In 1710, whcn Richard Bennett Sr. died, his will provided a legacy to “Mary Thorpe, the daughter of Daniel Lewis.” Mary, daughter of Daniel Lewis, was at that time married to Thomas Thorp. Thorpe was her third husband. Her first husband was one Dixon by whom she had Mary and William Dixon. These two children of hers are mentioned in the will of her second husband, Joseph Ford, who died in Surry in 1709. She then married Thomas Thorpe, and had one daughter, Elizabeth Thorpe, whom she mentioned in her will. Mary must have been a very attractive lady for she married the fourth time, Benjamin Bell, the subject of this sketch. Benjamin Bell died in 1722 and Mary married for the fifth time James Briggs. Previous to her wedding to James Briggs she made a marriage contract with him enabling her to dispose of her own property. Her will was dated March 21, 1726/27 and probated June 26,1727. She bequeathed Elizabeth Thorpe £35 that is in Colonel Bridger's hands (George Bell Sr., leased land from the Colonel for 99 years); to my son Benjamin Bell, one Negro; to daughter Ann Crofts; to son Benjamin Bell land and if no heirs to Elizabeth Thorpe. Wits.: James Batte, Wm. Cogill, John Grisord.478

Benjamin Bell inherited his father’s land when his father died in 1721/22.