Person:Andrew Belcher (1)

"Belcher, Andrew, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Nicholas Danforth, 1 Oct. 1639, … Andrew the f. was in Sud. as early as 1640, and probably resided there until 1646; for, although one of his children was b. here in 1642, yet the next was b. at Sud. in 1644, and he sold 'his now dwelling house' at Sud. 23 Jan. 1645-6, reserving possession of it until the next May. In June 1654 he was licensed by the County Court, 'to keep a house of publique enterteinment at Cambridge.' This license was renewed from year to year, until 1673, in which year he probably died, as the license 'to keep an ordinary' was granted to his widow Elizabeth in Ap. 1674; she d. 26 June 1680, 'aged about 61,' and was succeeded by her son Andrew. This 'ordinary,' 'house of entertainment,' or 'tavern,' was the original 'Blue Anchor Tavern,' and stood at the N. E. corner of Brighton and Mt. Auburn streets.”

"We come next to the establishment of an ordinary which was long known as the 'Blue Anchor Tavern.' Dec. 27, 1652, 'The Townsmen do grant liberty to Andrew Belcher to sell beer and bread, for entertainment of strangers and the good of the town; and the County Court granted him a license, June 20, 1654, 'to keep a house of public entertainment at Cambridge.' Mr. Belcher was a trustworthy man, occasionally employed by the General Court to perform important duties. He was respectably connected; his wife was daughter of Mr. Nicholas Danforth and sister of Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth; their son, Andrew Belcher, Jr., was a member of the Council, and his son, Jonathan Belcher, was Governor of Massachusetts and of New Jersey. It does not appear where he first opened a 'beer and bread' shop, or a 'house of public entertainment;' but on the first of October, 1671, his son Andrew, then residing in Hartford, Conn., purchased of Sarah Beal, widow of Deacon Thomas Beal, an estate at the northeast corner of Brighton and Mount Auburn streets, where the sign of the Blue Anchor was soon afterwards displayed. Mr. Belcher was licensed for the last time in April, 1673, in which year he probably died. In April, 1674, license was granted to his widow Elizabeth Belcher, and afterwards from year to year until she died, June 26, 1680. She was succeeded by her son Andrew Belcher, who was licensed in 1681 and
1682. In September, 1682, Capt. Belcher sold the estate to his brother-in-law Jonathan Remington, who performed the duties of host until April 21, 1700, when he died, and was succeeded by his widow, Martha Remington, daughter of the first Andrew Belcher. The Belcher family ceased to be inn-holders May 12, 1705, when the widow and children of Captain Remington sold to Joseph Hovey the estate 'near the market-place, commonly called and known by the sign of the Blue Anchor.'"

"Belcher, Andrew, Sudbury 1639, ar. co. 1642, m. 1 Oct. 1639, Eliz. d. of Nicholas Danforth of Cambridge, and B. rem. thither, was a taverner, had Eliz. b. 17 Aug. 1640; Jemima, 5 Apr. 1642; Martha, 26 July 1644; Mary; Andrew, 1 Jan. 1647; and Ann, 1 Jan. 1649; and he d. 26 June 1680, his w. surv. Eliz. m. 31 Mar. 1668, Pyam Blowers; Jemima m. 5 Dec. 1660, Capt. Joseph Sill; Mary m. 23 June 1662 Joseph Russell; and Martha m. 13 July 1664, Jonathan Remington, and d. 16 July 1711. But the m. of Samuel Ballard, 1 May 1678, with Hannah Belcher, as his sec. w. is found on rec. and who she was, unless the youngest d. is difficult to find. Ann and Hannah are often, confound."

[Additions and Corrections] [Savage 3:602] [Vol. 1], P. 155. l. 6 from bot. strike out Mary
[Additions and Corrections] [Savage 3:602] [Vol. 1], P. 155. l. 4 and 3 from bot. strike out Mary m. &c. to Russell inclus."

"Belcher, … Elizab[eth], wid. of Andrew Sr., June 26, 1680, a. abt. 61 y."