John Dennis (1704 - abt. 1766)

Born 1704 in Somerset, Maryland

Ancestors

Descendants

Biography

Member of the lower house of the Maryland colonial assembly for Somerset County, 1745-1746. Coroner, Somerset County, 1745. Sheriff of Somerset County, 1746-1749. Justice for Somerset County, 1746-1763.

Children identified by the Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature

John Dennis, Jr. (ca. 1724-1782)

Littleton Dennis (1729-1774)

Sarah, m. Thomas Hollbrook

Leah, m. Rev. James Robertson

Mary, (ca. 1725-1807) 1m. Samuel Handy, 2m. John Pollett

[unidentified daughter who m. Caldwell, see research]

Will

In the name of God, I John Dennis of Somerset County being sick & weak in Body but of sound and disposing mind & memory do make this my Last will & Testament in manner Following ~First I will that all my just Debts be paid & discharged Secondly I devise unto my son Littleton Dennis his heirs and assigns forever all my Real Estate whatever as also two Negro Boys one named Daniel and the other named Hector as also my Silver Tankard, which Negroes I give him in consideration of what money I owe him and expect he will not bring any Account against my Estate. ~I devise the residue of my Estate to my wife during her Natural Life and after her Death I devise and direct the residue to be divided in manner Following, that is to say unto my Son John Dennis one-sixth part thereof and unto my Daughter Sarah Holbrook, thereof only, her husband Thomas Holbrook to deduct thirty pounds in Dollars at seven shillings and sixpence each out of his part which he owes me which sum I direct be accounted as part of my Estate and that he shall pay one fifth part of my Daughter Sarah's Sixth devised to her to my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Hamilton. ~And also I devise one-sixth part of the residue of my Estate to my Daughter Leah Robertson ~And to my Daughter Mary Pollett one-twelfth part of the Residue and I direct the remainder of the Residue to be divided among my Grand Children to wit. Samuel Handy Mary Maddux Elizabeth Handy John Handy and William Handy and William Caldwell Robert Caldwell Mary Caldwell and Elizabeth Sandford. I direct that in case my said Wife shall refuse to stand for this will and claim her thirds of my Estate, then in such Case I leave all such residue of my Estate to be divided and disposed of as my afsd. Son Littleton Dennis shall think just. And lastly I nominate and appoint my Son Littleton Dennis my sole Executor of this my Last [Will] and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of February Anno Dom 1766 J. Dennis
Signed Sealed Published pronounced & Declared in the presence of us~ William Allen J.[John] Broughton _ Josiah Polk

John Dennis' will was proved the 2nd of September in 1767 by the oaths of the three subscribing witnesses. Then, on the 3rd of October in 1767, his widow Mary Dennis appeared and renounced his will, choosing to take her thirds.

Sources

• Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature 1635-1789

• Somerset County, Maryland Will Book EB4 (will of John Dennis)

Research Notes