bell, his father fits into the Thomas Bell line above, I still need to determine. Further proof that John Bell is my line is he is living next door to Elisha Wood. Elisha Wood's daughter, Nancy Wood and John Bell's son my Elias, married in 1853.


	Mahala Beck Bell [The Salem Democrat August 27, 1884]: Tom Bell's wife, of near Beck's Mill, died Sunday afternoon. Mahala Bell was born 3 December 1835; died 14 August 1884, age 48 years, 8 months and 11 days. Daughter of George Beck, Sr. and Elizabeth Claver, wife of Thomas J. Bell.	Thomas Bell [the Salem Democrat, December 11, 1878, Mill Creek Items dated December 7, 1878] Thomas Bell, an old veteran from near Beck's Mill, died very suddenly and was buried at this place Monday. Thomas Bell was one of our most highly respected citizens and was buried at Beck's graveyard.

Census Research:

John Bell in Floyd County, 1830 had the following in his household:

1830 Floyd County, "other townships" (other than New Albany)
Males Under 5	Males 5-10	Males 30-40	Females Under 5	Females 30-40
1	2	1	1	1

Male Bell (1825-1830)
Male Bell (1825-1835)
Male: John Bell, born 1796; 34 yrs old

Female Bell (1825-1830)
Female: Sarah Bell, born 1799, 31 yrs old

There is another John Bell listed in the 1830 Floyd County "other townships" with with one male under five, one male between thirty and forty, one female under five and one female between fifteen.

John Bell in the 1840 Census with the following in his household:

1840 Floyd County, "other townships" (other than New Albany)
Males Under 5	Males 5-10	Males 40-50	Females Under 5	Females 5-10	Females 10-15	Females 30-40
2	1	1	1	1	1	1

Male Bell (1835-1840)
Male Bell (1835-1840)
Male Bell (1830-35) (
Male 40-50, John Bell, 43 yrs old

Female Bell (1835-1840)
Female Bell (1830-1835)
Female Bell (1830-1835)

Next Door to this John Bell family is a William Bell with the following in his household (This William Bell was born between 1810-1820 and could be an elder son of Johns as John would have been twenty yrs old in 1816). It looks like a young couple, around 25 yrs old with a girl and boy around the ten year mark, then an elderly couple, one of the younger couple's parents and then an even older person, 70-80, perhaps a great grandparent. Could this older person be the original Thomas Bell that came into the county, and my John Bell was a direct son of his? and his son William is housing his great grandfather? who knows?

William Bell's Household:

1840 Floyd County, "other townships" (other than New Albany)
Males 10-15	Males 20-30	Males 60-70	Males 70-80	Females 20-30	Females 10-15	Females 50-60
1	1	1	1	1	1	1

There is a marriage record between a John Bell and a Sarah Keenan on September 23, 1820 in Floyd County, Indiana. (Indiana Territorial Pioneer Records 1801-1820, Vol II, Compiled by Charles M. Franklin I think this is my John Bell and Sarah below, they each would have been 24 and 21 respectively.

1850 Jackson Township, Washington County, Indiana Census Extract
Hshold	Name	Age	Sex	Color	Occupation	Estate Value	Birth Place
4	John Bell	54 (1796)	m	w	Farmer		NC
	Sarah	51 (1799)	f	w	kping Hse		KY
	Thomas	18 (1832)	m	w	at home		IN
	Elias	17 (1833)	m	w	at home		IN
	Eliza	11 (1839)	f	w	at home		IN

5	Elisha Wood	47 (1803)	m		Farmer		PA
	Polly A.	22 (1828)	f		kping hse		IN
	Nancy E.	26 (1824)	f		at home		IN
	Cynthia	18 (1832)	f		at home		IN
	Sarah C.	16 (1834)	f		at home		IN
	Rebecca	13 (1837)	f		at home		IN
	Mahala Beck	14	f

My Elias, above, married in 1853 to Nancy Wood, daughter of Elisha Wood and Nancy Hall. He moved to Sullivan County, Indiana shortly thereafter and is in the 1860 Sullivan County census below.

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Sullivan County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Curry Township Page: 1072
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index

It looks like his mother (Sarah) and his father John stayed behind. I have not found where they are buried. It looks like Sarah died between the 1860 and 1870 census. In the 1870 John is living with his son Thomas. John's age fluctuates in the census in 1870, he should be listed as 74 yrs old if what he put down in the two previous census was accurate with a birth year of 1796.

Elias named his first girl Sarah, which I suspect is after his mother, but he named his first son William.

table>

1860 Washington County, Indiana Census Extract
Hshold	Name	Age	Sex	Color	Occupation	Estate Value	Birth Place
	John Bell	64 (1796)	m	w	Farmer		NC
	Sarah	63 (1797)	f	w			KY

Elias Bell, (left) was born on May 8, 1833 in Floyd County, IN (according to to census information) and died January 8, 1901 when he was 68 years old in Sullivan County, Indiana. The Bell family bible states that Elias Bell, was born in Floyd County, Indiana, on November 6, 1833. When Elias was approximately 20 years old (1853) he married Nancy E. Wood, who was born June 1, 1829 and died March 3, 1905 when she was 75 years old.

Liberty Cemetery in Sullivan county, IN where Elias and Nancy are buried.

In the 1860 Curry Township in Sullivan County, IN, Elias, his wife Nancy (Wood) and daughter Sarah C. are listed there.

Elias and his family are also listed in the 1880 Sullivan County, Indiana census. His middle initial is listed as W. and I've never seen it listed anywhere else before and I'm guessing it is William, another family name.

Elias Bell and Nancy E. Wood are buried at Liberty Cemetery in Sullivan County Indiana. (left)

Elias Bell and Nancy Wood had four of their children precede them in death. Their daughter, our line, Mary Mariah Bell, (left) had four siblings proceed her in death. Sometime between the birth of Sarah in 1857, and the birth of Mary in 1860, the Bell family moved from Washington county to either Sullivan or Vigo County. Nancy’s father (Elisha Wood) was already in Sullivan County. The family bible states that Cora was born in Sullivan County in 1869, and Elijah was born in Vigo County in 1871. The family appeared in the 1870 census on a farm near Lewis, in Pierson Township, which is located on the Vigo-Sullivan County line, only about ten miles from Farmersburg.

In 1872, Elias Bell purchased 20 acres in Jackson Township, Sullivan County just southwest of Lewis, and in 1874, Elisha Wood (right) sold Nancy acreage in the same section. I don’t know exactly what year they moved back to Sullivan County, but they appeared there in the 1880 census. In 1879 Nancy and Elias sold acreage to John W. Apple in Sections 1 and 2 of Curry Township, just west of Farmersburg. I apparently did not find all the Bell deeds, for the land in the deeds I found was quite a few miles from Liberty Church, which is five or six miles southwest of Farmersburg. In those days of horse and buggy, I don’t believe the Bells would have driven that far to church. Most likely between 1857 and 1870, when they appeared in Vigo County, they had owned land in the vicinity of Liberty Church. I feel the same must be true about John W. Apple. In both the 1880 census and the 1900 census Nancy and Elias were listed in Jackson Township.

There was another Bell family in Sullivan County. Josiah Bell, age 72, Rebecca, age 70, his wife, and Priscilla, age 18. In the same township was his son John, age 44, and his family. I believe this Josiah is somehow related to the father of my Elias, John Bell, I'm guessing a brother, hence my Elias' uncle.

In 1853 an Elias Bell witnessed a deed to Josiah Bell, my mother assumed it was our Elias Bell, but I think it was his son, Elias Bell, also born in 1833 in Floyd County, IN who died in the Civil war.

Elias Bell and Nancy E. Wood are buried at Liberty Church Cemetery under one stone (left). Note: Elias says he was born in Indiana and his father was born in Virginia and his mother was bron in Kentucky.

The obituary of Nancy Wood Bell read as follows: Mrs. Nancy Bell was born January 1st, 1829, and passed away March 3rd 1905. Being 75 years, 9 months and 2 days old. She was married to Elias Bell and to this union 8 children were born, 4 of which have passed away and the following four survive her: Mrs. Laura Johns, Mrs. Molly Apple, Mrs. Mellie Sharp and Elisha (authors note: should be Elijah) Bell of Terre Haute. Early in life she accepted the savior and joined the Christian Disciple Church and lived a constituent member until her death. Interment at Liberty Graveyard. The funeral preached by Rev. A. J. Akers From the Farmersburg Paper: Nancy E. Bell, 75 years of age, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Apple at 10:00 last Friday night. Burial was made at Liberty Sunday March 5th. Funeral was preached by Rev. A. J. Akers. Deceased was the widow of Elias Belle who died some four years ago. Four children survive her: Mrs. Laura Johns, Mrs. George Apple, and Mrs. Robert Sharpe of this place and Elisha Belle of Terre Haute.

Elias Bell and Nancy Wood had the following children:

i.	William F. Bell was born September 26, 1855 in Washington County and died there on July 26, 1858 when he was three years old.
ii.	Sarah C. Bell was born August 29, 1857 in Washington County, Indiana and died June 26, 1878 when she was 23 years old. No marriage or death records for her have been found and it is doubtful she married as she lived with her parents.
iii.	Mary Marie (“Mariah”), next in our line, was born September 27, 1860 in Sullivan County, Indiana and died on September 16, 1943 when she was 80 years old. She married George T. Apple (this couple are my maternal great great grandparents) Mary (“Molly”) Marie or Mariah Bell. For years I thought her middle name was Molly, but this was just a nickname. Aunt Ethel pointed out to me that on the tombstone Molly was in quotes. In those days, every Mary was nicknamed Molly or Polly, Jeanette's and Henrietta's were Nettie or Hattie. Sarah’s were nicknamed Sally and Nancy’s were called Ann. I am not sure about Mary’s middle name, I’ve never seen it on any documents. B. Smith
iv.	Laura J. Bell was born August 24, 1862 in Sullivan County, Indiana and died there January 3, 1943 when she was 81 years old. She married John S. Johns, Jr. on February 5, 1880 when she was 18 years old. They lived in Farmersburg. John Johns died in 1873 at the age of 33. Laura and her husband are buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery in Sullivan County, Indiana according to Sullivan County Cemetery Records. "I can still remember visiting her. We all called her “Aunt Lorrie”. She was short and chubby and a very sweet person." B. Smith (my mom's note)
v.	Thomas M. Bell was born February 22, 1865 in Sullivan County and died November 24, 1867 when he was two years old. He is probably buried at Liberty Church in an unmarked grave or perhaps the gravestone has sunk in the ground.
vi.	Malcena Bell was born in Sullivan County, Indiana on January 26, 1867 and “Aunt Melly” died in 1938. She married Robert G. Sharp, who was born in 1868 and died in 1922. They are buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, which is off Highway 41, not very far from Farmersburg, but over the line in Vigo County. "Since she died in 1938, I must have seen her several times, but have no memory of her. Aunt Ethel spoke of “Aunt Melly” several times." B. Smith In the 1900 Sullivan Census: Sharpe, Robert G. 32 Melcena 32 Hallie 10 Frederick C. 8 James 6 Paul 4 Earl 1
vii.	Cora E. Bell was born February 21, 1869 in Sullivan County, Indiana. In 1885 when she was 16 years old she married George M. Berlien on April 1^st. She died July 3, 1889 when she was 20 years old. She and her husband George had a son (Little Ray) who is buried in the Liberty Cemetery in Sullivan County, Indiana. Sullivan County cemetery records state he died in 1899 at 6y, 7m and 3d, which means he was born in 1893, so either his death record is wrong or his mother's is as she was dead in 1893.
viii.	Elijah Bell was born February 17, 1871 in Vigo County, Indiana and died there on September 15, 1915. (His wife shot him to death for beating her after she had warned him not to do it again, see below.)

“Brother of Farmersburg Woman Shot” Elijah Bell, the man who was shot by his wife at Terre Haute Tuesday afternoon was a brother of Mrs. Laura Johns of this place. Regarding the shooting Wednesday’s Tribune said: “Mrs. Jeanette Bell, 40 years old was arraigned in City Court Wednesday morning charged with murder in the 1^st degree after a shooting affair late Tuesday afternoon in which the woman shot and fatally wounded her husband Elijah Bell, 44 years old, at their home, 611 North 12^th Street. The man died early Wednesday morning at the Union Hospital, where he was rushed in the Ryan Ambulance. When Bicycle men Doyle and Jones arrived at the Bell home they found Mrs. Bell working in the kitchen with a piece of mosquito bar wrapped about one eye. The gun with which she committed the deed was found lying nearby on a kitchen cabinet. One of the shells had been exploded and four others had not been shot. When the woman removed the bandage from her eye it was found to be almost entirely closed. She told the police that her husband struck her in the eye that morning and she promised him then if he ever attempted to do so again she would kill him. She asked where her husband had been taken following the shooting and when told he had been removed to the hospital she said:' Let him lie there till he rots, I will not go see him. He was trying to get to me again to beat me up and I shot him, and I intended killing him.’ The shot entered the stomach and an operation was hurriedly performed in a vain effort to save the man’s life. The body of Mr. Bell was brought to Farmersburg last night and taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. Laura Johns. The funeral was held at Liberty* today at two o’ clock. (*Liberty Church; between Farmersburg & Shelburn, off Highway 41.) Pictures in this section are of of myself standing in front of the Bar that is located where Elijah Collapsed.

Elijah’s Obituary read as follows:

Elijah F. Bell was born in Vigo County, Indiana February 11^th, 1871. He was the last son of Elias and Nancy E. Bell, who resided for many years near Lewis, Indiana.

He was married to Jeanette Powel April 11, 1893 and to this union was born one son Frank Bell of Terre haute. He departed this life September 16, 1915, aged 44 years, 7 months and 6 days.

In early life he was converted in a meeting in the M. E. Church at Lewis, Indiana, but was not affiliated with any church at time of his death.

Elijah F. Bell was in the 1910 census on 12^th street in Terre Haute, along with his wife Jeanette (“Nettie”), and son Frank the family pictured above. The paper said the funeral was at Liberty Church, but there is no marked grave there. He might be beside his parents.

"I asked mom what happened to his wife and she said she thought Grandma said that Jeanette had died in an asylum". B. Smith

I've recently found Jeanette and her son Frank in the 1920, 30 and 40 census in Vigo County. They are both buried in the Stephens cemetery in Sullivan county. In 1930 Frank is boarding with a family in Louisville and in the 1940 he is living with a Nellie Stewert, 60 yrs old and he is 43.

Mary "Molly" Bell and George Thomas Apple were married September 26, 1878. (Their marriage certificate left). Picture below is of George Thomas Apple and Mary "Mariah" Bell, taken circa 1900.

I didn’t find George and Mary in the Sullivan County 1880 census. Either I missed them or they were living in another county. In November 1893, George and Mary purchased Lots 37 and 38 in Taylor’s Addition to the Town of Farmersburg. However, they sold the same lots to Frances Buchanan (George's mother) in March 1894. In the 1900 census George was listed with Mary and son Leroy (Grandma Jennie had already married) in Curry Township and occupation listed as a farmer. Maybe he was farming on shares for someone else. In March of 1902 George purchased 20 acres in Jackson Township, where he and Molly stayed until George’s death in 1934.

A direct descendant of George and Mary, Darrell Apple of Missouri, whom this author knows personally, stated that towards the end of George's life, he had a good amount of "bad luck" in the farming industry and seemed to go "slightly crazy" the last year or so of his life. Apparently he threatened to harm the others' in his family as Darrell said they all wrapped towels around their necks at night and locked George Thomas in his bedroom during the night so that he wouldn't harm anyone (apparently he had threatened to slit people's throats). It is this author's intent to get Darrell to write down his recollections about this and other Apple family members.

Bell Citations

John Bell -

Index to Marriage Record Sullivan County, Indiana 1850-1920.

Nancy D. Reins (Rains)

Index to Marriage Record Sullivan County, Indiana 1850-1920.

Rebecca R. Bell

1870 Census Turman Twp. Sullivan Co. Indiana.

William A. Bell

1870 Census Turman Twp. Sullivan Co. Indiana.

Mary L. Bell

1870 Census Turman Twp. Sullivan Co. Indiana.

William Lamb

Index to Marriage Record Sullivan County, Indiana 1850-1920.

Phebe Bell

Josiah Bell Will signed and dated October 1895. ".".Index to Marriage Record Sullivan County, Indiana 1850-1920.

Archibald Dunbar

Indiana Marriage Records at Indiana State Library Genealogy Division .

Elizabeth Bell

Indiana Marriage Records at Indiana State Library Genealogy Division

Bell Notes:

Butte County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779 - 12 May 1775

Ordered that Elias Bell orphan of Elias Bell dece'd be bound to Abraham Green until he attain to Lawful age, he being of the Age of Seventeen Years his said Master to learn him to read & Write and the business of a planter.

Civil War Records for "Elias Bell":

Surname	Given Name	Middle Initial	Comp	Unit	Rank - Induction	Rank - Discharge	Notes	Allegiance
Bell	Elias		E	5 Illinois Cavalry.	Private	Private		Union
Bell	Elias		D	31 Indiana Infantry.	Private	Private		Union
Bell	Elias		M	7 N. Y. Heavy Art'y.	Private	Private		Union
Bell	Elias		A	159 Ohio Infantry.	Private	Private		Union
Bell	Elias			187 Ohio Infantry.	Private	Private	194 Ohio Inf.	Union
Bell	Elias		B	194 Ohio Infantry.	Private	Private		Union
Bell	Elias			Brooks' Co., Alabama Cavalry. Reserves.	Private	Private		Confederate
Bell	Elias		L	32 Georgia Infantry.	Private	Private		Confederate
Bell	Elias		B	51 North Carolina Infantry.	Private	Private		Confederate
Bell	Elias	B.	A	146 Indiana Infantry.	Private	Private	Bell Elias B	Union

Surname	Given Name	Middle Initial	Company	Unit	Rank Induction	Rank Discharge	Notes	Allegiance
Bell	Elias	B.	E	3 West Virginia Cavalry.	Private	Private	4 W. Va. Inf.	Union
Bell	Elias	B.	E	4 West Virginia Inf.	Private	Private	3" W. Vo. Cavy.	Union
Bell	Elias	C.	K	123 Pennsylvania Inf.	Private	Private		Union

Elias Bell

Residence: Sullivan, Indiana
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 20 September 1861
Enlisted in Company D, 31st Infantry Regiment Indiana on 20 September 1861. Killed Company D, 31st Infantry Regiment Indiana on 15 February 1862 in Fort Donnellson, TN

Note: this Elias is the son of Josiah Bell, who I think is MY Elias Bell's Uncle, so this Elias that died in the Civil War was MY Elias' first cousin if I have the line correct.

Regimental History

Thirty-first Infantry INDIANA
(3 years)

Thirty-first Infantry. Ä Cols., Charles Cruft, John Osborn, John T. Smith, James R. Hallowell; Lieut.-Cols., John Osborn, Charles M. Smith, John T. Smith, Francis L. Neff, William H. Fairbanks, Tames R. Hallowell, Silas Grimes; Majs., Frederick Arn, Charles M. Smith Henry L. McCalla, John T. Smith, Francis L. Neff, William H. Fairbanks, James R. Hallowell, Silas Grimes, Craven P. Reed.

This regiment was organized at Terre Haute and was mustered in Sept. 16, 1861. It left the state the following week, went into camp at Calhoun, Ky. and from there proceeded to Fort Donelson, where it participated in the battle and was present at the surrender losing 12 killed, 52 wounded and 4 missing.

It moved to Fort Henry, thence to Pittsburg Landing and was actively engaged at Shiloh, losing 22 killed, 110 wounded and 10 missing. It was assigned to the 4th division, Army of Ohio, in command of Gen. Nelson. It was in the siege of Corinth and at its conclusion joined the march through Alabama and Mississippi into Tennessee being stationed at various places.

Col. Cruft was appointed brigadier-general on July 16, and Lieut.-Col. Osborn was made his successor. The regiment fell back to Louisville in September, but returned to Nashville when Bragg was driven from Kentucky. It moved in December for Murfreesboro and participated in the three days' battle at Stone's River, losing 5 killed and 46 wounded.

It was then at Cripple Creek until June, guarding a mountain pass, then moved toward Chattanooga and participated in the battle of Chickamauga, where it lost 4 killed and 66 wounded.

Clark County, Indiana Marriage Records:

County: Clark
Name: Gemima McKinley
Spouse: Elias Bell
Marriage Date: 03 Aug 1826
Book: B
Original Source Page: 83

County: Clark
Name: Margarett Marlow
Spouse: Elias Bell
Marriage Date: 01 Mar 1846
Book: E
Original Source Page: 96

County: Clark
Name: Catherine Shadain
Spouse: Elias Bell
Marriage Date: 10 Apr 1854
Book: F
Original Source Page: 499

County: Clark
Name: Catharine Davis
Spouse: James Bell
Marriage Date: 04 Jul 1847
Book: E
Original Source Page: 122

County: Clark
Name: Louisa Brown
Spouse: John Bell
Marriage Date: 05 Aug 1847
Book: E
Original Source Page: 124

County: Clark
Name: Nancy M. Pennington
Spouse: John Bell
Marriage Date: 10 Aug 1848
Book: E
Original Source Page: 165

County: Clark
Name: Rebeckah Kenaday
Spouse: Josiah Bell
Marriage Date: 08 Dec 1825
Book: B
Original Source Page: 73

County: Clark
Name: Catharine Graham
Spouse: Samuel Bell
Marriage Date: 13 Mar 1828
Book: C
Original Source Page: 1

County: Clark
Name: Ruth Stout
Spouse: Simeon P. Bell
Marriage Date: 01 Oct 1848
Book: E
Original Source Page: 178

County: Clark
Name: Mary M. Shields
Spouse: Uriah Bell
Marriage Date: 14 Jan 1854
Book: F
Original Source Page: 473

County: Floyd
Name: Elias Bell
Spouse: Mary E Kusler
Marriage Date: 26 Nov 1884
Book: 8
Original Source Page: 575

County: Floyd
Name: Eado Bell
Spouse: J J Miller
Marriage Date: 25 Jan 1857
Book: 4
Original Source Page: 318

County: Floyd
Name: Eliza Bell
Spouse: Geo. Burns
Marriage Date: 19 Mar 1867
Book: 6
Original Source Page: 309

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. W T Bell
Spouse: Mary A Weaver
Marriage Date: 26 May 1853
Book: 3
Original Source Page: 503

County: Floyd
Name: George Bell
Spouse: Frances McCutchen
Marriage Date: 05 Jan 1864
Book: 5
Original Source Page: 440

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. R Bell
Spouse: A L Springer
Marriage Date: 21 Jan 1868
Book: 6
Original Source Page: 396

County: Floyd
Name: George Bell
Spouse: Rachel Rowe
Marriage Date: 28 Nov 1917
Date: 19 Apr 1865
Book: 19
Original Source Page: 42

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. Bell
Spouse: Mary Harmon
Marriage Date: 05 Apr 1885
Book: 8
Original Source Page: 601

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. T Bell
Spouse: C C Scott
Marriage Date: 18 Apr 1905
Date: 10 Jun 1879
Book: 13
Original Source Page: 1

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. ?? Bell
Spouse: Emaline Jack
Marriage Date: 21 Dec 1856
Book: 4
Original Source Page: 308

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. T Bell
Spouse: H A Homberger
Date: 10 Jun 1879
Book: 18
Original Source Page: 49

County: Floyd
Name: Geo. Bell
Spouse: Tillie Howard
Marriage Date: 28 Dec 1895
Book: 10
Original Source Page: 541

County: Floyd
Name: Mattie Bell
Spouse: H E Woodfill
Marriage Date: 14 Jun 1904
Book: 12
Original Source Page: 111

County: Floyd
Name: James P Bell
Spouse: Delila Miles
Marriage Date: 25 Aug 1859
Book: 5
Original Source Page: 124

County: Floyd
Name: James E Bell
Spouse: Margt. Miller
Marriage Date: 15 Aug 1865
Book: 6
Original Source Page: 139

County: Floyd
Name: J Eugene Bell
Spouse: Edith F Long
Marriage Date: 25 Nov 1896
Book: 10
Original Source Page: 624

County: Floyd
Name: Jinnie Bell
Spouse: W B Campbell
Marriage Date: 01 Jan 1896
Book: 10
Original Source Page: 543

County: Floyd
Name: John H Bell
Spouse: Louie Sturgen
Marriage Date: 19 Jun 1892
Book: 10
Original Source Page: 154

County: Floyd
Name: James Bell
Spouse: F McCutehen
Marriage Date: 21 Jun 1849
Book: 3
Original Source Page: 217

County: Floyd
Name: Jordon Bell
Spouse: Cath. A Bray
Marriage Date: 31 May 1866
Book: 6
Original Source Page: 233

County: Floyd
Name: John H Bell
Spouse: Cath. Brock
Marriage Date: 08 Mar 1859
Book: 5
Original Source Page: 94

Elias Bell In the Census:

BELL, ELIAS
State: NC Year: 1820
County: Brunswick County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: No Township Listed Page: 013
Database: NC 1820 Federal Census Index
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: NC Year: 1830
County: Brunswick County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: No Township Listed Page: 329
Database: NC 1830 Federal Census Index
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: NC Year: 1840
County: Brunswick County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: No Township Listed Page: 224
Database: NC 1840 Federal Census Index
---------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: NC Year: 1870
County: Duplin County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Wolfscrape Township Page: 559
Database: NC 1870 Federal Census Index
------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1850
County: Allen County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Adams Township Page: 239
Database: IN 1850 Federal Census Index
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Allen County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Adams Township Page: 507
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1850
County: Bartholomew County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Wayne Township Page: 344
Database: IN 1850 Federal Census Index
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1830
County: Clark County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: No Township Listed Page: 064
Database: IN 1830 Federal Census Index
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1840
County: Clark County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: No Township Listed Page: 269
Database: IN 1840 Federal Census Index
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1850
County: Clark County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Wood Township Page: 008
Database: IN 1850 Federal Census Index
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Clark County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Wood Township Page: 020
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index
------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Clark County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Wood Township Page: 025
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Owen County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Marion Township Page: 210
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Sullivan County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Curry Township Page: 1072
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1850
County: Sullivan County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Turman Township Page: 308
Database: IN 1850 Federal Census Index
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BELL, ELIAS
State: IN Year: 1860
County: Sullivan County Record Type: Federal Population Schedule
Township: Turman Township Page: 1013
Database: IN 1860 Federal Census Index

This Elias Bell was in NC and could be a clue as to where our Bells came from. Given Name: Elias Surname: Bell Sex: M Birth: 18 March 1830 in Duplin Co, N.C. Death: 29 August 1903 in Duplin Co, N.C. Occupation: 1860 Carpenter 1870 Farmer Note: Can't read, can't write. Value of his personal estate was $50.00 in the 1860 Census. Land deeds 20 Aug 1881 paid $900.00 for 257 1/4 acres, 43 1/4 acres, 8 acres. 1881 120 acres. 18 Nov 1884 paid $400.00 for 144 acres. Total of 572 3/4 acres. In the 1850 Census Elias Bell was living with his brother Felix Bell.

Pierce'S Register Reference: North Carolina State Records, Clark, Vol. XVI, 1782-1783
page 107

Name and Rank: Bell, Elias, Pt.
Company: Baker's
Dates of Enlistment and Commission: 20 July '78

Census Records:

CD 153, 1st Edition
IN 1840 CENSUS, FLOYD CO., IN 1840
=====================================
>B400 BELL, George FRANKLIN TWP # 170
>B400 BELL, John FRANKLIN TWP # 169
>B400 BELL, John NEW ALBANY TWP # 141
>B400 BELL, John E. NEW ALBANY # 120
>B400 BELL, Mary NEW ALBANY # 115
>B400 BELL, William FRANKLIN TWP # 169

CD 46, 1st Edition
INDIANA 1850 CENSUS, FLOYD CO., IN 1850
========================================
>B400 BELL, Dunbar GREENVILLE TWP # 378
>B400 BELL, John FRANKLIN TWP # 442
>B400 BELL, Joseph NEW ALBANY # 316
>B400 BELL, Mary NEW ALBANY # 303
>B400 BELL, Meliam GEORGETOWN TWP # 450
>B400 BELL, Nn FRANKLIN TWP # 442
>B400 BELL, Uriah LAFAYETTE TWP # 365
>B400 BELL, Uriah LAFAYETTE TWP # 367
>B400 BELL, William FRANKLIN TWP # 439

CD 27, 1st Edition
Indiana 1860 Census, FLOYD CO., Indiana
==============================================
>L: BELL CHARLES # 045 T: NEW ALBANY 3W. B400
>L: BELL CHARLES # 055 T: NEW ALBANY 2W B400
>L: BELL DUNBAR # 225 T: GREENVILLE TWP. B400
>L: BELL GEORGE # 014 T: NEW ALBANY 3W. B400
>L: BELL JOHN # 302 T: FRANKLIN TWP. B400
>L: BELL JOSIAH # 251 T: GREENVILLE TWP. B400
>L: BELL LILLY # 394 T: NEW ALBANY 5W B400
>L: BELL MARY # 220 T: GREENVILLE TWP. B400
>L: BELL SAM # 032 T: NEW ALBANY 3W. B400
>L: BELL SARAH # 003 T: NEW ALBANY 3W. B400
>L: BELL SARAH # 479 T: NEW ALBANY TWP. B400
>L: BELL SARAH ANN # 334 T: NEW ALBANY 4W B400
>L: BELL SARAH F. # 049 T: NEW ALBANY 3W. B400
>L: BELL SIMON # 163 T: NEW ALBANY 1W B400
>L: BELL THOMAS P. # 421 T: NEW ALBANY 6W B400
>L: BELL WILLIAM # 420 T: NEW ALBANY 6W B400

Augusta County, VA Records (there were McCutcheons in the ara as well) Page 53.--23d September, 1782. Samuel Bell's will, intending to journey shortly to the Kentucky settlement--To brothers, John, Thomas, Joseph; to sister, Sarah. Executors, brothers John and Thomas. Teste: Wm. Steel, Valentine Cloninger. Proved, 15th April, 1788, by Cloninger and hologroph, and 16th April, 1788, executor qualifies.

GOSS CEMETERY II BURIALS
Wood Township, Clark County, Indiana
This cemetery (the second named "Goss" in Wood Township) is located on another farm also owned by George Goss, a native of North Carolina. The property was owned by John Trainer at the time inscriptions were taken in the 1940s.

The other Goss Cemetery in Wood Township is the burial place of pioneer George Goss (1777-1854), who came to Clark County with his brothers, David and John Goss in the second decade of the 1800s.
```
BELL  Elizabeth, wife of Elias b. 1852-1876
```
Listed in the 1860 Wood Township, Clark County Census:

48: BELL, James 30 - Frances 29 (female) - Thomas 9 - Elias 6 - William H. 4 - James N. 2

49 BELL, Thomas 33 - Lydia 32 - James 12 - Sarah E. 10 - Manford 8 Mary C. 6 - Williard 4 - Elias

Bells listed in the 1820 Indiana Census and the County they were in:

BELL, ABEL	194	Vigo
BELL, DANIEL	063	Harrison
BELL, ELIZABETH	175	Switzerland
BELL, GABRIEL	015	Clark
BELL, HENRY	054	Harrison
BELL, HUGH	043	Fayette
BELL, JACOB	194	Vigo
BELL, JAMES	166	Switzerland
BELL, JEREMIAH	108	Dearborn
BELL, JOHN	153	Warrick
BELL, JOHN	016	Clark
BELL, JOHN	176	Franklin
BELL, JOHN	010	Crawford
BELL, JOHN	285	Jefferson
BELL, JOHN	227	Wayne
BELL, JOSEPH	041	Fayette
BELL, JOSEPH	022	Clark
BELL, LANCELOTT	229	Wayne
BELL, PHILLIP	056	Harrison
BELL, RICHARD, S	064	Harrison
BELL, ROBERT	062	Harrison
BELL, ROBERT	097	Spencer
BELL, SAMUEL	059	Harrison
BELL, SARAH	166	Switzerland
BELL, THOMAS	015	Clark
BELL, WILLIAM	083	Knox
BELL, WM	235	Wayne

Section No. 95 [S16640]
BELL, JOHN.— Augusta, Dec. 22, 1834. Born in Augusta, in Long Glade, Sept. —, 1755. Late in September, 1780, went out as ensign for three months under Capt. Thomas Smith. Marched from rendezvous at Col. Esam's to just below Richmond, where he remained till discharged. No regular troops were there. Early in January, 1781, he substituted for his brother Francis, thinking the latter too young to bear the fatigue. Company officers were Capt. Joseph Patterson, Lt. Andrew Anderson, Ensign James Poage. From former rendezvous marched to Dismal Swamp, where he was discharged in April. In June called out as ensign for tour stated at twenty days, his captain being John Dickey, his lieutenant, Robert Campbell. Marched to Jamestown. Was in the battle there and in several little skirmishes. James Allen, Francis Gardner, and John Crawford were comrades at Jamestown [Portsmouth]; also Samuel Bell [was with John Bell at Richmond.

Section No. 97 [W12267]
BELL, SAMUEL.— Augusta, July 28, 1834. Born, 1759. Drafted for three months in September, 1777, under Capt. George Moffett, Lt. Joseph Patterson, Ensign Andrew Anderson. Col. John Dickenson and Maj. Samuel McDowell being line officers. Marched from rendezvous at mouth of Kerr's Creek by way of the Big Savannah (Lewisburg), and Walker's Meadows to Point Pleasant, where there was a fort garrisoned by a company of regulars under Capt. Arbuckle [Fort Arbuckle]. It was understood that the troops were destined against Detroit, but in consequence of the late arrival of Gen. [Edward] Hand from Pittsburgh, the expedition was abandoned, and in December applicant's command was ordered home, where he arrived Christmas eve. About May 1, 1780, applicant substituted for Benjamin Brown, a relative who could not leave home without great inconvenience. Marched under Ensign John Wilson to Clover Lick, where he joined his company under Capt. William Anderson and Lt. James Mitchell, and was discharged after three months. No other troops were at Clover Lick. In fall of 1780, applicant volunteered under Capt. Thomas Smith, Lt. (?), George Craig, Ensign John Bell. Marched to Richmond to guard the General Assembly. Several other militia companies were there. Discharged after two weeks. Then rejoined (not expecting to march far), Capt, Smith's company and marched into North Carolina, overtaking the main army at Troublesome Iron Works, the day after the battle of Guilford, and returning after a little above one month. The following May or June, Lt. Robert Kirk applied to Capt. James Bell (with whom applicant was serving) for men to help impress horses for the regular army. Applicant with a few others was so detailed, and served in Bath, etc.

Section No. 98 [S6608]
BELL, JOSEPH.— Augusta, Aug. —, 1832. Born in Augusta, Feb. —, 1755. Drafted in 1776. Rendezvoused at Lexington about July 15, and marched under Capt. John Lyle, of Col. Russell's regiment to the Great Island [Long Island] in Holston River, where the troops came under the command of Col. William Christian and proceeded against the Cherokees. Was stationed a while at a Cherokee town and returned after five months. Drafted next year. Marched from rendezvous at Staunton, about Sept. 22, 1777, under Capt. Thomas Smith, applicant being First Sergeant, and proceeded to Little Levels in Greenbrier, where the men were joined by other troops under Colonels John Dickenson, Samuel McDowell, and George Skillern. After being a while at Point Pleasant, the army was drawn up and Gen. [Edward] Hand and Col. McDowell rode along the lines, announced the surrender of Burgoyne, and discharged the men. Got home middle of December. Went out again the middle of April, 1779, under Capt. James Trimble, of Col. Sampson Mathews' regiment, to serve against the Indians. Rendezvoused at Staunton April 16th, and marched to Tygart's Valley, returning in July. Ordered out again to rendezvous in Rockfish Gap, 1781, to guard the prisoners taken by Gen. Morgan at Cowpens. Last service was as ensign, rendezvous at Col. Esam's (Waynesboro), June 6, 1781. Marched under Capt. Francis Long, joining the troops of Col. Dandridge [at Col. Dandridge’s], of Gen. Lafayette's army. Was in action at Hot Water under Col. Willis ; also in battle of Jamestown and at Yorktown during the siege. Was out four months. James Davis a comrade.

BIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES EDWARD McKINLEY

"Charles Edwin McKinley is a well known member of the Indiana branch of the illustrious McKinley family, and a relation of our martyred President of that name. In common with the other members of his family he boasts a Scotch-Irish line of ancestry, in which the Scotch strain predominated. The family was of Scotch Covenanter origin and as the descendants of sturdy and religious men the family history in this country has upheld its ancient traditions. He is a business man of acknowledged ability and as a citizen he has not gone without recognition.

"Charles Edwin McKinley was born at Pleasant Ridge, Wood Township, four and a half miles south of Borden, in the vicinity of the old burial ground, on May 7, 1862. He was the son of William McKinley, and his wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Bell. Our subject's grandfather, Thomas McKinley, was a son of the head of the Indiana branch of the McKinley family.

"Charles Edwin was educated in the public schools of Wood Township and on arrival at the proper age began life as a farmer. For eighteen years he farmed and marketed farm and dairy produce and had a large array of private customers in New Albany. In this line he was very successful and he still retains his farm at Pleasant Ridge. In October, 1906, he established himself as head of the well known McKinley Hotel at Borden, which was started some years before by Edwin McKinley. He also opened an adjoining store and carried on a general mercantile business. At the present time [1909] he conducts the McKinley Hotel, a livery stable, and a general store, on an extensive scale and in a first class manner. In addition he has been since 1907 President of the Borden State Bank.

"Mr. McKinley married on the 17th of September, 1885, Jemima E. Bell, the daughter of well known townsfolk. Their marriage proved very happy and they have reared a family of four sons and four daughters, namely: Francis M., Sarah F. (known to her friends as Fannie); Jessie E., John H., Clarence D., Georgia E., Harry Goebel and Iva Mildred McKinley. All are well educated and accomplished.

"Our subject was a member of a family composed of one girl and ten boys. In politics he is a Democrat. He is reckoned as one of the leading men of his party in Clark County. He was Trustee of Wood Township from 1895 to 1900."

Pages 545-546:

"The name of McKinley has of late years assumed something of a historic significance in this land of ours for it is linked in the public memory with the remembrance of a martyred President. It is but fitting that this should be so. And yet the family name and traditions go back beyond that towering figure of recent years, across the Atlantic and across the centuries, to find an ancestor of distinction and merit. The first to emerge out of the twilight of tradition with a definite record is the figure of a Scotch Covenanter, who, when the vicissitudes of the times made it necessary for him, went from his native land across to Ireland; thence in after years to the United States. Two of his sons, David and James McKinley, settled in Shelby County, Kentucky, and came in after years to the spot in Clark County, Indiana, where Borden now stands. David shortly after went northward to South Bend, and thence to Canton, Ohio, while James remained and made Wood Township his future home. David McKinley, as may be surmised, was the great-grandfather of President McKinley. James McKinley reared six sons: James, John, Thomas, William, Jeremiah and Alexander. The first named son, James, was the father of the subject of our sketch [Samuel McKinley]. James married Jincy Packwood, a native of Virginia, the daughter of Samuel Packwood. Samuel McKinley had eleven children, of whom nine are yet living. They are: Edward, Fred, Charles and Albert McKinley, and Mrs. Kate Minton, Mrs. Blanch Bell, Mrs. Lillie Bere, Mrs. Nettie Byerly, and Julia McKinley, all living in Borden with the exception of the three married sisters. Mrs. Kate Minton lives in Georgetown, Floyd County; Mrs. Blanche Bell lives in Jeffersonville, and the other married sisters in Louisville.

"Samuel McKinley was born in Borden in 1836 and still resides at the family homestead. The tan yard, where he worked at his trade as a tanner, was first the property of his father. At a later period it belonged to an elder brother, and in 1866 our subject bought it and conducted a steady business there until 1907, when ill health caused him to retire from the tanning business. Though advanced in years, he is still active and deals very profitably in hides and furs. He is a prominent member of the Christian church and a man of importance in local affairs.

"Samuel McKinley married Louise Scheicher, who was born of French parentage in Louisiana. Her father was Louis Scheicher, a native of the old province of France--Alsace-Lorraine; her mother, Catherine Scheicher, was also born in France.

"On June 9, 1870, a son, Albert, was born to Samuel McKinley and wife."

Biography provided by
Volunteer:
Lois Mauk

Source of Biography:
Baird's History of Clark County,
1909, page 683

Date Biography provided:
1998

Indiana Biographies

US Biographies

Indiana Biographies Data Entry Guidelines

E-mail to Indiana State Coordinator, Deb Murray

Ray Ruff is working on the Bell Surname also and is a descendant of Thomas Bell, of North Carolina.

Ray's email address: africa@rrtraders.com

Descended from Thomas Bell and Rachel Dunbar; and lives in Indiana.

My Grandfather was Thomas E. Bell married to Margaret Wagoner

His father: James Knox Polk Bell

His sister: Clementine Mae Bell (also married a Wagoner) double cousin marriage).

His brothers: Otto, James, Manford, Jesse, Willard, Charles, Ralph, Witt, & Theodore. His wife: Francis Overton

His father Thomas Bell m/ Lydia Emmons

His father: Elias Bell m Lucinda McKinley

His father: Thomas Bell m. Rachel Dunbar

Ron Bell is also off Thomas and Lydia. Notes from a recent e-mail from him on the subject: (Ron's address is dingdon@kiva.net

"I am off of the Elias-Jemima line by way of Thomas and Lydia Bell. Their son, James K. married Mary Francis Overton and lived all of their lives near Borden, Indiana. His children scattered over a large part of Indiana. My grandfather, Theodore Bell settled in Bedford, Indiana for the business opportunities in the trade of dry cleaning. My father and I both operated that business until I retired in 2000.

Bedford is about halfway between Elias's home in Clark County and Josiah's home in Sullivan County. It is 20 miles south of Bloomington on highway 37 and about 30 miles southwest of Bloomfield.

Elias is an interesting name to try to follow. There were so many Elias's in Clark County that the family is still having a hard time sorting them all out. The earliest Elias Bell that I have found was one living on the outer banks of Virginia around 1700 (near Bell Haven). He is listed in a Virginia Will and was found to be a tanner in some other literature.

We are lost for the next one hundred years or so until we get to Elias and Jemima. There is some confusion as to who Elias's father was. Some family records say Thomas and some say John.

There were many Bells living in the Denver area. One that I talked to was Goldie Bell. She was very old when I talked to her about 8 years ago. Tom and Lydia had a son that taught in one of the Colorado Universities in the early part of the 20th Century. His name was Sanford Bell (Beth's line). He later moved to Los Angeles and died there around 1942. I'm not sure, but Sanford might of had an older brother in Denver that was a Dry Cleaner. His name was Williard Bell and it would have been around 1915-1925.

My line goes: Elias and Jemima Bell, Thomas and Lydia Bell, James K. and Mary Francis Bee, Theodore and Elizabeth Bell, Earl and Helen Bell, me and my wife (Ron) and Pat Bell.

I visited with one of your relatives who was living near Sullivan a few years ago. His name was Virgil Bell and lived west of Sullivan near Graysville. I doubt whether he is still alive though, he was quite old at the time and in poor health. He may have a son living close by that is a farmer. I did not meet him. I think his name is William. He has a daughter around Richmond, IN that he was very proud of for her involvement in literature on quilting.

Elias and family are buried __________ (the old home grounds) in Clark County. We don't know where Thomas and Lydia are buried. James K and Mary Francis are buried in the Borden Cemetery by the creek. Walnut Grove just at the end of McKinley street. James K.'s sons: Theodore, Williard, Tom are buried in Bedford at Greenhill Cemetery as well as Austin, Norman and Estill (Theodore's sons). Another son of James K, Charles, is buried in Beechgrove cemetery about a mile from Greenhill. James K's son Jim, is buried in the Ikerd Cemetery east of Bedford. Oscar Elsworth, another of James K's sons, is buried in Bloomington as well as the rest of Oscar's family.

Thomas and Lydia Bell had: James K., Sarah E., Manford, Mary C., Eliza, Syrinus, Thomas Pearce, Jemima, Samuel and Sanford.

James K. Bell and Mary Francis Overton had: Oscar Elsworth, "Ott", Charles Albert, Benjamin Manford, "Mant", William Franklin, Theodore Gilbert, "T.G.", Willard Garfield, Jesse Evart, Francis Ralph, Frances Clementine, "Tina", Thomas Elmer and James Arland.

From Beth Ditson @ bethditson@hotmail.com; a descendant of our Bell line.

Dear Catherine,

I have been in touch with other Bells and Dunbar's who believe that Rachel was previously married. It is thought that she was born in 1760 and married James Dunbar info 1784/5 and had 3 children by him, Archibald (oh, crumbs, the other two are in a different file that I can't access while I'm typing this!)...anyway, they were both boys. There are a couple of snippets of "news" of the time that mention James Dunbar and his wife Rachel in the Randolph Co. area of N. Carolina.

Around 1800 James died and John Bell was the executor of James Dunbar's will. As women were not allowed control over their own property in those days, they often married the executors. Not long after James's death, Rachel married John or Thomas Bell. The information is not clear. All three of them moved to Indiana with Rachel's 3 Dunbar sons. These sons are buried around Clark Co. Indiana....close to somewhere that I can't remember, but it is in a file. Rachel had another baby, Dunbar Bell, which is thought to be a transitional baby. Perhaps she was pregnant with this child when James died.

She went on to have at least one other child, Elias Bell. She would have been 46 when he was born. There is census info that finds Rachel Dunbar Bell living with Elias and his wife Lydia Emmons in 1850. She was 90. Elias was the father of Thomas who married Jemima McKinley and had James K, Sanford Bell and others...if you need their names, I have them.

There has been speculation as to whether there were 2 Rachel's, but there is no evidence of this. There is one Bell relation who says Rachel was the daughter of Captain George Dunbar, but doesn't seem to have any hard evidence to back that up. The consensus of the rest of the investigators is that Rachel wasn't born a Dunbar. And, of course, her grandson Thomas told his son James K Bell that she was Black Dutch which could mean that much of her ancestry has been hidden.

Although some sources say that Rachel married Thomas Bell, it may be unlikely as one of her sons married Thomas's daughter Elizabeth. It depends on whether there would have been a half-brother and sister blood line with these kids if Thomas was her husband. I'm sure that as more people get involved in investigating this, the more information will come to light and fall into place.

As far as Sanford Bell and Agnes Ditson are concerned, Agnes told my mother that they decided to have a trial marriage. To my knowledge, nobody else in the family knows that Sanford was already married. I wonder if Agnes knew!

There's one of their 4 children remaining in Denver, my aunt Ruth who is in her 80s. I think it might not be a good idea to contact her, because when I have called her lately, she seems a bit confused as to who I am and what I'm saying.

I left Denver when I was 7, but my father stayed behind with my brother and his second wife. They had 3 children. Two of those are still in the Denver area. My aunt Ruth had 4 or 5 kids. I can't remember how many and I assume some of them are still in the Denver area. I am in contact with her daughter Josephine. My aunt Agnes (Vicky) couldn't have children, and adopted 2. Aunt Mary had one daughter, Anna, who recently died in her mid 40s.

Apparently, Josephine has been investigating Sanford Bell a bit and got some information from Denver University which has upset her. I don't know what it was, but I do know that he was a terrible womanizer. That is why he left Indiana U. and Colorado U....also, he got involved in some sort of a land deal and a lot of people lost their money. I don't know if he was responsible, but my mom told me that he had to leave Denver in a car with curtains drawn. He was basically run out of town according to her, but my mother has been wrong before. She also said that he ran off with a Denver debutante, leaving my grandmother Agnes to raise the 4 kids by herself during the depression.

I don't think he has won any "most popular relative contests" out in Denver. I'm not sure how much of the bad stuff my gran told my English mom was just sour grapes. I don't think she had much to say about him and when she did, it wasn't good.

Hi,
I hope that you don't mind that Ray Ruff gave me your e-address. I am also descended from Elias Bell, father of Thomas who was the father of my grandfather Sanford Bell. Sanford's eldest brother recounted the family history in 1932 and said that his father Thomas said that his grandmother Rachel was Black Dutch.

Nobody knew what that term meant for 60 years. Apparently, it was a term used to describe European Romany Gipsy. I have talked to a Dutch friend of mine who has said that both the Dutch and Germans have a term for the Romanians that begins with the word Black. In the US many people who were of mixed race and darker than actual white, claimed to be Black Dutch or Black German, rather than be labeled Negro or Indian. More often than not, this claim was made with people with white and Native American blood.

It has always been suspected in my family that there is something other than white in our blood. I thought it may have come from my grandmother's side of the family, and I am still researching that, but I find this information on Rachel, from my grandfather's side of the family, interesting. If you have any information on Rachel's origins, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Best wishes, Beth

Dear Catharine,

It is interesting that you live in Denver. That is where I was born. Dr.
Sanford Bell went from Indiana to Denver and met my grandmother Dr. Agnes Ditson and had 4 children with her. They didn't marry, so the children were Ditson rather than Bell.

The person who recounted the ancestry of Rachel Dunbar Bell was James K. Bell, Sanford's eldest brother. James K. was the eldest of 11 children to Thomas (2)Bell and Lydia Emmons Bell, and Sanford was the youngest. Thomas's father and mother were Elias Bell and Jemima McKinley Bell. Elias was the son of Rachel, as far as we can figure out.

It looks as if Rachel's maiden name wasn't Dunbar. She may have been married to James Dunbar, was then widowed and married either John or Thomas (1) Bell.

Many of James K.'s children were dark (so I've heard) and my dad, myself and my half sister in particular are uncommonly dark for a pure European decadency. My mother is English and I am darker than her side of the family. I thought this may have come from Agnes Ditson's side of the family, and I have been looking into it, but came across Rachel's info relating to the Bells.

If I find any more information, I'll let you know.

Best wishes, Beth

Beth's line below:

Rachel and either Thomas or John Bell (my ggggrandparents) parents of Elias (my gggrandfather) married to Lydia Emmons, parents of:

Thomas (my ggrandfather) married to Jemima McKinley, parents of: Dr. Sanford Bell (my grandfather) had children with Dr. Agnes Ditson (my grandmother)

                    1. Agnes (Vicky) Ditson couldn't have children.
                        Adopted Steven and Bonnie.

                    2. Mary Ditson had daughter Anna Swanson who died
                        recently

                    3. Ruth Ditson, married Joe Duffy, had 4 children
                        one of these being Josephine

                    4. Sanford Christopher Ditson (my dad)

                        One son in Germany...born during the war. We
                        don't know his name or whereabouts.

                        1st marriage to my mom, Lila Hunter from
                        Liverpool England. Children:

                        John Christopher Ditson
                        Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Ditson

                        2nd marriage to Marion Geizel. Children:

                        Paul Ditson
                        Cathrine (Kit) Ditson
                        Jesse Ditson