Sarah Elizabeth (Jennings) Belch (1884 - 1953)

Born 13 Nov 1884 in Stevensburg, Culpeper County, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of Iris Elmon Belch — married 13 May 1920 in Washington, District of Columbia

Descendants

Died 2 Oct 1953 at age 68 in Richmond, Virginia

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Biography

Sarah Elizabeth Jennings Belch, (13 Nov 1884 - 2 Oct 1953) Age 68 Family and friends called her “Bessie.”

Birth & Parents

On 13 Nov 1884 in Stevensburg, Culpeper county, Virginia, Sarah Elizabeth Jennings was born, the 5th known child of known 8 children born to Odessa Jacobs and John Jennings.

1901 Bessie Visits the Richmond Fair

Kellys Ford —Mrs. John Willingham, who had been ill for several weeks at the home of her sister, Mrs. Jennie Grimsley, died last Saturday morning. She is survived by her husband and one child. Rev. F. H. James, who has been quite sick with malarial fever, is improving rapidly. Mr. J. W, Jennings accompanied by his daughter, Miss Bessie Jennings, left last Monday morning to attend the Richmond Fair. Mrs. Alice James, of Round Hill, is visiting her brother, Mr. ????? White, who for some time has been 'quite sick, is on the road to recovery. Miss Mary Hull, of Winston, is paying a visit to Mrs. Wine. Miss Mayme Farmer is visiting her sister Mrs. Hotchinson, in Maryland." Published in the Culpeper Exponent, Volume 21, Number 27, Friday, 11 October 1901, page 1. Accessed via Library of Virginia, Virginia Chronicle database: https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TCX19011011.1.1&srpos=61&e=--1861---1903--en-20-TCX-61-byDA-txt-txIN-%22Jennings%22-------

Marriage to Rev. Iris Elmon Belch

On 13 May 1920 in Washington, District of Columbia, Sarah Elizabeth Jennings married Iris Elmon Iris Belch, son of Mary Ann Wishart (3 Jan 1855 - 11 Nov 1934) and Isham James Belch (16 Sept 1849 - 17 Jan 1934) .

3 known Children: 3 Daughters

“Bessie”, as friends and family called her and Rev. I. E. Belch had 3 children, 3 daughters. In chronological order the three daughters were:

• 1. Doris Elizabeth Belch Hunley, (5 Nov 1924 - 24 Aug 2016) Age 91
• 2. Rebecca Ann Belch Walker, (29 July 1926 - 15 Feb 2004) Age 77
• 3. Nell Jennings Belch Mintz, (21 Nov 1927 – 5 Aug 2015) Age 87

Social & Religious Affiliations

• member Southern Baptist
• 1923 W. M. U. President - Novum, Va

Death & Burial

On 2 Oct 1953, in Richmond, Virginia, Sarah Elizabeth Jennings Belch died. She was 68 years old.

Her remains were laid to rest in Gwynn’s Island Cemetery, Gwynn, Mathews County, Virginia. A Find-A-Grave memorial has been created for Sarah Elizabeth Jennings Belch. There is a description of the cemetery and grave, and there are photos of the memorial stone. If you want to you may access the site here Find A Grave: Memorial #62380821.

Sources

1900 US Census

1900 US Federal Census. Stevensburg, Culpeper County, Virginia; Roll: 1705; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0013; FHL microfilm: 124170. ; Sheet Number: 3; Report Dated: 5/6 June 1900; Granville r. Coleman, Enumerator; Number of Dwelling in Order of Visitation: 36; Family Number: 37; House Owned or Rented: R; Farm or House: H; Head of House: John W Jennings, 48; Birth Date: Mar 1852; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Male; Married; Marriage Year: 1878; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Occupation: Merchant Grocer; Months not employed: 0; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Wife: Odessa Jennings, 45; Birth Date: Mar 1855; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Married; Marriage Year: 1878; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Mother: Number of Living Children: 8; Mother: How Many Children: 8; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Daughter: Carrie Jennings, 21; Birth Date: May 1879; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Occupation: Teacher In School; Daughter: Nora Jennings, 19; Birth Date: Oct 1880; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Son: Edgar Jennings, 17; Birth Date: Aug 1882; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Male; Single; Attended School: 5; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Daughter: Bessie Jennings, 15; Birth Date: Nov 1884; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Attended School: 5; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Daughter: Mayme Jennings, 12; Birth Date: Oct 1887; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Attended School: 5; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Daughter: Nellie Jennings, 10; Birth Date: Jan 1890; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Attended School: 5; Can Read: Yes; Can Write: Yes; Son: Harry Jennings, 8; Birth Date: Feb 1892; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Male; Single; Son: Everett Jennings, 5; Birth Date: Sep 1894; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Male; Single;

1910 US Census

1910 US Census. Stevensburg, Culpeper County, Virginia; Roll: T624_1626; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 0023; FHL microfilm: 1375639. Report Dated: 22 April 1910 John Walker, Enumerator; Home Owned or Rented: Rent; Farm or House: Farm; Head of House: John W Jennings, 57; Birth Year: abt. 1853; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Male; Married; Years Married: 35; Occupation: Merchant; Employer; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Wife: Odessa C Jennings, 53; Birth Year: abt.1857; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Married: Years Married: 35; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Number of Children Born: 8; Number of Children Living: 8; Daughter: Bessie Jennings, 26; Birth Year: abt. 1884; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Daughter: Mamie Jennings, 29; Birth Year: abt. 1881; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Daughter: Nellie Jennings, 20; Birth Year: abt. 1890; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Single; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Occupation: Public School Teacher; Out of Work: Y; Number of weeks out of work: 25; Son: Harry Jennings, 18; Birth Year: abt. 1892; Birthplace: Virginia; Attended School: Yes; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Son: Evrett Jennings, 15; Birth Year: abt. 1895; Birthplace: Virginia; Attended School: Yes; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Boarder: Florance Smith, 58; Birth Year: abt. 1852; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Widowed; Years Married: 8: Number of Children Born: 0; Number of Children Living: 0; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia. ##### Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1920 US Census

Stevensburg, Culpeper County, Virginia; Roll: T625_1883; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 24. Report Dated: 21 & 22 Jan. 1920; Marshal L. Walker, Enumerator; Residence: Farm on Bemington Road; Home Owned; Home Mortgaged; Head of House: John W Jennings, 66; Birth Year: abt. 1854; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Male; Widowed; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Occupation: Merchant and farmer; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Daughter: Bessie S Jennings, 35; White; Female; Single; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; Boarder: Iris E Belch, 39; Birth Year: abt. 1881; Birthplace: North Carolina; White; Male; Single; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Occupation: Baptist minister; Father's Birthplace: North Carolina; Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina; Boarder: Florence M Smith, 70; Birth Year: abt. 1850; Birthplace: Virginia; White; Female; Widowed; Able to Read: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Father's Birthplace: Virginia; Mother's Birthplace: Virginia; ##### Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

1930 US Census

1930 US Census. Piankatank, Mathews County, Virginia; Roll: 2450; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 0004; Image: 287.0; FHL microfilm: 2342184

1940 US Census

1940 US Federal Census. Piankitank, Mathews County, Virginia; Roll: T627_4275; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 58-4

1920 Residing in Jacksonville, NC

“Kelly’s Ford, VA News. The Potomac Association met with Mt. Holly Baptist Church last Wednesday and Thursday. There was a very large attendance both days and a great many delegates and ministers were cared for by both members and friends of the church. Misses Ellen McConchie and Pearl Howdershell, of Washington, D. C., visited at the home of Mr. D. B. White last week. Mr. T. T. Jones spent Saturday with his son, Mr. Cameron Jones. Mr. D. J. Coleman, of Washington, D. C., who has been visiting Mr. J. W. Jennings, left Thursday to visit relatives in Brandy and vicinity. Messrs. Edwin White and Wilmer Edwards were Culpeper visitors last Tuesday. Mr. Russell Roberts was a visitor at Mr. J. R. Taylor’s Tuesday night. Mrs. S. G. Roberts visited at Mr. J. W. Dwyer’s Tuesday afternoon. Misses Ora, Susie and Gertrude Dwyer are the guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Dwyer, this week. Mrs. I. E. Belch, of Jacksonville, N. C., is visiting her father, Mr. J. W. Jennings. Miss Edna Corder is spending a few days with her grandmother, Mrs. J. H. Corder. Mrs. P. H. Judd and two small daughters of Perryville, Md., is visiting her son, Mr. C. R. Judd.

Mr. Nolan Roberts is spending a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Roberts. Miss Mary Roberts, of Knoxville, Tenn., is spending her vacation with Mrs. H. E. Dwyer. Mr. and Mrs. Lucy Edwards, of Salisbury, N. C., are spending a few days this week with their relatives in this community. Dr. Powhatan James, pastor of First Baptist Church of Lynchburg, Va., is conducting the revival services at Mt. Holly Baptist Church. Dr. James was reared in this community and is welcomed by his many friends. Mr. George Taylor, of Washington, D. €., spent a few days with his mother, Mrs. P. W. Taylor this week. Miss Maggie Dwyer is visiting her mother, Mrs. Ella Dwyer. Miss Ruth Edwards, of Washington, D. C., is spending her vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Edwards. Mr. John Payne Jr., and family, of Fauquier county, were guests of Mr. C. T. Jones Sunday afternoon. Mr. Keller Walters and family, of Rappahannock "county, were visitors at Mr. J. W. Dwyer's last Saturday and Sunday.” Events published in Culpeper Exponent, Volume 40, Number 19, Thursday, 19 August 1920. Page 16. Accessed via Library of Virginia. https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TCX19200819&e=-------en-20--21--txt-txIN-%22I+E+Belch%22-------

Novum - W.M.U. President

“Haywood and Novum, VA. The W.M. U. of Novum Baptist Church held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, with the President, Mrs. I. E. Belch, presiding. Among some of the ladies present were: Mrs. J. T. Rosson, Mrs. E. A. Yowell, Mrs. J. W. Aylor, Mrs. C. L. Utz, Miss Ida Mills, Mrs. Linton Utz, Mrs. J. F. Rosson, Mrs. Nellie Jones, Mrs. I. E. Belch, Mrs. J. S. Henshaw and Mrs. J. T. Aylor. In closing, business matters were discussed, and the next meeting will be Wednesday after the first Sunday. Come to our W. M. U. the programs are very interesting and we will be delighted to have you with us. The Woman’s Aid Society will meet at Novum Baptist Church Saturday before the first Sunday in December. Anyone wishing to join will be gladly accepted. Mrs. S. H. Carpenter was a visitor at Charlottesville on last Thursday. “ published in Culpeper Exponent, (Culpeper, Virginia) Volume 43, Number 32, Thursday, 15 November 1923, page 4; Accessed via Library of Virginia, Virginia Chronicles database. https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TCX19231115.1.4&srpos=10&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22I+E+Belch%22-------

" Rev, and Mrs. I. E. Belch and baby returned Wednesday from Morrisville where they spent several days with her sister, Mrs. Jones. Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Owens were hosts at a dinner party on Sunday. Their guests included Rev. and Mrs. I. E. Belch and small daughter, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Henshaw, Mrs. B. A. Brown, Misses Mollie and Lena Henshaw, W. C. Garvin, J. D. Brown and Bernard Fauntleroy. Published in the Virginia Star, (Culpeper, Virginia) Volume 6, Number 38, Thursday, 12 March 1925, page 2. Accessed via Library of Virginia, Virginia Chronicles database: https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=TVS19250312.1.2&srpos=7&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22I+E+Belch%22-------