William Bell : Short Biography

William Bell lived in Derryvullan in 1821 when the census was taken. Still searching for his birth place but suspect possibly Scotland as he was one of the "Reiver Clans". He married a girl named Flora but I have been unsuccesful in proving her last name. Possibly Little but no proof. William was a weaver and farmer in the area.

William and Flora had on child who survived to adulthood that I can prove with certainty. However I suspect several others as I have found births in Derryvullan for at least three others during the time they lived there.

14 Feb 1808 Thomas to William Bell and Florence?
13 May 1810 Hugh to William and Flora
28 Mar 1813 William to William and Flora
12 Mar 1815 Leah to William and Flora
 

William and Flora migrated to Canada and settled in Meadowvale, Ontario in the Home District along with their son Hugh where he continued to work as a market farmer and weaver.

William died March 19,1839 and is buried in the St-Peter's Cemetery, Erindale, Ontario. This would prove him to be Church of Ireland in faith as it is an Anglican Cemetery. It is thought that many Ulster Scots took this faith to avoid persecution but it is unknown if William was one of these people. The original Bells from Scotland would most likely have been non-observant Catholics or according to Robert Bell's History of Ireland "To be more accurate, they were nominally Catholic. In practice, they were godless."  

I have much more on my website Talespin.weebly.com on William and his descendants. Would love to connect with any branch of this family and learn more.