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GENEALOGY COLLECTION

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018

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FOUNDERS of the BELL FAMILY

A RECORD OF

PIONEER SETTLERS

IN

MIFFLIN COUNTY

PENNSYLVANIA

By RAYMOND M. BELL

19 2 9

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NUMBER of years ago the writer became inter- ^yff ested in the history of the Bell family. In 1924 the Bell record was first published. Since then it has developed until now it contains 250 pages and lists 1300 descendants of George Bell, Sr. A book of this size is bulky and all parts of it are not of equal interest to the individual. Therefore, it is the purpose of the writer to give in this booklet the most interesting sections in the hope that further interest will be aroused. George Bell, the ancestor of the family in America, lived near Lewis- town, Pa., in what is now Decatur Township, Mifflin County. Throughout all branches of the family runs the tradition that he was Scotch-Irish. We present here only those facts which are fairly well established; omitting that about which there is at present some question. For example, we have the tradition about the Bells that “so near to Scotland was their home in Ireland that with the naked eye on a clear day white clothes could be seen hanging out on the Scotch shore”. 'We cannot how¬ ever determine just where in Ireland this was. There are several places where George Bell’s father, probably James, might have lived. We are greatly indebted to Miss Mary Dorman for the early traditions of the Bell family. Miss Dorman’s grand¬ father, George Dorman, was a soldier in the Revolution. He came to America from London, where his parents Robert and Jane Dorman lived. George Dorman married Mary Glass, daughter of James and Jane (Gallagher) Glass. James Glass had emigrated from Donegal, Ireland to Ar¬ magh Township a few years before the Revolution. Miss Dorman’s maternal grandfather, John McClenahen. mar¬ ried Margaret Bell, a daughter of George Bell, Sr. Miss Dorman is one of the few living great-grandchildren of the pioneer, George Bell. We present first the historical data and then the gen¬ ealogical data for the first three generations. We present a sketch of John Henderson Bell, whose descendants num¬ ber nearly 400. Any corrections, additions, or comments on any of the material will be welcomed by the writer.

Carlisle, Pa., Jan. 1, 1929 RAYMOND H. BELL t

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•; * I >i : The Scotch-Irish

The term Scotch-Irish is applied to the descendants in America of the early Scotch Presbyterian emigrants from Ireland. These Scotch people for 100 years or more after 1600 settled with their wives and families in Ulster, north¬ ern Ireland, whence their descendants for 100 years after 1700, having long suffered under the burdens of civil and religious oppression, sought a more promising home in America (Hanna). They were Irish only geographically because racially the Scotch in Ireland have remained Scotch. The country folks of Antrim and Down still say “We’re no Eerish bot Scotch”. The Scotch settlers in north Ireland were from the Lowlands. The Lowlanders were hereditary foes of the English and engaged in many border wars. They are today as a rule, of fair height, long-legged, strongly built, with no tendency of becoming stout; eyes bright, features regular, and cheeks prominent. Of all the men of Great Britain, those of southwestern Scotland are noted for their tall stature. As one writer (Bolton) puts it, “The lowland Scotch left heather clad mountains and grazing flocks to cross the narrow waters of the North Channel into Antrim and Down. They abandoned pastoral land for flax fields and bleach green.” It was in the seventeenth century that the best of the middle class of the Lowland Presbyterians went to Antrim and Down. The Scotch settlers in Ireland sowed flax and started the linen trade. Belfast became the center of this industry. They had sought better conditions, but in Ireland there was likewise unrest, both religious and civil, so they turned to America. * i

The Name Bell The first record of Bells is in Dumfriesshire (a county in southern Scotland) where they were established before 1300. They were reputed to be of Anglo-Norman origin. In 1547 among the clans of the west border who submitted to the English at Annerdale (Annandale) were Bells of Tostints and Bells of Tindills. In 1597 the Bells were listed as one of the “certain broken clans” of Dumfriesshire. In that year at Anandaill (Annandale) we find the following Bells listed: “Will Bell of Alby, John Bell of the Tourne, Mathie Bell called the King, Andro Bell called Lokkis Andro, Will Bell Reidcloke”. These were “chief men of name not being lairds”. The Bells are listed among the “borderers who gallantly bore the sword in defence of their fatherland”. Annandale is

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ro 93n? 5b n bio/; 2 ^riJ the name of a valley or dale extending north from the town of Annan, Scotland. After 1600 we find many Bells mentioned in Scotch history. Vermont’s Heraldica gives the motto of the Bells as “Nec quaerere honorem nec spernere”. (Neither seek nor disdain honors.) The coat of arms is a shield of three gold bells on a blue background and gray fleurs-de-lis on silver. The upper portion of the shield has two bells, the middle portion the fleurs-de-lis. and the lower one bell. The crest is a falcon with wings expanded, ermine. Today the name Bell is common in Scotland and Ireland, especially in Counties Antrim and Down.

Traditions From the “Old Country”

When King George III came to the throne in 1760 our ancestor lived in north Ireland, near Belfast, probably in County Antrim or County Down. The Bells were origin¬ ally Scotch, but had gone to Ireland a number of years be¬ fore. George Bell’s father was a linen manufacturer. He had several children. He was a staunch Presbyterian. Peat was used for fuel; candles for lighting. There was not much farming. Trouble arose in Antrim and Down about 1760 when the bishops and landlords tried to stamp out Presbyterian¬ ism. Houses were burned and people killed. The oppres¬ sion was so great that George Bell like many others decided to go to America. A few years before he had married Mary Bell (no relation) and they probably had two or three children when they went to America. They sailed from Glasgow and after a long voyage landed at Philadelphia.

The Date of Settlement

Before 1767 we must depend entirely on tradition about George Bell. In that year he was assessed in Fermanagh Township, Cumberland County, Pa., for 100 acres (5 cleared), 3 horses, 2 cows; so that we may conclude that he had been living there for some time. The first assess¬ ments that were returned for any part of AJifflin County were those of Fermanagh Township in 1763. In 1764. 1765 and 1766 no assessments were returned due to unsettled conditions. As George Bell's name does not appear in 1763 wre can definitely state that he settled in what is now Mifflin County between 1763 and 1767, probably 1765. Fermanagh Township included what is now Juniata and Mifflin Coun¬ ties. In 1768 Derry Township was formed and included all of what is now Mifflin County. In that year George Bell 4 tie-

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• « was assessed in Derry Township for 100 acres (5 cleared), 2 horses and 2 cows. The first settlement in Mifflin County was about 1752, but few settlements were permanent until 1765. The Indian Wars of 1755 and 1763 forced the settlers to flee to the older settlements for protection. The rush started after Colonel Henry Bouquet’s defeat of the Indians in November 1764 had given the settlers new courage. We find a statement dated May 1, 1765 which says that there were “many settl¬ ing” in the Juniata Valley. The rapidity with which the settlers poured in is shown by a study of the formation of the townships. In 1768 it was necessary to form Derry Township and two years later Armagh (which included all of Mifflin County north of Jacks Mountain). The first carriage road in Mifflin County was laid out in 1768 at the petition of many, including the Jacks Creek settlers. It ran from Sherman’s Valley to Kishacoquillas Valley. Before that time, paths were used on which it was difficult to travel. The locality in which we are interested is Jacks Creek Valley. George Bell was probably the first settler at the upper end of this valley. He settled on a branch of it, which was later named Bell’s Run. This region was noted for its excellent hunting and that, no doubt, played a large part in its selection. At the time George Bell located there practically all of Mifflin County was in timber except for a few scattered clearings such as Buchanan’s (Lewistown) and Brown’s (Reedsville). The adventurous Scotch-Irish pushed up into the Juniata Valley, following the streams through the mountains. In the summer of 1766 Rev. Charles Beattv, a Presbv- terian missionary, made a trip through this region. He kept a journal of the entire trip. He said, “It was truly affecting to see almost every place on the frontiers marks of the ravages of the cruel and barbarous enemy. Houses and fences burned, household furniture destroyed, the cattle killed, and horses either killed or carried off, and to hear the people relate the horrid scenes that were acted”. Aug¬ ust 25 he went through the Lewistown narrows, “where a rocky mountain bounds so close upon the river as to leave only a small path along the bank^for the most part”. The path was uneven and obstructed by trees blown down in a recent windstorm. He stopped at Thomas Holt’s where he was refreshed. Going on, he found a “pretty good” road. The land was level and very rich, fine for hemp and Indian corn. He saw lots of fine black walnut timber. His ac¬ count is very valuable, because it is the only description of the region at this time.

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. i • ,1 'i.H) In 1768 George Bell and Thomas Holt (mentioned above) were appointed Road Supervisors for Derry Town¬ ship. In 1769 George Bell was an Overseer of the Poor. These facts indicate his position in the community. He was assessed in Derry Township in 1769 for 100 acres (6 clear¬ ed), 1 horse, 1 cow; in 1770 for 100 acres (10 cleared). 1 horse, 1 cow. His name does not appear on the list for 1771 for some reason, but in 1772 he is assessed for 1 horse and 2 cows. In 1772 Northumberland County was formed. The line ran through the land on which George Bell lived, but his house was on the Northumberland side in Penn Township. After 1772 he is mentioned in both Cum¬ berland and Northumberland records. In 1814 George Bell sold a part of his land and described it as part of a tract which he had improved May 6, 1773 and had yearly oc¬ cupied since.

Before the Revolution

The traditional account of George Bell’s settlement is most interesting. Upon his landing at Philadelphia, he travelled westward to the Presbyterian colony at Paxtang. a Scotch-Irish outpost. Here no doubt were friends and relatives. He left his family here while he explored the region of the Juniata Valley. With the true Scotch-Irish spirit he selected a remote spot near Jacks Mountain at the head of one of the tributaries of Jacks Creek. The location was under a big spruce tree beside a spring. Game was plentiful in this vast forest. There were deer, bears, wolves, panthers, wildcats, scpiirrels, turkeys and fish. Jacks Creek Valley had “better hunting grounds”. George Bell began to clear a site and build a cabin, but he was forced to return to Paxtang, either because of an Indian outbreak or the coming of winter. Much of the travelling was done by canoe. The streams were deep when the land was covered with trees. In the spring he finished his cabin and brought his family to their new home in the wilderness. Pioneer life was not easy. They learned to endure many hardships. The greatest danger was from the Indians who were always lurking around. They travelled stealthily and in small bands. They might attack at any moment. Many settlers lost their lives during these trying days. Not only might Indians come at night and burn the cabin and murder the family, but there was constant danger from wild ani¬ mals. Wolves often attacked the sheep and cattle. Then winter was faced with crude equipment. The rifle was al¬ ways in readiness.

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•»• . Sometimes George Bell and his family had to flee to Paxtang in times of danger. In one instance it is related that a scout riding at 2 A. M. spread the word of “Indians”. Paths and trails were marked by blazing the trees. The cabin was made of logs and had two rooms. There was a fireplace at one end and a window at the other; doors at each side. The windows were made of thin skins. When they washed clothes they used paddles and smooth boards. An axe was an important tool. Herbs were used for medi¬ cine. Although practically independent in their living, still at times they had to go to Paxtang or Northumberland for salt and necessary provisions. Furnishings were homemade.. Benches, stools and tables were made by hand. Floors were made of split logs. Dishes were wooden and pewter. Kettles in the fireplace, candles, and a spinning wheel were to be seen in the cabin. They did their own spinning and weaving and ground their own flour. It was a slow process to cut down trees and clear fields in which to raise crops. Since cloth was home- spun, the women spent much time at the spinning wheel. The men wore hunting shirts and moccasins among other things. The food of these early settlers was limited. Wild game and wild fruit were available at certain times of the year. Hominy, johnny cake, mush, and cornpone were used. Flour was easier to get after mills were established. Maize or Indian corn was abundant. Flint was used to start a fire. Fireplaces were used for heating, cooking, and lighting. The pioneers got sugar from the trees.

The Revolution The part that the frontier played in the Revolution was largely Indian warfare. In the summer of 1775 the In¬ dians appeared. George Sigler, Jr., a lad of 13, son of a neighbor, on his way to Bell’s, to ascertain the truth of the report that Indians were around, was captured by the In¬ dians. He was released after being captive for a year. The tradition that George Bell was a captain in the Revolution is verified by the Pennsylvania Archives. In Volume 6 of the Fifth Series we find that George Bell was Captain of the Eighth Company of the Fifth Battalion of the Cumberland County Associators (militia) in 1777 and 1778. This company was in service March 1778 between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. The militia was composed of practically all the able bodied men. They took turns in serving so that there were always some at home to raise the crops and protect their 7 i • nciijn! -u

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115 * homes against the Indians. We find the following* expres¬ sion in the Archives. Men were sent out to warn “the militia to march'’. Equipment included muskets, bayonets, canteens, rifle guns, cartouch boxes, scabbards, and shot pouches. In 1778 there were Indians all around; they were still around in 1780. Even in 1783 the militia made a tour through the Kishacoquillas Valley, the same year that Pres¬ byterians of the valley called their first regular preacher, James Johnston. During these troublesome times we should not forget the pioneer’s brave little wife, Mary Bell. When her husband went out on scouting expeditions it was her task to keep things going.

After the Revolution The first record of George Bell after the Revolution is his name on the assessment roll of Beaverdam Township, Northumberland County in 1789. The next year a road, 33 feet wide, was laid out from Lewistown to ‘“George Bell’s in Jack’s Valley”. In the census of 1790 he has listed under his name 2 males above 16 and 3 females. In 1791 his daughter, Elizabeth, was married at his home to Charles McClenahen. At various places we find mention of George Bell. In 1813 he appeared on the assessment rolls of Beav¬ erdam Township, Mifflin County. Belltown was in Fermanagh Township, Cumberland County to 1767; Derry Township, Cumberland County 1768- 1772; Penn Township, Northumberland County 1773-1788: Beaverdam Township, Northumberland County 1789-1812; Beaverdam Township, Mifflin County 1813 ; Decatur Town¬ ship. Mifflin County 1814 on. The early Bells were staunch Presbyterians. Probably the first preacher to travel through Mifflin County was Rev. Charles Beatty, the missionary who made the trip in 1766. In 1775 Rev. Philip Fithian, another missionary, found a large society in Kishacoquillas Valley which met in barns. James Johnston became the first preacher of this society in 1784. Services by a travelling preacher were occasionally held at the home of George Bell. About 1800 a Presby¬ terian Church was started in Little Valley, seven miles from Belltown. Here the Bells attended. The log building, erect¬ ed about 1806, was one story, with no heat, slab benches, and few windows. All of the first three generations of Bells were Presbvterians. * George Bell died in the spring of 1816 at the home of his daughter, Margaret.* Although he was about 80, his hair had not turned gray. He was strong physically,- six 8 ..

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f feet in height and we are told he was noted for being par¬ ticular and being a great singer. In his will he mentions ten children John, Jane, Mary, Sarah, William, George, Elizabeth, James, Arthur, and Margaret. The will was written December 29, 1815. Letters were granted April 15, 1816 to the executors, his sons, William and George. All that we know about his wife is that she died a few years before her husband. Much credit is due to this brave little woman. According to tradition, John Bell, the oldest son, was born in Ireland. He was known as “Jack” and was famous as a hunter. Many stories are told of his expert marksman¬ ship. He could load quicker than anyone else. He had a little black dog which always accompanied him. At the age of 17 we are told he became ill and had to be taken to Paxtang by canoe for medical treatment. He was a soldier in the Revolution. He was never married and appeared on the assessment rolls as a “freeman”. In 1789 he was a witness to the will of George Sigler, Sr., a neighbor. He was a captain in the militia in 1793. We have no record of him after the death of his father. The only record of Jane is her name in the will. Mary and Sarah were never married, but made a home for their father after the death of their mother. Sarah was lame. She was called “Aunt Sade”. She warranted land in 1837 which she said she had first improved December 1802. She died about 1845 at the home of George Bell III in Kisha- coquillas Valley. Mary. Bell’s name appears on the assess¬ ment rolls several times. She died at Belltown about 1835. William Bell was a farmer. The first record of him is on the assessment rolls in 1792. He married Margaret (Peggy) McCartney, who was raised a few miles east of Mifflin, Pa. She was the daughter of John and Sibella Mc¬ Cartney. John McCartney was an early settler of the Juniata Valley. He died in May 1787. We know little about William Bell. He and his wife were faithful members of the Little Valley Presbyterian Church. She was a woman of strong faith, very conscien¬ tious in the discharge of duty and more than the average in activity in the cause of religion. We have the tradition of how she rode on horseback to visit her Juniata County relatives. William Bell died in 1827 aged about 60. Mar¬ garet Bell died in 1842, past three score and ten. George Bell, Jr., was also a farmer at Belltown. He inherited “the old land” from his father. He married Elea¬ nor McClenahen, a daughter of James and Eleanor (Cun¬ ningham) McClenahen. Three of George Bell’s children married McClenahens. James McClenahen, Scotch-Irish in 9 t t J’

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’ descent, came to America from Countv Donegal, Ireland in 1762. Elizabeth Bell (“Aunt Betsy”) married Charles Mc- Clenahen, a soldier of the Revolution. He was born in County Donegal, Ireland in 1760 and came to this country in 1762 with his father. While residing in Mahoning Town¬ ship, Northumberland County, Pa., he enlisted in 1779 and served six months as a private in Captain Thomas Gaskins’ Company, Colonel Cook's Pennsylvania Regiment. He was in General Sullivan's expedition against the Indians and in a skirmish at Chemung. Charles McClenahen was a farmer in Decatur Township, Mifflin County. He died in 1836. His wife died nine years later at the age of 75. James Bell, son of the pioneer, was a tailor. He died before he was 50. His wife, Elizabeth Carson, died in 1855, the year before the first of the sixth generation was born. Arthur Bell, a farmer, lived in Decatur Township for a number of years. He married Sarah Carson. Most of his children went west. Margaret Bell, probably the youngest, married John McClenahen, a wheelwright like his father. She is said to have been born at Paxtang Christ¬ mas 1776. George Bell, his wife and most of their children are buried on the old farm at Belltown. Unfortunately tomb¬ stones were never erected and the burial ground is today a plowed field. This seems to be typical of the Scotch-Irish. The family knew where the graves were and thought that was all that was necessary. The old family Bible has been lost. No written records have come down except public records which after all do not give the interesting side of the lives of the pioneers. George Bell, seeking freedom, emigrated from north Ireland to America. He settled in the Juniata Valley and became a leading citizen. He was a captain in the Revolu¬ tion. A farmer by occupation, he lived for half a century in the locality which still bears his name. He was a pioneer typical of those who founded America. His descendants have been scattered all over the United States. On the whole they have made good citizens of the land of the free—sturdy, honest, patriotic, and religious.

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•• "v . The Descendants of George Bell

We have record of descendants of six of George Bell’s children: William, George, Elizabeth, James, Arthur and Margaret. Probably all these except Margaret were born at Belltown, as were most of the grandchildren.

Family of William Bell

William Bell D. Sept. 1827 M. 1790 Margaret McCartney D. 1842. 1. John Henderson Bell B. Nov. 13, 1791 D. June 8, 1838 M. Aug. 22, 1810 Mary Sigler, daughter of George (Jr.) and Elizabeth (Bunn) Sigler, B. Jan. 6, 1792 D. June 19, 1857. Issue: George, William Sigler, Matilda Elizabeth (Hinds), Thompson George, James Foster, Sibella Margaret (Kinsloe), Sarah (Martin), Mary Jane (Knight), John McCartney, Ann Eliza, Amanda Ellen (Alexander), Adaline (Haller). 2. George Bell (never married) B. June 11, 1793 D. Feb. 11, 1871 at Tyrone, Pa. 3. James Bell (never married) B. 1795 D. Nov. 2, 1813 at Sacketts Harbor, N. Y., while a soldier in the War of 1812. 4. Sibella Bell B. Dec. 12, 1797 D. Dec. 19, 1845 at Lewis- town, Pa. M. Dec. 28, 1820 Samuel Barr B. 1794 D. Sept. 8, 1862. Issue: Margaret (Harper), John C., William F., Thomas L., James J., Jane, Elsie Sibella, Samuel Wilson, Tamar (Boal), Arthur H., Robert G. (died while a soldier in the Civil War). 5. William Bell B. 1800 M. Martha J. —. Last heard of in Huntingdon Co., a carpenter. 6. Johnston Bell B. July 12, 1802 D. Feb. 10, 1871 at Ty¬ rone, Pa. A farmer and merchant. M. Dec. 7, 1827 Mary Ann Sample, daughter of Hugh and Jane (Dor¬ man) Sample, B. Dec. 24, 1807 D. Oct. 26, 1895 Issue: Rebecca Margaret (Alexander), William Patter¬ son, Sarah Jane, Lavina Mary (Jones), Thaddeus Sample, Eliza Melissa (Boal). 7. Margaret Bell B. 1804 D. Apr. 12, 1858 at Ripley, Ohio M. 1828 Alexander Glass, a blacksmith, son of Robert Glass. Last heard of in Ohio. Issue: Robert and others. 8. Arthur Bell B. 1807 D. Dec. 1837 in Decatur Twp., a

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. - d shoemaker,. M. 1834 Anne Burns B. Jart. 4, 1811 D. Feb. 14, 1886. Issue: William James, Mary Matilda-

Family of George Bell, Jr.

George Bell D. about 1840 M. Eleanor McCIenahen. 1. Eleanor BeU M. Benjamin Scott, tador in Decatur Twp., B. Mar. 17, 1784 D. Mar. 20, 1862. Issue: Rachel (Morrison), Margaret, Benjamin, John, George, William, Alexander D., Jane Ellen (Barr), 2. George Bell (IH) B. 1794 D. July 29, 1867 at Lake City, Minn. M. Rosanna Mitchell, daughter of William and Rosanna (Wherry) Mitchell. Issue: William M., Rosanna, James M., Robert C., Nancy Jane (Collins), Samuel H., Sallie E. (Anrsbry) 3. Catharine Bell M. Adam Close, last heard of in Ven¬ ango Co., Pa. 4. Rachel BelT M. John Close. 5. Mary Bell D. aged 84 M. Jacob Carson, farmer in Brown Twp., D. Jan. 1851. Issue: James M. 6. James Johnston Bell B. Feb. 15. 1805 D. July 1, 1875, distiller in Armagh Twp., M .June 22, 1837 Matilda Mc¬ CIenahen B. Jan. 14, 1814 D. July *29, 1864. Issue: Charles M., Amanda E., Luther J., Anna M., Elizabeth E., William J., Robert B. 7. • William Bell B. June 28, 1807 D. July 30, 1864, squire in Armagh Twp. M. (1) Feb. 15,-1832 Alary Longwel! B. Apr. 3, 1815 D. Jan. 8, 1846. Issue: James Carson, Eleanor McCIenahen (Lepley), John Robert, Elizabeth C. (Reed), Sarah Ann (Han¬ cock), Enoch Eldridge, Mary G. (Alter). William Bell M. (2) Feb. 17, 1847 Anne Burns Bell (see William No. 8). 8. Sarah Bell M. Adam Ramsey, farmer, last heard of in Ohio. Issue: George, Charles, James, Sarah. 9. Charles McCIenahen Bell B. Nov. 4, 1813 D. Sept. 4, 1879, carpenter in Decatur Twp., M. Dec. 26, 1839 Ma¬ tilda Kellev, daughter of Moses Kelley, B. Dec. 20, 1818 D. Mar.. 3, 1881. Issue: George Washington, Susanna Mary (Orr), Elea¬ nor McCIenahen (Stewart), Rebecca Ann, James Andrew Clark, John Kelley, Laura Amanda (Herb- ster), Charlotte Jane (Steininger).

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' Family of Elizabeth Bell

Elizabeth Bell B. 1770 D. Oct. 25, 1845 M. Feb. 1, 1791 Charles McClenahen B. Aug. 1760 in Co. Donegal, Ire¬ land D. Feb. 26, 1836 in Decatur Twp. 1. Eleanor McClenahen B. Oct. 20, 1792 D. June 22, 1850 M. James Dorman, farmer in Decatur Twp., son of George and Marv (Glass) Dorman, B. June 5, 1795 D. May 21, 1864. ' Issue: Miriam (Kane). 2. Sarah McClenahen M. Isaiah Matthews, a farmer in Huntingdon Co. Issue: Eliza, William, Isaiah, Charles. 3. Mary McClenahen M. William Glass, a blacksmith in Kishacoquillas Valley. Issue: Jackson, Eliza. 4. Elizabeth McClenahen D. May 15, 1855 M. Alexander Dorman, farmer in Decatur Twp., son of George and Mary (Glass) Dorman B. 1791 D. 1877. Issue: Elizabeth E. (Harper), Isabella, Mary (Hocken- berry), Amanda, Rebecca Ann (Aurand). 5. John McClenahen, farmer in Juniata Co. M. Esther Hockenberry. Issue: Charles, William, Nancy Jane (Kling), Rebecca, Matilda. 6. George Bell McClenahen B. Oct. 11, 1803 D. Feb. 2, 1884, blacksmith at Milrov, Pa. M. Mar. 17, 1831 Mary Win¬ gate, daughter of Jesse and Jane (Breckenbridge) Win¬ gate, B. 1810 D. May 26, 1898. Issue: Rachel Wingate (Faulkner), Elizabeth, Charles Brown, Francis Breckenbridge, Jane, Sarah, Wil¬ liam. 7. Jane McClenahen M. David Mitchell, farmer, son of William and Rosanna (Wherry) Mitchell, B. Aug. 22, 1795 D. Mar. 8, 1871. Issue: Charles, Rebecca (McClintic), Rosanna (Land¬ is), Matilda (Maben), Mary (McCartney), Mar¬ garet E. 8. William McClenahen B. July 24, 1810 D. May 10, 1834 M. Mary McClenahen (see Margaret No. 9). 9. Matilda McClenahen B. Jan. 14, 1814 D. July 29, 1864 M. James J. Bell (See George No. 6).

Family of James Bell

James Bell D. Sept. 23, 1815 M. 1795 Elizabeth Carson B. 1773 D. Mar. 29, 1855. 1. Catherine Bell B. May 6, 1796 M. Jan. 22, 1S22 Thomp¬ son Burdge (no issue).

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on) no* 2. Mary Bell B. June 2,. 1798 M. William Hough, farmer in Huntingdon Co., Pa. Issue: Sarah, Jonathan. 3. Margaret Bell B. Jan. 28, 1801 D. Apr. 29, 1S73 M. Mar. 4, 1825 Robert'Dorman, gunsmith in Decatur Twp., son of George and Marv (Glass) Dorman, B. 1799 D. Apr. 28, 1873. Issue: James Bell, Cyrus, Elizabeth (Hockenberrv), Mary Glass (Dugert), Catherine Jane (McClenahen), Sarah Lucinda (Bell), Thompson. 4. George Thompson Bell B. Mar. 16, 1803 D. Mar. 13, 1880, farmer at Bement, Ill. M. Oct. 15, 1829 Sarah Sample, daughter of Hugh and Jane (Dorman) Sample, B. July 6, 1809 D. Dec. 6, 1897. Issue: John Davis, Mary Jane (Muthersbaugh). 5. Jane Bell B. Apr. 17, 1806 M. Oct. 22, 1822 Jonathan Stainer, went to Nebraska. Issue: Cyrus, John, Washington, Elizabeth, Sarah. 6. John Davis Bell B. Oct. 31, 1808 M. Dec. 22, 1831 Han¬ nah Jones, last heard of in Blair Co., Pa. Issue: Benjamin, James, Salina, Hannah.

Family of Arthur Bell

Arthur Bell D. 1851 M. Sarah Carson. 1. Arthur Foster Bell, went to Ohio. Issue: Mary, Nettie (Wagner), and others. 2. Agnes Bell M. Thomas J. McDowell. 3. John Carson Bell, died before his father. Issue: Sarah Carson. 4. Jacob Bell, died before his father. Issue: William H., Sarah S., Elizabeth C., Mary. 5. Elizabeth C. Bell M._Johnston. 6. George R. Bell M. Jane Kearns, went to Indiana. 7. James Bell B. Dec. 12, 1814 D. Apr. 15, 1881 in Hunt¬ ingdon Co., Pa. M. (1) 1836 Priscilla Johnston B. May 23, 1817 D. Apr. 5, 1862. Issue: Sarah Jane, William Carson, Mary Elizabeth (Ferguson), Alexander Benton, Eliza Ann (Price), Emma Jane, Nancy Priscilla (Letterman). James Bell M. (2) Anna Jane -.

Family of Margaret Bell

Margaret Bell D. Feb. 1850 M. John McClenahen B. 1772 D. 1830. 1. George Bell McClenahen died in infancy. 2. Elizabeth McClenahen died in infancy. _

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. 3. John McClenahen D. Sept. 1836, farmer, M. Mary Gill. Issue: John (III) (Hied while a soldier in the Mexican War), Maxwell, Janies. * ^ 4. William McClenahen died in youth. i t JL James McClenahen died aged 27, wheelwright, M. Agnes Wingate, daughter of Jesse and Jane Breckenbridge) Wingate, B. Feb. 8. 1808 D. Sept. 24, 1868. Issue: Minerva (Young). 6. Robert McClenahen died aged 18. /. Charles McClenahen D. May 1849, farmer, M. 1831 Agnes Wingate McClenahen (see No. 5). Issue: Hiram, William Bell. Jane Brown (Bell), Louise, Andrew Clark, Mary Hannah (McClenahen), Samuel Wingate, John Ambrose, Jesse Crawford. 8. George McClenahen B. 1807 D. July 12, 1848, farmer in Armagh Twp., M. Juliann Hassinger. Issue: William A., Andrew C., Margaret, James H. 9. Marv McClenahen B. Jan. 31, 1809 D. Apr. 16, 1848 M. (1) Sept. 6, 1831 William McClenahen B. July 24, 1810 D. Mav 10, 1834. Issue: Sarah Jane, William Charles. Marv McClenahen M. (2) 1837 George Ruble B. July 27, 1811 D. Jan. 2, 1864. Issue: Jacob, Margaret (Jeffers), John C., George, Mary. 10. Maxwell McClenahen died aged 17. 11. Jane McClenahen B. July 2, 1813 D. May 20, 1872 M. May 1, 1851 James Dorman, farmer in Decatur Twp., son of George and Mary (Glass) Dorman, B. June 5, 1795 D. May 21, 1864 (see Elizabeth No. 1). Issue: Mary Margaret (see Foreword), James Alex¬ ander. ^ 12. Andrew Clark McClenahen B. 1815 D. May 11, 1867, carpenter in Decatur Twp., M. (1) Sarah Harper, daugh¬ ter of Robert and Nancv (Dorman) Harper, B. June 7, 1812 D. Aug. 18, 1850. Issue: Robert G., James L., John, Elmira (Durst). Andrew Clark McClenahen M. (2) 1852 Catherine Jane Dorman D. Dec. 24, 1894. Issue: Emma Elizabeth (Dorman), Mary Ellen (Ro¬ land), Willa Jane (Thompson), Sarah Margaret (McCafferty), Andrew Clark. 13. Harvey McClenahen B. July 10, 1817 D. Jan. 15, 1870 at Freeport, Ill., a Methodist minister, M. Feb. 26, 1840 Margaret Crissman B. Nov. 26, 1819 D. Sept. 12, 1891. Issue: Rosabell (Loper), Frances Marion ' (Kistner), George, Margaret (Parkinson), Milton B., John U., James H., Mary Elizabeth (Brown).

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8 I i John Henderson Bell John Henderson Bell, the oldest son of William and Margaret (McCartney) Bell, was born November 13, 1791 in Derry (now Decatur) Township, Mifflin County, Pa. He grew to manhood on his father’s farm and August 22, 1810* married Mary Sigler, daughter of a neighbor. Her father, George Sigler, Jr., was the son of George and Elizabeth (Terrault) Sigler who came from Germany and settled in New Jersey where their son. George. Jr., was born.' They went to Decatur Township before 1775, for in that year George, Jr., was captured by the Indians and held captive for a year. George Sigler, Jr. (1762-1821) married Eliza¬ beth Bunn (1768-1811), daughter of Jacob and Mary E. Bunn, of New Jersey. Thompson G. Bell wrote of his father: “My father, John H. Bell, when married, settled on a tract of land given to my mother by her father, George Sigler. He built a stone house on the farm (1825), which was later owned by William S. Bell. Here he lived and raised his family, giving them the best that a common school system could. He purchased besides the old homestead of his father near Bell- town and died June 8th, 1838, only 46^4 years old. “He was, as he told me himself, clearly and satisfactor¬ ily converted about the time of the death of his first child (George) andnever after doubted the change. He and Mother connected with the Presbyterian Church at Kelley (Vira), then a strong church and indeed ah the church there was from Belltown to Ferguson Valley. He was a good Christ¬ ian man always wherever he went. He was an active Work¬ er in the church and a leading man in the community where he lived, always looking out and doing work for the Master. When he was leading prayermeetings, he would always exhort those present with great earnestness. His home was always a quiet retreat for ministers of all denominations. He was Superintendent of the first Sabbath School at Kellev- in 1828. “He was a man of prayer. Often have I gone to the barn in the morning and found him in secret prayer in the feed entry. He was not one of those who attended to family prayer on the Sabbath, but regularly morning and evening his voice was heard in reading the Scriptures and prayer and praise to God. “My father was among the first to sign the temperance pledge at Kelley under the management and control of Rev. William Annan then Pastor of the Presbyterian Church. This was in 1830. Many would tauntingly say to those that signed, ‘Where will you get your harvest hands?’ But

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. ... those heroic men were not driven back by the taunts of the fearful and the hesitating. Where duty called they would go. Father was one.’’ A simple stone marks his grave in the Vira Presbyterian cemetery. John H. Bell was active in religious, civic, and educa¬ tional matters. He was an ardent supporter of private subscription schools and in 1834 after the establishment of the public schools, he became one of the first school direct¬ ors. He was cut off in the prime of his life, but his in¬ fluence still lived on. The following is a list of his child¬ ren and grandchildren: 1. George Bell B. Jan. 31, 1812 D. Nov. 23, 1814. 2. William Sigler Bell B. July 18, 1813 D. Jan. 16, 1893 M. 1837 Keziah Beatty, daughter of, John and Nancy (Glass) Beatty, B. 1820 D. Jan. 30, 1887. Issue: Nancy Jane, John Howard, Mary Hemans, James Clark 3. Matilda Elizabeth Bell D. May 17, 1815 D. Oct. 28. 1884 M. 1837 Stephen Andrew Hinds, son of Stephen and Mary Ann (Lee) Hinds B. Nov. 30, 1812 D. Oct. 31, 1867. Issue: Mary Ellen (Drake-Dickens), Elmira Sigler (McCarthy), John William, Laura Margaret (Bates), Clara Jane (Laird). 4. Thompson George Bell B. Jan. 12, 1817 D. Sept. 28, 1889 M. (1) Oct. 7, 1841 Priscilla Martin, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Stark) Martin B. Oct. 11, 1817 D. Mar. 21, 1851. Issue: Samuel Martin, John Foster, James Ellis, Ed¬ win Thompson. Thompson George Bell M. (2) June 3, 1852 Mary Eliza¬ beth Anderson, daughter of Joseph and Tane (McCord) Anderson, B. Feb. 27, 1829 D. Jan. 3, 1907. Issue: Gruber H., Priscilla Mary (Himes), Jane Ann (Beashor), Sarah Matilda (Berkheimer), George Thompson, Laura Houck (Himes), William Hahn. 5. James Foster Bell B. Nov. 14, 1818 D. June 3, 1821. 6. Sibella Margaret Bell B. Nov. 1, 1820 D. Dec. 12, 1858 M. May 11, 1841 Robert Martin Kinsloe, son of James and Elizabeth (Martin) Kinsloe, B. Sept. 1, 1819 D. Mar. 31, 1890. Issue: Emma Elizabeth (Mann), Floketta, Mary Ruth (Morrison), Sibella Jane, Laura Amanda, Henry Clay, Adaline, James Frank Martin. 7. Sarah Bell B. Jan. 2, 1823 D. Mar. 8, 1910 M. Dec. 3, 1844 Francis Martin, son of Samuel and Nancv (Stark) Martin, B. Nov. 11, 1822 D. Sept. 2, 1904. Issue: Nancy Jane (Eskridge), Joseph Bell, Mary Adaline, John Henry.

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.«*!• .£ xi ssar ji . /oz 8. Mary Jane Bell B. Jan. 3, 1825 D. Mar. 25, 1891 M. 1855 Preston Blackburn Knight B. Nov. 13, 1818 D. Mar. 30, 1888. Xssue ’ Mary L 9. John McCartney Bell B. Dec. 21, 1826 D. July 3, 1887 M. Apr. 5, 1849 Henrietta Haller, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Alexander) Haller, B. Aug. 31, 1822 D. Aug. 13, 1897. Issue: Frances Margaret (Martin), William Thompson, Henry Haller, John Vernon, Davis Bates. 10. Ann Eliza Bell B. Jan. 29, 1829 D. July 12, 1844. • 11. Amanda Ellen Bell B. Jan. 27, 1831 D. Aug. 13, 1852 M. May 24, 1849 James Hamilton Alexander, son of Samuel Edmiston and Marv Alexander, B. Nov. 19. 1819 D. Oct. 19, 1893. Issue: Samuel Clark, John Bell. 12. Adaline Bell B. Apr. 7, 1833 D. June 2, 1906 M. Mar. 1, 1853 Henrv Haller, son of Jacob Haller, B. June 3, 1828 D. May 2, 1899. Issue: Mary Illinois, John Samuel, Lucinda Jane (Ro- decker), Anna Priscilla (Caler), ClaraSibella (Brell), Francis Boggs.