John Bell d.1732

=Biographical Note

Bell's sale catalogue describes him as "MA, late fellow of Queen's College, Oxon, and Vicar of Sparsholt in Berks". He is presumably the man who was the son of Peter Bell of Lazenby, Cumberland, born 1660/61, who graduated BA from Queen's in 1681, MA 1684. He could alternatively be the John Bell, also from Lazenby (but son of Timothy) who matriculated at Queen's in 1725, aged 17, of whom Foster records no further details. In his will he describes himself as "of Sparsholt ... Clerke", but the CCED database has William Baker as vicar of Sparsholt at this time.

Books

Bell's library was auctioned in Oxford, beginning 25 October 1732. His will has no mention of books; all the residue of his goods and personal estate was left to his maidservant Elizabeth Saunders.

Sources

• Will of John Bell, The National Archives PROB 11/651/319.
• Alston, R. C., Inventory of sale catalogues ... 1676-1800, St Philip, 2010.
• A catalogue of the library of the Revd. John Bell, [Oxford, 1732].
• Foster, J., Alumni Oxonienses, Oxford, 1891.