Sketches of the Bell & Gell Families, by William Bell

[TRANSCRIPTION OF A HANDWRITTEN VOLUME IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS. TRANSCRIBED BY CHRISTINE BONE, LIBRARIAN. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES ARE IN SQUARE BRACKETS. AT THE END OF THE DOCUMENT IS A SUMMARY OF THE PLACES AND SURNAMES MENTIONED IN THE DOCUMENT]

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Sketches of the Bell & Gell families, By William Bell.

It is my wish that this book (after my death) become the property of my Brother, Chas. Bell, draper, &c., of Redcar, to whom the Bell & Gell Families are of the greatest interest. – February, 1893.

William Bell.

[Inside cover: newspaper clipping “Life is a book …”]

Sketches of the Bell & Gell families, From the Year 1630 to 1868.

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[Newspaper clipping: “Billions of ancestors …”]

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[Newspaper clipping: “Long livers …”]

Directions as to the numbering of the pages.

Owing to several additions having been made as the sketches extended, & additional information to be added, the numbering of the pages is in apparent confusion.

The following will serve as a guide to the index & contents:--

Part I. Letters g to x.

Part II. The Gell Family—1x to 66x

Part III. The Bell Family—1 to 46

The Bell Family continued—47a to 62o

The Bells continued—47 to the end.

Contents.—Part I.

Index.

pages

The Gell Family1x

Ann Sherwood, wife of Thos. Gell, of Hollym2x

Ann Gell, the first-born of the above Thos. & Ann Gell2x

Thos. Gell, afterwards of Knaresbro’, bank manager3x

Margaret Gell, mother of the Bells, of Patrington,

Norton, Stockton, & Middlesbro6x

Edward Gell41x

James Gell42x

Family of James Gell44x

Summary opinion of the above Family45x

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Index to the Bell Family

Pages

Sketch of the BellHenderson Family of Brancepeth1 to 14

Old Willie Bell, Brancepeth15-19

William Bell, son of above19-24

Wm. Bell’s family

Keziah [i.e. Kezia] Bell

Jemima Bell

Emma Bell

William Bell

Clara Bell

Priscilla Bell

John Bell, father of present generation of Bells, of

Patrington, Norton, & Middlesboro’31-39

William Bell, eldest son of John & Margaret Bell39-41

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Index continued

pages

James Bell – dead42

Mary Bell42 to 43

Emma Bell43

Thomas Bell44

John Bell47-48

Edward Bell48-49

Removal from Patrington to Norton50-52

Geo. Bell, first-born at Norton52-53

Charles Bell53-59

Charles’s Family

Margaret Bell59

Emily Bell59

Harry Bell59

Louisa Bell59

Clara Bell59

Annie Bell59

Eleanor Bell59

Characteristic Incidents61

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Index continued

pages

Alfred Bell89 to 91

Jessy Bell92-95

Margaret Bell (dead)95

Summary of the Bell Family – their characteristics101

Deaths in the Bell & Gell Family

Margaret Bell, died young.

John Bell, died at Redcar on the 26th July, 1888, aged 67. There is little doubt but servitude in the West Indies & other hot climates had an injurious effect upon his constitution. Without any apparent disease, John faded away like a tree in autumn. Buried at Coatham.

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Births, &c, of the Gell Family.

Children of Thomas & Ann Gell, of Hollym, near Patrington, E. Riding of Yorkshire, Holderness, Hull.

Ann Gell, born 8th Aug., 1779.
Margaret Gell, born Sep. 28, 1781; died Oct. 6th 1781.
A son, born Nov. 2, 1783; died young.
Thomas Gell, born Sep. 24, 1785; died Oct. 19th 1843.
Margaret Gell – mother of the Bells – born Jan. 9th 1788; died July 19th at Stockton, 1846.
Edward Gell, born May 28, 1789.
Christopher Gell, born Dec. 28, 1791; died Feb. 1819.
Jane Gell, born Jan. 23, 1794.
George Gell, born April 19, 1795.
James Gell, born Nov. 30, 1796.

over, for Jas. Gell’s family

Number of children born to the sons & daughters of Thos. & Ann Gell.

Ann Gell, married to Geo. Pattinson, farmer – eight children8
Margaret Gell – died young--
A son – died young--
Thomas Gell, Knaresbro’ – two2
Margaret Gell, Patrington, &c.12
Edward Gell – none--
Christopher Gell – none--
Jane Gell– three3
George Gell – none--
James Gell – three3

Total28

James Gell’s children

Elizabeth Gell, born Dec. 25, 1829.
Joseph Gell, born June 13, 1831.
Edward Gell, born June 4, 1835.
Ann Gell, born Feb. 6, 1841.

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The Gell Family – Part II

Connected with the Bell family are the Gells, by marriage on the mother side with John Bell.

As it may be of interest to some of the Bells to have a brief outline of the Gells, by one who knew them & the only one perhaps who can give an idea of their character or pedigree.

The Gells sprung from the north of England, & by some believed to be from Cumberland or Westmoreland. Their predecessors had been brought up as respectable farmers.

Old Thomas Gell, the father of the generation of Gells born from 1779 to 1796, lived on a farm at Patrington, afterwards removed to Hollym, & died about 1830, at about 90 years of age. He was tall, light-haired, good-like, gentlemanly, kind-hearted, generous, but “proud” in his way, fond of company, & “a drop o’ drink.” He was much respected in his locality, & though poor in circumstances as a farmer, he was always addressed by those who knew him as “Mister Gell” or “Mister Tommy Gell” in deference & out of respect of his having seen better days, & as having had a better education than the average class of farmers at his time of day.

Thomas Gell was married to Ann Sherwood, daughter of a large farmer in the neighbourhood where he resided. This lady was one of the peculiar sort – short tempered, haughty, flighty, & unsettled in her general temperament. She had the temper of a vixen at one moment, whilst the next she was ready “to put you in her pocket!” She could not be relied upon to befound in the same vein of temperfor five minutes at any hour of a day, her disposition being irritable, peevish, & fretful, whilst at other moments she was equally kind & condescending. She was a great snuff-taker & fond of boasting of her descent. She was aunt to Mark Sherwood, of Rysum Park, near Patrington, East Riding of Yorkshire. She died at abt. seventy years of age, in 1827.

Ann Gell was their first child, born Aug. 8th, 1779. She was married to Geo. Pattinson, a well-to-do farmer, at Horsham, near Withernsea, had a large & fine family; but her husband being a bad manager, he got into difficulties, the whole stock was sold off, he turned to drinking, removed to Hull, & lived a very hard & poor livelihood, died in middle age, whilst his wife reached the age of about 90. She was a real good, kind soul.

Margaret Gell, born Sep. 28, 1781, & died 6th October, 1781 (in infancy).

There was a son born Nov. 2, 1783, who died in infancy also.

Thomas Gell, born Sep. 24, 1785. This son was destined to be the most, if not the only successful one in the family, out of ten children. Thro’ influence & perseverance, he received a good, or passable, education, & was able to procure a situation in a bank in the neighbourhood of Hull. Afterwards, he removed to Malton; from thence to Knaresbro’, to Terry’s bank. Here he married a person with a little cash & a house or two. She died childless. He then married a Miss Eteson, of Knaresbro’, much against the inclination of theher family, who were flax dressers, & weavers of linen; a proud, ignorant, selfish, presuming, insulting, stuck-up lot. This pair had two children – John Eteson Gell & Tom Gell, who both inherited the pure “selfishness” of the Eteson brigade, wh. almost amounted to a mania. This brother of the mother of the Bell family (Margaret), was a decent fellow in the eyes of the world – that is, the outside world – was a good churchman & Sunday school teacher, a visitor of the poor in sick-

ness, read to the workhouse people from the Bible, held prayer meetings, & was looked upon as a really good Christian by all people at Knaresbro’. He was kind to all who solicited his aid, & meant well & did well, as far as his means would allow. He was very different to the writer of this sketch when at home. Like a good many more, he seemed always as if he had left all his good nature, consideration, & laughing disposition abroad, or exhausted his stock-in-trade of amiable qualities; for, after knowing him for seven years, the writer can’t remember that he ever was once benign enough to smile approval or encouragement, or consider his absolute necessities, either intoggery or eatables. Thus, the writer – Wm. Bell – was left to fate, was an apprentice on 5/-a-week to live & clothe himself, with lodgings to pay of 2/ or 2/6 a-week, & Mister Gell was heedless whether his nephew starved or went naked! This did not look very Christian-like, but is true nevertheless; but the boy never once “complained” to his parents at Norton, but resolved to “grin & bear” his fate. The consequence was, that the youth got into loose or careless company, was left entirely to float or sink by himself, without even an inquiry, wh. led to follies resulting in pains & penalties in after life, & regrets wh. could never be obliterated. So much, then, for being sent from home at the age of 14, & placed under the guid-

ance & “protection” of an uncle! Poor Margaret Bell could never believe in a fault there was in her brother Thomas at Knaresbro’, but was ignorant of his mode of treatment of her eldest born. Thomas Gell died Oct. 19, 1843, aged 58. In 1831, this uncle became manager of the Knaresbro’ & Clare Bank, established at Knaresbro’. His sons were in the bank as clients & in 1856, Thomas Gell, second son of the above, became manager of the same bank, & is so now (Dec. ’68). As an instance that this son is possessed of a fair share of meanness & ingratitude, one fact will suffice. When the writer of this account was at Bradford, Tom Gell paid “a short” visit to Wm. Bell for a couple of months, & the latter being at lodgings, with Mrs. Leveine, he paid 12/ a-week for Mister Tom Gell during his stay. Shortly after the return of Tom Gell to Knaresbro’, W. Bell went over on business -- on two occasions – but on neither visit did the former guest at Bradford invite the visitor to his house to tea, dine, or sup! but have him (Bell) the cut direct! – But, it so chanced, that the Bradford visitor did not stand in need of hospitality from a fellow like that. The shabbiness, however, was understood & appreciated. A score of other such tricks cd. be named, all in the same line, as regards the Gells at Knaresbro’. This account is written 33 years after leaving

Knaresbro’, but the foul treatment received at their hands, is still as vividly as ever impressed upon the mind. In one word – they are a shabby, selfish, unthinking lot, & I pity any poor youth who has the prospect of being placed under “the protection” of such uncles, cousins, or relatives.

Margaret Gell, sister of the above-named Thos. Gell, was born Jan. 9th, 1788, & died July 19th 1846, at Stockton-on-Tees. This was the beloved & sacred name whom the sons & daughters of John Bell were privileged to style – Mother. (see pages 39 to end of this book.) It is said the world is governed by contradictions; & if there ever was “a contrast” between two individuals born of the same parents, it is (or was) in this instance. Not having been brought up at home with father & mother, so much as all the others, I can speak more disinterestedly & truthfully, as far as my experience goes. If ever there was a truly good, generous, noble-souled Christian on earth, Margaret Bell was one. She was sincere, devoted, practical, in all her religious actions & feelings; she was forgiving, though impetuous in temper; clever as a letter-writer, if apparently too zealous; ever watchful over the childish follies of a large family, she administered advice or rebuke wh. left no sting, but

rather pleasure, behind; of a free & open nature, she believed all the world to be honest; confiding & sure in the abiding principles of the New Testament, she could not look with harshness or misgivings upon frail humanity; being master of her own self, & deeply engrafted with holy & sacred thoughts & writings – particularly scriptural quotations – she was well qualified to advise & direct others; she made no pretensions, but was an humble, pious, confidant believer in Jesus Christ; having to deal with a number of children, she felt it necessary to be sometimes blind to their shortcomings, as well as deaf to trivial complaints; thro’ life her means of supporting her family were scanty – oftentimes even so much so, that it was hard to say where the next meal was to be got, yet she seldom complained; her fate was hard, & anxiety was never-ending for those around her, yet she hoped on & murmured not; her Christian fortitude bore her thro’ all trials; whilst her patience, honesty, & benevolent generosity of temperament to all around, endeared her presence & memory to all who knew her. Whether friends or casual acquaintances, to know Margaret Bell was deemed sufficient to ensure the best of advice & sympathy, even though the poorest of the poor amongst them. Her confidence, esteem, & good-will was prized by all,

& none essayed to upbraid. Unaffected & genuine in all she did & said, her numerous visitors could firmly rely upon all she advanced as truthful & for the best (see page 37.) In early life, Margaret Bell was a handsome, well-proportioned person, with light-brown hair & good complexion; rather thin in build, & of the average height of women; but, poor lady, a family of 12 children & adversity sadly bore her down through life. Yet, to the last, she maintained a dignified pride & complacency wh. told what she had once been. She possessed a full share of the lofty spirit (or “pride”) of the Gell & Bell family, though modified by religious sentiment. And it is no untruth to say, that this “spirit” has imperceptibly instilled into the minds of all her sons & daughters; & it is the belief of many of us, that it is mainly owing to this tuition wh. has helped to carry us all over many obstacles & appalling difficulties & dangers. This also with confidence can be asserted, that mother’s example & admonitions have never been erased from the minds of her children. Her constant prayer was, that her “dear boys & girls might never bring disgrace upon their parents” by evil deeds, but follow in the paters of rectitude, truth, & honesty. Had she been now alive (Dec. ’68), it would have been her great glory & consolation to know that her prayer has been fully realised, and not one of the Ten have “disgraced” the name of Bell

or Gell family; not one can be upbraided with low lifed misdeeds of dishonesty or scornful derelictions of duty; but from childhood to approaching old age, the Rule of Life in all has been honesty, self-reliance, industry, respectability of demeanour, with a moderate frugality wh. aimed at elevating them in their common station in life. To mother alone is due the credit of the principles thus taught & followed. The family, justly pride themselves upon these facts, & by fireside conversation have often “wondered” at their success in life, considering with what limited means of education they were sent abroad to encounter the stern Realities of the World; & when it is recollected that nearly all began to labour ere they were ten years of age – either in the brick fields of Norton, or other menial occupations – the above points are favourable characteristics in any family thus “dragged” up to maturity. One or two instances will suffice as examples of success, wh. are enlarged upon under the proper names of each: For above 23 years, Wm. Bell held a responsible situation at Bradford, at never less than 35/ to £2 per week, & above 19 years at Newcastle as overseer in a large office; Mary Bell was lady’s maid with some of the first families in Scotland & England, as well as housekeeper, for half her lifetime; Emma

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remained at Middlesbro’, but was highly respected in the sphere in wh. she moved; Tom was at Havannah as engineer in the Royal arsenal, for 13 years, as well as having been engineer on board Spanish men-of-war, at salaries ranging from 30 pounds to £50 per month; John was also at Havannah as second engineer afloat, at 25£ or more per month; Edward Bell was clever as a fitter, mechanic, a modeller, with good wages in Portsmouth, Southampton, Liverpool, &c.; Chas. Bell carried on an extensive business as a draper at Middlesbro’, where not a man in the town was more valued or esteemed, as an upright, honest, straight-forward tradesman, as well as of ability; Alfred several times occupied good positions, but fortune thwarted his efforts, owing principally to a nervelessness of disposition, as well as his numerous family, but still equal in respectability & respected; George Bell, although not brought up to so good a trade as some of his brothers, still maintained his pluck & independence, as well as gaining the good-will of his fellow-workmen & neighbours; whilst Jessy, the youngest living, was “fully up to the work” in everything necessary to attain success in life, either with hands or head, industry, skill, or practical usefulness and tact, as a woman, wife, or mother.

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For Charles to write any additions wh. mother & father.

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