BELL / BEALL FAMILY HOME PAGE
Researching the genealogy of the Bell/ Beall family of Scotland and Maryland. I would like to correspond with anyone working on, or connected to, this family.
LAST UPDATED: 4 June 2009
(Three generations shown - approximately 19 pages)
Email me at: jacmac43@yahoo.com;
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THE BELL-BEALL FAMILY OF SCOTLAND AND MARYLAND
GENERATION ONE
1. Alexander Bell.
Alexander Bell is believed to have been born during the early 1600's in Fife County, Scotland. Although the identity of Alexander's parents has yet to be determined beyond doubt, there are a number of researchers who believe that his father was named William. It is further believed that Alexander had a brother, also named William, and that it was this William who married Christian Traill in the parish church at St. Andrew's in Fife County on 5 December 1639. No additional information has been found concerning this William, however.
Alexander, who was a brabener (linen weaver) by trade, was later married on 21 May 1646 in the parish church at St. Andrew's in Fife County to a woman named Margaret Ramsay. With the exception of Robert, the following children were identified through the christening records of St. Andrew's Church as being Alexander and Margaret's. Because no birth or christening records have been found for Robert, his actual relationship to this family is still being debated. It is my belief, however, that Alexander and Margaret could have had additional children that were christened in another parish, and that they simply have not been located yet. In light of the fact that Alexander's son, Alexander, specifically referred to a brother named Robert in his will, I have included this Robert as also being a son of Alexander and Margaret Bell.
Known and probable issue: (Surname Bell)
2. William
b. in Fife Co., Scot.
chr. 22 August 1647 at St. Andrew's Church,
Fife Co., Scot.
3. Alexander
b. in Fife Co., Scot.
chr. 11 October 1649 at St. Andrew's Church,
Fife Co., Scot.
m. (1) unknown.
m. (2) Elizabeth (Buckerfield) Bates in MD.
(widow of William Bates)
d. 1744 in Prince George's Co., MD.
4. James
b. in Fife Co., Scot.
chr. 5 February 1652 at St. Andrew's Church,
Fife Co., Scot.
m. 1693 to Sarah Pearce in MD.
d. 1725 in Prince George's Co., MD.
5. Andrew
b. in Fife Co., Scot.
chr. 28 March 1655 at St. Andrew's Church, Fife
Co., Scot.
m. (remained single)
d. 1742 in Prince George's Co., MD.
6. Robert
b. in Scot.
m. Margery ( ).
d. ca. 1754/55 in Prince George's Co., MD.
GENERATION TWO
2. William Bell.
William Bell, the son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay, was born in Fife County, Scotland. He was subsequently christened in the parish church at St. Andrew's in Fife County on 22 August 1647. At the present time, it is not known whether or not William emigrated to Maryland with his brothers or remained in Scotland.
Note: According to Fielder M. M. Beall in his book "Colonial Families of the United States Descended From the Immigrants Bell, Beal, Bale, Beale, Beall," William Bell was married in Maryland in about 1695 to Elizabeth Stallings, the daughter of Richard Stallings (also written Stallinges). It is also stated by Fielder Beall that this William died in Calvert County, Maryland in 1731, and that his will was submitted for probate before the Calvert County Court on 10 April 1731. This William's surname was not listed as Bell/Beall, however, but as Deal (Deale). The wills of this William's father-in-law and brother-in-law, as well as information presented in the Stallings genealogy, consistently refer to this person as William Deal, Deale, or Dealt. This surname also appears to have been used by this William's descendants as well. As a consequence, I believe Fielder Beall's assessment of this William is inaccurate, and that this individual is not the son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay.
3. Alexander Bell.
Alexander Bell (also written Beall and Beale), the son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay, was born in Fife County, Scotland. He was subsequently christened on 11 October 1649 in the parish church at St. Andrew's in Fife County. Alexander eventually emigrated to the New World, where he settled in the Province of Maryland.
Based upon available records, it appears that Alexander was married twice during his life. Although the identity of his first wife is not known at this time, she is believed to be the mother of all of his children. Unfortunately, it is also not known if Alexander married his first wife in Scotland prior to emigrating, or if he married after his arrival in Maryland.
After his first wife passed away, Alexander married in Maryland for a second time to a woman named Elizabeth (Buckerfield) Bates. Elizabeth, who was born in England, was the daughter of Henry Buckerfield and Elizabeth Parker, and the widow of William Bates. (Note: Elizabeth's mother was married to (1) Henry Buckerfield, (2) Samuel Holdsworth, and (3) Patrick Hepburn).
Alexander later died in Prince George's County, Maryland in 1744. His will, which was written on 16 January 1743/44, was admitted for probate before the Prince George's County Court on 6 September 1744. Because Alexander's wife, Elizabeth, was not named in his will, it is assumed that she died prior to 1743/44. The following children were named in Alexander's will.
Issue from 1st marriage: (Surname Beall)
7. William
b. ca. 1683/84 in Calvert Co., MD.
m. Elizabeth (Magruder) Beall in Prince
George's Co., MD. (widow of Ninian Beall)
d. 1756 in Frederick Co., MD.
8. Ninian
b. in MD.
m. Ruth ( ) in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. ca. 1772 in Frederick Co., MD.
9. John
b. in MD.
m. 1712 to Verlinda Magruder in Prince George's
Co., MD.
d. 1742 in Prince George's Co., MD.
10. James
b. in MD.
m. Mary Edmonston in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1733 in Prince George's Co., MD.
11. Ruth
b. in MD.
m. ca. 1718 to John Jackson in Prince George's
Co., MD.
d. in MD.
4. James Bell.
James Bell (also written Beall and Beale), the son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay, was born in Fife County, Scotland. He was subsequently christened in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Fife County on 5 February 1652. James eventually emigrated to the Province of Maryland from his native Scotland, where he married in about 1693 to a woman named Sarah Pearce. Sarah was the daughter of John Pearce and Sarah Sprigg. (Note: Sarah (Sprigg) Pearce, Sarah's mother, married secondly to a man named Enoch Coombs. In a document which was dated 22 May 1730 and filed on 25 September 1730, she left the residual of her estate to the children of her daughter, Sarah (Pearce) Beall Haswell).
James, who was a planter, acquired a considerable amount of land over the years (in excess of 3,000 acres), primarily in Prince George's County, and in an area that is currently a part of Montgomery County, Maryland. Deed and survey records indicate that he had land holdings with such names as "Fife," "Rovers' Content," "Loan Head," "Drumaldry," "Lay Hill," and "Good Luck." It also appears that throughout his life, James was very active in the Presbyterian Church, serving as a Trustee and Elder in the Upper Marlboro Presbyterian Church, and as a Vestryman in the Broad Creek Church in Piscataway Parish. Both of these were located in Prince George's County, Maryland.
James Bell/Beall subsequently died in Prince George's County, Maryland in 1725. His will, which was dated 21 November 1723, was probated on 10 July 1725. Sometime after his death, James' widow, Sarah, married for a second time, also in Maryland, to Dr. John Haswell. Dr. Haswell died in Prince George's County, Maryland in 1750. His will, which was dated 12 November 1746, was probated on 11 April 1750. Sarah, who also survived her second husband, died in Prince George's County in 1761. Her will, which was dated 22 May 1755, was probated by the Prince George's County Court on 28 November 1761.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
12. Margaret
b. ca. 1694 in MD.
m. ca. 1712 to Thomas Odell in Prince George's
Co., MD.
d. probably in SC.
13. John
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. 24 February 1724 to Elizabeth Fendall in
Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 28 October 1756 in Prince George's Co., MD.
14. Nathaniel
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Elizabeth Brooke in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. after 1775, probably in MD.
15. James
b. January 1711 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Sophia (Belt ?) in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. before 1762 in MD.
16. Sarah
b. April 1713 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (1) Rignall Odell in Prince George's Co.,
MD.
m. (2) Thomas Prather in MD.
d. in Frederick Co., MD.
17. Robert
b. 29 November 1716 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 1740 in Prince George's Co., MD.
18. Joseph
b. ca. 1719 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Eleanor Prather in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1801 in Montgomery Co., MD.
19. Zepheniah
b. ca. 1722 in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. believed to have died young.
5. Andrew Bell.
Andrew Bell (also written Beall and Beale), the son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay, was born in Fife County, Scotland. He was subsequently christened in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Fife County on 28 March 1655.
Andrew later emigrated to the New World, where he too settled in the Province of Maryland. Andrew died in Prince George's County, Maryland in 1742. His will, which was written on 3 January 1742, was submitted for probate before the Prince George's County Court on 23 March 1742. Andrew left his entire estate to David Ross and John Goodman. Because no wife or children were mentioned in his will, it is assumed that he remained single throughout his life.
6. Robert Bell.
Robert Bell (also written Beall and Beale), who is believed to be the son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay, was probably born in Scotland. Although no birth or christening records have been found which might verify that Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay had a son named Robert, an individual by that name was residing in Prince George's County, Maryland during the 1700's, and this individual was referred to as "brother" by Alexander Bell/Beall, a known son of Alexander Bell and Margaret Ramsay, in his will dated 16 January 1743/44. This will was subsequently probated in Prince George's County 6 September 1744.
This relationship appears to be further supported by a deed which was dated 28 November 1728, in which Alexander Bell/Beall's son and daughter-in-law, James and Mary (Edmonston) Beall, sold a 130 acre parcel of land called "Friend's Gift," being part of a larger tract called "James and Mary," to John Beall. This John is referred to by James as being the son of my "Uncle," Robert Bell/Beall. In a later deed, which was dated 7 April 1739, James (son of James) and Sophia Beall leased 100 acres of land, being part of the plantation called "Loan Head," to Robert and Margery Bell/Beall for 50 pounds for the term of their "natural lives." On 21 July 1739, Alexander's eldest son and daughter-in-law, William and Elizabeth (Magruder) Beall, sold a tract of land to James Beall, also a son of Robert Bell/Beall. This tract consisted of 128 acres of land which was called "The Farm."
Although very few records exist which make any mention of Robert Bell/Beall, the above mentioned deed between James and Sophia Beall and Robert indicates that his wife was named Margery. In a deed-of-gift dated 13 May 1751, Robert gave his son and daughter-in-law, James and Margaret Beall, a number of household items and some livestock. On 9 October 1755, when James recorded this deed in Prince George's County, Robert was referred to as being deceased. The below named children have been determined through deed and probate records to be Robert Bell/Beall's.
Known issue: (Surname Beall)
20. John
b. in MD.
m. Elizabeth (Cameron ?)
in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1767 in Prince George's Co., MD.
21. James
b. in MD.
m. Margaret Ferguson in Prince George's Co.,
MD.
d. 1783 in Montgomery Co., MD.
GENERATION THREE
7. William Beall.
William Beall, the eldest son of Alexander Bell and his first wife, whose name is not known, is believed to have been born in about 1683/84 in Calvert County, Maryland. He was later married in Prince George's County, Maryland to Elizabeth (Magruder) Beall, the widow of Ninian Bell/Beall. Elizabeth was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Beall) Magruder. She apparently had two children, a son named Samuel and a daughter named Mary, from her first marriage to Ninian Bell/Beall.
When William's father, Alexander, died, William inherited his father's dwelling plantation. This plantation consisted of that portion of "Neighborhood" and "Largo" that was situated on the southwest branch of the Patuxent River. William's brother, Ninian Beall, received the residue of "Largo." William and Ninian later sold these two plantations, consisting of approximately 696 acres, to a Mr. John Contee for 300 pounds sterling on 17 May 1745.
William, who resided in that portion of Prince George's County, Maryland that was formed into Frederick County, Maryland in 1748, also owned plantations called "William and Elizabeth," "Hills and Dales," "Friendship Enlarged," "Discontent," and "Fat Oxen." William died in 1756 in Frederick County, Maryland. His will, which had been written on 18 January 1756, was admitted for probate before the Frederick County Court on 30 March 1756.
Known and probable issue: (Surname Beall)
22. Samuel
b. calc. 1706 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Jane Beall in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1780 in Montgomery Co., MD.
23. Alexander
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Sarah ( ) in
Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1761 in Frederick Co., MD.
24. Nathaniel
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Ann Murdock in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1757 in Frederick Co., MD.
25. Henry
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Sarah ( ) in
Prince George's Co., MD.
26. Margaret
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Andrew Beall in Prince George's Co., MD.
27. Richard
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Eleanor ( ) in
Prince George's Co., MD.
28. Jemima
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 1764 in Frederick Co., MD.
29. Elizabeth
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Elias Harding in MD.
d. probably in Montgomery Co., MD.
30. William
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Jane Edmonston in MD.
d. 1762/63 in Frederick Co., MD.
8. NinianBeall.
Ninian Beall, the son of Alexander Bell and his first wife, whose name is not known, was born in Maryland. He was later married in Prince George's County, Maryland to a woman named Ruth. Ninian is believed to have died in Frederick County, Maryland in about 1772.
Known issue: (Surname Beall)
31. Benjamin
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Mary Edmonston in MD.
d. 1765 in Frederick Co., MD.
32. John
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Mary ( ) in
MD.
d. 1796 in Montgomery Co., MD.
33. James
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Ann Pottinger in MD.
d. 1780 in Montgomery Co., MD.
34. Robert
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Hannah (Beall ?) in MD.
d. 1788 in Montgomery Co., MD.
35. Ninian
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Mary ( ) in
MD.
d. 1790 in Montgomery Co., MD.
36. William
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Sarah Magruder in MD.
d. in MD.
37. Joseph
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (1) Elizabeth (
) in MD.
m. (2) Mrs. Rachel Howard in MD. (widow
of Joseph Howard)
d. 1799 in Frederick Co., MD.
9. John Beall.
John Beall, the son of Alexander Bell and his first wife, whose name is not known, was born in Maryland. He was later married in about 1712 to a woman named Verlinda Magruder in Prince George's County, Maryland. Verlinda was the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Beall) Magruder.
John and Verlinda resided in Prince George's County on a plantation called "Loan Head." When John died, he left this plantation, consisting of 110 acres, to his wife, Verlinda. He also left her his water grist mill, which was situated along the Eastern Branch of the Potomac River on a tract of land called "New Dumfries." John also had other land holdings with such names as "Charles and William," "Benjamin," "Poplar Thicket," "Industry," "Black Oak," and "Chittams Addition," that he left to his children when he died.
John died in 1742 in Prince George's County, Maryland. His will, which was written on 7 April 1742, was probated before the Prince George's County Court on 18 May 1742. The following children were named in his will, with Samuel being referred to as "eldest son."
Issue: (Surname Beall)
38. Samuel
b. ca. 1713 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Eleanor Brooke in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. ca. 1777 in Washington Co., MD.
39. Josias
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. unknown in MD.
d. 1768 in Frederick Co., MD.
40. Sarah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. James Offutt in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1779 in Montgomery Co., MD.
41. Rebecca
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Nathaniel Magruder in Prince George's Co.,
MD.
42. Basil
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Lucy ( ) in
Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1753 in Frederick Co., MD.
43. Lucy
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 1748 in MD.
44. John
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Mary Dent in MD.
d. 1800 in Prince George's Co., MD.
45. Hannah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Robert Beall in MD. (?)
d. ca. 1791 in Montgomery Co., MD.
46. Verlinda
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. William Offutt in MD.
47. Clement
b. ca. 1734 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Priscilla Perry in MD.
d. 1793 in Prince George's Co., MD.
10. James Beall.
James Beall, the son of Alexander Bell and his first wife, whose name is not known, was born in Maryland. He was later married in Prince George's County, Maryland to a woman named Mary Edmonston. Mary was the daughter of Archibald Edmonston and Jane Beall (daughter of Ninian Beall).
James owned plantations called "Labyrinth," "Prevention," as well as "Batchelor's Forest," which consisted of 810 acres and was jointly granted to James Beall and James Edmonston. James died in Prince George's County in 1733. His will, which had been written on 3 May 1733, was admitted for probate before the Prince George's County Court on 29 November 1733.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
48. Rachel
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Nathaniel Crawford in MD.
49. Jane
b. calc. 1715 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Samuel Beall in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1794/95 in Montgomery Co., MD.
50. Alexander
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 1776 in Frederick Co., MD.
51. Samuel
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Susannah Soper in MD.
52. Robert
b. calc. 1722 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
53. Archibald
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Jane Edmonston in MD.
d. 1791 in Montgomery Co., MD.
54. Allen
b. ca. 1727 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (1) 1749 to Sarah (Tyson ?) in Prince
George's Co., MD.
m. (2) 1760 to Ann (Nichols ?) in Prince
George's Co., MD.
d. prior to 1776 in MD.
55. James
b. calc. 1729 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. 3 April 1752 to Elizabeth Edmonston in
Prince George’s Co., MD.
d. 15 February 1804 in Montgomery Co., MD.
56. Thomas
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 25 April 1771 in Talbot Co., MD.
57. Mary
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Thomas Catterall in MD.
11. Ruth Beall.
Ruth Beall, the daughter of Alexander Bell and his first wife, whose name is not known, was born in Maryland. She was later married in about 1718 in Prince George's County, Maryland to a man named John Jackson.
Although Ruth is known to have died in Maryland, the actual date and place of her death have not been determined. John, on the other hand, died in Frederick County, Maryland in 1761. His will, which had been written on 12 January 1761, was probated before the Frederick County Court on 27 May 1761. The following children were named in John's will.
Issue: (Surname Jackson)
58. Ruth
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Thomas Cramphin in MD.
59. Margaret
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Samuel Magruder in MD.
d. 1801 in MD.
60. Elizabeth
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. William Offutt in MD.
61. Philip
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
62. Alexander Beall
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
12. Margaret Beall.
Margaret Beall, the daughter of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born in about 1694 in Maryland. She was later married to a man named Thomas Odell. Although no record of their marriage has been found, it most likely took place in about 1712 in Prince George's County. Thomas, who had been born in All Hollows Parish in Anne Arundel County, Maryland on 7 January 1692/93, was the eldest son of Thomas Odell and Sarah Ridgely. He was also the brother of the Rignall Odell who married Margaret's sister, Sarah.
Thomas and Margaret probably resided in Prince George's County, Maryland until at least 1755, the year that Margaret's mother, Sarah (Pearce) Beall Haswell, wrote her will. This will, which was submitted for probate on 28 November 1761, left Margaret a small legacy of five shillings. Thomas and Margaret may not have been living in Maryland at the time of her mother's death in 1761, however, as they appear to have moved to South Carolina by 1758.
Thomas, as well as his son, John, were found in the land records of South Carolina as owning plantations in the original Berkeley County. Thomas acquired a plantation, which was situated on Ninety-Six Creek and contained 400 acres. This plantation was surveyed for him on 18 December 1758. Although it is believed that Thomas died in South Carolina in about 1763, the date of Margaret's death has not been determined. She too is believed to have died in South Carolina, however.
Issue: (Surname Odell)
63. William
b. ca. 1714 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Elizabeth Talbot in MD.
d. 1749 in Baltimore Co., MD.
64. Rachel
b. ca. 1716 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. ca. 1735 to John Prather in Prince George's
Co., MD.
d. 1784 in Montgomery Co., MD.
65. Thomas
b. ca. 1718 in Prince George's Co., MD.
66. Sarah
b. ca. 1720 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Jacob Duckett in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. Ninety-Six District, SC.
67. Mary
b. ca. 1722 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Hilleary Williams in MD.
68. James
b. ca. 1725 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Martha Prather in MD.
d. 1763 in Frederick Co., MD.
69. John
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Eleanor "Nellie" Hendrix in MD.
d. 1794 in Newberry Co., SC.
13. John Beall.
John Beall, the son of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born in Prince George's County, Maryland. He was later married to a woman named Elizabeth Fendall on 24 February 1724 in Prince George's County. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Fendall and Elizabeth Hanson of Charles County, Maryland.
When John's father died in 1725, he referred to John in his will as being his "eldest son." John inherited several plantations from his father. These were "Rover's Content," "Fife," "Drumaldry," and that portion of "Good Luck" that was situated on the east side of the Cabin John Branch of the Potomac River.
In a deed-of-gift, dated 1 October 1756 and recorded in Prince George's County, John gave the plantation called "Fife" to his son, John Fendall Beall. Shortly thereafter, on 28 October 1756, John died in Prince George's County. Elizabeth, who survived John by nearly thirty years, died in Prince George's County in 1785. Her will, which was written on 26 January 1785, was admitted for probate on 19 December 1785.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
70. Josiah
b. calc. 1725 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (1) Millicent Bradley in Prince George's
Co., MD.
m. (2) Ann Boswell in MD.
d. 1803 in Prince George's Co., MD.
71. John Fendall
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Mary Wilkinson in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1776 in Prince George's Co., MD.
72. Mary
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
73. Sarah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 1795 in Prince George's Co., MD.
74. Hepzibah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. believed to have died young.
75. Elishabah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Moses Cawood in MD.
d. 1799 in Prince George's Co., MD.
76. Margaret
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Samuel Hanson in MD.
14. Nathaniel Beall.
Nathaniel Beall, the son of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born in Prince George's County, Maryland. He was later married in Prince George's County to a woman named Elizabeth Brooke. Elizabeth, who is purported to have been born on 23 November 1707, was the daughter of Roger Brooke and Elizabeth Hutchins.
On 2 May 1729, John Beall, as Executor for his father's estate, confirmed Nathaniel's right to two tracts of land called "Easy Purchase" and "Addition to Easy Purchase." Both of these tracts were situated in that part of Prince George's County that was later formed into Frederick County, Maryland in 1748.
On 22 September 1737, Nathaniel entered into an agreement to lease "Easy Purchase," consisting of 75 acres, with Samuel Pruitt. Nathaniel later sold this tract, however, on 20 November 1749 to Josiah Beall for 22 pounds, 10 shillings. On 18 July 1747, Rignall Odell transferred "Addition to Easy Purchase," consisting of approximately 153 acres, to Nathaniel. On 21 July 1747, just three days later, Nathaniel mortgaged this land to Philip Hammond for 26 pounds sterling. On 25 November 1762, Nathaniel sold "Addition to Easy Purchase" for 75 pounds sterling to Benjamin Duvall. And later, on 4 May 1775, Nathaniel sold all the remaining part of a tract of land called "Easie Purchase," consisting of about 20 acres, to Jeremiah Orme for 28 pounds.
Note: According to Fielder M. M. Beall in his book "Colonial Families of the United States Descended From the Immigrants Bell, Beal, Bale, Beale, Beall," Nathaniel Beall was married twice during his life. He supposedly married first to Elizabeth Brooke and secondly to Ann Murdock. This is not accurate, however.
There were two Nathaniel Beall's living in that portion of Prince George's County which was formed into Frederick County, Maryland in 1748. The Nathaniel Beall who married Elizabeth Brooke was the son of James and Sarah (Pearce) Beall. He was still alive in 1775 when he sold the remainder of "Easy Purchase" to Jeremiah Orme. The other Nathaniel Beall, who is believed to be a son of William and Elizabeth (Magruder) Beall, was married to Ann Murdock and died in Frederick County in 1757. These were not the same individual.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
77. James
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
78. Roger Brooke
b. calc. 1734 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Ruth Hamilton in MD.
79. Elizabeth
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. John Bracco in MD.
80. Basil
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
81. Mary
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
82. Ann
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
15. James Beall.
James Beall, the son of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born during the month of January 1711 in Prince George's County, Maryland. He was later married in Maryland to a woman named Sophia. Although it has yet to be proven beyond doubt, she may have been Sophia Belt, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Belt.
In 1725, James inherited from his father a portion of the plantation called "Good Luck," which was situated on the west side of the Cabin John Branch of the Potomac River, and a portion of another plantation, consisting of 100 acres, called "Loan Head." After his father died, James was generally referred to as James, Jr., while his cousin, James, the son of Alexander Bell/Beall, was generally referred to as James, Sr.
James and Sophia Beall subsequently sold the plantation called "Good Luck" to his older brother, John, on 19 March 1734. A few years later, on 7 April 1739, James leased 100 acres of land, being part of the plantation called "Loan Head," to Robert and Margery Beall for 50 pounds sterling for the term of their "natural lives." Two weeks later, on 21 April 1739, James Beall leased an additional 25 acres of "Loan Head" to James Perrie for 15 pounds sterling for nine years. In another deed, which was dated 4 November 1747, James is found selling a Negro man named Jack to Mr. Osborne Sprigg for 800 pounds of tobacco. And later, on 12 December 1747, James leased another 100 acres of the plantation called "Loan Head" to Robert Lashly for 800 pounds of tobacco per year for a period of twenty-one years.
In her will, dated 22 May 1755 and probated 28 November 1761, James Beall's mother, Sarah (Pearce) Beall Haswell, left him an additional legacy of five shillings, and to his daughter, Charity, a horse. At the present time, it is not known when or where James passed away. It is known, however, that he died prior to Sophia. Sophia died in Fairfax County, Virginia in 1783. Her will, which was dated 8 May 1782, was probated before the Fairfax County Court on 18 February 1783.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
83. Charity
b. calc. 1740 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Haswell Magruder in Prince George's Co., MD.
d. in Prince George's Co., MD.
84. Cassandra "Cassia"
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. ( ) White.
85. Hester
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Thomas Moxley.
16. Sarah Beall.
Sarah Beall, the daughter of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born during the month of April 1713 in Prince George's County, Maryland. She was later married in Prince George's County to Rignall Odell (also written Reginal and Reginald Odell). Rignall, who was born on 24 October 1705 in Queen Anne's Parish in Prince George's County, was the son of Thomas Odell and Sarah (Ridgely) Brewer. He was also the brother of the Thomasl Odell who married Sarah’s sister, Margaret.
On 8 June 1730, John Beall, as Executor for his father's estate, confirmed Rignall and Sarah Odell's right to a tract of land called "Beall's Manor." Rignall Odell died in Prince George's County in 1754. After Rignall passed away, Sarah married for a second time, also in Prince George's County, Maryland, to a man named Thomas Prather. Thomas was a widower at the time of his marriage to Sarah, having previously been married to a woman named Elizabeth Claggett on 10 June 1725 in Prince George's County. He was the son of Thomas and Martha (Sprigg) Prather.
Thomas attained the rank of Colonel during the French and Indian War, and was often referred to as Colonel Prather in the records. Although Sarah is believed to have died in Frederick County, Maryland, her date of death is not known. There are no known issue from Sarah's second marriage.
After Sarah passed away, Thomas married for a third time to a woman named Jennet. He died in 1785 in Washington County, Maryland.
Issue from 1st marriage: (Surname Odell)
86. James
b. 12 July 1731 in Queen Anne's Parish, Prince
George's Co., MD.
87. Rignall
b. 6 May 1735 in Queen Anne's Parish, Prince
George's Co., MD.
17. Robert Beall.
Robert Beall, the son of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born in Prince George's County, Maryland on 29 November 1716. He later inherited one-half of the plantation called "Lay Hill" from his father in 1725. His brother, Joseph, inherited the other one-half. Robert, who was a minor child at the time of his father's death, was raised by Thomas and Margaret (Beall) Odell.
Robert died in Prince George's County in 1740. His will, which was written on 22 April 1740, was admitted for probate before the Prince George's County Court on 15 July 1740. Because Robert Beall died at the age of twenty-three, and there was no mention of his having a wife in his will, it is believed that he died without issue.
18. Joseph Beall.
Joseph Beall, the son of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born in about 1719 in Prince George's County, Maryland. He was later married in Maryland to Eleanor Prather, the daughter of John Smith Prather and Elizabeth Nuthall. Joseph Beall inherited one-half of the plantation called "Lay Hill" from his father in 1725. His brother, Robert, inherited the other one-half. Joseph, who was a minor child at the time of his father's death, was raised by Thomas and Margaret (Beall) Odell.
The plantation, "Lay Hill," was situated in that portion of Prince George's County that was formed into Frederick County in 1748, and then into Montgomery County, Maryland in 1776. This is where Joseph and Eleanor resided for the remainder of their lives. Joseph died in Montgomery County, Maryland in 1801. His will, which had been written on 11 May 1801, was admitted for probate before the Montgomery County Court on 12 June 1801. In his will, he left that portion of "Lay Hill" which was situated on the "east side of the most westerly fork" to his son, Josiah, and the residual of that tract to his son, Horatio.
Note: According to Fielder M. M. Beall in his book "Colonial Families of the United States Descended From the Immigrants Bell, Beal, Bale, Beale, Beall," Joseph, son of James Beall and Sarah Pearce, died in Frederick County in 1799. This is not accurate. The Joseph Beall who died in Frederick County in 1799, leaving a wife named Rachel, was the son of Ninian and Ruth Beall and a grandson of Alexander Beall. Joseph, the son of James and Sarah Beall, died in Montgomery County in 1801.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
88. Eleanor
b. in MD.
m. Basil Musgrave Beall in MD.
d. 1800 in Prince George's Co., MD.
89. Rachel
b. 6 May 1764 in MD.
m. Obidiah Swearingen in MD.
d. 10 June 1839 in Bullitt Co., KY.
90. Martha
b. in MD.
m. Samuel Swearingen in MD.
91. Josiah
b. in MD.
m. Elizabeth Brook Beall in MD.
d. 1825 in Montgomery Co., MD.
92. Jeremiah
b. in MD.
93. Nathaniel
b. in MD.
m. (remained single)
d. 1831 in Montgomery Co., MD.
94. Horatio
b. calc. 1775 in Frederick Co., MD.
m. (remained single)
95. Joseph
b. in MD.
19. Zepheniah Beall.
Zepheniah Beall, the youngest child of James Bell and Sarah Pearce, was born in about 1722 in Prince George's County, Maryland. Since Zepheniah does not appear to have ever claimed the lands that were left to him by his father, namely a portion of the plantation called "Allison's Park" and another plantation called "Coopers," it is believed that he probably died at an early age.
20. John Beall.
John Beall, the son of Robert Bell/Beall and Margery, was born in Maryland. He was later married in Prince George's County, Maryland to a woman named Elizabeth (possibly Elizabeth Cameron). John and Elizabeth owned a number of tracts of land in Prince George's County, which were later left to their children. The names of several of these properties were "Godfather's Gift," "Addition to Godfather's Gift," "Elizabeth's Choice," and "James and Mary."
John subsequently died in 1767 in Prince George's County, Maryland. His will, which was written on 23 December 1761, was probated before the Prince George's County Court on 24 January 1767. The following children were named in John's will.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
96. Robert
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
97. John
b. calc. 1734 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Tabitha ( ) in
MD.
98. James
b. calc. 1736 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Ann ( ) in
Prince George's Co., MD.
99. Mannon
b. calc. 1738 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m.
February 1764 to Frances "Fannie" Lewis in Prince George's Co., MD.
d.
1823 in Warren Co., GA.
100. Lawson
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
101. Shadrack
b. calc. 1745 in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Agnes ( ) in
Prince George's Co., MD.
d. 1826 in Prince George's Co., MD.
102. Francis
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
103. (female)
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
104. Margery
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
105. Sesson
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
21. James Beall.
James Beall, the son of Robert Bell/Beall and Margery, was born in Maryland. He was later married in Maryland to a woman named Margaret Ferguson. Margaret was the daughter of Duncan and Catherine Ferguson.
James died in 1783 in Montgomery County, Maryland. His will, which was written on 25 January 1781, was subsequently probated before the Montgomery County Court on 14 August 1783. With the exception of Margaret, the following children were named in James Beall's will.
Issue: (Surname Beall)
106. Jeremiah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Sabrina Beall in MD.
d. 1801/02 in Montgomery Co., MD.
107. Zephaniah
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Verlinda Ferguson in MD.
108. Daniel
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
109. Catherine
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. (1) Isaac Loveless in MD.
m. (2) ( ) Taylor in Rowan
Co., NC.
110. Margery
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. William Loveless in MD.
111. Mary
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. George Suter in MD.
112. Margaret
b. in Prince George's Co., MD.
m. Henry Lazenby in MD.
d. 1820/21 in Montgomery Co., MD.
REFERENCES
NOTE: With very few exceptions, all of the reference material listed below was found in the Genealogical and Family History Library operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Abstracts of the Land Records of Prince George's County, Maryland, 1726-1733. Westminster, MD: Family Line Publishers, 1994.
Ancestral Files - Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT.
Beall, Fielder Montgomery Magruder The Bell and Beall Families.
Beall, Frederick Carroll. Robert Beall (Bell) "The Scotsman" Immigrant. Published by Author, 1976.
Beall Family Association Newsletter. Published by William E. Beall of Portland, OR.
Bell, Ernest Elmont. One Line of Descent From Our Immigrant, Alexander Bell/Beall of Maryland. Baywood Park, CA: Published by Author, 1995.
Brown, Helen W. Indexes of Church Registers, Prince George's County, Maryland, 1686-1885. Riverdale, MD: Prince George's County Historical Society, 1979.
Census Records - Maryland (1776, 1790, 1800)
Census Records - Ohio (1820, 1830, 1840)
Columbia, South Carolina General Index of Land Plats, 1688-1787.
Correspondence received from Mrs. Roberta Hull of Mesa, Arizona (1996, 1997).
Deed Records, Frederick Co., MD.
Deed Records, Montgomery Co., MD.
Deed Records, Prince George's Co., MD.
Deed Records, Queen Anne's Co., MD.
Deed Records, Talbot Co., MD.
Deed Records, SC.
Doliante, Sharon J. Maryland and Virginia Colonials. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1991.
Galau, Jeane K. Austin Genealogy. Vol. 3. 1978.
Guardian Bonds, Prince George's Co., MD.
International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) - Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT.
McLean, William H. Alexander Beall (1649-1744) of Maryland. 1st Edition. Fort Worth, TX: Fort Worth Genealogical Society, 1977.
Misc. E-Mail and Correspondence from Other Bell/Beall Descendants.
Misc. Information Found on Various Internet Sites.
Orphans and Infants of Prince George's County, Maryland, 1696-1750. Compiled and Published by Dorothy H. Smith, 1976.
St. Andrew's Parochial Parish Records, St. Andrew's, Fife Co., Scot.
South Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1719-1772. Vol. IV. Abstracted by Clara A. Langley. Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1984.
Talbot County, Maryland Land Records, 1765-1771. Vol. 20. Compiled by R. Bernice Leonard. St. Michaels, MD: Published by Author, 1989.
The American Genealogist. Vol. 68, No. 2.
"The Maternal Ancestry of Mary Bates, Wife of Lingon Wilson of Prince George's County, Maryland" by Donna Valley
Russell, C.G., F.A.S.G. Warwick, RI: Published
by Ruth Wilder Sherman, 1993.
Whitley, Edythe R. The Duckett Genealogy - A Maryland Colonial Family. 1947.
Will/Probate Records, Calvert Co., MD.
Will/Probate Records, Fairfax Co., VA.
Will/Probate Records, Frederick Co., MD.
Will/Probate Records, Montgomery Co., MD.
Will/Probate Records, Prince George's Co., MD.
Will/Probate Records, Talbot Co., MD.
Will/Probate Records, Washington Co., MD.