John Gaston Kell was born in Chester County, South Carolina March 22, 1804.  He was the son of Thomas Kell and Margaret Ann Gaston, who left Chester County September 16,1822 and went to Centralia Ill.  John G. did not go but attended and gave lectures in Tennessee and Kentucky,  John G. studied with his Uncle John Kell in Princeton IN, one winter.  In the early fall the two Johns went back to S.C. John G. then studied under Dr. Joe Gaston for some time.  John G. lost his health. His brother Samuel went back to South Carolina on business for his father Thomas Kell. In the spring when Samuel was leaving to go back to Illinois, ailing John G. went with him - that was spring of 1826.  John G. was about to give up getting well but still made his rounds doctoring the people and for recreation took his gun into the woods - hunting was a way he could get fresh meat for the family table.  By fall he was in such good health he visited his father in Illinois.  then returned to S.C.
Dr John G. was frequently called upon to witness wills, deeds, etc.  and John did add Gaston (his mothers maiden name) to his name.  Gaston was added to distinguish himself from his cousin John F. Kell in the same county.  In the Estate settlement of his brother, Dr. William Kell in Chester Co. probate records show: four October 1825 John G. Kell was appointed administrator of this estate.
John G. was a medical doctor and a planter, he preferred being a planter and rode his horse to oversee his plantation.  This did not infringe on his medical career as he had a large Clientele and many babies were named after him.

John married Elizabeth Cloud Hicklin November 10, 1829.  She was born April 8, 1814, in Chester Co. S.C.
(see Hicklin family sources). They made their home in York Co, in Hickory Grove and Bullock Creek area.
In the minutes of the old Catholic Presbyterian Church near Richburg, Chester Co. S.C. refer in the 1846 minutes  to John and his wife. They remained on the church roll until early 1850's when they moved to Bullock Creek.

John Gaston Kell died in Hickory Grove S.C. December 5, 1854 age 50. He died of liver disease and is buried in the Bullock Creek Church Cemetery, Bullock Creek, York Co., S.C.
Elizabeth died July 5, 1881 age 67 and is buried in the Bullock Creek Cemetery, both in block 6.  The Sandstone's were becoming fragile and were replaced when the cemetery was updated in 1989 or 1990.

Ten Children were born to this union.

1. William Hicklin Kell ( a Doctor b. 1831 d. 1891) eldest son moved to Alabama he died there aged 60 years.

2. James Thomas Kell ( b.1834 d.     near Pineville N.C.) married Nancy Morrow.

3. Samuel Alexander Kell (b.5/8/1839 - d. 4/10/1904 near Pineville N.C.)
    married 10/25/1886 Harriet Elizabeth Gillespie b. 10/7/1845 d. 10/7/1879 Ft Mill Chester Co. S.C.
    later married Anna Reed 1880  d. 1911.

4. Sarah Kell (b. 1841 d 1900 Bullock Creek)
    married Robert Hayes

5. John Douglas Kell (b. 12/4/1843 d. 1/8/1914) Private Civil War ***
    married Frances Adelaide Harris (b.4/10/1855 d. 5/12/1909 Sharon S.C. Woodlawn Church Cemetery)

6. Benjamin Elmore Kell "Ben" (b.6/2/1845 d. 8/8/1902) 3rd Cpl. Civil War  ***
    married Susan Hemphill  d. 12/25/1902
    Ben Elmore Kell went to Fort Worth Texas. His descendants have three dry cleaning plants.
 

7. Hugh Kell (b 1847 d 1879) went to Fort Worth, bought land twenty miles east of the city, later bought more land    north of his property on which oil was found.  Hugh had a place of business selling merchandise.  A man entered his store and requested or demanded items.  Hugh said no.  The man later returned and shot Hugh.
Pvt. Civil war.  ***

8. Mary Kell married Lucious Lindsay

9. Absolum Banks Kell (b 1851 d. 1912 Fayette Ark.)
    married Molly Mulhollad

10. Jason Kell (b 1853) lived in Tryon N.C.
 
*** The three brothers and a cousin Robert served in the Company of Capt. John Miller, Donnavants Regiment, S.C. Volunteers, Aug. 13, 1861 at Yorkville.  They were placed on Company Muster Roll Aug. 28, 1861 Company B. 12th Regiment S.C. Infantry.

Information from Frances M. Kell Roberts granddaughter of John Douglas Kell.
(Edited and additions by jmkell)