Matthew Bell (1769-1849)
Lt.-Col. Mathew Bell M.P, J.P., of Quebec & Trois-Rivières, Seigneur of Champlain
As a summer home, in 1805 he purchased "Woodfield" off the Chemin Saint-Louis from Isabella, the widow of Judge Mabane who added the second story and two pavilion wings connected to the main house by hyphens. It was built in 1732 by Bishop Dosquet and Bishop Mountain was the tenant when Bell bought it. James Macpherson Le Moine called Woodfield, "unquestionably the most ornate and richly laid-out estate around Quebec". It neighboured Powell Place (later renamed Spencer Wood) and Bell summered here until 1816 when he sold up to William Sheppard who sold it in 1847 to James Gibb, President of the Bank of Quebec.
