"Information on this family is sketchy, but it was widely known during
his day that Benjamin Sells was a manufacturer of guns. Mr. Sells emigrated
from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, where he resided for awhile. He then removed to
Clermont Co, Ohio, near the mouth of Bullskin Creek. It is not known how long
they lived in Clermont Co., but in later years they located near Feesburg,
Lewis Township, Brown Co., Ohio." from Historical Collections of Brown
Co., Ohio
The Nellie Whedon book, 'Richey-Woods-Baum' mentions that Benjamin settled
in Lewis Twp., Brown County, near Mt. Zion Cemetery, where he owned a large
tract of land. - pg 90
The 1806, 1807, 1809, 1810 - Clearmont Co., Ohio Tax Lists include:
"Benjamin Sells" - from Celle Family Book Part 27, page 1
"Lewis Twp. one (of the two) schools stood near the old homestead of
Benjamin Sells" page 463, History Section, History and Families of Brown
Co
Historical Collections of Brown Co. Ohio, page 1042 also mentions the new [M.E.
(Methodist Episcopal)] church that was completed in 1846 and dedicated in 1847
by Reverend Joseph Trimble. The church building itself can be found in
"Howe's Historical Collections of Ohio," Vol I, pg 330, published in
1900. It's architect was Hubbard Baker. Benjamin Sells is listed as a member
and friend of the church who subscribed liberally to it's erection. The
membership at this time was about one hundred. The church was burned in 1926.
The 1815 will of John Sells in on file in Clermont County makes it quite
clear the he had both a son named Benjamin and a grandson named Benjamin who
was a son of Abraham. It is also apparent that John's son Benjamin had already
received his inheritance before 1815, and thus was long since an adult...
probably much older than the 32 years this Benjamin was in 1815. Also, among
the descendants of this Benjamin and Catherine Baum Sells, is a strong belief
that Benjamin had a brother named William. Therefore, it is presumed that this
Benjamin is the son of Abraham, and the grandson of John who received $15.00
from his grandfather in his 1815 will. - Celle CD
This is a copy of the Will of Benjamin Sells Sr, Vol. 3, Page 351
Georgetown, Brown Co., Ohio, Filed 29 July, 1859. "Made - May 24, 1859
Know all men by these presents that I Benjamin Sells Sr. of Brown County
State of Ohio do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner
following: that is to say-- FIRST: I will and direct that my funeral expenses
and just debts be first paid. SECOND: I will and devise to my beloved wife
Sarah Sells in lieu of her dower in all my estate, the one-third of all my
real estate during her natural life; the one half of four hundred dollars of
my personal estate and the one third of all my personal estate after the
deduction of four hundred dollars and after all just debts are paid. THIRD: I
devise and will that all the residue of my estate real and personal be equally
divided among all my children and the children of my deceased children: towit
to my son Michael Sells, Mary Davis, wife of Thomas Davis, Samuel Sells,
Barbara Plummer widow of Benjamin Plummer, deceased, Susan Woods wife of John
Woods, Catherine Johnson wife of Casper Johnson, Joseph D. Sells and Benjamin
Sells Jun. and my grandchildren, the children of John Sells deceased, and my
grandchildren, the children of my daughter Sarah Willis deceased, that is that
my said grandchildren of John Sells deceased all together shall have one share
and all my grandchildren the children of Sarah Willis to have one share all
together. FOURTH: Whereas I have already advanced to my daughter Sarah Willis
sixty dollars forty cents, to my son Michael Sells seventy dollars, to my son
John Sells, now deceased, forty-five dollars, to my daughter Barbara Plummer
seventy-five dollars, to my daughter Mary Davis ten dollars, I will the above
named children and the children of John Sells deceased severally account for
said several sums of money so advanced in the distribution of the residue of
my estate aforedevised and that said amounts be considered as so much of their
share or interest in my estate. FIFTH: Whereas: I hold a note on Samuel Sells
for fifty dollars and on Joseph
D. Sells for 182.00 and one on John Woods for fifty dollars, it is my will
that after my decease said notes shall not be taken into account or
inventoried as part of my personal estate but shall be delivered up to them by
their accounting respectively to the other heirs for as much by them
respectively received by way of advancement by me to them in their lifetime.
SIXTH: I will to my sons now living to be equally distributed among them my
beds and all my bedding that the same shall not be appraised or sold as part
of my estate. I appoint Samuel Sells and Benjamin Sells Jr., my sons executors
of my last will and testament. Given under my hand and seal this 24 day of May
A.D. 1859 BENJAMIN SELLS SR.\Attest - George W. King Zochem Kay."