Henry & Susannah Atkins Bell, John B. & Phobe Durr Bell

I was working on my Bell line in Ancestry and was surprised to see so many people had attached the photo of my 3rd great grandfather, William Henry Bell, to that of another William Henry Bell.  Even the headstone photos were attached.  After a little research, I was able to absolutely verify that John Burrus and Phebe/Phobe Durr/Derr Bell were the wrong parents. I have decided to share this research here so it will help to clear up the mistake. I will also be posting this in the associated surname boards at Genforum.

This particular Bell line is both easy to research and yet difficult due to the repeating of the names. The following information is based on a compilation of documents such as bible records and reports sourced from Will Books, Deed Books and other records found on Ancestry.com None of the information came from UNSOURCED family trees.

Evidently, John B. Bell, came to Mercer Co, KY in 1804, which is also when he was born. His parents were Henry Bell (1735-1838) and Susannah Atkins (1775-1839), married in Orange Co VA, 19 Sept 1796. It is interesting to note that Henry was a Blacksmith by trade.

John (1804-1846) married Phebe/Phobe Durr/Derr (1806-1870) in 1825.  John and Phobe had the following children:

Margaret A Bell (b1826) m Herbert Abbott

William Henry Bell (1829-1893) m. 1st Ann Mariah Scott, 2nd Martha Massey.

Elizabeth Bell (b1831) m Wade Dawson

Jacob M Bell (b1833) m Mary Gist

Elisha B Bell (b1835) m Tabitha Fisher

(1st) John B Bell Jr, (16 Dec 1836- 8 Sept 18**)

James H Bell 1836 - 1849

Thomas Clelland Bell (1838-1901) m Sallie M Conner

Lycurgus Bell (b1842) m Sallie A Robinson

Susan N Bell (b1843) m HWP Junius

Amanda R Bell (b1845) m FM Reynolds

(2nd) John B Bell Jr, (25 Aug 1849 - 21 Feb 184*)

Union: Capt Wm H Bell, Pvt. Jacob Bell, Sgt. Elisha Bell

CSA: Lycurgus Bell 10th Texas Cavalry

I am focusing on William Henry Bell since my William Henry Bell and my added records have been mixed up with this William Henry Bell.

The William Henry Bell, s/o John Burrus Bell (1804-1847) & Phebe/Phobe Durr/Derr, served as a Capt in the Union forces for 3yrs.(Co. D in Col. Milton Graham's Regt. of Volunteers). Afterward he returned to Anderson Co KY where he was active in the revenue service for 15 years. In 1866, Wm H Bell moved to Lawrenceburg in Anderson Co where he opened a grocery store.

Capt. William Henry Bell married 1) Ann Mariah Scott on 10 Feb 1853. Children:

Elizabeth (25 Nov 1853), William C/P. (1855/56), Mary G. (1857/58), John (abt 1862), Edward K. (Sep 1863,) Charles W. (23 Apr 1866), Ann M. (Sep 1869) and Thomas.

Married 2nd to Martha Massey in 1879 and they had 3 children.

My 3rd great grandfather, William Henry Bell was a poor Blacksmith who married Sarah Weatherford. While it may be possible that he could be related to the Henry & Susannah Atkins Bell family, it is not by being the son of John Burrus and Phebe/Phobe Durr/Derr Bell.

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Sources:

Anderson News clipping (orig published March 2, 1967) found in Lawrenceburg Library, Anderson County, Ky.  by William Weston on Oct 1, 2010

Bell Family Bible Record by Sue Speakman

William Henry Bell Memorial on Find A Grave (My 3rd Great Grandfather)