Family:William Bell and Flora McCorquodale (1)

From UEL Loyalist Diretory:

Proof of Loyalty Burleigh Papers, Queen"s University; the Haldiman Papers; Muster roll of Rogers Rangers; and Provisions Lists

Date/Place of Birth 1740 Lidesdale, Parish of Castleton, Roxboroughshire, Scotland,

Settled Before War Left Scotland June 1772, settled Fort Edward, lot 138 Argyle Patent

Date/Place of Death Fredericksburg Twp, Cataraqui Twp #3, 29 Sept 1788

Spouse m. c. 1758 in Lidesdale, Scotland, to Flora McCorquadale (d. 12 Nov. 1793 in Fredericksburgh Twp.)

Children

William Bell Sr. m. Flora McCorquadale ca.1758 Lidesdale, Scotland.

Their children (all married in Fredericksburgh Twp-Cataraqui Twp #3):

   William McCorquadale Bell (Jr), UE, b. Oct 1759 Lidesdale, Scot.
   Sgt. Rogers Rangers, 5'11" tall, joined British May 1780.
   Settled E 1/2 lot 9, con 1 Fredericksburgh, later moved to Camden Twp
   d. 4 Apr. 1837.
   married 1786 Anne Carscallen, d/o Edward Carscallen UE, b. 6 Nov. 1767, d. 18 June 1850.
   10 children.

   Duncan Bell, UE. , b. 1760, Lidesdale, Scot.
   Sgt. Rogers Rangers, joined Aug 4, 1780 age 20, 5'9" tall.
   Settled W 1/2 lot 9, con 1, but later moved to Ernestown Twp.
   Married Anna Brisco, d/o Isaac Brisco UE and Ruth Hawley.
   9 children

[More children enumerated]

Biography In 1776, William was chosen as a member of the Committee of Safety.

On July 27, 1777, two of William's sons, William Jr. and Duncan were hilling corn when a party of Indians came along escorting Jane McCrae and Mrs. McNeil to the British lines. A second party of Indians appeared and in a skirmish between the two parties, Jane McCrae was killed and scalped. Bell family upset and frightened.They were aware that General Burgoyne was approaching.

The Bell men made contact with General Burgoyne and acted as guides for him. But after Burgoyne's defeat, many Scots were seized for "having been with the enemy", including William Bell who was imprisoned in Albany, Aug 29, 1780, on a complaint by the Committee for Conspiracies.

Several petitions to the Governor followed before Willam was at last released 19th Feb. 1781. William was ordered to move away from his frontier Inn and home.

William was again imprisoned for speaking out against rebellion and in support of the British. He was later released and bonded to keep the peace.

Military Info William Bell Sr. and his two sons Duncan and William Jr.

William Jr, joined the King's Rangers May 1780.

Duncan, was recruited by Sgt. Caleb Clauson (Clossen), taken to St. John's Que, and on the 4th Aug. 1781 joined Rogers Rangers.

From the Haldiman Papers, a muster roll of Rogers Rangers, dated Jan.1, 1782 appears: - William Bell Jr. age 22 yrs- 2mon, 5'11", 1yr 8mos service - Duncan Bell age 22 (should be 20yrs), 5'9", five mos service. - Note: William Bell not yet in Quebec.

Another list dated Autumn 1783, both William Bells are there along with Duncan and known as farmers from New York.

List of Loyalists attached to the King's late Rangers Victualled at the 3rd Township (Fredericksburgh) between July 1st and Aug. 31, 1786: William Bell Jr., Duncan Bell and William Bell Sr. and their families. (Duncan still unwed)

1.   Descendants of William Bell & Flora McCorquodale [1].
2.   William Sr. Bell [2], in United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada - Loyalist Directory [3].
3. ↑ The town of Belleville Ontario is said to have been named for the brothers William, Duncan and Asa Bell, according to a Bell family legend. However the official history says the town was named for Lady Arabella Gore.