robert belt, sr.
1885-1963
Life Story
Early Life and Family Roots
Robert Belt was born on June 10, 1885, in Morton, Mississippi, during the post-Reconstruction era. He was the son of Caley Belt and Bettie Thompson Belt. Raised in Newton County, Robert’s life would span nearly eight decades of profound social and economic change in Mississippi and across the nation.
He remained a lifelong resident of Newton County, Mississippi, living primarily in rural communities surrounding Newton and Morton.
Marriage and Faith
Around 1906–1907, Robert married Virginia Berry. Together, they built a large family and shared a life rooted in work, faith, and community.
Robert was described as a devoted member and “faithful worker” of Sylvester Methodist Church, reflecting the central role of church life in sustaining Black families in rural Mississippi. His faith community would remain an anchor throughout his life.
Work and Changing Occupations
Robert’s working life reflects the economic shifts experienced by many African American men in the early twentieth century.
- 1910–1930: Primarily worked as a farmer on general farms. In 1910 and 1930, he was renting farmland. By 1920, he owned his home.
- 1920: Briefly listed as a porter at a railroad station, suggesting seasonal or supplemental employment.
- 1940: Recorded as a laborer, working 50 hours per week at age 54.
- Later Years: Served as an employee of Hutson Funeral Home for approximately 12 years.
His steady transition from farm labor to service work demonstrates adaptability in response to changing local economic conditions.
Children and Household
Robert and Virginia were the parents of ten children, all of whom survived him. Over four decades of census records, their household included:
- Julia Belt (1909-2002) – Later listed as Julia Chapman in 1940, widowed or divorced, with children of her own.
- Bettie (Mae) Belt (1909-1991) – Living in Flint, Michigan in 1963.
- Lillie Belt (b. 1911) – Living in Newton, Mississippi in 1963.
- Willie Belt (1912-1991) – Living in Detroit, Michigan in 1963.
- Robert Belt, Jr. (1914-1997) – Living in Flint, Michigan in 1963.
- Annie Belt (b. 1915) – Living in St. Louis, Missouri in 1963.
- Nora Belt (1919-2009) – Living in Newton in 1963.
- Larcenia Belt (1921-2005) – Living in Tampa, Florida in 1963.
- Bessie Belt (1924- 2021) – Living in Newton in 1963.
- Joe Wesley Belt (1927-1968) – Living in Flint, Michigan in 1963.
The Great Migration Connection
By the time of Robert’s death in 1963, several of his children had relocated to Detroit, Flint, St. Louis, and Tampa. Their movement reflects the broader historical pattern known as the Great Migration, during which many African American families left the rural South for industrial cities in the North and Midwest in search of employment, stability, and expanded opportunities.
While some of his children remained in Newton County, others became part of this national shift, linking the Belt family to both Mississippi’s rural history and America’s industrial transformation.
Extended Family
At the time of his passing, Robert was survived by:
- His father, Caley Belt (who outlived him).
- Half-brothers: Walter Moore, Tom Moore, Homer Moore, and Pork Moore.
- Half-sister: Zula Jones.
- 23 grandchildren.
- 36 great-grandchildren.
These numbers testify to a growing multigenerational legacy rooted in Newton County but extending far beyond Mississippi.
Death and Legacy
Robert Belt passed away on May 6, 1963, at his home on Route 1, Newton, Mississippi.
His life bridged eras—from post-Reconstruction agriculture to mid-twentieth-century industrial migration. He labored in the fields, worked along the railroad, and later served his community through funeral home employment. He was a husband, father of ten, church worker, and patriarch of a large and expanding family.
Through his children and descendants, Robert Belt’s legacy extends from Newton County to Michigan, Missouri, and Florida—connecting the rural South to the broader American story.
Resting Place
Sylvester United Methodist Church
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910 – 1950 Federal Censuses
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., World War I Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- The Newton Record, Robert Belt Obituary, Wed, May 15, 1963 ·Page 9
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