During the last couple of years I have continued my search for William's ancestors. I have decided to dedicate a separate page to findings and theories that so far remain unproven. As I find clues to prove the theories I will post them. Any help from descendants would be welcome to contact me. If you have ideas, I would appreciate your input. Perhaps with other eyes we can come to a proven ancestry of William. The link to the Theory page for William is: Wiilliam Bell Theories
The soulful life of a weaver at his loom inspired by the mournful sound of the spinning wheel to compose and sing tunes of lost sweethearts. Often the songs were mournful and full of intimacies that might have been. Sometimes they were of a love he won and held dear. William Bell was such a man This is the earliest of my Bell ancestors that I have so far discovered. My path led back to the parish of Derryvullan, Drumbulkin Townland, Barony of Lurg, County Fermanagh. Young William Bell resided there with his wife Flora and young son Hugh. I found them in the 1821 census.(1) William was a weaver and farmer. They, (or he, his wife Flora and son Hugh) would soon leave their homeland and move to Canada. Here he would continue to work as a weaver and also as a market farmer. His son would follow in his footsteps. Willam appears to have only one son who reached manhood. However, it has come to light there were possibly more children who died as infants. The births in Derryvullan while they lived there to parent William and Flora were as follows: Thomas, Hugh, William and Leah.(2) His son Hugh would survive to continue the Bell heritage that is dear to me. I have not been able to find much more about William, from his homeland but in Canada I have been able to follow his descendants.
14 Feb 1808 Thomas to William Bell and Florence? 13 May 1810 Hugh to William and Flora 28 Mar 1813 William to William and Flora 12 Mar 1815 Leah to William and Flora
This would suggest that Hugh had one sister and possibly two brothers. The census of 1821 lists Hugh as the only child, indicating that the other children died. In this census William is 44 and Flora 40. My thoughts are that since only William and Hugh came to Canada that Flora died shortly after the 1821 census, possibly in childbirth along with the child. Some other interesting facts are that there are many Bells in that area, a small community and probably all related. Sue Barbeau from another FB group posted that she is a DNA match to a William Bell son of James Bell (1774) from Fermanagh. This would indicate that James is possibly our William's brother. Earlier in my post I mention another Hugh Bell as a possible name for the father of our William. Now I am not so sure. If the traditional patterns were followed then William's father's name would be Thomas, Flora's father would have been Hugh, and her mother would have been Leah. This appears to fit as William's third born son was named William. The naming patterns give us clues to the names of family so my next task is to study the people from the 1821 Irish census for Fermanagh and see if through Hugh's children I can possibly come up with other ancestors and possibly Flora's maiden name. It is likely that she is from that same village, or one very nearby. If anyone has any incite into this new information please let me know so we can continue the quest for our Bell heritage. The links below may be of some help.
Scots-Irish naming patterns:
2 given names for each child – often listed as initials in records.
Preservation of mother’s identity in the middle names of the children.
1st son named for paternal grandfather with mother’s maiden name as middle or second given name.
2nd son named for maternal grandfather with grandmother’s maiden name as middle or second given name.
3rd son named for father; or, maybe a Saint’s name from the past: Patrick, Michael
1st daughter named for maternal grandmother
2nd daughter named for paternal grandmother
3rd daughter named for mother
Second given name for daughters is drawn from grandmothers, aunts, and extended family women to keep their identity alive.
If the lineage is a Huguenot line, the Huguenot surname will be carried down through each generation and may be given to both boys and girls.
Traditional Scottish naming Patterns
The first son would be named after the father's father (variation is after the mother's father)
The second after the mother's father (variation is the father's father)
The third son would be named after the father
The fourth son would be named after the father's oldest brother (variation is after the father's paternal grandfather)
The fifth son would be named after the mother's oldest brother (variation is after the mother's paternal grandfather)
and for girls:
First daughter named after the mother's mother (variation is after the father's mother)
Second daughter named after the father's mother
Third daughter named after the mother
Fourth daughter named after the mother's oldest sister (variation is after the mother's maternal grandmother)
Fifth daughter named after the father's oldest sister (variation is after the father's maternal grandmother)
Traditional Irish naming Patterns
Sons 1. The eldest son was named after the child’s paternal grandfather. 2. The second son was named after that child’s maternal grandfather. 3. The third son was named after the father. 4. The fourth son was named after the child’s eldest paternal uncle. 5. Subsequent sons were named after other paternal uncles, in order of the age of the uncles.
Daughters 1. The eldest daughter was named after the child’s maternal grandmother. 2. The second daughter was named after the child’s paternal grandmother. 3. The third daughter was named after the mother. 4. The fourth daughter was named after the child’s eldest maternal aunt. 5. Subsequent daughters were named after other maternal aunts, in order of the age of the aunts.
Having learned that the Bell's were Church of England, they would have most likely attended the above church in Ireland.
During my pursuits during the last year, I have come across some exciting information regarding William Bell (1777-1839) that may help open up a brick wall. Anyone with any insight into the matter is encouraged to contact me.
These two bits of information will possibly lead to more information about my Ulster Scot heritage. I suspect that it might lead me back to England or Scotland as William was a Protestant. Time and some luck will tell. Could this have been the estate of William's father, Or if Thomas was his first son then tradition would say his father should have been named Thomas. Whatever the case, these would most likely be relations to William.
Name: Hugh Bell Event Type: Probate Event Date: 1874 Event Place: Fermanagh, IRL Document Number: 021 Volume Number: 114 Volume Date Range: May 1874 Property Name: Parish: Electoral Division: Barony: County: Fermanagh Alternate Event Place: Citing this Record: (4)
Name: William Bell Event Type: Probate Event Date: 1866 Event Place: Fermanagh, IRL Document Number: 048 Volume Number:081 Volume Date Range: Apr-Jun 1866 Property Name: Parish: Electoral Division: Barony: County: Fermanagh Alternate Event Place: Clonfad Citing this Record: (5)
*Perhaps if I can find someone to access these documents it will lead to parent of my 3X great-grandfather.
I did find a land owner by the name of Hugh Bell who lives in Maguiresbridge owning 75 acres of land. This land is only 5 miles from the town of Derryvulland, where William Bell and two other Bell's John and Robert all have received a premium for planting at least 1 acre of land or more entitling them to possibly 4 spinning wheels. Were John and or Robert brother's of William. Another possibility. I am hoping to prove William's father was the Hugh Bell who owned this 75 acres mentioned below. So far that has not come to fruition. There have always been Williams, Roberts and Johns in the family of my Bells and at the beginning the name Hugh was prominent as well.
Spinning Wheel Premium Entitlement List
A List of Persons to whom Premiums for sowing Flax-seed in the year 1796 have been adjudged by the Trustees of the Linen Manufacture. Entitlement: To the Person who should sow between the 12th Day of March and the 1st Day of June 1796, with a sufficient Quantity of good sound Flax-seed, any Quantity of Land, well prepared and fit for the purpose, not less than 1 Acre – 4 Spinning Wheels 3 Roods – 3 Ditto 1 Rood – 1 Ditto And to the Person who should sow in like Manner any Quantity of like Land, not less than 5 Acres, a loom, or Wheels, Reels, or Hatchells to the Value of 50 Shillings, and for every 5 Acres over and above the first five a like Premium. Derryvulland Bell John 1 Derryvulland Bell Robert 1 Derryvulland Bell William 1
*Flax Grower's List of 1796 thanks to Fred Raymont, County Antrim 1999
Land Owners 1786 22. Catherine M. Bell, no address given, owned 27 acres. 23. Hugh Bell, address Mullaghmakerney, Maguiresbridge, owned 75 acres.
* Is Catherine the mother of William? Is Hugh his father? A few clues but also a brick wall. One I will persist to break down.
An interesting aside is that while looking for the Townland in Ireland of Drumbulkin I came across the name Meadowvale which is the name in Ontario where Hugh’s children were born. Did many from this area in Fermanagh come to settle in Ontario and name the area for their lost homeland or did William (father of Hugh), himself name this area Meadowvale? The Irish town is only several minutes walk from the church of Ireland in Derryvullan.
Canada
Military
I recently found a document that quite possibly proves William was inlisted in the military. The name Bell William appears in the Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900 42nd Foot Soldiers, 1st Battalion 1814-1816. The William in this document is approximately the same age as our William, from Derryvullan and listed as a volunteer foot soldier. There appears to be a plethora of information on the document but it is very difficult to read.(6)
Settling in Ontario
William and his family appear in "The City of Toronto and the Home District commercial directory and register with almanack and calendar for 1837". He appears in the Toronto New Survey along with his son as follows: Name Con Lot Bell Wm2 11 Bell Hugh 1 12 This also proves the family was here before 1837, as the lots they own were cleared and inhabited. February 15, 1837 William Bell applied for a Land Petition for the West half of Lot 11, Concession 2 WHS, Toronto Township, County of Peel. At the time it was a Clergy Reserve leased to John Carter in 1821, with 45 cleared acres and rents paid by the petitioner. William’s affidavit indicates he bought the lot from John Bell, who purchased it from Joseph Carter, the original occupant. William had cleared 45 acres, built a house, barn and other buildings on the lot. Included in the Land Petition application is a signed document from John Bell of the City of Toronto to indicate he sold this lot to William Bell for 10 pounds. Unfortunately, the document doesn’t indicate a date for this transaction, other than the date John Bell signed the document (Feb. 15, 1837). Who was John Bell from the City of Toronto Was he related to William? As seen in the transcribed document below William cleared the land and constructed buildings and makes his intent for ownership of the property. Letton has done an extensive search regarding the property.
Land Petition c-1632, Vol B20, Pet. 128 for William Bell Page 1 Recd. 18th Feby 1837
To His Excellency Sir Francis Bond Head Knight Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order and the Pruseran Military Order of uent(sic) Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada The Petition of William Bell of the Township of Toronto, Yeoman Humbly showeth that Your Petitioner purchased from John Bell his Interest in the West half of Lot 11 in 2nd Con West of Hurontario in the township of Toronto a clergy reserve the said John Bell having purchased from Joseph Carter, the original occupant of the Lot. The assignment from Joseph Carter was left in the office of the Secretary to the Clergy Corporation where it well now be found. Your Petitioner has cleared about 40 acres on the Lot and built a House, Barn & other offices thereon. He is now desirous of purchasing from the Crown and humbly prays Your Excellency that the said half Lot may be sold him at a valuation And Your Petitioner will ever pray. For William Bell James Henderson City of Toronto 15th Feby 1837
Page 2
Clergy Corporation Office Toronto 24th February 1837 A lease of Lot No. 11 in the 2nd Con: WCRoad in Toronto, was Ordered to Joseph Carter in 1821 – but the Description did not issue, the rents have been seemly (sic) paid up by the Petitioner. Signed J Barnes (sic)
B20 of No. 128 Petition of William Bell Applying to purchase The West Half of Lot No.11 in the 2nd Con: West of Hurontario Street in the Township of Toronto aClergy Reserve Signed Geo Illegitable 18th Feby 1837 Informed (sic ) the Scy of the Clergy Corporation (rest is hard to read due to hand writing) (SIC) Toronto, 8th March 1837 W1/2 Lot 11 in 2 Conc WHS Toronto, a Clergy Reserve was inspected and valued in 1836 by H. Black DS at 3 of G per Acre and subsequently in the office by S.S. Wilnook at 25 per acre, the petitioner is returned as the occupant with 45 acres cleared, reward (sic) state the lot as being only 2 ½ Miles from Churchville village. N.P. Salway In Council 16th March 1837 Recommended at 27/6 per acre N.P. Sullivan Order moved to Commissioner Of Crown Land 31st March 1837
Page 3 128b Know all men by these Presents that I John Bell of the City of Toronto in the Home District and Province of Upper Canada, Labourer for and in consideration of the sum of Ten pounds of lawful money of Upper Canada to me in hand paid by William Bell of the Township of Toronto in the District and Province aforesaid Yeoman the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargain and sold assigned released and for ever quit claimed unto the said William Bell all my Estate right title interest claim and demand whatsoever of mine to grant (sic) of that certain parcel of Land and premise situated and being in the Township of Toronto Being the West half of Lot Number Eleven in the Second Concession West of Hurontario Street in the said Township a Clergy Reserve together with all the appurtenances and hereditaments here to(sic) belonging or many(sic) wise(sic) appertaining. To have and hold the same unto the said William Bell his heirs and assigns forever. In witness whereof I have (word sic) set my hand and seal this Fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord on Thousand and eight hundred and thirty seven Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Signed John Bell with his mark James Henderson
*Above thanks to the document transcription by CJ Letton
William Bell's lot indicated in orange
According to my research the family arrived in Canada sometime after the 1821 Irish census and the next one in 1831. I found another document that may or may not be the family (or part of).(7) If this is the William Bell family they would have come through the port in New York. Hugh Bell’s lot (inherited from his father William), was the west half of Concession 2, Lot 11, Toronto Township (North of Dundas Street), Peel County. Hugh’s father William (c. 1777 – 1839) occupied this lot prior to 1837 and had applied for the patent, but the patent wasn’t granted until 1851. About 1865 Hugh Bell sold his lot to Gooderham of Gooderham & Worts who were well known in the surrounding area (Toronto, York, Peel) operating a number of mills and other businesses. Gooderham & Worts took over an existing mill in Meadowvale Village, which was right in town. The McGill Digital County Atlas site this link should take you to the Gooderham property that belonged to Hugh Bell in the 1850s & first part of the 1860s.
Bell William gravestone St. Peter's Anglican Church, Erin
William Bell died in March 19,1839 according to affidavit from Flora Bell ("lawfully married to the late William Bell") made on the Dec 7, 1848. This document was part of the filing Hugh Bell made in the Second Heir and Divisee Court. It also said that Hugh Bell was the Eldest son and of William Bell. The documents include start in Nov 24, 1848 stating a notice of claim was posted in the office of the Clerk of Peace, Home District for 30 days. They received William's will on July 16, 1849. Wiliam Bell's death date matches that of William Bell buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, Erindale. William Bell died Mar 19 1839 aged 62 yrs. [Burial Register - died Mar 20, 1839). Calculated date of birth 1777. As there are others in the cemetery with dates that match other family members I believe we have found William.
CITATIONS: (1) B. "Ireland Census, 1821," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9S-LLPZ : 24 February 2016), William Bell, 1821; from "Ireland Census 1821-1851," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2014); citing Derryvullan, Fermanagh, Ireland, household 10632. (2) Fermanagh Church Records birth, marriage and death *It is possible Thomas is not one of the children as his parents are listed as William and Florence Bell. Was Flora really Florence? (3) SOur Heritage - Sue Barbeau's Ancestry Project (4) "Ireland Landed Estate Court Files, 1850-1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCF1-Q5V : accessed 18 May 2016), Hugh Bell, 1874; citing Fermanagh, Ireland, volume date May 1874, volume 114, document 021, National Archives, Dublin. (5) "Ireland Landed Estate Court Files, 1850-1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCFR-QTZ : accessed 18 May 2016), William Bell, 1866; citing Fermanagh, Ireland, volume date Apr-Jun 1866, volume 081, document 048, National Archives, Dublin. (6) Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900 - The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Class Number: WO 25; Class Title: 42 Foot 1 Battn; Piece Number: 383; Piece Title: 42 Foot 1 Battn (7) U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Place: Ontario, Canada; Year: 1811-1889; Page Number: 19 (8) D. 1839 with burial in St. Peter's Cemetery, Erindale, Ontario.