The Belsher Archives
The records of one American family across eleven generations, from colonial Virginia in 1722 to Texas today.
Four records that tell the story
Belcher v. Belcher
The Tennessee Supreme Court rules on the deeds Ferrell Belsher gave his son Wiley, and on the deeds the brothers burned.
Record 387Land patent · 1842Wiley Belsher's land patent
Land in the Chickasaw Cession of northern Mississippi, signed in the name of President John Tyler.
Record 069Military service · 1861Captain B. T. Belsher
The Confederate service file of the captain of Company D, 26th Mississippi Infantry.
Record 281Military service · 1918A draft card from Dallas
Arthur Middleton Belsher names his father, Robt. P. Belsher of Aquilla, Hill County, Texas.
Record 398Sheriffs, tavern keepers, soldiers and a name reclaimed
The Belshers moved south and west with the American frontier. Wiley Belsher was a sheriff and court clerk in Georgia, kept taverns in Tennessee and Mississippi, and helped found the village of Carrollville. His son Berrien raised a company for the Confederacy and died in its first winter. His grandson brought the family to Texas, where the line continues.
Open to everyone after 72 years
The Archives follows the rule used for the United States census. Every record opens to the public 72 years after it was made; newer records stay with the family. The catalogue shows each open record with an image of the page, a description, a citation and a full transcript.
Do you have family papers?
Diaries, letters, Bibles, photographs, heirlooms or old documents belonging to the Belshers or Belchers can fill gaps no courthouse can. A scan is as welcome as an original, and loans are returned.
- 1722VirginiaThomas Bartholomew Belcher born; Amelia County
- c. 1773North CarolinaFerrell born on the way south
- 1790GeorgiaBurke, then Twiggs County
- 1824TennesseeMarion County and the town of Jasper
- 1830sMississippiCarrollville, Tishomingo County
- 1886TexasLee, Hill and Dallas counties