John Dent (abt. 1640 - 1712)

Born about 1640 in Guisborough, Yorkshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Hatch) Dent — married 1665 in St Mary's County, Maryland

Descendants

Died 15 May 1712 at about age 72 in St. Mary's County, Maryland, Colonial America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Tammy Miles [send private message]

John Dent migrated from Yorkshire, England to America.

Biography

Event

Arrival BET 1662 AND 1663 Maryland^[1]

Marriage

Husband: John Dent

Wife: Mary Hatch

Child: John Dent

Child: Anne Dent

Child: Peter Dent

Child: Michael Dent

Child: Lydia Dent

Child: Abigail Dent

Child: Mary Dent

Child: Christian Dent

Child: George Dent

Marriage 1665 St Mary's County, Maryland

John Dent was born about 1651 in England. He died in 1712 in Maryland. He married Mary Shercliffe, b. 1647, dau. of John and Anne Spinke Shercliffe.^[2]

Military Service

He served against the Indians at Susquehanna Fort, 1681 and was Appointed Captain of Chaptico Hundred 1689, Captain of the Foot in 1694. He was styled “Captain” and “Gentleman”. (MD Arch, xv, 256, 326; xvii, 379; xx, 138; xiii, 241; xx, 106; xxiii

(Capt John Dent) served against the Indians at Susquehanna Fort, 1681 and was Appointed Captain of Chaptico Hundred 1689, Captian of the Foot in 1694. Appointed by Willian and Mary Commission from King Charles II of England and a member of the Kings Council for Maryland4220

He was styled “Captain” and “Gentleman”. (MD Arch, xv, 256, 326; xvii, 379; xx, 138; xiii, 241; xx, 106; xxiii ^[3]

Marriage

Returning to the belief that John Dent married in England, it is significant that at the time of his death he had a son living outside of the Province. In his will he mentioned a son Peter who was bequeathed property on the condition "if he comes into this Province to inhabit". Thus it looks as if Peter had never been in Maryland which substantiates the supposition that John Dent married before his final departure for Maryland and left a child or children in England. It is also significant that in 1677 John Harris proved rights for 50 acres of land for the transportation of Abigail Dent who could have been a daughter left in Yorkshire. And John Dent in his will provided for a spinster daughter Abigail. Whether John Dent was a bachelor or widower at the time of his settlement in Maryland is consequently a debatable question, but it is known that sometime before 1678 he had married Mary, the daughter of John Hatch, an interesting character in early Maryland history. - See more at: http://frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I16139#sthash.3mFiZ6IV.dpuf ^[4]

The following information viewable at http://hillfamilymd.org/Family/ps23/ps23_133.htm ^[5]

Cleek, Dunmore, Gum, Hill, Stephenson, Suit Family - Person Sheet

Name Mary Hatch

Birth1647, St Mary's County, MD

Land Purchase aft 3 Sep 1711

Purchase Memoresidue of her husband, Capt John Dent’s personal Estate Goods and chattells; Executor with son John

Undefinedbef 5 May 1712, St Mary's County, MD

Undefined Memo executor of her husband, Capt John Dent, jointly with son John & bequeathed her personal property

Undefined 5 Apr 1713

Undefined MemoCapt JohnDent -His widow & son John rendered an account to the court, when all children were declared of age.

Deathbef 2 Jun 1726, Chaptico, St Mary’s County, MD

Death MemoCool Springs; bef Mar 1725 Charles County, MD? 1728?

Will Filed2 Jun 1726, St Mary's County, MD

Will Filed MemoProbate, Inventory of personal estate, George Dent & Samuel Turner signing as the kinsman

Father: John Hatch (1618-1681)

Mother: Anne Spinke (~1615-)

Research

Marriages and Deaths St Mary’s County MD255 (Parents John & Ann Shercliffe not Hatch? Henry Spink - Relationship?) Deaths: Dent, Mary (Mrs.) b: 1647, dau John & Ann Shercliffe & niece of Henry Spink. She was 65 in 1712. Ref. Chancery Court 2:862 deposition (84 Women’s Career File by Carr, St Mary’s City Comm, Historian, Hall of Records, Annapolis, MD)

Charles County, MD Probate39112 189: Mary Dent decd 2 Jun 1726 - George Dent, Samuel Truner (sic) kin - Jno Dent adm. (Kin to son John Dent’s wife, Catherine?)

John Dent Birth1646, Yorkshire, England

Birth Mem abt 1645? 1650? 1651? 1635 Guisborough, Yorkshire, England? abt 1640?

Residencebef Sep 1666, Cool Springs, Charles County, MD

Reside Memoestablished planter; entered his cattle marks at court in Charles County, MD

Residence aft Sep 1666, Charlotte Hall, St Mary’s County, MD

Land Purchase 26 Sep 1673, Charles County, MD

Purchase Memo Piccawaxen or Wm&Mary Hundred, Promise, 140 ac, Surveyed Sep 1673 for John Dent at abound oak & bound tree of Edward Swann & William Marshall, bounding upon Swan N.W.

Land Purchase 29 Jun 1674, Charles County, MD

Purchase MemoBarnaby 60 ac, granted to him; adjoining his plantation Cumberston

Land Purchase 7 May 1676, Charles County, MD

Purchase MemoBarnaby 60 ac, Surveyed for John Dent, in the line of the land called Cumberton & adjoining Bow, included into resurvey of Dents Inheritance, folio 419, 19 Aug 1720

Undefined13 Aug 1678, Charles County, MD

Undefined Memo appointed Richard Edelen their attorney to “allow the right & title of the tract Promise to Richard Ashman of Chas Co” The instrument witnessed by Sarah X Gwin & Mary Alderne (Deeds, Lib H 1 fol 2, LaPlata)

Residenceca 1679, St Mary's County, MD ^{[citation needed]}

Reside MemoCharlotte Hall

Undefined30 May 1705, Charles County, MD ^{[citation needed]}

Undefined Memofrom John Harrison Will: Harrison’s Adventure 215 ac; Providence. In event of sale of latter not being confirmed to Edward Greenhalgh it is devised to Mr. Dent (of St Marys) as also all land in Corretoman, VA. 3. 483

Will Filed25 Sep 1711, St Mary's County, MD

Will Filed MemoWill dated; 3 Sep? Witnessed: Samuel Williamson, James Keech and Henry Davis

Deathbef 5 May 1712, Chaptico, St Mary’s County, MD

Death Memobet 3 Sep 1711-5 May 1712; Cool Springs

Will Filed5 May 1712, St Mary's County, MD

Will Filed MemoWill probated; Will Book 13: 442; Prince Calvert (PC 1) pg 181; Charles County, MD?

OccupationJustice of St Mary’s Co 1679, 1680, 1684, 1685 & 1689; of the quorum 1694; captain of Chaptico Hundred 1689; captain of the Foot 1694; and a Vestryman of King and Queen Parish in 1696; planter

Father: George Dent (~1620-)

Mother: Mary Shercliffe

Misc. Notes

Pg 359 John Dent the immigrant, came to MD abt 1663. He acquired considerable estates under the will of John Harrison, of Charles Co, which was executed in 1690 and proved in 1708, and owned other estates, besides. 37968

Pg 5759300 Capt John Dent (16__ - 1712) It is possible and quite probable that John Dent settled in Maryland about 1658, returned to England, and again entered the Province about 1676. And there are definite circumstances which indicate that he probably married in England and left a wife or orphaned children in England. Pg 59 During the sessions of the Council regarding the investigations emanating from Fendall’s Rebellion, Thomas Perry, of St Mary’s County, under oath on Oct 12, 1682, made several references to John Dent which prove absolutely his marriage to a daughter of John Hatch. Perry thus states, “... if he (Dent) had declared all that he knew against Ffendall and which he (Dent) heard Ffendall say at his ffather(sic) in law Hatch’s funeral he (Dent) could have hang’d him...” (Archives, vol. 17, p. 119. Francis P. Culver, genealogist, whose claims to infallibility, are well known stated in MD Hist. Mag, vol. 19, p. 195, that John Dent marr: Mary Shirtcliffe. The latter intermarried with the Dant(sic) family of Catholic faith, of no connection with John Dent.)

Dent, John, St. Mary's Co., 25th Sept., 1711; 5th May, 1712.4220 To son John and hrs., 200 A., "Cumberson," 60 A., "Barnaby" 300 A., "Reading,"' 100 A.., "Evan's Addition.," house and lott at Newportowne, and 215 A.," Providence, 200 A, "Pearly Progress.," 250 A., "'Harrison's. Adventure,"' and all land given testator by will of John Harrison., excepting 50 A., "Haphazard." to son George and hrs,., 50 A., "Haphazard," 324 A., "Freestone Point." to dau. Mary and hrs "Ashman's Freehold." to dau. Lydia and hrs 100 A., "St. Anne." to dau. Anna and hrs., "St. Stephen" and 200 A, "Coldman," and 100 A., "Evan's Reserve." to dau. Abigail and hrs., 136 A., "Love's Adventure. to dau. Christian and hrs., 381 A., "Coldwell's," 25 A. bought out of Trentforke, 200 A., "Horserange. "Should sd. dau. die without issue., land to revert to hrs. of testator, In event of son Peter coming into the promise to settle he is to have portion, of lands, devised to son John, also part of "'Horserange" afsd. and 1/2 "Freestone Point" afsd. To wife personalty, and joint ex. with son John afsd. Test: Samuel Williamson, James Keech, Henry Davis. 13.442

Capt. John Dent inherited the lands of his uncle Thomas Dent, circa 1630 of Gisborough, Yorkshire, England. Under the will in Charles Co. Maryland, which was executed in 1690 and proved in 1708. ... As early as 1681, he was involved with Josias Fendall, former Governor of the Province, and Capt. John Coode in their attempt to overthrow the rule of Lord Baltimore. They failed at that time but were successful in 1689. Ref. Maryland Genology pg. 357-360; Maryland Archives Vol. 13 pg. 241; Vol. 15 pg. 256-326, Vol. 17 pg. 379; Vol. 20. pg. 138-206, Vol. 23 pg. 18; The Maryland Dents pg.107-1134220

Pg 4 Thomas Dent arrived at St Mary’s City during 1650’s bringing with him a young kinsman, John Dent59301 (Same John?)

Research

Pg 359 John Dent (1674-1732) s/o immigrant John Dent of Yorkshire, England (b: abt 1645 d: 1712 St Mary’s Co) by his wife Mary Shercliff (b: 1647; living in 1712) d/o John Shercliff (d: 1663) of St Mary’s Co, who marr Anne Spink sister to Henry Spinke37968 (wife Mary Shercliff not Mary Hatch?)

The Dent Family59302 (Who is John’s father?) A third son is given as (George) Dent, born in 1635 in Yorkshire. Given as the only child of the (George) is Capt. John Dent, born in 1645, also in Yorkshire. Thus, a question. Could (George) actually be Capt. John? Or is Capt. John a fourth son? It seems likely that Capt. John Dent is also the son of Peter Dent, of England. ... In 1681, he was involved with Josiah Fendall, former Governor of the Province, and Capt. John Coode in their attempt to overthrow the rule of Lord Baltimore.

Dent-John of “Anstruther” Newton Hundred, SM Co d. by 1712, having m. Mary d/o John & Ann (Spink) Shercliff & niece of Henry Spink (MCHR-Chancery Court (Record) 2:862; MDTP-Prerogative Court (Accts) 22:115, 444; SMWB-St Mary’s Co Wills PC#1:181; MCHR PC:861)37340 (wife Mary Shercliff not Mary Hatch? Mother Ann Spink! Perhaps she was married to a Hatch before John Dent?)

Capt John Dent b: abt 1635 Marr: abt 1664 Charles Co MD Mary Hatch b: abt 1647 St Mary’s County MD3986 Parents: George Dent & Mary Shercliffe (Father George Dent? Mother Mary Shercliffe? See above?) Grandparents: Peter Dent b: England & Margaret Nicholson b: England

General Index of Wills of St Mary’s Co MD 1633-190021547 (Him?) Pg 31 Sep 25, 1711 Dent, John Liber PC 1, Folio 181

Ind Recd John Dent CD # 50 Pin #439902 b: 1645 Yorkshire, England d: 1712 St Marys Co MD Spouse: Mary Shercliff (Submitter: Andrew Hildreth Gilland Jr, TX)3030 (Spouse: Mary Shercliff? not Mary Hatch) Ind Recd Christian Dent CD # 70 Pin #158549 b: abt 1686 Chiptico(sic) Hun, St Marys MD Parents: Capt John Dent & Mary Shercliffe (Submitter: Emogene Harrison Tindall, AR)3030 (Spouse: Mary Shercliff? not Mary Hatch) Ind Recd John Dent CD # 70 Pin #158540 b: 1645 Yorkshire, England d: 1712 St Marys MD Parents: Peter Dent & Margaret Nicholson Spouse: Mary Shercliff Marr: abt 1673 St Marys MD (Submitter: Emogene Harrison Tindall, AR)3030 (Parents: Peter Dent? Spouse: Mary Shercliff? not Mary Hatch)

MD Calendar of Wills Pg 18837133 (Who is Peter Dent? Barnaby in possession of John Dent Jr. on Rent roll 6 May 1676?) Proddy, Nicholas (nunc.) Chas Co, 2 Feb 1676; 2 Apr 1676 To mother, 2 bros & 2 sisters (all unnamed) in Eng,; Thomas Dickinson, Thomas Deaverel, Dr. John Wine, Edward Mines, personality. To Peter Dent, “Barnaby” 1/2 land at Piscataway John Addison, ex & residuary legatee of estate, real and personal. Test: Richd Carpender (sic), Silvanus Gilpin 5. 201

May 5, 1712 - Maryland Prerogative Court. The St. Mary's County, Md. will of John Dent, constituting Mary Dent & John Dent executors was exhibited. Said executors were granted administration. Sureties: Samuel Turner, John Bright. Source: Maryland Prerogative Court, Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 22, p. 115. Comment: John Bright is the son of John Bright Sr. who d. testate in 1710. Maryland Calendar of Wills, Vol. 3, pp. 177-8.43729 (Him?)

Marriage abt 1664, England

Marr Memobef 1678? bef 1665 MD?; abt 1673 St Mary’s County, MD? Charles County, MD?

Children of John and Mary (Hatch/Shercliff?) Dent

1. Peter Dent (1670-) returned to England.
2. Michael Dent (1672-<1697) d.s.p.;
3. John Dent (1674-<1733) married Catherine ------------. q.v.
4. George Dent (1681-1750) married Elizabeth Short and Mary ____, q.v.
5. Mary Dent (1678 - 1726)
6. Lydia Dent (1680 -) married Samuel Turner.
7. Anne Dent (1682 -) married John Cadle [Caudle].
8. Abigail Dent (1684/90 -)
9. Christian Dent (1686 - <1758) married Thomas Suite

Saint Mary's County, Maryland

Saint Mary's County Births Submitted by M.Snow

Child's Name Father Mother DOB

Abigail Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1684

Anne Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1682

Christain Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1686

John Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1674

John Dent John Dent Mary Hatch 1705

Lydia Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1680

Mary Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1678

Michael Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1672

Peter Dent Capt. John Dent Mary Shercliff 1670 ^[6]

Notes

Research needed on http://www.wikitree.com/genealogy/Dent-Family-Tree-147

Note: Conflicting information on fathers. One source indicates Peter Dent as father.^{[7] [8][9] [10]}

• JoAN C. Serrata Sun May 10 17:20:07 1998

I have Wm. Dent James Dent (1535) of Ormesby, Yorkshire, England Peter Dent I b. 1600 Ormesby m. Margaret Nicholson b.@1602 Hutton, Cranswich, Yorkshire England (dau. of Wm. Nicholson). Peter I d. 1647 Guisborough, England (Ginsborough?) Peter Dent II b. 1624 Ginsborough, Yorkshire, England d. 1689 Cambridge Capt. John Dent I b. 1645 Gisborough m. Mary Hatch b. 1647 (dau. of John Hatch b. 1614 im. Md. 1637 d. 1659 -St. Mary's Co., Md. and Sarah Rottenburg. John Hatch M2 Anne Sprinke) Capt. John Dent I d. 1712 St. Mary's Co., Md. Mary Hatch d. 1725 Charles Co., Md. Their dau. Lydia Dent b. 1676 "Ye Cool Springs, St. Mary's Co., Md. m. Samuel Turner, Sr. She d. aft. 1746 Md.' I also have Judge Thos. Dent b. 1630 Gisborough, England. (son of Peter Dent I) m. Rebecca Wilkinson b. 1639 (dau. of Rev. Wm.Wilkinson and Naomi Shircliff) Judge Thos. Dent d. 1676 St. Mary's Co., Md. Their dau. Margaret Dent b. 1651 Pr. George Co., Md. m.1681 Somerset, Md. Edmund Howard, Esq. Margaret Dent d. 1712. Does anyone have any additional info on these people? Thanks.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S41 Page: Place: Maryland; Year: 1662-1663; Page Number: 131
2. ↑ [1] Dent Family in Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775, p. 201
3. ↑ Maryland Genology pg. 357-360 Maryland Archives Vol. 13 pg. 241 Vol. 15 pg. 256-326, Vol. 17 pg. 379 Vol. 20. pg. 138-206, Vol. 23 pg. 18 The Maryland Dents pg.107-113
4. ↑ http://frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I16139
5. ↑ This well documented information brings into serious question as to whether or not John was married to Mary Hatch, daughter of John Hatch, or perhaps, widowed daughter-in-law of John Hatch. Legal documents indicate that John Dent called John Hatch his father-in-law (at John Hatch's death), but other legal documents indicate that Mary, his wife was daughter of John and Ann (Spink) Shercliff. Further Research is needed.
6. ↑ http://genealogytrails.com/mary/stmarys/births.html
7. ↑ http://www.lanhamsource.com/getperson.php?personID=I464&tree=T1
8. ↑ http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DENTMAIL/1998-06/0898688190
9. ↑ http://frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I16139
10. ↑ Charles County Gentry: A Genealogical History of Six Emigrants - Thomas Dent ...By Harry Wright Newman
11. ↑ http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~auntjean/dent/searcher.htm NOTE: I attempted to contact this person, but no luck. Failure notice.

• Archives of Maryland. Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 1883-. Vol. 13, p. 241.
• Newman, Harry W. The Maryland Dents. Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, Inc., 1963.
• Pleasants, J. Hall. "The Second Hospital in the Colonies: The Coole Springs of St. Maries, Maryland 1698." The Chronicles of St. Mary's, Vol. 2, #9. Published by St. Mary's Historical Society, September, 1954.
• Storck, Eleanor. "John Dent". Adventurers, Cavaliers, Patriots: Ancestors Remembered. Published by the NSCDA in the State of Maryland, 1994.
• http://www.geni.com/people/Mary-Dent/6000000008549237156 NOTE: This page has listed many sources which need further review.
• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I02095 NOTE: This page has listed many sources which need further review.
• Source: S16 Author: Yates Publishing Title: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was deriv; Repository:
• Source: S24 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.; Repository: #R1 NOTEThis information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.
• Source: S406 Author: Ancestry.com Title: Charles County gentry : a genealogical history of six emigrants, Thomas Dent, John Dent, Richard Edelen, John Hanson, George Ne Publication: Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT; Date: 2005; Repository: #R1
• Source: S41 Author: Gale Research Title: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.Original data - Filby, P. William, ed.. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2010.Original data: Filby, P. William, ed.. Passen; Repository: #R1