John Belt I (abt. 1645 - 1698)

Born about 1645 in Linhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Unknown) Lamb — married 1679 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

Descendants

Died 17 Nov 1698 at about age 53 in Anne Arundel, Maryland

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Biography

John Belt I was a Virginia colonist.

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:

1. John Belt II 1678 - 1737. Married Lucy Lawrence 1685 - 1727. Findagrave #133077353

2. Col. Joseph Belt 1680 - 1761. Col Joseph Belt was the Presiding Justice of Prince George's County Court from 1726 - 1728. He represented the County in the Assembly from 1725 to 1737. He is styled "Lieutenant-Colonel" in the House Journals from 1725 to 1727, while from 1728 to 1737 he is called "Colonel," implying that about 1727 or 1728 he attained the rank of Colonel commanding the County Militia. Married Esther Beall. Married Margery (Wight) Sprigg - (widow of Thomas Sprigg II). Findagrave #143674892

3. Benjamin Belt 1682 - 1772. Married Elizabeth Middleton 1690 - 1745. Findagrave #94359764

4. Elizabeth (Belt) Watkins abt. 1685. Married Nicholas Watkins -

5. Charity (Belt) Mulliken. Married James Mulliken -

6. Sarah (Belt) Harwood. Married Thomas Hardwood -

7. Jeremiah Belt - (born posthumous). Married Mary Wight -

"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:.

1. Archives of Maryland. Volume 51. Pages 264 - 265.

2. Baltimore County Deeds, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.

3. Wills, Liber 6, folio 40, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.

4. Wills, Liber 6, folio 175, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.

5. Inventories and Accounts, Liber 20, folio 162, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.

6. Register of All Hallows' Parish, MD Hist. Soc., Baltimore, Maryland.

7. Ibid.

8. Wills, Liber 14, folio 55, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.

9. Wills, Liber 21, folio 815, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.

Will

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."

Sources

1. ↑ Humphrey Belt Timeline Humphrey Findagrave #104545913. Anne Findagrave #104553910.
2. ↑ Copy contributed by Mrs Beverly Watts of Willows, California: https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/r/o/s/Russell-Ross/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0404.html

• Maryland Heritage, A Family History. By Katharine Beall Adams, 1983. 421 pages. Pages 79 - 81: "That John and Elizabeth Belt were devout Quakers in the South River community is amply proved by the use of their home for Friends' meetings. It seems likely that his religious belief prevented John Belt from taking active part in the civil or military affairs of the county for there is no record that he held any public office". Google books

• Quaker In The Founding Of Anne Arundel County. By J. Reaney Kelly. Published in 1963. Page 86: "A religious census was made in 1698 when six Quaker meeting places existed. Weekly and monthly meetings were held in the house of John Belt near thePatuxent River, north of present State Route 214 on property now called "Velmead". "That would have been west of Severn Ridge in South River Hundred, per the map of the travels of George Fox. Since John Belt was a Quaker, at least in his final years, it would explain why several younger children of John Belt were baptized at All Hallows after their widowed mother remarried at All Hallows". Google books

• Proof of the remarriage of John Belt's wife, Elizabeth: Anne Arundel County, Maryland Church Records. All Hallows Parish. By F. Edward Wright: "John Lamb, merchant and Elizabeth Belt , widow of John, married7/25/1701. Baptized 12/14/1703: Margaret Lamb (daughter of John Lamb and Eizabeth) & Elizabeth, Charity, Sarah, & Jeremy Belt (of John Belt and Elizabeth)"

• John is buried at the All Hallows Church Cemetery in Birdsville, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA. His page has some family info. It lists and has links to his parents, spouse, 3 children. [1]

• Records show that three families, those of Richard Tydings & wife Charity, William Ramsey & wife Pretiotia and John Belt & wife Elizabeth were all closely related to each other. Their ages, plus the records would suggest that one person from each couple was a sibling to one person from each of the other two couples. What is unknown, is exactly which persons were the siblings. and https://www.acvancestors.com/g0/p747.htm

• Maryland State Archives. Land Office. 1661 - 1664. Page 373 lists: 6/30/1663 Humphrey Belt enters rights for himself, John Belt, Ann Belt and Sarah Belt, and demands Land Vizt. 200 acres Jurat Warrant to Surveyor General to lay out for Humphrey Belt 200 Acres return 30th December next: PDF

• Maryland Historical Magazine. 6/1913. Volume VIII, Number 2. Pages 195 - 202. Lists a brief summary of the Belt Family, starting with Humphrey Belt. John and his family are listed: PDF

• John Belt I 1645 - bef. 1698, 53 years old. Infomation on him with dates, his Father, Spouse, 7 children, dates, sources: [2]

• Colonial Families of the United States Descended from the Immigrants, Page 89 lists information about: John, Elizabeth and their children and John's family. Note: Also on this family see Christopher Johnston. "Belt Family" MHM 8 (1913) 195 - 202 (see below for that source): [3]

• Maryland Historical Magazine, 1913. The University of Virginia. Maryland Historical Society. Digitized 9/7/2007. Pages 195 - 202: Belt Family. Starts with information on Humphrey Belt then onto John Belt & his family with bio's & dates: Google books

• His Father, Humphrey Belt Plus Five Generations. John Belt, son of Humphrey is listed: https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/29893-about-900-descendants-of-humphrey-belt-born-about-1615-probably-in-scotland-died-1696-in-maryland-usa-sailed-from-gravesend-england-on-the-ship-america-landed-at-jamestown-virginia-on-23-july-1635-he-is-generally-accepted-as-the-proge?offset=8 humphreybelt.net

• Belt Surnames on website: [4]

• Page for John Belt Lists his parents, spouse, 7 children with dates & spouses (each one is clickable to take you to their page)

• About 900 descendants of Humphrey Belt 1615 - 1696. Forefather of Belt Families in America. Compiled by Walter Edwin Belt, Jr. 1922 - . 1/1/1997, Texas. 623 pages. Due to copyright restrictions, this book cannot be viewed online.

• Descendants of John Belt, abt. 1645 - Nov. 1698 family tree

• The Belt Family Tree. Starts with Robert Belt, bef. 1548. John Belt, abt. 1678 is listed along with his family: [5]

• Belt of Maryland. "Possible progenitor of this family was Humphrey Belt, baptised 6/18/1624 in All Saints Pavenment, York, NRY. Died 7/31/1632 in Bossall, NRY. Married (1) Margery Cragges + 3 children. Married (2) Anne Graggen, born 1620 & died 1690 Anne Arundel County, Maryland + 1 child" Lists their children, John is number 4. "John Belt, born 1645 Lower Norfork, Virginia. Died 1698 Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Married Elizabeth Tydings, born 1656 Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Died there 1737." Lists their children with dates & spouses: [6]

• Fredric Z. Saunders webpage lists "John Belt, died between 5/13/1697 & 11/17/1698 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Married Elizabeth, whose maiden name is not known. She is NOT the daughter of Richard Tydings and wife Charity, as early researchers believed, but there is an undetermined relation between the families."
• Lists 7 children:
• "1. John Belt (eldest son) born abt. 1678. Married Lucy Lawrence 2/10/1701/2. Living 1737.
• 2. Joseph Belt (2nd son) born abt. 1680. Married 1st Hester/Esther Beall. Married 2nd Margery (Wight) Sprigg. Died 6/26/1761 in Prince George's County, Maryland."
• 3. Benjamin Belt (3rd son) born abt. 1682. Married Elizabeth. Died between 6/19/1772 and 5/28/1773 in Prince George's County, Maryland.
• 4. Elizabeth Belt (eldest daughter)
• 5. Charity Belt (2nd daughter). Married James Mullikin. Living 8/3/1769.
• 6. Sarah Belt (youngest daughter). Married Thomas Harwood 9/11/1718. Died between 2/6/1778 and 11/4/1780 in Prince George's County, Maryland.
• 7. Jeremiah Belt. Born about 1698 after his Father's will was written. Married Mary Wight. Died about 1768."
• "After the death of her first husband, Elizabeth ( ? ) Belt married 7/25/1701 in All Hallow's Parish, Anne Arundel County to John Lamb. "
• "John Lamb wrote his will in Anne Arundel County on 12/27/1714 and it was proven on 6/14/1715."
• "John Lamb and Elizabeth ( ? ) Belt had child: Margaret Lamb. Baptised 12/14/1703. Married Nicholas Watkins. Died between 5/1/1772 and 11/7/1774 Anne Arundel County, Maryland" Has more information about wills for the above (Click on the name to see more): [7]

• Belt family buried in the All Hallows Church Cemetery in Birdsville, Anne Arundel County, Maryland where John is buried. Lists: "Anne (Graggen) Belt 1620 - 1690. John Belt 1645 - 1698. Elizabeth (Tydings) Belt, Lamb 1660- 12/14/1737": [8]

• A History of Anne Arundel County, Maryland: [9] (has a free 7 day trial but you have to sign up to view information)

• Enchanted Family Genealogy Pages. Lists Elizabeth and John's marriage, children with dates & places, her 2nd marriage to John Lamb with dates: [10]

• Belt Families. Descendant Register, Generation Number 4 lists Humphrey Belt & his wife Anne & their children with dates. Generation Number 4 lists John Belt & his wife Elizabeth Tydings (disputed), her parents, their children with dates: [11]

• John is listed in "Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Maryland" Pedigrees of Members 1905 - 1939. Under 7th Generation. Lists John Belt. Died abt. 1698. Page 335 lists John's son: "Joseph Belt, 1680 - 1761 (MD). Burgess for Prince George County, Maryland, 1725 - 37. Lieut. Colonel, Maryland Militia, 1725. Colonel, 1728. Justice, Prince George County, 1726 - 28. [12]

• Belt Family Information and a lot about John's son, Joseph: [13]

• John Belt, son of John Belt and wife Elizabeth Information/Relationships & tydings Family Information: [14]

• Lists marriage of John Belt & Elizabeth Tydings & her father/siblings: [15]

• Will of Richard Tydings, 1687, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Mentions John Belt as one of the overseers of his will: [16]

• Maryland State Archives. Land Office. Patent Record 1661 - 1664. Page 373 (image 192) lists "6/30/1663 Humphrey Belt enters rights form himself, John Belt, Ann Belt and Sarah Belt and demands Land Vizt. 200 acres Jurat Warrant to Surveyor Generall to lay out for Humphrey Belt 200 acres return 30th December next": PDF

• John Belt I & II Bio/Information: [17]

• John Belt I: familysearch Lists his parents, siblings, spouse, 7 children, 23 sources/notes. The birth & christening records do list "Elizabeth" as the Mother.