R. B. Bell, p. 471

R. B. BELL is descended from an old Scotch-Irish family who fled from Londonderry, Ireland, to Scotland, during the religious persecution. From Scotland they emigrated to Now Jersey, where William, the first pioneer of the name, located. His wife's maiden name was Lea. John Bell, son of the William Bell above mentioned, was born in the year 1732. He was married to Elizabeth, a daughter of Robert Boyd, and on April 7, 1793, purchased from William Luckie a farm in Cecil township, Washington Co., Penn., where he spent the remainder of his days, and died in 1809.

Robert, son of John Bell, was born in Lancaster county, Penn. He served in the Revolutionary war, entering the service when about sixteen years of age. On May 29, 1788, he was united in marriage with Rachel Espy, by whom he had seven children. In the year 1793 be purchased from Anthony Boly the farm in Peters township, which is to this day in the possession of his descendants. He died October 17, 1840, aged about eighty-five. Of the seven children born to Robert and Rachel Bell, John married Nancy Porter, of Clarion county, Penn., to which county he removed soon after his marriage. Here he died, leaving behind him a large family. Thomas married Nancy Scott, and died in Clarion county. Elizabeth married Benjamin Coe, who moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where she died. William married Jane Caldwell, and died in Richland county, Ill. Robert married Susannah Tidball. James married Sarah Reasoner, and moved to Richland county, Ill., where he died. Ann married William Barr, and spent the last years of her earthly pilgrimage in Nottingham township, this county.

Robert, son of Robert and Rachel Bell, was born and died on the home farm in Peters township. He first saw the light of day in 1801. He grew to manhood under the parental roof, and on August 28, 1828, married Susannah, daughter of Abraham Tidball, of Allegheny county, Penn. He died December 11, 1890. His children were: Rachel (died in infancy); John B. Married June 24, 1869, Sarah Ann Dunlap, of Cecil township, and have one son, Robert Francis Bell); Robert Boyd, unmarried, living at present on the home farm; Sarah, married June 19, 1864, to Robert Gillespie, M. D., and died August 29, 1868, leaving one son. Lorenzo James Gillespie; Abraham T., a graduate Of Washington and Jefferson College, class of 1870, also of Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Penn., class of 1872 (at the present time (1803), be is preaching in Indiana county, Penn.; was married May 8, 1872, to Mary Watson, by Whom he has had two children, one daughter, Sarah Emma, is living); Susannah, married James Johnston, of Cecil township, Washington county, November 24, 1874, and died March 7, 1892, leaving a husband and five children-three sons and two daughters. The farm is still in the possession of the family. It contains 105 acres of excellent land situated in a bend of and nearly surrounded by Chartier's creek. The Chartier's railway passes through and under a portion of the farm.

Text taken from page 471 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed March 1997 by Donald Ackley of Santa Ana, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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