Monday, February 22, 2016

Updates continued: Beltoft/Belknap

The Beltoft / Belknap Family: [part one]

First Generation

1.  Richard Belknap/Beltoft12 was born before 1470 in England.1 He died before 1510 at the age of 40 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.1 The Belknap surname, originally Beltoft, means "beautiful" [belle] "crest or summit of a small hill" [knap] or "knoll" [toft]. Other variations: Belnap, Belknappe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belknap_(surname) [The 'k' is silent.]
Richard and Christian Beltoft had four sons and two daughters. Richard owned 30 acres of land, meadow and pasture in Sawbridgeworth called Nidelles. In 1550 the annual value of the property was 40s. Richard left the property to his wife, Christian, until eldest son John turned of age. Laurence, Edmund and Thomas were then to inherit, in that order.

Richard Belknap/Beltoft and Christian [Balknap/Beltoft] were married.1 Christian [Balknap/Beltoft]1 was born (date unknown).

Richard Belknap/Beltoft and Christian [Balknap/Beltoft] had the following child:

              2              i.   Laurence Belknap/Beltoft, born ca 1495, England; died bef 2 Feb 1545, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.

 
Second Generation

2.  Laurence Belknap/Beltoft34 (Richard-1) was born circa 1495 in England.3 He died before 2 Feb 1545 at the age of 50 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.34 Both the Belknap Family Organization research and the Simmons Family research name Laurence Beltoft as the father of Richard. The English Ancestry of the American Belknaps [April, p. 193] suggests a Henry Beltoft as Richard's father.
Laurence, the 2nd son of Richard and Christian Beltoft, was born during the 1490s. As he was not named by his brother John in the settlement of family property called 'Currants', it is assumed that Laurence died before the date of the property settlement - 2 February 1545. The property had been held by John's wife Margaret, who directed that the property go to Laurence's son, Richard.

Laurence Belknap/Beltoft had the following child:

              3              i.   Richard Belknap/Beltoft, born ca 1520, probably Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England; married Elizabeth [Belknap/Beltoft], ca 1558, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England; died ca 2 Dec 1599, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.


Third Generation

3.  Richard Belknap/Beltoft5 (Laurence-2, Richard-1) was born circa 1520 in probably Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.6 He died circa 2 Dec 1599 at the age of 79 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.7 He was buried on 2 Dec 1599 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.7 Richard was a farmer/husbandman. He was born about 1520, based on a deposition from 1550, in which he said he was aged "30 or more." Richard's wife was believed to be named Elizabeth. In his will of 20 August 1594, Richard left 10 s. to Abraham, son of Bennett, my 'Godchilde.'
Richard was buried at Sawbridgeworth on 2 December 1599.

Richard Belknap/Beltoft and Elizabeth [Belknap/Beltoft] were married circa 1558 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.7 estimate based on estimated birth of eldest child Elizabeth [Belknap/Beltoft] was born circa 1522 in England.6 She died circa 17 Jan 1588/9 at the age of 67 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.7 She was buried on 17 Jan 1588/9 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.7

Richard Belknap/Beltoft and Elizabeth [Belknap/Beltoft] had the following children:

 
              4              i.   Bennet Belknap/Beltoft, born ca 1560, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England; married Grace Adam, 25 May 1586, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England; died 21 May 1624, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.

                             ii.   Alice Belknap/Beltoft was born in Sep 1561 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.8 She was baptized on 16 Sep 1561 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.8

                            iii.   Josias Belknap/Beltoft was born in Sep 1562 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.9 He was baptized on 6 Sep 1562 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.9 He died between 28 Jan 1599/1600 and 6 Feb 1599/1600 at the age of 37 in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.9

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