Belfield Wood, Sr.

Belfield Wood, Sr.

1752-1836

According to Belfield's Revolutionary War Application for a pension, he was born in Orange County, Virginia in 1752. As a child he moved with his family to Chesterfield County, Virginia. From there they moved to Burke County, North Carolina, where he enlisted as a private volunteer militiaman under Captain Reuben White and Col. Charles McDowell. In February, 1776, they joined Gen. Rutherford's army in Salisbury, North Carolina. He volunteered and did two more tours of duty including fighting against the Indians on the Catawba River.

From North Carolina the Belfield, Sr. family went to Pendleton County, South Carolina. he and his first wife lived there several years. The name of this wife is unknown. Neither do we know the names of their children living there. While living in Pendleton County, South Carolina, Belfield married his second wife, Nancy Kidwell, on March 15, 1810. She was born in 1792.

When the family left Pendleton County, South Carolina, they went to Madison County, Kentucky and stayed there several years; then to Wayne County, Kentucky; then on to Fentress County, Tennessee. In 1826, Belfield, Sr. obtained land on Mill Creek, Fentress County, Tennessee Grant No. 331. Son, Jesse, (born 1771,) by Belfield's first wife, secured land the same year by Entry No. 131 near or in Jamestown. Jesse's son, Matthew Wood, received land in Poplar Cove in 1830. Another early Wood entry was by Jesse's son, Spencer, in 1827 when he received land by Entry 414 in or near Jamestown, Fentress County.

Belfield Wood applied for a Revolutionary soldier's pension in Fentress County 8-231833 before Robert Richardson, J.P. He was placed on the Tennessee Pension Roll by certificate No. 22,319 on 10-25-1833. He died 4-8-1836 and is buried in Fentress County, Tennessee, though his grave has not been located.

Nancy, the widow, continued to live in Wayne County, Kentucky. She married a Thomas Milsaps who preceded her in death. She drew a widow's pension of $96.00 per annum - No. 6841, January 1871. This pension was granted to her as Belfield's widow. Seemingly, she spent her last days with her son, Belfield, Jr., near Parmelly's Mill about fifteen miles from Monticello, Wayne County, Kentucky.

Known children by Belfield, Sr. and his first wife; Jesse, born North Carolina about 1771, probably Burke County. He gave land in 1815 for the Jamestown City Cemetery. His will, dated 5-20-1846. is recorded in deed `book D, page 480. Jesse married widow Mary (Polly) Wright of Fentress County as his second wife. This Jesse's children were: John (1797-1868), who married Elizabeth Helms (1804-1863); Matthew (May 1, 1800-July 12, 1877), who married Elizabeth (Betsy) Woolsey, born January 9, 1805 or 1808, died February 21, 1898, both buried Poplar Cove on Mitch Powell Farm, former home of Matthew and Betsy; Spencer Wood (1802 - died before 1846), married Winnie Owen (born 1802-died after 8-7-1880); Isaac Wood (1803-?), married Nancy Bookout. The above four sons were born in North Carolina.

Belfield's and Nancy Kidwell's children: Elisha (born 1810 or 1811), married Sarah (born 1812); a second Jesse (1812-1883), married Matilda Beaty (born 1812), daughter of 1780 John and Abegail Beaty; Belfield, Jr. (born 1815), married Sarah (born 1821). There were other issue of Belfield, Sr. but names are unknown.

by Wilma Reagan Pinckley a G, G, G, Granddaughter of Belfield, Sr.
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This page was last updated on 03/27/99.