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  Ancient coins, spears, battle axes, &c., have been found  in the parish.  Near the mansion called Hurst Priory, was a cell of Augustine Canons, annexed to Nostal abbey,  and valued at the dissolution at £5.10s.1d; but all traces of it are gone.  The Dutch and Flemish Protestants who assisted Vermuden in the drainage of the levels, in the reign of Charles 1., erected a chapel, with a house for the Minister, at Sandtoft, but it went to decay after the death of the fifth incumbent.  Sandtoft Grove, a neat farmhouse, embowered in trees, is the property of G.A. Belwood Esq.  Sandtoft was given,  by one of the Mowbrays, to St. Marys Abbey, York, and had for some time a  small Benedictine Cell.  Beltoft was anciently the seat of the Sheffield family.  Belton church (All Saints) is a large and handsome fabric, of the age of Henry V1., and has in its chancel three stone stalls, a piascina, and a tomb, bearing the recumbent figure of a knight in armour.  The Rectory, valued in K.B. at £32.2s.2.5d., is in the impropriation of the Corporation of Lincoln, who are also patrons of the curacy, now enjoyed by the Rev. Thos. Skipworth, who occupies the Rectory House, (a neat mansion, with tasteful grounds,) and receives from the benefice about £200 a year.  Belton Grange, a farm of 516a., was allotted in lieu of part of the tithes for £950 per annum.  Sir John Ferne, author of "The Blazon of Gentrie," was born at Temple Belwood, the seat of his family, and died about 1610, leaving several sons, one of whom became Bishop of Chester.  The poor parishioners have the following yearly doles, viz., about £30. from 17a. 2r. 39p. of land, left by John Lightfoot, in 1708, except 11a. 1r. 34p., allotted at the enclosure;-20 yards of blue cloth, and 10s. in money, left by Robt. Bernard, and charged on an estate here, now belonging to Richd. Tyas, esq., of Doncaster;-12 yards of blue cloth, left by Stephen Caister, and charged on land now belonging to Mr. Thos. Theaker;-and £4. 15s. in five rent charges, derived from the bequests of Geo. Meggott, Jane Beard, and Fres. Glew.  The gift of the latter was about 3 acres of land, now held by three persons, subject only to £1. 15s. per annum, in the shape of rent charges.