Martha Bell was a NC heroine during the Revolutionary War

Martha McFarlane McGee Bell was a tough woman, up for any challenge, and that prepared her for some heroics during the American Revolution.

She married Colonel John McGee, a British officer who came to settle in Orange County, North Carolina in the 1750s. He established a grist mill, store, and farm. Martha was well known in the community for helping others, including working as a midwife. She also helped McGee manage his businesses while taking care of five children.

McGee died in 1774 and Martha ran the operation for five years until she married William Bell, who had a similar collection of businesses outside what is now Randleman. In contrast to her first husband, Bell was an enthusiastic Patriot. Martha shared these feelings and when Bell became a supplier to the American forces, it made the couple a target of the local Tories.

Bell helped organize Randolph County and became the first sheriff and later served three terms in the House of Commons. However, pursuit by the Tories — in particular, the notorious Colonel David Fanning. Bell sometimes had to go into hiding for months at the time.

In March of 1781, Cornwallis came through the area on his way to Virginia. He asked Martha for use of her home and mill for two days for his men to rest and recover. Cornwallis did not have to extend this courtesy, but Martha is said to have asked if he planned to burn the mill when he left. He asked her why she wanted to know and she replied that if he was planning on doing that, she’d burn it now before it could be used for his benefit.

Cornwallis left and kept his word. Shortly after, Continental Army General Henry Lee arrived in pursuit of Cornwallis. To gain information on the British, Martha rode ahead, entered camp and told Cornwallis that his men had damaged her property. While pretending to be angry, she rode around his camp taking note of the force and locations near Walker’s Mill. Lee was able to catch up and attack the British.

Fanning and his men repeatedly raided the farm and showed up one night with the intention to kill the Bells. A show of force turned the Tories away without a casualty or damage to the buildings.

After the war, Martha was key in helping found Old Union Methodist Church, where many of the early camp meetings were held. Two of her sons became ministers. She died in 1820 and a DAR marker at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in her honor reads “Loyal Whig, Enthusiastic Patriot, Revolutionary Heroine.”

Sources:

Scoundrels, Rogues and Heroes of the Old North State by Dr. H.G. Jones

“Martha McFarlane McGee Bell,” by Joseph R. Suggs, NCPedia