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An interesting case

from Surname Saturday: Gregory Belcher of Braintree, Mass. Sep 25, 2010

The basic framework of Gregory Belcher was published in the New England Genealogical & Historical Register in 1906, 60:128-29, et seq., by Joseph G. Bartlett. He notes that Gregory was in New England as early as 1637 , but certainly by 30 December 1639 when he was granted land. He deposed in June 1665 aged about 60 years. We know his wife's name was Katherine.

Another Gregory Belcher of Barkswell, Warwickshire left a will dated 20 March 1620 which mentions his wife Joane and son Thomas [Putnam's Historical Magazine, Vol. 4, p. 183]. This Thomas is supposedly the same man who lived at Wardend, Aston, Warwickshire and who had a son named Gregory baptized there on 20 March 1606. A Gregory Belcher married a Katherine Alcock at nearby Mancetter, Warwickshire on 11 December 1627. So this all hangs together. A man with the same name, with a wife of the same name, of the correct age, and who disappears from English records appears in Braintree. I certainly think this is a strong case. However, to really nail it down, we need the will or probate of Thomas Belcher the father.

As I noted in this post, last year the English origins of Gregory's wife, Katherine, and her siblings who also emigrated to New England were published. Gregory had seven children among which was Mary, the wife of Alexander Marsh, with whom Gregory had several land transactions. Katherine Belcher survived Gregory and left a will naming her daughter as Mary Marsh.

Notes

1. GREGORY BELCHER, b. c.30 Mar 1606, Aston, co. Warwick, England, d. 25 Nov 1674 @ age 68; m. 11 Dec 1627, Mancetter, Warwick, CATHERINE ALCOCK, b. c.1610, England, d. 20 Jul 1680, Braintree @ age abt. 70.[9] He was in New England as early as 1637; and on 30 Dec 1639, was granted a lot of 52 acres at Mount Wollaston , for 13 heads, paying 3 shillings per acre for the same . Here he settled, was admitted a freeman on 13 May 1640; and was made a Selectman in 1646. He deposed in Jun 1665 aged about 60 years . By occupation he was a farmer. On 14 Jul 1664,he purchased of John Smith, 9 acres of land in Milton, which he gave to his son, Joseph Belcher, for a marriage portion. On 6 Jan 1657/58 he obtained a lease of the Salter farm in Braintree, from the estate of William Tyng of Boston; and on 15 Jan 1666/67, Gregory Belcher and others bought the Salter farm for L900; Belcher's interest being one eigth.[10] On 26 Mar 1670, Gregory Belcher and his son-in-law, Alexander Marsh, purchased the Iron Works, with 200 acres of land in Braintree; and on 18 May 1671, the same parties bought 40 acres in Braintree Plain of Henry Crane,[11]

He died 25 Nov 1674 @ age 68. The inventory of his estate, showing a total of 629 pounds 5 shillings, was represented by his widow, 29 Jan 1674/75, proved 20 Jul 1680; gives to son, Josiah, a cow ' if he molest not my son Moses in his present dwelling and posessions"; to son, John, a cow and a horse; to daughters, Elizabeth Gilbert & Mary Marsh, and granddaughter, Mary Marsh, some household effects; "to son Moses the great Bible and the whole house and land he now possesses which I declare his father gave him." Sons, Moses Belcher & Alexander Marsh, executors. On 9 Jul 1680, Josiah Belcher, of Boston entered a caveat against the probate of any Will said to be made by his late mother, Catherine Belcher, of Braintree, wid. deceased, until he be present. [12]

6 Children:

Elizabeth Belcher; m. Braintree, Thomas Gilbert, who was in Braintree in 1646.[14]
Josiah Belcher, b. c.1631.
John Belcher, b. c.1633.
Moses Belcher, b. c.1635.
SAMUEL BELCHER, b. 24 Aug 1637.
Mary Belcher, b. 8 Jul 1639; m. 19 Dec 1655, Alexander Marsh, of Braintree.
Joseph Belcher, b. 25 Dec 1641.

Born to Thomas & Deborah Belcher in Aston, Juxta Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. Married Catherine Allcock 11 Dec 1627 in Manchester, Lancashire. England. Their child: Samuel Belcher.

Family links:
Spouse:
Catherine Alcock Belcher *

Children:
Moses Belcher *
Josiah Belcher *
Elizabeth Belcher Gilbert *
John Belcher *
Samuel Belcher *

8 children born to this marriage
i. Elizabeth BELCHER was born ABT 1629 in Mt. Walliston, Norfolk,
Massachusetts. She married Thomas GILBERT.
ii. Josiah BELCHER was born ABT 1631 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts, and died 3 Apr 1683. He married Urania or Ranis
RAINSFORD 3 Mar 1655.
iii. John BELCHER was born ABT 1633 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts, and died 1693. He married Sarah.
iv. Moses BELCHER was born ABT 1635 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts, and died 5 Jul 1691. He married Mary NASH 23 May 1666.

v. Samuel BELCHER was born 24 Aug 1637 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts, and died 17 Jun 1679. He married Mary BILLINGS 15 Oct
1663.
17. vi. Mary BELCHER was born 8 Jul 1639 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts, and died 7 Feb 1678 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts. She married Alexander MARSH 19 Jan 1655. He was born
1628 in , , , England, and died 7 Mar 1698 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts.
vii. Joseph BELCHER was born 25 Dec 1641 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts, and died 1678. He married Rebecca GILL May 1664.
viii. Gregory BELCHER was born 1643 in Braintree, Norfolk,
Massachusetts.