Joseph, Mary, and some of their children moved from near the Roanoke River in Bute County in northeast North Carolina to present Montgomery County sometime between the birth of Benjamin in 1761 and the Revolutionary War. Joseph owned 500 acres near the Uwharrie River in 1780-1782. (Bute County was formed from Granville County in 1764 and abolished in 1779 when it was divided into Warren and Franklin Counties.)

1790 Montgomery County census - Joseph Bell
1 free white male 16 or older
1 free white male under 16
4 free white female
0 other free persons
0 slaves

Anson County Court
12 July 1774, ordered Joseph Bell be overseer of road from mouth of Huwary to John Nelson's on Clarke Crk.
14 Jan 1777, ordered Joseph Bell continue overseer from Mounger's Ferry to Clark's Creek.

Joseph Bell - Anson County - Land #4150 - 3 Sept 1779
Huwary River (general location)
(He also has other grants in index file of grants in office of Secretary of State - per 1950 book)

1782 Montgomery County Tax List - Joseph Bell, 500 acres

1810 Montgomery Co census - Joseph Bell
1 free white male 45 and older
1 free white female under 10
1 free white female 45 and older