This Website is set up as a research site of the Belcher Family and related surnames.
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HUGH BELCHER 1460 ENGLAND
Hugh Belcher 1460 and Havis Belson England
John (Johannes) Belcher 1478 and Elizabeth Saunders England
Edmund Belcher 1506 and Emma Wirely (Wryley) England
William Belcher and Margaret Kinnerly and Elizabeth Rainde 1525 England
Henry (Thomas) Belcher and Mary Mitchell 1565 England
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The genealogy before this is the accepted line by many
We have found no solid proof That the above families are
positively connected to the line from here on out:
There is no indication that all Belcher's in England descended from Hugh Belcher.
The rest of the genealogy from Thomas Belcher in Virginia is pretty well documented:
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William (Thomas) Belcher and Tabitha Bartlett 1600 Virginia
Robert G. Belcher 1640 Virginia and Phoebe Isham
John Belcher Sr. 1670 Virginia and Mary Elizabeth Frogley
Richard D. Belcher 1710 and Mary Obedience Clay Virginia
Isham E. Belcher 1732 Virginia and Elizabeth Clay
George Belcher 1760 Virgina and Mary Fugate
James Belcher 1784 and Nancy Bishop
James Davidson Belcher 1829 and Polly Drake McCombs
George Washington Belcher 1851 and Mary Polley Ky.
Allie Sophronia Belcher Chaney Owens 1878 and Abe Chaney KY.
Gypsie Adaline Chaney Ramey 1903,and Teddy Roosevelt Ramey Pike Co. Ky.
The surname Belcher is uncommon and of Old French Origin. The origination of the name came from the old French word Bel-Chere meaning good companion, or good cheer.
The Belcher surnamed appeared in medieval England after William the Conqueor's army came to England in 1066.
Early derivitives of the name was Belcher, Belche, Belesur, Bellasis, Belsher,Belchier, Belsire,. Other variants of the name reached the America's. Belesur is believed to the the original name that our line of Belcher's came from.
The Belcher surname can be found in legal documents in Staffordshire England in the 1100's when Ralph De Belcher was witness to a deed.
"Historical Collections of Staffordshire" Vol 1. Page 291.
One line of Belchers was in Bandon, County Cork Ireland by 1610.
Several of this family were Doctors and emigrated to Ireland and Canada.
One line of the Belcher's were seated in Guilsborough, Northamptonshire England. The earliest known descendant of this branch was Hugh Belcher born around 1460 of Guilsborough listed in "Calendar of Wills", 1510. There is no indication that Hugh was the ancestor of all the Belcher's in England.
Living in the reign of Edward the IV of England, this Belcher family held landed estates and bore the arms:
"Loyal Au Mort" (Loyal even to Death).
description:
Paly of six, or (Gold) gules (red), a Chief Vair. Crest, a greyhounds head, erased (not couped or cut off but torn off), and Ermine. The greyhound symbolizes alertness in the discharge of duty. The Chief signifies dominion and authority, and ermine and vair (fur) authority and honor. Ermine and vair are the oldest of furs of heraldy and denotes generosity and elevation of mind. Gules denotes military fortitude and magnanmimity.
The Pedigree of Belcher was entered into the "Visitations of Warwickshrie and Northamptonshire" in 1619.
Hugh Belcher was born around 1460 in Staffordshire England and married Havis Belson daughter of Thomas Belson of Brewood in Staffordshire.
John Belcher was born in 1478 in Warwickshrie England. Married Elizabeth Saunders of Bedworth Co. Warwickshire. He died in 1529 and was buried in the Guilsborough Church.
Edmund Belcher Was born in 1506 at Guilsborough Northants.
He married: first Alice Spencer daughter of Thomas Spencer of Evenrdon Co. Northampton and had two sons, Hunfrey and John. He married Secondly Emma Wirely (Wryley) of Hampstead Co. Staffordshire. daughter of Cornelius Wirley.
"During the reign of Henry VIII, Edmund Belcher resided at Guilsborough, in Northamptonshire, a hamlet of nineteen houses,
was granted to his son, Alexander Belcher, Gent."
Children of Edmund and Emma were>
Description Will of Edmond Belchar or Belcher, Yeoman of Guilsborough, Northamptonshire
Will probated on: Date 25 April 1529
Piece Name of Register: Jankyn
Image contains 1 will of many for the catalogue reference
I desire my body to be buried in the Chancell of St Wylfride of Guilborowe and I bequeath to the mother church of Lincoln 4d. I bequeath to Emma my wife all my household goods belonging to my house and half my farm or lease that i have of my Lord of St. Johns and half my goods, and Alexander, jy son the other half, and I make them mye xecutors, Legacises to my daughters, Joah, ALice, Elizabeth, Anne, Dorothy, and Mary and my sons, William and John. To the four orders of Friars in Northampton, every order 2s6d for a trigentall of mases to be said or sung for my soul and all christian souls. Executors: wife and son Alexander Witnesses Sir Robert Orme, Sir Robert Rose, John Butlyn, William Abbot, John Smyth. Proved: at Lydington 26 April 1529 In the LIncoln Wills Proved: 9 Jan 1528.
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(1) William (also referred to as Andrew) Belcher born 1525 in Northamptonshire England. He married first, Elizabeth Randes and Secondly Margaret Kinerly,
(2) John Gregory Belcher born 1540, Married first, Alice Whirret and secondly, Joane (unknown).
Gregory was born in 1540 in Warwickshire England.
He married first Joane?? and secondly Alice Whirret
A will of Gregory Belcher, yeoman of Berkeswell county Warwickshire dated March 10 1620 mentions wife Joane: son Thomas H. Belcher: sons in law: John Bonney, William Cook and daughters Elizabeth Cook, Isabel Bonney and Alice Pemberton
Putmans Historical Magazine volume 4 page 183.
Children:
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1...Isabel Belcher married: John Bonney
2...Elizabeth Belcher married: William Cook
3...Alice Belcher married:? Pemberton
"Putman's Historical Magazine, volume 4, page 183"
4...Thomas Belcher born at Kingswood England, a Cloth Worker. He died in 1618 Wardend Parish of Aston County Warwickshrie. He was made free 8 May 1612.
"Tilsbury County Court Records"
Married: Anne Solme,
daughter of Andrew Solme of Sandon County of Essex England on the 29th of May 1613, she latter married, Nathaniel Allen (Rector of Danbury in Essex).
Thomas and Anne's children recorded at Wardend Parish:
John Belcher bapt Aug 24 1604, Gregory Belcher Bap 30 Mar 1606 , and Margery Belcher bap 9 July 1615: may have had other children: a William, Joane, Thomas, and Jeremiah
This Gregory Belcher line, is the progenerator of the Gregory Belcher of Ipswich Masaschusetts.
Gregory Belchers Line
He died 10 Feb 1558. Buried at Wenlock but in his will he wanted to be buried at Guilsborough.
Alexander's will dated 1553 left the churches 3s4d. and to his wife he left 6 lb 13s 4d our of my Manorpf Nortoft every year for life. He also left his sisters, daughters on their marriages twentys hillings, to George Belcher fo Lamperd ten ewes and to my Godson his son, a cow, and to his son Richard four ewes. All my lands in Nortoft and elsewhere unbequeathed to my brother William Belcher and his heirs....... Executors, Brother William and Geoorge Robins.
Overseers, John Belcher of Lampperd and John Butlyn of Holywell. source: "Visitations of Warwickshire" 1619.
(4) Elizabeth
(5) Joan
(6) Alice
(7) Anne
(8) Dorothy
(9) Mary
4..1..William was born in 1525 in Northamptonshrie England.
He married first, Elizabeth Raindes (Randes) daughter and heiress of Thomas Randes of Cransley and had two sons and two daughters. then married 24 November 1664. Margaret Kinerly or Kinersley. In will is spelled Kynnersley
Seems to have married Elizabeth Randes his brother Alexander's first wifes daughter by her first husband.
His Will dated 10 Nov 1579
Description Will of William Belcher, Gentleman of Guilsborough, Northamptonshire
Date 06 February 1580 probated
Catalogue reference PROB: 11/62
Dept Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
Series Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers
Piece Name of Register: Arundell
Image contains 1 will of many for the catalogue reference
69 / 59 PDF 1.2 1 330 pages:2
He left his son William all the profits from the mansion where he lived. in Guilsborough and Nortoft for bringing up younger son Edmonde,Thomas, daughters Jane, and Mary.
50 lbs to Jane and Mary at their marriages. IF Jane marry Maurice Swynford she shall have nothing. To cousin Belcher fo Geddidngton and his wife 10s and to Robert Randes and George Kynnersley my brother in law 20 sheep apiece. My wife, 10 pounds a year.
Andrew Belcher and Elizabeth Rainde's children.
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(1)William Andrew Belcher Jr. born 1545 married, 13 Sep 1580 into the Dabredgecourte family, Christian, daughter of Thomas Dabredgecourte of Warwickshire.
source: "Warwick: solihull, Parish Registers", 1538-1688. William Andrew Jr is also listed in the "Visitations of Warwickshire 1613" with date of death as 5 April 1609.
It is stated in one book that he was 23 when his father died. He had great artistic tastes and is commended in Guillims Display of Heraldy. He sketched a large number of heraldic shields which then existed in the Churches of the county either in widows or on momuments. Hi collections are with Bridges in the Bodleian Library.
This line of Belchers descends through:
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(1) Edward Belcher.
Baptized 26 April 1591 Guilsborough.
Emigrated to America.
Edward was sent to New England 1630 on the Winthrop Fleet of Ships by the Mass. Bay Company.
He died March 17 1672 Mass. Bay Commonwealth. Lived in Boston. Father left him 100 lbs and an annuite of 6 lbs 13s. 4d. Edward was born in 1591 (batpt) Guilsborough Northamptonshire England Mrs. Belcher 10 July 1616/23 and Edward Jr. Took an oath as a freeman 18 May 1631 in Boston. A pipestove curler and Soap Boiler.
Married Christian Talmage ,(Wornam) Widow of William Wornam Edward is the 4th son of William And Christian Daybredgecourt Belcher. In his will, dated 17 October 1670 and presented for probate 17 March 1672/3, "Edward Belcher the elder of Boston ... late of Guilsburghe in the County of Northampton in the Realm of England gent." asked to be buried as "near as it may conveniently be to my late wife Christian deceased".died 17 Mar 1672 boston.
Ships records on the "Little James" states Edward and Mrs. Belcher 10 July 1623 and Edward Jr. Took an oath as a freeman 18 May 1631 in Boston. A pipestove curler and Soap Boiler.
(2) Alice Belcher,
(3) William bapt. 26 June 1694 at Guilsborough, twin with his sister Alice.
(4) Mary Belcher,
(5)Thomas Dabridgecourt Belcher bapt Sept 1581 at Solihull Co Warwickshire. Kept 8 terms at Cambridge University. who married Elizabeth Fisher of Warwickshire listed in the "Visitations of Warwickshire 1613" as sonne and heir.
(6) John Andrew Belcher Bap 20 Sept 1582 of Massaschusetts and New Hampshire. Governor Jonathan Belcher of Massaschusetts descends from this line.
Andrew Belchers Line
(7) Margaret Belcher, married Thomas Goldesborough 23 Sept 1603 At Guilsborough.of Wawickshrie."Visitations of Warwickshire 1613"
(8)Mabell Belcher married, William Avery of Fillongley.,"Visitations of Warwickshire 1613",
(9)Thomas Belcher, died in infancy
(10) Anthony Belcher, and
(3) Mary Belcher,
(4) Edmund Belcher.
Children of William and Margaret Kinerly (Kinersley) (5)Robert Belcher born 1564 lived in Kingswood as a weaver.
Robert's line includes Gregory Belcher that married Anne Solne.
"Collections of Robert Dale, Suffolk Herald England, now in the College of Arms".
Information on the following Thomas belcher line came from the "Collections
of Robert Dale, Suffolk Herald, England now in the College of Arms"
- 1...Thomas Belcher
This Thomas Belcher is often mixed up with Gregory Belchers son that married Anne Solme.
Married Margery???
He made his will 1 March 1627 and was probated on the 22 March 1627
"will states: to my son John belcher, 1s; to my son Thomas belcher, 1s:
to my son Anthony Belcher, 1s; to my grandchild John Belcher,
son of Anthony (not yet 21):to my grandchild Anthony Belcher,
son of Anthony Belcher (not yet 21) to my grandchild Elizabeth Belcher
dau. of Anthony Belcher(not yet 21) to my grandchild Joane Belcher
dau. of Anthony Belcher(not yet 21) to Edward Brown
the son of Richard Brown::Executer: my son Anthony Belcher: Overseers:
my good friends: William Bedford(yeomen) and Morgan Mores:
witnesses: Cuthbert Eyre, William Bedford, Margery Belcher
Berkshire England.
2... James Belcher
born 1567 and lived in W. Tilbury England.
He witnessed the will of Robert Bretton brother to Thomas Belcher who was a clothier.
3...Robert Belcher Jr.
born 1580 and lived in Edmonton England.
He married on 6 July 1619 to Elizabeth Ansell at Enfield Parish.
4...Joseph Belcher born in 1582
Married Elizabeth Ashley 11 Jun 1621 at Enfield Parish, father listed as Robert Belcher, a kingswood weaver.
Children of Joseph and Elizabeth:
Children:
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1...Jeremiah Belcher, Married Sarah Weeden
2...John Belcher of Danbury Essex born 1615 died 1672 age 57.
Married Martha Raymond.
Children:
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1...John Belcher
Married Sarah Chalke.
2...Martha Belcher
3...Elizabeth Belcher, married ??? Willis, lives in Hague Holland>
4...Hanna, died unmarried
Henry Belchers Line and Belchers in America
Jeremiah Belcher
Jeremiah was born in 1613 in England, came to America on the "Susan and Ellen" Winthrop Fleet in 1635 to Ipswich Mass. Jeremiah was a merchant. He married mary Clifford who came on the same ship with him, her name is entered next to his on the passenger list.
Jeremiah later, after Mary Cliffords death married Mary Lockwood.
It has been suggested that Jeremiah is Gregory Belcher of Ipswich Mass, brother.
Jeremiah Belcher's Genealogy
Edward Belcher
son of William and Christian Dabredgecourt.
Edward was born 1591 Guilsborough Northamptonshire England died 17 Mar 1672 boston.
Ships records on the "Little James" states Edward and Mrs. Belcher 10 July 1623 and Edward Jr. Took an oath as a freeman 18 May 1631 in Boston. A pipestove curler and Soap Boiler.
Married Christian Talmage Wormwood, sister to William And Thomas Talmage of Harwick England. Widow of William Wormwood. Edward is the 4th son of William And Christian Daybredgecourt Belcher. In his will, dated 17 October 1670 and presented for probate 17 March 1672/3,
"Edward Belcher the elder of Boston ... late of Guilsburghe in the County of Northampton in the Realm of England gent." asked to be buried as "near as it may conveniently be to my late wife Christian deceased".
Gregory Belcher
Gregory was born around 1606 in England, came to America on the Winthrop Fleet of Ships. Is listed as a freeman by 12 May 1640. Gregory was the founder of the Church of Braintree Massaschusetts. His estate was administered 30 Jan 1674 by his widow Katherine. Several areas indicate this was Catherine Alcott. Her will dated 3 Sept 1680 mentions, sons, Josiah, John and Moses; daughters, Elizabeth Gilbert, Mary, wife of Alexander Marsh and Gr. Dau. Mary Marsh. This line of Genelaogy extends to Douglas MacArthur, John Alden, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Andrew Belcher
Andrew was born in 1614 in England and Came to the Massaschusetts Bay Colony arriving in Sudbury in 1639 on the ship "Confidence". He is listed as a tavern owner.
Andrew married Elizabeth Danforth, daughter of Nicholas Danforth of Cambridge.
Savages Dictionary of New England states his (Nicholas Danforth's) eldest Daughter Elizabeth was grandmother of Governor Jonathan Belcher.
These Belchers are listed as early Virginia Immigrants. Virginia changed counties and divided and became other states, so even if a person was named in one county he might be listed in another county at the same time.
Knowing our Early American History of our New England States is essential in genealogy research in that time era.
Belcher, Wm., 1655,(sponosored) by Peter Ford, Gloucester Co.
This William was later transported to Maryland by:
Samuel Smith of Virginia in 1680 Land Record: 500 acres Bettys Delight 20 April 1686
source: Settlers of Maryland 1679-1700
See this page of The Book
Belcher, Walt., 1651,(sponosored) by Capt. Tho. Davis, Northumberland Co.
Belcher, Walt., 1645, (sponsored)by Thomas Davis, Warwick Co.
Belcher, Thomas, 1637, (sponsored)by John Seaward, Isle of Wight Co.
Compiled from land records stored in Richmond, this collection of immigrants is a must for anyone looking for relatives in early Virginia. Each entry also gives the person who sponsored the immigrant to America.
Greer, George Cabel. "Early Virginia Immigrants" 1623-1666. Richmond, VA: W. C. Hill Printing Co., 1912.
sources:
England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland: Parish and Probate Records
For unfilmed original parish records in England, Wales and Scotland go to The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers, under the county of interest. This will direct you the County Record Office where the registers are housed.
A collection of parish and probate records in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland from the 1500s to the 1800s.
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Warwick County, England Visitations, 1619
Citizens of Warwick County, England that were taken in the year 1619 for William Camden, Clarenceux King of Arms, by his deputies, Sampson Lennard, Blewmantle, and Augustine Vincent. Heralds (those in charge of controlling the use of coats of arms under the direction of the Crown) conducted visitations to record the use of arms. Part of this recording included recording the pedigrees of the families using coats of arms.
Pedigrees were recorded because families had to prove their right to bear the arms by showing their connections back to the original bearers. Because coats of arms were passed down through the generations, armory, or heraldry, has much genealogical value. These visitations, therefore, are significant because they provide over 200 pedigree charts as well as several illustrations of coats of arms used by families in 17th century Warwick. Taken from: Herber, Mark D. Ancestral Trails. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1998, pp. 492-494.
Source Information:
Ancestry.com. Warwick County, England Visitations, 1619. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2002. Original data: Edit: Fetherston, John. The Publications of the Harleian Society Volume 12: The Visitation of the County of Warwick in the Year 1619. London, England: Mitchell and Hughes, 1877.
Main Belcher Index
Main Genealogy Index