Margaret Bell was the daughter of James Bell, Sr (1775-1825) and Margaret (Blair) Bell (1775-1825). She was born in Belfast, Ireland on June 3, 1806.

She married Jonathan Evans in Circleville, Pickaway Co, Ohio on October 6, 1825

Jonathan and Margaret had 11 children together:
Susannah (Evans) West (1827-1913)
James Evans (1829-1907)
Jane (Evans) Taylor (1832-1902)
David Evan Evans (1835-1900)
Nancy Elizabeth (Evans) Buckingham (1838-1913)
Margaret A Evans (1840-Infancy)
Mary Evans (1843-Infancy)
Elvira Evans (1846-Infancy)
Jonathan Sayers Evans (1849-1899)
Louisa Lavena (Evans) Catterson (1851-1944)
Elmore Ellsworth Evans (1854-1883)

"Lebanon Pioneer" Friday, April 25, 1873: AN INSANE MAN KNOCKS HIS MOTHER'S BRAINS OUT WITH AN AXE CORONER'S INQUEST - THEIR VERDICT
"Lebanon Pioneer" Friday, April 25, 1873: AN INSANE MAN KNOCKS HIS MOTHER'S BRAINS OUT WITH AN AXE CORONER'S INQUEST - THEIR VERDICT One of the most blood curdling murders which we ever read of occurred about eight miles east of this place, in Worth Township, about 5 o'clock last Friday morning. Mrs. Margaret Evans, aged about 65, had risen in advance of the other members of the family, and had gone to the kitchen to prepare for breakfast. Elmore Evans, who was lying in the adjoining room, heard his mother moving about the kitchen, and also heard someone else come in as if in slippers or stocking feet, and heard his mother say "good morning; rainy morning:" to which she received no reply, and the person went straight out. He at once dropped into a sort of doze for a few moments, when he was aroused by a racket "as if something heavy had fallen to the floor." He lay there a minute or two, hearing no noise at all, when David's wife came in, and when she entered the kitchen, she began to scream for help, saying their mother was dead, and burning up. Her cries at once brought in Elmore, David, and Jonathan Evans, who drew the old lady out of the fire. She had fallen with her head and left arm in the fire, and was considerably burned. She remained unconscious, and died Saturday morning. The wonder is that she should live an hour. It was at first surmised that she had fallen on the dog-irons, and fractured her skull, but the terrible wound forbade any such conclusion. Suspicion being then turned upon David Evans, a coroner's inquest as accordingly held last Sunday evening by James Coomb, Esq., Acting Coroner, and the jury rendered a verdict that the deceased came to her death by a blow inflicted by her son, David Evans, who was immediately arrested and confined in jail until court convenes, which is next Monday. The wound was carefully examined by Drs. Rodman and Duzan of Zionsville, Dr. Ross of Whitestown, and Dr. Parr of this place, all of whom testified that the wound could not have been caused by a fall, and must have been done by a blow struck with terrific force. The bones on the left side of the head were driven deep into the brain, making an awful wound about four inches long and three wide, and causing a large fracture to continue across the forehead, about four inches long, the whole wound being about eight inches in length. The axe with which the blow was struck, was found and exhibited to the jury. There were gray hairs and blood stains yet sticking to the edges of the pole. David's wife also saw him seize the axe and walk hurriedly around the house, not more than three to five minutes before she found the old lady in the fire, weltering in blood and brains. The sight was heart sickening. David Evans is about 40 years old, a powerful man, and had been considered insane for about a year. There is no doubt that he should long ago have been put in the insane hospital, which would have prevented this fearful tragedy, which is too horrible to contemplate without shuddering. The afflicted family have the warmest sympathies of all who know them. Date of death being Friday, April 18, 1873.