Household 20 - Contributed by Gail M. Walczyk
Isaac Bell
HH 20
Isaac Bell Negro son of Leah, by Mifflin, was born circa 1765 (Deeds 1777-1783, pp. 335, 336). On 4 April 1775 Isaac Bell Negro was emacipated by Daniel Mifflin Leah (335). The deed reads in part:
. . .The Children of Negroe woman Named Leah (to wit) Betty Girl born the 1 mo 1760 Boy Abram born the 10th day of 1 mo 1763 Girl Sabrough born the 1sth day of 1765 & boy samson born in the spring 1769 & boy 1 born [Blank] The Children of woman Named Sarah (to wit) boy Daniel born the [Blank] Girl Tamer born The Children of Negroe woman Named Leah (to wit) Betty Girl born the 1 mo 1760 Boy Abram born the 10th day of 1 mo 1763 Girl Sabrough born the 1sth day of 1765 & boy Samson born in the spring 1769 & boy Isaac born [Blank] The Children of woman named Sarah boy Daniel born the [Blank] . . .
On 17 June 1793 in Accomack Co., VA Isaac bought 5 acres of land from John Bell (Deeds 1797-1800, pp. 291, 292). A transcription of the deed reads:
This Indenture Made the seventeenth day of June Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and ninety three Between John Bell late of Accomack county Virginia of the one part and Isaac Bell a black man of the same place of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Bell for and in consideration of the sum of twenty one pounds current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the afsd Isaac at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the aforesaid Isaac his heirs and assigns forever all the tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the Parish and county of Accomack afsd now in Possession under lease to a certain Negro man named Abel Bell bounded westwardly by the lands belonging to the Heirs of John Broadwater and southerwardly and northwardly by the lands of Daniel Mifflin containing by estimation five acres of land be the same more or less with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any sort appertaining To have and to hold the aforesaid Granted and bargained premises with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said Isaac his heirs and assigns forever and for no other use benefit or purpose whatsoever and the said John Bell for himself and his heirs doth hereby warrant with the said Isaac his heirs and assigns forever that he the said the said John Bell the lands and premises afsd with their appurtenances with the said Isaac against himself and his heirs and against all and every other person or persons hereafter claiming the same will warrant and forever defend In Testimony whereof the said John Belll hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and year first above written John Bell Signed & Delivered in presence of Geo Corbin John Shepperd Ker William Ardis At a court held in Accomack County Jany 28th 1794 This Deed was partly proved by the Oath of William Ardis a witness thereto Teste Littleton Savage Clk
At a court held for Accomack County April 30th 1799 this Deed from John Bell to Isaac Bell was further proved by the oaths of John Shepherd Ker and William Gibb who Declared that they were well acquainted with the hand writing of George Corbin the other Witness thereto and believed the Signature as a Witness to be his hand writing the same was adjudged sufficiently proved and ordered to be recorded Teste Litt: Savage Clk Examd
On 3 February 1796 the lands of Issac Bell were processioned Walczyk, Gail M. 1797-1816, p. 15). The text reads in part:
...Feby 3rd [1796] Maryland & Virginia to Swanzy Gut - Lines between Thomas T. Gore & Jenny Lane. Lines between Danl Robins' heirs & John S. Ker. Lines between Danl Robins' heirs Stephen Marshal. Lines between William Jones & Isaac Bell, Negro ...
Sources:
_____. Accomack County Virginia Deeds 1777-1783.
_____. Accomack County Virginia Deeds 1797-1800.
Walczyk, Gail M. Accomack County Processioners Returns 1797-1816. Coram NY: Peter's Row, 2004.