1. EDWARD-

b.c.1513 Croyden, Surry
m.1. ?
2. 27 Nov. 1565 Clavering, Essex, Margaret Barley will 20 Nov. 1576 Writtle, Essex

The Bell family was settled in Newland from at least the beginning of the 16th century. Edward graduated at Oxford in 1538, became a junior fellow of Merton College in 1539, and stayed at Oxford until 1549 when he entered the service of Sir William Petre of Ingatestone, Essex. His elder brother James, and his own sons, all lived at Newland.(1)

A chantry school at Newland was established in 1445-6 under the will of Robert Greyndour, esq., and even after the confiscation of the chantry property in 1548 the school was continued until at least 1553-4. It was re-founded, or a new foundation made, with almhouses, by Edward Bell of Writtle, co. Essex, gent., who in his will dated 20 November 1576 (proved 18 Feb. 1576/7) left money "to builde up and fynishe the schole and Almos Houses by me begonne at Newlande". Uncertainty about the endowment of the foundation gave rise to Chancery proceedings in 1603 and 1627 in which his son Edward Bell of Newland offered and conveyed lands in Newland to trustees to ensure a �20 income. Under an order of the Charity Commissioners in 1875 the school was removed from Newland to Coleford.

Edward's arms were: Ermine on a chief Sable an Escallop between two church Bells Argent

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