James Bell Family

Contributed by Kenneth Bell and
Linda Sue Bell Gartin
© 2002

James Bell was born abt. 1785. James died in 1826. James married on 9 June 1808 in Sumner Co. TN to Elizabeth "Betsy" Easley. Elizabeth was born 1790. Elizabeth died abt. 1841.

Two possible children of James Bell and Elizabeth "Betsy" Easley are:

  1. Pleasant V. Bell born 1809, died January 10, 1848. Note: Pleasant is not a confirmed child of James Bell and Elizabeth Easley. If you have more information about Pleasant please e-mail the contributors.

  2. James Bell born 1821, died 17 May, 1880.


Pleasant V. Bell (possible son of James Bell and Elizabeth Easley) was born in 1809. Pleasant died on January 10, 1848. He was in the Mexican War, he died not in battle, but of the measles in Mexico City. (Note: TN Cousins books says he died in 1846). Pleasant married on 4 July 1832 in Sumner Co. TN to Lucinda "Lucy" Gaines (daughter of William Gaines/Gains and Hulda Ann). Lucinda was born abt. 1808/1809 in Sumner Co. TN, she died on 20 November 1887.

Pleasant V. Bell was a Private in Captain P.S. Solomon's Company, 3rd Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers afterwards commanded by Captain William Hutton. He was mustered into service 25 October 1847 at Nashville and went to Mexico in the service of the United States; and that while stationed in the city of Mexico after being engaged in the several battles before the city was taken and while in the line of duty he took sick with measles and continued lingering until 10th day of January 1848 or thereabouts when he died. Another reference said that he never returned so I assume he was buried in Mexico City.

In an affidavit given on 15 November 1848 Lucinda Bell states that her age is 39 yrs. If that is true then she was born in 1809 unless she had a birthday after November 15 and then she would have been born in 1808.

Known children of Pleasant V. Bell are Lucinda "Lucy" Gaines are:

  1. Elizabeth Ann Bell was born abt. 1834 in Sumner Co. TN. Elizabeth Ann never married. In the 1880 census she is living with her brother John E. Bell and family as well as his mother Lucy Bell and his mother-in-law Nancy Hunt. She was called Aunt Lid by the children and was very strict with them.
  2. Martha Jane Bell was born abt. 1836 in Sumner Co. TN.
  3. Margarate Allen Bell was born abt. 1838 in Sumner Co. TN. Margarate married on January 17, 1856 in Sumner Co. TN to James Tuttle. She married 2nd on 23 June 1871 to John Harris Gaines in Sumner Co. TN.
  4. Malvina Duty Bell was born abt. 1840 in Sumner Co. TN. Malvina married on April 25, 1860 in Sumner Co. TN to Abner B. Duffer. For more information on this line see the contribution Duffer, Hawkins & Bell Family.
  5. Mahalia Frances Bell was born abt. 1842 in Sumner Co. TN. Mahalia married on June 13, 1842 in Sumner Co. TN to William Henry Adcock. For more information on this line see the contribution William Adcock and Mahalia Bell.
  6. James K. Polk Bell was born abt. 1844 in Sumner Co. TN. James married on August 31, 1872 in Sumner Co. TN to Mary F. Whitson.
  7. John Easley Bell was born August 31, 1846 in Sumner Co. TN. John died September 21, 1931 in Union City, Obion Co. TN. John married on April 1, 1869 in Sumner Co. TN to Writha Caroline Hunt. He married 2nd to Lillie Mai Leigh. For more information on John Easley Bell see the contribution John Bell and Writha Hunt.


James Bell (son of James Bell and Elizabeth Easley) was born in 1821. He died 17 May, 1880. James married on 18 December 1837 in Sumner Co. TN to Martha Marcum/Markham. Martha was born 1819 in TN. She died on 16 January 1897, Marion Co. IL. Both are buried Bell Cemetery, Marion Co. IL, without markers. (Source: for Martha's death, Marion Co. IL Quarterly, Vol. XIX: "Mrs. James (Martha Markham) Bell Sr . . . died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sylvester Eddings near Iuka. She married in 1838 and became the mother of 12 children, 9 of whom survived. "

Children of James Bell and Martha Marcum/Markham are:

  1. Pleasant W. Bell was born 1839 Sumner Co. TN, died?. Married 30 August 1859 in Marion Co. IL to Lotty Williams. Pleasant bought 40 acres of land in Marion Co. IL on 22 February 1864.

  2. Thomas Henry Bell was born 1842 Sumner Co. TN, died 1908 Arkansas. Thomas bought land in Marion Co. IL on 12 October 1861.

  3. Greenbury Bell was born 1844, died 1908 Randolph Co. IL. Married 13 March 1872 in Marion Co. IL to Susannah "Susan" Knight. For more information on Greenbury Bell see the contribution Greenbury Bell and Susannah Knight.

  4. John Bell was born 1845 Sumner Co. TN, died 1885?.

  5. Deliah Elizabeth Bell was born 1847 Sumner Co. TN, died?.

  6. James J. Bell was born 1849 Sumner Co. TN, died?. Married 26 January 1875 in Marion Co. IL to Mary E. Young.

  7. Isaac Newton Bell was born 1851 Sumner Co.TN, died 1933 Oregon Co. MO. For more information on this line see the contribution Isaac Newton Bell.

  8. Matilda Bell was born abt. 1854 Sumner Co. TN, died?. Married 24 December 1871 in Marion Co. IL to Frances M. Smith.

  9. Martha Bell was born 1856 Marion Co. IL, died 1908 Cleveland Co. OK. Married 30 December 1875 in Marion Co. IL to Finess Kenaday.

  10. William Bell was born abt. 1857 Marion Co. IL, died ?.

  11. Emeline Bell was born 1861, Marion Co. IL, died 1930. Married 19 October 1879 in Marion Co. IL to John A. Getts.

  12. Emily Bell was born 1862 Marion Co. IL, died?.

  13. Mary Jane Bell was born 1865 Marion Co. IL, died 1939. Married 17 November 1888 in Marion Co. IL to Wesley Sylvester Eddings.


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