left to right . . . Lattie Rushing and Pearl May Rushing Bell, my maternal Grandmother

Benton County, Tennessee Civil War Pension Applicants - CSA

One thing that has truly stumped me!  No Bells who lived in Benton County, TN fought for the CSA in the Civil War.  Perhaps they fought for the Union army?  I will check into that; however, I just visited the Tennessee State Library & Archives website and copied all CSA pension applicants.  This list follows -

Soldier Name        County     Pension #     Unit or Widow


Adams, Alexander Benton S10874 7th Ky. Mtd. Inf.

Agnew, James K. P. Benton S8906 11th Cav.

Agnew, James K. Polk Benton W7996 Agnew, Selina Adline

Akens, I. N. Benton S10963 20th (Russell's) Cav.

Akers, B. F. Benton S10436 3rd Inf.

Akers, Benjamin F. Benton W5379 Akers, Mary Francis

Anderson, Marcus Lafayette Benton W2054 Anderson, Elizabeth Calline

Arnold, William Pinkney Benton W4377 Arnold, Docia

Askew, John Benton S16580 Unassigned

Autry, S. J. Benton S1692 52nd Inf.

Baker, John P. Benton W1858 Baker, Elizabeth Jane

Barnes, Charles Benton S814 5th Inf.

Barnett, W. Ranson Benton S9466 1Oth Cav.

Bateman, John Jerry Benton W10536 Bateman, Artie

Beal, Z. B. J. Benton S10496 54th Inf.

Beasley, A. B. Benton S12167 5th Inf.

Belyew, John Benton S11505 55th Inf.

Belyew, John Benton W7077 Belyew, Francis

Benett, F. M. Benton S7073 15th Cav.

Berney, J. H. Benton S9087 Undetermined

Berry, Isaac Galloway Benton W867 Berry, Martha

Bivens, William E. Benton W2829 Bivens, Dicy

Blakely, E. C. Benton S10321 1st Va. Engineer Corps

Blanchard, T. Benton S9942 5th Inf.

Bonds, A. L. Benton S11637 14th Inf.

Bonds, Alfred L. Benton W3480 Bonds, Susan K.

Branch, M. V. Benton S403 17th Miss. Inf.

Branch, Martin Vanburon Benton S949 17th Miss. Inf.

Brewer, W. S. Benton S9679 20th (Russell's) Cav.

Bridges, Hosia B. Benton W2137 Bridges, Emaline

Broughton, Thomas Benton S6118 5th Inf.

Brumager, J. W. Benton S15179 1st Confederate Cav.

Cagle, J. H. Benton S11304 1st Cav.

Camp, G. C. Benton S15176 5th Inf.

Carney, Norfleet Bryan Benton W10732 Carney, Rebecca Jane

Castile, J. M. Benton S4462 55th Inf.

Cherry, Robert Benton S16513 5th Tenn. Recruits

Clayton, S. S. Benton S15278 20th Inf.

Clayton, Solomon Smith Benton W10641 Clayton, Leona

Cole, James R. Benton W1653 Cole, Sarah A

Cole, Lewis Benton S2653 55th Inf.

Cole, Mark Benton W2675 Cole, Polley (Mary E.)

Collay, John Benton S372 10th Inf.

Combs, James H. Benton S9376 6th Inf.

Conley, William Benton W3705 Conley, Eliza Ann

Cooper, W. T. Benton S11327 William's Co., Cav.

Corbitt, Jacob Smith Benton W2667 Corbitt, Ruth Josephine

Cowell, Berry. Benton W248 Cowell, Martha Ellen

Cuff, David S. Benton W2138 Cuff, Malissie

Cuff, Francis Asbury Benton W1242 Cuff, Sarah

Cuff, John M. Benton S13291 55th Inf.

Cunningham, Richard Maury Benton W5602 Cunningham, Bettie J.

DeBruce, John H. Benton W3121 DeBruce, Mary Jane

Dickerson, A. E. Benton S876 27th Inf.

Dickey, D. C. Benton S7656 5th Inf.

Diggs, William Benton W1586 Diggs, Elizabeth

Douglass, Wesley Austin Benton W4238 Douglass, Harriet B.

Eaves, John J. Benton S211 33rd Inf.

Ellis, George Benton S13990 1st Hvy. Art.

Elmore, John E. Benton W6568 Elmore, Paralee

Farmer, B. F. Benton S14781 55th Inf.

Farmer, John C. Benton W8114 Farmer, Martha E.

Florence, J. Benton W5016 Florence, Cynthia J.

Florence, J. W. Benton S6477 55th Inf.

Floyd, Sterling B. Benton S7081 5th Inf.

Floyd, Sterling Brewer Benton W5277 Floyd, Sarah Ellen

Floyd, T. W. Benton S10843 20th (Nixon's) Cav.

Floyd, Thomas W. Benton W8042 Floyd, Katherine

Ford, M. C. W. Benton W9458 Ford, Della

Frazier, J. L. Benton S11271 5th Inf.

Frazzier, A. M. Benton S11704 55th Inf.

French, G. A. Sr. Benton S16537 5th Inf.

Galbreath, G. W. Benton S12084 55th Inf.

Garrett, J. W. Benton S11705 16th Va. Cav.

Gibson, J. W. Benton S12377 29th Tex. Cav.

Goodman, J. L. Benton S13353 23rd Inf.

Gossett, Abraham Miles Colwell Benton W2368 Gossett, Louisa

Gossett, D. A. Benton S10889 5th Inf.

Gossett, David Alexander Benton W7828 Gossett, Elizabeth Virginia

Grass, W. M. Benton S12077 Undetermined

Greer, G. B. Benton S5487 55th Inf.

Greer, W. W. Benton S3716 55th Inf.

Greer, William Washington Benton W4712 Greer, Mazie J.

Hall, S. H. Benton S16538 5th Inf.

Harden, Isaac Henry Benton W1998 Harden, Susan

Harley, P. H. Benton S3805 12th Ga. Cav.

Harris, William Benton S11786 49th Inf.

Hawley, A. M. Benton S11934 59th Inf.

Hawley, A. M. Benton W5065 Hawley, Nancy W.

Hawley, James A. Benton W7597 Hawley, Susan

Hawley, Jarnes A. Benton S2460 19th Inf.

Herndon, William Carroll Benton W9909 Herndon, Nancy Jane

Herrin, Thomas B. Benton S10132 20th Cav.

Hicks, A. J. Benton S349 27th Inf.

Hicks, W. R. Benton S7164 & S16192 46th Inf.

Hicks, William K. Benton S11113 7th Cav.

Holladay, S. W. Benton S11787 55th Inf.

Holland, James Madison Benton W10491 Holland, Martha Ann

Holland, N. B. Benton S1927 55th Inf.

Holland, P. Benton S10891 55th Inf.

Holland, P. Benton W3257 Holland, Roxana

Hollingsworth, G. H. Benton S9957 R. W. Ayer's Guard Co.

Holloday, Stephen Washington Benton W8043 Holloday, Cornelia A.

Holloman, E. Benton S5777 5th Inf.

Horn, W. D. Benton S14066 10th Cav.

Hudson, C. C. Benton S16179 5th Inf.

Hudson, F. G. Benton S11706 55th Inf.

Hudson, Jo G. Benton S9808 5th Inf.

Hudson, O. C. Benton S10906 5th Inf.

Hudson, P. W. Benton S9408 55th Inf.

Hudson, P. W. Benton W3267 Hudson, Susan A.

Soldier Name County Pension # Unit or Widow

Jenkins, J. H. Benton S11707 5th Inf.

Jones, Burrel Benton S15226 5th Inf.

Jones, I. Benton S9681 Nixon's Regt., Cav.

Jones, Isham Benton W8135 Jones, Julia S.

Jones, P. M. Benton W212 Jones, Mary H.

Jordan, Berry Benton S5670 5th Inf.

Jordan, William Wright Benton W596 Jordan, Rhoda

Kee, John J. Benton S11699 14th Cav.

Kee, T. J. Benton S10576 49th Inf.

Kee, Thomas J. Benton W8726 Kee, Elizabeth

Kee, W. R. Benton S16276 5th Inf.

Kee, William Riley Benton W10986 Kee, Vick T.

Latimer, James Thomas Benton W8519 Latimer, Josephine

Lowery, Tobe Benton W9862 Lowery, Mary

Madden, J. M. Benton S1267 5th Inf.

Maiden, W. F. Benton S11997 48th Va. Inf.

Markham, James M. Benton W1803 Markham, Elizabeth F.

Martin, William Benton W1880 Martin, Catherine

McNeill, James David Benton W8994 McNeill, Mary

McRae, Alexander Collins Benton W1244 McRae, Lenora Ann

McRea, Alexander C. Benton S8314 55th Inf.

Melton, A. H. Benton S9809 55th Inf.

Melton, Asa Herndson Benton W10811 Melton, Evaline

Melton, David M. Benton S6406 55th Inf.

Melton, P. M. Benton W1940 Melton, Mary

Mitchell, Allen H. Benton W3610 Mitchell, Rebecca L.

Mitchell, C. C. Benton S3893 49th Inf.

Mitchell, C. C. Benton W5319 Mitchell, Elizabeth

Moore, John G. Benton W551 Moore, Rhoda Ann

Moriasty, Thomas Benton S2754 55th Inf.

Nicholes, J. H. Benton S11397 5th Inf.

Nobles, James Benton S2255 14th Inf.

Nobles, James Benton W2009 Nobles, Mary Jane

Nunnery, James Benton W4671 Nunnery, Mary Cordelia

Nunnery, James Benton S10577 47th Inf.

Pafford, J. H. Benton S4762 5th Inf.

Pafford, James Hilliard Benton W5294 Pafford, Frances

Pafford, R. C. Benton S280 55th Inf.

Parker, M. S. Benton S4926 5th Inf.

Parker, Moses Simon Benton W2821 Parker, Polley Ann

Patrick, J. M. Benton S1688 55th Inf.

Pierce, Edward A. Benton W3553 Pierce, Millie F.

Pierce, Iry R. Benton W1371 Pierce, Flora

Potts, W. L. Benton S6594 7th Cav.

Reddick, J. H. Benton S7085 5th Inf.

Redick, James H. Benton W9375 Redick, Louise M.

Robins, William H. Benton S16560 21st (Wilson's) Cav.

Roswell, Thomas Lewis Benton W6975 Roswell, Eliza Ann

Rutherford, Robert M. Benton W3689 Rutherford, Phemy

Saunders, J. W. Benton S16339 & S16223 20th Cav.

Scott, W. W. Benton S11374 48th Va. Inf.

Serrett, Alvin Benton W1891 Serrett, Mary

Smith, Frank Benton S11712 52nd Inf.

Smith, P. W. Benton S3167 27th Inf.

Spence, Gaston Devro Benton W8841 Spence, Eliza Ann

Spence, J. T. Benton S12140 19th (Biffle's) Cav.

Spence, John Gaston. Benton W7278 Spence, Carlin

Spence, William Henry Benton S15806 5th Inf.

Stuts, William A. Jr. Benton S13848 20th (Nixon's) Cav.

Summers, E. J. Benton S3845 49th Inf.

Surratt, Jacob Alva Benton S1501 5th Inf.

Swindle, A. E. Benton S13366 49th Inf.

Swindle, J. E. Benton S3903 49th Inf.

Swindle, James Eli Benton W2643 Swindle, Elizabeth Susan

Swindle, William A. Benton S12353 55th Inf.

Tayloe, Thomas Himan Benton W5608 Tayloe, Sally Love

Taylor, T. H. Benton S13311 7th Cav.

Thomas, John Bauden Benton W2233 Thomas, Bettie

Thomas, W. W. Benton S350 27th Inf.

Thomas, William Washington Benton W237 Thomas, Florendie Parilee

Thomason, James. Benton W8619 Thomason, Catherine

Thornton, George M. Benton S3927 5th Inf.

Thornton, George M. Benton W4480 Thornton, Elizabeth Lina.

Thornton, George Washington Benton W1482 Thornton, Arite

Totty, B. A. Benton S9971 5th Inf.

Totty, B. A. Benton W5875 Totty, Mary Jebane

Utley, M. V. Benton S1977 16th Ark. Inf.

Utley, Martin Van Buren Benton W2256 Utley, Sarah P.

VanHuss, Dan H. Benton W2461 Vanhuss, Nancy E.

Walker, Alexander Newton Benton W7898 Walker, Bettie

Warmack, T. J. Benton W3933 Warmack, Sarah

Warmack, William Benton S9682 5th Inf.

Watson, Allen Washington Benton W8834 Watson, Lucy Caroline

Watson, J. H. Benton S5334 1st Mo. Inf.

Watts, Anderson Benton S3705 7th S.C. Inf.

West, J. F. Benton S2757 3rd Ky. Inf.

Wheatley, H. L. Benton S2000 55th (Brown's) Inf.

Wheatley, J. C. Benton S2251 55th Inf.

Wheatley, James Con Benton W7700 Wheatley, Martha

White, H. L. Benton S429 & S1622 5th Inf.

White, J. C. Benton S9596 52nd Inf.

Whitfield, F. C. Benton W2526 Whitfield, Margaret A.

Wilson, O. T. Benton S10893 5th Inf.

Wyly, J. Harris Benton S14647 3rd Mtd. Inf.


Tennessee State Library and Archives

403 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37243

615-741-2764

reference.tsla@tn.gov

John Houston Bell, Ancestors & Decendants

In keeping with the original intent of this blog I submit the following. It was written by Debra Daniel and appears on page 160 of the “Benton County Genealogical Society Quarterly”, Vol. 19, No. 4, October, November, December, 2007.

Note: To date, I have not found any connection between these Bells and my ancestors, but I'm still looking.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
John Houston Bell was the son of John W. and Georgianna Pegram Bell. He was born and raised in Perry Co., TN, where he met and married Malinda (Millie) Sanders. Millie’s birth is 25 January, 1855. Her parents were, Berryman and Naomi Williams Sanders.

John and Millie’s family consisted of seven children: (1) Lula was born 2 November 1880 and died 10 September 1895, from burns after falling into a fireplace. (2) Alma was born 2 February 1885 and died 14 August 1886. (3) William Ben was born 1882 and died in 1910. He married Molly O’Quinn and had one child. (4) James Oscar was born 25 May 1883 and died 31 October 1963. He married Ida Cantrell and they had 9 children: Lottie Bell Spence, Selma Bell Morris, John, Roy, Byrd, Hairty, Ben D., Laverne Bell Cagle and Beatrice Bell (1931-1935). (5) Ida Estell was born 5 June 1888, died 17 September 1965, married Claudie Deaton and had 5 children: Jessie Mae, Linnie, Bonnie, Perrin and G. Claudie. (6) Lucy was born 29 May 1890, died 6 April 1976, married Lester Hudson and had one child, Elliot “Hud” Hudson. (7) Grover J was born 6 November 1893, died 13 December 1953, married Ida Hartley and had 11 children: Louis, Lynn, Mildred, Cecile, Ralph, Joyce, Kenneth, Franklin, Julian, Jimmie and Nellie Ann. Burial for John Houston Bell, Lula Bell and Alma Bell is in the Hartley Cemetery, at Hog Creek, in Perry County, Tennessee.

After John H. Bell passed away, Millie moved the family to Camden, Tennessee, to a house on Main Street, where today Nunnery’s Burger and Shake is located and across the street from the Camden City Cemetery. Ida moved her family back in with Millie when her husband was murdered in Arkansas. Ida would walk through the cemetery to get to the train station, to go see family in Carroll County. Someone once asked her if she was afraid of “them dead people” and she replied she was more afraid of the live ones.

When Millie passed away, it was a cold and bitter winter and they could not get her body to Hog Creek, so she is buried at Post Oak Cemetery, outside Camden, Tennessee. The weather dominated many decisions in those days. Millie only got to see her family from Perry County, about twice a year and only when the river was down enough to cross in a low spot in summer or frozen enough to get a team of horses over in winter.

John H. Bell’s father, John W. Bell, served in the Civil War, was wounded and died at the age of 38 years. Georgianna Pegram Bell later married A Sutton and had a son, Frank Sutton. John H. also had a sister, Sally Bell Marchbanks.

John W. Bell’s parents were John Bell, born 1801, died before 1880; his mother was Esther McDaniels, born 1805, died between 1854-1860.

John Bell’s parents were, Thomas Bell born in 1760, mother Martha Pegram, born 1760, died 1847. They were married in 1782. They are buried in the Thomas Bell Cemetery, in Cheatham County, Tennessee. Martha’s father was Daniel Pegram

Misc. Bell Information

Bells Married in Humphreys County, Tennessee

1890 - 1900

Bell, A. C. Fields, Louisa Sep 9, 1891

Bell, Artelie Townsend, James W. July 3, 1890

Bell, Barbara Crowell, J. S. Oct 9, 1890

Bell, C. S. Haney, N. E. Sep 18, 1890

Bell, D. D. Inman, Lula July 31, 1900

Bell, Della Inman, W. H. Apr 2, 1900

Bell, Eliza J. Sweat, J. H. Dec 11, 1892

Bell, J. B. Teas, Louise B. Feb 27, 1895

Bell, J. D. Leegan, Susie Dec 16, 1900

Bell, J. W. Sims, Lula Mar 25, 1891

Bell, J. W. McWilliams, Viola P. Nov 17, 1897

Bell, Lula Wafford, W. D. Jun 24, 1900

Bell, Minnie Talley, B. D. Mar 25, 1896

Bell, W. A. Lescheur, Lena Dec 25, 1892 ==============================================  
George Washington Bell married Hannah Brown. Their children included: Joseph and Ben born 1846, Franklin, 1852-1928; Luella, 1855-1934; Willie and Elder. He was a farmer.

George Washington Lockhart married Luella Bell on Dec. 2, 1874, in Houston County, TN. Their children included: J. Madison 1875-1949; Ada 1878-1884; Beulah 1884-1972; Hixie Eugenia 1891-1978; Leonard, Hershell and John. He was a farmer and a carpenter.

Hix married a Freeman. George and Luella lived in Houston County their entire lives.

William Henry Bobo married Beulah Lockhart. William was the son of William S, Bobo and Sallie Robinson of Port Gibson, MS. William H. had one sister, Mrs. Ora Mays and a brother Leon, 1873-1878. William was employed with Mitchell H. Dunagan, as yardmaster/switchman with M&O Railroad. In 1938, he retired from L&N Railroad. Beulah and William had two children born in Houston County, Juanita Ora, 1908-1978, and Joseph Leon, 1916-1978. Known as Beautiful Beulah, she was outspoken and outgoing. Beulah had a garden and was well known for her preserves and baked goods. Joseph Leon Bobo married and had one daughter, Bridgett. Joe was well known for his baseball days. Joe served in WWII in the Navy.

Juanita Ora Bobo married Hugh Craney. Juanita attended Erin High School where she was sports reporter for the newspaper. Juanita and Hugh had one daughter, Betty Jo, born 1928. Juanita remarried Clyde Dinwiddie and settled in Detroit, MI. Children born: Rebecca Jane, 1938-1940 and Daniel Eric, born 1943. =========================================================================== Bells in 1850 Humphreys County Census, taken 8 Oct. 1850

Family # 511

Elijah Bell - 56 - M - Farmer - South Carolina

Synthia “ - 50 - F - South Carolina

William “ - 34 - M - Farmer - Alabama

Susannah “ - 29 - F - Alabama

Elijah, Jr. “ - 26 - M - Farmer - Alabama

Mary “ - 26 - F - Tennessee

Nancy “ - 20 - F - Tennessee

Betsey “ - 18 - F - Tennessee

Malinda “ - 15 - F - Tennessee

Synthia “ - 13 - F - Tennessee

America “ - 11 - F - “

Eliza “ - 09 - F - “

Julia “ - 07 - F - “

Pollyanna “ - 06 - F - “

Mary “ - 89 - F - South Carolina

================================================================

Family # 512

Hezikiah Bell - 28 - M - Farmer - Alabama

Phoeby “ - 23 - F - Tennessee

John Deviny - 27 - M - Laborer - Tennessee

================================================================

Family # 516

J. M. Bell - 49 - M - Millwright - South Carolina

Sarah “ - 49 - F - South Carolina

Elvina “ - 22 - F - Tennessee

Valentino “ - 20 - M - Tennessee

Sarah ‘ - 18 - F - Tennessee

Nancy “ - 15 - F - TN

John “ - 13 - M TN

Malinda “ - 11 - F - TN

George “ - 07 - M TN

Louisa “ - 04 - F TN

================================================================

Family # 517

Wm. V. Bell - 26 - M - Farmer - Alabama

Sarah “ - 19 - F - Tennessee

Andrew “ - 3/12 - M - TN

James Jefferson Bell

Thanks to Joan Palmer for sharing this information with me; however, while it plainly states James Jefferson Bell was the grandson of George Bell, I have been unable to make the connection.  Dates just seem to not add up!  Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Birth: Mar. 6, 1833

Benton County
Tennessee, USA Death: Oct. 4, 1926
Newtonia
Newton County
Missouri, USA

James Jefferson Bell, the third of James and Caroline Bell's children, was born near Camden in Humphreys County, Tennessee, on Wednesday, March 6, 1833. He was the brother of my gg-grandmother, Jane Ellen (Bell) Vance.

The Neosho Times - May 7, 1925: "We want to name another one of our aged citizens, as one was mentioned last week, J.J. Bell, who is in his 94th year, and is as sprightly as most men of 40 years. He has been a successful farmer and stock man and a good financier. He is known over the county as a charitable man who lets not the left hand know what the right hand does. He runs his farm of 200 acres, oversees it, and can be seen any day driving his team, or in town driving his car. He has never been known to miss Sunday school and church for 50 years, unless on account of sickness. He has been an official in the Baptist church for many years, and was a charter member of the church here. He has been a power behind the throne."
The above is a fitting tribute to a man who was held in high esteem by his community. Normally an article of this nature would appear upon ones death, but it would be another year before his passing. Actually, at the time of the above article, he was in his 92nd year. James was the most prominently known of all of James and Caroline's children and was one of the most respected citizens in Newtonia, Missouri, where he lived from 1867 until his death in 1926. News articles published in Newtonia by The Newton County News from 1890 to 1907, and other articles in various Newton County newspapers, over the years, have yielded a rich source of information about him, his family, and the community in which they lived.

James Jefferson Bell was born near Camden, Benton County, Tenn., March 6, 1833. He is a son of James W. and Caroline (Harrison) Bell, and grandson of George Bell. Mrs. Caroline Bell was the daughter of Henry Harrison, a farmer and stock dealer of Sumner County, Tenn. In 1843 James W. Bell removed with his family to Cooper County, Mo. and followed agricultural pursuits for three years. He then moved to Washington County, Ark., and at the end of eighteen years returned to Cooper County, Mo., where he passed the remainder of his active life. He died in 1884, at the age of eighty-one years. His widow now lives with her daughter in Cooper County, Mo.

James married Miss Syrena (Neal) Hart. Their children were: William, Martha, Joseph, Jacob Franklin, and Mary.

James opened another chapter in his life four years after Syrena's death. On Wednesday evening, March 7, one day after his sixty-seventh birthday, he married an attractive young lady, Mona Laska Pearson, who was only 27 years old.
James and Mona had three children: Eva Ester, Sherman McKinnley, and Russell Warren. They had a marriage, which lasted 26 years. He died at home on October 4, 1926 at 12:01 a.m. He had lived 93 years, 6 months, and 27 days. Dr. H.L. Wilbur, his physician, determined that his death was caused by chronic nephritis.

An obituary by Rev. J.M. Campbell was published in Neosho's Miner & Mechanic on October 15, 1926: "The Passing of J.J. Bell - James J. Bell, for many years a leading citizen of Newton county, died at his home in Newtonia, Sunday, October 3rd, at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 27 days. The funeral services were held at the Newtonia Baptist church on Tuesday, October 5th, conducted by Rev. Luther Carlin, pastor of the First Baptist church of Peirce City, Rev. L.H. Maples, pastor of the First Baptist church of Neosho, and Rev. J.M. Campbell of the Granby Baptist church. A large congregation was present to pay their last respects to one whom they loved. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F Cemetery at Newtonia.
James Jefferson Bell was born in Benton county, Tenn., March 6, 1833. He came to Missouri at an early day and endured many hardships as a leader in developing the country a short distance north of Newtonia, where he settled on arriving from his native state. He professed faith in Christ in the year 1874, and immediately afterwards identified himself with the Baptist church of Newtonia, and a little later was ordained a deacon by the church, and as which he gave more than fifty years of his life to the teaching, training and progress of his church and people.
It was the writer's pleasure to serve as pastor of the church at Newtonia for two years, closing the work there only a short time ago. We always found him in his place in the church, except when sickness or unavoidable circumstances hindered. His home was the home of the preacher; he was conscious of the sacrifices of the ministers. Many ministers have been strengthened, encouraged and overjoyed because of the hospitality in his home. He was much interested in the progress of his community in every way that meant development and progress for his people. He leaves to mourn his departure a devoted companion, six children and many other relatives and friends who deeply mourn his going. Mr. Bell was much loved by the people of his community and all who knew him. J.M. Campbell"
Most of the above information came from a lengthy chapter about James in my book titled "The Family of James and Caroline Bell."

Family links:
Parents:
James H. Bell (1801 - 1884)
Caroline Jane Harrison Bell (1812 - 1888)

Spouses:
Syrena Neal Bell (1827 - 1896)
Mona Laska Pearson Clark (1873 - 1932)*

Children:
William Harrison Bell (1854 - 1919)*
Martha Caroline Bell Wilson (1858 - 1950)*
Joseph W. Bell (1865 - 1873)*
Jacob Franklin Bell (1867 - 1941)*
Mary Margaret Bell Green (1870 - 1951)*
Eva Esther Bell Morris (1901 - 1968)*
Sherman McKinley Bell (1903 - 1980)*
Russell Warren Bell (1906 - 1977)*


* [This relationship was not directly added to this memorial. Rather, it is calculated based on information added to the related person's memorial. For example: if Joe Public is linked to Jane Public as a spouse, a reciprocal link will automatically be added to Jane Public's memorial.] Calculated relationship
Burial:
Odd Fellows Cemetery
Newtonia
Newton County
Missouri, USA
Maintained by: Virginia Brown
Originally Created by: a car
Record added: Jan 03, 2009
Find A Grave Memorial# 32598692

Gilbert Leigh (abt 1735 - 27 Nov 1791)

Gilbert Leigh was my 5th Great Grandfather, his granddaughter Levina married Augustus D. Frazier whose granddaughter was my Great Grandmother Emma Bailey Frazier Rushing.  Confused?  Sorry, but I found this article to be facinating and thought I would share.

Leigh, Gilbert (d. 1792 or 1793)

Birthplace: Perquimans County, North Carolina, USA
Residences: Edenton, North Carolina
Trades: Carpenter/Joiner
NC Work Locations: Windsor, Bertie County
Bertie
Edenton, Chowan County
Chowan
Building Types: Public;
Residential
Styles & Forms: Georgian

Biography

Gilbert Leigh (d. 1792 or 1793), house carpenter and joiner, was one of the leading local artisans in a period of high quality building in Edenton and environs. He is one of the few North Carolina house carpenters of his generation for whom specific buildings have been documented or attributed.

A native of Perquimans County, Leigh moved to Edenton by 1756. He bought two town lots (120 and 126 West Queen Street) in that year, and by 1759 he had built a small, neatly finished house on each lot--the Leigh-Hathaway House and the Leigh-Bush House. Like his fellow Edenton craftsman John Green, Leigh took on several minor public construction projects: work on a public warehouse in 1757; renovation of the Council Chamber (apparently a separate building from the courthouse) in 1758; and various repairs to the county jail and the old Chowan County Courthouse, which was in bad condition by the 1760s.

Local tradition has linked Leigh's name (see Frances Benjamin Johnston and Thomas Tileston Waterman, The Early Architecture of North Carolina [1941]) with construction of the Georgian-style Chowan County Courthouse in the late 1760s, but there is no documentation of his role--or anyone else's. An advertisement in the Virginia Gazette of June 4, 1767, sought bids for building "a brick Court-House 68 ft. by 45," for which the trustees already had a plan in hand. Despite record searches by Marc Brodsky and Elizabeth Vann Moore, no documentation of the builders of the courthouse has been found; attribution of its design to John Hawks, architect of Tryon Palace, is based only on stylistic and circumstantial evidence.

Gilbert Leigh was paid for some tasks related to the courthouse, which were likely outside the scope of the main contract. In June 1768 the court ordered that "benches be made by Mr. Gilbert Leigh near the Court House Table for the Conveniency of the Attorneys and Grand and Petit Jurors," to be paid for by the county sheriff. In 1770 carpenters Leigh and John Green submitted a bill for the substantial sum of £15 5 shillings 1 pence for work on the clerk's office; it included £8 for a bookpress (bookcase) for the clerk's office, £3 for another corner bookpress, and smaller sums for planks and hardware. Leigh also did additional work on cupboards, bookcases, etc., in 1770 and 1771. It is a matter of speculation as to whether these items point to his involvement in the principal construction.

Leigh's best documented project is a plantation house built in 1786 for Stevens Gray, a member of a long established planter family. The small frame house is part of the enlarged residence now called Rosefield which stands near Windsor, a few miles west of Edenton. Family papers provide unusually full information for construction of a dwelling of its time and place. On May 1, 1786, Gray and Leigh signed an agreement for

a house 28 by 18 the Bording to be plan'd, With 6 Windows [of] 8 Lights, 8 Do [ditto] 15 Do, 5 Doors, the floors to be Toung & Grove, the windows & Doors frames with out to be Single Archives [architraves] & with in the Lower Room to be Double with Scirten [skirting?] & Cheer Boards Round the Rooms, a Box Cornice outside, 1 pair Stares, the above articles to be done in a good work man like manner what belongs to a Carpenter & Joiner. The above sd House Mr. Gilbert Leigh is to build for Stevens Gray and the sd Gray is to pay him one hundred & fifteen pounds and if the said money should grow worse to make it as good as Dollars at 10/ & five Gallons West Indian Rum. (Gray Family Papers, Southern Historical Collection)

The description indicates that the house was of frame, neatly but not elaborately finished, and 1 1/2 or 2 stories tall (requiring a "pair" of stairs, meaning one staircase), possibly with a side-passage plan akin to Leigh's Edenton house. Five doors may imply a front door, a back door, two doors from the passage into adjoining rooms, and a door between two upstairs rooms. Tongue and groove floors made the rooms tight. The interior walls were to be nicely finished with skirting and chair boards (baseboards and chair rails today). Molded architraves surrounded the doors and windows, with the status of the main room distinguished by a double molding. The 8-light sash (4 panes over 4) probably lighted the upstairs rooms, and the larger ones, probably containing 9 panes over 6, lit the main story. The reference to the money growing worse reflects the fact that at this time, the value of currency in North Carolina was unstable and inflated. Leigh also signed a receipt dated April 28, 1786, acknowledging that Gray had paid him "the sum of Eighteen pounds in part pay for a House that I am to build for him." Typical of the era, Leigh's contract was for his workmanship only: Gray acquired most if not all of the building materials separately, paying other men for a bill of timber that included framing components, plank, and lath and for oyster shells (for mortar or plaster or both). Gray would also have employed other artisans to do any plastering and brickwork.

In the 1780s Gilbert Leigh returned to his native Perquimans County, where he wrote his will in 1791 and died in late in 1792 or early in 1793. (The payment for his funeral expenses was dated January 2, 1793.) The first item in his estate inventory of January 20, 1793, was "2 Chests of Carpenter Tools"; in addition to his tools, household furnishings, and domestic and agricultural equipment, Leigh owned "12 Books 1 Architecters Book." He left his land and slaves to his wife, Elizabeth, for her widowhood and then to be divided among his sons, Francis, Richard, Thomas, James, and Benjamin. James Leigh, also a builder, became a prominent and wealthy planter who is credited with constructing his own imposing, brick plantation house, known as Land's End, in Perquimans County, probably in the 1830s.



Authors: Catherine W. Bishir and J. Marshall Bullock. Contributor: Elizabeth Vann Moore.

Published 2011

I apologize

I apologize for the jumbled mess I presented in my last post.  Truthfully, I rushed to get a follow-up on the Farrars and didn't devote the time to organize.  Also, I apologize for what may appear to be neglect, as it has been a while since I last posted.  I must confess, at present I am basically running around like a chicken with his head cut off.  Have you ever heard that description?  Perhaps it is a Southern thing, but it means I have been busy, burning the candle at both ends, not enough hours in a day, etc.

I will follow this post with what will hopefully be more informative regarding the Farrars and my connection to this family.

Tim