James Bell (c. 1739 – 5 July 1814) was born in Scotland and was trained as a civil engineer. He came to Canada about 1765 with his wife, a sister of Gabriel Christie, and family. With solid connections in Canada, Bell quickly established himself as a merchant trading in products such as wheat, meat, spirits, building materials, carriages, and horses. He attained notability in history for his opportunist trading, most notably during the American invasion of 1775–76 and the period immediately following that conflict. He was not directed in his commerce by the causes but by the opportunities to make money. During his affiliation with the American forces, he rendered services to people such as Brigadiers-General Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, and Benedict Arnold. His knowledge of the area