William Sims Bell - Settler

Cheshunt - Map 5

William Sims Bell was the eldest son of Archibald and Maria (nee Kitching) Bell of Windsor and brother of:

Archibald of 'Corinda' (who found Bell's Line)

Early Settler Map 5

James Thomas

Maria (married William Faithfull)

Elizabeth (married George Cox)

Mary Ann (spouse 1 Capt. John Fennell; spouse 2 Francis Little)

Sophia (married Henry Pelerine Dutton)

Marriage

William Sims Bell married Eliza Bell at Windsor on 12 April 1834. Their children included

1) Eliza Maria b. 1835;

2) William George b. 1836;

3) Laura Susette b. 1837;

4) Henry Little b. 1839;

5) Robert North b. 1841;

6) Matilda Agnes b. 1841;

7) Sydney b. 1845;

8) Mary Ann b. 1847; and

9) Emily Caroline

Land Grant

William Sims Bell was granted 700 acres of land near Leamington by Sir Thomas Brisbane on 14 July 1825. (centre on the map below)

Despite the very dry conditions - (Donald McIntyre reported that he had less than 48 hours of rainfall between 1827 and 1829) - William Sims Bell had a crop of wheat planted in 1827 - 28. This crop suffered badly when a blast of hot wind from the west destroyed crops throughout the region.

To satisfy creditors Cheshunt was offered for sale in 1845 - The Estate called Cheshunt Park, the property of William Sims Bell, Esq., containing one thousand acres of land, situate on the Hunter River, with a dwelling-house and all convenient offices. Application to be made at the Offices of the Australian Trust Company, Sydney - Sydney Morning Herald 8 May 1845

An article by Harold M. Mackenzie dated 7 September 1895 holds more information about Cheshunt after the time of William Sims Bell -

I have been kindly furnished with a few extra notes in reference to Cheshunt, forwarded by Mr. Rourke. It appears that the prpoerty in the early days was a grant to the late Mr. W. S. Bell, being afterwards purchased by Captain Russell, whose name has been mentioned in connection with Ravensworth also. This gentlman utilised the paddocks for many years as a depot for his stations in the interior, making Cheshunt also his headqurters, and considerably adding to the comfort of the old house by erecting several very fine living rooms. cheshutn at the present time comprises an acreage of 2,500 including Crown and other purchases being sub-divided into no less than sixteen paddocks with very substantial post and rail fencing. The water supply to all paddocks is furnished by means of dams and these, in additon to the fencing and other imrpvoements have all ben made during Mr. rourke's time. Maitland Weekly Mercury 7 September 1895

Death

When his wife Eliza Bell died after a long and painful illness in 1862 their address was at Bexley near Canterbury.

William Sims Bell died in Sydney on 15th January 1875 aged 78.

Notes and Links

1). Among the Pastoralists - Maitland Weekly Mercury 7 September 1895

2). Inquiry into the case of land grant to Archibald Bell father of William Sims Bell

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