Jane (Blair) Bell (abt. 1809 - 1909)

Born about 1809 in County Londonderry, Ireland

Descendants

Died 13 Dec 1909 at about age 100 in Drumgarrell, Derryloran, Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland

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Biography

Jane was born about 1809-1812 in County Londonderry, Ireland. ^[1]

Her husband was John Bell of Drumgrass, Lissan, County Londonderry. ^{[2] [3]}

As of 1858, the family still lived at Drumgrass (if we take the church notes at face value) , but they seem to have moved to Drumgarrell by the late 1870s. John owned property in both townlands.

She passed away 13 Dec 1909 "age 100", widow, at her residence in Drumgarrell. Informed by Sarah Ann Espy, daughter, Drumgarrell. ^[4] She had been attending to her household duties until the 9th when she had an apoplectic seizure.

The funeral took place to the family burial ground at Moneymore Old Churchyard. The chief mourners were: ^[5]

• William Bell and Brice Bell (sons)
• Samuel Espie and Richard Espie (sons-in-law)
• William Bell, Robert Mason, James Blair, WIlliam Blair and Brice Galway (nephews)
• Thomas James Espie, William John Espie, Richard Espie, Brice Espie, Samuel Espie, Robert Espie, William James Espie, Samuel Espie, Thomas Espie, Robert Espie (grandsons)
• Stewart Irvine and John Bell (relatives)

Research Notes

The name "Bryce" or "Brice" recurs in Jane's descendants; and she has a nephew Brice Galway. This suggests that she might be the daughter of Brice Blair of Drummeen (Drapers), Lissan, although there are other possibilities of course. The nephew Brice Galway shows that Eliza Jane (Blair) Galway is her sister.

James Anderson (1832-1896)'s obituary features "cousins" which are Jane's sons-in-law, suggesting that either James's mother is Jane's sister, or James's wife is Jane's niece.

Sources

1. ↑ Based on 1901 census; and 1909 death "age 100".
2. ↑ She is named in his will; and appears with Bryce in the 1901 census.
3. ↑ Space:3rd_Cookstown_Presbyterian_Church:_Notes_on_the_Congregation - Drumgrass
4. ↑ Jane Bell, 1909, Cookstown, 100 at Irish Civil Registration - Deaths
5. ↑ "Funeral of Mrs John Bell, Drumgarrell", Mid-Ulster Mail - Saturday 18 December 1909, Page 8

• 1901 Ireland census - Residents of a house 10 in Drumgarrell (Cookstown, Tyrone). Jane Bill(88, widow), Brice(47, son, single), Sarah McKernan(18, servant)