When James Bell was born about 1850, in Wisconsin, United States, his father, George Bell, was 48 and his mother, Jane Davidson, was 39.
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A debate continues over the location of the creation of the Republican Party. Some sources claim that the party was formed in Ripon, Wisconsin, on February 28, 1854. Others claim the first meeting of the Republican Party took place in Jackson, Michigan, on July 6, 1854, where the Republican Party was officially organized. Over 1,000 people were present and candidates were selected for the party, thus making it the first Republican convention.
Abraham Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation, declaring slaves in Confederate states to be free.
The Battle of Gettysburg involved the largest number of casualties of the entire Civil war and is often described as the war's turning point. Between 46,000 and 51,000 soldiers lost their lives during the three-day Battle. To honor the fallen soldiers, President Abraham Lincoln read his historic Gettysburg Address and helped those listening by redefining the purpose of the war.
English (northern) and Scottish (Lowlands): from the Middle English personal name Bell. As a man's name this is from Old French beu, bel ‘handsome’, which was also used as a nickname. As a female name it represents a short form of Isabel .
English (northern) and Scottish (Lowlands): from Middle English belle ‘bell’ (Old English belle), in various applications; most probably a metonymic occupational name for a bell ringer or bell maker, or a topographic name for someone living ‘at the bell’ (as attested by 14th-century forms such as John atte Belle). This indicates either residence by an actual bell (e.g. a town's bell in a bell tower, centrally placed to summon meetings, sound the alarm, etc.) or ‘at the sign of the bell’, i.e. a house or inn sign (although surnames derived from house and inn signs are rare in Scots and English).
English: from Middle English bel ‘fair, fine, good’ (Old French bel ‘beautiful, fair’). See also Beal 1.
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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