Sir John Bell (Austin)- Did this person exist?

[SweetAmber32]

While researching for my Bell ancestors, I came across a tree that listed, as the earliest Bell known, to the owner of the tree, a Sir John Bell (Austin). The John Bell (Austin) was apparantly Knighted by King James I. This John then apparantly went to Ireland, married(?) and had a son James Bell who left Ireland and went to America, Philidelphia, Pennsylvania. Did Sir John Bell exist and if he did does anyone know anything of who his decendents were? If anyone needs to looks at my family web page to look at the Bell line I have entered, here is the link: www.cole0bishop.tribalpages.com . I don't know how accurate the early info is. But I entered the info as I found it, in hopes that I could work iut the jigsaw puzzle. The Bell info I have that starts with Abner Bell and wife Mercy Smith is probably the start of the most accurate info. Any help is appreciated.

[Currie]

Hello Morgan,

I had a good google around last week but couldn’t find anything useful for you. The odd Sir John Bell turns up now and again but nothing from the time of King James I (England) or VI (Scotland) 1566-1625. That’s not to say he wasn’t a real person.

The “Austin” bit didn’t help. Was there any particular significance of this or was that just how it appeared where you saw the information? Did the information come from a web-site? If so do you recall the www?

I’m only getting a login page at your link.

Alan.

[SweetAmber32]

Thanks for the help Alan. Sorry about my web site, don't know why it's doing that. THe tree that contained this name was from one on Rootsweb.com. Here's the link for that. If it does not work, just enter for the surname: Bell (Austin). There are two people with this name, but the same info. http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bi ... =I62759646 . I do not know what the Austin Stands for. Unless it was his birth surname and then he was given Bell by the King? I don't know. This line has been very confusing. I can get to my Abner Bell husband to Mercy Smith without too much problems, but it's with his parents that the problems start. Then i found that family tree with Sir John Bell (Austin) and it really gets confusing. Thanks again for the help.

Morgan

[SweetAmber32]

My family web page link should work now.
http://cole0bishop.tribalpages.com

Morgan

[SarahND]

Hi Morgan,
Since the early censuses only give the names of the heads of household, your best bet to find a clear link between the generations is by finding a will mentioning son Abner. Do you know if such a will exists? it would be worth your while to write to the Pickaway County Probate Court and ask (unless you plan to go that way anyway for your summer vacation!) No point searching after an elusive Bell in Ireland until you find out if he was, indeed, Abner's father.

Pickaway County Probate Court

217 S Court St

Circleville, OH 43113

Telephone: 740-474-6093

Both Abner and his wife Mercy were born in Virginia (according to all their census records from 1850 on) There might be some trace there... but many Virginia records were destroyed, unfortunately. And you don't know which county they were born in. Mercy, mercifully lived until 1880, the first census year where the places of birth of the parents were also given. Her parents were both born in New Jersey, as your website suggests.

I found Abner in these places:

1820 Walnut, Pickaway County, Ohio
1830 Walnut, Pickaway County, Ohio
1840 Mount Blanchard, Hancock County, Ohio
1850 Delaware, Hancock County, Ohio
1860 Crawford, Madison County, Iowa
1870 Crawford, Madison County, Iowa

In 1820 there are four Bell households right next to each other-- it is certainly tempting to believe they are related! One of them is "James Sr."

There are a couple of mentions of Abner in county histories, but nothing about his parents

Best of luck,
Sarah

[SweetAmber32]

Thanks for the assiastance Sarah. I'm going to have to contact the probate court. Do you have access to the 1820's census? What were the names in the four Bell households? I have been able to find that with my Abner, his father was James (?). This James had also a son by the name of George and there was a son James too. Are these the ones? And does the census mention the wives and children? There is supposed to be a woman, by the name of Sarah Smith married to son James or George. Thanks again for the help.

Morgan

[SarahND]

Hi Morgan,
Unfortunately, the censuses before 1850 only give the name of the heads of household. In addition you are only told how many males and females of which ages are in the household-- no idea what their names are! The four Bell households appear like this:

James Bell Sr
1 male over 45
1 female over 45
1 female16-26

Abner Bell
1 male 26-45 engaged in agriculture
3 males under 10
1 female 16-26
1 female under 10

John Bell
1 male 16-26 engaged in agriculture
1 female 16-26
1 female under 10

Phebe Bell
1 male under 10
1 female 16-26

Hope this helps!
Sarah

[91bx40]

I was running my family tree up and came to the same Sir John Austin Bell. He was a Scottish bell maker, originally named John Austin, who was knighted for developing the tulip shaped bell. His son Mathew James Bell Sr moved to Ballymoney, Ireland and his 2nd son John moved to Derry New Hampshire. There is an interesting article in the the Derrynews.com about John in the Colonial days. I am not a genealogy expert, but it is a line you can chase.

[SarahND]

Hello and a warm

The original poster hasn't signed into the forum since 2008... but others may see the information you posted. Fascinating! It looks like John's original surname was Austin, but he was called Bell because of his profession. Where did you find that history?

All the best,

Sarah

[91bx40]

I started my search on findagrave.com, and then went to ancestors.familysearch.org; I admit everything you find on the internet is not true, but the names and dates match. It is at least a clue to investigate for someone with more skills. I had grown up believing, and my parents and grandmother believed we were Irish because our ancestors came to America from Ireland. I might not run out and buy a kilt, but it is still a pleasant surprise! All because my daughter was given a homework assignment about genealogy.