Florence Annie Bell was born to Sarah C. (Jones) and Reuben Pendleton Bell at the family home, Bellvue, near Luray, Virginia on August 1, 1847. She was one of seven children. Also living at Bellvue was a daughter by Reuben's first marriage; his wife had died in childbirth. In addition, Sarah and Reuben raised three of his sister's daughters as their parents had died young.
She married George Daniel Buswell at Bellvue on February 16, 1869. In family letters, George referred to Florence's red hair and called her "the best little wife".
After the Civil War, George and Florence decided to move to Indiana to farm the land George had purchased earlier in his life; as so much of Virginia was destroyed from fighting in the War. By the mid-1880s, George was ill with tuberculosis. He and his family (except for the oldest son, Lee, who remained in Indiana) returned to Virginia, first to Salem, then to Lynchburg, hoping that a warmer climate would help George regain his health. Sadly, he did not and died; leaving Florence a widow at the age of 40 with her eight children; Lee 18, Annie 16, Abram 12, Nannie Bell 10, Carrie 7, Mattie 5, Lizzie 2, and George 1.
Florence eventually moved to Brook with her two youngest children, Lizzie and George. At that time, country schools were in session only through 8th grade so many of her teen-age grandchildren, friends, and relatives boarded with her during the week so they could attend Brook High School.
Florence spent the rest of her life in Brook where she died in 1916.
NOTE: Bellvue was moved to the Luray Cavern Complex in Luray, Virginia in 2012 where it was restored and named "The Bell House". Florence's grand-daughter, Jean (Buswell) Sutton donated several family items for display at The Bell House.
She married George Daniel Buswell at Bellvue on February 16, 1869. In family letters, George referred to Florence's red hair and called her "the best little wife".
After the Civil War, George and Florence decided to move to Indiana to farm the land George had purchased earlier in his life; as so much of Virginia was destroyed from fighting in the War. By the mid-1880s, George was ill with tuberculosis. He and his family (except for the oldest son, Lee, who remained in Indiana) returned to Virginia, first to Salem, then to Lynchburg, hoping that a warmer climate would help George regain his health. Sadly, he did not and died; leaving Florence a widow at the age of 40 with her eight children; Lee 18, Annie 16, Abram 12, Nannie Bell 10, Carrie 7, Mattie 5, Lizzie 2, and George 1.
Florence eventually moved to Brook with her two youngest children, Lizzie and George. At that time, country schools were in session only through 8th grade so many of her teen-age grandchildren, friends, and relatives boarded with her during the week so they could attend Brook High School.
Florence spent the rest of her life in Brook where she died in 1916.
NOTE: Bellvue was moved to the Luray Cavern Complex in Luray, Virginia in 2012 where it was restored and named "The Bell House". Florence's grand-daughter, Jean (Buswell) Sutton donated several family items for display at The Bell House.
Florence Annie Bell was born to Sarah C. (Jones) and Reuben Pendleton Bell at the family home, Bellvue, near Luray, Virginia on August 1, 1847. She was one of seven children. Also living at Bellvue was a daughter by Reuben's first marriage; his wife had died in childbirth. In addition, Sarah and Reuben raised three of his sister's daughters as their parents had died young.
She married George Daniel Buswell at Bellvue on February 16, 1869. In family letters, George referred to Florence's red hair and called her "the best little wife".
After the Civil War, George and Florence decided to move to Indiana to farm the land George had purchased earlier in his life; as so much of Virginia was destroyed from fighting in the War. By the mid-1880s, George was ill with tuberculosis. He and his family (except for the oldest son, Lee, who remained in Indiana) returned to Virginia, first to Salem, then to Lynchburg, hoping that a warmer climate would help George regain his health. Sadly, he did not and died; leaving Florence a widow at the age of 40 with her eight children; Lee 18, Annie 16, Abram 12, Nannie Bell 10, Carrie 7, Mattie 5, Lizzie 2, and George 1.
Florence eventually moved to Brook with her two youngest children, Lizzie and George. At that time, country schools were in session only through 8th grade so many of her teen-age grandchildren, friends, and relatives boarded with her during the week so they could attend Brook High School.
Florence spent the rest of her life in Brook where she died in 1916.
NOTE: Bellvue was moved to the Luray Cavern Complex in Luray, Virginia in 2012 where it was restored and named "The Bell House". Florence's grand-daughter, Jean (Buswell) Sutton donated several family items for display at The Bell House.
She married George Daniel Buswell at Bellvue on February 16, 1869. In family letters, George referred to Florence's red hair and called her "the best little wife".
After the Civil War, George and Florence decided to move to Indiana to farm the land George had purchased earlier in his life; as so much of Virginia was destroyed from fighting in the War. By the mid-1880s, George was ill with tuberculosis. He and his family (except for the oldest son, Lee, who remained in Indiana) returned to Virginia, first to Salem, then to Lynchburg, hoping that a warmer climate would help George regain his health. Sadly, he did not and died; leaving Florence a widow at the age of 40 with her eight children; Lee 18, Annie 16, Abram 12, Nannie Bell 10, Carrie 7, Mattie 5, Lizzie 2, and George 1.
Florence eventually moved to Brook with her two youngest children, Lizzie and George. At that time, country schools were in session only through 8th grade so many of her teen-age grandchildren, friends, and relatives boarded with her during the week so they could attend Brook High School.
Florence spent the rest of her life in Brook where she died in 1916.
NOTE: Bellvue was moved to the Luray Cavern Complex in Luray, Virginia in 2012 where it was restored and named "The Bell House". Florence's grand-daughter, Jean (Buswell) Sutton donated several family items for display at The Bell House.
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