Joseph Belcher (May 14, 1669 – April 27, 1723[1][2][3][4]) was a minister at the First Church in Dedham, Massachusetts.
[6] As he approached that birthday, his grandmother died and left him a "considerable fortune," including 300 acres of land in Milton.
[5] Belcher was shy and self-effacing, and had a "calming influence, rational approach and generally non-inflammatory attitude.
[7] One was delivered before the Great and General Court, one before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, two were preached in Dedham specifically for young people, and one at the ordination of Nathaniel Cotton in Bristol, Rhode Island.
[7] A few weeks after settling, on December 23, the Town Meeting voted to set his salary at 60 pounds a year.
[6][14][7][16] By the end of his tenure his salary was 100 pounds a year plus the firewood provided by members of the parish.
[7] The town also contributed 60 pounds to build a parsonage on land now owned by the Allin Congregational Church.