Humphrey
Belt
Born about in England
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of
Margery (Cragges) Belt
— married
before 1 Oct 1645 in Virginia
Descendants 
Died after
after about age 48
in Anne Arundel County, Province of Maryland
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| Created 27 Jul 2009
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There are disproven, disputed, or competing theories about this person's parents. See the text for details.
| Humphrey Belt resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies |
Biography
This profile is part of the Belt Name Study.
Humphrey Belt was born in England.
1615 Birth and Parents
There is only one source presently known from which a birth date can be calculated: the Passenger List of the ship "America" which set sail from Gravesend, Kent, England in 1635. [1] In this list Humphrey Belt was aged 20 in 1635 [2] hence he was born in 1615. His parents are not known.
1635 From Gravesend to Jamestown
The America captained by William Barker, sailed from Gravesend, Kent, England, and arrived in Jamestown, Virginia 23 June 1635, [1]
Humphrey landed in Jamestown, Virginia 3rd July, 1635 at the age of 20. [3] [4]
Manifest and Certificate
The ship's manifest states that "These underwritten names are to be transported to Virginia imbarqued in the America. Each person on the manifest was required to certify their conformity to the Established Church:
- William Barker, Mr (Master) P. Cert. from the Minister of the town of Gravesand of their conformite to the orders and discipline of the Church of England." Signing the certificate was required for passage.
- Among the fifty or more names found was the signature of "Humphrey Belt" and his age as twenty years. [2][5]
Under the Protection
Humphrey Belt sailed "under the protection of William Clarke" meaning that Humphrey had contracted to serve as an indentured servant to Clarke and his heirs and assigns--usually for a 7 year perid at that time and place. [6] Typically, the initial holder of the indenture, Clarke, would then sell the indenture to planters at the port of arrival.
26 Sep 1635 - Debenture Contract: Age 20 Humphrey's contract was for a term of 7 years from the day he stepped ashore in Virginia and was made between himself and William Clarke and he remained in his employ for 3 years and 5 months. It's unknown whether his work for William Clarke was as an agricultural labourer, in house manservant or clerical.[1]
1636 Land Grant in Virginia
On September 29, 1636, William Clarke was granted 450 acres of land in Henroco County on the Appomattox for the transportation of nine persons, among whom was Humphrey BELT.[7]
William Clarke was granted 450 acres of land in Henrick County, Virginia, on the Appomattox River for the transportation of Humphrey Belt and eight others. [1]
1640 Servant of Henry Rutkin
30 Mar 1640 - Debenture Assignment: Age 25 A Court Order issued by the Court at Lower Norfolk, Virginia directed Henry Rutkin to pay 'country dues' (an employment tax) for Humphrey Belt, who was his servant, owed for the past year.[1]
1641 Completion of Indenture
15 Mar 1641 - Debenture Assignment and end of Servitude: Age 26 A Court Order issued by the Court at Lower Norfolk, Virginia directed James Warner to provide 'clothes and necessaries' for Humphrey Belt for completing the full term (7 years) of his indenture'. There is no evidence of any land transfer of 50 acres to Humphrey Belt. [1]
The next year, 26 May, 1642, James Warner, to whom he had served, filed a claim for land for the transportation of Humphrey Belt, Darmer Flashallon, John Hamon, Christophere Pettyface and Stephen Block and amounted to 250 acres.
Coumbe identifies this as a claim that was false -- but successful. Whether Humphrey was unknowingly a participant in this, or not, is open to conjecture. "Many abuses of the privilege granted occurred, and on 9 December 1712, a proclamation was issued by Gov. Spotswood, ordering all certificates to be examined and re-affirmed. The following entry will serve as a fair example of the methods combatted:" Certificates granted to (illegible) for 200 acres of land for his own transportation into The Colony four times 12. There is no evidence still that Humphrey, himself, yet had title to any land.[1]
1646 Land Purchase
On 10 Aug 1646 at age 31, Humphrey Belt purchased from Harry Nichols 150 acres of land in Lower Norfolk County which had been patented by the said Nichols. [1]
Humphrey Belt purchased from Henry Nicholls 150 acres of land in Lower Norfolk County which had been patented by Nicholl on August 10, 1646 .[7]
he later sold this land to Thomas Cartwright, who sold to Abram Thomas, who sold to Thomas Watkins. These various transactions are all shown in Patent book # 5, page 569, at the Virginia Land Office at Richmond.[7]
1647 Land in Virginia
In 1647, Humphrey Belt "of Elizabeth River Parish, Virginia" deeded 75 acres of land. [4]
1647 Claiborne and Kent Island
Harris reports that Humphrey Belt undertook militry service with Gen Claybourne on Kent Island (Chesapeake Bay) in 1643 or 1645. [8]
1647 Land in Maryland
Harris reports that Humphrey Belt is on a 1647 deed in the South River Maryland area. [8]
1649 Land Claim for Transporting wife Margery Cragges
Saunders reports that on 1 Oct. 1649 Humphrie Belt of Lower Norfolk County, VA made oath that he was due 50 acres for transporting Margery Cragges his wife [9]
Coumbe observes the implication that Humphrey married Margery Cragges before 1 October 1649, the date of the new ledger at the Court, Lower Norfolk.
Coumbe adds that while no marriage record has been found to date but the land grant record shows Humphrey was given 50 acres of land for having transported, Margery Cragges (his wife). Coumbe can only speculate as to when Margery became his wife, before, during or after the voyage.[1]
1652 Home Plantation
The plantation of Humpfrey BELT lay on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River as is shown by the following patent to Thomas Cartwrght. The latter received on December 1, 1652, in Lower Norfolk County, 300 acres of land "near the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River beginning at miles end of John Porter near the main swamp running west be south by Humphrey BELT's.[7]
1654 Property in Virginia
The last record known of "Humfrey" BELT in VA was on 15 March 1654 [1654/5], when he was sued by Thomas JAYNES for a debt of 338 pounds tobacco. [10]
Humphrey Belt "of Elizabeth River Parish, VA" deeded 75 acres of land. In 1654, Humphrey Belt was granted 220 acres in "Linhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk County, Virginia" for transporting five persons into the Colony. [4]
The land lay in Linhaven Parish, Lower Norfolk County " beginning at Thomas Matin's Creek, running along be Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River adjoining to Goldsmith's land and by Mr. Sidney's, [11]
The grant was for transportation of five persons to Virginia, namely, Mary Cragge, Randall Hewett, John Cooper, Simon Robonson and George Gay."[7]
Humphrey's plantation lay on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River as is shown by a patent to Thomas Cartwright who received on December 1, 1652, in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, 300 acres of land near the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, beginning at 'Miles End' of John Porter near the main swamp, running southwest by Humphrey Belt's (plantation).[1]
Transcription of document:
- "Whereas, to all whom it may concern know that I, the said Richard Bennett Esq: do give and grant unto Humphrey Belt two hundred and twenty acres of land lying in Lynnhaven Parish in the County of Lower Norfolk beginning at a small beck called Thomas Martin's Creek and running alongside the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River southwest 110 poles to a marked oak tree, joining to Goldsmith's land thence running southeast 320 poles, thence northeast 110 poles and alongside Mr. Sidney's land northwest 320 poles to the beginning. The said 220 acres of land are due to the said Humphrey Belt by, and for, the transportation of five persons into this Colony. He to have and to hold and to yield and pay the agreed payment to be made on the date, 4th of June 1664. [1]
1663 Arrival in Maryland: Humphrey and Three Children
On June 30, 1663, he appeared at His Lordship's Land Office in St. Mary's City and proved his rights to 200 acres of land for his own emigration and transportation of three members of his family. [7]The following is an exact copy of the original warrant: "30 June 1663, Humphrey Belt Enters Rights for himself, John Belt, Anne Belt, and Sarah Belt, and demands land Vizt. 200 acres. Warrant to Surv. Genl. to lay out for Humphrey Belt 200 acres. Return 20 December next."[1]
Saunders notes that the first record of Humphrey Belt in Maryland was on 30 June 1663 when he entered rights for 200 acres for the transportation of himself, John Belt, Anne Belt, and Sarah Belt.[12] [13]
Saunders adds that the move of Humphrey and his three children from Virginia to Maryland may have occurred at any time between 1655 and 1663. Often a number of years may have passed between the actual transportation to MD, and the claiming of land. Sometimes land was only claimed for part of the family at one time, with the remainder claimed at a different date. If that happened, then Humphrey Belt may not have claimed land for his entire family, intending to claim any remaining land for a different tract. [13]
Skordas shows all four persons, not only John, Anne, and Sarah, but also Humphrey, as being transported, i.e. they had not paid their own passage. [14]
Saunders observes that since no transportation was claimed for his wife Margery, she may have died previous to the move to Maryland. [13]
Death
No records pertaining to Humphrey Belt have been discovered after the 30 June 1663 land request.
Coumbe, observes that it has been suggested that Humphrey lived until 1698, but so far nothing has been found to support this.[1]
Therefore the most accurate statement is that Humphrey died after 30 June 1663.
Some popular genealogies take this to mean that he died in 1663, for which there is no evidence.
Children
If Humphrey was married about about 1649 at the time he claimed transportation for his wife, then the assumed children whom he transported by 1663 could have been born in 1650, 1652 and 1654: [13]
- John Belt born say 1650, given his mother's arrival in 1649. John married about 1677 Elizabeth and died 1698 [13] Other authors, not taking into account Margery's arrival, suggest an earlier birth year. [8] [7] Mike Marshall gives Elizabeth's surname as Elizabeth Tydings, daughter of Richard, and gives him a death date of 17 Nov 1698 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland - probate [15] Find-a-Grave adds that John and Elizabeth had a daughter Charity Belt, who married James Millikin. [6]
- Anne Belt, born say 1652 [13] Harris shows an earlier date of 1647 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, which does not take into account Margery's arrival. [8][7]
- Sarah Belt or Sarah,born say 1654 [13] Harris shows an earlier date of 1648 in Anne Arundel County, which does not take into account Margery's arrival in 1649.
To date there is no further information about Humphrey's two daughters Ann and Sarah. We do not know when or where they were born, whether they survived to marry, or if they died before that was accomplished. The known descent line continued through John Belt.[1]
DNA
- YDNA analysis to follow.
Research Notes
Horatio Somerby Fraud
Some material related to Humphrey Belt's genealogy appeared in work by Horatio Somerby, a purveyor of fraudulent genealogies in the 1800s. This does not mean a particualr item is fraudulent, but it does mean that esearchers are encouraged to be especially cautious in documentating Humphrey Belt's life. [3]
Was Humphrey the son of Robert Belt and Grace Foxcraft?
Find-a-Grave states that he was the son of Robert Belt (1576–1650) and Grace Foxcroft Belt, who died in 1664. [6]
Coumbe states that "it has been proven that Humphrey was not the son of Sir Robert Belt and Grace Foxcroft from Bossall Hall in England. This has been proven through very accurate baptism records that were found for all their children, not one of which was a Humphrey.[1]
Was Humphrey Belt born in North Yorkshire, England?
Humphrey Belt was born in 1615 in North Yorkshire, England. [6]
Humphrey Belt was born abt 1615 in North Yorkshire, England. He was the son of Sir Knight Robert Belt (1576-1676) and Grace (Foxcroft) Belt (1583-1664). [6]
Reflecting the above, Find-a-Grave gives Humphrey the following siblings:
Was Humphrey Belt Baptised at Southward, Surry?
It has been proposed that this is the same Humphrey Belt who was baptized at Southward, Surry, on 12 May 1616, whose profile is here. This theory is disputed by at least some researchers and is still under discussion. That Humphrey has been attached as an unmerged match while this is sorted out.
Was Humphrey Belt really a Birkbeck?
Recent research indicates Humphrey's original surname may have been Birkbeck. This research continues to obtain confirmation, or otherwise. There is no evidence in any public record, whether religious or secular, that Humphrey was a son of either Sir William or Sir Robert Belt of York. [1]
After delving deeper, it was found that there was a Simon Birkbeck (grandson of first Baron Birkbeck) who married Bridgett Belte (name look familiar?) in 1619. Simon had a very close connection with a man named Humphrey Wharton, who provided a living for Simon and his family on his land. [1]
Dione's conclusion is that our Humphrey was named for Humphrey Wharton who died on Jan 1st 1635. It's interesting to note that our Humphrey's departure might have had something to do with Humphrey Warton's death (he boarded the ship America just 5 months later in 1635). It is thought that since the Birkbeck and Wharton families were so close, that there is a high possibility that Humphrey Wharton was our Humphrey's godfather and could have relied on financial support which would have died with him.[1]
When Humphrey left England, he may have arrived at Dartford as Humphrey Birkbeck and landed in Virginia as Humphrey Belt, having taken his mother's surname Belte (minus the "e"). Dione said, "This would explain why, after hundreds of searches by all kinds of people through at least five decades no one has found even a hint of any Humphrey Belt in any parish record in UK so far."[1]
Did Humphrey have a brother Benjamin?
He and his brother, Benjamin, established a small colony. His brother Benjamin later returned to England, his other brother died. He then settled in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. [8]
Was Humphrey Belt also married to an Anne?
Mike Marshall states that about 1635 in England Humphrey Belt married Anne Unknown, born about 1619 in England. She died about 1690 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and that the marriage occurred either in England or Jamestown. [15]
Find-a-Grave show's Anne's last name as Graggen: Humphrey married Anne Graggen (1620-1690) in Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia, in 1645. Humphrey was 30 years old and Anne was 25. Anne was the daughter of unknown parents at this time.[6]
Harris and Hoyt state that Humphrey married 'Anne' Cragges (1620-1690) in Norfolk, Virginia in 1645. Humphrey was 30 years old and Anne was 25. Anne was the daughter of unknown parents at this time. [8] Hoyt adds though that while Humphrey's wife is generally referred to as Anne, insofar as this research was conducted, no proof has been found for the authenticity of the statement.[7]
None of these assertions is documented. Sometimes one sees the names combined as "Margery Anne." However, double given names were extremely rare in the colonial period and a name like "Margery Anne" immediaely suggests an unreliable source unless proved otherwise.
In fact, Humphrey had a daughter named Anne who may be the source of the confusion
Did Humphrey Belt Have Additional Children?
Find-a-Grave lists the following additional children, attributing them to Humphrey and "Anne Graggen Belt" : Jeremiah, Richard, Joseph, Leonard, Susan, and Humphrey. [6]
- Jeremiah, b: 1632 in Prince Georges City, Maryland. No children shown.[8][6]
- Richard, b: 1634 in Prince Georges City, Maryland. No children shown.[8][6]
- Joseph, b: 1636 in Prince Georges City, Maryland. No children shown.[8][6]
- Leonard Belt (not connected), b: 1638 in Prince Georges City, Maryland. No children shown.[8][6]
- Susan"/> b: 1647 in Prince George's City, Maryland. No children shown.[8] Susan Belt b: ABT 1647 in England. Shown with children.[7][6]
- Humphrey, b: BEF 1663 in Virginia. Shown with children.[7][6]
Was Humphrey a Quaker?
A source on Ancestry.com suggests, "We do feel, however, that his movement from Virginia to Maryland, timewise, indicates participation in the Quaker movement, especially when considering that we can prove that his first son, John Belt, was a very active Quaker participant".[6]
No documentation has been found that Humphrey Belt himself was a Quaker. A common patterin in Maryland during this time frame is that migrants to Maryland from Virginia who arrived as Puritans became Quakers several decades later, perhaps in revulsion against the various conflicts in which the Puritans had become engaged.
Sources
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Dione M. Coumbe and the Belt Team., an international team of genealogists researching the origins of Humphrey Belt. Humphrey Belt Timeline. July 2012. A summary of the 44 page Belt Team original entitled "Who was Humphrey Belt?".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 An exact copy from "Licenses to go Beyond the Seas" found in England and printed in Hotten's List of Emigrants. Cited by Hoyt.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Horatio G. Somerby. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Two lists, extracted by Horatio G. Somerby, originally published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register,vol. 3:3 (July 1849) and indexed as no. 8862 in PILI 1984. Cited by Judith Burkhardt. England to Virginia in 1635. In The Second Boat, vol. 2:1 (May 1981), pp. 4-5. Page: 4)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mackenzie, "Colonial Families of the United States of America, Volume II" (page 106)
- ↑ Judith Burkhardt. England to Virginia in 1635. In The Second Boat, vol. 2:1 (May 1981), pp. 4-5. Page: 4).
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 Find A Grave: Memorial #104545913 Memorial for Humphrey Belt 91615-30 Jun 1663) . Burial Details Unknown; Maintained by Stella (contributor 47848948). Find-a-Grave does not require sources and must be considered unreliable. Accessed 21 August 2023 jhd
- ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 John E. Hoyt. Updated Simon Hoyte of Somerset County England with Biblical, World Royalty & Pharaonic Connections. Accessed Dec 29, 2016
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 Jackie Harris, Fraileyclan. Descendents of Johan Danl Freyligh / Frolich / Frailey. My Extended Family, Frailey, Vinyard, Hooten, Hause, Duvall, Harris, Baugher, Belt, Sarver, Ginger, Ledbetter, Thornton, Rutherford Accessed Dec 29, 2016
- ↑ Lower Norfolk Co., VA Deeds and Wills B, p. 123. Cited by Saunders.
- ↑ Lower Norfolk Co., VA Deeds and Wills C, p. 136. Cited by Saunders.
- ↑ 1653-1656 Cavaliers and Pioneers, Patent Book No. 3; [Nell Marion Nugent]; Page 289, Page 268
- ↑ MD Land Patents 5, p. 373 [image 192 of 328].
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Fredric Z. Saunders. Relation of Tydings- Ramsay - Belt Families of Anne Arundel County 12 February 2022. Accessed 21 August 2023 jhd
- ↑ Gust Skordas, The Early Settlers of Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1968. p. 35. Ref Liber 5, folio 373.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mike Marshall. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties. Profile for Humphrey Belt Accessed 21 August 2023 jhd
See also:
- The foundation of the BELT genealogy was published by Christopher Johnston in the Maryland Historical Magazine some eighty years ago.
The family is also covered in
- Elise Jourdan`s Early Families of Southern Maryland Vol 1, Revised
- Robert Barnes` Colonial Families of Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
- Descendants of Richard and Elizabeth (Ewen) Talbott of Popular Knowle, West River, Anne Arundel County Maryland,Compiled by Ida Morrison (Murphy) Shirk
- Harry Wright Newman`s Anne Arundel Gentry Vols. 2 & 3.
There are some branches of descendants that are not in the above mentioned references, such as
- Thomas Belt (b. 1740, son of Joseph) who migrated to Iredell Co., NC
- Sarah Belt who married William Peddicord.
- More about Humphrey Belt in the book: "The Hall family of West River and kindred families" - (page 213).
- "The Original lists of persons of quality, emigrants, religious exiles, political rebels, serving men sold for a term of years, apprentices, children stolen, maidens pressed, and others who went from Great Britain to the American plantations, 1600-1700 : with their ages, the localities where they formerly lived in the mother country, the names of the ships in which they embarked, and other interesting particulars, from mss. preserved in the State Paper Department of Her Majesty's Public Record Office, England : Hotten, John Camden, 1832." 1873 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive https://archive.org/details/cu31924096785278. Accessed 20 Aug. 2023.
- "Humphrey Belt." Humphreybelt https://humphreybelt.net/index.htm. Accessed 20 Aug. 2023. This website is run by the Belt Team, a group of individuals world wide who all have a keen interest in Belt family history and of course anything to do with Humphrey. For more information on how the search for Humphrey began and our Belt DNA project to try and determine Humphrey's family line, go to "Seeking Humphrey" written by Dione Coumbe.
- "The Hall family of West River and kindred families" - (page 213).
- Research Notes on Humphrey Belt. Compiled by Walter E. Belt, 10/3/2000: https://www.ronulrich.com/ulrich/HumphreyBeltMystery.html
- Humphrey Belt LVLQ-54S. Accessed 20 Aug. 2023. Beware of factoids.
- Who was Humphrey?. Accessed 20 Aug. 2023. PDF
- Seeking Humphrey" written by Dione Coumbe.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com
DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. Paternal line Y-chromosome DNA test-takers:
It may be possible to confirm family relationships. Paternal line Y-chromosome DNA test-takers:
- Billy Belt
:
Family Tree DNA Y-DNA Test - Rob Belt :
Family Tree DNA Y-DNA Test 700 markers, haplogroup R-BY104319, FTDNA kit #B778939
- Humphrey Belt profiles clearly the same person Aug 19, 2023.
- Question about Humphery Belt Apr 13, 2020.
- Humphrey Belt Sep 23, 2017.
Unmerged matches › Humfrey Belt (1616-)
This week's featured connections have Italian roots: Humphrey is 18 degrees from Frank Sinatra, 24 degrees from Pasquale Aleardi, 16 degrees from Lucrezia Borgia, 17 degrees from Frank Russell Capra, 18 degrees from Stefano Casiraghi, 25 degrees from Guy Lombardo, 23 degrees from Sofia Loren, 18 degrees from Guglielmo Marconi, 19 degrees from Pope Urban VIII Barberini, 18 degrees from Umberto di Savoia, 17 degrees from Martin Scorsese and 16 degrees from Rudolph Valentino on our single family tree. Login to see how you relate to 33 million family members.
Categories: Belt Name Study | Maryland Colonists | Horatio Gates Somerby Fraud
I have added material from several other of the cited websites. The result is that the areas of dispute are now increased to a number of questions under research notes. Has anyone found a will for Humphrey?
Finally, I have gone through the profile and taken a first cut at editing it down, eliminating statements from weaker sources which simply duplicate statements from stronger sources.
Jack Day -- Province of Maryland Team Leader, Southern Colonies Project
edited by Jack Day
There is a baptism record of a Humfrey Belt in the year 1616 in Southwark with father Richard Belt and mother Elizabeth Humfrey. Southwark is on the banks of the Thames River that is 24 miles from Gravesend the town port that the ship America departed to Virginia.
The age of Humfrey Belt on the passenger list is 20. It would be extremely rare to find another person named Humfrey Belt with birth in the correct year for estimated 1615. If he was baptised in May 1616 that means he was born before that. His parents married in Jan 1613 (Jan 1614 modern calendar) and Humfrey was their first son. Anyway in the 17th century all ages were approximate.
The written name of Humfrey Belt in Secretary Script on the Licence to go beyond the sea and the Baptism record are identical.
I have spent many years researching the Belt family in England and have never come across any name like this. If his name was more common I would agree that no link could be madefor certain. But with this name I am 99% confident it is the same person.