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Mary Hatch was born between 1647 and 1654 in St. Mary's County MD. She was the daughter of John Hatch. Her mother is unknown but was transported to Maryland about 1647. Patent liber 2, page 511. He was transported to Maryland in 1637. Patent liber 1, page 19 and Early Settlers of Maryland by Skordas. However, he was transported from Kent Island, then a part of Virginia.  He had been working there for Clobery & Co a London fur trading company.  Most likely beaver furs was their primary commodity.  from the Flowering of the American Palatinate, page 130 by Harry Wright Newman.  Mr. Newman went on to write Charles County Gentry, where many of the following items came from. 

John Hatch was a well-known liberal and opportunist, who served on the governing body of the Province of Maryland from 1654 to 1658.

Mary Hatch wed John Dent some time before 1678. She was probably his second wife.  In his will he mentioned son Peter, was to inherit "if he came to maryland".  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….." John Dent was a champion of the liberal cause.

The Charles County Gentry lists the following to be children of Mary Hatch and John Dent;
1. Michael Dent died June 23, 1697 apparently unwed
2. John Dent born 1674, wed Catherine (Turner), died 1733
3. George Dent born about 1677, wed 1st Elizabeth Short, and 2^nd Mary
4. Mary Dent
5. Lydia Dent wed Samuel Turner
6. Anne Dent wed John Cadle
7. Christian Dent wed Thomas Suite

There is a memorial to her great-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 Dent was actually the great-grandson but the history is stated. The inscription is  at the Dent Memorial chapel in St. Mary’s County, Maryland at Charlotte Hall Military Academy.
now a retirement community.

John Dent 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 Captain 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, Mary and their son John were executors. 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. Peter was a son by John's first marriage in England
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. She is believed to be a child of John's first marriage.
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.

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

Mary Hatch Dent 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. It is not known where she is buried.

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Date Last Edited: 1/5/2001
Edited 8/25/2019
Edited 11/4/2024