MRS. RACHEL BELL, a well-known and highly esteemed lady of Burgettstown, is a daughter of Free Gift Crawford, son of Elijah Crawford, and representative of one of the oldest families in Smith township. Elijah Crawford was born in eastern Pennsylvania, and on June 22, 1778, was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of Free Gift and Elizabeth Stout. They afterward moved to Smith township, Washington Co., Penn., there purchasing an unimproved farm, and became the first settlers of that locality. The men were obliged to carry guns with them to their work to defend themselves from the Indians lurking near. Amid these scenes the following children were born to Elijah and Elizabeth Crawford: Joseph, Isaac, Free Gift, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Anna. The father was a surveyor, and also served under Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary war. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian Church at Florence, this county, where he and his wife were buried. Free Gift Crawford was born October 22, 1785, in eastern Pennsylvania, where his boyhood was passed, afterward coming with his parents to Washington county. On January 12, 1811, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Thomas Cole, a native of Maryland. Mr. Cole was married to Nancy Hunter, who bore him children as follows: Sarah, Abraham, Thomas, William, Rachel, Betsy and Nancy. The father was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford passed their married life in Smith township, where he followed farming and milling, also teaming over the mountains. The mill was first called the "Scott mill" and then the "Burgettstown mill." They kept the hotel in Burgettstown for thirty years. Free Gift Crawford was also an extensive dealer in stock. In politics he voted with the Democratic party, and he held various township offices; in church relation he was connected with the Baptist denomination, Mrs. Crawford being a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1854, aged seventy-six years, followed in 1876 by his widow at the age of ninety-one years; both are buried in the cemetery at Florence, this county. They were the parents of five children, viz.: Thomas (deceased), Elijah (deceased), Sarah (first married to Benjamin F. Wood, afterward to John McCartney), Margaret and Rachel. Of these Rachel Crawford was married August 28, 1861, to George W., son of Samuel Bell, proprietor of the Frankfort Springs at that time. Samuel Bell was born in Washington county, and in early life was married to Malvina Sowers, also a native of the county. Their children were: George W., Mattie, William, Delia (wife of W. K. Bailey) and James (deceased). Mr. Bell traveled for a wholesale house in Philadelphia until 1880, when he moved to Clark county, Mo. In politics he was a Whig, and in religion an active member of the M. E. Church, taking a prominent part in the Sunday school and church work. George W. Bell was born September 12, 1834, in Beallsville, Washington Co., Penn. He was educated at Washington and Jefferson College, and after graduating attended Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, receiving his degree in 1858. He graduated with first honors in a class of 600 students, and was the valedictorian of the class. He read medicine with Dr. Wilson, of Beallsville, where he practiced his profession a short time, afterward locating permanently in Burgettstown, where he practiced for thirty-six years. He won an enviable reputation as a skilled physician, and enjoyed a lucrative practice. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and in religious faith he was a member of the U. P. Church at Burgettstown. To his marriage with Rachel Crawford was born one child, Samuel, who died at the age of two years and four months. Dr. Bell was called to rest from his labors September 6, 1884, at the age of fifty-one years. The remains of the deceased, by his own request, made some time prior to his death, were taken to Washington, where the body underwent the process of cremation, and the sleeping dust was finally placed in the Beallsville cemetery. Far away in the land of the pure and the bright, Is the city of God, with its golden light; Oh, there is our home, and we ever shall stand 'Mid the shining ones of that better land. Oh, that beautiful land we are nearing now, Where a crown of bright glory encircles each brow; Where the tree of life grows on that beautiful shore, Where flowers shall freshen to fade no more. Oh! beautiful home, oh! beautiful home, Where beautiful saints surround the white throne; How I long to be there and forever to stand 'Mid the shining ones of that Better Land.

Text taken from page 714 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Marsha Richins of Columbia, MO as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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