James Bell (merchant)
Encyclopedia
James Bell was born in Scotland
and came to Canada about 1765 or shortly after with his wife, a cousin of Gabriel Christie, and family.
With solid connections in Canada, Bell quickly established himself as a merchant trading in products such as wheat, meat, spirits, building materials, carriages, and horses. He attained notability in history for his opportunist trading, most notably during the American invasion of 1775–76
.and the period immediately following that conflict. He was not directed in his commerce by the causes but by the opportunities to make money. During his affiliation with the American forces, he rendered services to people such as brigadiers-general Richard Montgomery
, David Wooster
, and Benedict Arnold
His knowledge of the area and his firm connections in trade allowed him to supply valuable and timely service. A particular part of his activity involved overseeing the repair work on Fort Chambly
.
After the Americans left Quebec, Bell offered his services to the British and was involved in construction on a variety of military projects. He then accompanied a British force led by Major-General John Burgoyne
to Fort Ticonderoga
and subsequently to Fort George
to engage the American army.
Bell rendered services to both the British and the American military although he certainly considered himself a loyal British subject. In the end, he was not appreciated by either side, and perhaps that is understandable. In any case, both sides declined to settle debts he perceived were owing him when he encountered financial problems late in his life.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and came to Canada about 1765 or shortly after with his wife, a cousin of Gabriel Christie, and family.
With solid connections in Canada, Bell quickly established himself as a merchant trading in products such as wheat, meat, spirits, building materials, carriages, and horses. He attained notability in history for his opportunist trading, most notably during the American invasion of 1775–76
Invasion of Canada (1775)
The Invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major military initiative by the newly formed Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The objective of the campaign was to gain military control of the British Province of Quebec, and convince the French-speaking Canadiens to join the...
.and the period immediately following that conflict. He was not directed in his commerce by the causes but by the opportunities to make money. During his affiliation with the American forces, he rendered services to people such as brigadiers-general Richard Montgomery
Richard Montgomery
Richard Montgomery was an Irish-born soldier who first served in the British Army. He later became a brigadier-general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and he is most famous for leading the failed 1775 invasion of Canada.Montgomery was born and raised in Ireland...
, David Wooster
David Wooster
David Wooster was an American general who served in the French and Indian War and in the American Revolutionary War. He died of wounds sustained during the Battle of Ridgefield, Connecticut. Cities, schools, and public places were named after him...
, and Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
His knowledge of the area and his firm connections in trade allowed him to supply valuable and timely service. A particular part of his activity involved overseeing the repair work on Fort Chambly
Fort Chambly
Fort Chambly is a historic fort in the Canadian La Vallée-du-Richelieu Regional County Municipality, Quebec. The fort is designated as a National Historic Site. Fort Richelieu was part of a series of five forts built along the Richelieu River. Fort Richelieu is at the mouth of the Richelieu River....
.
After the Americans left Quebec, Bell offered his services to the British and was involved in construction on a variety of military projects. He then accompanied a British force led by Major-General John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
to Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, formerly Fort Carillon, is a large 18th-century fort built by the Canadians and the French at a narrows near the south end of Lake Champlain in upstate New York in the United States...
and subsequently to Fort George
Fort George, New York
Fort George, New York was the name of five forts in the state of New York.The first Fort George was built in 1626 in New Amsterdam and named Fort Amsterdam. The British Army occupied it as Fort James from 1664 to 1687. Briefly re-occupied by the Dutch from 1673-1674 as Fort Willem Hendrick, it was...
to engage the American army.
Bell rendered services to both the British and the American military although he certainly considered himself a loyal British subject. In the end, he was not appreciated by either side, and perhaps that is understandable. In any case, both sides declined to settle debts he perceived were owing him when he encountered financial problems late in his life.