Notes for Joseph Belt

Notes for Joseph Belt

!Md Arch vol 35,folio 57: He was a member of the House of Burgesses 1727-1729
Colonel Commanding P.G. Co Militia 1754-6
Justice of Peace for P.G. Co. 1726

He patented land called Chevie Chase Jan 12, 1721, 550 acres and later enlarged to 1,000 acres. It lies just north of now Washington City. The name is derived from Cheviot Hills, a line of hills which separates England from Scotland. In 1725 Col belt built the Chevy Chase Manor House. It was built of brick 2 and 1/2 stories tall, with a hip roof. It was located about 400 yards SE of the now Chevy Chase Circle. It was razed in 1907 to make way for improvements. It was in excellant condition when it was torn down.

"Early Families of Southern Maryland" -according to MD Deponents, Joseph was 38 in 1719. Near the entrance of All Saint's Church at Chevy Chase Circle, Wash D.C. is an inscription on a large stone: Col Joseph Belt, 1680-1761, Oatentee of hevy Chase, Trustee of the first free school in Md, one of the founders of Rock Creek Parish, Member of the House of Burgesses, Col of Prince Georges Co, Militia during the French and Idian Wars.

"First Families of America"- owned 1,000 acres; keeper of the Great Seal; gent, justice, Prince Georges Co Md,. 1726-28; burgess, 1725-37; commd. lt. col., of militia, 1728-61; mem. Col. George Beall's Troop of Horse, 1748; trustee for first free schs. in Md,; owned Freinds Choice, Belts Discovery, Belts Hunting Quarter, Good Luck, Addition to Good Luck, Oronoko, Seneca Hills, Friendship, Arthurs Seat, Thompson's Lot, Belt's Pasture, and Chelsea; planter and surveyor ( John(8) of Anne Arundel Co., Md., m Elizabeth Tidings; Humphrey (9) )