Mercer County PAGenWeb


Margaret (Bell) Clark Bentley


Margaret Bell was born in Carlisle PA on 7 May 1799, a date derived from information on her tombstone in the Scotch Grove Presbyterian Church yard in Scotch Grove Iowa. Her parents are thought to be William and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Bell due to membership in the Neshannock Presbyterian Church in PA, and names of children. Other circumstantial evidence such as witness at wills, executor of estates etc suggest this connection.  No absolute proof has been found.

She moved with her family from Carlisle PA to Mercer County in the early 1800,s, joined the Neshannock Presbyterian Church, and married David Clark in Mercer County on 4 December 1821. Margaret and David had seven children, of whom Elizabeth Mary Clark married John Gibson.

After the death of her husband David on 31 August 1850, Margaret spent the next seven years settling the estate.  In the meantime, she married John Bentley, a member of the Neshannock church. After the estate was settled, Margaret, John, and her daughter Margaret Jane moved to Scotch Grove Iowa, where other family members had moved earlier. Margaret died in Scotch Grove, and is buried in the Scotch Grove Presbyterian Church cemetery. Her stone reads: "Our Mother".

Prepared and researched by David B. Taylor, great great great grandson

Biography for
Margaret's husband,
David Clark
Biography for
Margaret's daughter,
Elizabeth Mary (Clark) Gibson



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