Nancy Blankenship may have known Isham Belcher as a young woman. The Blankenships, a hardy people, lived in the in the area of what is now Bedford, Franklin, and Tazewell counties, in Virginia. In 1720, all of these counties lie in the county of Brunswick. Looking at the age, 39, of Nancy when she married Isham, I have often wondered if she was a widowed. However, all of the children researched over the years, seems to point to her union with Isham. Nancy was Isham’s second wife. His first wife, Martha “Patsy” Hodges died in 1808. Isome (another spelling), was left with a dozen minor children. Nancy must have been one tough lady.

As the new Americans were ending the Revolutionary War, the war for independence, a new battle was formulating. Cherokee & Shawnee, natives to the area around Tazewell, Virginia, were allied themselves with the British government. It would be over a quarter of a century before this issue would be resolved in the War of 1812. No settler was ever safe. Indian hostilities struck often, and were very brutal. Tazewell had several major incidents. That was the life on the frontier.

Nancy and Isham Belcher had only been married about 3 years, when Isome enlisted in the War of 1812 to help put an end to the fear each person lived with. Nancy, with all of her resolved, now the mother of 4 young children, continued on. The family prospered. 14 years after the marriage (1829), Isham had over 170 acres of land on Laurel Fork of Bushy Creek, as mentioned in his will, that was left to his children. Nancy died the year before.


“Tazewell County, Virginia

In the name of God, Amen:

I, Isome Belcher of Tazewell County and the State of Virginia having arrived to an advanced period of life, consequently feeling the infirmities of age deem it expedient while having the exercise of my reason to make my last will and testament which is as follows;

In the first place I will that my body be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter to be named and that my funeral expenses and debts (if any) be paid out of my estate by my executor.

I give and bequeath to each of my children to wit: Phoebe, Obediah, John, Jessee, & Nancy one dollar to be paid out of my estate.

In like manner in the next place I give and bequeath to the balance of my children viz: Isome, Micaga, Jude, Asa, Henry, Moses, James, Jonathan & Robert my horse, property, cattle, hogs, sheep, & geese, all my farm utensils, all my furniture, & one loom to be enjoyed and possessed equally by them and their heirs forever.

I also give to my son Isome a certain tract or parcel of land in Tazewell County known by 1 yrs. improvement on the Laurel fork of Brushy Creek,quantity of acres not recollected to be enjoyed and possessed by him and his heirs forever.

I also give and bequeath to my three young sons, James, Jonathan, & Robert the tract of land I now live on lying at the mouth of the Laurel fork of Brushy Creek containing 170 acres and a small tract or parcel of land on Brush Creek & joining the tract will to son Isome quantity not recollected to be enjoyed and possessed equally by them and their heirs forever.

The above estate is to be at my disposal during my natural life.

Lastly, I nominate and appoint John Davidson and Henry Bailey (grandson). Executors of this my last will and testament.

Whereof I have set my and affixed my seal this 18th day of December in the year of our Lord 1822.

His mark
Isome Belcher - seal

Signed, sealed and acknowledged on presence of:

. Samuel Dillion (brother of son, Jesse’s, wife)
. John Davidson (son of John Goolman Davidson, murdered by Indians in 1793)
. Polly McVey (possibly a wife of an 1812 soldier; a friend)”