Notes for John Belt

Notes for John Belt

John Belt, the son of Humphrey, was born in Lower Norfolk Co., Virginia, and brought to Maryland by his father at a date prior to June 30. 1663. He was early engage as a cooper as is shown by his first purchase of land. On June 14, 1675, "John BELT, of Anne Arundel Co., Cooper" purchased from Micheal Offley 101 acres of land being part of a tract of land containing 171 acres called "Friends Choice," situated on the ridge of the Patuxent River. On April 20, 1679, John BELT at the home of George Yate in Anne Arundel County swore to the fact that Richard Mascall at the time of his departure from the Province in the year 1673 was in possession of 230 acres of land then lying in Baltimore County but now in Anne Arundel County known as "Mascall's Rest." At this time John BELT signed his name. On April 29, 1685, John BELT, "Planter" purchased from Thomas Lightfoot and Rebecca his wife of Baltimore Co., 300 acres of land, being a portion of two tracts of land called "Exception" at the head of Gunpowder River which Belt had resurveyed into "Belt's Prosperity." On Feburary 2, 1687, John BELT was named as one of the overseers of the estate of Richard Tyding, of Anne Arundel County. At this time Richard Tydings mentioned his second daughter, Elizabeth, then under the age of sixteen years. While no absolute evidence has been found so far as this research was carried out, to prove that John BELT married his daughter Elizabeth circumstances are quite strong.