JOHN DENT

 

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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. Much of the Dent family information written on this website comes from this volume. It is supported with source documentation where that has been found.  

John Dent was born about 1640 probably in Yorkshire England. In a memorial to his grandson Rev. Hatch Dent, it says, "Rev. Hatch Dent, son of Hatch and Grandson of John Dent of Yorkshire, England, one of the early settlers of the Province of Maryland." Rev. Hatch was the great-grandson but the history is stated. The inscription is /or was at the Dent Memorial chapel in St. Mary’s County, Maryland at Charlotte Hall Military Academy.

It is not clear who John Dent’s parents were. His headrights for transportation to the colonies was paid by Thomas Dent. It is believed that John was probably a nephew of Thomas and thus the son of William Dent of Ginsboro. William was the older brother to Thomas. The younger brothers could not have had a son the age of this John Dent. However, another researcher believes John to be the son of George Dent, because one of John's sons was named George. Ginsborough was the family estate in Ormesby, a parish in North Riding Yorkshire near Middlesborough.

John Dent first settled in Maryland between 1658 and 1663 when the first headright was paid. He apparently returned to England and returned by 1676. In 1674 the Maryland Land Office Liber 18, folio 193 shows that he was assigned land of 300 acres for a valuable consideration from Giles Wilson and Nicholas Clemens. This became the track "Promise".
Mr. Newman believes that he probably married in England and left a wife or orphaned children in England. In his will there is mention of a son Peter Dent who was bequeathed property on the condition that he comes to Maryland to live.

John Dent was a champion of the liberal cause. He married the daughter of John Hatch, a well-known liberal and opportunist, who served on the governing body of the Province of Maryland from 1654 to 1658. It is known that on some date before 1678 John Dent wed Mary Hatch. During a session on October 12, 1682 of governing council, Thomas Perry of St. Mary’s County stated "…..which Dent heard Ffendall say at his ffather in law Hatch’s funeral….."

The Charles County Gentry lists the following to be children of John Dent, implying the first two were of a first marriage in England:
1. Peter Dent
2. Abigail Dent
3. Michael Dent died June 23, 1697 apparently unwed
4. John Dent born 1674, wed Catherine (Turner), died 1733
5. George Dent born about 1677, wed 1st Elizabeth Short, and 2nd Mary
6. Mary Dent
7. Lydia Dent wed Samuel Turner
8. Anne Dent wed John Cadle
9. Christian Dent wed Thomas Suite

John became one of the leading planters in Maryland. On November 9, 1673, he patented "Promise" for 140 acres and the next year he patented "Barnaby" of 60 acres. Barnaby was in Chaptico Hundred of St. Mary’s County and became his dwelling-plantation. Before his death he came the proprietor through purchase and inheritance of an estate exceeding 3000 acres.

He was a leader in the community. He served as Commissioner and JP for St. Mary’s County in 1679-80 and 1684-85. In 1683, he was commissioned to lay out the towns in St. Mary’s County .He was captain of a Chaptico Hundred company Calvary in 1689. In 1693 he was assigned to regulate military affairs in Chaptico. He became one of the first vestrymen of the Chaptico parish. On November 24, 1698 the All Faith’s Parish purchased 50 acres from Captian John Dent . This land became the site of Charlotte hall military Academy.

John Dent made a will dated September 25, 1711. It was approved on May 5, 1712. St. Mary’s County Wills Liber 13, folio 442. We have a copy of the will. If you CONTACT US we will be happy to send you a copy. His wife and their son John were executers. The estate was divided thus with the proviso that if any daughter should predecease him, her share would be divided by the living heirs of John Dent.
1. his wife (Mary was not named) – one half of personal estate
2. John Dent II – house & lot in Newportowne, "Cumberson" of 200 acres, "Barnaby" of 60 acres, "Reading" of 300 acres, "Evan’s Addition" of 100 acres, part of "Providence" of 215 acres, "Poertsfocogross" (I can’t read it) 200 acres, "Harrison’s Adventure" of 250 acres and the other half of the personal estate.
3. George Dent – "Haphazard" of 50 acres, and "Freestone Point" of 324 acres. It actually reads "My disobedient son George"
4. If Peter comes to Maryland then he would inherit some portions of lands devised to John, "Horse Range" of 200 acres and ½ of "Freestone Point" devised to George.
5. Mary - "Ashman’s Freehold"
6. Anne – "St. Stephen Coldman" of 200 acres, "Evan’s Reserve" of 100 acres and to her heirs forever.
7. Abigail – Love Adventure of 136 acres and to her heirs forever.
8. Christian – Coldwell’s of 331 acres, Trentforke of 25 acres, and Horse Range of 200 acres if Peter does not come to Maryland. She was probably unwed in Sept. 1711 for the proviso was if she died before he then her lands would be divided by John Dent’s living heirs otherwise to her heirs forever.
9. Lydia - St. Ann of 100 acres and to her heirs forever.

The inventory of his personal estate was signed by next of kin, George Dent and Samuel Turner, Lydia’s husband. On April 5, 1713 Mary and John Dent II rendered an account to the courts where all the children were declared of age.

Mary Dent, John’s widow, died during 1726. An inventory of her personal estate was taken on June 2, 1726 with George Dent and Samuel Turner again signing as next of kin.

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

    1. When and where was he born?
    2. Who were his parents?
    3. Did he marry first in England and if so, to whom?
    4. Get birth dates on all children.

 

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Date Last Edited: 4/25/2000