Margaret
Bell was born in Carlisle PA on 7 May 1799, a date derived from
information on her tombstone in the Scotch Grove Presbyterian Church
yard in Scotch Grove Iowa. Her parents are thought to be William and
Elizabeth (Stephenson) Bell due to membership in the Neshannock
Presbyterian Church in PA, and names of children. Other circumstantial
evidence such as witness at wills, executor of estates etc suggest this
connection. No absolute proof has been found.
She moved
with her family from Carlisle PA to Mercer County in the early 1800,s,
joined the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, and married David Clark in
Mercer County on 4 December 1821. Margaret and David had seven
children, of whom Elizabeth Mary Clark married John Gibson.
After
the death of her husband David on 31 August 1850, Margaret spent the
next seven years settling the estate. In the meantime, she
married John Bentley, a member of the Neshannock church. After the
estate was settled, Margaret, John, and her daughter Margaret Jane
moved to Scotch Grove Iowa, where other family members had moved
earlier. Margaret died in Scotch Grove, and is buried in the Scotch
Grove Presbyterian Church cemetery. Her stone reads: "Our Mother".
Prepared and researched by David B. Taylor, great great great grandson
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