Perhaps it is understandable that genealogy . . . family research and history . . . and just having any interest in our heritage is considered boring.  The culprit for this . . . in my humble opinion . . . is history classes in school.  Think of this . . . how often are students expected to "memorize" dates?  This . . . at least for me . . . was . . . well . . . boring.  Why should I remember when this occurred or that battle was fought . . . or . . . okay . . . it is said . . . in our history books that Columbus "discovered" America in 1492 . . . right?  There is so much research that strongly suggests . . . Columbus did NOT discover America and do we really have proof/evidence that it was 1492 when his ships landed somewhere on America's side of the Atlantic?

Yes . . . as I get older and observe how history is being written . . . for events in my lifetime . . . it jades my opinion on the accuracy of the history that was written long ago.  But . . . isn't history more about events than dates?  While the duration of World War II is definitely significant and important . . . isn't it more important to know and understand about the war?  The bombing of Pearl Harbor was extremely significant . . . but was the fact that it occurred 7 December 1941 just as significant?  For me the answer is simple . . . no, the date doesn't compare to the actual event.  That is not to say the date is insignificant . . . just that it is not as . . . let me change words . . . important as what happened.

Confused??  Yeah . . . I got a wee bit "out there" and over-explained waaay too much!  Sorry, but allow me to reel myself in and get back to my point.  I suspect . . . being forced to "memorize" dates in time . . . dates from our history . . . causes many to become disinterested in history itself.  The truth is . . . not once today . . . this past week, month or year . . . was it necessary for me to know what occurred on 7 December 1941; however, the war that followed and the United States and our allies winning WWII is paramount in most U.S. citizens lives each and every day.

Researching our ancestry . . . learning about our past . . . knowing where we came from and the hardships our ancestors experienced is both interesting as well as amazing and extremely important.  Why?  If for no other reason . . . whether it is our heritage, our history or the history of our country . . . learning from past mistakes helps each of us to be better at whatever it is we do.  If nothing more . . . it saves time!

I fear so many of us . . . forget or ignore or simply have no interest in the lives our ancestors lived.  We do not appreciate the sacrifices and struggles of generations past.  Some years ago . . . it was late in the evening and I was driving east on Interstate 40 . . . crossing the Cumberland Plateau.  Suddenly it occurred to me how my ancestors had crossed the same area 200 years earlier, except they were headed west.  I began to compare my trip to their journey.  It was early Fall and the weather was relatively warm, I had the a/c on.  I was sitting in an extremely comfortable padded seat, driving on a smooth, paved highway, in a vehicle that had rubber tires, shock absorbers and springs . . . and traveling at speeds in excess of 85 - 90 mph.  My ancestors rode in a wagon or perhaps some walked, no temperature controlled, comfortable vehicle, no smooth, paved road . . . most likely not even a road and did they have a fear for their lives from attacks by other human beings or animals?  Yes, my drive was easy . . . but their struggles, their hardships . . . were made for what they hoped would be a better life.

Yes . . . I find genealogy . . . tracing my ancestry . . . climbing my family tree extremely interesting . . . not because of dates . . . but because of the stories  . . . the exercise in using my imagination and the amazement of the things they encountered and survived. 

Some of our research will cross from genre to genre if movies were made about how we became who we are.  So . . . there is something of interest for everyone!  Give genealogy a shot . . . learn about who you are . . . where you originated . . . and who knows . . . you may have a famous ancestor.

May I ask one favor?  If any of this made sense . . . or was of any interest . . . would you please leave a comment or just check one of the three boxes.  Thanks!

Information about my 3rd great, grand uncle . . . Benjamin Bell.

Stewart County Court Minutes

TSLA Archives, Stewart Co. Roll 38, Minutes Part 8, Aug. 1821 - May 1824

Monday, 4 February 1822 Court:

Page 60 -   - Court appoints Benjamin Bell overseer in place of George Bell

Stewart County Settlements and Bonds, Volume B (Nov. 1824-Feb. 1829)

page - 209          Nancy Bell, Zachariah Wyatt, James Wyatt, administrator’s bond for Benjamin Bell; 5 Nov 1827

page - 236          sale of the estate of Benjamin Bell on 15 Nov 1827 by administratrix Nancy Bell; buyers include Nancy Bell, Charles Summers, Willie Pitt, Henry Wyatt, Zachariah Wyatt, Asa Prier, James Daniel, John Bell, John Thomason, Pinson Wyatt, Daniel McLoud, James Wyatt, Elisha Jackson, John Wyatt, Thomas Harris

page - 249          court orders year’s provisions to be laid off for the widow of Benjamin Bell; Feb. term 1828

Please excuse my absence from this blog.  Life is not always a pre-determined . . . planned event and there can be obstacles in our path . . . that require detours.  Hopefully, I will be able to keep this blog going . . . if there is still anyone interested in visiting and reading the things I write.

Tracing our ancestry is not an easy task.  Sure, many of our beginnings are as smooth as a piece of glass . . . but I can promise there will come a time when you hit a snag.  Sometimes that "snag" can be a towering block wall . . . an obstacle you may ultimately believe you will never overcome.  Don't give up!  Keep in mind why you were curious and began this journey.  After all, most of our ancestors crossed an ocean to get to this land . . . now known as the United States of America and then traveled across the land . . . meeting obstacle after obstacle . . . but they never gave up . . . they did not quit . . . they did not say . . . this is too hard.

My effort to learn about my ancestors began in the late 1970s and the Bells was my main objective.  Truthfully, I was curious to know if I was related to Alexander Graham Bell.  I knew my Grandfather and knew the name of his father . . . so I suppose I had a head start on the information many begin their journey.

Of course there was no internet then, so accessing records meant visiting libraries, courthouses and for some . . . having conversations with older relatives.  I wasn't that lucky . . . but it didn't take long for me to discover who my great, great grandparents were . . . well at least their names.  I was fortunate . . . others before me had written about and documented parts of the county history. 

Oops . . . over time I learned there were published books, by a seemingly well respected and perhaps self-proclaimed historian that were not accurate; however, this person's contribution to the preservation of the county's history was believed by many to be the gospel . . . totally and completely accurate.  This is how I learned to research and prove the information from others.  Also, those family stories that are passed down from generation to generation . . . can be embellished and may contain information that sidesteps reality.  Always write those wonderful tales down . . . but keep in mind . . . they may be just that . . . a tale.

Moving along . . . I learned who my 3rd great grandfather was but he had died in 1843 and did not have a will.  This presented numerous complications and barriers.  Had my 2nd great grandfather not been a co-administrator of his estate, I am not sure I would have ever made the connection.  You see, the 1850 U.S. census was the first to give names of those living in a household.  But . . . this was my snag, my block wall and for the next 40 years . . . my 3rd great grandfather was as far back as I could go in my Bell line.

I had no idea where the family originated and without that link . . . well at times it seemed hopeless.  Then . . . I stumbled onto something that opened the door and allowed me to tear down my block wall.  Actually . . . an ex-sister-in-law discovered information that led me to find documentation that proved who my 4th great grandfather was.

I will stop for now . . . but will continue at a later time.  Remember . . . NEVER give up and if you have ancestors who you believe were living in the western part of Tennessee in the early 1800s or late 1700s . . . check Stewart County, Tennessee.

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