Thomas Denton1

#8777, (say 1752 - 1 May 1807)
Relationship3rd great-granduncle of Nelle Belle Bridges
Father*Robert Denton1 (1714 - 1778)
Mother*Jane Moon1 (s 1720 - c 1787)

Family

Elizabeth Claypool b. c 1748, d. c 1807
Children 1.Jane Denton9 (s 1774 - )
 2.George Denton9 (s 1776 - )
 3.Joel Denton9 (s 1778 - )
 4.William Denton9 (s 1780 - )
 5.Cornelius Denton9 (s 1782 - )
Possible other children: David, Josiah, Rebecca and John.2 
Birth*say 1752He was born say 1752 at Virginia (now West Virginia)G.1 
Marriagesay 1773He married Elizabeth Claypool say 1773.3 
16 October 1777In Robert Denton's will dated 16 October 1777 at Hampshire (now Hardy) Co., Virginia (now West Virginia)G, Thomas Denton was named as an heir, third son;
Be it remembered that on the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven 1777, I, Robert Denten [sic] of Hampshire County in the colony of Virginia, yoeman [sic], being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to god [sic], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jacob Denton['s] oldest son Robert Denten the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds good and lawful money of Virginia to be paid at my beloved wife's decease, if the said Robert should become of age of twenty one years, but not to be paid till he comes to that age [see note in typescript below-VWH].
Item, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife one full third part of my moveable estate to her own proper use for ever.
Iem, I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Jacob Denten a certain track [sic] of land containing eighty [inserted "eight'] acres that lies joying [sic] his own plantation to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my second son, John Denton, one negro boy two year old next May. The boys name is Gilburd, to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my third son, Thomas Denten, the sum of five shilings as [inserted "an"] acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequ acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item[sic] Jacob Denton and John Denton, and my son-in-law Joel Robinson all the remaining part of my moveable estate to be equally divided amongst them and theirs [sic] heirs, but to be continued on the place and not divided till after my beloved wife's decease.
Item, I do hereby constitute, make, and ordain my loveing sons Jacob Denten and Joel Robinson my only and sole Executors of this, my last will and testament and I do hereby verily disallow, revoke, and disanull all and every [inserted "other"] former testament, wills, legacies and Executors by me in any ways before this time named, willed, and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
[note in typescript] ["]but not to be paid till he comes to that age["] was interlined before sealing and delivery.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
the presents of us the subscribers.
Stephen Ruddell
John McNeer
George Claypool

[Note on the editing in the second paragraph of "my son Jacob Denton['s].4 oldest son Robert Denten," adding the possessive. The will in the records is a typewritten copy and the original has not been viewed. This is the only reading that makes sense. Additionally, Robert is said to be a minor. Early Records of Hampshire County Virginia (Sage and Combs, privately published 1939), on p. 113, has an abstract of the will which also states that Robert was the son of Jacob - VWH] 
26 November 1782In Jane Moon's will dated 26 November 1782, Thomas Denton was named as an heir;
I Jane Denton of Hampshire County and Colony of Virginia...
First I will that my funeral Expenses and Just debts be Paid and discharged by my hereafter named Executor.
Item. I Give and bequeath to Eldest Son Jacob Denton my big bible and Big pot & the puter meashures and Big Chear.
Item. I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Margret Robinson one Negro Girl named Pol to her or her heirs and the bed Cloths one pan and Box iron and the Next begest pot and Spinning [cut-off]al and the oldest Chest and my Best Table.
Item. and my will is that my pewter that I am possest of at my deces Besides what is above mentioned to be Equally divied between my three Daughters that is to say Sarah Williams[,] Margred Robinson and Elizabeth Crow.
Item. I Give and bequeath my newest Chest to my Son Thoms Denton.
Item. my will and desire is that all my moveable Estate that I am possest of at my decees be sides what is all ready Mentioned to be Equally divided amongst my Sons and Daughters Jacob, John, Thomas Denton and Sarah Williams, Margret Robinson And Elizabeth Crow to them their heirs and Assigns forever.
Item. my will and Desire is that all the above legacys as the stand Stated to be to them their Heirs or Assigns forever.
To the true intent and performance thereof I do hereby Name and appoint my trusty friend Stephen Ruddell to be my Executor of this my last and [sic] testament hereby revoking all forms wills Legacys and Donations ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and Testament and all others to be Void and of none efect [sic] in witness therof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this twenty Sixth day of November in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & Eighty two ~ 1782.

Signed Sealed and Delivered Jane [her mark] Denton
In the Presents of us.
George Kittner, Samuel Sonrey

[some formatting added by VWH for clarity].5 
Probate18 April 1789He was listed as a beneficiary in Jane Moon's probate distribution on 18 April 1789 at Hardy Co., Virginia (now West Virginia)G; (distribution). "At a Court held for Hardy County the 18th day of April 1789. This Account Current of the Estate of Jane Denton Deceased was rended into court and the same being examined and Approved as Ordered to be Recorded By the Court."6 
He and Elizabeth Claypool removed to Jefferson Co., TennesseeG, (date uncertain.)7 
Death*1 May 1807He died on 1 May 1807 at Jefferson Co., TennesseeG.8 

Citations

  1. [S2076] West Virginia, Hardy Co. Wills 1786-1970, online FamilySearch.org, Vol. 1, pp. 6-7, "Will of Jane Denton", q.v.; and West Virginia Hampshire Co. Wills, Vol. 1, "Will of Robert Denton", q.v. Jane gives the married names of "my three Daughters" (Sarah, Margaret and Elizabeth, in that order), while Robert's will gives the names of the three sons-in-law. Robert's will also names the birth order of three sons, Jacob, John and Thomas; Jane's will also names three sons - Jacob, John and Thomas, in that order. The order of daugter/son is not known from these documents.
  2. [S828] Denton Genealogy, online www.dentongenealogy.org, Children of Thomas Denton and Elizabeth Claypool: Jane, David, Josiah, George, Rebecca, Joel, William, Cornelius, John. [David, Josiah, Rebecca and John not named in father's will, but David Denton (with George Denton) named as co-executor]
  3. [S2077] Walter C Krumm, "Descendants of the Rev. Richard Denton", The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vols. 120-122 (1989-1991): Vol. 122, pp. 217-219. Gives her name as Elizabeth A. _____.
  4. [S2075] West Virginia, Hampshire Co. Wills 1756-1970, FHL 815334 - 815343, online FamilySearch.org, Vol. 1, pp. 14-15, Film 815334, img. 28/394. No. 11, typescript of Robert Denten's [corrected to Denton] Will.
    Be it remembered that on the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven 1777, I, Robert Denten [sic] of Hampshire County in the colony of Virginia, yoeman [sic], being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to god [sic], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jacob Denton oldest son Robert Denten the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds good and lawful money of Virginia to be paid at my beloved wife's decease, if the said Robert should become of age of twenty one years, but not to be paid till he comes to that age ], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jaco], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jacob Denton oldest son Robert Denten the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds good and lawful money of Virginia to be paid at my beloved wife's decease, if the said Robert should become of age of twenty one years, but not to be paid till he comes to that age ], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and beni[see note in typescript below-VWH].
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife one full third part of my moveable estate to her own proper use for ever.
    Iem, I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Jacob Denten a certain track [sic] of land containing eighty [inserted "eight'] acres that lies joying [sic] his own plantation to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my second son, John Denton, one negro boy two year old next May. The boys name is Gilburd, to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my third son, Thomas Denten, the sum of five shilings as [inserted "an"] acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequ acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item[sic] Jacob Denton and John Denton, and my son-in-law Joel Robinson all the remaining part of my moveable estate to be equally divided amongst them and theirs [sic] heirs, but to be continued on the place and not divided till after my beloved wife's decease.
    Item, I do hereby constitute, make, and ordain my loveing sons Jacob Denten and Joel Robinson my only and sole Executors of this, my last will and testament and I do hereby verily disallow, revoke, and disanull all and every [inserted "other"] former testament, wills, legacies and Executors by me in any ways before this time named, willed, and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
    [note in typescript] ["]but not to be paid till he comes to that age["] was interlined before sealing and delivery.

    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
    Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
    the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
    the presents of us the subscribers.
    Stephen Ruddell
    John McNeer
    George Claypool

    At a Court held for Hampshire County the 12th day of May, 1778, this last will and testament of Robert denten
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
    Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
    the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
    the p
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
    Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
    the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
    the presents of us the subscribers.
    Stephen Ruddell
    John McNeer
    George Claypool

    At a Court held for Hampshire County the 12th day of May, 1778, this last will and testament of Robert denten
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day an[sic], deceased, was presented in Court by Jacob Denten and Joel Robinson the Executors therein named, proved by the oaths of witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executors, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, giving security, whereupon they together with Stephen Ruddell and John McNees their securities entered and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of two thousand pounds for their due and faithful administration of the said decedent's estate and performance of his will.
    Test Gabriel Jones Cl. Cur.
  5. [S2076] West Virginia, Hardy Co. Wills 1786-1970, online FamilySearch.org, Vol. 1, pp. 6-7, Film 816672, imgs. 7-8/242. Will of Jane Denton (handwritten transcript).
  6. [S2076] West Virginia, Hardy Co. Wills 1786-1970, online FamilySearch.org, Will Book No. 1, pp. 31-32, img. 22/242. Distributions to David Williams, Joel Robinson, John Crow, Thomas Denton and Jacob Denton (John Denton not mentioned); also for digging the grave, to the sheriff for taxes, paying the appraisers, to the Executor "for his troubles", tax on the executorship.
  7. [S2077] Walter C Krumm, "Descendants of the Rev. Richard Denton", p. 218, no date given.
  8. [S2078] Lucy Kate McGhee, Historical Records of East Tennessee: Jefferson County, Vol. 1, Pt. 2: Abstracts of Wills 1792-1851 (Washington, D.C.: self-published, unknown publish date), p. 33. Thomas Denton, d. 1 May 1807, probate Jul 1807. Names dau. Jane; sons George, Joel, William, Cornelius; grandson Thomas. Witn. James Abel, Bejamin Nail, Elizabth Nail. Executors George Denton and David Denton. Hereinafter cited as Jefferson Co. TN: Abstracts of Wills 1792-1851.
  9. [S2078] Lucy Kate McGhee, Jefferson Co. TN: Abstracts of Wills 1792-1851, p. 33. Will of Thomas Denton, 1807, q.v.