Person Page - 42

     Dorothea Laidlaw Bell is also recorded as Dora Bell.² She was born on 5 November 1832 in Serampore, West Bengal, India.^1,3 She was the daughter of James Bell and Betsy Laidlaw.^2,4 Dorothea Laidlaw Bell was christened on 11 December 1832 at West Bengal, India.¹ She appears in the 1851 census at Menslaws, Bedrule, Roxburgshire. However a Dorothea Bell, aged 8, appears as a pupil at a boarding school in St Cuthbert's, Midlothian. She married Surgeon General William Munro C.B., son of Inspector General William Munro, on 14 March 1857 in St. Jude's Church, Southsea, Hampshire.^2,5 Dorothea Laidlaw Bell died on 11 April 1917 in London at the age of 84.⁶

     Douglas G. Bell was born in 1918.¹ He was the son of Edward Guy Wallace Bell and Isobel Jean Donald.¹ Douglas G. Bell died in 1937.¹

     Edward Guy Wallace Bell was born on 23 February 1882.¹ He was the son of Charles Wallace Bell and Clara Ann Henderson.¹ Edward Guy Wallace Bell married Isobel Jean Donald in 1910 in St. Andrew's, Westmount, Québec.² Edward Guy Wallace Bell died in 1945.³

     Elspeth Bell was baptised on 27 September 1754 at Associate Congregation or Free Church, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.² She was the daughter of Robert Bell Senr. and Margaret Black.¹ Elspeth Bell died in January 1759 in Menslaws, Jedburgh, at the age of 4.¹ She was buried on 19 January 1759 in the Churchyard, Ancrum.¹

     Euphemia Bell was born on 7 May 1788 in Bedrule, Roxburghshire.² She was the daughter of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ Euphemia Bell was christened on 25 May 1788 at Bedrule, Roxburgshire,³ this was recorded under the name Euphan Bell which name is also used in her father's will. She married James Tait on 20 June 1824 in Jedburgh, Roxburgshire.^1,4 Euphemia Bell died before 1833.⁵

     Euphemia Bell was born circa 1796 in Fife.¹ She married James Webster, son of Alexander Webster and Janet Campbell, on 29 November 1831 in Crail, Fife. Euphemia Bell and James Webster appear in the 1851 census at Langhousegreen, Crail, Fife, Webster is listed as the parochial schoolmaster.² Euphemia Bell died on 24 September 1869.³

     Frances Bell was born on 27 October 1907.¹ She married Weldon S. Garrett. Frances Bell died on 20 December 1972 at the age of 65.¹

     Francis Roy Marsh Bell is also recorded as Roy Bell. He died in 1980.

     George Bell was born on 26 June 1780 in Southdean, Roxburgshire.^1,2 He was the son of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ George Bell married Ann Scott, daughter of Thomas Scott and Ann Scott.³ George Bellappeared in the 1841 census at Bedrule, Roxburghshire, as proprietor of Menslaws.⁴ He appears on the census of 30 March 1851 at Menslaws, Bedrule, Roxburgshire, "George Bell Esqr. Landed proprietor farming 200 acres arable (employing 5 men & 7 women)" listed together with his unmarried daughter Ann Bell and a niece, Dorothea L. Bell aged 18. The census shows two further houses at Menslaws which are occupied by the land stewart, Mark Turnbull and his family which consist of his wife and six children aged between 1 and 14 years of age. James Buchan, an agricultural labourer, his wife and grand daughter live in the second house which is recorded as Menslaws Hind's House.
The New Statistical Account of Scotland records that Mr. George Bell was the only heritor present [others being absentee heritors] and that his farms his own property with great skill and success [p. 287]. In commenting on the accommodation for farm servants it notes "Two cottages belonging to George Bell, Esq. of Menslaws, deserve particular notice, for their superior accommodation and comfort. Either of them would have been considered a very comfortable farm house, fifty or a hundred years ago. The floor of one of them surpasses, in one respect, any thing of the kind perhaps in the whole county. It is made of a compost of lime and gravel; and for hardness and smoothness, and appearance, equals any covered with flags, and will last, if properly taken care of, as this seems to be, longer than one laid with freestone flags. " [p. 292]
George Bell died on 25 October 1859 in Menslaws, Jedburgh, at the age of 79 at 10.15 in the morning.¹ He was buried on 28 October 1859 in the Old Churchyard, Ancrum.⁵
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     Harriet Elizabeth Bell was born on 2 September 1834 in Calcutta, India.² She was the daughter of Robert Bell and Adolphina Rabeholm.¹ Harriet Elizabeth Bell was baptised on 23 September 1834 at St. Andrew's, Calcutta.²

     Helen Symonds Dobree Bell was also known in the family as Aunt Nell. She was born on 6 September 1856 in 6 Sussex Place, Southsea. She was the daughter of Dr. William Bell and Zébée Stewart Gordon. Helen Symonds Dobree Bell was baptised on 7 November 1856 at St. Judes Church, Southsea, by the Rev. J. Brownrigge. She was confirmed on 20 November 1874 at St. Pauls, Bedford, by Bishop Woodford the Bishop of Ely. Circa 1945 Helen Symonds Dobree Bell was living at 43 Sea Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth. She died on 27 May 1947 probably in Bournemouth at the age of 90.

     Isabella Bell was born on 30 April 1797 in Bedrule, Roxburghshire.² She was the daughter of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ Isabella Bell was christened on 14 May 1797 at Bedrule, Roxburghshire.^1,3 She died on 23 June 1880 at 55 High Street, Jedburgh, at the age of 83⁴ and is buried in the Churchyard, Ancrum, first grave of the aisle.⁵

     Isobel Bell was born on 17 May 1760 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.¹ She was the daughter of Robert Bell Senr. and Margaret Black.² Isobel Bell was baptised on 18 June 1760 at Associate Congregation or Free Church, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.^2,1 She died in September 1760.² She was buried on 22 September 1760 in the Churchyard, Ancrum, where the burial is simply recorded as a child of Robert Bell. Menslaws.²

     James Bell. Indigo planter. He was born on 22 March 1782 in Southdean, Roxburghshire.^2,3 He was the son of William Bell and Markie Minto.^1,2 James Bell possibly firstly married Clara Ewan on 4 June 1816 in the Cathedral, Calcutta, There is an entry in the Asiatic Journal and Monthly Miscellany, 1817, which records this marriage and notes that the groom was an indigo planter. Whether or not this is the same James Bell is a matter for speculation.⁴ James Bell married Betsy Laidlaw on 26 October 1828 in the Parish Church, Jedburgh, Roxburgh, Scotland.⁵ James Bell and Betsy Laidlaw then again went through a wedding ceremony on 31 October 1828 in St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, Scotland.⁶ James Bell died on 28 May 1843 at the age of 61 at sea on passage from India. In the notice of his death, dated Menslaws, August, 1843 he is described as "late of Kishnaghur, Bengal". The Indian Mail, vol. 1, p. 240 gives his death as occurring on the John Bibby, in lat. 28. 52, long. 9. 4, late of Mohutpore, Kishnaghur
He first went to India in 1811 where he became a successful indigo planter and merchant in Bengal Asiatic Journal and Monthly Miscellany, 1817.^2,7

     James Bell was born on 1 August 1751 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.¹ He was the son of Robert Bell Senr. and Margaret Black.¹ James Bell was baptised on 25 August 1751 at Associate Congregation or Free Church, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.¹

     Jean Douglas Bell was born on 10 August 1794 in Bedrule her name is registered as Jainy.² She was the daughter of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ Jean Douglas Bell was christened on 14 August 1794 at the Associate Congregation of Free Church, Jedburgh, Roxburgshire.³ She married George Elliot on 17 December 1818 in Edinburgh (from a notice in Blackwood's Magazine.¹)

     Louisa Maria Bell was born on 9 April 1856 in St. Pancras, London.² She was the daughter of William Robert Bell and Louisa Harriet Crozier.¹ Louisa Maria Bell was baptised on 1 June 1856 at Holy Trinity, Marlebone Road, London.²

     Margaret Bell was born on 16 April 1786 in Bedrule, Roxburghshire.² She was the daughter of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ Margaret Bell was christened on 30 April 1786 at Bedrule, Roxburgshire,³ where her name was recorded as Peggy Bell.⁴ She married Alexander Scott, son of Robert Scott, on 12 June 1814 in Cavers, Roxburgshire.⁵ Margaret Bell died on 5 July 1829 at the age of 43 "Mrs Scott 5th Jul=29."⁶

     Margaret Bell married Hon. William Walker.¹

     Margaret Bell was baptised on 27 September 1758 at Associate Congregation or Free Church, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.¹ She was the daughter of Robert Bell Senr. and Margaret Black.¹

     Marky Bell was born in 1784 in Southdean, Roxburghshire, (thought to be about 1783 from indications in the Bell family papers) but her death record gives her age as 76.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ Marky Bell appeared in the 1841 census at Lanton, Roxburghshire. Together with her sister Isabella, their niece Marky Elliot and their nephew William Elliot.³ She died on 29 June 1860 in 41 Lanton Place, Jedburgh, 10.30 a.m., unmarried. The registration of death states that she suffered from several years of debility. Her brother, William Bell was present at the death.^1,4 She was buried on 4 July 1860 in the Churchyard, Ancrum, in her father's grave or 4th grave below stone.^4,1,5

     Marky Minto Bell was born on 30 April 1816 in Roxburgh.¹ She was the daughter of George Bell and Ann Scott. Marky Minto Bell was christened on 2 June 1816 at Jedburgh, Roxburgshire. She died on 24 April 1838 in Menslaws, Jedburgh, at the age of 21 recorded as 25 April in Ancrum churchyard.² She was buried on 30 April 1838 in the Churchyard, Ancrum, 4th Row. 3rd Room. 3rd Grave. "Darling Child of George Bell."³

     Minto Bell was born on 20 June 1790.² She was the daughter of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ Minto Bell was christened on 27 June 1790 at Bedrule, Roxburgshire.³ She married George Grieve, son of John Grieve and Isabella Turnbull, circa 1809.¹ Minto Bell and George Grieve emigrated in 1832 to Québec, Canada, with their son William Bell.⁴ Minto Bell died on 27 May 1838 in Ormstown, Québec, Canada, at the age of 47 (the announcement in the Berwick Advertiser gives the place as Beautharnois.)^1,5,6

     Robert Bell. Indigo planter. He was born in 1799.^1,2 He was the son of William Bell and Markie Minto.¹ In 1819 he travelled to India to join his brother.³ Robert Bell married Adolphina Rabeholm, daughter of N. Rabeholm, on 21 October 1825 in Serampore. Robert Bell is described as being of Ramnagur.⁴ Robert Bell died in August 1834³ and was buried in Calcutta.³

     Robert Bell Senr. was born in 1730.¹ He was baptised on 30 August 1730 at Marlingdean, Jedburgh, Roxburgshire, Though the baptism is recorded in Bedrule the entry in the register reads "The minister being at Nithsdale Mr. William Turnbull Minr. att Abbotsrule preached here. Then baptised Robert son to Thomas Bell in Marlingdean Jeburgh Parish."² He was the son of Thomas Bell.³ Robert Bell Senr. was living in Menslaws, Jedburgh, possibly as a tenant before the present house was built. He married Margaret Black, daughter of Robert Black, on 10 June 1750 in Ancrum, Roxburgshire.^4,5 Robert Bell Senr. died in June 1802 in Jedburgh at the age of 71.¹ He was buried on 11 June 1802 in the Old Churchyard, Ancrum, below the stone.⁶

     Rose Annie Stewart Bell was born on 29 May 1862 at Boundary Bank, Jedburgh. She was the daughter of Dr. William Bell and Zébée Stewart Gordon. Rose Annie Stewart Bell was baptised on 12 August 1862 at Jedburgh. In 1942 Rose Annie Stewart Bell was living at 7 Barnshot Road, Colinton, Edinburgh, which may also be Loudoun Cottage, Colinton, which is as the address is shown in Z.E. Rees's address book. She died on 23 April 1942 in Morningside, Midlothian, at the age of 79 (recorded as 24th April in official records.)¹

     William Bell. Farmer of Menslaws.¹ He was born on 12 February 1756 in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.² He was the son of Robert Bell Senr. and Margaret Black.¹ William Bell was baptised on 14 March 1756 in the Associate Congregation Church, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.² He married Markie Minto, daughter of George Minto and Barbara Chisholm, on 29 July 1774 in Southdean, Roxburgshire.³ William Bell died on 25 March 1836 in 41 Lanton Place, Jedburgh, at the age of 80.¹ He was buried on 30 March 1836 in the Old Churchyard, Ancrum.⁴ Menslaws House is reputed to date from about 1786. Margaret Bell's birth on 30 April of that year is registered in the parish of Bedrule, in which Menslaws is situated. Prior to that date the estate had been owned by a Mr. Black. It remained in Bell hands until 1860 when Menslaws estate was sold to Thomas Cockburn.