MATERNAL NAMES
HUGH BELL (1809-1866)
Hugh Bell born in Ireland appears to be the only living son of William Bell and Flora(1,2). Through recent research I believe I have found the correct Hugh.
The 1821 census for Fermanagh County, Derryvullan Parish, in the northern part of Ireland lists the following for residents at 8 Drumbulkin Street: William, Flora and Hugh. They are the ages of my Bell family and there are other similarities. I always was told they came from Armagh. Hugh and his parents emigrated to Canada before the next census in Ireland.
Hugh married Susannah Dunbar, most likely an Ulster Scot like himself. There are several discrepancies regarding their marriage. Hugh and Susan were most likely married in Ireland or on the way to America. I have not found any evidence of a marriage in Ireland, however, their first child Matilda, is listed as to have been born in Ireland in 1830. Years ago I found some evidence that they married in Hornby, Ontario May 20th 1830. This could possibly mean they fled Ireland before marrying and Matilda was born on or about that time. I have since found a marriage bond of marriage issued in Ontario in April of 1838 stating their status. (see Susannah's page).
Double tombstone of Hugh (right) and son John (left)
WEAVERS
Hugh, like his father was a weaver and market farmer.
The 1842 Census has the family living on what would have been William's property and farming it as he had for the 10 years prior to the census. William died several years prior but their are nine living on the farm when the census was taken. I would have thought that Flora would have lived with the family but it does not appear so. I do not see anyone over 45 who is single or widowed.
Unfortunately only the 1851 agricultural census is available so do not the family until the 1861(4), census for Peel County Toronto Township. At that time the family of five was living in a one-story log house with another child. That child was five year old Susanna Beaty. I believe her to be their grandchild and daughter of Matilda, who had recently been widowed and left with four young children.
1858 Map showing Hugh's farm, directly above ⬆️
There are other Bell's in the area and while not proven it is quite possible that these would be cousins of Hugh. One in particular is Robert Bell. The will of Hugh's father left his land to Robert Bell and Hugh Bell. The east half to Robert and the left to Hugh. Hugh is also mentioned in the will as the eldest son of William and since the only Robert the only land owner nearby is seventy-one he could not be a son.
The will is dated in March of 1839, but Hugh's portion of his father's petition was only granted and fulfilled on April 12 1851. Another transaction on John Beatty's original land grant, Conc. 3 Lot 11 WHS was made between Samuel Beaty and Hugh Bell on October 28 1854. A later map shows (below) identifies this as belonging to Robert Bell.
Samuel Beaty was the husband of Hugh's eldest daughter Matilda. This lot was bought while Samuel was alive but he died before 1861, leaving Hugh's daughter a widow with four children. Samuel was a sawyer and in all likelyhood it would have been Hugh who farmed the land.
January 28th 1856, Hugh purchased yet another lot (SE ½ Lot Conc.1) from David Wiggins. This would have given him a fair chunk of land to farm as a market farmer.
The property where they lived was described as Concession 2W lot 11 consisting of 100 acres, 55 of which was under cultivation. The other 45 acres was describes as either wooded or wild. The cash value of the farm and it chattels was valued at $5100.
Today Hugh’s lot would correspond to the North East corner of Old Derry Road and Second Line West in Mississauga. Most of it is a housing subdivision called Gooderham Estates, however the Gooderham house built in the 1870s was restored and is the Rotherglen School.
Hugh appears in both the "The City of Toronto and the Home District commercial directory and register with almanack and calendar for 1837" and "BROWNS HOME DISTRICT 1846-7" as follows:
Toronto New Survey 1837 Browns
Con Lot Con Lot
Bell Wm 2 11 Bell Hugh 2 11
Bell Wm 6 12 Bell Hugh 1 12
Bell Hugh 1 12
Bell Robt 3 11
HUGH BELLS CROPS
Fall Wheat acres, bushels nil
Spring Wheat 4 acres, 80 bushels
Barley acres, bushels nil
Rye 8 acres, 120 bushels
Peas 6 acres, 100 bushels
Oats 3 acres, 150 bushels
Buck Wheat acres, bushels nil
Indian Corn acres, bushels nil
Potatoes 1 acres, 150 bushels
Turnips acres, bushels nil
Mangel Wurtzel acres, bushels nil
Carrots
Beans
Hops
Hay 23T
Clover
Saint Peter's Anglican Church, Erindale, Ontario
Hugh died at the age of fifty-six years of age, June 7, 1866. (5) He is buried in the Saint Peter's Anglican Church in Erindale. The documents in the 2nd Heir Divisee Court and William's death date matching St.Peter's records are proof that this is where William, Hugh and John are buried. The reference number of the OFCA is HP-ES9
The name Bell, Hugh name appears in the book Acton's Early Days, 59. Was this our Hugh or another who lived in the area.
On October 23, 1865 Hugh sold his land to William Gooderham of Gooderham and Worts for $3,300. This would have been considered a substantial amount. He died less than one year later. Perhaps he was sick at the time and wanted to clear up his affairs and leave something for his soon to be widow.
The family would loose their second son just one month after he sold the land leaving only his older son William, my great-grandfather as the only surviving male in the family.
Hugh, like his father was a farmer and a weaver, who worked in the Meadowville area until his death.
CITATIONS:
(1) B. "Ireland Census, 1821," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9S-LLPZ : 24 February 2016), William Bell, 1821; from "Ireland Census 1821-1851," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2014); citing Derryvullan, Fermanagh, Ireland, household 10632.
(2) Church: FERMANAGH, Births Recorded at CoI Derryvullan North 1803-1839 Part 1 Ireland Genealogy Project Archives
(3) Register of marriages of the Rev. George Graham, Minister of the townships of Esquesing and Trafalgar (1836-39) Hugh Bell and Susan Dunbar (both of Toronto Township) by License - May 20, 1838. Witnesses - Thomas Armour, John Robinson Peel Archives.
(4) Canadian Census 1861 Item Number 966564 BELL Hugh Province: Canada West (Ontario), District: Peel, Sub District: Toronto
(5) D. 1866 with burial in St. Peter's Cemetery, Erindale, Ontario reference number of the OFCA is HP-ES9