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Note: In the book of the "Bell Family in America" is listed a "Robert Bell" of N. C. He is shown in 1777 as being a 1st Lt. in the 1st N.C. Division. The same book also lists among its eminent members of the Bell family in comparatively recent times, one Henry Haywood Bell (1808-1868) a Naval Officer. Note the middle name "Haywood". Could this man be a son of Robert Bell and Mary Haywood, and a brother of George Bell, our ancestor? (Source: Notes from C. H. Bell's research in the 1970s) Another book, "Alphabetical List of Officers of the Continental Army" by Heitman, on p.28, No. 98, also carries the name of Lt. Robert Bell of the 1st NC, on the roll for Nov. 1777. He served 84 months!
A book on Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants reports that Robert Bell, N. C. Lt. on 16 Oct. 1783 (?) was awarded a warrant for 2,560 acres. Warrant 1944, in Davidson County, TN, Grant No. 1172 issued 20 May 1793, BK. 81, p. 22, on the "Southside of Cumberland River on Jones Creek." Davidson Co. is now Nashville. What a location NOW! North Carolina used the land grants to encourage enlistments, gave more to officers than enlisted men, and usually granted them in TN, which then was part of NC. In fact, NC sometimes gave grants in TN, even AFTER TN became a state. Rationale was, in part, to place experienced militiamen on the western boundary to guard against attack.
Often, the grantees sold their grants instead of moving - and that is apparently what Robert did.
From Ancestry.com - A Polley (sic) Haywood married Robert Bell on Oct. 1, 1785 in Orange County, N. C., about 40 miles NW of Raleigh. Henry Haywood Bell supposedly comes from around Orange County. Other records say that Henry Haywood Bell was the son of Robert Bell and Mary Haywood - and that he was "probably" born in Franklin County, NC, about 40 miles north of Raleigh, because his parents lived there then. It's possible that this is the same couple; they may have lived in Franklin and gone to Orange to marry. But then moved back to Camden for the 1790 census.
Note: In their era, the names Polly and Mary were often interchangeable, Polly being a familiar form of Mary.
The 1790 census shows Robert Bell living in Camden County "one male 16 yrs and up", one female 16 and up, three males under 16 , and two slaves.
The 1810 census shows no Robert Bell in NC. Is it possible he was living in Franklin or Orange -and I missed him? Recheck at NARA. He may have moved there and returned later to Camden. Still, this moving back and forth is highly doubtful. I also need to check the 1830 census, since there is some doubt as to whether Robert died in 1825 or 1835.
The 1820 census shows Robt. in Camden Co. - 1 male 45+, 1 female 0-10 yrs., 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45,and 7 slaves. We must wonder where Wife Mary Haywood or Wife Lydia Etheridge was then. Robt. should have been about 62 then.
A 1795 deed in Camden Co. register mentions a land transaction involving Robert Bell, Joseph Bell, Benjamin Bell and Mack Morgan. p. 395 in that year.
I have a copy.
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