Rev. Martin Powell Bell, s. of Orlando Bell and Samantha Blackmun, b. Oct. 3, 1832 at Alburgh, VT. He d. Mar. 16, 1891 at Craftsbury, VT. On Nov. 10, 1860 Martin m. Mary Edna Leach, dau. of Benjamin Hillyard Leach and Lydia McAllister, b. Aug. 14, 1840 at Fairfield, VT. She d. in May 1919 in Philadelphia, PA.
The Troy Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History: Dedication of Clergy Grave Makers in Morrisville, Hyde Park and Stowe, VT on Aug. 14, 1999. Sponsored by Puffer United Methodist Church, Morrisville, VT.
The Life and Ministry of the Rev. Martin P. Bell
• The Rev. Martin P. Bell was born October 3, 1832 at Alburg, VT, and died of apoplexy at Craftsbury, VT, March 16, 1891, being at the time of his death fifty-eight years of age. He was converted in the autumn of 1856, and in the spring of 1858 he received a license to preach, and took his first work in Eden, VT, under the Presiding Elder, the Rev. George C. Wells.
• In the spring of 1859, he joined the Troy Conference, within the boundaries of which he spent the greater part of his ministerial life. He received appointments to the following charges: Ramertown, Wilton, Minaville, Knox, Adamsville, Richmondville, Esperance, Patten Mills and Hampton, NY, and North Ferrisburg, Williston and Bristol, VT.
• In the spring of 1883, while the Burlington District was within the Vermont Conference, he was appointed to Morrisville and Elmore; at the close of this pastorate he was appointed to West Berkshire and East Franklin, where he remained two years, was then transferred to the Essex and Jericho charge, and from there to Craftsbury, where he did his last ministerial work.
• Brother Bell was not well known among the brethren of this Conference, having been so short a time one of our number, but among those with whom he enjoyed an intimate acquaintance, he was found to be a careful advisor, an earnest worker, a willing helper, and a warm friend.
• He was an earnest, fearless and able preacher, and a God-fearing man. It has been said of him, that, "Every sermon was a gospel temperance sermon." He was positive in his convictions and opposed everything he believed to be wrong in principle with all his might he possessed; on the other hand, whatever he thought to be right, he defended with all the earnestness of a noble soul.
• Such a man would naturally provoke the hostility and enmity of many, but on the other hand, he, like others of such positive convictions, won admirers, and formed friendships which grew more enduring as the years passed by, and the final act of life only severed the attachments formed in many places of his valuable ministry during those years. Many rise up since his decease, to whom he had endeared himself in life, to call him blessed.
• He believed in a full and complete salvation, and proclaimed it wherever he went. On many of the charges he served, the strong men and women of today were led to Christ through his instrumentality. Several young men, converted under his preaching, have entered the ministry and are doing effective work.
• He was married in 1860, to Mary E., youngest daughter of the late B. H. Leach of West Enosburg, VT, by whom he is survived, together with one daughter and two sons. During the several weeks of severe illness through which he passed, he was burdened for the people of his charge, and would frequently exclaim in thrilling tones, "Sinners are not being saved." He was hopeful to the last, and thought a year's rest from ministerial duties would refit him for the work he loved so well.
• But, "He who doeth all things well," had otherwise ordered, and it became apparent to his friends a few days before the end, that he was sinking to rise no more. His last audible words to a former parishioner who was visiting him were full of assurance of a glorious conquest and a final rest with the redeemed.
...On March 16, he joined the "conquering band" on the shining shores of the Eternal City.
Martin and Mary Edna had the following children:
• i. Horace Waite Bell, b. Nov. 5, 1862 at Wilton, NY, d. July 25, 1906 in Glens Falls, NY; m. in 1887 Helen Sisson Champlin, b. June 6, 1861 in Glens Falls, dau. of George D. Champlin and Esther Ann Sisson. She d. July 22, 1924 in Glens Falls, NY. He was a printer and newspaperman in Glens Falls. Two children of the family.
• ii. Anna G. Bell, b. July 19, 1866 at Knox, NY, d. July 22, 1939 at Brookline, Delaware County, PA; m. Aug. 4, 1887 in Morrisville, VT, William Henry Robinson. Three children of the family, but only one survived to marry.
• iii. Flavilla "Fay" D. Bell, b. Aug. 27, 1874; d. in her youth Feb. 9, 1883 in Bristol, VT.
• iv. Martin Powell Bell, Jr., b. Dec. 26, 1883 at Morrisville, VT, d. Nov. 15, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA; m. 1) cir. 1908 an unknown Betty and 2) by license issued in 1912 at Philadelphia, Maria Esther Good, who d. July 15, 1955. He had no children by either wife. He and 2nd wife Maria lived in the City of Philadelphia, but are interred at Arlington Cemetery at Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA. Martin was a longtime Philadelphia transit inspector/investigator.
Edited 4/23/2019
The Troy Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History: Dedication of Clergy Grave Makers in Morrisville, Hyde Park and Stowe, VT on Aug. 14, 1999. Sponsored by Puffer United Methodist Church, Morrisville, VT.
The Life and Ministry of the Rev. Martin P. Bell
• The Rev. Martin P. Bell was born October 3, 1832 at Alburg, VT, and died of apoplexy at Craftsbury, VT, March 16, 1891, being at the time of his death fifty-eight years of age. He was converted in the autumn of 1856, and in the spring of 1858 he received a license to preach, and took his first work in Eden, VT, under the Presiding Elder, the Rev. George C. Wells.
• In the spring of 1859, he joined the Troy Conference, within the boundaries of which he spent the greater part of his ministerial life. He received appointments to the following charges: Ramertown, Wilton, Minaville, Knox, Adamsville, Richmondville, Esperance, Patten Mills and Hampton, NY, and North Ferrisburg, Williston and Bristol, VT.
• In the spring of 1883, while the Burlington District was within the Vermont Conference, he was appointed to Morrisville and Elmore; at the close of this pastorate he was appointed to West Berkshire and East Franklin, where he remained two years, was then transferred to the Essex and Jericho charge, and from there to Craftsbury, where he did his last ministerial work.
• Brother Bell was not well known among the brethren of this Conference, having been so short a time one of our number, but among those with whom he enjoyed an intimate acquaintance, he was found to be a careful advisor, an earnest worker, a willing helper, and a warm friend.
• He was an earnest, fearless and able preacher, and a God-fearing man. It has been said of him, that, "Every sermon was a gospel temperance sermon." He was positive in his convictions and opposed everything he believed to be wrong in principle with all his might he possessed; on the other hand, whatever he thought to be right, he defended with all the earnestness of a noble soul.
• Such a man would naturally provoke the hostility and enmity of many, but on the other hand, he, like others of such positive convictions, won admirers, and formed friendships which grew more enduring as the years passed by, and the final act of life only severed the attachments formed in many places of his valuable ministry during those years. Many rise up since his decease, to whom he had endeared himself in life, to call him blessed.
• He believed in a full and complete salvation, and proclaimed it wherever he went. On many of the charges he served, the strong men and women of today were led to Christ through his instrumentality. Several young men, converted under his preaching, have entered the ministry and are doing effective work.
• He was married in 1860, to Mary E., youngest daughter of the late B. H. Leach of West Enosburg, VT, by whom he is survived, together with one daughter and two sons. During the several weeks of severe illness through which he passed, he was burdened for the people of his charge, and would frequently exclaim in thrilling tones, "Sinners are not being saved." He was hopeful to the last, and thought a year's rest from ministerial duties would refit him for the work he loved so well.
• But, "He who doeth all things well," had otherwise ordered, and it became apparent to his friends a few days before the end, that he was sinking to rise no more. His last audible words to a former parishioner who was visiting him were full of assurance of a glorious conquest and a final rest with the redeemed.
...On March 16, he joined the "conquering band" on the shining shores of the Eternal City.
Martin and Mary Edna had the following children:
• i. Horace Waite Bell, b. Nov. 5, 1862 at Wilton, NY, d. July 25, 1906 in Glens Falls, NY; m. in 1887 Helen Sisson Champlin, b. June 6, 1861 in Glens Falls, dau. of George D. Champlin and Esther Ann Sisson. She d. July 22, 1924 in Glens Falls, NY. He was a printer and newspaperman in Glens Falls. Two children of the family.
• ii. Anna G. Bell, b. July 19, 1866 at Knox, NY, d. July 22, 1939 at Brookline, Delaware County, PA; m. Aug. 4, 1887 in Morrisville, VT, William Henry Robinson. Three children of the family, but only one survived to marry.
• iii. Flavilla "Fay" D. Bell, b. Aug. 27, 1874; d. in her youth Feb. 9, 1883 in Bristol, VT.
• iv. Martin Powell Bell, Jr., b. Dec. 26, 1883 at Morrisville, VT, d. Nov. 15, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA; m. 1) cir. 1908 an unknown Betty and 2) by license issued in 1912 at Philadelphia, Maria Esther Good, who d. July 15, 1955. He had no children by either wife. He and 2nd wife Maria lived in the City of Philadelphia, but are interred at Arlington Cemetery at Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA. Martin was a longtime Philadelphia transit inspector/investigator.
Edited 4/23/2019
Rev. Martin Powell Bell, s. of Orlando Bell and Samantha Blackmun, b. Oct. 3, 1832 at Alburgh, VT. He d. Mar. 16, 1891 at Craftsbury, VT. On Nov. 10, 1860 Martin m. Mary Edna Leach, dau. of Benjamin Hillyard Leach and Lydia McAllister, b. Aug. 14, 1840 at Fairfield, VT. She d. in May 1919 in Philadelphia, PA.
The Troy Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History: Dedication of Clergy Grave Makers in Morrisville, Hyde Park and Stowe, VT on Aug. 14, 1999. Sponsored by Puffer United Methodist Church, Morrisville, VT.
The Life and Ministry of the Rev. Martin P. Bell
• The Rev. Martin P. Bell was born October 3, 1832 at Alburg, VT, and died of apoplexy at Craftsbury, VT, March 16, 1891, being at the time of his death fifty-eight years of age. He was converted in the autumn of 1856, and in the spring of 1858 he received a license to preach, and took his first work in Eden, VT, under the Presiding Elder, the Rev. George C. Wells.
• In the spring of 1859, he joined the Troy Conference, within the boundaries of which he spent the greater part of his ministerial life. He received appointments to the following charges: Ramertown, Wilton, Minaville, Knox, Adamsville, Richmondville, Esperance, Patten Mills and Hampton, NY, and North Ferrisburg, Williston and Bristol, VT.
• In the spring of 1883, while the Burlington District was within the Vermont Conference, he was appointed to Morrisville and Elmore; at the close of this pastorate he was appointed to West Berkshire and East Franklin, where he remained two years, was then transferred to the Essex and Jericho charge, and from there to Craftsbury, where he did his last ministerial work.
• Brother Bell was not well known among the brethren of this Conference, having been so short a time one of our number, but among those with whom he enjoyed an intimate acquaintance, he was found to be a careful advisor, an earnest worker, a willing helper, and a warm friend.
• He was an earnest, fearless and able preacher, and a God-fearing man. It has been said of him, that, "Every sermon was a gospel temperance sermon." He was positive in his convictions and opposed everything he believed to be wrong in principle with all his might he possessed; on the other hand, whatever he thought to be right, he defended with all the earnestness of a noble soul.
• Such a man would naturally provoke the hostility and enmity of many, but on the other hand, he, like others of such positive convictions, won admirers, and formed friendships which grew more enduring as the years passed by, and the final act of life only severed the attachments formed in many places of his valuable ministry during those years. Many rise up since his decease, to whom he had endeared himself in life, to call him blessed.
• He believed in a full and complete salvation, and proclaimed it wherever he went. On many of the charges he served, the strong men and women of today were led to Christ through his instrumentality. Several young men, converted under his preaching, have entered the ministry and are doing effective work.
• He was married in 1860, to Mary E., youngest daughter of the late B. H. Leach of West Enosburg, VT, by whom he is survived, together with one daughter and two sons. During the several weeks of severe illness through which he passed, he was burdened for the people of his charge, and would frequently exclaim in thrilling tones, "Sinners are not being saved." He was hopeful to the last, and thought a year's rest from ministerial duties would refit him for the work he loved so well.
• But, "He who doeth all things well," had otherwise ordered, and it became apparent to his friends a few days before the end, that he was sinking to rise no more. His last audible words to a former parishioner who was visiting him were full of assurance of a glorious conquest and a final rest with the redeemed.
...On March 16, he joined the "conquering band" on the shining shores of the Eternal City.
Martin and Mary Edna had the following children:
• i. Horace Waite Bell, b. Nov. 5, 1862 at Wilton, NY, d. July 25, 1906 in Glens Falls, NY; m. in 1887 Helen Sisson Champlin, b. June 6, 1861 in Glens Falls, dau. of George D. Champlin and Esther Ann Sisson. She d. July 22, 1924 in Glens Falls, NY. He was a printer and newspaperman in Glens Falls. Two children of the family.
• ii. Anna G. Bell, b. July 19, 1866 at Knox, NY, d. July 22, 1939 at Brookline, Delaware County, PA; m. Aug. 4, 1887 in Morrisville, VT, William Henry Robinson. Three children of the family, but only one survived to marry.
• iii. Flavilla "Fay" D. Bell, b. Aug. 27, 1874; d. in her youth Feb. 9, 1883 in Bristol, VT.
• iv. Martin Powell Bell, Jr., b. Dec. 26, 1883 at Morrisville, VT, d. Nov. 15, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA; m. 1) cir. 1908 an unknown Betty and 2) by license issued in 1912 at Philadelphia, Maria Esther Good, who d. July 15, 1955. He had no children by either wife. He and 2nd wife Maria lived in the City of Philadelphia, but are interred at Arlington Cemetery at Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA. Martin was a longtime Philadelphia transit inspector/investigator.
Edited 4/23/2019
The Troy Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History: Dedication of Clergy Grave Makers in Morrisville, Hyde Park and Stowe, VT on Aug. 14, 1999. Sponsored by Puffer United Methodist Church, Morrisville, VT.
The Life and Ministry of the Rev. Martin P. Bell
• The Rev. Martin P. Bell was born October 3, 1832 at Alburg, VT, and died of apoplexy at Craftsbury, VT, March 16, 1891, being at the time of his death fifty-eight years of age. He was converted in the autumn of 1856, and in the spring of 1858 he received a license to preach, and took his first work in Eden, VT, under the Presiding Elder, the Rev. George C. Wells.
• In the spring of 1859, he joined the Troy Conference, within the boundaries of which he spent the greater part of his ministerial life. He received appointments to the following charges: Ramertown, Wilton, Minaville, Knox, Adamsville, Richmondville, Esperance, Patten Mills and Hampton, NY, and North Ferrisburg, Williston and Bristol, VT.
• In the spring of 1883, while the Burlington District was within the Vermont Conference, he was appointed to Morrisville and Elmore; at the close of this pastorate he was appointed to West Berkshire and East Franklin, where he remained two years, was then transferred to the Essex and Jericho charge, and from there to Craftsbury, where he did his last ministerial work.
• Brother Bell was not well known among the brethren of this Conference, having been so short a time one of our number, but among those with whom he enjoyed an intimate acquaintance, he was found to be a careful advisor, an earnest worker, a willing helper, and a warm friend.
• He was an earnest, fearless and able preacher, and a God-fearing man. It has been said of him, that, "Every sermon was a gospel temperance sermon." He was positive in his convictions and opposed everything he believed to be wrong in principle with all his might he possessed; on the other hand, whatever he thought to be right, he defended with all the earnestness of a noble soul.
• Such a man would naturally provoke the hostility and enmity of many, but on the other hand, he, like others of such positive convictions, won admirers, and formed friendships which grew more enduring as the years passed by, and the final act of life only severed the attachments formed in many places of his valuable ministry during those years. Many rise up since his decease, to whom he had endeared himself in life, to call him blessed.
• He believed in a full and complete salvation, and proclaimed it wherever he went. On many of the charges he served, the strong men and women of today were led to Christ through his instrumentality. Several young men, converted under his preaching, have entered the ministry and are doing effective work.
• He was married in 1860, to Mary E., youngest daughter of the late B. H. Leach of West Enosburg, VT, by whom he is survived, together with one daughter and two sons. During the several weeks of severe illness through which he passed, he was burdened for the people of his charge, and would frequently exclaim in thrilling tones, "Sinners are not being saved." He was hopeful to the last, and thought a year's rest from ministerial duties would refit him for the work he loved so well.
• But, "He who doeth all things well," had otherwise ordered, and it became apparent to his friends a few days before the end, that he was sinking to rise no more. His last audible words to a former parishioner who was visiting him were full of assurance of a glorious conquest and a final rest with the redeemed.
...On March 16, he joined the "conquering band" on the shining shores of the Eternal City.
Martin and Mary Edna had the following children:
• i. Horace Waite Bell, b. Nov. 5, 1862 at Wilton, NY, d. July 25, 1906 in Glens Falls, NY; m. in 1887 Helen Sisson Champlin, b. June 6, 1861 in Glens Falls, dau. of George D. Champlin and Esther Ann Sisson. She d. July 22, 1924 in Glens Falls, NY. He was a printer and newspaperman in Glens Falls. Two children of the family.
• ii. Anna G. Bell, b. July 19, 1866 at Knox, NY, d. July 22, 1939 at Brookline, Delaware County, PA; m. Aug. 4, 1887 in Morrisville, VT, William Henry Robinson. Three children of the family, but only one survived to marry.
• iii. Flavilla "Fay" D. Bell, b. Aug. 27, 1874; d. in her youth Feb. 9, 1883 in Bristol, VT.
• iv. Martin Powell Bell, Jr., b. Dec. 26, 1883 at Morrisville, VT, d. Nov. 15, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA; m. 1) cir. 1908 an unknown Betty and 2) by license issued in 1912 at Philadelphia, Maria Esther Good, who d. July 15, 1955. He had no children by either wife. He and 2nd wife Maria lived in the City of Philadelphia, but are interred at Arlington Cemetery at Drexel Hill, Delaware County, PA. Martin was a longtime Philadelphia transit inspector/investigator.
Edited 4/23/2019
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