This website is dedicated to Sarah O. (Upchurch) Belt, "Mema", in honor of my friendship with her descendants. Her family has been wonderful friends throughout these many years and it is my pleasure to provide this research.
Sarah married Roy Luther Belt, a descendant from Ophrey Belt who is somehow connected to the Belts of Cave in Rock, Hardin Co., IL. Ophrey (Ofrey, Ophery, Ophly and other various spellings) is found in the 1850 and 1860 Census Records living across the Ohio River in Crittenden Co., KY on the same page as Jonathan and both Arthur H. Belts. In fact, Ophrey (spelled Oprey in 1850) lives between Arthur H. (age 41 born TN and wife, Malinda, age 42) and Arthur H. (age 37 born TN and wife, Margaret, age 38.) Jonathan Belt (age 29 TN) and wife, Mary, are listed just above Arthur and Malinda. Much information can be found on the internet about the infamous Jonathan and his equally (if not more) notorious brother, Logan. I endeavor to find the exact connection.
Not much is known about Ophrey other than what I have found on census records from 1850 until his death in 1911. He and second wife, Susan, are both buried in Sherron Cem., Sumner Co., TN. His first wife, Sarah E., is not found on census records after 1870 and I haven't yet been able to find Ophrey in 1880 or 1890. By 1900, Ophrey and Susan along with sons, William W. and Jasper N. are living in Macon Co., TN. They have been married about 9 years. Apparently, he and Sarah never had any children as none are listed with them in 1850, 1860 or 1870.
I do know that this family was at one time members of
Oak Grove Presbyterian Church of Sumner Co., TN:
Ophre Belt Received Oct 8, 1911 dead Nov 28, 1911
Mrs. Susie Belt Rec'd 10-8-1911 moved away (wife of William)
Mrs. Sarah Belt Rec'd 10-8-1911 moved away (wife of Ophrey)
Jasper Belt Rec'd 10-8-1911 moved away
William Belt Exp[elled?] Oct. 13, 1912 Moved away Suspended 4-14-40 [1940]
Ophrey and his ancestry is very much a mystery at this point; although, I have seen one family file which lists his parents as Arthur H. and Malinda. We need proof through documentation.
My search is ongoing. I am addicted to the cause and determined to find answers to the many questions I have regarding The Belts of Crittenden Co., KY.
I found a John Ophrey Belt b. 8-24-1859 TN m. Margaret A. Guill on 28 December 1887 in Golconda, Pope Co., IL which is the next county just down river from Hardin. He is the son of William Belt who married Elizabeth Thompson or McThompson. John O. had a brother William J. who married Lou V. In 1900 John and Margaret "Maggie" are living in Sheridan, Crittenden Co., KY.
John O. Belt 40 (Aug 1859) 40 TN TN TN m 12y
Maggie E. 31 (Nov 1868) 31 KY TN TN m 12y
Henry A. 11 (Feb 1889) KY
Goldie R. 8 (Aug 1891) KY
Mary M. 2 (July 1897) KY
Nora 0 (May 1900) KY
William and Lou had several children and named two of their sons Roy L. and Ray. John O. and Margaret named a daughter Goldie R. That William W. and Sarah (Rippy)named three of their children these same names leads me to believe that William Belt who married Elizabeth is closely related to Ophrey and his sons William Walter and Jasper Newton.
I found William J. in 1910 in Ford's Ferry, Crittenden Co., KY
William J Belt 47 KY married 20y
Loula V 38 KY married 20y gave birth to 12 children/9 living
Roy L. 19, KY
Ada 18 KY
Rettie 16 KY
Viola 10 KY
Gracy 7 KY
Ray 05, Kentucky
Rnie 03, Kentucky [Ruie or Ruil]
female 4/12 KY [Effie]
female 4/12 KY [Eva]
Mother Nancy C 74, TN (William's or Lou's?)
Aunt Martha Milikan 76, TN
A Jasper N. Belt who was born 11 April 1843 in Wirt Co., WV and is said to be the son of Silas Belt and Melissa Coleman. As Jasper is not a very common name, I am lead to believe that he, too, is somehow connected to the Belts of Crittenden and Livingston Cos., KY.
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