Matthew Bell was born in Kirk Connell, on the river Nith in the northwestern part of Dumfrishire , Scotland . He emigrated to the northern part of Ireland in the latter part of the seventeenth century and was in the city of Londonderry when that place was besieged in 1689. Sons: Matthew and John.
John Bell, the youngest son, was born in Ballymoney, county Antrim , Ireland , 1679; married, about 1712, Elizabeth Todd. He came to America , as is supposed, in 1719, landed at Boston and spent some time in Andover , Mass. , before he settled in Londonderry , N. H., in 1720. He held a number of town offices, and died July 8, 1743 , "about sixty-four years of his age," as his tombstone says. He had nine children, of whom six left descendants.
1. Letitia Bell, born in Ireland , married George Duncan of Londonderry .
2. Naomi Bell, born in Ireland , married William Duncan of Londonderry , who<br />
was a captain in the militia.
3. Samuel Bell, born September 28, 1723 , removed to Cambridge , N. Y. He married Sarah Storrow. Before Bennington battle he was taken prisoner by the British with his two sons, John and Matthew; his sons escaped but died soon after. He died in Cambridge about 1803. His sons Samuel and<br />
Ebenezer are supposed to have left children.
4. Elizabeth Bell, born December 28, 1725 , married James Duncan of Haverhill , Mass.
5. Mary Bell, born January 25, 1727-8 , married George Duncan of Peterborough .
6. John Bell, horn August 15 or 26, 1730, continued to reside in the house built by his father, till his death, November 30, 1825 . He married, December<br />
21, 1758, Mary Ann Gilmore, and had twelve children, of whom the following left descendants: Susanna married John Dinsmore; John, born July 20, 1765 , died March 23, 1836 , married Persis Thom, was of Londonderrv and afterwards of Chester , N. H., governor of New Hampshire, 1828; Samuel, born February 9, 1770 , died December 23, 1850 , governor of New Hampshire , 1819–23, United States senator, 1823-1835;
Mary married Captain William Anderson of Londonderry .