Christian "Jacob" Belser, Sr. ¹²

  Death Notes:

There is a date of 1855 referenced on some internet sites for Jacob's death. This is obviously incorrect by virtue of his headstone inscription. Those sites reporting the incorrect date had no mention of the burial site or headstone.

  Notes and Events:

• Occupation: Lawyer and a Planter. Jacob "was a successful young lawyer in Charleston before turning his attention to planting as his primary occupation"

• Property: Melrose Plantation, which became Poinsett State Park, 1813. In the early part of the 20th century, Decca Coles Singleton, using family records wrote, "...Later [1752-1753], he [Matthew Singleton] built Melrose a few miles further up on the hills and this old colonial home is the only one of the Singleton homes of that period that is left standing."

In 1783, Matthew sold the original 3,150 acres of Melrose to Christopher Williman (the part which now forms Poinsett State Park). Williman apparently called Melrose "Gillman." In 1813, Christopher Williman sold the 3,150 acre tract to Jacob Belser. Belser was born in 1781 (d. 1833) and apparently was a successful young lawyer in Charleston before turning his attention to planting as his primary occupation. In Belser’s old age, after advancing property to his three children, he still owned Melrose, and 85 slaves. He apparently milled rice on the place at the old Singleton grist mill, which became known as Belser’s and later Manning’s Mill.

Jacob’s wife, Martha Clark Belser, died in 1855. In 1857, the tract was sold to Col. Richard Irvine Manning, son of the first Gov. Richard I. Manning and father to the last Gov. Richard I. Manning.

• Will. In the name of God, Amen. I, Jacob Belser, Planter, of the High Hills of Santee, being sick in body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, doth make this my last will and testament.

First, I give my Soul to the Almighty God, who gave it, my Body to be decently entered all my just debts paid.

Item I give and bequeath to my son, Junius, the following Negroes to wit, Old Charles, Kate, Joshua, Jeptha, and Charlest, Alect, Harry and Henrietta, his wife, with their future issue.

Item I give and bequeath to my son, Lawrence the following Negroes to wit, Peter, Sara, Sukey, Nanny, John, Primus, Violet and Delia, her child, with their future issue.

Item I give and bequeath to my son, Jacob, Sam & Nancy's family to wit. Same, Nancy, Dick, July Jennett, Mary, Cesar, and Sam & May and their future issue.

The whole of my Estate, real and personal, being the residue consisting of about 3000 acres of land and about fifty Negroes, stock, and household furniture, I give to my beloved wife, Martha, during her natural life and after her death to be equally divided among my six children. Having advanced the three eldest at the time of their marriage, it is my wish and desire that the Negroes above mentioned being given to my youngest children shall have the privilege of working on the land free of any rent whatever, and the fund arising therefrom to go to their educaiton, and support. That part of the Estate which will fall to James Belser after the death of his mother I entail to his wife and children, not to be liable in any manner to his debts. I appoint, F. L. Belser, Trustee, for the Estate as soon as it vests. That part of the estate which will fall to William Belser after death of his mother I entail to his wife and children not be liable in any manner to his debts. I appoint F. L. Belser, Trustee, for the Estate as soon as it vests.

Lastly, I constitute and appoint James Belser, William Belser, and Dr. John Tarleton, Exectuors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto put my hand and seal this nineteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and the fifty seventh year of the American Independence.

Jacob Belser [Seal]

Witness
F. L. Belser
James M. Plumeo
Louisa M. Singleton

Recorded in Will Book D-1, Page 297
Recorded April 9th 1833
William Potts Ordy S. D.
Bundle 7, Pkge 2

• Headstone. Jacob Belser, by his affectionate wife Martha Belser Died 26th March 1833, aged 51 years, 4 mo. and 3 days . [Located in Bloom Hill Cemetery which is located on the Milford Plantation property, not far from Poinsett Park]

Christian married Martha Clark. (Martha Clark was born about 1783 ⁵⁰ and died on 16 Apr 1855 in Montgomery, Montgomery Co., AL.)