name: ELIJAH BELL
spouse: 1. Susan Wheeler 2. Nancy
NAME.................... Elijah BELL
OCCUPATION.....Farmer
BIRTH/PLACE/RECORDS..... 1814-5 Dallas Co Alabama
DIED/PLACE/RECORDS...... 11 MAY 1877 At his home on Big Barren-Ripley Co MO
BURIAL.................. At the Buffalo Church of Pneumonia
>WIFE................... 1. Susan WHEELER 2. Nancy
BORN/PLACE/RECORDS...... 1817 North Carolina
MARRIAGE/PLACE/RECORDS.. 30 Aug 1832 Adams Co MS
DIED/PLACE/BURIAL....... abt 1839 abt 1878
CHILDREN..............9. 2 by Susan 7 by Nancy
1870 Ripley Co MO Kelly Twp Doniphan Roll M593 P:664 D:497 F:497
Elijah:56 Farmer 1000/500 AL Nancy:53 NC Jason:20 TN Margaret:18
1860 Ripley Co MO Kelly Twp Doniphan Roll M653 P:89 D:599 F:589 5 SEP L:29-38
Elijah:45 AL Farmer 500/700 Nancy:43 NC G.F.:22 James:21 E.W.:17 N.L.:13
J.W.:10 M.E.:8 W.L.:9/12
1850 Gibson Co TN Civil Dist No.2 Call No.432-878 P:137 D:198 7 SEP
Elijah:35 Nancy:32 George:11 James:10 Alexander:8 Eliza:7 Mary:5 Neill:3 Jonah:4/12
1840 Lawrence Co TN 2 Children under 5 1 Free White Male 20-30 1 FWF 20-30
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[Children 1-2 Children of Susan Wheeler]
* CHILD 1............... George F BELL b 1838 TN
MARRIED.................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CHILD 2............... James BELL b 1839 TN
MARRIED.................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Children 3-9 Children of Nancy]
* CHILD 3............... Valentine Alexander BELL b07 NOV 1841 TN d19 DEC 1919
MARRIED................. 1859-60 Louisa Simoline CAVACY b06 OCT 1841
CHILD 3 CHILDREN........ 11 (1900 Census) 8 Living d17 APR 1915
1900 Ripley Co MO D:50 F:54 Valentine A:58 TN AL GA Blacksmith Marr:40y 11/10
kids Louisa S:58 AR France AR William:18 MO TN AR
1880 Valentine:38 1870 Alexander:32 1860 V.A.:19 1850 Alexander:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CHILD 4............... Elijah W BELL b 1843 TN
MARRIED..Ripley Co MO P6 17 NOV 1867 Cyntha M PRUET b
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CHILD 5............... Mary BELL b 1845 TN
MARRIED.................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CHILD 6............... Neill L BELL b 1848 TN
MARRIED.................
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CHILD 7............... Jason Wilson BELL b MAY 1850 Tn d27 SEP 1880
MARRIED.Ripley Co MO P15 18 DEC 1873 Nancy J KELLY b 1858
CHILD 7 CHILDREN........ 3 1. M.F.(f) 2. A.T.(f) 3.
NOTE: After Jasons death, Nancy married James CAMP
-------------------------------b1875-------b1878------b1880--------19 NOV 1880-----
* CHILD 8............... Margaret E BELL b MAY 1852 TN d1 NOV 1937
MARRIED.Ripley Co MO P12 12 AUG 1872 Morgan White COTTON b MAY 1847 MO
CHILD 8 CHILDREN..5/2... 1. James W COTTON bSEP 1876 (Lived Kansas City MO)
MARRIED
CHILD------1. Bertran COTTON b (Lived Houston TX)
2. Etta B COTTON bOCT 1884
MARRIED THOMAS b
CHILD------1. Lindsey Cotton THOMAS b (Lived LR AR)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* CHILD 9............... William L BELL b 1859 MO-Ripley Co
MARRIED................. 17 NOV 1867
CHILD 9 CHILDREN........
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have much more information about the descendants of Elijah Bell's children.
DALLAS CO. ALABAMA
MARRIAGE BOOK I: 1818 - 1845
Bell, Elijah Nancy Ann Jones 31 Dec 1840 pg 251
Bell, Emily Dr. Robert Westmoreland 10 Jul 1844 pg 297
Bell, John C. Louisa Dorman 10 Jan 1842 pg 214
Bell, Jonathan L. Louisianna Blann 26 Sep 1842 pg 237
Bell, Julia John White 19 Jan 1842 pg 252
Bell, Manerva Levi Smith 11 Jan 1819 pg 7
Bell, William T. Mary Averyt 16 Feb 1841 pg 252
*******************************
CENSUS DATA PERTAINING TO ELIJAH BELL
1840 Census:
The 1840 Census of Lawrence and Polk Counties, Tennessee have an ELIJAH BELL and family listed. Either could
be this ELIJAH BELL since both had two sons under five and the two Elijah's were listed in the 20 and under
30 age group, as were their wives. No evidence at this time to determine if or which one is our Elijah.
1850 Census:
The printed index to Tennessee Census for 1850 shows a "B" for Bedford County for the ELIJAH and NANCY BELL
family, but the microfilm of the Bedford County Census does not have the household or page number or the
ELIJAH BELL family listed as the index indicated. It appears the index should have printed a "G" for
Gibson County, since the ELIJAH BELL and family were found in the 1850 Census in Gibson County, with the
household and page number which was indicated for Bedford County.
The 1850 Census of Gibson County, Tennessee, Dwelling Number 198, Page 137 (another page number 273 is
listed on the same microfilm page) shows ELIJAH BELL to be 35 at the time of the census and being born in
Alabama. This indicates he was born during 1814-15. It shows his occupation as a farmer.
His wife, NANCY, is listed as 32 and being born in North Carolina. This Indicates she was born during
1817-18. This census list seven children at home on 1 JUN 1850. All the children were listed as being
born in Tennessee.
1850 Gibson Co TN
BELL, George 11 M TN
BELL, James 10 M TN
BELL, Alexander 8 M TN
BELL, Eliza 7 F TN
BELL, Mary 5 F TN
BELL, Neill 3 M TN
BELL, Jason 4/12 M TN
BELL, ??? (Later census indicated this child was probably named Elijah and was male)
1860 Census
The 1860 Census of Doniphan, Kelly Township, Ripley County, Missouri shows this BELL family as residents
on page 87. Place of birth for children would indicate they moved from Tennessee to Missouri sometime
betweem 1852 and September 1859. This census shows ELIJAH BELL as a Farmer and his sons as Farmers or
farm laborers. It is noted that ALEXANDER (must be Valentine Alexander BELL) is not listed as being in
the household for this census.
However, he is listed as married within the year and head of his own household in the same township and
county. In addition, MARY BELL who was listed in the 1850 Census is not listed as a member of ELIJAH
BELL's household for this census. She was five years of age at time of 1850 census. Must have died
some time after the 1850 census. Most of the 1860 census for this township listed individuals with
initials instead of given name. Two children were added between 1850 and 1860. <See 1860 Census>
*******************************
BELL'S IN RIPLEY COUNTY MISSOURI
During the period of 1860 - 1900, I found that five BELL Families, apparently not related, and an
individual with no family by the name of BELL, settled in Ripley County, Missouri.
I did not find any BELL'S in Ripley County reported on the 1840 and 1850 Census.
The First two families with the surname of BELL arrived in Ripley County some-time between 1852 and
1860. The family of ELIJAH and NANCY BELL arrived in Ripley County from Tennessee sometime between 1852
and September 1859. The family of JAMES and LUCINDA (Lucy) BELL arrived from Illinois sometime between
1852 and 1860.
The family of ELIJAH and NANCY BELL are shown in the 1860 Census as residing in Kelly Township of Ripley
County with Post Office as Doniphan. The census shows the last child born in Tennessee as M.E. BELL,
age 8, and their last child as W.L. BELL, age 9/12, being born in Missouri. So I have to assume that
this family arrived in Ripley County sometime between 1852 and September 1859.
1860: Missouri-Ripley Co MO-Kelly Twp-P.O.:Doniphan Roll:643 P:99-588/589
BELL, E 45 M Farmer 500/700 AL
BELL, Nancy 43 F Domestic NC
BELL, G.F. 22 M Farmer TN
BELL, Jas 21 M Farm Laborer TN
BELL, E.W. 17 M Farm Laborer TN
BELL, N.L. 13 M TN
BELL, J.W. 10 M TN
BELL, M.E. 8 F TN
BELL, W.L. 9/12 M MO
DECKER, R. 17 F Domestic MO
The Family of JAMES and Lucy BELL are shown in the 1860 Census as residing in Washington Township with
Post Office being Little Black. James was born in Massachusetts and Lucy in Ohio. Their last child
is listed as being born in Illinois and was five or eight years of age at the time of census. So I
assume this family arrived in Ripley County between 1852 and 1860.
1860: Missouri-Ripley Co MO-Washington Twp-P.O.:L.Black-Roll:643 P:23-150/140
BELL, Jas 61 M Farmer 600/500 Mass
BELL, Lucy 41 F Domestic Ohio
BELL, Charles 17 M Farming Iowa
BELL, E.L. 14 F Iowa
BELL, S.W. 10 M Iowa
BELL, N.J. 5or8 F Ill
The 1860 Census also shows a newlywed family in Ripley County. This is ELIJAH and NANCY BELL's son,
Valentine Alexander BELL and his new wife, Louisa Simoline CAVACY Bell.
1860: Missouri-Ripley Co MO-Kelly Twp-P.O.:Doniphan-Roll:643 P:491-602/592
BELL, V.A. 19 M Farmer 0/100 Tenn (Valentine Alexander Bell)
BELL, L.S. 19 F Domestic Ark (Louisa Simoline Cavacy Bell)
1870: Missouri-Ripley Co MO
The 1870 Census shows three families with the surname of BELL residing in Ripley County. The ELIJAH
and NANCY BELL Family which was in the 1860 Census are still listed, but with only two children in the
household. It shows he is still a farmer with real real estate value of $1,000 and personal property of
$500. The family is listed on page 664, household 497/497, as follows:
1870: Missouri-Ripley Co MO-Kelly Twp-P.O.:Doniphan-Roll:803 P:664-497/497
BELL, Elijah 56 M Farmer 1000/500 AL
BELL, Nancy 53 F Housekeeper NC
BELL, Jason Wilson 20 M TN
BELL, Margaret 18 F TN
NOTE: BELL, W.L. (William) probably died between the 1860 and 1870 census.
*******************************
DEATH DATA FOR ELIJAH BELL AND NANCY BELL
A publication titled "Ripley County (Missouri) Records - Obituaries: 1874-1910 compiled and indexed by
Mrs. Thelma S. McManus, CGRS, 507 Vine Street, Doniphan, Missouri 63935 and printed at Doniphan, Mo,
May 1979, on Page 9 shows:
1877 - 18 MAY Died on Friday 11 May of Pneumonia at his home on Big Barren - ELIJAH BELL, age @ 70 years,
leaves widow, 1 daughter and 2 sons
Page 12 has this story:
1878 - 09 AUG Funeral sermon of Mr & MRS. ELIJAH BELL, long time residents on Big Barren, will be
preached by Rev. Timothy Reeves at the Buffalo Church next Sunday. <See 18 MAY 1877 for notice of death
of ELIJAH BELL>
A family with the head of household listed as Alexander BELL is listed in the 1870 Census as residing in
Kelly Township. This is V.A. Bell listed in the 1860 Census, however, Louisa Simoline is called Caroline,
and the age and place of birth does not correspond with what is shown for 1860 Census.
1870: Missouri-Ripley Co MO-Kelly Twp-P.O.:Doniphan-Roll:803 P:490/490
BELL, Alexander 32 M Farmer 150/300 Mo
BELL, Caroline 30 F Housekeeper Mo
BELL, Isabel 9 F Mo
BELL, Victoria 7 F Mo
The third family listed is headed by Lucinda BELL which I believe to be the same Lucy BELL in the 1860
Census. However, her husband, James, and two children, Charles and E.L. are no longer in the household.
1870: Missouri-Ripley Co MO-Union Twp-P.O.:Gatewood-Roll: P:
BELL, Lucinda 50 F 100/100 Ohio
BELL, Solomon 20 M Iowa
BELL, Nancy J 18 F Ill
1880 CENSUS
The 1880 Census reveals that a new family arrived in Ripley County during the period June 1870 and June
1880. It also shows a new individual arrived during this period and it shows him as a boarder in the
Sheriff's home. He was Joseph W. BELL, a salon keeper, and the new family was the Franklin and Sarah
BELL family from Pennsylvania.
1880: Missouri-Ripley Co MO--Doniphan Village-P:553-11/12
BELL, Joseph W 23 M Keeping Salon KY
1880: Missouri-Ripley Co MO--Doniphan Village-P:573
BELL, Franklin 70? M Farmer Penn
BELL, Sarah C 68? F Wife Penn
BELL, Harrett A 20 F Dau Penn
BELL, Harry M 15 M Son Penn
BELL, Mary A 15 F Dau Penn
BELL, Charley M 9 M Son Penn
The 1880 Census does not contain a listing for the ELIJAH and NANCY BELL family. They died during the
1870-1880 period. However, two sons from this marriage are listed with their families. They are
VALENTINE A. BELL and J.W. (Jason) BELL. Lucinda BELL is still listed as head of her household, with a
daughter and two grandchildren residing with her. Lucinda's son, Solomon, married between census' and
is listed with his family.
*******************************
RIPLEY COUNTY MISSOURI DEED RECORDS
Book:Q Page:228-29 Warranty Deed
ELIJAH BELL and Wife to Sarah J. BELL, Winfield L. BELL, Eldorado BELL and ELIJAH W. BELL 90 acres
19 SEP 1874 Filed:27 OCT 1883
Book:P Page:406-7 Deed
ELIJAH BELL bought land for $425.00 from Henry and Casandra Rangey. Dated:25 APR 1859 Filed:6 AUG 1859
E½ of all 29 sec Twp 25 R1E
Book:H Page:415-16 Quit Claim Indenture
12 JUL 1870 Filed:12 JUL 1870 Sarah Waller to Valentine A BELL $50.00 26.90 ac–
Book:P Page:510-13 Sheriff's Deed in Partition
ELIJAH BELL Deceased, Estate to Morgan W. COTTON, Winfield Scott BELL, Morgan E. COTTON OCT Term 1880
Seal affixed 28 OCT 1882 230 acres SE NE South of Big Barren Creek Sec:29 Twp:25 Range:
*******************************
RIPLEY CO MO MARRIAGE BOOK 1860-1881
BK PG
Elijah W BELL to Cyntha M PRUET 17 NOV 1867 6
Margaret E BELL to Morgan White COTTON 12 AUG 1872 12
Jason Wilson BELL to Nancy Jane KELLY 18 DEC 1873 15
Solomon BELL to Mrs Amanda FASHEE Tucker 07 JUN 1874 16
Louisa Isabel BELL to John C LEWIS 18 JUL 1879 31
Nancy Jane BELL to James CAMP 18 NOV 1880 39
Robert Winfield BELL to Sarah J STEPP 31 MAY 1890 B:2 147
James Elidge BELL to Cassie FLOOD 12 NOV 1892 B:2 276
Martha Alice BELL to H C MATHIS 31 DEC 1888 B:2 58
Mary BELL to William F SIMPSON 12 OCT 1889 B:2 108
Annie BELL to Newton WIGGINSTON 29 JAN 1890 B:2 124
Fannie BELL to J B SHAHAN 23 MAR 1892 B:2 250
J A BELL to Margaret OSBURN 14 NOV 1893 B:3 13
Coalman BELL to Millie Ann WEATHERSPOON 18 MAY 1895 B:3 116
Rutha BELL to F M JACKSON 23 MAR 1892 B:2 251
Ida L BELL to J L PONDER 03 NOV 1894 B:3 75
Bee BELL to A P GLORE 24 JAN 1895 B:3 91
F W BELL to Minnie D BUBB 16 APR 1898
Drusie E BELL to Jeff M SANDLIN 29 SEP 1896
M S BELL to J A CAMP 07 MAY 1898 B:4 1
Wm Franklin BELL to Ethel Rose PARRISH 31 OCT 1900 B:4 220
Robert Winfield BELL to Ethel M NEILL 19 MAY 1906 B:5 218
James A BELL to Ruth STONE 21 DEC 1909
Robert Lester BELL to Leta L GREGORY 05 MAR 1910 B:6 38
James F BELL to Ethel YOUNG 14 SEP 1912 B:6 221
H E BELL to Arta WHITWELL 10 SEP 1914
J R BELL to Marth PETTERSON 26 JAN 1915
Emmert Elijah BELL to Lauretta May WHITWELL 29 MAY 1915
Robert Winfield BELL to Mrs. Lillie May SHIPMAN Brown 09 JUN 1917
John BELL to Ruth LEWIS 17 JUL 1918 B:7 241
Emma BELL to W E CREWSE 30 DEC 1919 B:7 332
Orvel L BELL to Ruby C DRANE 31 MAY 1930
Eulalia BELL to Wallace MEADOWS 15 JUL 1933
Mary Ellen BELL to Arch R PONDER 02 JUL 1938
Nancy Emma BELL to George W MISSICK 01 FEB 1885
Victoria E BELL to Newton MATHEWS 09 MAR 1887
Andrew J LEWIS to Martha E McMERTREY 16 JAN 1876 19
Joab LEWIS to Jane HARRIS 20 AUG 1879 30
Ellen LEWIS to John WRIGHT 18 AUG 1880 37
Martha E LEWIS to Sylvenina CROPSON 31 MAR 1881 42
John Allen LEWIS to Margarett DUNN 28 JUN 1888 B:2 32
John LEWIS to Ida LANE 17 NOV 1888 B:2 54
John E LEWIS to Effie POPE 03 JAN 1902 B:4 324
Bessie S LEWIS to Horace H MORRIS 26 MAR 1904 B:5 46
John LEWIS to Myrtle CRABTREE 20 MAY 1907 B:5 297
John LEWIS to Ana HODO 26 NOV 1909 B:6 19
Compiled and submitted by Charlotte Ramsey
Charlotte
Curlee Ramsey
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~cramsey/index.html
