Imported to Virginia in 1753 by Colonel John Hunter, Elizabeth City Co, Virginia, and later sent to North Carolina. A certificate given by Herbert Haynes of Northampton Co, North Carolina, stated that the 3rd dam of his mare Nancy Bell, was the "imported mare Miss Bell, foaled in 1750, got by Starling and imported by Col. Hunter into Hampton VA, in 1753 or 1754."

Miss Bell May trace back to Davill's Woodcock Mare, Foundation Mare of British Family 19, but this is unproven

The family, which expired in the 1990s, has produced many high class horses, notably the great champion racemare Trifle which, despite standing only 14.2 hands, won 12 successive Jockey Club Purses in the 1830s on her last 12 starts, losing only 2 heats; and Apollo (1882 Kentucky Derby)