516 Lotv Buston. By J. C. Hodgson. 



local pronunciation. It would seem to have been acquired early 

 in the 17th century by the family of Bell — then of some local 

 position, but for 60 years extinct in the male line. In 1638, in 

 the list of freeholders in Northumberland, we have John Bell of 

 Buston, gentleman ; and in 1663 Edward Bell is returned as the 

 proprietor of lands of a rental of £10 ; and in 1680, Phillis, wife 

 of Thomas Bell of Shortrigg, was buried at Warkworth. A 

 family of the same name, in 1682, resided at the neighbouring 

 estate of Wooden; 1 and in 1725 is the curious entry in the 

 church books, "Holy Bread money left off at Mr Edward Bell's 

 of Shortridge." In 1719, Edward Bell owned a pew in Wark- 

 worth Church. 2 



Members of the Bell family bearing alternately the names of 

 Edward and Thomas, appear regularly in the Parish Eecords of 

 last century. In 1748, Edward Bell of Shortrigg voted for his 

 freehold there. In 1752, Edward Bell of Shortridge was buried 

 in Warkworth Church, and the wardens received 3s. for his 

 •' Lairstone." We also find the following burials entered : — 1768, 

 Thomas Bell, senr. of Shortridge, 3 and 1773, Thomas Bell of 

 Shortridge. 1 The latter married Dorothy, 5 fifth daughter of 

 Thomas and Frances Smith of Togston, and had a son and 

 daughter who grew up and married. The latter, Margaret, 

 married John Tate of Guyzance North Field (now called Bank 

 House) and was buried in Brainsliaugh Chapel-yard in 1792. 6 

 The son Thomas Bell, was a solicitor in Alnwick ; his marriage 

 settlement made in 1805, 7 conveyed Shortridge to William Smith 

 of Togston, in trust (after paying an annuity to his mother) to 

 secure his wife's portion of £2500. She was daughter to George 



1 Tate, vol. n., p. 160. 



2 Warkworth Church Book. 



3 Will of Thomas Bell of Shortridge, dated and proved 1768, mentions 

 his (? 2nd) wife Phillis, his son Edward, 'then under age, his daughters 

 Margaret and Barbara, his brother Edward Bell of Alnwick, merchant, 

 and his eldest son and heir, Thomas Bell. 



* Will of Thomas Bell of Shortridge, dated and proved 1773, mentions 

 his wife Dorothy, and son Thomas, his brother Edward, and ancle Edward 

 Bell of Alnwick, merchant. He mentions his freehold messuage or close 

 at Alnwick, and his freehold estate at Shortridge, Spittal, and Nether 

 Bnston. 



5 Died at Alnwick, 1826, Dorothy, relict of the late Thomas Bell of 

 Shortridge. — Newcastle Magazine. 



6 Shilbottle Register. 



7 Papers with Mr Wm. Woodman, Morpeth. 



