Barbara BELL was one of my fifth great-grandmothers on my maternal grandma’s side. She was born in 1771 in Randolph County, North Carolina. It is believed that she was adopted by a Native American family and she may or may not have been 100% Native American by blood.

She passed away December 31, 1870 in Fannin County, Texas. Her grave had a little long house built over it. A few years ago, the man who now owned the land bulldozed the cemetery and stones so nobody would have a reason to want to see their family members’ graves. Yes, you read that correctly… This boils my blood thinking about it.

Barbara married Adam WHISENHUNT (1769-1849) and they were the parents of Elizabeth WHISENHUNT, who was the mother of Henry MEREDITH, who was the father of Sarah Elizabeth Jasmine Carter MEREDITH, who was the mother of Mary Irene Saphronia Jasmine SMITH, who was the mother of Ruby Irene PORTER, who was my maternal grandma.