Jared Bell (1798?-1870), who hired Frances Hennocque (see volume 1, pgs. 7 and 10) at Hopper’s request, was a New York City printer. He printed several of the annual reports of the New York Prison Association.

Bell was notorious for having been tried for blasphemy in 1821 after allegedly yelling “God Almighty was a fool.” Grocer David McKinney of New York City had Bell arrested for blasphemy after Bell had responded in anger to a group of people debating the Hartford Convention. At trial, McKinney’s son testified that a month prior to the incident, Bell had been in the store and had used profane language then as well. When asked why he was doing so, Bell allegedly replied “What was Jesus Christ? He was nothing but a fool.” Witnesses for the defense testified that Bell said no such thing, that he had responded to the discussion by saying that “it was a disgrace to God Almighty to let [supporters of the Hartford Convention] live.” Other witnesses for the defense testified that Bell regularly attended church with his family. Judge Richard Riker instructed the jury that if they believed that Bell said such words, he should be convicted for blasphemy. However, Riker cautioned, “considering the testimony adduced on [Bell’s] behalf, in contradiction of the testimony of the prosecutors – considering the testimony of his good character, and his peculiar religious opinion, it was hardly possible that could could have uttered the words laid in the indictment.” If the jury believed Bell had not said them, Riker instructed, “it would be their duty to acquit him.” The jury found Bell “not guilty.”

In 1835, Bell printed a broadside accusing journeyman James B. Whitney of embezzlement. Bell alleged that Whitney “has collected, retained, and converted to his own uses, different sums of money, at various times, from my customers, and thus embezzling a considerable sum of money without my knowledge….” Bell cautioned the public “not to pay the said James B. Whitney any Bill or Money on my account….” The broadside described Whitney as “25 years of age, near 5 feet 10 inches high, of slender make, with black whiskers, and genteel appearance.”

Sources:

Lauren Hewes, “The Acquisitions Table: Beware of a Swindler!!” Past is Present: The American Antiquarian Society Blog, https://pastispresent.org/2010/acquisitions/the-acquisitions-table-bewa…

John Davidson Lawson, American State Trials: A Collection of the Important and Interesting Criminal Trials which Have Taken Place in the United States from the Beginning of Our Government to the Present Day, Volume 3 (Thomas Law Books, 1915), 558-561.