Allen Bell, b.1840/41 Crumlin, Co Antrim

[cdnbooklover]

Clements Bell (b. 1793) was my 2x great-grandfather who lived in Ballyvorally Townland, Glenavy Parish. This is not terribly far from Carnaghliss which is in Killead Parish. I don't know the exact distance though.

I have a copy of the Glenavy Parish register for Clements Bell 1793 which says his father is a John bell.

Just to keep me right, are you both talking about the same person?  Do you know who he married and what children he had?

Yes, I believe Donna & I are talking about the same Clements Bell b. 1793 in Ballyvorally Townland, Glenavy Parish. This Clements moved to Gray County, Ontario in 1846 and died there. It seems reasonable that he would be related to all these other Clements Bells. I just haven't found the link.
No, I don't know his wife's name. The only other child that I know he had for sure was a sister, Frances Bell, b. 1795.

[cdnbooklover]

I forgot to include this in my previous reply.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41928045/john_bell_leap_county_antrim/?xid=637

So apparently Clements had a sister or a niece named Margaret b. 1820, daughter of John Bell of Leap, County Antrim which I know was the home of my 2x great-grandfather, Clements Bell. 27 years seems like quite a spread between the birth of Clements, then his sister, Frances, and then this Margaret. Maybe Clements had a brother named John who inherited the home named Leap and this is his daughter.

Clements father, John Bell, could be either of these ones listed as being from Glenavy in the Will Index for 1843 and 1846. Anyone have the capability of looking up what the Will actually said?

Ireland, Indexes to Wills, Probate Administration, Marriage Bonds and Licences, 1591-1866

[DonnaMarie1982]

Yes the same Clements Bell I believe.

He married Sarah Ann Palmer dau of Skeffington Palmer 7th Mar 1893 at St. Catherines Church of Ireland, Killead. They later Emigrated to Canada in 1846.

Children :-

Jane 1839
Anna Marie 1841
Franc 1843
Walter 1845
Catherine Lucinda 1848
Skeffington 1850
Clementina 1852 - 1854
Clementina Caroline 1855
Sarah Elizabeth 1857

[DonnaMarie1982]

Clements father, John Bell, could be either of these ones listed as being from Glenavy in the Will Index for 1843 and 1846. Anyone have the capability of looking up what the Will actually said?

Ireland, Indexes to Wills, Probate Administration, Marriage Bonds and Licences, 1591-1866

I'm hoping to pop over sometime soon when work and Covid allows. Not all the wills listed in the index have survived sadly but I will do a look up if no one else gets to it first.

[Gilby]

Neither of those John Bell wills show up on the Irish Will Index (1484-1858) which lists most surviving wills, so the chances of finding a copy are very slim.  (I checked the PRONI name search too.)

Here are a few random marriage snippets I came across.  I think the first one could refer to Clements BELL and Jane HERON who later settled in Ballyearl.

Belfast Newsletter, 7th Mar 1828:
On the 4th inst. by the Rev. Joseph McKee, Mr. CLEMENTS BELL, Merchant, Belfast, to JANE, relict of the late Mr. David Drennan, Killealy, Killead.

Belfast Newsletter, 20th Jun 1895:
BELL-PATTON – June 18, at First Larne Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. J. L. Donaghy, Clements, eldest son of the late Alexander Bell, Carntall, Carnmoney, to Annie, eldest surviving daughter of William Patton, Larne.

Belfast Newsletter, 15th Jun 1901:
BELL-FRETHEY – June 4, 1901, at the Parish Church, Cairncastle, by the Rev. Greene, Clements Bell, Larne, to Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of James Frethey, Esq., Newton Abbot, Devon.

[Gilby]

In 1888, William SUFFERN (son of Samuel SUFFERN and Clementina BELL) married Jane Eliza JOHNSTON, daughter of Samuel JOHNSTON. 

Anyone know if that is the same Samuel JOHNSTON (of Hopevale) who was married to Agnes BELL?

[cdnbooklover]

Posted by: DonnaMarie1982
Reply #54 on: Sunday 18 July 21 -

The discussion regarding whether my 2x great-grandfather, Clements Bell, could be a brother of Dolway Bell of BellGrove, Glenavy Parish - I found the Directory of Ulster Doctors states Dolway was buried in the Glenavy Roman Catholic Graveyard which indicates that he was of that faith. My Clements Bell was a member of the Glenavy Church of Ireland. So wouldn't that likely mean they were not from the same family?

[DonnaMarie1982]

I've had lots of instances of mixed religion families within my tree so I wouldn't rule anything out based on that. People commonly converted - especially if marrying someone who fell within a different religious group.

[Gilby]

I’m not sure if this has been mentioned before, but I came across this will last night among the Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (on Ancestry).  Rough transcript...

In the name of God Amen I John Clements of the parish of Camlin and the county of Antrim being of sound mind and judgement do make and constitute this to be my last will and testament in manner following. First I leave my soul into the hands of God my creator and my body to the earth. Next I leave and bequeath to my father and mother the one half of such sum or sums as shall be due to me either in wages or prize money from the Ranger [?] ?..? Ship commanded by captain ?..? Barty [?]. Next I leave and bequeath the other half of said sum to my brother Dolway. I leave 5 shillings and five pence sterling and the remainder of said sum to be equally divided among my other brother and sisters only in allowing my sister Margaret to possess double portion or share of said sum. Next I leave and bequeath all the remainder of the goods and chattels I am possessed of to my father. I also nominate and appoint William Clements senior and William Clements junior to the executors of this my will and testament and acknowledge this as such and relinquish all former wills by me made.  Dated this 21st day of February 1784. John Clements. Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of David Gordon, Robert Irwin, John Irwin.

Proved at London on 16th Aug 1784.  Granted to William Clements the elder, father of deceased, reserving right of William Clements junior, brother of deceased.