Descendants of Richard Beltoft/Belknap
The earliest known ancestor of Abraham Belknap,the singular Belknap to come to America, is one Richard Beltoft of Sawbridgeworth,Herts who died in the first decade of the 16th Century,i.e,, 1501-1519. There are known to be earlier Belknap/Bealknaps in England most notably Sir Robert de Bealknap known to be of the “Knightly Family” and later called the “Judge’s Family”. This august personage ,born about 1337, held many important posts including that of Chief Justice and was Master of the Manor of Hempstead in Kent County. Despite much research, there is no evidence to link our above noted Richard Beltof to the earlier Sir Robert de Bealknap family. Richard Beltoft married Christian (–).
From the records in the Chancery Suit of Westwood vs Gyrton 1550-1551 we find that Richard owned property of 30 acres of land,meadow, and pasture which was situated in Sawbridgeworth and was called Nidelles. The annual value, estim- ated in 1550, was 40s. He settled this property upon his wife with the proviso that he should retain the use of same as long as he lived; he noted that following his death it should be in accordance with his will. He appointed Thomas Leventhorpe and others as trustees. This will is now lost but the substance of the will is known from some of the dispositions of witnesses in the above mentioned Chancery Suit. In short, wife Christian should enjoy the use of the property until 1st son John came of age at which time the use would go to him and his heirs; if no heirs then to son Laurence and so to son Edmund and so to son Thomas. Son John had heirs
References:PH7:V2:382; FH9:30400; NEHGR:V85:281-282.
Laurence Beltoft,the 2nd son of Richard and Christian Beltoft was b149x and died probably before 2 Feb 1545. This is based upon the fact he was not mentioned by his brother John at the time that John made settlement of the property called Currants; this property had been held twenty years by John’s widow Margaret.She directed that the property should go to Richard Beltoft, son of Laurence who was the brother of John. Laurence was named in his father, Richard Beltoft’s will, as being next in succession, after his brother John and his heirs, for the property called Nidelles in Sawbridgeworth; however, Laurence died prior to this succession of this property.
References:FH9:15200, 30400; FH16:8; PH7:V2:387; NEHGR:V85:286.
Richard Beltoft of Sawbridgeworth,Herts, presunmed son of Laurence and (–) Beltoft, was a farmer who was born about 1520; he disposed in Oct 1550 to be of age thirty or more. An early pedigree shows Elizabeth (–) being the wife of Rochard though this name is not reflected in other documentation. He was buried at Sawbrigeworth on 2 Dec 1599. Richard’s will, in which he left a legacy to his young grandson, Abraham Belknap, reflects that he, Richard, was a well-to-do husbandman,i.e., farmer. It should be noted that the proof of the parentage of this Richard Beltoft has not been found. However, on page 287 of NEHGR V85, we find a rational based upon existing facts and relationships that give strong support of his parentage. Relative to the “last name” spelling it is interesting to note that the termination of “toft” means a low hill while the termination of “knap” has a small hill as one of its meanings.
Richard Beltoft/Belknap’s will was made 20 August 1594. Of significance is his bequest of 10 shillings to Abraham Beltofte son to Bennett Beltoft my Godchilde.
References:PH7:V2:387; FH9:7600,15200; NEHGR:V68:190-194;V85:286-287.
Bennet Beltoft/Belknap, son of Richard was born about 1556-1559 and was a husbandman, i.e., farmer of Sawbridgeworth, Herts. He is mentioned in the will of his Father Richard, being named as sole executor of that will. He is also mentioned in the will of his brother Josias Belknap; he proved this latter will as executor 6 Feb 1599. He was assessed in the lay subsidy for Sawbridgeworth in 1605 and 1606. In 1610, as a Church Warden, he makes his mark with the letter “b” in the Church registers. He married, on 25 May 1586 at Sawbridgeworth, Grace Adam, daughter of Jerome and Elizabeth (–) Adam, who was baptized 26 Nov.1561 at Sawbridgeworth.
Bennet Beltoft/Belknap made his will 14 April 1623; he died 21 May 1624 and his will was proved 15 June 1624 at Sawbridgeworth. His wife and all of his children were spoken of in his will. His wife, Grace, was buried there 29 Oct. 1630
References:FH9:3800,7600; FH316:62-63; NEHGR:V68:194.
Abraham Belknap, the first born child of Bennett and Grace Adam Belknap was bp10 March 1589 at Sawbridgeworth,Herts, The name of his parents are not noted in the baptism record but, as previously mentioned, he is spoken of in his grandfather Richard Beltoft’s will as well as in his Father Bennet Beltoft’s will of 14 April 1623. On 28 October 1617 at Latton,Essex he married Mary Stallion, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Dalton) Stallion, who was baptized on 24 December 1595 at Latton, Essex and died in 1644+ at Lynn, Ma. Mary married, as her second husband, in 1644+ at Lynn, Ma., Francis Ingall.They, Abraham and Mary Stallion Belknap, lived at Latton, Netteswell, and Northweald in County Essex. We see a court record in 1624 of the trial of Emmanual Norrington of Laughton for “stealing seven white sheep, worth five shillings each, from Abraham Belknap of Latton, Essex”.
With his wife Mary and his children, Abraham Belknap emmigrated from Upping Essex to New England (ship unknown) probably about 1635. In 1638 he received a grant of land, forty acres, in Lynn, Ma. His name appears in the case of William Longley vs Herbert Collings and John Hathorne in behalf of the town of Lynn. Among his neighbors at Lynn were Edmund Farrington one of the creditors of his estate and Francis Ingall whose daughter, Lydia, married Joseph Belknap, Abraham’s son. We naturally assume that Lydia Ingall was a daughter of Francis Ingall by a prior marriage.
Abraham’s will was sworn to 20 February 1644. His inventory included a house, 45 acres of land, a number of sheep, cows, goas and pigs [lus the usual amount of household implements and furniture. The net amount of the inventory was L45, 13 shillings, 3 pence. The Essex Antiquarian, V2 Pg183, states that this inventory contains the first mention, in Essex County, of “pot hooks and hangers, brass pots and frying pans, and spit and dripping pans”. All of Abraham and Mary Stallion Belknap’s children were born and baptized in England with the exception of Hannah Belknap who was born at Lynn, Ma. Sons Abrahamn1 and Abraham 3 plus David and Dorcas all died young. Samuel, Josiah, and John came to New England where they married and resided.
References:NEHGR:V68:194-198; V85:289; V104:316-317;FH9:1900,3800, FH316:1-10, 61-66; PH7:60.
Hannah Belknap, the eight child and second daughter of Abraham and Mary Stalltion Belknap, was born in 1639 at Lynn, Ma. and died 29 Nov.1679 at Lynn. She married, on 06 Dec.1663 at Lynn, Christopher Osgood, Capt. Who was born 1643 at Ipswich, Ma. and died 09 May 1723 at Andover, Ma. He was the son of Christopher and Margery Fowler Osgood. Hannah’s husband Christopher had three marriages after the death of his first wife, Hannah Belknap.
References:PH7:547; PH97:337; FH9:1900; FH122:255,259, FH316:61; NEHGR:V68:197; V104:317.