Moses BELCHER

Notes:

Name:
Moses Belcher, born about 1635, was a husbandman, and resided in Braintree, inheriting his father's homestead. He is called "Corporal" Belcher in the records. He died July 5, 1691, and in his will, dated three days before, he mentions his wife; daughter Mary Bass; other daughters to have portions equal to that given Mary; son Moses (then under age) to have the whole homestead; brother Alexander Marsh and cousin Joseph Belcher overseers; wife sole executor. (Suffolk co. Probate.)

He married, May 23, 1666, Mary Nash, probably a daughter of James and Alice Nash of Weymouth, Mass., as Moses Belcher was a witness on a deed made by them, May 22, 1666, the day before his marriage. (Suffolk Co. Deeds, vol. 5, p. 82.)

On Dec. 31, 1797, Mary Belcher, widow, and Anna Belcher, spinster, Moses Belcher, Joseph Bass, Ichabod Allen andElizabeth his wife, Jabez Athern and Katherine his wife, and Joseph Brackett and Mehitable his wife, being all the children of Moses and Mary Belcher, conveyed land of said Moses, deceased. (Suffolk deeds vl. 36, p. 70.)

Moses married Mary NASH on 23 May 1666. Mary died after 1707. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary BELCHER was born on 8 Sep 1668 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; died on 2 Nov 1707 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts.
2. Elizabeth BELCHER was born on 25 Apr 1679.

Notes:

Name:
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]