William ‘Stone Church’ Bell, Sr.

Biography

William "the immigrant" Bell

"Little is known of the immigrant ancestor of this family, except that his name was William Bell, and he was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, having been born of Scotch parents in the north of Ireland, about 1685 to 1690. He came to America with his older children and is believed to have landed in PA from the Delaware River. It is not known how long he lived in PA., but about 1738 to 1740, he located in Augusta County, VA a few miles northeast of Staunton. There he and his wife, Mary, founded the branch of the Bell family which came to be known as the 'Stone Church Bells'. They were thus designated to distinguish them from several other Bell families located in Augusta County but who seem to be unrelated to the Stone Church clan.

"William Bell appears to have been a staunch Presbyterian."

According to the "Colonial Families of the United States of America " pages 82-105, William and wife, Mary McGowan (sometimes spelled McCowan, Mcgowin, McCown) emigrated to America, probably entering the Delaware Bay and River, landing in Pennsylvania probably in the mid to late 1730s according to most researchers. For a while they settled in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, an area settled by many persons of dissenting persuasions--Quakers, Anabaptists, Covenenters. Getha Gina Bell in her The Bells in the USA and Allied Families -- 1650-1977 indicates the William Bell family "lived briefly" in Lancaster, Pennsylvania before heading to the Shenandoah where they obtained land grants. About that time, the Beverley Manor (118,491 acres) and Borden's aka Burden's Grant (100,000 acres) was opened west of the Blue Ridge Mountains in what was Orange, later Augusta County. The area was known as Sherando to some Native American tribes, the Dissenters Valley to others, the Shenandoah Valley today. The Bell's, along with many another Scotch-Irish family set out for the Valley earlier than 1740. On April 16, 1746, William and Mary Bell purchased 196 1/2 acres in Beverley Manor (along Seth Poage and John Lewis' lines) from Francis McCowen (or McCune) for f55 current money of Virginia. (Francis McCowan maybe the brother or other relation of Mary McGowan; it is as yet unproven). The purchase was witnessed by Jno. Buchanan, Joseph Culton, Silas Hart and James Trimble. It is probable that many of those in the early Augusta settlements came to America at the same time as the Bells. Among those withwhom the Bells intermarried and had close business dealings were the families of Henderson, Beard, Holmes, Mofitt, Trimble, Todd, Robertson. William Bell served in key roles in the formation of the earliest churches in Augusta County, that which is now known at the Stone Church north of Staunton, Virginia in an area now known as Ft. Defiance. It remains a thriving Presbyterian Church and it and its two cemeteries are well maintained by its people.

William (bc 1680-August, 1757)and Mary Bell are buried there, as are sons.

1. William, Jr. (1720-1802) (wife Mary ?)
2. Capt. David (1722-1780)(wife Florence Henderson)
3. Samuel Bell (1724-1803) (wife Jane Holmes)
4. Mary Bell (1726/1730-1805)(husband Edward Beard/Baird)
5. Joseph Bell (1742-1823)(wife Elizabeth Henderson).

Will

Augusta County Will Book 2, page 195. Will of William Bell of the Parish and County of Augusta. To be buried at the Stone Meeting House close by my beloved wife lately ceased. To my son Joseph, the plantation on whom I did live, with all bonds, bills, notes, and debts due to me with the rest of said plantation, except that such debts as are due by me shall be paid out of the aforesaid bond, bills, and notes. Also to Joseph, my horse on whom I used to ride; likewise my bed and bedding of cloaths; only that my daughter Mary is to have the use of the bed and bedding of cloaths until said Joseph has occasion for them. To my daughter Mary, my saddle and the gold ring which I usually did wear. To my son Edward Baird my gunn, a harrow, and a bed sted and a silk cap. If my son Joseph should chance to die before he comes home from Carolina the estate left to him is to be equally divided between my sons William Bell, David Bell, Saml. Bell, and Edward Baird. Executors: my sons David Bell and Edward Baird. Executed July 25, 1757. [signed] William Bell. Note that I do leave & Bequeath unto Every one of my other Children the sum of one Shilling Sterling. [signed] William Bell. Witnesses: Robert McM'han, John Theobald Maighan. Probated August 17, 1757. [The probate statement spells Edward's name "Edward Beard", and says that David Bell is not in this Colony.] Bond of Edward Beard, Henry Reaburn, and James Craig, £500, to inventory the goods, chattels, and credits of William Bell deceased. Executed and recorded August 17, 1757"

References

1. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bell-1651
2. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~stonechurchbells/Bell%20Ma...
3. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58189357
4. DNA tests with living descendants (2012) provide that this Bell Family were of a time in Northern Ireland, and came there from the area of Dumfrieshire, Scotland. Their name Bell may be related to the name LeBel, possibly a minor Norman noble who brought the name after the invasion to the region and building a "keep" there which may be the origin of Blacket House. The Normans or Northmen/Norsemen/Vikings who settled in Normandy were descendants of Danish raiders who claimed the land from France and later became vassals of the French King.
5. https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:William_Bell_%2898%29