The Belbins of Sturminster Newton
A chronological list of references in the records of Sturminster Newton, Dorset 1525 – 1792
PAGE IS BEING EDITED
STURMINSTER NEWTON is a busy market town in the County of Dorset, England. It is often called the Capital of the Blackmore Vale and can be found 10 miles North-West of Blandford, 8 miles South-West of Shaftesbury and 12 miles from Sherborne. The full name of the town is Sturminster Newton Castle which is the name found in 18th century parish registers.
History recounts that King Alfred once lived there; that the manor-house was given to Catherine Parr by King Henry VIII; that King Charles I dined there in 1644 and then there was the great fire of 1729 which destroyed 67 houses, 10 barns and the old Market House in 4 hours. The town was typical of novelist Thomas Hardy’s Dorset towns, he having lived there from 1876.
Importantly for BelbinManiacs, history also recounts that BELBIN families have lived in the town for centuries so STURMINSTER NEWTON consequently boasts a strong BELBIN ancestral line. Many BELBINS are buried in the graveyard of the 15th century church confirming the long association with the town.
The late Howard BELBEN kindly provided BelbinMania with a copy of his research notes compiled in 1994 as a document entitled The BELBINS of Sturminster Newton, Dorset 1525-1792, from which the records shown on this page are taken.
Howard BELBEN’s document was prepared in the old fashioned manner (i.e. pre-internet) with many long hours perusing records held at (the then) Dorset County Record Office, the Public Record Office (now THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES) and the SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS‘ Library in London.
There is a large and varied collection of records referring to Sturminster Newton in the DORSET HISTORY CENTRE (successor to the Dorset County Record Office), but parish registers only survive from 1681.
A List of Inhabitants of Newton Tithing for 1762 also survives. The commonest names in this are:
RIDOUT, ROSE, SPENCER, SWEET, INKPEN, PENNEY, GUDGE, CHURCHHOUSE, CLARK, CLEWET, GOPP, BELBEN and HILLIER.
The following variant spellings of the family surname are given below, with the first year in which each has been traced at Sturminster Newton.
BAYLBYN – 1525
BALBYN – 1543
BELBYN – 1569
BELBEN – 1598
BELBINE – 1603
BELBIN – 1641
BELLBYN – 1662
The Reverend Howard Albert George BELBEN died in 1999 and from 1965 to 1977 he was Principal of Cliff College, Sheffield, the training establishment for the Methodist ministry. The BELBEN LIBRARY was established at the college in 2004 dedicated to his memory.
Having been born in Sherborne, Howard spent much time researching the various BELBEN families of Dorset and the origins of the Newfoundland BELBINs who are believed to descend from Dorset ancestry. To celebrate the end of World War II he said he’d toured around Bournemouth and Poole visiting all the BELBENS he could find, trying to connect the many different families there.
He had traced his ancestry back to Nathan BELBIN of Sturminster Newton and Ruth YOUNG of Child Okeford who married on 20 November 1709. The family tree will eventually be available as UK Tree 3 in the FAMILY TREES section of BelbinMania.
As you may have already noted, he also generously provided BelbinMania with his notes shown on the ROMSEY BELBINS page.
The BELBINS of Sturminster Newton, Dorset 1525 – 1792
Where available, download links are included to some of the source documents. Links are also provided for the respective record repositories.
1525
RICHARD BAYLBYN (Wages 1) included under Sturminster Newton Tithing: Newton in Dorset Tudor Subsidies 1523-1593, edited and published by T L Stoate, Lower Court, Almondsbury, Bristol 1982 (Society of Genealogists Library, London). Levied to pay for armed forces.
1543
RICHARD BAYLBYN (Goods 1), THOMAS BAYLBYN (Goods 1) and LEWES BALBYN (Goods 1) included in Sturminster Newton Tithing: Newton (op. cit.) (Society of Genealogists Library, London).
1544
RICHARD BAYLBYN (1) and THOMAS BAYLBYN (1) included in Sturminster Newton Tithing: Newton (op. cit.) (Society of Genealogists Library, London).
1569
GEORGE BELBYN of Sturminster Newton included as a billman in the Dorset Muster Roll, which gave names of men in possession of arms and weapons. These men were to be mobilized for home defence if able. A bill such as George Belbin had was a weapon like a halberd, but with a hook instead of a blade. See Dorset Tudor Muster Rolls, ed T L Stoate 1978 (Society of Genealogists Library, London).
1598
THOMAS BELBIN junior (Goods 3), THOMAS BELBEN senior (Goods 4) and ROBERT BELBEN (Goods 8) included under Newton and Colber in Dorset Tudor Subsidies (see 1525 above) (Society of Genealogists Library, London).
1603
ROBERT BELBINE’s Will proved Dec 3 (National Archives ref: Prob 11/102). Will dated Sep 4. Occupation: yeoman. Legacies include £5 for the repair of Sturminster Newton Parish Church, 12 pence each "to everye poore bodie of Sturminster Newton" and £5 and 40 shillings for future relief of the poor.
Robert left to his wife JOANE two kine, two featherbeds furnished, one crock and "the use of soe mutch of my houshold stuffe as she lyste to take, giving securitie to my executors for the redelivery thereof at her decease", also "fortie shillings butter money remayning in her handes". He left money to 33 individuals. Five of his brothers and their children and grandchildren are referred to:
(1) PHILLIP and his son EDWARD
(2) EDWARD of Ringwood, his sons HENRIE, HUMFREY, WILLIAM, RICHARD and JOHN, and HENRIE's sons WILLIAM and JOHN
(3) LEWIS or LEWES (deceased)
(4) WILLIAM
(5) THOMAS (deceased) and his sons LEWIS or LEWES, THOMAS, JOSEPH, ROBERT and STEPHEN and daughters MARIE, JOANE and JOYCE.
Among the legatees is another ROBERT BELBINE of Shaston, i.e. Shaftesbury. No relationship with the testator is indicated.
1603 – 1625
BELBYN v TREKE (miles et alii) is mentioned in Thopham’s Index of Chancery Proceedings, James I 31 (The Genealogist Vol 6, 1890).
1641 – 1642
THOMAS BELBIN, JOSEPH BELBIN and ROBERT BELBIN of Sturminster Newton included in Dorset Protestation Returns. (Oath to be taken by all men aged 18 and over.) Only three other BELBINs appear in the list from the whole county of Dorset, one from Shaftesbury, one from Pimperne and one from Stone Tything in the parish of Wimborne.
1642
LEWIS BELBIN, KATHERINE BELBIN and JANE BELBIN the younger, all of Sturminster Newton, included in list of contributors to a collection taken nationwide for the relief of distressed Protestants in Ireland (List in State Papers at the National Archives, mentioned in note by Kenneth Topp in The Greenwood Tree (Somerset and Dorset Family History Society), Autumn 1981).
1646
ROBERT BELBEN of Sturminster Newton took the Negative Oath Dec 4 (Minute Books of the Dorset Standing Committee 1646-1650, Society of Genealogists Library, London). The Dorset Standing Committee was the Parliamentary Standing Committee appointed during the Civil War and interregnum. Those who had fought on the Royalist (Cavalier) side in the Civil War were required to take the Negative Oath, by which they bound themselves never again to bear arms against the Parliament (Samuel R Gardiner, History of the Great Civil War 1542-1649 Vol III p 198).
1649
ROBERT BELBIN of Sturminster Newton and three other Dorset men (RIVES, ROWMAN and WILLIAMS) are mentioned in Committee for the Advance of Money – Cases 1642-56 Part 2, p 1080 (National Archives). On May 16 information was given that Rives, BELBIN and Rowman were delinquents, were in arms against the Parliament, and none of them ever made any composition. On May 18, an order was given for the examination of witnesses in BELBIN’s Rowan’s and Williams’ cases, and on proof of delinquency their estates to be seized and inventoried. (An Ordinance on Mar 27, 1643 had declared that all who had directly or indirectly assisted the King in the Civil War were to be reckoned as delinquents. From Oct 4, 1645 these were allowed "to make a composition", compounding for their delinquency by paying a sum to be assessed on them. This might be anything from a sixth to a half of their estates (See Samuel R Gardiner, op. cit. Vol III, pp 196-199).
1657
WHITE BELBIN of Sturminster Newton married MARY NEWMAN at Lydlinch, Dorset (Lydlinch Parish Register).
1660 – 1685
RICHARD BELBIN, Sturminster Newton Hundred (Lay Subsidies, Charles II, National Archives E 179 105/345).
1662
BENJAMIN and JOSEPH BELLBYN mentioned in Dorset Royalist Roll of Honour 1662, a list of former Royalist soldiers (Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries Vol XVIII, 1926).
WHITE BELBIN (one hearth), ROBERT BELBIN (five hearths, one decayed), ROBERT BELBIN senior (four hearths) mentioned in Hearth Tax List, p59 (Dorset History Centre, Dorchester). (Four or five hearths was above the average dwelling. A substantial yeoman or merchant had three or four hearths.)
1677/8
WHITE BELBIN’s Administration, Feb 2. Administratrix: MARY BELBIN, widow of Sturminster Newton. Another MARY BELBIN, spinster, of Sturminster Newton, joined with her in the bond.
1681
Sturminster Newton Parish registers are extant from this year, all earlier registers having been, it is understood, destroyed by fire. All baptism, marriage and burial details given below in this list are from the Sturminster Newton registers unless otherwise stated.
ASENATH son of LEONARD and MARY BELBIN baptised Apr 16. Though this child is entered as a son, Asenath is a girl’s name (see Genesis 41:45). See also the burial entry 1693/4.
JANE d. of WILLIAM BELBIN baptised Dec 29.
Note: Both entries on same page
1682
GRACE d. of JOSEPH and GRACE BELBIN baptised Dec 10.
1683
RICHARD FOOTE married ELIZABETH BELBIN Apr 16.
ANN BELBIN buried Apr 28.
1684/5
JOHN s. of LEWCE and ANN BELBIN baptised Mar 4.
1685
THOMAS BELBIN senior buried Jun 3.
JANE BELBIN widdow buried Oct 18.
EDIT MARK
1685/6
MARY d. of LEONARD BELBIN buried Jan 20.
1686
RICHARD s. of JOSEPH and GRACE BELBIN baptised Apr 8.
GRACE d. of JOSEPH BELBIN buried May 18.
1686/7
SUSANNA d. of WILLIAM and ANNA BELBIN baptised Jan 10.
MARY d. of MARY BELBIN widow buried Jan 23.
1687
MARY d. of LEWIS and ANN BELBIN baptised Nov 3.
SUSANNA d. of JOSEPH BELBIN baptised Dec 24.
1688
ROBERT s. of ROBERT and ANN BELBIN baptised Sep 10.
LEWIS s. of LEWIS BELBIN baptised Dec 16.
1689
BENIAMYND s. of BENIAMYND BELBIN baptised Aug 19.
1690
MELIOR wife of STEPHEN BELBIN buried Nov 13.
1691
THOMAS s. of NATHAN BELBIN baptised Jun 21.
WILLIAM BELBIN senior buried Jun 28.
THOMAS s. of NATHAN BELBIN uxoratus (i.e., married man) buried Jul 25.
1692
BENIAMYND BUTTLER married ELIZABETH BELBIN May 22.
NATHAN BELBIN’s Administration, Sep 10. Occupation: mariner. Administratrix: MARY BELBIN, widow, of Sturminster Newton.
BENIAMYND s. of LEWIS BELBIN baptised Dec 29.
1692/3
THOMAS (?) BELBIN senior buried Mar 6.
1693
JOHN s. of ROBERT and ANN BELBIN baptised Aug 28.
ANN wife of LEWIS BELBIN buried Nov 3.
1693/4
ASENATH d. of LEONARD BELBIN and his wife buried Feb 19.
1694
THOMAS s. of JOSEPH BELBIN baptised May 18.
ROBERT BELBIN senior buried Sep 4.
WALTER KELLAWAY married URSULA BELBIN Oct 22.
1694/5
ELIZABETH BELBIN widow buried Jan 2.
1695
FRANCES d. of LEWIS and FRANCES BELBIN baptised Jun 16.
EDITH d. of WILLIAM and JANE BELBIN baptised Jun 21.
BENIAMYND s. of LEWIS BELBIN buried Dec 9.
1696
STEPHEN BELBIN of Sturminster Newton married MARY PARSONS of Sturminster Newton at Blandford Saint Mary Apr 11.
ANN d. of STEPHEN and ANN BELBIN baptised May 1.
ROBERT s. of BENIAMYND and ELIZABETH BELBIN born Aug 22; baptised Aug 23.
THOMAS BELBIN married JANE SILVER Aug 25.
1696/7
ELIZABETH BUTTLER (see 1692 marriage) buried Jan 18.
EDITH d. of LEWIS and FRANCES BELBIN born Mar 24; baptised Mar 28.
1697
JANE d. of THOMAS and JANE BELBIN born Jun 3; baptised Jun 4.
1698
JOSEPH s. of BENIAMYND and ELIZABETH BELBIN born Mar 24; baptised Apr 13.
THOMAS s. of THOMAS and JANE BELBIN born Sep 26; baptised Sep 27.
STEPHEN BELBIN senior buried Sep 30.
1698/9
REPENTANCE d. of LEWIS and FRANCES BELBIN born Feb 8; baptised Mar 6.
1699
REPENTANCE d. of LEWIS BELBIN buried Apr 3.
RICHARD s. of JOSEPH BELBIN buried Oct 8.
MARY d. of BENIAMYND and ELIZABETH BELBIN born Dec 18; baptised Dec 31.
WILLIAM INGRAM married GRACE BELBIN Nov 26.
1699/1700
WILLIAM s. of LEWIS and FRANCES BELBIN born Feb 13; baptised Feb 20.
FRANCES wife of LEWIS BELBIN buried Feb 21.
ROBERT BELBIN senior buried Mar 4.
1700
LEWIS BELBIN married ELIZABETH DOVER widow Apr 28.
KATHERINE d. of STEPHEN and ANN BELBIN born Jul 28; baptised Aug 19.
JOSEPH s. of THOMAS and JANE BELBIN born Oct 3; baptised Jan 5.
1700/1
JOHN s. of LEWIS BELBIN buried Mar 29.
1701
CHARLES BIRD married ROSE BELBIN Apr 28.
MARY BELBIN senior buried Jul 6.
ROSE d. of BENIAMYND and ELIZABETH BELBIN born Oct 29; baptised Dec 2.
1702
LEONARD BELBIN buried Apr 25.
JOHN s. of THOMAS and JANE BELBIN born and baptised Sep 2.
1702/3
STEPHEN s. of STEPHEN and ANN BELBIN born Feb 20; baptised Feb 21.
1703
STEPHEN s. of STEPHEN BELBIN buried Dec 5.
1703/4
JOHN s. of ANN BELBIN widow buried Jan 28.
1704
GEORGE PARROTT of East Stower married MARY BELBIN widow Apr 24.
WILLIAM s. of BENIAMYND and ELIZABETH BELBIN born Sep 20; baptised Sep 21.
MARGARET d. of THOMAS and JANE BELBIN born and baptised Dec 15.
1705
JOSEPH s. of JOSEPH and SARAH BELBIN born Jun 20; baptised Jun 24.
1706
MARGARETT d. of THOMAS BELBIN buried Oct 1.
BENIAMYND BELBIN senior buried Oct 30.
BENJAMIN BELBIN senior’s Will. Declaration dated Nov 2 by Joshua Byles, John Marvin and James Rowcastle that on Oct 28 BENJAMIN BELBIN declared by word of mouth that he gave to BENJAMIN BELBIN his kinsman of Sturminster, miller, £5, which Benjamin Belbin, miller, had owed him. The residue he bequeathed to "his loving kinsman" JOHN MAJOR BUTT of Sturminster, clothier, whom he nominated as his executor. Witnesses included ROBERT BELBIN.
1706/7
MARY d. of JOSEPH and SARAH BELBIN baptised Feb 6.
1707
WILLIAM COLBOURNE married MARY BELBIN Apr 24.
SUSANNAH d. of BENIAMYND and ELIZABETH BELBIN baptised May 4.
LEWIS BELBIN senior buried May 12.
GRACE d. of JOSHUA BELBIN buried May 17.
JOSEPH BELBIN senior buried Aug 12.
JOSEPH BELBIN senior’s Administration, Aug 16. Administratrix: GRACE BELBIN, his widow, of Sturminster Newton. JOSEPH BELBIN of Sturminster Newton, butcher, joined in the bond.
THOMAS BELBIN senior buried Oct 3.
RICHARD s. of JOSEPH BELBIN baptised Oct 10.
JANE wife of THOMAS BELBIN buried Oct 10.
ELIZABETH d. of STEPHEN and ANN BELBIN baptised Nov 28.
1708
LEWIS BELBIN senior’s Will proved Nov 27. Will dated Apr 30 "in sixth year of Queen Anne". Occupation: blacksmith. He mentions his wife ELIZABETH and sons, LEWIS, to whom he left all his tools, and WILLIAM, his residuary legatee, whom he appointed his executor.
1709
BENIAMYND BELBIN buried Jul 30.
NATHAN BELBIN of Sturminster Newton married RUTH, daughter of ROBERT and MARY YOUNG, at Child Okeford, Dorset, Nov 20. From this couple are descended the BELBIN family of Child Okeford, whose surname from about 1750 onwards was spelt BELBEN. Their descendants included the BELBENand the STONE BELBEN families of Bideford, Bournemouth, Plymouth, Poole, Sherborne, Yeovil, Saint John’s, Newfoundland, and many other places.
1710
BENJAMIN BELBIN of Sturminster Newton married MARY RIDEOUT at Lydlinch, Dorset, Oct 29 (Lydlinch Parish Registers).
ELIZABETH d. of JOSEPH BELBIN baptised Dec 5.
1711
ELIZABETH d. of STEPHEN BELBIN buried Aug 8.
BENIAMYND s. of BENIAMYND BELBIN baptised Oct 24.
1712
JOSHUA BYLES married ELIZABETH BELBIN by licence from the Court May 12.
THOMAS s. of JOSEPH BELBIN baptised Aug 29.
1713
THOMAS s. of JOSEPH BELBIN buried May 8.
SARAH d. of JOSEPH BELBIN baptised Aug 9.
1714
SARAH d. of NATHAN BELBIN baptised Jun 20.
MARY d. of BENJAMYND BELBIN baptised Jul 20.
1717/18
WILLIAM BELBIN victualler buried Mar 21.
1720
MARY BELBIN widow buried Sep 28.
1720/21
JOAN BELBIN buried Jan 28.
1721
HANNA BELBIN widow buried Nov 19.
1721/22
MARY BELBIN widow buried Mar 12.
1722
From this year onwards Sturminster Newton Poor Rates Account Books (Dorset History Centre) include the following on whose property rates were collected:
ANN BELBIN Reference one year to "Liveing 1t and 2f".
GRACE BELBEN Widow. House. Appears for last time 1731.
STEPHEN BELBIN Reference one year to "p1 Parson’s Lands".
1723
WILLIAM s. of LEWYS and ELIZ: BELBIN baptised Jun 30.
1724
GEORGE TOPP married JEAN BELBIN Jun 7. Mr Kenneth R Topp of Rotherham, South Yorkshire writing to Howard Belben in 1980, said that GEORGE TOPP (1697-1753) of Sturminster Newton was a son of JOHN and REBECCA TOPP, and that they had a daughter REBECCA TOPP, baptised 1725/6, who married JOHN INKPEN of Sturminster Newton at Sturminster Newton Feb 28, 1745/6.
JOSHUA SWEET of Sturminster Newton married CATHERINE BELBIN of Sturminster Newton at Upcerne, Dorset, Nov 10.
1725
LEWYS s. of LEWYS and ELIZABETH BELBIN baptised May 18.
1727
JOSEPH BELBIN married SUSAN ROSE Apr 4.
1727/28
STEPHEN BELBIN’s Will proved Jan 30. Will dated Jan 29, 1722, Occupation: soapboiler. Executrix: wife ANNA or ANNE. He left her two closes of pasture ground at Northfield in parish of Sturminster, also the house they lived in and the backside orchard and garden "during her natural life if she keeps herself in my name", and afterwards to his son STEPHEN and his heirs. If Stephen junior died without heirs, it was all to go to Stephen senior’s daughters ANNE, MARY and KATHERINE jointly in common. After the death of the longest surviving daughter, it was to be left to heirs male and female of any of them. Details followed of how they were to share property in common. Two other houses let to named tenants were left to Mary and Katherine and one shilling to Anne.
1728
BETTY BAKER BELBIN d. of LUCH and ELIZABETH BELBEN (sic) baptised Jun 14.
JOSEPH s. of JO: and SUSAN BELBIN baptised Aug 10.
JOSHUA s. of JOSEPH BELBIN buried Dec 6.
LEWIS BELBIN is mentioned regularly from this year onwards among the recipients in the Sturminster NewtonPoor Rates Account Books (Dorset County Record Office, Dorchester). “In sickness” added in the Dec 1728 entry. “And children” added 1729. “In his wife’s sickness” added Oct 9, 1729, and on same date two shillings and sixpence “to relieve LUCE BELBIN’s children in necessity”. On Oct 19, 1729, eight shillings “for keeping LEWYS BELBIN’s children ‘at entrance’” (?). Two shillings given to LEWYS BELBIN at same time. In 1729 there is a further mention: “Certificate for LEWYS BELBIN and RICHARD BURNETT for two days’ labours”. In 1730 LEWYS BELBIN’s three children are mentioned.
1729
MARY BELBIN buried Mar 26.
THOMAS BELBIN buried Aug 28.
ELIZABETH wife of LEWYS BELBIN buried Oct 12.
WILLIAM BELBIN widower buried Oct 31.
Sturminster NewtonPoor Rates Account Book mentions grant for WILLIAM BELBIN’s knell and grave Nov 16 and coffin Dec 14. Disbursements mentioned include an amount paid : “ROBERT BELBIN (sic) the County Bridge money”.
1729 – 1730
ELIZABETH BELBIN widow buried Mar 11.
1730
WILLIAM PITT married ROSE BELBIN Sep 6.
1731
BENJAMIN BELBIN appears from this year onwards as on of the overseers of the poor in the Sturminster NewtonPoor Rates Account Book. He signs “Benj. Belbin“. He is also one of two collectors for the poor appointed for 1731. Given £10 “for the use of the poor”.
1731 – 1732
JEAN d. of JOSEPH and SUSANNA BELBIN baptised Feb 9.
1733
JOHN BELBIN married JEAN INKPEN Dec 26.
1734
LEWYS BELBIN married ELIZABETH WOODWALL Jun 26.
1735
GRACE BELBIN widow buried May 16.
GRACE BELBIN’s Will proved. Will dated May 30, 1732. Mentions daughter ELIZABETH BYLES, to whom she leaves a six-acre leasehold close called Goff’s Close, JOSEPH BELBIN and THOMAS BELBIN, sons of her late son THOMAS BELBIN, the children, unnamed in the Will of her late daughter SUSANNA COLE, and her son JOSEPH BELBIN, to whom she leaves one shilling.
1736
LEWYS BELBIN buried Apr 3.
1737
WILLIAM BELBIN married MARY PERCY Apr 13.
WILLIAM s. of BENJ BELBIN baptised Aug 5.
1737 – 1738
ROBERT s. of WILLIAM BELBIN baptised Feb 8.
1739
MARY d. of BENJ BELBIN baptised Dec 30.
1738 – 1740
ANN BELBIN buried Mar 10.
1740
CHRISTOPHER ROSE married MARY BELBIN May 21.
THOMAS BELBIN married MARY ROSE Dec 29.
1740 – 1741
JOHN s. of WILLIAM BELBIN baptised Jan 21.
ROBERT BELBIN married ROSE NEWMAN Feb 3.
1741
ROBERT BELBIN of Sturminster Newton, clothier. Sun Insurance Policy dated Jun 26. Value: £100. Listed under Dorset Textile Mills – Insurance Valuations in Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, Vol XXX Pt 303 Note 2 p174, Mar 1976.
1741 – 1742
MARY d. of THOMAS BELBIN baptised Feb 26.
1743 – 1744
STEPHEN BELBIN’s Administration dated Jan 23. Occupation: mariner, of HMS Suffolk. Administrator: WILLIAM ROBERTS, “the brother by the half blood”, soap boiler, of Sturminster Newton. Renunciation of administration by ANN BELBIN, widow, of Sturminster Newton, mother of the deceased, Jan 20, 1743/4. Ref: DA/A/1743 (36), Dorset, Archdeaconry Court.
BENJA s. of THOMAS BELBIN baptised Feb 4.
MARY BELBIN buried Feb 4.
1744
BENJAMIN BELBIN buried Jul 4.
ELIZABETH BELBIN buried Nov 10.
ANN BELBIN buried Dec 31.
1744 -1745
FRANCE d. of WILLIAM BELBIN baptised Jan 20.
MARY BELBIN buried Feb 4.
1745
THOMAS BELBIN married SARAH WHEELER Jul 27.
1746
SUSANNA BILBEN (sic) buried Oct 26.
1747 – 1748
LEWYS s. of WILLIAM and MARY BELBIN baptised Jan 25.
LEWYS BELBIN buried Feb 21.
1750
THOMAS s. of BENJAMIN and ELIZABETH BELBIN baptised May 16.
1754
BETTY d. of BENJAMIN and ELIS: BELBIN baptised Jan 16.
BETTY BELBIN buried Jun 30.
1758
JOHN STICKLAND married SUSANNA BELBIN Apr 21.
1760
CATHERINE BELBIN buried Mar 18.
1760
JOHN BELBIN buried Sep 13.
MARY BELBIN buried Nov 24
1763
THOMAS BELBIN buried Feb 17.
MARY BELBIN’s Will proved Feb 28. Will dated Nov 6, 1762. She appears to have been unmarried. Specified personal possessions and pecuniary legacies left to her sisters, ANN, who she appointed as Executrix, widow of JOHN SWEET and CATHERINE, wife of JOSHUA SWEET, and their children.
THOMAS BELBIN’s Will proved Mar 26. Will dated Feb 11. Occupation: yeoman. He left his wife SARAH BELBIN one shilling and all the residue to his (“loving” crossed out) beloved daughter MARY BELBIN, whom he appointed executor.
JOHN BELBIN’s Will proved Dec 28. Will dated Jul 18, 1749. Occupation: weaver. All goods and personal estate left to his living wife, JANE, who is appointed executrix
1765
ROBERT BELBIN married SUSANNA FISH Apr 1.
MARY BELBIN buried Oct 11.
1767
JOHN s. of ROBERT and SUSANNA BELBIN baptised Jun 5.
1769
STEPHEN s. of ROBERT and SUSANNAH BELBIN baptised Dec 13.
1770
JANE BELBIN buried May 2.
1771
JANE BELBIN’s Will proved Jul 20. Will dated Jul 29, 1767. Widow, presumably of JOHN BELBIN, for whose Will see 1763 above. She bequeathed personal possessions to named individuals, none of them named BELBIN, and her late husband’s weaving loom and everything belonging to it to her nephew ——GOODING (first name illegible). The residue to her brother WILIAM INKPEN, whom she appointed as executor.
BETTY d. of ROBERT and SUSANNA BELBIN baptised Dec 15.
1774
BEJANMIN BELBIN buried Sep 19.
ROBERT BELBIN buried Dec 18.
1775
WILLIAM s. of JOHN and ANN BELBIN baptised Mar 29.
JENNY d. of ROBERT and SUSANNAH BELBIN baptised Oct 25.
JENNY BELBIN buried Dec 15.
1777
MARY BELBIN buried Jun 24.
MARY d. of ROBERT and SUSANNA BELBIN baptised Oct 1.
MARY d. of JOHN and ANN BELBIN baptised Nov 3.
1779
ROBERT s. of JOHN and ANN BELBIN baptised Aug 22.
1780
JOHN BELBIN buried Nov 5.
JENNY BELBIN buried Dec 15.
1781
ROSE BELBIN buried Feb 10.
1782
ROBERT BELBIN buried Mar 7.
ROBERT s of JOHN and ANN BEBBIN (sic) baptised Oct 27.
SARAH BELBIN buried Dec 22.
1784
WILLIAM BELBIN buried Apr 18.
1785
ELIZABETHd. of JOHN and ANN BELBIN baptised Sep 27.
1786
WILLIAM BELBIN buried May 10.
1789
MARTHA d. of JOHN and ANN BELBIN baptised Sep 27.
The family of the above JOHN and ANN BELBIN were the only family of this name left in Sturminster Newton when Population Returns were made on Mar 10, 1801 of all those living in the town. The details are as follows:-
JOHN BELBEN Married labourer in husbandry
ANN BELBEN Married
WILLIAM BELBEN Single
ROBERT BELBEN Single
ELIZABETH BELBEN Single
MARTHA BELBEN Female child
The baptisms of WILLIAM, ROBERT, ELIZABETH and MARTHA have all been traced in the Sturminster Newton registers ( see 1775, 1782, 1785 and 1789 above), as well as the baptism of another ROBERT s. of JOHN and ANN. One of these ROBERTS was baptised in 1779 and the other in 1782. Probably the first one was the ROBERT buried Mar 7, 1782 a few months before the second one was born.
Apart from this family, there is one other individual BELBEN included in the 1801 Sturminster Newton Population Returns. MARY BELBEN, spinner, in the home of Betty Pope. It seems likely that she was the MARY, daughter of JOHN and ANN, who was baptised at Sturminster Newton (see 1777 above).
The surname of all the members of this family was spelt BELBEN in these Population Returns, though in the entries relating to them in the parish registers it was spelt BELBIN.
1792
FRANCES BELBIN buried Dec 23.