Richard Bell - Lucifer Match Manufacturer London

[hotrex]

Hi

Just came across this site.
I have information about Bell and Black match makers.
Richard Bell is my ancestor.
Can give you information by PDF on info for our family tree.

Cheers
Neville Bell
Australia

[punch]

Hi Neville,

Thank you for coming across my post. My ancestor, Henry Coughtrey, worked at your ancestor's, Richard Bell, match factory in Wandsworth, England in the 1840s and early 1850s before emigrating to Wilmington, Delaware, USA. I would be very grateful to you if you would not mind sharing the details of Richard Bell, Sr. (such as date of birth, date of death, marriage date, name and dob & dod of wife, names and dob & dod of children). Thank you in advance.

Karen

[RoxaneHumphries]

Samuel Alexander Bell was a matchmaker his brother Richard was my 3 x Grt Grandfather - at the moment I don't know the connection between Richard Bell of Lucifer Matches and Samuel Bell - I do have some information that I can copy and supply by private email if interested.  Samuel died in England and I have a copy of his Will - his brother Richard emigrated to Australia and settled in South Australia.

[swannesta]

Hi All,
I'm descended from Charles R E Bell, who took over Bell & Co in Wandsworth c. 1880.  He was born Charles Grubb and started as a humble clerk, but changed his name to Bell when he took on the business, it seems.
According to what I can gather. Richard Bell's son and legitimate heir was lost at sea, and that's why my g g grandfather took over.

I would be very grateful if anyone could confirm this story, or add any information about R Bell & co Ltd or the characters involved, during this period. Regards,
Laura, UK

[punch]

Hi Laura,
In my research of Richard Bell, match manufacturer in Wandsworth, I found that he and his wife (?? Rankin) had at least 4 sons, Richard Bell Jr., Edmund, George and William. Richard Jr. gave his parents a lot of trouble and was sent to Wilmington, Delaware to work in a match factory with hopes that he would be rid himself of his dissolute habits in a Quaker community. In 1861 Richard Jr. was listed as a lucifer match manufacturer, single and living with his father. After that I lose track of him, but there is some evidence that he might have been a mariner. Maybe he is the one that was lost at sea. Would you share with me what you have gathered on Richard Jr?
Karen

[MonicaL]

Some references to New Zealand. Just adding these links here https://ehive.com/collections/3021/objects/28192/matchbox and http://nzarchaeology.org/cms/NZJA/Vol%205%201983/NZJA5.115-138Anson.pdf

Also, some recollections here https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/12764552

Monica 

[swannesta]

Thanks for speedy replies 
Karen, Monica's 2nd link (https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/12764552) was the source where I got the 'lost at sea' information!
John is the son in question, and he does appear on the 1841 census, at age 30.
I haven't found anything on Richard Jr beyond 1861 either. Which son is your ancestor?
Laura

[punch]

Hi Laura,
I am not related to the Bell family, but my 3 x great grandfather was a foreman in the Wandsworth match factory in the 1840s and early 1850s. His name was Henry Coughtrey but later changed his name to Henry Bell Courtney when he came to America in 1853 to take the place of Richard Bell, Jr. (the dissolute son). I did find a Richard Bell, age 60, died in the September quarter 1888 in Wandsworth on the freeBMD who might be the "missing Richard". Further research needed. It would appear that by 1861 Richard Bell Sr. had retired from the match firm and the business was being carried on by his sons, Richard Jr. and William.
Karen

[punch]

Hi again Laura,
I found a Richard Bell, married, age 52, born Antrim, Ireland, match manufacturer in Wandsworth in the 1881 census. He and his wife, Sarah Bell, are lodgers at Ringford Road 2 Tavistock Terrace with a family by the name of Knight.
Karen