Richard Dennis (abt. 1644 - aft. 1667)

Born about 1644 in Northumberland, Virginia Colony

Died after 1667 after about age 23 in Northumberland, Virginia Colony

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Biography

Richard Dennis was a Virginia colonist.

Richard Dennis, eldest son of John Dennis, Sr., and Barbary Unknown, was born about 1644 in Northumberland County, Virginia.

Richard's father, John Dennis, Sr., died intestate between 4 September 1652 and 15 January 1652/3 in Northumberland County, Virginia. As eldest son, Richard inherited the estate of his father. This included 350 acres of land patented by John Dennis on 15 September 1649 at great Wicocomoco, Northumberland County. On 16 July 1654, this 350 acre tract, plus another 50 for transport of one person, was recorded to the "Orphens of John Dennis." Two years later, on 26 April 1656, Richard Dennis recorded the 400 acres in his own name.^[1]

After the death of his father John Dennis, Sr., in 1652, Richard Dennis was placed in the guardianship of his mother's third husband, David Spiller. He was also named in the will of David Spiller in 1658.

• David Spiller was appointed guardian "of orphans of Jno Dennis. 13 Apl 1657," Northumberland Co., Virginia. Barbary's children with Robert Swanson and John Dennis are named in the will of David Spiller, dated 21 Oct 1658, as his "sonnes" -- Jno Swanson, Richard Dennis, Pasco Dennis, Jno Dennis. ^[2]
• Richard Dennis of Great Wicocomoco in the County of Northumberland records mark for cattle and hogs 10th June 1653.^[3]

The distribution of John Dennis, Sr.'s estate is referred to in Virginia Colonial records:^[4]

• Dennis, John. Account of cattle belonging to his children in hands of David Spiller:
  • Richd Dennis 2 cows 1 heifer
  • Paschall Dennis 2 cows 1 heifer, 13 April 1657

On 8 December 1662, Ed. Sanders of Northumberland County, sold to Richard Dennis and Pasco Dennis 300 acres of land in Northumberland County on the head of Dennis Creek.^[5]

Richard Dennis owned some land in Nortumberland County upon which he lived and part of which was leased to Jno Swanson and Jno Lord. He sold the land on 12 November 1662 to Isaac Weaver and Thomas Gascoine, Jr., subject to the lease which was about to expire. Deed was recorded in Northumberland County Court, 10 February 1662/3.^[5]

Richard Dennis is named in the Northumberland County, Order Book on 21 May 1667 as being responsible for "ye devideing creeke; ...."^[5]

Death

Richard Dennis died after 1667 and before 15 March 1675/6 in Northumberland County, Virginia. He appears to have died intestate, unmarried and without issue.

His brother Paskall Dennis, second son of John, Sr., married Barbara Jones, and had a daughter, Mary Dennis, before his death about 1664. After Richard Dennis died, the youngest son of John, Sr., John Dennis, kept possession of the 350 acres. Barbara Salisbury, remarried widow of Paskall Dennis, sued on behalf of her daughter Mary for possession of the land, arguing Mary was rightful heir as daughter of the second son, whereas John was the third son. She won in court and John Dennis Junior was ordered ejected from the land and it be given to Mary, daughter of Paskall and Barbara Dennis. 15 March 1675/76. John Dennis, Junior, filed an appeal. The record does not give the result of that appeal.^[6]

Name

Name: Richard /Dennis/^[7]

Birth

Birth:

Date: 1650

Place: Virginia, United States,^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Nugent, Nell Marion, Abstracted and Indexed by. Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800. In Five Volumes. Richmond, VA.: Press of the Dietz Printing Co., 1935. Pages183, 288-289, 330
2. ↑ Fleet, Beverly. Virginia Colonial Abstracts. 34 Volumes. Salt Lake City, Utah : Digitized by FamilySearch International, 2011. Vol. 20, Page 73
3. ↑ Fleet, Beverly. Virginia Colonial Abstracts. 34 Volumes. Salt Lake City, Utah : Digitized by FamilySearch International, 2011. Vol. 2, Page 107
4. ↑ Fleet, Beverly. Virginia Colonial Abstracts. 34 Volumes. Salt Lake City, Utah : Digitized by FamilySearch International, 2011. Vol. 19, Page 36
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Richard Dennis
6. ↑ 1674-1677 Northumberland County, Virginia Order Book, Part 3; [Antient Press]; Page 263 Northumberland County Court 15th of March 1675/76; as cited on John 'Sr' Dennis
7. ↑ Source: #S64 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for John Dennis
8. ↑ Source: #S64 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for John Dennis

Acknowledgments

• Michael Ferguson, firsthand knowledge.
• Source: S64 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.;; Repository: #R2
• Repository: R2 Name: Ancestry.com Address: E-Mail Address: Phone Number: