Bell-Pearsall Papers, 1795 - 1936, PC.1789
Abstract
Virginia C. Pearsall (1840-1884) of Mount Olive, N.C., was the wife of L. G. Pearsall (1843-1883). Robert R. Bell was the administrator of Virginia Pearsall's estate. In this collection, 115 items concern the estate of Virginia C. Pearsall and 37 items relate to the Bell family of Sampson County, North Carolina.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Bell-Pearsall Papers
- Call Number
- PC.1789
- Creator
- Bell, Robert R.
- Date
- 1795 - 1936
- Extent
- 150.00 items
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.1789, Bell-Pearsall Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Collection Overview
The Virginia C. Pearsall items include the inventory of her estate, bills submitted
against the estate, burial and gravestone expenses (including burial expenses of her
daughter, Cora L.), bills for clothing, medical expenses, supplies, etc., for the
minors, and bills from Mount Olive High School for education of the minors Cora L.,
Annie M., and Gideon Pearsall. Schools bills for 1884 are signed by S. L. Marable,
principal, and those for 1886 and 1888 are signed by W. J. Scroggs, principal. An
1883 lease of Pearsall's Hotel in Mount Olive executed between L. G. Pearsall and
Virginia C. Chestnutt is included in the collection of papers.
The Bell items include a document relating to the estate of Robert R. Bell (1893),
administrator of Virginia C. Pearsall, two relating to the estate of his father James
Bell of Sampson County (1871), and two relating to the estate of William B. King of
Sampson County (administered by Robert T. Bell in 1869). For the most part, the 15
deeds and related land papers are to Darden, Marley, and Byrd lands in Sampson County
that presumably came into possession of the Bell family. Four miscellaneous legal
papers, a 1936 automobile registration card, and eight 1935 ginning tickets complete
the Bell documents.
An undated petition from the period 1877-1884 asking for the recall of Noah B. Barefoot
as a justice of the peace for Mingo Township, Sampson County, and the appointment
of another by the General Assembly in his place, is signed first by M[ordecai] Bell,
and is consequently probably part of the papers of Robert R. Bell or his son. Similarly,
a blank return as a judge of election for Mingo Township in the 1884 election and
a blank return from the 1880 Census ("Statistics of Religious Organizations-Schedule
II-Sabbath Schools") are probably from Robert R. Bell's papers.
Biographical Note
Virginia C. Pearsall (1840-1884) of Mount Olive, N.C., was the wife of L. G. Pearsall (1843-1883). Pearsall predeceased her, leaving Mrs. Pearsall as guardian of their children: Frank L., James O., Cora L. (d.1888), Annie M., and Gideon. When Mrs. Pearsall died the following year in 1884, Robert R. Bell of Sampson County became the administrator of her estate. Robert was the son of James Bell, also of Sampson County.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift, Robert T. Kirkland, Ocala, Florida, June 7, 1991.