Joseph Henson Bell and Jane S. Jones Records

Posted on by Jim Daniel

Statement attesting to the marriage between Jane Jones and Joe Bell in 1854
I was present and witnessed the ceremony when Jane S. Jones was married to Joseph H. Bell July 2, 1854. They lived together until his death Feb 18, 1915.
Mrs. R.L. Evans
Mis. A. Wainwright

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Muster information for Joseph Henson Bell or Bells, Crockett, TN

Private J. H. Bell of Capt. Jackson’s Company of Maj. Gen. Forest’s Escort being unable to travel has permission to stop at a private house until he is able to travel. At that time he will report to his command without delay.
Signature: A. W. Jones
Verona, Miss
Maj. Gen. Forest’s Escort
Sept 16, 1864

Reached home in November, had a relapse and did not return for more than a year.

Joseph H. Bell……….home from war sick with typhoid fever in the winter of 1864 and was never able enough to go back. He relapsed and lay sick at the home of Bird S. Jones for many weeks until July 1865. We both helped to wait on him during his illness
Signature: Mrs. Amanda Wainwright
Mis R. L. Evans
State of Tennessee
County of Crockett
Personally appeared before me, G. T. Lewis , a notary public to and for said county, the above signed Mesdames R. L. Evans and Amanda Wainwright who make oath that the above statements are true and correct.
Signature: G.T. Lewis

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Letter written by Joseph Henson Bell of Bells, Crockett, TN during the war concerning his illness.

Verona, Miss Oct. 18, 1864

Mr. Hoquett kind friend-
I avail myself of the opportunity I find of sending a few lines through to Jackson by Luit Potter of Morton’s Battery. I presume you have heard from Arnold that he left me sick at this place about the middle of last month expecting that I would be able to travel in a few days. This will inform you that I was taken worse the day Arnold left and have been in bed with the typhoid fever ever since until the last 4 or 5 days. Have been mending so that I am able to get up and walk about a little, though, the doctor is still attending on me. My appetite craves more than I am allowed to eat-consequently I believe that I am mending tolerably fast. Hope that I will be able to start toward Jackson in a few days. Am fearful that I will start too soon and get laid up again.

Hope these few lines will find all well. Will you plese read and hand………………to the Jones or my wife or my son saying for them to believe that I am getting better and likely to get well. Yours, J. H. Bell

Dear wife, excuse me for not writing to you as I am able to write but very little at present.
Joe

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Information contained in the Widow’s Pension for Jane Smith Jones Bell of Bells, Crockett, TN

Questions for Applicant
State of Tennessee
Crockett County
Mrs. Jane S. Bell resident of said State and County………………………….

  1. What is your full name and where do you reside? Jane S. Bell, Bells, Tennessee, Crockett County
  2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this state? 80 years, since March 3, 1853
  3. When and where were you born and what was your maiden name? Born in Madison County, Tennessee, March 3, 1833. Jane Smith Jones
  4. When and where was your husband born-state his full name and where were you and he married, and who performed the marriage ceremony? J. H. Bell, born in Spottsylvania, Virginia Oct 22, 1825. Married in Haywood Co., Tennessee July 2, 1854. Minister Little Jimmie _ died many years ago.
  5. When and where and in what Company and Regiment did your husband enlist or serve during the was between the States? Bells, Tenn Dec 7, 186e. One of Forest’s Escorts, Captain Jackson’s Company
  6. How long did your husband service in said Company and Regiment? 12/2/1863 to 9/16/1864
  7. When and where did your husband’s Company and Regiment surrender? Gainesville, Ala May 10, 1865
  8. Was you husband present at the time of surrender? no
  9. If not with his command at surrend, state clearly and specifically where he was, when he left command, for what cause and by what authority. He was sick relapse from typhoid fever at home, Bells Tennessee. Taken sick Sept 10, 1864 Verona, Miss
  10. Was your husband a penioner or an applicant for pension? no
  11. Have you heretofore applied for a pension in this State? no
  12. When and where did your husband die? Bells, Tennessee February 15, 1912
  13. At the time of your husband’ death were you living with him as his lawful wife? yes
  14. Have you married since the death of your soldier husband? no
  15. How many children did you have by your said husband? one son and one daughter, both over _
  16. What property or income do you have and its gross value? 43 acres, no house owned, rents at $80.99 per annum; about $450.00
  17. What property did you possess at death of husband? Non ex as above stated
  18. What you a fmily? no
  19. Name a friend giving his name and postoffice address who would be willing to have us write to him about your care if necessary. W. P. Dawson or J. C. Moslley Bells, Tenn
    Signature Jane S. Bell
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 14th day of August 1913
    R. N. Raines notary public of Crockett County

Dec 29
Mrs. Jane S. Bell
Mrs. Jane S. Bell,
Bells, Tenn.
Dear Madam:-
Can you send me the affidavit of person who knew your husband from the time he came home from the Army sick until the close of the war in May 1865, and who can of his or her own knowledge testify to the physical condition of Mr. Bell during that time.

Yours truly,
Special Examiner

Bank of Crockett
Bells, Tenn Aug. 25, 1913

State Board Pension Examiners,
Nashville, Tenn
Gentlemen,

In re Jane S. Bell, Application #5089

In acknowledgeing receipt of this application you state on receipt card that applicant fails to prove date of marriage and also that she was wife of and lived with Joe. H. Bell peior to 1900.

I, therefore by request of the applicant here-with enclose affidavit executed by Mesdames A. Wainwright and R. L. Evans, ladies known to me to be of best character and entirely trust-worthy who make oath that they atteneded the wedding and know that this couple lived together all their married lives, or until his death in 1910.

Trusting this is satisfactory, I am,
Yours respectfully,
R. L. Lewis Notary Public

I was present and witnessed the ceremony when Jane S. Jones was married to Joseph H. Bell July 2, 1854. They lived together until his death Feb 18, 1915.
Mrs. R.L. Evans
Mis. A. Wainwright

T. H. Temple
Tax Assessor Madison County
Jackson, Tenn
State of Tennessee
Madison County

Personally appears before me D. F. Tims a County Court Clerk M. Biggs.

John makes oath in__ of law, that he was a member a certain Company of Cavalry in the service of the late Confederate Army known as Forest’ Escort and know that the said J. H. Bell deceased was a member of the same Company and made a good and faithful soldier.
Signature M. J. Biggs
Sworn and subscribed to before me this June 21, 1918

Tennessee Board of Pension Examiner
Nashville, Tenn Aug 25, 1913
Adjutant General Washington, D. D.
Dear Sir:
Mrs. Jane S. Bell who is an applicant for pension under the Tennessee Widow Pension Law, claims that her husband J. H. Bell was a member of Company 9____ Regiment Escrot C.S. A. and was off sick at the surrender.
Signature W. H. Coby

Haywood County Court
Brownville, Tenn July 26, 13
Mary F. Williams
Bells, Tenn.

Dear Madam:
The marriage records from the years 1853 to 1859 have been destroyed in some way as I have not been able to find same.
Respectfully N. B.Kenthley County Court Clerk
(Mary F. Williams was Mary Frances Bell Williams the daughter of Joseph Henson Bell and Jane Smith Jones.)

WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General’s Office
Washington August 27, 1913
5089
Respectfully returned to the
President,
Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners, Nashville,

The records show that J. H. Bell, private, Captain Jackson’s Company Tennessee Calvalry (Brigadier General Forrest’s Escort), C. S. A. enlisted December 7, 1863. On the roll of the company for November and December, 1863 (only roll on which his name is borne), he was reported present. No later record of his has been found.
H.O.P. __________Adjutant General

Dap. Geo. L Cowan
Dear Sir

In your affidavit in this case, you say that J. H. Bell, the husband of the applicant joined Forest Escort Dec. 7th, 1834. Is there not a mistake in this date. In answer to other questions you say he served about one year with the escort, and that he left you at West Point, Miss in Sept. ’64. Please let me hear from you.
Yours truly,
Special Examiner

Jany 9/14
Dear Sir,

Yours of Dec 19th has I am mistooked in the Christmas rush, the entry for J. H. Bell joining Forrest Escort should be Dec 1863 and left sick Sept 1864 so my records show. Wishing you a happy New Year, I am sincerely Geor. L. Cowan

Questions for Witnesses
STATE OF TENNESSEE
Williamson County
Geo. L. Cowan of said State and County having been presented as a witness in support of the application of Mrs. Jane S. Bell for a pension under……………………..

  1. What is your name and what is your postoffice address. Geo. L. Cowan Franklin, Tenn
  2. Are you acquainted with the applicant Mrs. Jane S. Bell. If so, how long have you know her? do not know her
  3. Where does she reside. do not know
  4. When and where was she born? don’t know
  5. Were you ever acquainted with her husband? yes
  6. Where and by whom were they married? don’t know
  7. Were either or both of you present at the marriage? no
  8. How long did you know him? about one year
  9. When and where did J. H. Bell enlist in the war between the States and in what Company and Regiment did he enlist and how do you know this? Was present when he joined Forrest Escort Dec 7th 1864
  10. Were you a member of the same Company? yes
  11. How long did he perform regular military duty? About one year with the Excort he had served before
  12. When and where was his Company and Regiment surrendered? Gainsville, Ala May 10, 1865
  13. Were you with the command when it surrendered? yes
  14. Was J. H. Bell the husband of applicant present? No off sick
  15. If not present, where was he? off sick
  16. When and where did he leave his command? At Rest Point, Miss Sept 1864. For what cause? sickness. By whose authority did he leave? surgeon How do you knwo all this? was present and was 1st Sargeant of Co. and kept the rolls
  17. When and where did J. H. Bell die?
  18. blank
  19. Do you know of your own knowledge that applicant is the lawful widow of J. H. Bell? no
  20. Has she remained unmarried? don’t know
  21. What property, etc. ? don’t know
    Witnessed Geo. L. Cowan 2nd Lieut Forrest Escort and in Command at surrender
    signature Geo. L Cowan
    Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18 day of July 191__
    The following certificate of the County Trustee must be filled out whether the applicant owns any taxable property or not.
    I Jms F. Peal Trustee of Crockett County, Tennessee hereby verify that the property on the books of this County to Mrs. Jane S. Bell the widow of J. H. Bell to $450.00 real estate and no personal.
    signature: Jms Peal Trustee for Crockett County, Tenn