Person:Thomas Bell (84)

About Thomas Bell

According to the publication, "George Bell of Blount and Washington Counties, Tennessee", Thomas Bell is a son of George Bell (1751-1839) of Blount and Washington Counties, Tennessee. Thomas appears directly after George Bell in the 1830 U.S. Census in Washington County, Tennessee, which supports this suspected relationship. In addition, George Bell named a son Thomas in his will.

Will Abstract

1-369: 18 Sept. 1846, Thomas Bell; wife Elizabeth Bell; niece Mary Emily Fergusen whom I have raised from childhood; exec. Robert S. Furguson, wit. William Smith, John H. Carr. Proved Feb. 1848. Rootsweb.com

Will Transcript

Thomas Bell's Will

I, Thomas Bell of Washington County, State of Tennessee, do make and publish this as my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made. ~

First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all my other debts, be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may die possessed of, or may first come into the hands of my Executors; ~

Secondly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Bell all my land, and all my stock, together with all my farming utensils, and household and kitchen furnture [furniture], and my crop in the ground and the grain in the barn and all cash notes and accounts, together with all other property of which I may be possessed at the time of my death, to have and to hold the same during her natural life and full poser to sell or convey the same as she may think best, but if there anything left at the time of her death, it is my will that Mary Emily Ferguson, my niece whom I have raised from childhood have all that is left after supporting my wife decently and plentifully; and lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint Robert S. Ferguson my Executor.

In witness whereof I do this my last will set my hand and seal this 18th day of September 1846.

[Signed] Thos. Bell [Seal]

Signed Sealed and published in our presence, and we have

subscribed our names thereto

in the presence of the Testator

this 18th day of September 1846.

Attest:

William Smith..}

John H. Carr...}

The foregoing will was duly proven in open court, February Term 1848 - by the oaths of William Smith, John A. Carr, the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.

The Executors mentioned therein, appeared and was qualified as the law directs.

1.   United States. 1830 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M19).

   Name Thomas Bell
   Home in 1830 (City, County, State) Washington, Tennessee
   Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29 1 [b. bet. 1801-1810]
   Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29 1 [b. bet. 1801-1810]
   Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
   Total Free White Persons 2
   Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored) 2
   
   Note, immediately preceding Thomas Bell was a George Bell, age 70-79, relationship not yet established.

2.   United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M704).

   Name Thoma Bell [Thomas Bell]
   Residence Date 1840
   Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Washington, Tennessee
   Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29 1 [b. bet. 1811-1820]
   Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39 1 [b. bet. 1801-1810]
   Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9 1 - this is Mary Emily Ferguson, niece of Thomas Bell and his wife Elizabeth
   Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39 1 [b. bet. 1801-1810]
   Persons Employed in Agriculture 1
   Free White Persons - Under 20 1
   Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 3
   Total Free White Persons 4
   Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 4
   Note: listed immediately after was Thomas Ferguson. 1 Male age 20-29, 1 Male age 60-69

3.   Bible of Robert Stuart Ferguson.

   Transcript
   April 25, 1825 Thomas Bell and Elizabeth Ferguson were married.
   
   Title
   Bible of Robert Stuart Ferguson
   Note: Received as a typed transcription of his Bible from Meredith (Christenberry) Kuester, daughter of Myrtle (Ferguson) Christenberry, who researched the data and typed the transcription.