TABITHA DENT
Quite a bit is written about the Dent family in Charles
County Gentry by Harry Wright Newman.
It even includes the family coat of arms.
Tabitha Dent was born in 1743 probably in Charles County, Maryland. Her parents were John Dent III and Mary Blackman.
Tabitha married Walter Moreland probably in Charles County about 1765. Information was received from mortenson@mindspring.com "Moreland/Boswell information" and Rob Moreland’s website, noted at end of this piece. A trip to Charles County confirmed the early and active residence of the Moreland family.
William Moreland made a will April 6, 1772 in Charles County, Maryland whereby he made his nephew, Walter Moreland, son of Jacob Moreland, his executor and sole heir. William left Walter all his lands, goods, and nineteen slaves. Paul Howell, Jonathan McDaniel and Thomas Jones witnessed the will. William had his will probated July 26, 1777 in Charles County, Maryland. Charles County Will Book AF: 35, Maryland State Archives, Annapolis, Maryland.
Walter and Tabitha had 8 known children:
1. William Moreland born
about 1766 in Charles Ct, wed Priscilla
Boswell, and died 1826 in KY.
2. Walter Moreland born 1768 was listed as 92
years old on Trimble County 1860 Census.
3. Sarah Moreland born c1770 married John
Hambaugh before 1787. She died after 1810.
4. John Dent Moreland born about 1772, died 1816
in Prince Georges’ Ct. MD.
5 Ann Moreland born about 1773 wed Elkannah
Boswell in 1790
6. Samuel Moreland born about 1774, died 1817 in
Prince George’s Ct. MD.
7. Thomas Blackman Moreland born c1777 wed Mary
Wheat, died 1808 Prince George’s Ct.
8. Hanson Moreland born about 1779
Walter took an oath of allegiance January 28, 1778 in Charles County, Maryland. This is shown in the Charles County Daniel Jennifer’s Return, Jan 28, 1778, Blue Book Vol V, No 30.
A 1778 census of males 18 years of age and upward, listed Walter Moreland in Port Tobacco Parish, East Hundred, Charles Co. Maryland and Walter is listed as a landowner on the 1783 tax list in 4th District, Charles Co., Maryland. At that time he owned two parcels, a 96-acre parcel named Mike Garner, and a 30-acre parcel named Moreland's Help. Assessment of 1783, Charles County.
Walter Moreland’s will was dated Nov. 13, 1787 and probated Jan 2 1788 in Prince George’s Ct. He named his wife, Tabitha and son, John Dent Moreland executors. He named his children: William, John Dent, Thomas Blackman, Walter, Samuel, Hanson, Sarah Hambaugh wife of John, and Ann.
On the 1790 Census of Prince George‘s County we find Tabitha
Moreland with
2 males 16 or over
3 males under 16
1 female
20 slaves
We do not know how long Tabitha lived.
Julia Mortenson explained her search for the Moreland family. If you check William Moreland’s story you will find a strong connection to Trimble County Kentucky and Shenandoah County VA. Those counties have records that make a connecting thread. For instance, #1 William had a grandson Franklin Moreland whose Trimble county marriage license showed he resided in VA and his father was born in Maryland. When Julia searched the net she found Rob Moreland’s web site of Morelands from Maryland. The original website connection is lost, but Rob has a will of WIlliam Moreland that is listed on the Rootsweb under Charles County Maryland. I got there by a search. I suggest trying that as addresses seem to change too often to keep current.
There she found William, son of Walter and Tabitha Dent. One of William’s sons (In Trimble County Kentucky) was John D. Moreland. D, possibly for Dent. John Hambaugh, husband of Sarah and Daniel Trout who married one of William oldest daughter and moved to Trimble County, witnessed a Shenandoah deed. There were other connections between Trimble County and Maryland and Shenandoah County to firmly link the family. Good detection, Julia!
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Date created: 12/29/2000
Date edited 11/27/2015