Josiah BELCHER

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Josiah Belcher, born in 1631, was a wheelwright, and settled in Boston, where he acquired an estate on the southeasterly corner of what is now Essex Street and Harrison Avenue, measuring 126 feet onEssex Street, and running back 285 feet to the water. After the death of his widow, a partition as made of this estate among his surviving children on Sept. 20, 1693, which is described and recorded in Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 19, p.158. Further deeds in relation to this property show that all his sons except John and Benjamin died without issue and apparently unmarried, and that his daughter Dorothy died without issue soon after her marriage. (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 40, p.225; vol. 41, p.210; vl. 46, p. 90; vol. 41, p.212.)

He was one of the founders of the Third or Old South, Church and died Apr. 3, 1683, aged 52, being buried in the Granary Burying Ground, where his gravestone still remains. His will made the day of his decease, names wife Ranis, sons John, Jonathan, Joseph, Edward, Nathan, and Benjamin, and daughters Elizabeth, Rebecca, Anna, Dorothy, Abigail, and Ruth. (Suffolk Co. Probate) He married Mar. 3, 1654/5, Ranis, born June 4, 1638, daughter of Elder Edward and Elizabeth Rainsford of Boston. She died Oct. 2, 1691.

Josiah married Ranis RAINSFORD on 3 Mar 1654/5. Ranis was born on 4 Jun 1638; died on 2 Oct 1691. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Benjamin BELCHER was born on 20 Mar 1680/1 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts; died about 1719.

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Gregory Belcher, born about 1606, was in New England as early as 1637, and on Dec. 30, 1639, was granted a lot of 52 acres at Mount Wollaston (Braintree) for thirteen heads, paying three shillings per acre for the same. (Boston town Records). Here he settled, was admitted freeman on May 15, 1640, and was made selectman in 1646. He deposed in June, 1665, aged about 60 years. (Essex Co. court Files.) By occupation he was a farmer. On July 14, 1664, he purchased of John Smith 9 acres of land in Milton, which he gave to his son Joseph Belcher for a marriage portion (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 4, p. 204a.) On Jan. 6, 1657/8, he obtained a lease of the Salter farm in Braintree from the estate of William Tyng of Boston; and on Jan. 15, 1666/7, Gregory Belcher and others bought the Salter farm for L1,900, Belcher's interest being one-eight. (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vl. 5, p. 229.) On Mar 26, 1671, Gregory Belcher and his son-in-law Alexander Marsh purchased the iron works with 200 acres of land, in Braintree; and on May 18, 1671, the same parties bought 40 acres in Braintree plain of Henry Crane. (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 7, p. 172.) He died Nov. 25, 1674. The inventory of his estate, showing a total of L629-5-0, was presented by his widow Jan. 29, 1674/5. (Suffolk Co. Probate.) His wife Catherine survived him, and died in the spring of 1680. Her will, dated Sept. 3, 167, proved July 20, 1680, gives to son Josiah a cow "if he molest not my son Moses in his present dwelling and possessions;" to son John a cow and a horse; to daughters Elizabeth Gilbert and Mary marsh, and granddaughter Mary Marsh, some household effects; to son Moses (who hath all his life carried himself so dutifully to myself and his father) the great Bible and the whole house and land he now possesses which I declare his father gave him." Sons Moses Belcher and Alexander Marsh, executors.

On July 9, 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, widow, deceased, until he be present. (Suffolk Co. Probate.) It does not appear, however, that any contest was made over the estate.

Gregory married Catherine ? in 1631 in England. Catherine died in 1680. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]