Mr. Bell traveled from Florida to Texas and settled in Austin County around 1822, although in a Headright Certificate issued by the Austin County Board of Land Commissioners, it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1834. In 1836 Thomas joined the Texas Army and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto under the command of Captain Moseley Baker. Mr. Bell was married to Abagail Grimes, and they never had any natural born children, although they did adopt a young man that was named John G. Bell. Thomas died in 1857, at his home near Bellville, and was buried in the Medford graveyard. Years later as Bellville grew, they opened a new Cemetery called Oak Knoll, and Medford soon became rundown and overgrown. It then became the local cemetery for African Americans. It is now known as the Jeff, or Jefferson Cemetery. Thomas Bell's grave site is unmarked, and that is a real shame.
Mr. Bell traveled from Florida to Texas and settled in Austin County around 1822, although in a Headright Certificate issued by the Austin County Board of Land Commissioners, it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1834. In 1836 Thomas joined the Texas Army and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto under the command of Captain Moseley Baker. Mr. Bell was married to Abagail Grimes, and they never had any natural born children, although they did adopt a young man that was named John G. Bell. Thomas died in 1857, at his home near Bellville, and was buried in the Medford graveyard. Years later as Bellville grew, they opened a new Cemetery called Oak Knoll, and Medford soon became rundown and overgrown. It then became the local cemetery for African Americans. It is now known as the Jeff, or Jefferson Cemetery. Thomas Bell's grave site is unmarked, and that is a real shame.
Advertisement
Advertisement
