Dates

• Existence: June 4, 1757 - July 19, 1843

Biography

Andrew Bell, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Bell, was born on June 4, 1757 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family moved to New Jersey where he was a law student of Cortlandt Skinner during the outbreak of the American Revolution. Bell, a British loyalist, joined the Royal Army in New York and in December of 1776 was appointed a clerk in the office of the British Commander in New York. He served under various men in that office, including Sir Henry Clinton and Sir Guy Carleton, and fought in the Battle of Monmouth.



In 1779, colonists confiscated the New Jersey estate Bell had inherited upon his father’s death the year before. Bell’s sister, Cornelia (1755-1783), however, married William Paterson, an active colonist, creating ties to both the loyalists and the colonists for the Bell family.



After the war, Bell settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and started over as a merchant. He was successful despite uncertain times and his loyalist background and was appointed the Collector of Perth Amboy’s port in 1800. During this period, he was also the deputy surveyor general. During his lifetime, he was active in St. Peter’s Church of Perth Amboy. Andrew Bell married the widow Susannah Moore (b. 1755) in 1782 in New York City. Bell died in Perth Amboy on July 19, 1843.

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