retraced his footsteps to Brancepeth a man of the world, & highly improved in – the secret art of out” ladies’ & gentlemen’s fashionable boots & shoes! “cutting (& perhaps wonder” to the surrounding villagers.) On his return home, John “a Bell became the head-man as designer & fitter of shoes for the district, & doubtless felt highly elevated. Trade increased, & his father him as he “honoured” never done before. Whilst in York, John o’ Brancepeth, was initiated into the Institution of Cordwainers. The declaring him a free member & “Friendly “card” clear on the books, he kept in an old pocket-book till the day of his death, & was of it, as recalling the scenes of what may be termed his first entrance into “proud” the world. The writing on the card reads – 25, 1807 This is to certify that John Bell is a legal member of the trade, & “Dec. – free of all demands. witness, R. Johnson.” “As Father had this document in his possession for 60 & it was found carefully put away in his pocket-book after his death, Nov. 22nd 1867. Father continued for four years longer at Brancepeth, officiating in the capacity of foreman & cutter; but towards about the year 1810, an event arose which changed the whole scene of his previous existence. He became enamoured with Margaret Gell, who was fated to be his wife. This most 37 important step in a man’s career is thus described by uncle William Bell, his brother: -- Margaret Gell was ladies’ maid to a Miss Gale. This lady was on a visit to the Russells at Brancepeth Castle, & Margaret accompanied her. As before stated, John Wesley had made Methodism prominent throughout the country, & Margaret Gell was a sincere follower & believer in Methodism. The Wesleyans held prayer meetings & preachings at Brandon, near Brancepeth. Father & his
retraced his footsteps to Brancepeth – a man of the world, & highly improved in the secret art of “cutting out” ladies’ & gentlemen’s fashionable boots & shoes! (& perhaps “a wonder” to the surrounding villagers.) On his return home, John Bell became the head-man as designer & fitter of shoes for the district, & doubtless felt highly elevated. Trade increased, & his father “honoured” him as he never done before. Whilst in York, John o’ Brancepeth, was initiated into the “Friendly Institution of Cordwainers. The “card” declaring him a free member & clear on the books, he kept in an old pocket-book till the day of his death, & was “proud” of it, as recalling the scenes of what may be termed his first entrance into the world. The writing on the card reads – “Dec. 25, 1807 – This is to certify that John Bell is a legal member of the trade, & free of all demands. “As witness, R. Johnson.” Father had this document in his possession for 60 & it was found carefully put away in his pocket-book after his death, Nov. 22nd 1867. Father continued for four years longer at Brancepeth, officiating in the capacity of foreman & cutter; but towards about the year 1810, an event arose which changed the whole scene of his previous existence. He became enamoured with Margaret Gell, who was fated to be his wife. This most 37 important step in a man’s career is thus described by uncle William Bell, his brother: -- Margaret Gell was ladies’ maid to a Miss Gale. This lady was on a visit to the Russells at Brancepeth Castle, & Margaret accompanied her. As before stated, John Wesley had made Methodism prominent throughout the country, & Margaret Gell was a sincere follower & believer in Methodism. The Wesleyans held prayer meetings & preachings at Brandon, near Brancepeth. Father & his
Bell_manuscript.docx