24 June 2011

Finally some Genealogy!!

I promised genealogical information, so here we go!

William Charles Bell was my 2nd great grandfather, born about 1821 in Stewart County, TN to George and Dulsanna Jane Bell*.  I must admit, I am not 100% confident his name was William Charles.  Most of my research has found just Charlie or simply a "C", but there is evidence supporting the name William Charles Bell in census records.
Charlie married Mary Adaline Yates, 17 November 1852 in Benton County, TN.  This marriage was solemnized by J.P. Arnold, a Minister of God and to this union was born five children: Missouri E.; Horace Monroe; Queen; Rosella J and William Clark.  Charlie died 20 Sep 1884 in Benton County, TN, but his place of burial remains unknown.

Recently I was sifting through some of my Dad's papers and discovered a deed I suppose settling Charlie Bell's estate.  It was for 65 acres of land being sold by my great grandfather's siblings to him.  I found it interesting, even though Mary Adaline was still alive, her name wasn't mentioned.  Was this an example of the lack of rights women had in the 1880's?  Yeah, I should know the answer to that and perhaps I do, somewhere buried in the back of my mind, but for now I'll leave it as a question.

Moving along, while reading this deed I began to realize I had numerous unanswered questions about my great grandfather's siblings.  Some had moved out of Benton County and I had skipped over them, with the intention of doing more research at a later date.  Well, that date was now and other than children's names I have learned some interesting bits of information.
     Missouri E. Bell - born August 1853 in Benton County, TN, married John Y. Jordan, son of Jonathan & Rebecca Jordan, 22 October 1873 in Benton County, TN.  They had one child, a daughter Minnie A. - born August 1883 in Benton Co., TN, who married William Massey Farrar 3 March 1895, in Benton Co., TN.  Missouri died in 1932 and is buried at Eastview Cemetery in Benton Co., TN, along side her husband, who died 3 July 1929.
     Horace Monroe Bell - born 23 July 1859. This is my great-grandfather and I will later devote an entire post to him.  Please note, the photograph on my home page, the man with two horses is Horace Monroe Bell.
     Queen Bell - born 7 October 1861 in Benton County, TN.  I have found this to be a little complicated and will address Queen at a later time.
     Rosella J Bell - born September 1863 in Benton County, TN, married Marion (Mace) Prince, 12 July 1877 in Benton County, TN, J.F. Presson, a Justice of Peace, officiated.  Notice Ella, as she would later be called, had not had her 14th birthday when she married.  When I began researching my family history I expected to find girls marrying young to be common; however, at least to this point, it is unusual in my family.  Moving along, Ella and Mace Prince had two children, both born in Benton County, TN.  Eva was the oldest, born 13 November 1878 and then Charles Orlander, born 11 August 1879.  According to the 1880 US Census for Benton County, TN they lived next to Ella's siblings in Benton County.  Next, they are found in the 1900 US Census living in Fulton County, KY.  Eva is now married to Edward Burns Smith and they are living with her parents. The next census 1910 gets a little complicated.  Edward and Eva Smith have moved to Hinds County, MS and both Ella and Charles are now living with them.  Ella's marital status is a widow.  Seemingly Mace has died and the 1920 US Census for Hinds Co., MS is the same.  However, the 1930 US Census for Hinds County, MS offers a new perspective.  While Ella is still living with the Smiths and is still designated a widow, Charles also lives in Hinds County, MS and living in his household is Mace Prince, age 74 and he is also widowed.  What??  I searched for Marion/Mace Prince in both the 1910 and 1920 US censuses and have not been able to locate him.  Where was he?  If anyone has any ideas, please share them in the comments section.  And . . . what's the deal with BOTH saying they are widowed??  Yeah, I have a couple of ideas, but I'd really like a little proof.
Also, Edward and Eva now have a daughter, Mary Adaline.  It appears the child was born about 1921 making Eva 42-43 years old when she had her first child.  I thought this strange, but while looking at a family tree on Ancestry.com I found a comment concerning Mary Adaline Smith that certainly intrigued me.  It stated this child was found on their (Edward and Eva's) doorstep.  That certainly explains Eva's late motherhood, but is this claim valid?  I haven't found anything to either confirm or deny this mystery, but will continue searching.  Again, anyone with thoughts, ideas and certainly facts to shed light on this, please contact me.
This leaves William Clark Bell, the youngest of Charlie and Mary Adaline Bell's children.  Clark as he was called was born in July 1865, never married and after is mother's death, 1 June 1897 he lived with his sister Missouri and her family the rest of his life that ended 27 July 1911.
     *Please note, many who have recorded information on Dulsanna Jane state her first name was Bulsanna; however, the actual written census record of 1860 Benton County, Tennessee clearly shows, at least to me with careful examination, that the first letter in her first name is spelled with a "D" and not a "B".
Thanks to all who take the time to visit this blog.  Perhaps we have a kinship and can share information, family stories, etc. that will help us get to know our ancestors more than just names and dates. 

Until next time have a safe weekend!

T. Bell

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