Joseph Belt

     Joseph was born in 1680 in South River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, at All Hallow's Parish. He was the son of John Belt and Elizabeth Ramsey. In a depositionmade in 1715, Joseph gives his age as 35 years. Joseph married Hester Beall, daughter of Ninean Beall and Lady Ruth Moore, in 1706 in Prince George County, Maryland. Joseph and Hester had children: John [3/13/1707][m. 3/04/1728 Margaret Queen], Anne [1708][m. 3/10/1724 Thomas Clagett], Rachel [12/13/1711][m. 7/11/1727 Osborne Sprigg], Joseph [12/19/1717- 8/27/1761][m. 1736 Anne Sprigg], Thomas [circa 1719], Tobias [8/20/1720-5/17/1785][m. 5/__/1752 Mary Gordon], Mary 12/24/1722][m. 10/101738 Edward Hall, 2nd. Edward Sprigg & 3rd Thomas Pindle], Jeremiah [4/04/1724-1/18/1785][m. 5/21/1746 Mary Sprigg], Humphrey [1726][m. Mary Brooke] & James [7/23/1727]. Joseph remarried, circa 1733 to Margery Wright, widow of Thomas Sprigg III. During his life, Joseph aquired a large amonunt of land contained in numerous plantations which he dispersed in his will. He was well thought of in his community and held many offices during his life. Sometime in the period of 1727-28, he obtained the title of Colonel of the Prince George's County Militia and served during the French and Indian War.

Joseph made his will on 14 June 1761 at Prince George's County.

In his will he gives: To wife Margery ½ dwelling plantation – To son Humphry Belt remainder called “Chelsea Hohim” – To son John Belt – To grandson Joseph Sprigg for the occupation of his mother Rachel Sprigg slaves: at her decease to her sons Osburn and Thomas Sprigg – To daughter Mary Pindle 10 lbs. money – To daughter Margery Lyles 5 shillings currency – To son Tobias Belt 2 slaves – To son Jeremiah Belt land in Prince George’s County called “Good Luck” and “Addition to Good Luck” – To grandson Richard Belt son of Jeremiah slaves – To children of son Joseph Belt ½ part of tract lying in Frederick County called “Chevy Chase” – other part of said tract unto William Belt divided by Edward Sprigg and Humphry Belt – To Thomas Belt 10 hgs and 10 head of cattle – To William Belt slaves, All slaves on the said plantation of tract of land called “Che     vy Chase” to be divided as near in value as may be between grandchildren Charles, Elizabeth, Anne and Joseph Belt, children of Thomas – To Thomas Belt tract in Frederick County called “Seneca Hills” – To grandson Joseph Belt, son of my son Joseph Belt land in Frederick County called “Friendship” – To daughter-in-law Anne Belt, late of son Joseph, tract of land called “Thompson’s Lot” lying near dwelling plantation of john Sprigg – Executors Edward Sprigg and Humphry Belt – Witnesses: J Sprigg Joseph Ray & John Perry.¹

Joseph departed this life on Friday, 26 June 1761 at the home plantation called "Chelsea Home" at age 81 years. His will was probated on 14 September 1761. The inventory of Joseph's estate was taken on Friday, 13 November 1761. His estate was valued at 2,209.6.7 pounds.