Additional notes:

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:

Methodism reached the 13 colonies [from England] in 1760. By 1777 there were some 6,000 Methodists and by 1789 there were 15,000.

John Wesley was conservative and loyalist in his politics and issued a public appeal to the colonies urging submission to the King, but religious zeal

overcame this. John Wesley did not intend that the Methodists be an independent church. The Methodists were a group "within" the Church of England. The Bishop of London had refused to ordain ministers for America, so two men John Wesley had appointed to superintend and ordain ministers, Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury, were soon called Bishops, and the Methodist Episcopal Church was founded.

Methodism grew rapidly as the population was starving for religion that was new, virile and hopeful. The Methodist preachers were men of the people, speaking the language of ordinary folk. Growth was predominantly in the rural sections and on the frontier. The circuit plan and the system of local and travelling preachers was admirably adapted to this type of work. Under the district superintendents, were circuit riders with assigned areas to cover, some as much as 500 miles. It had to be traversed by whatever conveyance was possible -- on horseback, by canoe or where these failed, on foot. The circuit

riders spoke wherever they could gain a hearing. In log cabins, court houses, school houses, taverns or in the open air.... They preached and sang the love of God in Christ. They desired above all things conversions. In addition to the circuit riders there were local preachers, exhorters, quarterly meetings, which gathered the members from farms and villages for fellowship and camp meetings. http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~hornbeck/

To work on:

Bell Family in Newcastle, PA

Searching for genealogical information on the Bell family from Newcastle, PA, especially James and Rebecca Bell (and son John Bell)

This is what I know: James and Rebecca Bell's son John Bell was born in 1817 in New Castle, PA (so I assume that John and Rebecca were there in 1817. I have John's La crosse, Wisc. obituary which reads:

"Died: BELL--At his home in the town of Shelby, at 3 o'clock. Saturday, May 10th, of Bright's Disease of the kidneys. John Bell, aged 62 years. Mr. Bell had been for twenty-five years a resident of La Crosse county and was a well known and universally respected citizen who had served for a number of terms on the county board. He was a man of unquestionable integrity of character whose word was as good as his bond. His death will be generally regretted." RL 5/17/1879 3-4

"Death of a Pioneer"

John Bell, of the town of Shelby, this county, died Saturday afternoon at his home, of Bright's disease of the kidneys, aged 62 years. Mr Bell is an old resident of La Crosse County, having been counted among its honest and responsible citizens for more than a quarter of a century past. Every old citizen of La Crosse knew him well, and he had the respect of all. In his own township he was trusted and honored by all, and for a number of years was chairman of the town board. The funeral will be today." The Chronicle Sunday 11, 1879. p. 3

Rebecca was born circa 1795; She would have been about 22 at the time of her son John's birth in 1817. She and James Bell moved to La Crosse around 1854 (according to John Bell's obituary), Wisconsin and she died of typhoid fever in 1856; She is buried in La Crosse. Her obituary said she was from Newcastle.

I have some information on a James and Rebecca Bell from Butler county but am not sure if they are the same people. Looking especially for Rebecca's maiden name, as well as James Bell's parents names; any additional information for genealogy purposes.

Think about this: http://www.rootsweb.com/~pabutler/1895/95x72-1.htm#samuel%20s%20bell

SAMUEL S. BELL, son of Samuel BELL, and grandson of William BELL, pioneers of Washington township, Butler county, was born about a mile north of North Washington, February 15, 1822, was reared on the homestead and attended the common school of his neighborhood. He learned the blacksmith's trade with H. P. McCLYMONDS, of North Washington, and followed that business, first at Brady's Bend and afterwards at Boydstown, for several years. He subsequently removed to Wisconsin, where he lived from 1853 to 1856, then returned to Butler county and continued working at his trade for a few years at North Washington. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, oil producing and merchandising. On September 15, 1846, he married Margaret McCLYMONDS, a daughter of James McCLYMONDS, of Washington township. The McCLYMONDS family originally came from Scotland, and were among the early settlers of Butler county. Mrs. BELL was born and reared in Washington township, and became the mother of four sons and one daughter, viz.: Sylvester D.; James M; Samuel [p. 981] C., deceased; Perry A., and Zilla, wife of I. B. GILMORE, of Millerstown. Mr. BELL retired to Millerstown several years ago, and here his wife died, June 28, 1885. She became a member of the old Bear Creek United Presbyterian church in 1846, to which denomination he also belongs. Politically, he is a Republican, and is the agent of the Humane Society in Butler county.

Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~pabutler/1895/95x66.htm History of Butler County, Washington Township

The pioneer of this township was George MEALS, who made his way into the wilderness in 1796, settling on and clearing land on the north line of the present township of Concord. Early in the summer of 1797 he was joined by his father, Samuel MEALS, and other members of the family. The MEALS were of German descent and natives of York county, Pennsylvania. The father and his sons, George and Samuel, were blacksmiths, and were pioneer artisans as well as farmers. The mother of Samuel MEALS, Sr., a native of Germany, came with the family to Washington township, and remained here until her death at an advanced age. John and Jacob MECHLING located here in 1796. Jacob moved to Butler and John died on the farm in 1829. Samuel CAMPBELL, a native of Ireland, came here in 1796-97, and settled on the farm now owned by his grandson. He reared a family of two sons and five daughters. His son, Archibald, was in the War of 1812.

William BELL, Sr., took up 500 acres of land here about 1796-97, and located on it soon after with his family. He was accidentally killed while assisting a neighbor to raise a house. His five sons served in the War of 1812.

CHURCHES The First Presbyterian Church of Washington disappeared as if swallowed up in a maelstrom in 1834 or 1835. It was organized about 1817, and comprised all of the members named in the sketch of the United Presbyterian church of Mt. Varnum, as well as others who did not secede from the older organization. The roll of ministers who attended here prior to Joseph JOHNSTON's coming in 1830, would repeat the names of those early evangelists who preached in the groves at Scrubgrass or at Thorn tent.

Mt. Varnum United Presbyterian Church, north of North Washington, dates back to 1835, when the old Presbyterians of the Washington church seceded with Rev. Joseph JOHNSTON and formed the Associate Reformed society of Mt. Varnum. Samuel N. MOORE and wife, Andrew DONALDSON, Robert DONALDSON, David SHIRA, Rosanna DONALDSON, Samuel MORTIMER, Thomas SMITH, Charles HILLIARD, William and Jacob SHIRA, Robert HANNA and William BELL were the first members.

North Washington, North Hope postoffice, was platted in 1834, when John JACK, who brought his family here in 1830, built the brick house still standing at the cross-roads. Prior to 1830 Samuel BELL kept a tavern where FOLWELL's store was, permitting his lights to burn all night, so as to call attention to the "Summit Tavern." Samuel and Daniel JACK had the town surveyed, making their father's brick house a central point.

HAMILTON MORROW was born in eastern Pennsylvania, in 1800, a son of Thomas MORROW, and settled in Slippery Rock township, Butler county, about 1820. He was a furnaceman and farmer, and cleared and improved a farm of fifty-three acres in that township, upon which he resided until his death. He married Jane DAVIS, a daughter of Lemuel DAVIS, of this county. She bore him a family of seven sons and seven daughters, whose names are as follows: Nancy, who married Daniel WOLFORD; Margaret, who married Williamson CHRISTY; Washington; Elizabeth, who married George BLAKENEY; Andrew J.; Jonathan; Kate A., who became the wife of Hartley BELL; Prudence, who married Samuel BELL; Mary, who married William McCONNELL; Perry, who died while serving in the Union army during the Rebellion; James; David; Annie, and William. Mr. MORROW was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics, he supported the Democratic party.

The honors of being the first settler have been given to George BELL, a native of Ireland, who located here in 1795, and after whom a hill and creek are named; but they were shared by Robert ELLIOTT, another Irishman, who came from Westmoreland county the same year. ELLIOTT revisited his first American home that fall, and early in 1796 brought hither his large family and a quantity of young fruit trees. His wife died here in 1844 and himself in 1845.

John BELL, enlisted in the Sixth Maryland Regiment, under Captain GIESLAND in 1777, and served until the close of the war.

BRINKER's Company.-- Captain: Abraham BRINKER War of 1812

Lieutenant: William BALPH

Ensign: Robert LEMMON

Sergeants: Rueben AYRES, Alexander MCCANDLESS< Abraham MAXWELL and Thomas MCKEE.

[p. 222]

Corporals: Henry SLATOR, Matthew RANDLES, Peter HENRY, and John MOSER, Jr.

Musicians: William PILLOW, fifer, and Peter MCKINNEY, drummer

Privates: Philip BARNHART, Samuel ROBB, Robert HOGG, Hugh MCKEE, Alexander WILSON, Martin MCCANDLESS, Alexander W. GALBRAITH, John DUNBAR, Matthew THOMPSON, William FRAZIER, Andrew PORTER, Arthur FRAZIER, Alexander SCOTT, Samuel WHITE, Samuel FULTON, Norbert FOLTZ, Reese EVANS, Alexander WRIGHT, William JOHNSON, James MCCLEARY, Samuel WILLIAMSON, David DELONG, James ROBB, and John WARMCASTLE.

STOREY's Company.-- Captain: Robert STOREY

Lieutenant: Robert MEANS

Ensign: Christopher STEWART

Sergeants: Amdrew CHRISTY, William WHITE, William WEAKLEY, and John ROSS

Corporals: Thomas MARTIN, Thomas ANDERSON, John GIBSON, and Edward COMAN

Musicaians: John BELL, fifer, and William Bell, drummer, Walter Bell, private

224]

James BARTLEY, who came from Ireland in 1803, served nine months.

Francis ANDERSON, known as 'Squire ANDERSON, who settled in Butler county in 1802.

Garrett MOORE and Capt. William WALKER in Clinton township.

Thomas ALEXANDER, of Brady township.

Dennis O'DONNELL and John PONTIUS of Donegal township.

Michael EMMINGER served as a lieutenant of a company.

Samuel and George BELL, Abraham and Isaac HILLIARD, and John SHITA, all early settlers of Washington township.

Good history of pioneer life in Butler County: http://www.rootsweb.com/~pabutler/1883/83-05.htm

Centreville (History of Butler County: http://www.rootsweb.com/~pabutler/1895/95x61.htm)

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Centreville dates back to 1834, when Rev. William CARL organized a class here. Among the members were Scott STEPHENSON, John C. RAMSEY and their wives, John REYNOLDS, Michael CHRISTLEY, Elizabeth and Rachel CHRISTLEY, Ephraim, Eleanor and Jane ROSE, John and Susan WALLACE, Alice EMERY, Levi, Rachel and Nancy HILLGER, Mary McKEE, Daniel and Mary NEYMAN, Moses HUSELTON, and perhaps two or three other members, such as Daniel K. HILL, who was the class leader in later days, John CHRISTLEY and Campbell ROBB. The greater number subsequently formed a class in Cherry township, which was the nucleus of the church there. In 1837 a small meeting house was erected, which was torn down in 1860 and replaced by a brick building, dedicated November 15 of that year.

Butler County Information:

1803 Tax List

Slippery Rock Twp., Butler Co., Pa.

261 taxables

Transcribed by Ed Book

In 1803 Slippery Rock Twp. was much bigger than the current Slippery Rock Twp. It included the portion of the county north of an east-west line drawn from the northern corner of the western boundary of the County. In regards to the current townships, this area includes all of Slippery Rock, Allegheny, Cherry, Marion, Mercer, Parker, Venango, and Washington Townships, portions of Brady, Clay, Concord, Fairview and Worth Townships, the Boroughs of Bruin, Cherry Valley, Eau Claire, Fairview, Harrisville, Petrolia, Slippery Rock, and West Sunbury, and parts of the Boroughs of Karns City and West Liberty.

This information is from pages 59 through 63 of the 1895 Butler County History. This source also includes the number of cows/oxen/horses owned, the valuation, and the amount of the tax, but since this information seemed of limited usefulness to genealogists, it has not been transcribed.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Acreage Comments

ADAMS, John 300

ADAMS, Peggy ---

ADAMS, Thomas 200

ADAMS, William 400 (2 mills)

ALLEN, John 200

ALLSWORTH, James 400 (single man)

AMMERY, WILLIAM 91

ARMSTRONG, David 400 (2 mills)

ARMSTRONG, George 200 (single man)

ATWELL, John T. 400

ATWELL, John, Sr. 200

ATWELL, Robert 400

BAKER, Patrick 200

BARNET, Nelly 100

BARRON, Samuel 200

BEATTY, Ebenezer 400

BELL, James 200

BELL, John 400

BELL, Rebecca 100

BLACK, Robert ---

BLACK, Samuel 400

BLACK, William 400

BLAIR, John 400

BLEAKNEY, Joseph 400

BRADY, Ezekiel 24 (blacksmith)

1840 BELL REBECCA Butler County PA 004 Cherry Township Federal Population Schedule PA 1840 Federal Census Index PAS4a184987

Full Context of Colonial Families in the U.S.

Search Results U.S. Census.

Rebecca Mills (Bell), 98

Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy: Ohio Volume 5

[p.215] FAIRFIELD MONTHLY MEETING 1818, 4, 25. Rebecca Bell (formerly Chandler) condemned married contrary to discipline

Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy: Ohio Volume 5

[p.215] FAIRFIELD MONTHLY MEETING

Also not sure if this story is related (but provide as backgound) of Bell's in Pennsylvania: The following story is from an unknown source, sent to me by Ronald T. Shawhan: "W. J. Winstein of Academy street furnished the following interesting story of the early settlers in the Chartiers Valley. The paper was presented to Mr. Winstein by descendants of Robert Bell, Sr., and for a number of years was stored away in an old trunk, where it was recently found. The Bells were the first settlers in the Chartiers Valley, staking out a claim in what is now known as Rosslyn, in 1768. Many descendants of the original settlers are still living in this vicinity. The paper follows:

"Robert Bell, Sr., of Tyrone, Ireland, and wife, of Edinburgh, Scotland, located four miles from Romney, Va., on the south branch of the Potomic river, in the eighteenth century. Mr. Bell had many narrow escapes from the Indians of that forest. In company with two other young men, named Vaughan and Scisson, one day Robert Bell was in search of strayed horses, when the party was surprised by an Indian ambushcade on a branch of __augherty Run, Va. Vaughan was killed, a savage threw his tomahawk at Bell and wounded him. Scisson turned on his horse and fled. After the fight Mr. Bell was able to get on his horse, but he only went a short distance when he fell off. Mr. Bell’s horse arrived home before Scisson did and a party at once was formed to search for Bell. The party met Scisson at the Ohio river and he related what had happened to Mr. Bell. They supposed he was dead and returned to their homes. Within a week later they found Bell at Ft. Pitt, his wounds dressed by !

Dr. Knight, who figured conspicuously at the burning of Crawford. Mr. Bell served in the expedition of 1754, during the French and Indian War, and was among the number who accompanied General George Washington on his first trip on the Kanawha. General Washington made a note in one of his diaries of those who accompanied him in his canoe.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bell had eight sons and two daughters. James Bell, Sr., the oldest, was born in 1751. When he was a small lad of ten years, his father went to Patterson Fort for a wagon load of wood. James and his brother went along, their father wanted them to gather wood while he was hauling some home. The two boys were busy gathering wood when the Indians attacked them. They caught James but his brother ran and the Indians shot at him and he fell under a log, the Indians thinking he was dead; he was not hurt, however, and later went home and told that James was captured. The Indians took James to Indiana and kept him there till he was returned by treaty. When his father went after him he took two horses that James might ride home. When they met, James got on the horse but had ridden only a short distance when he saw a woman and some children who were also set free. James dismounted, letting the woman ride.

"When he arrived home it was at night. His mother, hearing the wooden latch lift with a string, called: ‘Is that you, James?’ and his father answered, yes. It was a joyful meeting. James had many stories to relate of his capture. Among them, was that when the Indians took him the Ohio river they made a canoe and put him in it and they had nothing to eat save what they called ‘cush meat.’ He always claimed they crossed into Pennsylvania and came through Chartiers Valley, near Chartier’s Creek. He told how they would have two lines of Indians and would make him run between the lines. And of an old Indian squaw who would be angry if they struck him, but he was a fast runner and did not get struck often. They pulled all his hair out of the top of his head and put rings in his ears. After he had been with them awhile the Indians got very friendly with him and when he left the old Indian squaw cried.

"In 1765 his father, Robert Bell, Sr., came from Virginia to Western Pennsylvania. On returning as he was nearing home in Virginia, after inspecting the land he intended to settle on in Pennsylvania, he was thrown from his horse and killed.

"In October, 1768, John and James Bell, Sr., came to Chartiers Valley, to what is now Carnegie. The first night was spent in Chartiers Township, now east Carnegie, and the second day they crossed Chartiers Creek, to what now is Rosslyn. The second night they slept under a sycamore tree near the Fording. When they awoke in the morning, James was alarmed at the noise of Indians ringing bells to see if there were any horses in the neighborhood. The Indians did not disturb the first settlers, and waded the creek at the rocks near the Fording and continued on with their noise. The two Bell men, after marking their respective claims, returned to their homes in Virginia. In the following spring, 1769, they brought their mother and their families. The mother remained with John Bell at East Carnegie, until she died. James Bell, Sr., had marked for his claim at Rosslyn, some 400 acres and 151 perches. He built his first log cabin near the present old Bell homestead, formerly !

owned by Mrs. Morrow, a granddaughter of James Bell, Sr. Mr. Bell, Sr., erected a family altar in his new cabin.

"The Indians were quite numerous. His wife, Mrs. Mary Bell, (nee Newkirk), would hang blankets around the wood fire place, then she would sit and mould the bullets, while James Bell, Sr., would shoot out of a small window, whenever the horses would come running from the spring near the oak tree. Many an Indian rested in its shade. They knew to look and get ready for the red man. James Bell, Sr., always carried his gun on his shoulder to church.

"In 1772, James Bell, Sr., built a stone house. In that house he used to relate his stories of his captivity by the Indians to his grandchildren. One day he and his youngest son, James Bell, Jr., was in Pittsburgh. They met some friendly Indians and some he knew. They presented James Bell, Sr., with a bead belt and a small trunk. The bead belt is in the possession of one of his son’s descendants in Virginia. The small trunk is in the possession of one of James Bell, Sr.’s daughter’s descendants and is well preserved. James Bell, Sr., died December 5th, 1836, and was buried in Chartiers cemetery. The first burial plot was where the present Lead Works is located on the little knoll in Rosslyn."

1820 Federal Census, Butler County, Pennsylvania (Slippery Rock Township: File 10 of 15)lists

17| John Bell (one male over 45; one female over 45) B400

"Death of a Pioneer"

John Bell, of the town of Shelby, this county, died Saturday afternoon at his home, of Bright's Disease of the kidneys, aged 62 years. Mr. Bell is an old resident of La Crosse County, having een counted among its honest and responsible citizens formore than a quarter of a century past. Every old citizen of La Crosse knew him well, and hehad the respect of all. In his own township, he was trusted and honored by all, and for a number of years, was chairman of the town board. The funeral will be today." La Crosse Chronicle, 5/11/1879.

Died of Bright's disease of the kidney's (family bible)

From: "Liz Colestock" <lizcolestock@home.com>

To: BELL-L@rootsweb.com

Subject: [BELL-L] Elizabeth Bell, trying again

Date: Thu, 1 Feb 2001 17:31:04 -0800

Hi, it's been a few months since I posted, so I will

try again. Looking for an Elizabeth Bell born 1806, PA died 1878, PA (probably Burgettstown or close

to). Married James Cunningham, date unknown Father John Bell (Ireland), mother Hannah Newell, (Scotland, or parents from).

Any info on the above would be greatly appreciated Liz Bremerton, WA

1870 census states John Bell's father was of foreign birth

History of Butler County Pennsylvania, 1895

Buffalo Township, Chapter 38

PIONEERS

to investigate:

Subject:

[BELL-L] Bell, Robert

Date:

Fri, 01 Jun 2001 08:16:58 -0500

From:

Bob Francis <darby@nemr.net>

To:

BELL-L@rootsweb.com

Fellow researchers,

Its been a long time since I posted my BELL, so here goes:

Name: Robert BELL

_________________________________________

Birth: 1700/1710 County Tyrone, Ireland

Death: 1765 Romney, Virginia Age: 65

Military: French And Indian War

Occupation: farmer

Misc. Notes

ROBERT BELL SR was born in Ulster, County Tyrone, Ireland between 1700 and 1710. He was of Protestant ancestry. (The Bells in U.S.A. & Allied Families, by Getha Gina Bell 1977.) ROBERT and AGNES FLEMING married about 1737. They lived near Belfast, Antrim County, Ireland. (Source; Dr. & Mrs. J.H. Bell, Jr., 1110 Somerset Ave., Windber, Pennsylvania 15963. The FGS is located in the Hampshire Co., West Virginia Public Library.)

They emigrated to America with their four children, all under the age of seven in about 1744. This was during the Scots religious and political persecutions. Tradition is that he arrived at the Port of Philadelphia, with two of his brothers. One of the brothers went south and the other to Pennsylvania. (NOTE: William Bell of Chester County, Pennsylvania, born about 1700, could be a brother. His will was filed in 1774.)

Robert and Agnes settled in the province of Virginia, on Patterson Creek, which is on the south branch of the Potomac River, four miles from the present town of Romney. This was an area known as the Manor of Patterson Creek, Hampshire County, Virginia and is now West Virginia. (NOTE: Land Record; Abstracts of Northern Neck Warrents & Surrveys, 1697-1784, Vol. 4, by Peggy Shomo Joyner, pg. 24 shows Robert Bell as a chain carrier for a survey dated 11 Dec. 1750 in Manor Patterson Creek. Page 38 he was a chain carrier 10 Oa. 1752-20 Apr. 1753 etc.) There, they engaged in farming and stock-raising on their 330 acre farm. (NOTE: Patterson Creek Manor Tax List of 1762.)

After living in this county for ten years, Robert served in the French and Indian War, under Colonel George Washington. He was a on the rolls of Captain Stobo's Company and Captain Van Braam's Company. Robert was wounded in the battle of Great Meadows 09 Jul. 1754 and retired with a small one time disability. (NOTE: Library of Congress, Roll of Virgina Regiments, Washington's Journal 29 Ju1.1754. Virginia County Records Vol. 11, [Va Colonial Militia] 1651-1776. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1982, page ll3 &116. Virginia Colonial Soldiers, pages 46-47, 49-51, 128, 131, 133, 143,159. Journal of House of Burgess, 1752-58, pages 265 and 273.) Their son, James age fourteen was taken prisoner by the Indians and held for several years until he was returned as a consequence of a treaty. (NOTE: Encyclopedia of Biography Vol. VII, pages 2540-41, by John L. Jordan, LLD, N.Y. Lewis Historical Pub. Co., 1916.)

Their father, Robert signed a deed in 1771 in Romney [Hampshire Co., Virginia Deeds, Bill of Sale: Book No.3, pages 17-18, 289-291 from Thomas B. Martin 1771.] (NOTE: there is date inconsistency here. Reference below in Winstein article shows Robert Bell’s death as taking place in 1765—REF). He owned a fine horse named Drednot, which was generally regarded as swift and sure footed, though spirited and irnpetuos; but once attemping to leap a brook, the saddle girths burst and Mr. Bell Sr. was instantly killed in 1772. (NOTE: Source; Barbara A. O'Callaghan, 8042 N.14th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 35021. Thomas Jefferson Postlewait/Jane Mary (Bell) Postlewait/John Bell "Squire"/Robert Bell Jr/J ROBERT BELL.) His estate was sold by his heirs 09 Mar. 1773 to Okey Johnson. (NOTE: West Virginia Settlements, by Ross R. Johnston 1977.)

This unfortunate accident did not deter his sons from pursuing the occupation in which they were already engaged, that of stock raising. Within a few years after their father's death the eldest two sons, James and John set out from home to seek more extended land ownership in the region west of the mountains, which was the formation of the "Ohio Company". The French wars had rendered this area familiar to many. They passed pass through Washington County and followed the Chartiers creek to it's mouth, reaching a point just above the borough of Mansfield on a evening in October where tradition says they passed the night. A bear had been killed during the day, and a large chip was cut from a swamp oak to afford means of cutting and preparing the meat. The vitality was not impaired; it survived several generations of the Bell family, and died of old age in October, 1873. They traveled by horseback to for the purpose of exploration. On the next day they crossed Chartiers Creek an!

d spent the second night within Robison Township; and after marking the bounds of their respective claims inthe customary mannor, they then returned to Virginia,with the intention of removing their families to Pennsylvania and there making his home. The following spring they brought their families. James was the first permanent settler in Robison Township and John lived in Chartiers Township until their deaths. (NOTE: History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, A Warner & Co. Publishers, Chicago, ILL. in 1889.)

All of Robert's family then moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania (NOTE: This area first settled in 1760 and became Alleghany Co., Pennsylvania in 1786.) settling in the Old Sewickley Settlement on the Ohio River and in Carnegie near Chartiers Creek. From there Agnes's sons and sons-in-law served in the Revolutionary War. After the war, her children Robert, William, David, and Joseph moved to Harrod's Creek, Kentucky. They had not found the locality as well adapted to stock raising as they had anticipated. Samuel moved to Harrison Co., Indiana. James and John remained behind with their mother.

Agnes was living with her son John near Chartiers Creek, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania when she died in 1785. She was first buried on her son's homestead in the Old Wood's Graveyard at Peter's Creek, Pennsylvania. Her body was moved back to Hampshire County, Virginia. (NOTE: Hampshire County, Virginia is now part of West Virginia.)

The birth order of their children is uncertain. Dr. & Mrs. J. H. Bell Jr., Windber, Pa. report it to be Robert Jr. 1736, Joseph 1738, Samuel 1740, Margaret 1742, all born near Belfast, John 1743, Jane 1744, William 1746, David 1748, James 1750 and Charles 1752.

("Robert BELL," pp. 17-19)

-----

The following story is from an unknown source, sent to me by Ronald T. Shawhan:

"W. J. Winstein of Academy street furnished the following interesting story of the early settlers in the Chartiers Valley. The paper was presented to Mr. Winstein by descendants of Robert Bell, Sr., and for a number of years was stored away in an old trunk, where it was recently found. The Bells were the first settlers in the Chartiers Valley, staking out a claim in what is now known as Rosslyn, in 1768. Many descendants of the original settlers are still living in this vicinity. The paper follows:

owned by Mrs. Morrow, a granddaughter of James Bell, Sr. Mr. Bell, Sr., erected a family altar in his new cabin.

Visit my "Root & Branch" web site at: http://www.shawhan.com/