John Bell and his older sons successfully continued his father-in-law's business, moving it to Oxford Street.
On 6 June 1858, James Bell married Mary Ann Spencer, at the Friends Meeting House, Cockermouth.
He served as Honorary Secretary to the RIBA[4] and received an obituary notice on his death: I am unable to obtain particulars as to Mr. Bell's professional life.
He was, fortunately for his own ease, in a position requiring little labour on his part, but he was attached to the profession he nominally followed and for some time showed his interest in it by acting as honorary secretary to the Institute.
[6]The RIBA Library catalogue lists a number of his writings, including contributions to the programme of lectures preparing students for the Voluntary Examinations.
After the 1852 election, there was a petition, alleging bribery and treating, which was found to be groundless and costs were awarded against the petitioner, in March 1853.
[14] In 1855, he asked the Attorney General a question concerning the rival claims of the Duchy of Cornwall and the Commissioners of Woods and Forests to minerals below high-water mark.
His last, brief contribution concerned irregularities in the procurement of a machine for perforating postage labels[16] At the General Election of 1857, Bell lost his seat to the Conservative Party candidate William Bovill.
[37][38] Fawe Park Road in Putney, South West London was developed by James Spencer-Bell and auctioned in 1894.