MATERNAL NAMES
JANE MCDOWELL (1847-1877)
JANE'S SHORT LIFE AND DEATH
Jane’s elder brother William, lists his birthplace as Ireland, but was the last one in the family to be born there. All of Jane’s siblings living with her widowed mother Mary are born in Ontario, including Jane. This would suggest that they had been in Canada since 1845.
I was able to find Jane's parents James McDowell and Mary Glover. James died in 1862 leaving Mary a widow. Through my research I have found the Bells, McDowells and Glovers have many connections through several generations.
Jane McDowell Bell died August 30, 1877 four days after the birth of their fifth child Joseph. He died on the September 12, 1877. I was able to find the death certificate and it says Jane died from puerperal convulsion as a result of the birth.
Her death registration says Jane was twenty-nine years old at the time of her death but my records indicate she was thirty. She left behind a husband and three living children.
Jane was buried in the Ashgrove Cemetery.
*Further information on Jane's family can be found on these pages. Jane Bell and William McDowell and James McDowell (1820--1862) and Mary Glover (1817--1900)
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Jane with either William or John.
Citations
(1) C. 1861 Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1063
(2) M. 1868 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; County Marriage Registers, 1858-June 1869; Series: MS248; Reel: 13
(3) C. 1871 Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: C-9957; Page: 47; Family No: 161
(4) ​D. 1877 McDowell Jane​ Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938, 1943-1944, and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947​ Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS935; Reel: 15
CHILDREN OF WILLIAM BELL AND JANE MCDOWELL
HUGH BELL (1870-1872 )
Hugh Bell was William Bell and Jane McDowell’s first child, named for his paternal grandfather. He was born February 26th 1870 and lived but two years.(1)
Hugh died March 16th 1872 in Ashgrove, Ontario. The cause of death was not marked on the death registration.(2)​ The child was buried at the Ashgrove United Church Cemetery.(3)
Gone Home
In Memory of
Hugh
Son of
Wm and Jane BELL
Died 15 Mar 1872
2 years 17 days
*The text at the bottom of the headstone is illegible. What does the small stone stand for?
Citations
(1) B. 1870 Archives of Ontario; Series: MS929; Reel: 19
​(2) D. 1872 Hugh "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JF11-948 : 9 March 2018), Hugh Bell, 16 Mar 1872; citing Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, p 199 cn 023061, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,846,466.
​(3) Bur. 1877 Hugh Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 October 2018), memorial page for Hugh Bell (1870–15 Mar 1872), Find A Grave Memorial no. 99402755, citing Ashgrove United Church Cemetery, Halton Hills, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Cathy Beaudoin (contributor 47622350) .
WILLIAM JAMES BELL (1871-1948) M. abt 1899 ADA MORGAN (1872-1951
William and Jane’s second child was named for his father and his paternal grandfather. William James, born on September 26th 1871 in Ashgrove, Ontario would be the eldest child to live to adulthood. His birth registration lists only James as his name.​(1)
In the 1881 Census William is living at home with his father and two younger brothers.(2) By the 1919 Census William while still at home, lives with his father and his father's new wife Catherine Coventry, his two younger brothers, and two relations of Catherine Coventry, possibly daughters. He is employed as a farm labourer.(3)
When William was a young man he moved out west to Homestead, first near Kenloss and Indian Head and finally settled near Qu’Appelle Saskatchewan. The 1901 census lists the area as Hillfarm, Assiniboia East, the Territories.(4)
After moving west Will met a young woman by the name of Ada Morgan originally from England.(5) They married soon after and on June 8th 1900 had their first child, Lillian P. Bell. They would have six children.Myrtle Florence, September 1902, William Ernest George Bell, July 7th 1904, Elsie G. Bell, January 5th 1906, Orval, October 3rd 1908 and Eva, November 1st 1910.(6)(7)(8)
Will was a market gardener on a small farm out west and remained there all of his working life. When he retired in 1945 he and his wife moved back to Ontario and settled in a house on Victoria Street in Georgetown.
William and Ada attended the Knox Presbyterian Church and William continued his interest in agricultural affairs. He had been a long time member on the board of the Qu’Appelle Agricultural Society.
William outlived his two younger brothers John and Nathaniel.
William died, on October 24th 1948 at seventy-seven years of age.(9) His wife, six children, and twelve grandchildren survive him. William was described as a member of Pioneer Esquesing Family in his obituary. He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Georgetown.(10)
Citations
​(1) B. 1871 James "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM3X-T36 : 8 August 2017), Jane Mcdowell in entry for James Bell, 26 Sep 1871; citing Birth, Esquessing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,844,888.
(2) M. Before 1900 as per obituary and 1901 Census
​(3) C. 1881 Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: C_13258; Page: 23; Family No: 103
​​(4) ​C. 1891 Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: T-6340; Family No: 58
(5) C. 1901 Census Place: Hillfarm, Assiniboia (east/est), The Territories; Page: 4; Family No: 34
(6) C. 1906 "Canada Census, 1906," database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHVW-6CV : 1 April 2016), William Bell, 30, Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario.
​(7) ​C. 1911 "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27XT-CPS : 16 March 2018), William Bell, 1911; citing Census, Qu'Appelle Sub-Districts 1-33, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,578.
​​​(8) C. 1916 "Canada Census," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM5W-82K : 11 March 2018), Wm James Bell, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 9, line 31; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,958.
​(9) ​D. 1948 Bell William James Georgetown Herald (Georgetown, ON), 3 Nov 1948, p. 1​
​(10) ​Bur.1948 "Find A Grave Index," database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPHL-CRL8 : 21 June 2018), William James Bell, 1948; Burial, Georgetown, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada, Greenwood Cemetery; citing record ID 190194737, <i>Find a Grave</i>, http://www.findagrave.com.
ROBERT "JOHN" BELL (1873-1941)
​ *There is more about my grandfather at the following link Robert John Bell
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NATHANIEL CAMERON BELL (1874-1932) M. MARY VICTORIA THOMPSON (1882-1969)
Nathaniel Cameron Bell was born October 10th 1874 in Esquesing, Ontario. He was the forth son of William Bell and Jane McDowell.(1)
For the next two census' he can be found with his father and brothers.(2)(3)
The 1901 census has Nathaniel listed as a boarder at Samuel McGibbon’s Hotel 79 Main Street South in Georgetown, Ontario.(4) There is still a hotel in Georgetown with the same name today. It would seem according to information about this hotel that it was built by Robert James in 1849. He sold it to Thomas Clarke in 1867 and it was then known as Clarke’s Hotel although the real name was more likely the Exchange Hotel. A fire in 1888 destroyed the two-leveled building, prompting a reconstruction in which a third level was added. In 1895 Samuel Hopkins McGibbon leased the hotel. It has been known as the McGibbon Hotel ever since.
He married Mary Victoria Thompson, daughter of James Thompson and Esther Ann Little of Georgetown March 27th 1902.(5) Nathaniel and Mary would have three children, Deretta May, July 1903, Alvin Basil, September 1905, and William James “Cameron”, December 1907.(6)(7)
Nathaniel was a machinist by trade. He worked for Creelman Brothers knitting machine factory, as a tool maker. He resided in Georgetown for many years before moving to Brampton, Ontario.
He died Feburary 3rd 1932 in Brampton at his home, just fifty-seven years of age.(8) It mentions in the obituary that he was a good citizen and an honorable man and that he would be deeply missed by friends and family.
The funeral was attended by 25 Oddfellows from the town as Nathaniel had been a member of Orion Lodge, No. 109 L.O.O.F at Brampton. The Friday afternoon service was conducted at the home by Rev. Mr. Soper of Brampton and assisted by Rev. Mr. Rumley of Georgetown who preached the sermon. The Oddfellows conducted their service at the grave. Well attended, there were many beautiful floral tributes to the deceased.
Mary lived to be eighty-nine years of age and remained healthy and in her own home until the end. She died February 27th 1969. Her daughter Deretta, survived her along with four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Both of her sons Alvin and Cameron predeceased her.
An interesting aside told to me by a cousin and immediate family of N.C. Bell. His son “Cam” had a 1929 black car with a rumble seat. Apparently Nathaniel, although unable to drive liked to have his picture taken in it.
See Blog: ESQUESING TOWNSHIP, ONTARIO (PART 2)05/07/2014 STORY ABOUT CREELMAN BROS AND MCGIBBON HOTEL GEORGETOWN​
Citations
(1) B. 1874 Nathaniel Cameron "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNLK-MDC : 16 July 2017), Jane Mcdowell in entry for Nathaniel Bell, 10 Oct 1874; citing Birth, Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,845,042.
(2) C. 1881 Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: C_13258; Page: 23; Family No: 103
​​(3) ​C. 1891 Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: T-6340; Family No: 58
​(4) C. 1901 Census Place: Georgetown (Village), Halton, Ontario; Page: 7; Family No: 84
(5) M. 1902 "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZBV-WQC: 11 March 2018), Nathaniel C Bell and Mary Victoria Thompson, 27 Mar 1902; citing registration , Georgetown, Halton, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,871,083.
(6) C. 1911 "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9T-8QQ6 : 16 March 2018), Nathaniel Bell, 1911; citing Census, Halton Sub-Districts 1-32, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,700.
(7) C. 1921 Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 62; Census Place: Georgetown (Village), Halton, Ontario; Page Number: 8
(8) D. "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJSP-HVF : 9 March 2018), Nathaniel Cameron Bell, 10 Feb 1932; citing Brampton, Peel, Ontario, Canada, 27183, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,378,660.
(9) Obit. Bell, Nathaniel Cameron appeared in Georgetown Herald (Georgetown, ON), 17 Feb 1932, p. 3, column 4 ​
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BIRTH
Jane McDowell, born February 26th 1847 in Ontario, was the third daughter of James McDowell and Mary Glover. Her brother William born in 1843 in Ireland which would indicate their immigration to Canada would have been after 1843 and before 1847. She is identified as Susan in the 1861 Census but this is indeed Jane.(1)
I am, however, unable to find them in the 1852 census for Canada.
Jane married William Bell October 28th 1868 and the marriage was registered with Peel County.(2)
105205-68 (Peel) William BELL, 28, Toronto twp. Canada, s/o Hugh BELL & Susannah DUNBAR, married Jane MCDOWELL, 21, Chinguacousy Canada, d/o James & Mary MCDOWELL, witn: Samuel MCDONALD of Chinguacousy, 28 Oct 1868.
Jane Bell married William McDowell, son of James and Mary, February 19th 1867 one year prior to William's (her brother) marriage to Jane McDowell.(3). This could quite possibly have been how they met.
Twenty-three years old, can Jane be found in the 1871 Census alongside her husband William Bell thirty and their young son Hugh age one.(3) They are living next door to Jane’s brother William McDowell, his wife Jane (Bell), William Bell’s sister and their daughter Susana who is a year older than Hugh.
JOSEPH BELL (1877-1877)
Joseph Bell was born August 26th 1877 and died September 11th of the same year. He was just two weeks of age from diarrohea. His mother Jane died August 30th 1877, only four days after his birth. William and Jane were never to have any girls in their union, and only three of their boys would reach adulthood.
Citations
(1) B. 1877 Bell Joseph Ontario, Canada Births, 1858-1913 Archives of Ontario; Series: MS929; Reel: 28
(2) D. 1877 Bell Joseph Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938, 1943-1944, and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947​ Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS935; Reel: 15
CHILDREN OF WILLIAM BELL AND CATHERINE BOVILL
Eshter Bell (1880 - 1880)
​ Catherine Bovill, second wife of William Bell died just two years after they married. She died in childbirth. The child, a girl, also died. Her name was Esther.
Esther was the only daughter born to William Bell. Both the child and her mother were lost as a result of complicationd during the pregancy. There is some doubt here but so far these are my findings. Further investigation is warranted. Anyone with information is welcome to comment.​(1)
Citations
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(7) D ​Death Registry RN 005229 Is this Esther Bell