Bell Family Reunion - August 20, 2022 At the Home of Elizabeth Ann Bell Arent Enon Valley, Pennsylvania (Family photograph by Eric Davis)

The earliest record of A1 William Bell the Farmer is May 6, 1738 when he is listed as owning a 203 acre farm on Paxton Creek, then Paxton Township, Lancaster County. This farm was located in what is known today as Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and known as "Bell's Increase". It was in the Bell family until 1796. The stone house built about 1760 was torn down in 1970 to make way for the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. William was likely an Ulster Scot, born in Ireland and came to Paxton from Bucks County as early as 1736. He may have been the nephew of John Bell I who came from Ireland to Bucks County in 1719 and who died in Newtown in 1751. He was an elder of the New Side Presbyterian Church of Paxton.

Will of William Bell - August 18, 1780
Recorded in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in Will Book D, Volume 1, Page 391

In the name of God Amen. I William Bell of Paxton Township Lancaster County Considering the uncertainty of the Mortal Life and being of Sound and perfect mind and Memory Blessed be Almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in Manner and form following (that is to say) first I order that all my Just debts and funeral Charges be paid and discharged out of the whole of my Estate. ITEM I give and bequeath to my Sons that is to say John, George, William, Thomas, Arthur and Andrew Bell all my real and personal Estate to be equally divided betwixt them Except that I order my above named Sons to pay my daughter Jean three pounds in hard money and three pounds to my daughter Sarah in hard money and twenty pounds to my daughter Mary and I do order my Sons to pay to my daughter Darcus on hard dollar and I order my above names Sons to give to my daughter Margaret twenty Pounds hard money and one bed and bed Cloths or five pounds hard money in lieu thereof and one horse worth fifteen pounds hard money further I allow my Son William ten pounds above his equal share it is my will and I order it so that which said Several Legacies or sums of Money I will and order shall be paid to the Said Respective Legatees their heirs and assigns forever to be paid within two years after my decease. ITEM I Constitute and appoint my Sons John, George, and William Bell to be my only sole Executors of this my last Will and testament to dispose of my Estate in the manner and form within Written and Mentioned and I do hereby utterly revoke all former Wills by me made in Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal the eighteenth day of August in the year our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and eighty 1780.

William Bell his mark 0 (Seal)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named William Bell to be his last Will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of the Testator. John Forster, John Matthews, Thomas Forster.

The inventory of the William Bell estate was filed the same day: "Inventory of the personal Estate of William Bell late of Paxton Township Lancaster County Deceased Viz:

1 Horse, Saddle and Bridle	L12	0	0
Wearing Apparel	3	0	0
3 Pewter dishes and 10 Plates	1	0	0
2 Pots and 2 prs. pott hooks	1	0	0
2 prs. pott racks		8	4
1 pr. fire tongs		5	0
2 Chairs		2	6
1 Iron Heckle		2	6
2 Bead Steads		8	4
1 Corner Cupboard		2	6
1 Walnut Chest		2	6
1 Walnut Table		5	0
1 bay Colt	3	0	0
1 black Cow	2	10	0
1 black Heifer		15	0
1 Iron harrow		10	0
3 Sider vessels		15	0
	L27	16	8

That the above Inventory is appraised according to the best of our skill and understanding being legally chosen as Appraisers given under this 1st day of November Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eighty Three 1783

John Forster
Tho Forster

Exhibited into the Registers Office at Lancaster the 22nd day of November, 1783

John Bell
George Bell
Wm. Bell
exrs
same day and year
the appraisers Sworn
and the Executors Sworn
James Jack Regr.