John was born about 1645 in Lower Norfolk, Virginia. He died in 1698 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland at the age of 52 - 53.
His parents were Humphrey Belt 1616 - 1663 and Anne (Graggen) Belt 1620 - 1690. Humphrey's place of birth was North Yorkshire, England and Anna was born in Lower Norfolk, Virginia.[1]
John Belt I came with his Father, Humphrey Belt from Virginia to Maryland and his sister, Sarah, as a child. Per Maryland Calendar of Wills, John Belt. Volume II, page 160 and Volume VII, page 228. Per Maryland Calandar of Wills, will of Elizabeth Lamb, dated 8/1/1737 and probated 12/1737.
John married Elizabeth Tydings 1656 - abt. 1737. They were married in 1679 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Elizabeth was born & died in Anne Arundel, Maryland. Per her Findgrave and wikitree pages. Elizabeth (Tydings) Belt married second, John Lamb and had one daughter with him. Her son Joseph Belt was born after his Father's death and is not mentioned in his will, but is mentioned in his Mother's will, Elizabeth (Tydings) Belt, Lamb.
Note: Elizabeth was not the daughter of Richard Tydings 1638 - 1686 and Charity (Sparrow) Tydings 1640 - 1687 as her Findagrave and wikitree page state. That Elizabeth marries Robert Crump. Note: Removed bad website link, 11/8/21
The register of All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel, Maryland records the children of John: Elizabeth, Charity, Sarah and Jeremy were all baptised 12/14/1703. The same register records the marriage 7/25/1701 of Mr. John Lamb, merchant and Elizabeth Belt, widow of John Belt, "late of this parish, deceased".
On 4/29/1685 Thomas Lightfoot deeded to John Belt a tract of 300 acres in Baltimore County, Maryland called "Belt's Posterity" (Liber R M No HS folio 123). The land was subsequently willed by John to his sons Joseph and Benjamin. The will, dated 5/13/1697 was proved in 1698 (Annapolis Liber 6 folio 175).
The Following is an exact copy of a portion of a family history report prepared in 1949 by Harry W. Newman. "One Belt Family Line". Mr. Newman was the eminent family historian of the time.[2]
"John Belt (Son of Humphrey Belt) was born in Norfolk County, Virginia about 1645. He died (testate) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland in 1698. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Tydings of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. As the widow Belt, she became the wife of John Lamb, a merchant of Annapolis. Their children were:
"John Belt, son and heir of Humphrey Belt and his wife, was born in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia and was brought to the Province of Maryland by his Father at a date prior to 6/30/1663. He was early engaged as a Cooper, but was later styled as a Planter."
"On 6/14/1675, John Belt, of Anne Arundel County, Cooper, purchased from Michael Offley 101 acres of land, being a part of a tract of land containing (number is smeared on my copy) acres, known as "Friend's Choice", situated on the ridge of the Patuxent River."
"On 4/20/1679, John Belt at the home of George Yate in Anne Arundel County swore that Richard Mascall at the time of his departure from the Province in the year 1673 was in possession of 230 acres of land then lying in Baltimore County, but now in Anne Arundel County known by the name of "Mascall's Rest". At this instance, John Belt signed his name. (Ref. 1)."
"On 4/29/1685, John Belt, "Planter", purchased from Thomas Lightfoot and Rebecca his wife, of Baltimore County, 300 acres of land being a portion of two tracts of land called "Exception" at the head of the Gunpowder River which the said Belt had resurveyed into "Belt's Prosperity". (Ref. 2)."
"On 2/2/1687, John Belt was named as one of the overseers of the estate of Richard Tydings of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. At this time Richard Tydings devised to his daughters, Elizabeth and Charity, equally 300 acres of unnamed land in Baltimore County. (Ref.3). It is generally stated that he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Richard Tydings. While no absolute truth has been found so far as this research has been carried out, there are definite circumstantial evidences".
"John Belt died in Anne Arundel County in 1698. His last Will and Testament, dated 5/13/1697, was proved in Anne Arundel County on 11/17/1698 by John Tydings, Charity Jordan, Ann Smith, Thomas Hodges, Daniel Pierce, Darby Sweaney, and Ann Pierce. (Ref.4)."
"He styled himself John Belt Sr. and devised his eldest son, John and his heirs Velmead, presumably 200 acres. To his wife, Elizabeth, in lieu of dower rights, he devised the dwelling-plantation and 100 acres of land during life. To his second son Joseph and his heirs he willed the dwelling -plantation at the death of his Mother and a 100 acre portion of "Belt's Prosperity", lying at the head of Gunpowder River. Benjamin, the third son was devised all the residue of "Belt's Posterity" or 200 acres."
"This compiler (Newman) can only assume that "Belt's Prosperity" and "Belt's Posterity" were the same property. In those days, when many could not read or write, the clerks spelled by ear and names of persons and places were sometimes spelled several different ways in the same document."
"Personalty was bequeathed to his nephew, Thomas Ramsey. To his eldest daughter Elizabeth, his second daughter Charity and his youngest daughter Sarah, he bequeathed Personalty at the age of 16 years or marriage. In the event of death of either daughter, her estate was to pass to her sisters, likewise, in the event of the death of a son, his estate was to pass to the eldest daughter, that is, if the son died under age and without issue".
"He appointed his wife, Elizabeth Belt, the executrix and willed her the residuary estate".
"The inventory, appraised at 525/17/9 lbs., including six slaves, was filed in the Prerogative Court of Anne Arundel County on 6/4/1700. The appraisers were Thomas Stockett and Daniel Mariarite (Ref. 5)."
"After the death of her husband and as Elizabeth Lamb, she had her four daughters: Charity, Elizabeth, Jemima and Sarah. They were baptized at the parish church of All Hallows on 12/14/1703. (Ref. 7)". Note: Was Jemima her daughter by husband John Lamb? or nickname for daughter Margery Sprigg?
"John Lamb died testate in 1715. His last will and testament, dated 12/27/1714, was probated on 6/14/1715 in Anne Arundel County by Elinar Mariate, John Belt and W. Wooton. (Ref.5). Jeremiah Belt who was born after his father executed his will and whom John Lamb styled his son-in-law was devised 150 acres of "The Widow's Purchase" on the north side of Beaver Dam Branch in the forks of the Patuxent River in Prince George's County".
"Elizabeth", the widow respectively of John Belt and John Lamb, died testate in Anne Arundel County. Her last will and testament, dated 8/1/1737 was probated on 12/14/1737 by Samuel Smith, George Taylor and Edward Scott. (Ref. 9)."
"She bequeathed 20 shillings each to the following children: John Belt, Joseph Belt, Benjamin Belt, Jeremiah Belt, Charity Mullikin, Sarah Harwood and Margaret Watkins. To her son-in-law Nicholas Watkins, she willed 5 lbs. and certain personalty to her grand daughter Mary Norwood. The residue was bequeathed to her grandson, Nicholas Watkins but in the event of his death without issue before 21 years of age, then the estate was to pass to her two grand daughters, Elizabeth Watkins and Anne Watkins."
"On 2/2/1687, John Belt was named as one of the overseers of the estate of Richard Tyings of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. At this time Richard Tydings devised to his daughters, Elizabeth and Charity, equally 300 acres of unnamed land in Baltimore County. It is generally stated that he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Richard Tydings. While no absolute proof has been found so far as this research has been carried out, there are definite circustantial evidences:.
11/17/1698. The thirteenth day of May Anno Domini 1697. I, John Belt the Elder, of the county of Anne Arundel in the Province of Maryland, planter, being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and disposing memory, praised be God for the same, do constitute, ordain and appoint this my last will and testament in writing and hereby revoking and making null and void all wills and testaments heretofore by me at any time made and this to be deemed taken and stand for my only last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say): "I give, grant and devise unto my eldest son John Belt all that my two hundred acres of land and plantation scituate and being in the county of Anne Arundel aforesaid called or known by the name of "Velmead" together with all the edifices, buildings, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the same unto him and his heirs forever, except only as is hereafter excepted. Also, I give and bequeath unto him my son John's one cow and calf, likewise the gun I bought for him and the flock, land, and furniture now already in his possession."
"I give, grant and devise unto my beloved wife, Elizabeth, my executrix herein after named, all that my now dwelling plantation and one hundred acres of land thereunto belonging, to have and enjoy the same with the appurtenances to her own proper use, benefit, and behest for and during out ye whole term of her natural life, without converting or waste, provided and on condition that my said wife shall in writing under her hand and seal acquit and release all her right title and claim of dower in to or out of my other lands, devised by this my last will when thereunto reasonably required and other ye decease of my said wife, Elizabeth my mind and will is."
"And I do hereby give and devise the same my now dwelling plantation and one hundred acres of land with ye appurtenances unto my second son Joseph Belt to have to hold the same from ye time of ye decease of his said mother unto him and his heirs forever (except only as is herein after excepted). Also I give and bequeath unto him my son Joseph one cow and calf and my black horse called Snip and likewise my own gun and further I give, grant, and devise unto him my said son Joseph Belt one hundred acres of land part of my three hundred acres called "Belt's Posterity" lying at ye head of Gunpowder River in Baltimore County fairly to be deducted and laid out without manifest prejudice of ye residue to have and to hold the same in him and his heirs forever (except only as is hereinafter excepted)."
"I give, grant, and devise unto my third son Benjamin Belt all ye residue and remainder of my said land called "Belt's Prosperity," containing two hundred acres be ye same more or less, to have and to hold unto him and his heirs forever (except only as is herinafter excepted). And also I give unto him my son Benjamin one cow and calf and my roane mare hereby willing and requiring him my said son Benjamin to give unto my nephew Thomas Ramsey the first mare colt that ye said mare shall bring and deliver the same to him when fit to wean."
"I give and bequeath unto my eldest daughter Elizabeth Belt one mulatto boy named Issop and also the sum of ten pounds sterling money each to be paid and delivered at ye time she attains to ye age of sixteen years or day of marriage, which shall first happen."
"I give and bequeath to my second daughter Charity Belt my negro girl named Sarah and also the sum of ten pounds sterling money each to be paid and delivered her at ye time she attains ye age of sixteen years or day of marriage which shall first happen."
"I give and bequeath unto my youngest daughter Sarah one cow and calf and also the sum of ten pounds sterling money each to be paid and delivered to her at ye time she attains ye age of sixteen years or day of marriage which shall first happen."
"Provided always and my mind and will is hereby declared to be that if it so happen that all or any of my said sons (that is to say), John, Joseph, or Benjamin, shall die before ye attaining of one and twenty years of age or issue lawfully begotten of their respective bodies then the plnatations and lands given and devised unto him or them as aforesaid that shall so happen to die shall go and decent unto ye eldest of my daughters before named to have and to hold the same to her and her heirs forever."
"Provided also further my mind and will is that if any of my three daughters before named vizt. Elizabeth, Charity and Sarah shall happen to die before she or they attain ye age of sixteen years or intermarried then her or their legacy hereby before given or bequeathed shall go and decent to ye surviving sisters equally divided or the longest survivors of them."
"And lastly ye residue and remainder of all and singular my goods and chattels whatsoever and wheresover that after my just debts paid and legacies before given with funeral expenses satisfied shall remain due unto me. I give and bequeath ye same unto my loving wife Elizabeth Belt, whom I do make, ordain, constitute, and appoint whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. John Belt."
"Signed, sealed in the presence of John Tidings, Charity Jordan, Ann Smith, Thomas Hodges, Daniel Peirce, Darby Sweany, and Ann Peirce."
"At ye end of the aforesaid will was those endorsements following. Then did John Tiding and Daniel Peirce make oath before me being witnesses to ye above writting that they saw the testator sign, seal and declair ye same as his last will and testament and that at ye time thereof to ye best of their judgments he was of sound disposing mind. Kenelm Cheseldyn, Commissioner General. November the 17th, 1698. Then came Charity Jordan and proved this will before me in like manner as the other two witnesses have done. Kenelm Cheseldyn, Commissioner General. Colonial Maryland Wills, Annapolis, Maryland. Liber 6, folio 175."
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Categories: Virginia Colonists
FamilySearch record for John ( https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MDC5-K2G ) lists marriage to one wife.
The Elizabeth linked to his for spouse ( https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L62T-PHR ) has this note:
"This person is not Elizabeth Tydings. Please read her life sketch and examine the record under sources ""Evidence Elizabeth Tydings married Robert Crump and did not marry John Belt or John Lamb". Researchers from 20-100 years ago mistakenly listed this Elizabeth as Richard Tydings' daughter, and there are probably thousands of trees that list that incorrect information. As more records came to light about 20 years or so ago, those proved that Richard Tydings's daughter Elizabeth married Robert Crump. The maiden name of this Elizabeth is not known. See additional analysis of these families at: http://fzsaunders.com/tydings.html "
Something is wonky...
I have a ? - In bio., Mom is listed as Anne (Craggen) Belt but her wikitree record says her name is Margery (Cragges) Belt. Which name is right?
Is his wife (from bio)? Elizabeth Tydings
My Belt line starts with my Mother, Rosalie Ann (Boyer) Whitfield and her Mother, Dorothy Norene (Belt) Boyer, Frye & on down the line I found on wikitree.
Thanks, Kathy (Whitfield) Stepp