ELLEN AND PAUL BELL FAMILY

Paul Bell was born in 1847 in England. He came to Australia working as a deck hand on a ship from England in 1867 at the age of 20. Liking Australia so much he decided to stay, taking jobs as a drover and working on cattle stations.

Paul later purchased some land in Queensland (1870) In 1879 he married Ellen Hart in Warwick. He farmed his land for 4 years where two children were born John and Reg.

He then sold his land in Queensland and took his family to the north inland of New Zealand in 1883 and bought a dairy farm. He settled in New Zealand for 14 years where nine if his children were born. Hugh, Martha, Nillie, Gertie, Mary, Elisabeth, Dorothy and Ida. Martha passed away at the age of 2 years after contracting a fever.

After being in New Zealand for 14 years he decided to return to Australia, this time he came to Sydney, from there he travelled to Goulburn by train where he purchased a dray and horses, and continued on their journey by road to Nimmitabel.

Here Paul purchased land at Kybeyan calling the property ‘Belmont’. For a few months they lived in tents, while a house was being built, this building is still standing and is in very good order.

Charlie the youngest was born in Cooma, the year they settled at ‘Belmont’

‘Belmont’ was in the Bell family name for 65 years, running sheep and cattle, and growing crops. Paul and Ellen Bell later purchased a house in Rosewell, Sydney, where they retired leaving the family to manage the property. Paul died in 1933 and Ellen in 1939, they are buried at Rookwood cemetery, Sydney.

All the family of Paul and Ellen are deceased, their 3 grandchildren are still living.

Rex Bell, Jerrabomberra ACT, son of Reginald and Violet Bell

Marie Stokes (Bell), Cooma, daughter of Charlie and Ethel Bell

Allan Bell, Rock Flat, son of Charlie and Ethel Bell.

Rex married Eileen Rolfe, they had two daughters Roslyn and Kathleen

Marie married Allan Stokes

Allan Bell is unmarried.