Miscellaneous Belchers in Massaschusetts

"Most men gaine little during King Williams and Queene Anne's Wars , especially those who did the fighting. Other men, already rich, multiplied their wealth.

Andrew Belcher of Boston , who had grown wealthy on provisioning contracts during king Phillips war in 1675-76, combined patriotism with profit in King williams and Queene Anne's Wars by supplying warships and outftting the New England expeditions to Canada.

As one of the favored recipients of the fruits of war, Belcher became a local Titan, riding through Boston's crooked streets in London built coaches, erecting a handsome mansion on State Street, and purchasing slaves to symbolize his rise to the pinnacle of New England Society(p90).<br>

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The underlying tension between the new economic freedom and the older concern for the public good erupted only with food shortages or galloping inflation. The American colonies experienced none of the punishing famines that plagued Europe during that period.Such a moment struck in boston during Queen Anne's War. <Br>

Merchant Andrew Belcher contracted to ship large quantities of wheat to the Caribbean, where higher prices guaranteed him greater profit than he could obtain in Boston, Ordinary neighbors, threatened with a bread shortage and angered that a leading townsman would put profit ahead of community needs, attacked one of Belcher's grain-laden ships in 1710. They sawed through the rudder and tried to run it aground in order to seize the grain. The grand jury, composed of substantial members of the community, hinted its approval of the violent action against Belcher by refusing to indict the rioters."(p115)<Br><Br>

source:<Br>

"The American People, Creating a nation and A Society, ":Vol #1 to 1877 Chapters 3 and 4: Copyright 1986 Harper and Row pubNY.

King Philip's War

Belcher, John

assigned his wages Aug 24 1676 to Braintree township

Belcher, Joseph

Quartermaster 2 lb 1 shilling.Mount Hope Campaign under Captain Prentice

Captain Prentice was appointd A special group June 24 1675, the indians began firing from the bushes across the river, twelve volunteered to go over the river and drive them off, these were commanded by quartermaster Joseph Belcher and Corporal John Gill , the indians fired upon them, wounding Mr Belcher in the Knee and killed his horse, and shot Gill in the chest but his buff coat and several thicknesses of paper saved him.the troopers were forced to retreat.

Page 81

soldier Grantee: Andrew Belcher Esq. claimant: His excellency Jonathan Belchers son.

Captain Jonathon Remington and his men.Jonathon Remington was the son of John Remington of Newbury he married Martha Belcher daughter of Andrew July 13th 1664 page 278

source: Soldiers in King Philip's War 1675-1677 NARRAGANSET Townships, Grantees and Claimants Page 431

Joseph Sill of Cambridge married Dec 5 1660 Jemima Belcher daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Danforth Belcher of Cambridge.

Captain Sill relieved the command at Brookfield August 5, 1675 page 266

June 24th 1676

Andrew Belcher of Cambridge a prominant merchant with vessesl operating between Conneticut and Mass ports, A, Mr. Church speaks of the opportune arrival of Andrew Belcher at Wickford with a vessal laden with supplies as saving the army. page 198

source: The First Settlers of New England, Appendix page 337:

Belcher, Andrew

died before 1681 his wife Elizaabeth died 4 June 1680 his daughters married respectively, a Blowers, a Remington, a Ballard, and Joseph Sill.

His son Andrew was one of the council of safety 1689 and council of the province from 1702 to 31 Oct 1717 when he died at age 70 leaving one son Jonathan the Gov of Mass, NH and NJ.

William Payne of Ipswich who came in the "Increase" 1635 age 37 died in Boston 1660 leaving a will and several people mentioned in the will. Jeremiah Belcher 40 shillings.

Belcher, from old French word Bel-chere meaning good cheer or fine entertainment.

Belcher, Andrew on record at Salisbury Mass 1639

Belcher, Gregory born England 1606 was at Boston Mass 1634 propriotor at Braintree 1637

Belcher, Jeremy settled at Ipswich Mass 1635

Belcher, resident at Braintree before 1656

13 March 1638 Jeremy Belcher magistrates of Ipswish gave oath of freedom to Jeremy Belcher.

History of New England, 1630-1649, Vol. II, Appendix, Page 449

The Colonial Clergy and Churches of New England, Surnames, A-B, Page 30

Belcher , Joseph, born Milton May 1669 son of quartermaster Joseph and Rebecca Gill Belcher

oradained Dedham Nov 29 1693 settled in Dedham Artillery election ceremony 1698

election sermon 1701 portrait in oils hangs in first church dedham died Roxbury April 27 1723.

Belcher Joseph, born Braintree Aug 19 1704, son of Deacon Gregory and Elizabeth Ruggles Belcher

May 17 17 28 called to Walpole, dismissed May 5 1729

ordained Octo 6 1731 Easton 1731-1744 settled easton dismissed April 16 1744 died: 1773.

Belcher Samuel Belcher born Ipswich 1739 son of Jeremiah settled Isle of Shoals New Hampshire

1660-1692 . Nov 10 1698 ordained West Newbury First Church. died Ipswich March 10 1714.

source: Ancestral Heads of New England Families, Surnames, A-B, Page 19

Belcher Sam'l 1 2 3 Braintree 195

Belcher Sam'l 1 2 Braintree 195

Belcher Tho's 4 1 5 Braintree 195

Belcher Joseph 1 1 4 Braintree 195

Belcher Willi 1 2 1 Braintree 195

Belcher John 1 4 5 WRENTHAM 210

Belcher Samuel 2 3 5 Boston/Island 195

Belcher Sam'l 2 1 Dorchester To 198

Belcher Elez 3 3 5 Foxborough To 200

Belcher Moses 1 2 3 Milton Town 204

BELCHER, ANDREW 166

BELCHER, MR 183 184

BELCHER, SAMUEL 166 176

BELCHER, SARA 301

source: "A sketch of the history of Newbury, Newburyport, and West Newbury, from 1635 to 1845", by Joshua Coffin (1845).

Reserched by: Gayl Wells and Greg Belcher October 2001