Walter Denny (abt. 1678 - abt. 1752)

Born about 12 Mar 1678 in Burt, County Donegal, Ireland

Husband of Margaret (Rankin) Denny — married 19 Aug 1705 in Burt, County Donegal, Ireland

Descendants

Died about 24 May 1752 at about age 74 in Little Britain, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Biography

Walter Denny was baptized on 12 March 1677/8 at Burt, County Donegal, Ireland.^[1]

Many publications, including the Denny Genealogy^[2] incorrectly listed him as born about 1701, the son of Frederick Denny and married about 1723. Simply, many records have come to light since that 1944 publication which shows that information is incorrect.

The most important is Walter Denny's headstone at Morrison Cemetery, Hensel, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, which lists that he died on 24 May 1752 in the 69 year of his age.^[3] That age disproves the thought that he was born about 1701.

Walter Denny married at Burt on 19 August 1705 to Margaret "Renkin" [Rankin]. The baptisms of two children were recorded there:
William Denny baptized 5 October 1797
John Denny baptized 16 July 1710^[4]

Walter Denny and his family immigrated about 1719, first settling in New Castle County, Delaware. On 18 February 1719 Joseph Wood and wife Ann of New Castle County, Delaware, sold to Walter Denny, late of the Kingdom of Ireland, but now of New Castle County, Yeoman, for 45 pounds a tract on Christiana Creek beginning near the mouth of Sample's Run, adjacent said Creek containing 470 acres.
Signed: Jas: Wood, Ann Wood
Witness: Abram: Bickley and Jno. Richardson
Recorded 12 March 1720^[5]

On 30 July 1723 Walter Denny and wife Margery of New Castle Co., Delaware, Yeoman, to Alexander McKeen of the same, husbandman, for 10 pounds, 10 shillings current money of Pennsylvania, that tract in New Castle County being part of that land called "Sample" purchased by the said Denny from Joseph Wood adjacent Christiana Creek, Seven Mile Run, Five Mile Run, on the whole 117 acres.
Signed Walter Denny, Margery Denny
Witness: Jno. Rees, Wm. Williams
Acknowledged 22 November 1723
Recorded 14 December 1723^[6]

On 14 November 1723 Walter Denny of New Castle County, Delaware, Yeoman, to Archibald Nicholls of the same for 125 pounds a tract on Christiana Creek adjacent Matthias Vanbebber, 470 acres of which 100 hundred acers Walter sold to Alexander Mackeen and the remainder to Archibald Nicholls. Signed: Walter Denny
Witness: Gawin Williamson, Howell James
Acknowledged 21 November 1723.
Recorded 1 August 1777^[7]

Additional children who would have been born in Ireland were: Jean Denny born about 1712
Ann Denny born about 1716
Margaret Denny born about 1718

Children born after settling in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, would be: James Denny born about 1724 Sarah Denny born about 1727

Walter Denny wrote his will on 16 March 1752 as a resident of Little Britain Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was proved on 20 June 1752.^[8]

Notes

Related Denny's??? Jeremiah SMITH, Jr., and his sister's husband, Caleb JONES, built a grist mill at Melissadale-named after Mrs. William STEWART-in 1809. Eight years after, Peter McLAUGHLIN, of Slippery Rock township, purchased the mill and 500 acres of land for 1,000 pounds of powder, valued at one dollar a pound. About the same time Peter and Hugh or Robert McLAUGHLIN established a powder factory near the site of the ruins of the DENNY saw mill, and both industries were conducted by them until the death of Peter McLAUGHLIN in 1828. John McMACKIN, who had charge of the powder mill as superintendent, was also a partner, and after the McLAUGHLINs passed away, James DENNY, Jr., of Clearfield township, became a partner, having purchased the McLAUGHLIN interests in the powder factory in 1834. Later William DENNY purchased McMACKIN's interests. In 1853 the grist mill was torn down, when William, Daniel and John DENNY built the present mill, using the water power of Rough run, as well as steam. It had three run of buhrs until 1888, when it was converted into a modern roller mill with four sets of rolls and a capacity of thirty barrels of flour per day. In 1871 [p. 489] the DENNY brothers and William STEWART drilled a well east of the mill to a depth of 1,250, which proved a great gas well. The gas was used for fuel in the mill and the houses. In 1874 the DENNY well was drilled to a depth of 1,442 feet. It is now as good as when first opened. Winfield Twp Butler County, PA http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1895/95x39.htm

JAMES DENNY was born in Donegal county, Ireland, in 1778, a son of Michael DENNY. In 1794 he immigrated with his parents to Pennsylvania and settled in Cumberland county, near Carlisle. He was a shoemaker, and followed his trade in that county, as well as after his removal to Butler county, where he settled in 1799. His parents came with him, also his brother William. Another brother, Michael, settled in Armstrong county, and died there. William afterwards located on the lands first entered by James, married Ann DAUGHERTY, and his descendants are still residents of the township. James DENNY entered 200 acres of land in Clearfield township, upon which he lived until 1803, and then purchased 200 acres in the same township, where he resided down to his death, February 25, 1872. He married Mary O'DONNELL, a daughter of Arthur [p. 854] O'DONNELL, of Clearfield township, who immigrated from Ireland to Butler county, in 1798. She died on July 4, 1835. They were the parents of the following children: James, who married Eliza HAZLETT, reared three children and died in 1844; Michael, who married Elizabeth DUGAN, and died in Nevada; William; Arthur, who died in Clearfield township, married Bridget SHERIDAN, and had eight children; Mary, deceased wife of Edward CYPHER; Daniel; Nancy, widow of Philip CYPHER, and John. The family were among the first members of St. John's Catholic church, and in politics, Mr. DENNY was a Democrat. He was one of the substantial pioneers of Winfield and Clearfield townships.

WILLIAM DENNY, third son of James and Mary DENNY, was born in Clearfield township, Butler county, February 15, 1812, and was reared to manhood upon the homestead. In 1830 his father purchased 500 acres of land in what is now Winfield township, and James DENNY, Jr., and William DENNY went into business on it in 1837. James DENNY died in 1844, and his interest was purchased by Daniel DENNY. In 1847 William, Daniel and John DENNY went into business together, and have continued their partnership to the present time. They rebuilt the old mill and have carried on farming and milling. In 1870 they built three miles of the West Penn railroad, and on the completion of the road they opened a general store at Delano, where our subject was the first postmaster, the office being named in honor of the family. The Dennys operate 600 acres of land, and are among the leading farmers of the county. Mr. DENNY is a member of St. John's Catholic church, of Clearfield township, is a Democrat, in politics, and is an energetic and enterprising citizen.

DANIEL DENNY, son of James and Mary DENNY, was born in Clearfield township, Butler county, May 4, 1818, attended a subscription school of pioneer days, and since early manhood has been associated with the business enterprises of his brothers, William and John. He married Helen McLAUGHLIN, who died in 1866, leaving four children, viz.: Elvira, wife of John EASLEY, of Armstrong county; James, of Salt Lake city; Mary, who is unmarried, and Eleanor, wife of John MILLHAUSER. Mr. DENNY was married again to Margaret EASLEY. The family are connected with St. John's Catholic church, and in politics, he is a Democrat.

JOHN DENNY, son of James and Mary DENNY, was born August 15, 1824, upon the old homestead in Clearfield township. He was reared to manhood upon the farm, and has since been connected with the various business enterprises of his brothers. He married Sarah A. SHERIDAN, and both he and wife are members of St. John's Catholic church. Politically, Mr. DENNY is a stanch Democrat.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Oliver D. Cresswell, "Kirk Session Book of Burt", Walter son of William Denny baptism, 12 March 1677/8, http://www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/research/KirkSessionBook/Rekirkbook.pdf
2. ↑ Margaret Collins Denny Dixon and Elizabeth Chapman Denny Vann. Denny Genealogy (New York: The National Historical Society, 1944), p. 96, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8D-C32G-8
3. ↑ Find A Grave, Walter Denny memorial and headstone, #60667824. James Harrison Turner, creator, David Warnick, photographer, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60667824/walter-denny
4. ↑ Oliver D. Cresswell, "Kirk Session Book of Burt", http://www.ewingfamilyassociation.org/research/KirkSessionBook/Rekirkbook.pdf
5. ↑ New Castle Co., Delaware Deed Book E1, pp. 325-328, James Wood and wife Ann to Walter Denny, late of the Kingdom of Ireland, 18 February 1719, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-6Q1Y-P
6. ↑ New Castle Co., Delaware, Deed Book G1, pp. 273-274, Walter Denny and wife Margery to Alexander McKeen,30 July 1723, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSYD-2Q34-F
7. ↑ New Castle County, Delaware, Deed Book C2, pp. 281-284, Walter Denny to Archibald Nicholls, 14 November 1723, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-TSH1-F
8. ↑ Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Will Book I, pp. 97-98. Walter Denny will, 16 March 1752, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L99B-J9D8-T
9. ↑ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pabutler/1895/95x71-1.htm

• Fleming, George T. History of Pittsburgh and Environs (The American Historical Society, New York and Chicago, 1922, Vol. 4, p. 94-99)

Acknowledgments

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