fuSuc Ij>iuraru
Gift of
Allen H. Bent
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in 2011 witii funding from
Boston Public Library
http://www.archive.org/details/bentfamilyinamer1900bent
THE
BENT FAMILY IN AMERICA.
BEING MAINLY A GENEALOGY
OF THE
Bescenbants of John Bent
WHO SETTLED IN
SUDBURY, MASS., IN 1638,
With Notes upon the Family in England and elsewhere.
ALLEN H. BENT,
Member of the Nevj England Historic Genealogical Society.
We set to-day a votive stone.
That /Memory may their deed redeem.
When lil^e our sires our sons are gone.
—Emerson.
P.R I K t ^V BI' D A y f D, 0 LAP P, 3; :S 0 N
/ ^ o o
\i\
\^, s-A/i A"
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PREFACE.
Family histories are evolved slowly, notably so the Bent gene-
alogy. The writer first became interested in the subject at the cen-
tennial of his native town in 1885. In the summer of 1888 the
250th anniversary of the arrival of the first Bent in America and the
centenary of the birth of Hyman Bent, were celebrated by the de-
scendants of the latter at the ancestral home in Fitzwilliam, N. H.
For this gathering a brief account of Hyman Bent's ancestry was
prepared and afterwards printed. This encouraged further research,
and in the New-England Historical and Genealogical Register for
July, 1894, appeared a short account of the first four generations of
Bents in America. Since then many pleasant hours have been
spent in the company of old books, manuscripts and memorials of
bygone years, in the endeavor
" To summon from the shadowy Past
The forms that once have been."
The principal books containing information of the family are the
History of Marlboro', Mass., by Rev. Charles Hudson 1862 ; the
old History of Framingham, Mass., by Rev. William Barry 1847 ;
the new History of Framingham, by Rev. Josiah H. Temple 1887 ;
the History of Rutland, Mass., by Deacon Jonas Reed 1836; the
History of Milton, Mass., by Rev. Albert K. Teele 1887 ; the His-
tory of Canton, Mass., by D. T. V. Huntoon 1893 ; the History of
Fitzwilliam, N. H., by Rev. John F. Norton and Joel Whittemore
1888 ; the History of Paris, Me., by William B. Lapham 1884 ; the
History of Annapolis County, N. S., by W. A. Calnek and Judge
A. W. Savary 1897, and of course Savage's Genealogical Diction-
ary of New England, with which all good genealogical students be-
gin their researches. Many scattered items of interest are to be
found in the History of Sudbury, by Alfred S. Hudson 1889, and
more about Bent's Fort, Col. William Bent and Gov. Charles
4 BENT FAMILY.
Bent is to be found in the History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado,
published by O. L. Baskin & Co. of Chicago, in 1881, the History
of Colorado, by Frank Hall, The Old Santa Fe Trail, by Colonel
Henry Inman 1897, the Story of New Mexico, by Horatio O. Ladd
1891, and an article by William Waldo of Texas, published by the
Missouri Historical Society in 1880. Many other publications have
contributed smaller but necessary items to the present volume.
One noticeable family trait that may be dwelt upon profitably is
the pioneer spirit that has pervaded a large part of the family — the
spirit that has been willing to brave the unknown quantity of the
wilderness to make a home, the spirit of independence that is the
foundation of the Republic. John Bent, who came from England
in 1638, went immediately to one of the frontier towns; his sons fol-
lowed the advancing frontier, and deeper and deeper still their chil-
dren and children's children penetrated the outlying portions of New
England. Until 1760, however, all of the family, so far as known
to the writer, remained in Massachusetts. In that year the procla-
mation of Gov. Lawrence of Nova Scotia, opening the lands of the
unfortunate Acadians, who had been transported from their homes
five years previous, seems to have made some impression in New
England, and several of the Bent family, including David* of Sud-
bury, SamueP, a native of Milton, and probably Elijah* and Peter**
of Sudbury, moved to Annapolis County, N. S. Four years later
Jesse* and John* of Milton located in Cumberland County, N. S.,
and in 1772 Joseph* Bent, a Plymouth fisherman, transferred his
home to the Yarmouth shore. I do not find any of the family
among the Royalists who sailed away in such numbers a few years
later.
It was not until toward the close of the Revolutionary War that
Massachusetts men began to settle in the wooded parts of northern
New England. In 1780, Samuel" Bent of Sudbury cleared a farm
in Fitzwilliam, a comparatively new town in southwestern New
Hampshire. About the same time his cousin Stephen*, also of Sud-
bury, moved to Dublin, N. H., not far away; and in 1797, Nathan,
a brother of the latter, located farther west, in the same county, at
Winchester. After the war, Vermont was rapidly taken up. The
first of this family to remove thither was David* Bent Jr., formerly
of Rutland (Mass.), who located at Mt. Holly, in the heart of the
PREFACE. 5
Green Mts., in 1786. In after years three of his brothers followed,
Thaddeus to Rutland about 1800, Phineas to Underhill, well to the
north, in 1803, and Samuel B. to Middlebury in 1818. Another
brother, Darius, went to Montreal about 1808. In 1810 Samuel
Bent Jr. left his early New Hampshire home and settled in Stock-
bridge, Vt. In 1796 Wm.® Bent of Middleboro' located in Paris,
Me. ; in 1800 Isaac® Bent of Quincy moved to New Sharon, Me.,
and nine years later David J.® Bent of Sudbury transferred his
home to Bangor, Me. Then the children of the early Vermonters
began to overflow into northern New York, the first of this family
being Peter® Bent (in 1801), followed a few years later by three of
his brothers.
Meanwhile, two longer migrations had taken place, Lemuel®
Bent of Canton, Mass., to Virginia, sometime before 1792, and
Lieut. -Col. Silas* Bent of Rutland, Mass., to Ohio, with the first
settlers, in 1789. In 1806 Silas® Bent Jr. pushed on from Ohio
to St. Louis, only three years after the great territory of Louisiana
had come into the hands of the United States. This branch seems
to have led the family in the westward course of empire. Two of
the latter's sons went to Colorado as early as 1826, and three years
later Charles had reached what is now New Mexico, and established
his home. About 1824 Horatio Gc.'' Bent went to Georgia, thence
to Alabama, and finally to Louisiana. Edward^ Bent of Missouri
was one of the earliest permanent settlers of California, and so they
have spread until members of the family are or have been located in
nearly every State in the Union. The list is far from being ex-
hausted, but to prolong it here might be tiresome.
Henry Van Dyke, in one of the most charming of out-of-dooi"
books, says : " Little rivers have small responsibilities. * * * *
When you set out to explore one of these minor streams in your
canoe you have no intention of epoch-making discoveries, or thrilling
and world-famous adventures." " It is not required of every man
and woman," he adds, " to be or to do something great ; most of
us must content ourselves with taking small parts in the chorus."
The Bent family is one of the " little rivers " of history. The his-
torian is the canoeist. Will you accompany him in his frail bark?
Allen H. Bent.
Boston, Mass., Feb. 1900.
EXPLANATION.
In the arrangement of the following records the plan adopted by
the New-England Historical and Genealogical Society has been fol-
lowed in the main. The reader, after looking in the index for a
certain name, say Josiah" Bent of Milton, finds the page to be, in
the example chosen, 105. The italicized names in parenthesis, fol-
lowing his name, show his line of descent from the original Ameri-
can ancestor, John\ the little index figures denoting the generation.
The numbers in full-faced type against the names of his sons indi-
cate that more is to be found about them under those numbers in
the succeeding pages. Thus, Josiah (Jr.) is carried forward in
regular order, appearing on page 203. By reversing the method
the line can be traced back.
When not specified, the State is Massachusetts, unless it is plainly
otherwise.
Many words not absolutely necessary in a sentence are omitted
entirely.
Abbreviations : b. for born, m. for married, unm. for unmarried,
and d. for died.
CONTENTS.
Introduction — Origin of the Name, etc 7
English Antecedents of American Bents ... 9
The Family in America 11
Bent's Fort, Colorado 127
Bent County, Colorado 128
Unclassified Members of the Family .... 250
Bents in America not descended from John Bent of
Sudbury, 1638 253
Memorials Quaint and Olden:
Will of John Bent of England, 1588 . . . 255
Will of Edith Bent of England, 1601 . . . 255
Will of Eobert Bent of England, 1631 . . . 256
Will of John Bent of Sudbury, Mass., 1672 . . 257
John Bent's Inventory, 1672 258
Petition of Elizabeth Bent, 1679 260
Gov. Charles Bent's Appointment and Epitaph . . 261
The Family in War:
Colonial Wars 262
Soldiers of the Revolution 263
Militia Officers since the Revolution . . .267
The Civil War 267
The Family in Peace:
College Graduates 270
Clergymen 270
Physicians 271
Lawyers 271
Political Statistics 271
Nonogenarians 272
Middle Names before 1800 273
Peter Bent Brigham 274
The Name in Story 277
Bents in England and Elsewhere 277
Coats-of-Arms 281
Additions and Corrections 282
Last Scene of All — Arousement — by Miss Frances
Bent Dillingham 286
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Old Bent Homestead, Marlboro', Mass. . . . frontispiece.
(From a photograph by Mr. W. L. Stevens of Marlboro'.)
Judge George^ Bent of Nebraska .... page 80
R. L.'' Bent of Gardner, Mass 117
Gov. Charles'^ Bent op New Mexico 121
LiEux- Silas Bent, U. S. N 128
Hon. Charles' Bent of Illinois 156
Major Luxxier S.'' Bent of Pennsylvania . . . 192
Horatio G.® Bent of Illinois 212
Wm. H.^ Bent of Taunton, Mass 247
INTRODUCTION.
" Bent, a plain or common, a field, a moor, so called from those
places being frequently covered with bent-grass, the term is very
common in early English poetry." Thus says M. A. Lower in his
" English Surnames." So the name seems to be a local surname, and
the first to take it lived presumably on a plain or moor. It is not
inappropriate that a family which has furnished so many sturdy
yeomen and pioneers should draw its name from the soil.
Surnames in England, it may be said in passing, did not become
hereditary or permanent until the 11th or 12th centuries. They
were derived in various ways, from baptismal names, e.g. Allen,
Richardson, Adams ; from localities, e.g. Bent, Bridge, Wood ; from
official titles, e.g. Lord, King ; from occupations, e.g. Smith,
Wright ; and from nicknames, e.g. Long, Young, Brown.
Bent-grass is a stiff, wiry growth, little known in America,
though one of the early nineteenth-century poets, Joseph Rodman
Drake, made good use of it in his delightful imaginative poem, " The
Culprit Fay." The fairy was arrayed in a cloak of butterfly wings
and an acorn helmet, plumed with thistle down.
" Swift he bestrode his fire-fly steed ;
He bared his blade of bent-grass blue ;
He drove his spurs of cockle-seed,
And away like a glance of thought he flew."
In Scotland is a town of Bentpath, and on a branch of the North
British Ry. is a station of Bents, of which the station agent says :
"This Bents is a farm and the station takes its name therefrom.
In regard to the oi-igin of the name it does not appear to have any
connection with the family of Bent. On the other hand the name
seems to have arisen from what was the nature of the ground some
forty years ago or more. At that time the whole farm lay open
and bare and would be in Scottish style, termed the bent, which
means a rising ground covered with a wild wiry grass that grows in
tufts and is known as bent-grass. There is a Benthead farm at Croft-
head Village, two miles away, and there used to be a Kilbent farm
near by. There is another Bents in Midlothian, a Bent Colliery
in Lanarkshire, a Bent House in Forfarshire, and on the English
Crash in Cumberland is a Whitburn Bents. Bent or Bents it is
2
» BENT FAMILY.
thus seen is quite a common place name and is evidently derived
from the existence of bent-grass growing near."
These places, it ought to be added, are in Southern Scotland —
Anglo-Saxon Scotland — not in the Highlands or Celtic Scotland,
for the name seems to be of Ano-lo-Saxon origin. Somethins; simi-
O o o
lar to it appears as a personal name in most of the nations of Teu-
tonic origin.
The van der Bent family is an old one in Holland.
In Bjornstjerne Bjornson's story, Synnove Solbakken, one of the
minor characters is Slave Bent. Of this the late Hjalmar Hjorth
Boyesen, Professor in Columbia College, wrote : "The name Bent in
Synnove Solbakken is a Christian name, not a surname. It is the Nor-
wegian corruption of Bernt, which is again an abbreviation of Bern-
hardt. I have never known of its being used as a family name in
any of the Scandinavian countries."
In Germany there are several names having a Bent flavoring :
Bente, Bentz, Bentmann and Bentheim.
Originally taken from a place, it has not hesitated to give its
name in turn to places. In Virginia there is a Bent Mountain
post office. The tradition is that many years ago a man by the
name of Bent tracked a buffalo from the low lands to the mountain
from which the post office is named. Bent County and Bent's Fort,
Colorado, are treated at length elsewhere.
f^ The descendants of John Bent, who came to America in 1638,
^have made their way to nearly every state in the Union, as Avell as
to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Province of Que-
bec, British Columbia, Cuba, Australia and the Sandwich Islands ;
and there are still some to be found in Sudbury, Mass., where the
family first settled. There are to-day several hundreds of families
descended from the emigrant of 1638, the heads of the families be-
ing in most cases of the seventh and eighth generations. There
are at least three of the sixth and a few of the ninth.
y The first of the family to indulge in the luxury of a middle name
"^ was Ebenezer Vose^ Bent, born in Fort Lawrence, Nova Scotia,
March 3, 1771.
The oldest member of the family was Patience (Bent) Newton,
who died in Southboro', Mass., in 1837, ce. nearly 96. It was ori-
ginally intended to print a list of octogenarians, but it grew too long.
A list of nonogenarians will be found elsewhere, however.
ENGLISH ANTECEDENTS OF AMERICAN
BENTS.
In the western part of the county of Hants, or Hampshh'e, in
the south of England, 22 or 23 miles north of " storied Southamp-
ton," and about seventy miles southwest from London, between
Salisbury Plain and the South Downs, lies the little hamlet of Pen-
ton-Grafton in the parish of Weyhill. It is a small but ancient
place, held originally by the Abbey of Greistain and later on by the
family of Chaucer, the poet, whose granddaughter gave it to the
hospital of Ewelme. Here was the ancestral home of the Ameri-
can Bents.* The same description that Longfellow gave to the
earliest cis-Atlantic home of the family, Sudbury, is equally appli-
cable there :
" A region of repose it seems,
A place of slumber and of dreams."
The country is a sort of undulating plain, delightfully green and
fertile. Many of the houses, as well as the roadside walls, are
covered with a heavy thatch. The little parish church, with its red-
tiled roof and ivy-grown walls, in the midst of the country church-
yard, is not unlike the one made famous by Gray's Elegy.
The parish records do not begin until the year 1564 (the year
Shakspere was born), and the name of Bent is found on the first
page, "Ede Bent filia Joannis bet baj)tizata est xvj'' Septembris
1564." At " venerable Winchester," less than twenty miles aM^ay,
the capital of Alfred and Canute, where Sir Walter Raleigh was
tried and good old Izaak Walton died, are Bent wills dating back
to 1519, among them an Edward Bent, 1558 ; but the first one of
the family of whom we have definite knowledge is
John Bent, who died in Penton- Grafton, in 1588, in the oOtli
year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, leaving a widow Edith, Avho
* The writer made a pilgrimage to this home of his fathers, July 4, 1891, taking
the train from Waterloo Station in London to Andover (66 miles) , where a change was
made to a local train that carried him two miles fui'ther to Weyhill station. A pleasant
walk of a mile or more, by green jpastures and still waters, found him at the parish
church .
10 BENT FAMILY.
died in the summer of 1601. (The wills of both will be found
elsewhere.)
Children of John and Edith, born in Penton-Grafton :
1, Edith, baptized Sept. 16, 1564.
— ii. Robert, " Sept. 29, 1566.
iii. David, " Oct. 13, 1568 ; his mother's executor,
iv. Maria, " Jan. 13, 1572; d. in Jan. 1591.
V. Joan, " Nov. 12, 1574; m. William Noyes, perhaps the
Rev. William of Wiltshire, father of Rev. James and Nicholas
Noyes, who were among the first settlers of Newbury, Mass.
vi. Richard, baptized Feb. 5, 1577.
vii. Alice, " June 7, 1579.
viii. Agnes, " Feb. 27, 1582 ; m. a Street.
Robert Bent (son of John Bent preceding), was boi'n in Sep-
tember, 1566, in Penton-Grafton, where he died in July, 1631, se.
64 years and 10 mos. He inarried, Oct. 13, 1589, Agnes Gos-
ling, who followed her son to America and died in May or June,
1639, on board the ship " Jonathan " just outside Boston Harbor.
Her body was brought ashore and buried, presumably in Boston.
Her passage cost £17, besides £1 10s. for bringing over her goods
and 10s. paid to the ship's surgeon.
Children of Robert and Agnes, born in Penton-Grafton :
i. Margery, bap. March 28, 1590.
ii. Richard, " May 7, 1592.
'"^~- iii. John, " Nov. 20, 1596; the original emigrant to America,
iv. Maria,- " Sept 24, 1598; buried Feb. 2, 1599.
V. Dennis, " Dec. 10, 1599; m. May 8, 1626, William Ba-
ker, and lived iu New Sarum, Wiltshire, Eng.
vi. Agnes, baptized July 16, 1602; m. in Penton-Grafton, AjDril 11,
1630, Richard Barnes, who died a few years after, leaving two
children, Barnes: Richard,* bap. Feb. 20, 1631, and Elizabeth.
Agnes m. again, in England, Thomas Blanchard, and April 12,
1 639, sailed from London for New England iu the shijD " Jona-
than," with her whole family. Fifteen days out she died, and
soon after her infant child died. Blanchard settled m Braintree,
but afterwards moved to Charlestown and married again,
vii. Jane, ; m. in England, Robert Plimpton, and had
five children, Plimpton : Robert, Thomas, William, Jane, Eliza-
beth. The children Thomas and Elizabeth came to America
and lived in Sudbury, Mass.
* Kichard Barnes was probably brought up by his uncle John Bent. He was one of
the first settlers of Marlboro', Mass., where he d. June 22, 1708, je. 77. He m. Deborah Dis
and had six children : Sarah, Deborah, Richard, John, JEdward and Abigail, the young-
est of whom m. Peter^ Bent.
THE FAMILY IN AMERICA.
1
JoHN^ Bent, first of the name in America, was born in Penton-
Grafton, England, in November, 1596 (while Elizabeth was still
Queen), came to America in his forty-second year, and settled in
Sudbury, Massachusetts, where he remained until his death, Sept.
27, 1672, *. nearly 76. (His will and inventory will be found
elsewhere.) He married in England about 1624, Martha ,
who died in Sudbury, May 15, 1679, well along in years.
The family — John, his wife and five small children — -sailed from
Southampton in the latter partof April, 1638, in the ship "Confidence"
of London, John Jobson, master, the whole number of passengers,
" greate and little," being 110 souls. Among them was the ances-
tor of the poet Whittier, Thomas Whittier, £e. 18, who with oth-
ers settled in Salisbury, Mass. Nearly eighteen years bel^o^jhe , , t
Mayflower sailed on her eventful voyage from the same port. La-^^®"=Y^
ter in the century, Isaac Watts first saw the light of day there.
From Southampton, Richard Coeur-de-Lion sailed with his Crusa-
ders ; thither went Henry V. to embark for the field of Agincourt,
and there Canute tried to exercise his authority over the waves. So
much for the port of departure. The latter part of spring is still
a popular time for crossing the Atlantic, but the voyage is a very
different thing from what it was then, when they were tossed about
in a small wooden vessel from six to eight weeks.
A glance at affairs in England will show ample cause for a change
of home at that time. The rule of Charles I. had become almost
unbearable, and it is not at all surprising that so many looked upon
"the American wilderness as the only asylum in which they could
enjoy civil and spiritual freedom." The king, advised in affairs of state
by Lord Wentworth (Earl of Strafford) and in religious affairs by
William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, wished to do for Eng-
land what Richelieu was at that very time doing for France, "^Dut
the estates and the personal liberty of the whole people at the dispo-
sal of the crown and deprive the courts of law of all independent autho-
rity," as well as to break up all gatherings of religious dissenters.
He had already ruled nine years without a Parliament and his despo-
tism seemed nearly complete. But one thing was lacking, and that
12 BENT FAMILY.
was a standing army. How to raise taxes for the support of
troops became the great question. Though a time of peace and no
navy was needed, it was decided to revive an old method of taxa-
tion, that of levying ship money upon the maritime counties, for the
ostensible purpose of protecting the coast. It will be borne in
mind that Hampshire was one of these seacoast shires. It was in
the year of this pernicious tax that John Bent left the land of his
birth.
Let us see with his eyes if we can. Two pictures are there.
First, England, to the outward eye, verdant, calm and peacefid,
but in reality on the verge of a political and religious volcano.
(The explosion came with the Civil War in 1642.) Six weeks elaps-
es, and the curtain rises on the second scene, a June morning,
America, forest clad, vast, unknown, its shadowy recesses holding
no one knew what foes.. But " hope springs eternal in the human
breast" and doubtless the American shore seemed more hospitable
than Old England in 1638.
John Bent continued to till the soil in America as he had done in
England. His farm was in the part of Sudbury* now the town of
Wayland, about sixteen miles directly west of Boston. He was
one of the original settlers of the town, which was incorporated
in 1639 with fifty-four inhabitants. Although it was the nineteenth
town in Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the Sudbury Hiver, the
picture of peace, ran through fertile meadows near his new home,
it was for some years after its settlement a frontier town. Beyond
was the wilderness, stretching unbroken to the Connecticut valley,
threaded only by the Indian's narrow trail and known only to the red-
man's moccasined foot and unerring eye.
John Bent was made a freeman in 1640 ; that is, because he
had become a member of the church of the Puritans, he was al-
lowed to take part in town affairs. The church was first in those
days, and none but members were allowed to vote. His house lot,
about six acres, was about a quarter of a mile north of the present
R. R. station in Wayland, and the same distance from the river.
At the first division of meadow lands, in 1639, he received one acre ;
at the second, in 1640, fourteen acres ; and at the third, the same
year, lOJ acres more, besides a gratulation — for some service done
— of four acres of meadow and six of upland. In 1655 he re-
ceived an additional grant. In 1641 he was one of the selectmen
and on the committee to assign timber. In 1648, with two others,
he was appointed to end small businesses under 20 shillings — a sort
of trial justice. In 1648, with two others, he was appointed to
* East Sudbury was incorporated as a separate town in 1780 ; name changed to
"Wayland in 1830 ; both are still essentially farming towns ; the population of Sudbury
is 1,137 (in 1895) and of Wayland 2,026. During the Revolution, Sudbury was the
most populous town in Middlesex County.
BENT FAMILY. 13
lay out a highway from Watertown (the part now Weston) to the
Dunster Farm, in the edge of what is now Framingham. This
road followed the old Connecticut Path, an ancient Indian trail
leading from the seacoast to the Connecticut River. He has been
set down as one of Major Simon Willard's troopers that went to
Dedham in 1654, but this may have been his son John. In 1656
he was one of the petitioners for the town of Marlboro', but it is
not probable that he ever lived there. It was to find a home for
his son that prompted him to join the petitioners, for the old docu-
ment says that they have children grown to man's estate, and they
should like to see them settled where they can subsist.
Children of John and Martha, i. to v. born in Penton-Grafton,
Eng., vi. andvii. in Sudbury, Mass. :
i. Egbert, bap. Jan. 10, 1625 ; d. in Newbury, Mass., Jan. 30,
1648, fe. 23.
ii. William, bap. Oct. 24, 1626 ; d. young probably.
2, iii. Peter, bap. April 14, 1629.
3> iv. Agnes, b. about 1631.
4t V. John, bap. Jan. 24, 1636.
5, vi. Joseph, b. May 16, 1641.
6« vii. Martha, b. about 1 643.
2
Peter^ Bent (^John}) was born in Penton-Grafton, England, in
April, 1629, and died in England, whither he seems to have gone
on business, in May, 1678, te. 49. He was but nine years old
when he accompanied his father to America. At or before the
incorporation in 1660 of Marlboro', which was carved out of the
wilderness to the west of Sudbury, he had moved thither. He and
his father were among the thirteen who petitioned the Colony in
1656 for the laying out of the town. He built a grist mill on
Stony Brook, in what is now the town of Southboro', and became
a busy man. In 1661 he contracted to build a bridge across the
Sudbury Kiver " for horse and man and laden carts to pass over."
More than once he went to England, no small undertaking in those
days. He had built his house just south of Williams Pond, a mile
or more from the present centre of Marlboro'. We commend his
good judgment on the selection of a site. Here his little family was
growing up when suddenly the Indians, stirred up by the animosities
of the Narragansett chief. King Philip, swooped down upon the
growing town, one Sunday morning (March 26, 1676), while the
good people were at church, applied the fire-brand, and Marlboro'
was no more. The November before, a small band of Indians crept
up to Bent's mill and scalped his son (probably Zacheus, a lad of
nine years) left him for dead — he afterwards recovered — and
14 BENT FAMILY.
carried off one of his apprentices, Christopher Muchin.* But
Peter's troubles had begun before this, as will be seen from the
following extract from the Records of the Governor and Colony of
Massachusetts Bay :
Sep. 10, 1653. In ans'^ to the peticon of Peter Bent for reparacon of
damages sustajned in Ms horses going on the countrjes service to Conecti-
cott, the Court vnderstanding this peticoners horse was by that journey
worsted of at least sixe pounds in the value of it, besides his charge for
the cure and hire of it, they tlierefore judge meete and order, that he shall
be allowed tenn pounds out of the countrje levy, if: he accept thereof, or
otherwise he may haue libertje to sue the Treasurer, and recouer what
damage he cann justly proove.
Two years after Marlboro' was burned by the Indians, Peter
died. The inventory of his estate includes "26 acres of y® house
lott at Marlbrough, Milstones and Mil Irons, 25 acres of upland,
joyneing to j^ former house lott " and much other land, the real es-
tate being appraised at £436. The personal estate, amounting to
a little more than £40, includes one pair pistols, holsters and three
swords.
Peter left a widow Elizabeth (maiden name not ascertained) , who
Avas living in Sudbury in 1704, when she deeded to her elder son
her widow's third of the Marlboro' property. A year after her
husband's death, she petitioned the Governor and Council for aid.
(The petition, which is an interesting one, will be found in full
elsewhere.)
Children of Peter and Elizabeth, i. to iii. born in Sudbury, the
others in Marlboro' :
7. i. Petek,^ b. Oct. 15, 1653.
ii. Martha, mentioned in her father's will, and probably the Martha
hving unmarried in Boston in 1690.
iii. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 2, 1658 ; d. in Sudbury, Feb. 21, 1683.
iv. Agnes, b. Aug. 19, 1661 ; d. June 4, 1729, se. 68 ; m. July 9,
1684, Caleb Johnson, of Sudbury, b. probably in 1646, d. Dec.
1, 1715, son of Solomon Johnson.
V. John, b. Jan. 8, 1663 ; d. April 20, 1676, in Cambridge, whither
the family had taken refuge after Marlboro' had been burned
by the Indians.
vi. Zacheus, b. about 1667; d. in Sudbury, March 20,1690; re-
ferred to in his father's will as weak in body.
vii. Patience, b. Aug. 28, 1670.
8. viii. Hopestill, b. Jan. 17, 1672.
Agnes* Bent (John^J was born in England about 1631, and
died in Marlboro', Mass., June 4, 1713, in her 83d year. She
* Mass. Archives, vol. 68, page 40.
BENT FAMILY. 15
married, about 1646, Deacon Edward Rice, who was born in Hert-
fordshire, Eng., in 1618, son of Deacon Edmond Rice (1594-
1663), of Sudburj, Mass. He was a petitioner for Marlboro' in
1656, and died there, August 16, 1712, £e. 93. Barry, in his
History of Framingham (published 1847), says that the children
of Edward Rice were bj a second wife, Anne, and this statement
has been copied by other historians ; but it is erroneous, for John
Bent, in will dated in 1672, makes a bequest to his daughter Agnes
Rice. The name Agnes in the old records, particularly in the Bent
family, is spelled Annis and sometimes abbreviated to Ann. The
Rices were both numerous and j^rominent in Sudbury and Marlboro*^
and have intermarried with the Bents more than a dozen times.
Children of Edward and Agnes (Bent) Rice, i. to ix. born in
Sudbury, x. and xi. in Marlboro' :
i. JoHN,^ b. about 1647 ; lived in Sudbury.
ii. Lydia, b. July 30, 1648 ; d. same day.
iii. Ltdia, b. Dec. 10, 1649.
iv. Edmund, b. Dec. 9, 1653 ; a deacon in Sudbury.
V. Daniel, b. Nov. 8, 1655 ; lived in Marlboro'.
vi. Caleb, b. Feb. 8, 1657 ; d. 1658.
vii. Jacob, b. 1660 ; lived in Marlboro',
viii. Anna, b. Nov. 19, 1661 ; m. Thomas Rice.
ix. Dorcas, b. Jan. 29, 1664 ; m. Thomas Forbush.
X. Benjamin, b. Dec. 22, 1666 ; lived in Marlboro'.
xi. Abigail, b. May 9, 1671 ; m. Samuel Forbusli.
JoHN^ Bent (Johti^) was born in Penton-Grafton, England, in
Jan., 1636, and died in Framingham, Mass., in Sept. (buried the
15th), 1717, se. 81. He came to America with his father in 1638,
and was brought up in Sudbury, Mass. In 1662, four years after
his marriage, he bought land of Henry Rice near the ford way Over
the Cochituate Brook, on the west side of the old Connecticut
Path,* in what is now the town of Framingham, and built one of
the first houses on Framingham land. April 16, 1683, he bought
sixty acres adjoining. In the Sudbury town records, under date of
Oct. 26, 1686, is an "agreement between the town of Sudbury and
certain out-dwellers, viz. : Corporal John Bent * * * * who are
inhabitants bordering upon, but dwelling without the line or bounds
of the town." The first petition for the incorporation of the town
of Framingham, in 1693, was headed by John Bent. It was not
incorporated, however, until 1700. At the second town meeting,
March 3, 1701, he was chosen one of the tythingmen, who were
* This old Indian trail was for years the only way the eastern settlers had to reach
the towns on the Connecticut River. It went along the north bank of Charles River,
thence to northern end of Cochituate Pond, and S.W. through South Framingham, etc.
16 BENT FABIILT.
men of authority not only on Sunday but throughout the week, and
doubtless he performed the delicate duties with dignity and discre-
tion. In his will, dated Feb. 19, 1714-15, "in the first year of
our sovereign loi'd George of England, King," etc., he says that he
is "very sick and weake in Body." His property is to be divided
equally between his two sons, his daughter having already received
her portion.
He married, first, July 1, 1658, Hannah, born June 6, 1640,
daughter of John and Anne Stone of Cambridge, and, second,
Martha, born August 17, 1657, daughter of Matthew Rice, who
was a brother of Edward Rice that married John Bent's sister
Agnes. John had no children by his second wife, who survived
him.
Children of John and Hannah, i. born in Sudbury, ii. and iii. in
what is now Framingham :
i. Hannah, b. May 6, 1661 ; m. Feb. 26, 1681, John Adams, b. May
1, 1655, son of John and Ann Adams of Cambridge.
9. ii. John, b. Nov. 29, 1689.
10. iii. David, b. about 1691.
5
Joseph^ Bent (JoA^') was born in Sudbury, Mass., May 16,
1641, and was killed accidentally in the summer of 1675 (a. only
34) by a pistol shot from his brother Peter. He married, at Marsh-
field, June 30, 1666, Elizabeth, born in 1646, daughter of John
and Alice (Besbidge) Bourne,* and probably moved to Marshfield
soon after, for, April 28, 1667, "Joseph Bent of Marshfield in y®
Colony of New Plimouth " sold to Joseph Gleasing thirteen acres
of upland in Sudbury, adjoining the common, with houses, barns,
etc., also two lots of meadow land. He was a constable in Marsh-
field in 1669, but moved back to Sudbury before his death, for the
inventory of his estate speaks of him as of Sudbury, where his
house, barns and lands were valued at £95. The first inventory of
his property was taken Aug. 10, 1675, and as he acknowledged a
deed June 14, 1675, his death must come between those two dates.
Joseph's widow probably returned to her old home in Marshfield,
and died soon after. The children were brought up by their maternal
grandparents, John Bourne, who died in 1684, and his wife, who
died in 1686. At the settlement of the Bourne estate, the "Court
doth order that concerning the five orphan children of the Eldest
Daughter Elizabeth deceased. It shall be estimated what it is worth
* John Bourne's sister Martha married John Bradford, son of the Governor, and an-
other sister Margaret married Josiah Winslow, brother of Gov. Edward Winslow.
They were children of Thomas Bourne,' who died in 1664, eb. 83. Alice Besbidge was
daughter of Thomas Besbidge, who settled in Scituate 1635.
BENT FAMILY. 17
to briug up three of them soe long as their Grandfather Bourne
did."
Children of Joseph and Elizabeth, i. recorded in Marshfield, v.
and vi. in Sudbury :
i. Joseph,^ b. Oct. 11, 1667 ; d. young,
ii. Daughter, name unknown.
11, iii. EXPERIE.VCE.
iv. Daughter, name unknown.
v. Elizabet^:, b. in 1673; m. Oct. 11, 1701, Thomas Joyce of
Mars^ .ekT, b. June 3, 1678, son of Hosea Joyce of Yarmouth,
Ma J. "^5
12. . vi. Joseph' b. March 5, 1675. ''*^'^«^i'^*^*fv i5^<^. V;U H+ ^
Martha* Bent (JoA?^') was born in Sudbury, Mass., about
1643, and died Aug. 29, 1680; married, June 5, 1663, Samuel
How, carpenter, born Oct. 20, 1642, son of John How, one of the
first settlers of Sudbury. John afterward moved to Marlboro',
where he opened the first public house in the place, but Samuel
remained in Sudbury, where he died, April 13, 1713. He mar-
ried again, Sejot. 18, 1685, Mrs. Sarah (Leavitt) Clapp, widow of
Nehemiah Clapp of Hingham. David, the youngest son by the
first marriage, was the first proprietor of the Red Horse Tavern,
the "Wayside Inn" made famous by Longfellow. The old hostelry
is in the southwest corner of the town, near the boundaries of both
Marlboro' and Framingham, and was probably built about 1702,
though some think at an earlier date. The Hows were a race of
tavern-keepers. John's grandson, Capt. Daniel Howe (1681—
1768), was one of the first settlers of Shrewsbury, where he soon
opened a tavern. In Revolutionary days, when Capt. Cyprian
Howe and Munuing Sawin kept rival inns in Marlboro', there was
an old rhyme running like this :
" Uncle Cyp makes the flip
And Munning makes the toddy, O."
Children' of Samuel and Martha (Bent) H. , born in Sudbury :
i. JOHN,^ b. July 24, 1664 ; lived in Framingham and Hopkinton.
ii. Mary, b. March 2, 1666 ; m. 1st, George Farrar, and 2d, Thomas
Barnes.
iii. Samuel, b. May 19, 1668 ; d. in Framingham, 1731.
iv. Martha, b. Oct. 9, 1669 ; m. Thomas Walker.
V. Daniel, b. Oct. 9, 1672 ; d. 1680.
vi. David, b. Nov. 2, 1674 ; kept the "Wayside Inn" in Sudbury,
until his death, Aug. 3, 1759, when he was succeeded by his
youngest son, Ezekiel /How (b. April 5, 1720, d. Oct. 15,
1796), during the Revolutionary War colonel of 4th Middle-
sex Militia. The latter was succeeded by his son Adam How
18 BENT FAMILY.
(b. May 15, 1763 ; d. Dec. 10, 1840), and he in turn by Ms
son " Squire " Lyman Howe (b. Nov. 6, 1801), a bachelor,
at whose death, in April, 1861, it passed out of the Howe
name. In 1897 it was again re-opened as a place of public
entertainment,
vii. Hannah, b. April 6, 1677 ; m. John Barnes.
7
Petee^ Bent {Peter, ^ JoJiii^) was born in Sudbury, Mass., Oct.
15, 1653, and died March 3, 1717, aj. 63, at Marlboro' (Mass.),
where all his life except his early boyhood was spent. He married,
Feb. 27, 1705, his second cousin, Abigail, born Oct. 3, 1683,
daughter of Richard Barnes (1631-1708) of Marlboro'. She was
thirty years younger than her husband, and died in Southboro',*
Mass., Feb. 4, 1768, £e. 84.
Children, all born in Marlboro' :
i. Beulah,^ b. March 27, 1705 ; d. unm. in Southboro', April 17,
1783, St. 78.
13. ii. Peter, b. March 20, 1707.
14. iii. JopiN, b. Sept. 24, 1708.
iv. Abigail, b. Sept. 1, 1710 ; d. unm. in Southboro', July 29, 1787,
£6. nearly 77.
V. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 5, 1712; d. unm. in Southboro', in 1798,
probably, for in the Worcestei; Co. probate records is the in-
ventory of Elizabeth Bent late of Southboro', bearing date of
Dec. 27, 1798.
vi. Jabez, b. Jan, 28, 1716 ; d. 3'^oung probably.
8
HoPESTiLL^ Bent { Peter, '^ John^) was born in Marlboro', Mass.,
Jan. 17, 1672, but spent all except his early boyhood in Sudbury,
where he died, Aug. 18, 1725, te. 53, on the original Bent farm in
what is now Wayland. In 1710, he kept the Bent Tavern. His
real estate transactions were numerous. He saw service in the
disastrous Canadian campaign of 1690, when Sir William Phipps
and 2000 Massachusetts men tried to take Quebec. This was in
King William's War, the first of the French and Indian Wars.
In 1767, Peter Bent, in the right of Hopestill Bent, was one of the
"Petitioners whose ancestors were in the Expedition to Canada in
the year 1690." They asked for a grant of land on account of the
"great suffering and Service in the said Expedition." The original
petition bore the date of 1737, and in June, 1768, the General
Court granted them what is now the town of Bethel, Me. Hope-
still's tombstone, still to be seen in Wayland, records that he was
an ensign. That he was kind and just in his dealings with the
* Soutliboro', originally part of Marlboro', was incorporated in 1727.
9,1
BENT FAMILY. 19
original owners of our soil is proved by the following extract from
the Middlesex deeds :
Isaac Neliemiah, Indian, of Natick * * * in consideration of the
love, good wUl and affection for my kind and loving friend Mr. Hopestill
Bent of Sudbury * * * for his Great Care of me and kindness to me
in time of my Sickness, when I was at his house by y® Space of about Seven
years during which time I was Tenderly Nursed and Instructed in the
things y* Concern my Sovil * * * deed to Hopestill Bent * * *
my lands in Natick and Magunckog, April 7, 1714.
Hopestill married, Nov. 27, 1700, Elizabeth, born March 17,
1678, daughter of Major Thomas Brown of Sudbury by his wife
Patience, daughter of Hopestill Foster of Dorchester.
Children, all born in Sudbury (Wayland) :
i. Martha,^ b. Sept. 15, 1701 ; d. Dec. 22, 1722.
15. ii. Peter, b. May 17, 1703.
16. iii. Thomas, b. July 29, 1706.
17. iv. Hopestill, b. Nov. 4, 1708.
V. Sarah, b. April 22, 1711 ; m. July 10, 1729, Jeremiah Wesson
of Sudbury.
18. vi. Elijah, b. Aug. 15, 1713.
19. vii. MiCAH, b. April 29, 1716.
viii. Elizabeth, b. June 14, 1720.
9
JoHN^ Bent {John,'' John^)/w2iB born Nov. 29, 1689, in Fram-
ingham, where he died- in 1759, 9e. 70. In 1725, he was in Capt.
Isaac Clark's company in one of the Indian wars. He married,
Nov. 11, 1711, Hannah, born Jan. 5, 1692, daughter of Deacon
David Rice.
Children, all born in Framingham ;
20. i. Matthias,* b. July 2, 1712.
ii. Hannah, b. July 10, 1714'; d. Sept. 21, 1774; m. first, in 1734,
Eichard Rice (1710-1737), and second, Nov. 30, 1738, Capt.
Jeremiah Belknap (1704-1774).
iii. Martha, b. March 7, 1720; m. March 10, 1740, Col. Samuel
Brewer, who was wounded at Bunker Hill ; moved from Fram-
ingham to Rutland, Mass.
21. iv. John, b. May 4, 1730.
10
David^ Bent {John,^ John}) was born about 1691 in Framing-
ham, where he died Feb. 15, 1730, £e. 39. He married, Jan. 1,
1713, Mary, daughter of Capt. Thomas Drury, the first town clerk
of Framingham.
Children, all born in Framingham :
22. i. John,,^ b. Oct. 22, 1713.
20 BENT FAMILY.
ii. Bavid, b. Marcli 22, 1717 ; d. 1726.
iii. Mart, b. Aug. 5, 1718 ; m. Sept. 24, 1741, David Goodenow of
Sudbury, and moved to Rutland, Mass.
iv. Lydia, b. April 6, 1721 ; m. in 1739, William Beal of Natick.
V. Sarah, b. Jan. 12, 1727 ; m. March 13, 1751, Bezaleel Rice
(1721-1806).
2S. vi. David, b. March 30, 1730 (posthumous).
11
Experience^ Bent {Joseph,^ Jolin^) was born probably in
Marshfield, Mass., about 16G9, and died in Middleboro', Mass.,
about 1754, aged 85. He v^^as early left an orphan, and until 1686
was cared for by Ms maternal grand-parents in Marshfield. In
1690, he was living in Sudbury, the part now Wayland, where he
was a house carpenter. Later in life, however, he is always re-
ferred to as a yeoman. Oct. 20, 1701, he bought a "small parcell
of upland lying and being in y° Township of Plimouth, also y®
Dwelling House that standeth upon said Land, said land lyeth at a
Brooke commonly called Wellingsly Brooke on y® northerly side of
sd Brooke." This homestead he sold Nov. 1, 1708, and moved to
the northeasterly part of Middleboro', and in 1712 he added by
purchase 100 acres in Plympton adjoining his homestead. In 1736,
for £11, he granted permission to Robert Brown, James Shaw,
Isaac Nye and Joseph Richards to set up a forge or iron works,
"with a good and sufficient Damm," on Whetstone Vineyard Brook,
"neare my now dwelling house," which was near where the present
town of Carver makes a corner with Middleboro' and Plympton.
Though still known as the Bent lot, the pines are rapidly encroach-
ing upon the old farm, and the half-grown-up cellar hole, whose
only occupant now is a woodchuck, and a few venerable aj^ple trees,
are all there is to show that here for four generations was a human
habitation.
Middleboro', which was incorporated in 1669, and at that time
joined Plymouth, was the location of an Indian settlement known
as Nemasket, and was visited by Miles Standish in 1621, the first
military expedition of the Plymouth colonists.
Experience Bent married, in 1703, Abigail, born 1680, daughter
of George and Elizabeth Sampson of Duxbury, where her grand-
father, Abraham Sampson, settled in 1628.
Children, i. and ii. born probably in Plymouth, iii. and iv. in
Middleboro' :
24. i. Joseph,^ b. about 1704.
ii. Elizabeth, b. about 1706 ; d. Aug. 11, 1743 ; m. John Griffith
of Middleboro'.
iii. Rachel, living unm. in Middleboro' in 1769.
iv. Alice, m. Barnabas Raymond, b. May 21, 1710, in Middleboro',
where they had twelve children.
BENT FAJnLY. 21
12
Joseph' Bent (^Joseph,^ John^) was born in Sudbury, Mass.,
March 5, 1675, and died in Milton, Mass., March 31, 1728, te.
53. Left an orphan at an early age, he was brought up first in
Marshfield, Mass., by his maternal grand-parents, and, after his
grand-mother's death in 1686, by his uncle, John Man, who had
married his mother's sister, Alice Bourne. Man was instructed by
the Court "to three or four years hence put him out to a trade and
meantime to instruct him in reading and writing." The trade to
which he was apprenticed, presumably at fourteen, and that which
he followed through life, was the blacksmith's, which many of his
descendants have also followed. An honorable calling surely,
" For, since the birth of time, throughout all ages and nations.
Has the craft of the smith been held in repute by the people,"
says Longfellow.
John Man lived in Milton, and thus it was that the Bent family
came to locate iu the town, where, after the lapse of more than
two centuries, the name is still to be found. Originally a part
of Dorchester and known by the Indian name of Unquity, Mil-
ton became a separate town in 1662, so that it was still young
when Joseph Bent, a boy in his teens, went thither. Previous to
the white man's settlement here in the ISTeponset valley and on the
slopes of the Blue Hills, it had been the home of the Indian tribe
whose name has been enshrined in the word Massachusetts. Aside
from this, Milton has been a noteworthy town. On Milton Hill,
in pre-Revolutionary days, dwelt Gov. Thomas Hutchinson, whose
refusal to allow the tea ships to pass out of the harbor in 1773
caused the "Boston Tea Party." Gov. Jonathan Belcher had lived
in the town in still earlier days, and on the slope of the Big Blue
Hill still resides Roger Wolcott, the honored Governor of the
Bay State in 1897, 1898, 1899. Milton has raised a President of
Harvard College, Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, two Revolutionary
colonels, John Crane and Joseph Vt;)s,e, and was the home of Charles
Sumner's ancestors. Many distinguished people still find a pleasant
home within its bounds, among them Mrs. sideline D. T. Whitney,
the writer, and in the same burial ground, where the little slate
stone is to be seen over the grave of Joseph Bent, not only "the
rude fore-fathers of the hamlet sleep," but also the remains of the
great Wendell Phillips.
Joseph Bent married, Oct. 27, 1698, Rachel, born Dec. 3, 1673,
and died July 5, 1725, daughter of Jonathan and Mary Fuller of
Dedliam, Mass.
Children, all born in Milton :
i. Mary,* b. Jan. 21, 1700 ; d. July 20, 1768 ; m. June 10, 1725,
22 BENT FAMILY.
John Davenport (1695-1778) of Ponkipog, now a part of
Canton, then a part of Dorchester.
25. ii. Joseph, b. Sept. 26, 1701.
26. iii. John, b. Oct. 15, 1703.
iv. Rachel, b. Aug. 21, 1705 ; m. Feb. 8, 1722, Nathaniel Yose,
Jr., of Milton, b. March 31, 1699, d. Dec. 18, 1751.
V. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 13, 1708 ; m. Dec. 1, 1725, David Cope-
land (170^1750) ; eight children, born in Milton.
vi. Sarah, b. April 13, 1710 ; d. April 5, 1802, se. 92 ; m. Feb. 12,
1730, Elijah Vose (1708-1766) of Milton. Of their four sons,
the eldest,' Joseph Vose (1738-1816), was a Revolutionary
colonel and afterwards a general.
27. vii. Ebenezer, b. April 23, 1712.
viii. Experience, b. and d. 1714.
ix. Thankful, b. July 5, 1716 ; d. Feb. 1793, se. 76 ; m. Dec. 27,
1734, Stephen Davenport (1703-1784) of IVIilton, brother of
John^above.
FOURTH GENERATION.
Id
Peter' Bent (Peter,' Peter,' John') was born March 20, 1707,
in Marlboro' (Mass.), where the whole of his long and honorable
life was spent. He died March 11, 1798, je. 91, and his widow
Mary (maiden name not ascertained) died June 3, 1803, je. 93.
They were buried in the old burial ground near the present Fitch-
burg E. R. station. His tombstone, an unusually large one, recites
that he was " a man justly esteemed for his Integrity and Usefalness
both in public and private Life." He w-as a man of great public
spirit, and his townsmen elected him to the highest offices in their
power. To distinguish hirn from the other Peter Bents, we might
well call him Peter the Great. He was assessor in 1754, 1764-67,
1769-72, 1775, selectman 1750, 1756, 1759, 1766-67, 1770-72,
1774, 1777, representative to the General Court 1771 to 1775, and
member of the three Provincial Congresses held in 1774 and 1775.
At the second, which convened in Cambridge, Feb. 1, 1775, he
was the sole representative of Marlboro', and was appointed by the
president, John Hancock, one of a committee of three to examine
the returns of the several towns and report upon their stocks of
powder, etc. At the third, which assembled in Watertown, May
31, 1775, Gen. Joseph Warren was the presiding officer, and Peter
Bent, who was again the sole representative of^Maiiboro', was on
two or three committees. Previous to this, at a meeting (March
29, 1770) of the citizens of Marlboro' "to see whether the town
will do anything to strengthen the hands of the merchants in their
non-importation agreement," Peter Bent, Hezekiah Maynard and
Robert Baker, the committee, submitted a patriotic and spirited
BENT rAjVITLY. 23
report, which was adopted, transmitted to the Boston committee
and printed in the Evening Post. At one time, when he was re-
elected representative, he was instructed to "pay no acknowledge-
ment to any unconstitutional and new-fangled Counsellors," etc.
In the days of the French and Indian wars (1757) he was in
Capt. Abraham Williams's company of militia. In 1770 he was
one of the six richest men in town. He bequeathed to his wife
£84 in silver at 6/8 per ounce besides the house, furniture, etc.,
and mentions his lands in Southboro' and Westboro'. The old Bent
farm in his day extended for a mile and a naif along the road to
Northboro'. He raised beef for the market and had a large apple
orchard, near which the Indians came every year and camped.
This annual visit was continued well into the nineteenth century.
About a mile from the homestead, on the farm, is an ancient Indian
burial place.
The old farm house is still standing (1899) on the south side of
"Williams (or Gates) Pond, a mile or more from Marlboro' centre.
It is a long, rambling structure, built by successive generations,
the oldest part probably dating back more than two centuries.
" Built in the old colonial day
When men lived in a grander way
With ampler hospitality."
Behind it, on the slope toward the pond, which has recently be-
come city property, was until 1897 a gigantic hollow chestnut tree
about eight feet in diameter. By the little brook which forms the
outlet to the pond, half imbedded in the earth, covered with lichens
and surrounded by brush, are two enormous old mill stones, which
may have been used by the first Peter Bent. The homestead has
been owned by but two families, the Bents, who came in possession
of it by original grant about 1660, and the Stevens family that took
it when the Marlboro' line of Bents became extinct.
Children of Peter and Mary Bent, all born in Marlboro' :
i. Peter,5 b. Oct. 22, 1733 ; d. Aug. 3, 1740.
ii. Sarah, b. June 21, 1735 ; d. Feb. 16, 1825, ge. 89 ; m. April 13,
1784, Alpheus Woods (1727-1794), his second wife.
iii. Mart, b. April 18, 1737 ; lived to be 94, it is said ; m. March
22, 1758, Josiah Fay of Southboro'. Their dau. Elizabeth Fay
m. Uriah Brigham and had Peter Bent Brigham, a full account
of whose life will be found further along in this book. Josiah
Fay was born in Westboro', Mass., Feb. 14, 1732, and died in
New York city, Aug. 12, 1776.
iv. Jabez, b. 1739 ; d. 1740.
V. Patience, b. Feb. 13, 1741 ; d. in Southboro', Jan. 23, 1837,
£E. nearly 96 ; m. Capt. Seth Newton (1733-1807).
vi. Deborah, b. 1743 ; d. 1745.
vii. Anne, b. June 30, 1745 ; d. at the Bent homestead in Marlboro',
April 17, 1828, se. nearly 83. Her son Daniel Stevens, b.
24 BENT FAMILY.
Sept. 14, 1771, d. Sept. 29, 1852, came into possession of the
Bent estate when the male line of Bents became extinct, re-
presented the town in the General Court five years (1828-
1831, 1833) and was a justice of the peace for twenty years.
He m. in 1797, Eunice E. Robinson of Concord, who d. Feb.
20, 1844, ae. 69, and by her had three children: 1. Isaac
Temple Stevens^ b. Jan. 3, 1798. 2. Aim Bent Stevens, b. Sept.
16, 1799 ; m. Sept. 10, 1820, Issachar Dickerman. 3. Eunice
G. Stevens, b. June 24, 1801 ; d. unm. May 26, 1836. Isaac
Temple Stevens m. Oct. 17, 1817, Catherine Felton, and took
the Bent farm. Upon his death, April 16, 1876, it passed into
the hands of one of his thirteen children, William Robinson
Stevens (b. April 10, 1838), who still lives there (1899)
with an unmarried sister, Susanna. Another brother, Levi
Lincoln Stevens, lives in Marlboro', and still another, Rev.
Daniel Waldo Stevens, b. Jan. 17, 1820, d. Oct. 1, 1891, grad-
uated from Harvard in 1846 and became a Unitarian clergy-
man. The descendants of Daniel Stevens (1771-1852) have
held an annual re-union, usually at the old Bent place, since
about 1883.
28. viii. Peter, b. Jan. 6, 1747.
29, ix. Jabez, b. Jan. 29, 1749.
X. Deborah, b. 1751 ; d. 1755.
xi. Abigail, b. Jan. 29, 1754; m. Sept. 12, 1771, Benajah Brigham,
b. March 15, 1746, d. Dec. 7, 1822, brother of Benjamin Brig-
ham, Jr. (1742-1799), the first minister of Fitzwilliam, N. H.
14
John* Bent {Peter, ^ Peter, ^ John^) was bom in Marlboro',
Mass., Sept. 24, 1708. No record of his marriage or death has
been found, but his name appears on land transactions as late as
1784. He was a farmer and lived in Southboro', a town set off
from Marlboro' in 1727. He was a sergeant in Capt. Timothy
Brigham's company of militia in 1757. Probably his sisters, all
of whom were unmarried, lived with him.
15
Petee* Bent {Ho'pestill,^ Peter,^ John^) was born May 17,
1703, in Sudbury, where he was still living in 1757. No record of
his death found ; it is possible that he went to Nova Scotia in 1760
or thereabouts and died soon after. A peculiar interest attaches to
him because of the fact that he married, April 18, 1727, Mary,
daughter of Rev. Samuel Parris, in whose family the Salem witch-
craft delusion began in 1692. The Rev. Samuel, after being in-
vited to leave Salem village in 1697, lived in Newton, Concord,
Stow and Dunstable, and finally located in Sudbury, where he died
Feb. 27, 1720, se. 67. His son Samuel was long a deacon in
BENT FAMILY. 25
Sudbury. Mary was a daughter by the second wife Dorothy,
daughter of Peter Noyes, Jr. , of Sudbury.
Children, all born in Sudbury (Wayland) :
i. Mabt,5 b. June 28, 1727.
ii. Martha, b. March 11, 1729.
iii. Dorothy, b. Dec. 31, 1730 ; m. Nov. 9, 1762, Eichard Mills.
iv. Eunice, b. Nov. 15, 1732.
V. Susannah, b. Sept. 17, 1734; m. Dec. 5, 1765, Ebenezer Moore.
vi. Catherine, b. Sept. 23, 1736; m. Jan. 4, 1758, William, son of
Samiiel Russell of Sudbury and a descendant of William oi
Cambridge, the original American ancestor of Gov. William
E. Russell.
vii. Abigail, b. Oct. 30, 1738 ; m. June 18, 1765, Jason Glozen
(Gleason).
viii. Peter, b. Sept. 10, 1741 ; m. probably June 17, 1774, Sarah
Pratt of Newton.
ix. Samuel, b. Aug. 15, 1743 ; nothing further ascertained.
X. Anna, b. Dec. 10, 1745.
xi. HoPESTiLL, b. July 15, 1748 ; nothing further ascertained.
16
Thomas* Bent (Hojjesfill,^ Peter ^^ John^), farmer, was born in
Sudbury, July 29, 1706, and died in Sudbury, July 26, 1775, je.
69. It is said that upon receipt of the news of the Concord fight
he started on horseback for the scene of action, where he received a
bullet wound in one of his legs, from the effect of which he soon
afterward died. After being wounded, he started back for Sudbury,
and while on the road met one of his boys, who, like his three
brothers, was hurrying to the front. Instead of asking his son to
return, he urged him forward and the boy obeyed. The inventory
of his estate includes land in Chesterfield and Holden, several head
of horned cattle, twenty sheep and twelve swine. He evidently had
a good apple orchard, for forty-three barrels of cider were found.
He married. May 28, 1733, Mary, born March 9, 1718, daugh-
ter of Samuel and Abigail (Reed) Stone of Lexington and Sud-
bury, and a descendant of Deacon Gregory Stone of Cambridge,
1635. She died the same day as her husband, and they were
buried beside the remains of his father in the old burial ground in
what is now Wayland.
" And now their names, with the moss o'ergrown,
Are veiled from sight on the churchyard stone
That leans away, in a lingering fall.
And owns the power that shall level all
The works that the hand of man hath wrought."
Children, all born in the old part of Sudbury now Wayland :
i. LucT,^ b. Jan. 13, 1736 ; m. July 19, 1755, Nathan Livermore
of Weston, and moved to Chesterfield, Mass.
26 BENT FAMILY.
30. ii. Thomas, b. July 4, 1738.
iii. Lois, b. Dec. 3, 1740 ; d. in Framingbam, 1783 ; m. Feb. 3,
1762, James Glover (1734-1806) ; eigbt cbildren ; be married
again in 1784.
iv. Mary, b. June 21, 1743 ; d. Framingbam, Feb. 1824 ; m. Capt.
Benjamin Edwards, Jr. (1732-1803), of Boston, "Woburn and
Framingbam.
31 • V. Jason, b. May 9, 1750; m. Anne Glover, sister of James.
vi. Martha, b. March 21, 1752 ; m. Dec. 5, 1782, James Inglis.
32. vii. Samuel, b. Jan. 1, 1755.
33. viii. Jonathan, b. April 22, 1758.
ix. Eunice, b. Feb. 14, 1763 ; m. Aug. 8, 1782, Thomas Glover,
Jr. (1757-1845), of Sharon, Mass., where she d. Jan. 1, 1806,
da. 43 ; seven children ; he married again.
17
HoPESTiLL^ Bent (ITopestiU,^ Peter, ^ John}), farmer, was
born in Sudbury, Mass., Nov. 4, 1708. He lived a short time in
Waltham, near by, but moved back to Sudbury, w^here he died, late
in 1772, £6. 64. He married first, Oct. 22, 1733, Beulah, born
Dec. 11, 1716, daughter of Jonathan Rice; married second, April
2Q, 1763, Mrs. Anna Fiske of Waltham, who died in the latter
place, Jan. 7, 1793, £6. 80.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Jonathan,^ b. April 24, 1735 ; was in the Crown Point expe-
dition in 1755, and d. Dec. 25 of that year.
ii. Ltdia, b. June 15, 1738 ; living unm. in 1774.
iii. Peter, b. July 8, 1741 ; d. in 1778 probably ; m. Lucy, dau. of
Samuel Stone of Framingbam, where she d. Jan. 27, 1783, ge.
40 ; no children,
iv. Elizabeth, b. March 25, 1744 ; m. Feb. 11, 1762, Micah Eice.
V. Timothy, b. March 24, 1747 ; enlisted in the Continental Army,
but died or was killed previous to 1779.
18
Elijah* Bent {JSoipestill,^ Peter, ^ John^^ was born in Sudbury,
Aug. 15, 1713, and died in Barre, Mass., May 2, 1797, *. 83.
He lived in East Sudbury, now Wayland, but died at his son's
home. He is variously called house-wright, yeoman and inn-holder.
The inn that he kept was the Pequot House, probably built by him
about 1771, and still in existence in Wayland centre. He married
Susannah, born in Sudbury, April 24, 1720, and died in Barre,
July 3, 1801, daughter of Samuel Stone.
Children, i. born in Framingbam, the others in East Sudbury
(now Wayland) :
i. Elijah,^ b. Oct. 7, 1739 ; moved to Nova Scotia, it is said.
ii. Dorcas, b. Jan. 1, 1742 ; m. first, - Maner, and second,
Baldwin.
BENT FAMILY. 27
34. iii. Silas, b. April 14, 1744.
iv. Susannah, b. May 21, 1748 ; m. Wilbert.
35. V. Joel, b. Feb. 22, 1750.
36. vi. Stephen, b. July 15, 1752.
37. vii. RuFus, b. Feb. 13, 1755.
viii. Abigail, b. Sept. 3, 1757 ; m. May 1, 1777, David Curtis (b.
1753), son of Joseph and a descendant of Henry Curtis of
Sudbury, the original American ancestor of George WiUiam
Curtis.
38. ix. Nathan, b. March 12, 1760.
19
Micah* Bent {Hopestill^^ Peter, ^ John}), blacksmith, was born
April 29, 1716, in Sudbmy, where he died, probably in 1760. The
inventory of his estate is dated Dec. 24, 1760. He married, in
1737, Grace, daughter of David Rice.
Children, all born in Sudbury (Wayland) :
39. i. David,^ b. March 18, 1739.
40. ii. William, b. June 8, 1741.
iii. Anne, b. April 8, 1744 ; in. May 12, 1763, Daniel Felch of
Natick. VN-^'-v^t '^^. Vr; .-^ "■■''■ .
iv. Sarah, b. March 19, 1746.
V. Jane, m. Feb. 13, 1766, Jonas Harrington, 3d, of Weston, Mass.,
b. Sept. 21, 1740.
vi. Martha, m. first, Jan. 31, 1774, Dr. Benjamin Rice (Harvard,
1773) of Annapolis, N. S., and Boston, Mass. He d. 1782,
£6. 33, and she m. second, Bacon ; she m. third, •
Newman.
vii. Elizabeth, m. first, — Stone ; m. second, ■ Tucker.
20
Matthias'' Bent {John,^ John,^ John}) was born July 2, 1712,
in Framingham, Mass., where he died, July, 1799, ^. 87. He was
a selectman thirteen years. He married, Feb. 26, 1746, Abigail,
daughter of Joseph Stone. She died Nov. 16, 1814, ge. 90.
Children, both born in Framingham :
i. Anne,^ b. Oct. 14, 1747 ; m. Lieut. John Fames* (1743-1832)
of Framingham. She d. before 1798, when he m. again.
41. ii. Matthias, b. Sept. 15, 1752.
21
John* Bent (^John,^ John,^ John^) was born in Framingham,
May 4, 1730; died in Framingham, Sept. 14, 1818, te. 88. He
married, Oct. 23, 1751, Molly, daughter of John Stacy of Framing-
ham.
Children, all born in Framingham :
* Lieut. Jolm was brother of Capt. Jesse Eames, who married Betty Bent.
28 BENT FAMILY.
42. i. JoHN,5 b. July 16, 1752.
43. ii. JosiAH (twin), b. Oct. 29, 1755.
iii. Mary (twin), b. Oct. 29, 1755 ; m. April 23, 1776, Capt. John
Trowbridge (1752-1825) of Framingham, where she d. Jan.
30, 1844, se. 88, leaving four sons, one of whom. Dr. Josiah
Trowbridge (1785-1862), was Mayor of Buffalo, N. Y.
iv. Martha, b. April 14, 1758.
John* Bent {David,^ John,^ John^) was born in Framingham,
Mass., Oct. 22, 1713 ; died in Framingham, probably in 1750, se.
37. He married, in 1737, Elizabeth, born June 16, 1716, daughter
of Thomas Reed of Sudbury. She married second, Oct. 3, 1751,
Joshua Harrington (1718-1784) and moved about 1774 to Fitz-
william, N. H., where she died March 18, 1784.
Children of John and Elizabeth, all born in Framingham :
i. Samuel,^ b. 1738 ; d. 1742.
ii. Betty, b. 1741 , d. 1742.
iii. Betty, b. May 1, 1743 ; m. Capt. Jesse Eames, b. July 14, 1739,
a dentist of Framingham, where she d. Feb. 14, 1776, leaving
six children, one of whom, Ezra Ames of Albany, N. Y., b.
May 5, 1768, was a portrait painter of some note. Capt. Jesse
moved to Staatsburg, N. Y., and m. again,
iv. Lucy, b. Jan. 26, 1745.
V. Samuel, b. July 19, 1749. Nothing further ascertained.
23
Dayid* Bent (^David,^ John,^ John^^, blacksmith, was born in
Framingham, March 30, 1730; died in Rutland, Mass., elan. 15,
1798, fe. nearly 68. The year of his marriage, or possibly before,
he moved to Rutland, where he was an active and useful citizen.
In addition to working at his trade, he had a large farm (160 acres
at the time of his death) in the southern part of the town, a portion
of it lying in what, in 1765, became the district of Paxton (incor-
porated as a town in 1775). The inventory of his estate included
half of a pew in Rutland meeting-house and two-thirds of a pew in
Paxton meeting-house. Rutland, it may be said in passing, is a jfine
old hill town in the very centre of the state. Jan. 3, 1775, he was
chosen one of fifteen men who were to act as a Committee of In-
spection to carry out the Acts of Congress. March 13, 1775, a
military company was formed and David Bent was chosen captain.
This company marched to Cambridge the day after the battle of
Lexington and was out six days. From Apiil 6, 1776, until March
13, 1780, when he resigned, he commanded a company in the 7th
Worcester County regiment. Marched to Bennington in August,
1777.
BENT FAMILY. 29
Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 15, 1787, a cyclone swept over Eut-
land, doing much damage. The account in Sidney Perley's "His-
toric Storms of New England," says : " Seemingly gathering new
fury, it continued down the side of a hill, struck a corner of Captain
Bent's house and lifted the barn into the air, knocking it to pieces
and throwing several large timbers a considerable distance. In the
barn were four or five tons of hay, which was wholly lost. A black-
smith shop and part of a shed were entirely carried away, together
with nearly two hundred apple trees ; and much of the walls and
fences was demolished."
The old house in which he lived is still standing, a two-and-a-half
story building, east of Turkey Hill Pond, on the road from Rutland
to Paxton, near the dividing line, and about 2^ miles from the cen-
tre of either town. The big chimney, the little panes of glass, and
the old floors held down by hand-made nails, have only recently
(1898) been removed. The barn was divided several years ago
and the blacksmith shop and out buildings have long since disap-
peared. The farm is still considered one of the best in Rutland.
Capt. David Bent married first, April 3, 1751, Lucy, daughter
of Peter Moore of Rutland. He married second, Oct. 2, 1783,
Martha, born Nov. 21, 1744, died July 9, 1817, daughter of James
and Elizabeth Browning of Rutland.
Children of David and Lucy, all born in Rutland, Mass. :
i. MiCAH,5 b. 1751 ; d. 1756.
ii. John, b. 1754; d. 1756.
44, iii. David, b. April 3, 1756.
45t iv. Lucy, b. June 4, 1758 ; m. 1774, Joseph Green.
V. Peter, b. May 16, 1760; enlisted in the Continental army for
the remainder of the war, but died or was killed after serving
2 yrs., 10 mos. and 17 days.
vi. Phebe, b. Feb. 8, 1763; d. Oct. 8, 1799; m. Nov. 13, 1780,
John ]Vx Clenathan, Jr., of Hubbardston, Mass., who afterwards
m. again,
vii. Abigail, b. 1765 ; d. 1767.
viii. RuFUS, b. April 10, 1767. Nothing further ascertained.
46. ix. Darius, b. Aug. 13, 1769.
47i X. Thaddeus, b. Sept. 1, 1771.
48, xi. Phineas, b. Sept. 15, 1776.
Child of David and Martha, born in Rutland :
49, i. Samuel Browning,^ b. Nov. 27, 1784.
24
Joseph* Bent (^Experience, ^ Joseph,^ John^), nail maker, of
Middleboro', was born about 1704; died between 1758 and 1765,
probably. He seems to have lived on his father's place. He married,
Oct. 17, 1728, at Plympton, Jemima, born 1710, daughter of
Francis Billington, Jr.
30 BENT FAMILT.
Children, all born in Middleboro', Mass. :
i. Sarah,5 b. Jan. 27, 1730.
50. ii. John, b. Feb. 27, 1732.
iii. Alice, b. Jan. 16, 1734 ; m. Sept. 11, 1753, at Taunton, William
Rayment (Raymond?).
51* iv. Joseph, b. Jan. 6, 1736.
V. William, nail maker ; m. Aug. 29, 1768, Sarah, dau. of Zabdiel
Sampson of Plympton ; was still living in Middleboro' in 1808.
25
Joseph* Bent (JbsepA,' Joseph,^ John^) was born in Milton,
Sept. 26, 1701 ; died at Albany, N. Y., Dec. 7, 1755. He lived
on the Brush Hill Road, Milton ; vras selectman in 1741, moderator
of the tovs^n meetings in 1753, '54, '55, and representative to the
General Court in 1753; in 1775, M^as captain in the Crown Point
expedition, during which he died of dropsy. He married, Feb. 13,
1724, Martha Houghton, born April 24, 1701, died Dec. 4, 1766,
daughter of Joseph and Jane Houghton of Milton.
Children, all born in Milton :
Joseph,^ b. and d. 1725.
Lemuel, b. May 2, 1727.
Abigail, b. 1730; d. 1738.
Eunice, b. May 22, 1732; m. Dec. 6, 1750, William Pierce of
MUton.
Joseph, b. March 9, 1735.
William, b. Nov. 13, 1737.
Martha, b. 1739; d. 1740.
RuFus, b. March 10, 1742.
26
John* Bent {Joseph,^ Joseph ^^ Johti^), blacksmith, was born
in Milton, Oct. 15, 1703. No record of death found. He mar-
ried, Feb. 6, 1728, Elizabeth, b. Dec. 6, 1710, died May 7, 1750,
daughter of William and Elizabeth Badcock of Milton.
Children, all born in Milton, Mass. :
56. i. Jesse,s b. Nov. 16, 1729.
ii. Rebecca, b. April 19, 1731.
iii. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 11, 1733.
iv. Pkudence, b. April 29, 1735 ; m. Dec. 6, 1761, Amaziah Crane
of Milton.
V. Susannah, b. Feb. 14, 1737; m. Dec. 6, 1762, 'Seth Crane,
brother of Amaziah. '
vi. Rachel, b. 1739 ; d. 1742.
vii. Ltdia, b. Sept. 9, 1741 ; m. Dec. 6, 1760, Silas Houghton of
Milton,
viii. Sarah, b. Nov. 7, 1743.
1.
52.
ii.
iii.
iv.
53.
V.
54.
vi.
vii.
55,
viii.
BENT FAMILY. 31
ix. Rachel, b. Sept. 28, 1U5 ; d. March 23, 18^9, se. 83 ; m. first,
Dec. 6, 1763, Ezekiel Blake of Milton, and second (his fourth
marriage), John Pierce, who d. in 1833, ss. 91.
57. X. John, b. Aug. 4, 1747.
xi. Noah, b. Sept. 2, 1749. Nothing further ascertained.
27
Ebenezee'' Bent (Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ John})^ farmer, was born
April 23, 1712, in Milton, where he died February 15, 1786, ae.
73. He married, January 9, 1735, Deborah, born in Dedham,
Mass.. May 23, 1714, died in Quincy, Mass., Aug. 17, 1798, daugh-
ter of Jonathan and Deborah Fairbank.
Children, all born in Milton, Mass. :
i. Eleanor,^ b. Sept. 28, 1735 ; m. Dec. 6, 1757, Elijah Under-
wood of Braintree, Mass.
58. ii. Ebenezer, b. Aug. 22, 1737.
59. iii. Samuel, b. March 1, 1739.
60. iv. Nedabiah, b. Jan. 21, 1742.
V. Mart, b. Feb. 1, 1744; m. 1773, Samuel Newcomb of Braintree.
61. vi. John, b. July 10, 1746.
vii. Deborah, b. July 8, 1748; d. in Dorchester, Aug. 13, 1833, se,
85; m. June 19, 1777, Ebenezer Trescott (1732-1805) of
Dorchester, Mass.
viii. Sarah, b. March 24, 1751 ; d. in Canton, Jan. 18, 1829, £e. 77 ;
m. Nov. 21, 1770, Henry Bailey Withington, b. in what is now
Canton, Mass., Aug. 4, 1743.
ix. Elizabeth, b. April 13, 1754; d. unm. in Quincy, Nov. 29,
1840, se. 86.
FIFTH GENERATION.
28
Peter® Bent {Peter* Peter, '^ Peter, ^ John^) was bom Jan. 6,
1747, in Marlboro', Mass., where he died Aug. 31, 1801, ^. 54.
He marched to Cambridge at the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775,
in Capt. Daniel Barnes's company, and was in the same company
during the siege of Boston, May to December, 1775 ; lived on the
old Bent place, and at his death bequeathed all of his lands in Marl-
boro', Westboro' and Southboro' to his sister's son, Daniel Stevens.
He married, June 16, 1779, Anne Walker, who died May 11, 1781,
^.27. No children.
29
Jabez® Bent {Peter,* Peter,^ Peter,^ John^) was born Jan. 29,
1749, in Marlboro', where he died unmarried May 26, 1817, je. 68,
the last of the male line of Bents in Marlboro', where the family
32 BENT FAMILY.
had lived for over one hundred and fifty years. At the Lexington
alarm, he was out six days in Capt. William Brigham's company,
and afterwards (1777) was drafted for three years, but paid a fine
instead of going. He was an assessor in 1787, and at his death
made a bequest of one hundred dollars to the West Parish (Uni-
tarian) of Marlboro', the income to be used for an annual lecture
for the improvement of the young. This lecture is still given every
year.
30
Thomas^ Bent {Thomas,^ Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ John^^ was born
in Sudbury, July 4, 1738 ; died in Framingham in 1787, probably.
He was in Capt. Moses Maynard's company of militia in 1757, and
on the 19th of April, 1775, marched from Framingham to Concord
as a corporal in Capt. Jesse Eames's company. He married Submit,
born Dec. 3, 1742, daughter of John and Experience Parker of
Framingham.
Children, all born in Framingham :
i. Alvan,^ b. June 3, 1769 ; m. Olive Rice. Nothing further of
him.
ii. Polly, b. April 5, 1771.
iii. Betsey, bap. July 18, 1779.
31
Jason* Bent {Thomas,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^), farmer,
was born May 9, 1750, in Sudbury, where he died Oct. 1, 1786,
?e. 36. He marched to Concord, April 19, 1775, in Capt. Isaac
Loker's company, and was out three days. He married, Aug. 17,
1773, Anne, born 1749, died Nov. 10, 1837, daughter of Thomas
and Elizabeth (Clough) Glover of Boston and Dorchester.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Elizabeth Clough,^ b. July 13, 1774; m. in 1794, Jabez May-
nard of Stow, Mass., where she d. in 1810, leaving four chil-
dren.
62. ii. Thomas, b. Sept. 4, 1776.
63. iii. Sewall, b. Oct. 9, 1778.
iv. Anne (or Nancy), b. Oct. 9, 1780 ; d. in Palmer, Mass. ; m.
Sept. 1, 1806, Moody Tenney of Stow. Seven children.
V. Jerusha, b. May 26, 1783 ; m. Jan. 1, 1803, Samuel Browne,
Jr., of Sudbury, and moved to Rising Sun, Ind., where she
died. Three children.
64. vi. Jason, b. Sept. 12, 1785.
32
Samuel^ Bent {Thomas,* Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^), farmer,
was born in Sudbury, Mass., Jan. 1, 1755; died in Fitzwilliam,
BENT FAMILY. 33
N. H., April 22, 1833, je. 78. He marched to Concord on the
eventful 19th of April, 1775, in Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth's com-
pany, and was out on an alarm twenty-six days, from Feb 4, 1776.
A Revolutionary marker was placed over his grave by his descend-
ants Sept. 7, 1896. He moved from Sudbury, Mass., to Fitz-
william, N. H., in 1780, when the town was still young, and cleared
a farm about a mile and a half from the Massachusetts line and some
six miles south of Mt. Monadnock, the most prominent feature in
the landscape. In 1790, he had ninety acres, but in 1805 he bought
more land of Isaac Goodnow ; the farm is still tilled by his descend-
ants. Fitzwilliam, originally known as Monadnock Number Four,
was incorporated in 1773, and is a typical New Hampshire farming
town, sturdy, healthy, hilly and rock-ribbed.
Samuel married, Feb. 6, 1777, Molly, born March 7, 1755,
died Oct. 8, 1838, se. 83, daughter of William and Mary (Wheeler)
Hunt of Sudbury, and a descendant of William Hunt (1605-
1667), one of the earliest settlers of Concord, Mass.
Children, i. born in Sudbury, Mass., the others in Fitzwilliam,
N. H.:
65. i. Samuel,^ b. Feb. 10, 1778.
66. ii. Mart, b. April 24, 1780 ; m. Amos Pratt.
67. iii. Martha, b. Sept. 26, 1782; m. Moses Chaplin.
68. iv. William Hunt, b. July 14, 1785.
69. V. Hyman, b. Sept. 17, 1788.
vi. Sally, b. Oct. 7, 1791 ; d. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Aug. 11, 1830 ;
m. May 24, 1812, Jonathan Locke, b. 1787, d. 1841. One
child, William Benf Locke, d. se. about 20 yrs.
70. vii. Elisha, b. Dec. 10, 1793.
71. viii. Betsey, b. Aug. 9, 1796; m. Henry Shirley.
ix. Newell, b. Dec. 14, 1801 ; d. unm. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., May
14, 1857; lived with his brothers. A man of studious dispo-
sition ; taught school winters ; was on the school committee,
and at his death left a fund for a district library.
33
Jonathan^ Bent (Thomas,* Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ John^) was
born April 22, 1758, in the part of Sudbury now Wayland, but at
the time of his marriage bought a farm in the north-east part of the
present town of Sudbury, where he died in 1826, ffi. 68. He
marched to Concord, April 19, 1775, in Capt. Joseph Smith's com-
pany, and was in the Ticonderoga campaign in 1776, under Capt.
Asahel Wheeler, in Col. John Robinson's regiment ; was afterward
captain of a company of militia, and for some years kept a tavern
in North Sudbury, near the Concord line. He married first, March
12, 1778, Experience Smith ; married second, April 10, 1803, Mrs.
Ruth Rice, who died in Sudbury, Dec. 26, 1844, as. 80, widow of
Reuben Rice, and daughter of Israel Haynes of Sudbury.
34 BENT FAMILY,
Children of Jonathan and Experience, all born in Sudburj :
72. i. Newell," b. Oct. 9, 1778.
ii. Experience, b. May 21, 1780; m. July 22, 1798, Thomas Jen-
kinson of East Sudbury,
iii. Polly, b. Oct. 28, 1782 ; m. Aug. 2, 1801, Daniel Haynes of
Lincoln,
iv. LucRETiA, b. Jan. 5, 1785 ; m. Feb. 24, 1802, Edward Wheeler
of Weston.
V. Henry, b. Aug. 4, 1787 ; d. young probably.
73. vi. Hezekiah, b. Nov. 21, 1789.
vii. Betsey, b. July 28, 1791 ; m. Josiah Stearns(?) of Oakham.
74. viii. Samuel, b. Feb. 21, 1794.
ix. Nancy, b. Nov. 12, 1798; m. AprE 6, 1823, Joseph Osborn of
Sudbury.
Children of Jonathan and Ruth, both born in Sudbury :
75. i. Thomas,^ b. April 11, 1804.
ii. Eliza, b. Feb. 28, 1806 ; m. 1828, Isaac Miles of Concord.
u
Silas* Bent {Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ JoJin^) was born in
Sudbury, Mass., April 14, 1744; died in Belpre, Ohio, April 4,
1818, 96. 74. In 1760, from April until December, as a lad of six-
teen, he saw service in Capt. Ephraim Jackson's company in Canada
in the old French and Indian war. In 1766, or possibly in 1765,
soon after his marriage, he moved from his native town to Barre,
then called Rutland District, but a year or two later removed to
Rutland, a fine old hill town in the very centre of Massachusetts.
His farm was in the east part of the town, near the Princeton line.
At the Lexington alarm, in 1775, he marched to Cambridge as a
private in Capt. Thomas Eustis's company, and was out twelve
days. From May to December, 1775, he was ensign in Capt.
Adam Wheeler's company, in Col. Ephraim Doolittle's regiment, in
service around Boston. Jan. 1, 1776, he was 1st Lieut, in the 4th
Continental Infantry, and early in 1781 1st Lieut, in the 6th Con-
tinental Infantry, Col. Thomas Nixon. July 1, 1781, he was com-
missioned Lieut. -Colonel of the 7th Regiment Mass. Militia, and
this office he seems to have held until he left Rutland in 1789, when
the family set out in an ox-cart for the great North-west Territory,
then a wilderness abounding in game of all kinds, now the home of
millions of human beings. Death claimed one of the children ere
the new home was reached. Early the year before, Gen. Rufus
Putnam, also from Rutland, where his old home is yearly visited by
hundreds of historical pilgrims, had led the pioneer band that pre-
pared the way for the first settlers, over the mountains and down
the Ohio river. In July the first families began to arrive. At the
place they named Marietta the first town was started over the re-
BENT FAMILY. 35
mains of another race, the ancient mound builders. Of this settle-
ment, Hon. George F. Hoar said at the time of its centennial in
1888 : "The company who came to Marietta with Rufus Putnam,
April 7, 1788, came to found, not one state but five, whose insti-
tutions they demanded should be settled before they started by an
irrevocable compact. * * * * Xhe Indian and the Frenchmen
had dwelt here, but could not hold their place. The forty-eight
men who went there a hundred years ago founded the first American
civil government whose jm'isdiction did not touch tide-water." Gen.
Putnam and two hundred and eighty more Revolutionary officers
had sent some years before a petition to President Washington,
asking that they be paid in land rather than in the worthless currency
of the times. The result was the formation of the Ohio Company.
Col. Bent had one share in the company, and that entitled him to
1173^ acres. His son Silas went ahead and prepared the way, it
seems. The family remained in Marietta a few months and then, in
1790, with others, laid the foundation of Belpre (sixteen miles down
the Ohio river) , where the remainder of his days were spent.
Silas Bent married, June 24, 1765, Mary Carter, born in Sud-
bury, Mass., March 22, 1747, died in Belpre, Ohio, June 10, 1831,
£6. 84, daughter of Jonathan and Susanna Carter.
Children, i. born in Barre, the others in Rutland, Mass. :
i. MARY,6b. 1766; d. 1768.
Silas, b. May 16, 1768.
Polly, b. Sept. 23, 1769 ; m. George Smith, Jr.
Susan, b. April 21, 1771 ; m. Joel Oakes.
Abigail, b. 1773; d. 1774.
Persis, b. 1775 ; cl. young, probably.
Nahum, b. 1777; d."'l778.
Nahum, b. Nov. 17, 1778.
ix. Abner, b. Sept. 22, 1780.
Dorcas, b. Aug. 9, 1782 ; m. William Dana.
Daniel, b. Feb. 3, 1785.
xii. Charlotte, b. Aug. 1, 1787 ; d. young, probably.
Joel* Bent {Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,'' John^) was born Feb.
22, 1750, in Sudbury, but moved while in his teens to Barre, Mass.,
where he died Nov. 25, 1812, 2b. 62. He marched to Cambridge
upon receipt of the news of the Concord fight ; commissioned cap-
tain in the 7th Regiment Mass. Militia, July 1, 1781, when his
brother Silas became Lieut. -Colonel; was selectman, 1781-82,
1795-98, 1801-03; town clerk, 1796-1803 and 1809, 1810;
moderator nineteen times ; representative to the General Court,
1801-1804. He married, July 13, 1768, Mary Mason, who died
in Barre, Jan. 2, 1840.
76.
ii.
77.
iii.
78.
iv.
V.
vi.
vii.
79.
viii.
80.
ix.
81.
X.
82.
xi.
36 BENT FAMILY.
Children, all born in Barre, Mass. :
i. Sarah,^ b. Oct. 17, 1768; m. Rev. Joseph Kilburn of Wendell,
Mass., b. in Sterling, Mass., Nov. 23, 1755, graduated from
Harvard 1777, ordained in 1783 at Wendell, where he d. Feb.
27, 1816.
83. ii. Joel, b. Nov. 27, 1770.
iii. Mary, b. Feb. 18, 1773; was living in Barre, unm., in 1825.
iv. Anna, b. June 30, 1775 ; m. Phineas Osgood of Wendell.
84. V. Samuel, b. July 19, 1778.
vi. Abigail, b. Aug. 6, 1780; m. Dec. 25, 1814, Morris Lincoln.
36
Stephen^ Bent {Elijah,'^ Hoipestill^^ Peter, ^ John^) was born
in Sudbury, July 15, 1752 ; died in Sterling, N. Y., May 19, 1822,
je. 69. He was a Revolutionary soldier. At the time of his mar-
riage, he seems to have been living in HoUis, N. H., but soon after
moved to the south-west part of the (then) new town of Dublin,
N. H., near the foot of Mt. Monadnock ; about 1816 or 1817 they
went in a wagon to Sterling, near Oswego, N. Y. He married, in
1782, Mrs. Elizabeth (Wright) Darby, a native of Wilmington,
Mass., and widow of Tarbox Darby.
Child, born in Dublin, N. H. :
85. i. Stephen,^ b. Nov. 22, 1783.
37
RuFUS^ Bent {Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born
Feb. 13, 1755, in (East) Sudbury, now Wayland, where he died
Nov. 28, 1821, te. QQ. He married, Jan. 13, 1777, Mary, born
July 25, 1758, lived to be ninety-eight it is said, daughter of
Daniel and Dorothy Wyman of Sudbury.
Children, all born in East Sudbury, Mass. :
i. Mart,« b. March 16, 1778.
ii. Hannah Waldo, b. Sept. 3, 1779; d. unm. in East Sudbury,
March 20, 1818, ?&. 38.
iii. Daniel Wyman, b. Oct. 17, 1781.
iv. RuFLS, b. Aug. 12, 1784; was in Boston in 1807 and in New
York city in 1813.
86. V. David Jackson, b. about 1787.
87. vi. Henry, b. Oct. 10, 1789 ; m. 1816, Olivia Harriman of Bangor,
Me.
vii. William, b. June 19, 1792.
38
Nathan' Bent {Elijah," Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born
in East Sudbury, Mass., March 12, 1760; died in Winchester,
N. H., after 1833. Though a lad of only fifteen, he was fifer during
BENT FAMILY. 37
the siege of Boston in 1775, and saw considerable other Revolu-
tionary service, for which he drew a pension for several years
from 1819 ; perhaps lived a few years in Douglas, Mass., where he
bought land with house, corn-mill and barn in 1787 ; was back in
East Sudbury again surely in 1796, but the following year moved
to Winchester, in south-western New Hampshire. He married,
Aug. 28, 1777, Abigail, born Jan. 31, 1759, daughter of Micah
and Abigail Goodnow of Sudbury.
Children :
i. Nancy.^
ii. Micah, b. 1785 ? ; m. 1808, Sarah Jennings.
ill. Abigail, m. 1803, John Bogle of Winchester, N. H.
iv. Susannah, b. 1796.
88. v. Elijah, b. 1799.
And probably others.
89
David^ Bent {Micah.,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in
Sudbury, Mass., March 18, 1739 ; died in Annapolis Valley, N. S.,
about 1795, se. 56. About 1760, he moved to Annapolis County,
where he was one of the first of the New England settlers to take
up the lands made vacant by the expulsion of the Acadians five years
before. The Annapolis valley is an excellent farming country, and,
according to the census of 1770, David Bent had one hundred and
sixty-four acres of land, eight cows, two oxen, seven young cattle
and ten sheep ; the homestead is some fourteen miles above Annapolis
town, and the region is locally known as Bentville. He married
Mary, daughter of Ebenezer Felch of Annapolis, N. S., formerly
of Massachusetts.
Children, all born in Annapolis, N. S. (order of births uncertain) :
89. i. Micah,^ b. about 1762.
Ebenezek, twin of preceding ; d. young.
David, b. in 1764.
Sarah, m. John Poole.
William, b. about 1767.
Polly (Mary), b. in 1769; d. in Lexington, Mass., May 19,
1809 ; m. Solomon Harrington. Six children.
Joseph, b. about 1771.
Stephen, b. May 12, 1775.
Asaph.
Dorcas, m. Isaac Longley, b. in Annapolis Co., N. S., 1771.
They had eight children, including David Bent Longley,"' b.
1806.
95. xi. Silas.
xii. Elizabeth, d. unm.
n.
90.
iii.
iv.
91.
V.
vi.
92.
vii.
93.
viii.
94.
ix.
X.
38 BENT FAMILY.
40
William' Bent {Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^), black-
smith, was born June 8, 1741, in East Sudbuiy, now Wayland,
where he died April 26, 1829, ge. nearly 88; was a sergeant in
Capt. Joseph Smith's company at the time of the Concord fight ;
probably saw other Revolutionary service. He married Abigail
Bruce of Chelmsford, Mass., born 1755, died 1845, as. 90.
Children, all born in East Sudbury, Mass. :
96. i. William,^ b. Oct. 7, 1783.
ii. Sabiuel, b. March 26, 1786 ; d. in Boston at the age of sixteen,
and was buried in Copp's HiU burial ground, it is said.
97. iii. MiCAH, b. Sept. 23, 1788.
iv. Nabby, b. 1791 ; d. young.
98. V. George, b. Sept. 11, 1793.
99. vi. Jason, b. March 28, 1796.
vii. David, b. Sept. 7, 1 799 ; drowned in Johnson's Pond, East Sud-
bury, July 5, 1819.
41
Matthias" Bent (^Matthias,* John,^ John^^ John^) was born
Sept. 15, 1752, in Framingham, where he died Feb. 4, 1826, se.
73. He was a sergeant in the Revolutionary war, town treasurer
from 1787 to 1798, and a deacon, serving town and church in peace
and war. He married first, Oct. 26, 1780, Mrs. Mary Coolidge,
born June 11, 1756, died Dec. 26, 1,790, daughter of Nathaniel
Bridge and widow of William Coolidge, Jr., of Waltham. He
married second, Jan. 21, 1796, Isabella Babcock of Waltham, who
died Jan. 3, 1817, aj. 51.
Children by first marriage, all born in Framingham :
i. Mary,« b. and d. 1781.
ii. Abigail, b. Sept. 10, 1782 ; d. unm. in Bath, N. H., Sept. 28,
1841. The author of "The Happy Merchant" and several
other Sunday School tales.
iii. Nancy, b. July 8, 1784 ; d. unm. Dec. 6, 1869, a;. 85.
iv. Martin, b. 1786; d. in infancy.
V. Matthias, b. 1788 ; d. in infancy.
Children by second marriage, all born in Framingham :
i. Mary,« b. July 12, 1800 ; d. umn. Sept. 7, 1823.
ii. Isabella Adams, b. Oct. 29, 1806 ; d. imm. Oct. 20, 1889.
iii. Lucy Gushing, b. Jan. 12, 1810; d. in Framingham, July 20,
1890, as. 80 ; m. Dec. 1, 1835, Frederick A. Billings (1798-
1883) of Boston, proprietor of several stage lines ; moved to.
Framingham in 1852. Four children: 1. Frederick A.,'' b.
Sept. 27, 1836. 2. George C, b. June 15, 1845. 3. Mary A.,
b. Sept. 10, 1849; m. Nov. 15, 1885, Lewis D. Jackson of
Boston. 4. Edmund K, b. Sept. 9, 1853.
BENT FAMILY. 39
42
JoHN^ Bent (^John,* John,^ John,^ John^) was born in Fram-
ingham, Jnly 16, 1752 ; date of death not ascertained. He was a
Revolutionary soldier; private in 1775 and 1776, sergeant in 1777
and 1st lieutenant in 1779 and 1780. He married Sarah, daughter
of John Stone of Holliston. She died September, 1843, se. 83.
Children, born in Framingham, Mass. :
i. Patty« (Martha), b. July 31, 1782 ; d. April 1, 1865, a;. 82 ;
m. 1802, Isaac Dencli of Framinglaam, where he d. F'eb. 17,
1828, a5. 53. Four children : 1. Susan S.,"^ b. 1803 ; d. 1823.
2. Gilberf, h. 1805 ; d. 1828. 3. John B., b. 1808. 4. Isaac.
ii. Sally, b. March 12, 1784 ; m. Jan. 10, 1815, Gapt. John liemen-
way (1776-1836) of Framingham, his second marriage. Four
children: 1. Philip Payson,'' b. 1817. 2. Henry, b. 1818.
3. William C, d. yoving. 4. Gilbert.
iii. John, b. April 27, 1787 ; entered the U. S. service, and d. unm.
43
JosiAH^ Bent (Jb7^?^,'' John,^ John,^ Johri^) was born in Fram-
ingham, Oct. 29, 1755; date and place of death not ascertained.
He was a Revolutionary soldier; marched to Concord, April 19,
1775 ; was in service around Boston the rest of the year; sergeant
in service in Rhode Island 1780. He married, about 1781, Mary,
born 1761, daughter of John Abbe of Hopkinton, and moved soon
after to Petersham, Mass., it is said.
Children, born in Petersham, Mass. :
i. PoLLY,«b. Sept. 20, 1782.
h. Betsey, b. March 4, 1786.
44
David* Bent {David,* David,^ John,^ John^), farmer, was
born in Rutland, Mass., April 3, 1756; died in Mt. Holly, Vt.,
Jan. 1, 1832, te. 75. He saw some service in the latter part of the
Revolution (October, 1781), in Capt. John Spoor's company, in
Col. John Ashley's regiment, that marched to Stillwater ; moved
about 1776 from Rutland to Templeton, Mass., and thence, 'about
1786, with his brother-in-law Joseph Green, to Mt. Holly, Vt.,
where he was one of the first settlers; town clerk in 1797. Mt.
Holly, which was incorporated in 1792, lies in a depression of the
Green Mountains, about fifteen miles south-east of Rutland, Vt.,
and was on the old stage road from Boston to Rutland and the north.
He married, April 26, 1775, Phebe Whittemore, born Nov. 5,
1756, died April 15, 1848, a3. 91, daughter of John and Elizabeth
(Earle) Whittemore of Paxton, Mass., and a descendant of Thomas
3
40 BENT FAMILY.
Whittemore, who settled in Charlestown (the part now Everett),
Mass., in 1645.
Children, i. born in Rutland, Mass. ; ii. to viii. born probably in
Templeton, Mass. ; ix. to xiv. born in Mt. Holly, Vt. :
i, Molly,® b. Oct. 30, 1775 ; m. first, Pierce ; m. second,
Corliss Hines.
100. ii. Petee, b. June 8, 1777.
101. iii. Relief (Lephe), b. April 20, 1779 ; m. Dr. Oliver Guernsey.
102. iv. David, b. Oct. 23, 1780.
V. Phebe, b. June 18, 1782; m. Clark, and moved to
Akron, Ohio.
IC'3. vi. Betsey (twin), b. Aug. 19, 1784; m. Darius Green.
vii. Patty (twin), b. Aug. 19, 1784; d. in Chicago, 111., Aug. 7,
1857, sd. 73; m. Nov. 17, 1805, Samuel Beach Walker of
Middlebury, Vt., b. in Whiting, Yt., Dec. 17, 1784, d. in
Chicago, 111., Oct. 16, 1842. "Eight children, the oldest of
whom, S. Bent Walker,;' b. in Wliiting, Vt., Feb. 21, 1807, d. in
Chicago, Feb. 26, 1887, was proprietor of a famous stage line
to Cliicago from the East.
viii. Tamak, b. Aug. 24, 1786; d. Oct. 1, 1874, a?. 88; m. first,
Daniel Shaw of Rutland, Vt., where he was jail keeper for
for many years ; m. second, Demery of Wethersfield,
Vt.
ix. Sally, b. Aug. 16, 1788.
X. Geokge W., i). Feb. 13, 1790 ; d. in Watertown, N. Y., June
1, 1829, leaving a son George,'' who d. in De Pauville, N. Y.,
Sept. 22, 1892.
1©|. xi. Eakl Francis, b. March 10, 1792.
105. xii. Silas Proctor, b. March 16, 1794.
xiii. Clarissa, b. May 2, 1796 ; d. in Mt. Holly, Vt., Dec. 6, 1879,
JB. 83 ; m. Jedediah Hammond of Mt. Holly, Vt.
106, xiv. Thomas W., b. Feb. 16, 1798.
45
Lucy* Bent {David^'^ David,^ John,^ Jolin^) was born in Rut-
land, Mass., June 4, 1758 ; died in Mt. Holly, Vt., Feb. 14, 1822,
£6. 63. She married, June 26, 1774, Joseph Green of Leicester,
Mass. (Jabez,^ Joseph,' Henry,' Thomas'), b. Dec. 30, 1751(?),
died in Mt. Holly, Vt., Oct. 25, 1815; they, with her brother
David, were among the first settlers of Mt. Holly, Vt.
Children :
i. JosTsPH Green,^ b. Feb. 12, 1777; d. Jan. 17, 1795.
ii. Absalom Green, b. Jan. 30, 1779 ; d. Nov. 18, 1812; m. Polly
Kendall,
iii. Ltjcy Green, b. Sept. 6, 1781 ; d. March 21, 1796.
iv. Charlotte Green, b. March 17, 1784; d. April 14, 1789.
V. Darius Green, b. June 18, 1786 ; m. his cousin Betsey Bent,
vi. Betsey Green, b. March 20, 1789 ; d. April 22, 1820; m. Dr.
Guild.
BENT FAMILY. 41
vii. Charlotte Green, b. Jan. 17, 1791 ; d. April 17, 1840.
viii. Harriet Green, b. July 20, 1793 ; d. Jan. 22, 1873.
ix. Joseph Lines Green, b. May 16, 1797; d. May 8, 1825; m.
Rebecca Reed of Ludlow, Vt.
X. SoPHRONiA Green, b. Feb. 3, 1800 ; m. J. H. Draper.
40
Daeius** Bent (David,* David, ^ Jolin,^ Johyi^) was born in
Rutland, Mass., Aug. 13, 1769; d. in Montreal, Canada, August,
1832, 86. 63. About 1806, he moved to Boston, where he was a
house-wright ; soon after, however, he located permanently in Mon-
treal. He married, March 9, 1797, Isabel, daughter of John and
Martha (Dickee) Boice.
Children, i. to iv. born in Rutland ; v. born in Boston :
1. Isabella,^ b. Dec. 6, 1797; d. unm.
ii. Patty, b. Sept. 7, 1799; d. in Montreal in 1878; m. first,
Peter Macintosh ; m. second, James Court. Four children
by first marriage: 1. NieU 2. Isabella G. 3. John. 4.
Frances, m. D. A. Watt. Four children by second marriage :
1. Grace.'' 2. Janet, m. William Brown of Glasgow, Scotland.
3. James. 4. William.
iii. Luke, b. April 16, 1801; d. in Montreal; received a medical
education in Edinburgh, Scotland, and practised in Mascouche,
near Montreal ; m. Euphemie Lorrin. No children.
iv. John, b. Aug. 16, 1803; d. young.
107. V. George, b. Dec. 4, 1806.
47
Thaddeus^ Bent {David,'^ David,^ Jolin,^ John^) was born
Sept. 1, 1771, in Rutland, Mass. He moved about 1800 to Rut-
land, Vt., where he died Oct. 2, 1814, ge. 43. He married Abigail
, who died July 19, 1814. Two epidemics swept away the
entire family, with one exception.
Children, i. to iii. b. in Rutland, Mass. ; iv. to viii. born in Rut-
land, Vt. :
i. EoxA,« b. April 23, 1794; d. July 16, 1821 ; m. Pratt.
Two children : 1. Thaddeus' Bent Pratt. 2. Eliza Abigail
Pratt, m. Beaman B. Clark.
ii. Joel Hayward, b. July 16, 1797; d. Oct. 10, 1814.
iii. David, b. July 6, 1799 ; d. Aug. 23, 1821.
iv. Abigail, b. 1801 ; d. Sept. 29, 1821.
V. Thaddeus, b. 1804; d. Sept. 9, 1814.
vi. EzEKiEL J., b. 1807 ; d. Oct. 14, 1814.
108. vii. Alphonso, b. 1810.
viii. Delinda, b. 1812; d. Sept. 15, 1821.
42 BENT FAMILY.
48
Phineas^ Bent {David^^ David,^ John,^ John}) was born in
Rutland, Mass., Sept. 15, 1776; died in Fletcher, Vt., Feb. 21,
1841, £6. 64. He married, Dec. 31, 1798, Polly Frink of Rutland,
Mass., born July 11, 1778, died in Jerico, Vt., about 1863, 86. 85.
About 1803 they moved from Rutland, Mass., to Underbill, Vt.,
at the foot of Mt. Mansfield, the highest of the Green Mountains.
Some ten years later they removed to Jerico, Vt., south of Underbill.
Children, i. to iii. born in Rutland ; iv. to vii. born in Underbill ;
viii. to xii. born in Jerico :
i. Horatio G.,« b. 1799 ; d. 1801.
ii. Elizabeth R., b. 1801 ; d. 1802.
iii. William F., b. 1802 ; d. 1802.
iv. Elizabeth R., b. 1804; d. 1806.
V. JohnF., b. 1806; d. 1808.
vi. William A., b. Dec. 26, 1809; m. Castle; went West.
Three children,
vii. Eliza A., b. Aug. 8, 1811 ; d. in Stockholm, N. Y. ; m. April
6, 1848, William Davis. No children,
viii. John E., b. 1814; d. 1816.
109. ix. James B., b. Nov. 23, 1816.
X. Dakius E., b. 1819 ; d. 1820.
xi. Daritjs E., b. Sept. 24, 1821 ; living in Eau Clair, Wis. Three
children,
xii. Leonora A., b. 1824; d. 1827.
Samuel Browning^ Bent ( David,* David, ^ John,"^ Johi^), who
was named after his uncle, Lieut. Samuel Browning (1740-1783),
was born in Rutland, Mass., Nov. 27, 1784, and moved in 1818 to
Middlebury, Vt., where he died Dec. 4, 1858, se. 74. He was a
manufacturer of machine cards. He married first, Jan. 1, 1807,
Hannah, born in Spencer, Mass., Feb. 13, 1786, died in Rutland,
Mass., Sept. 7, 1813, daughter of Oliver Watson, Jr. (1743-1826),
a Revolutionary soldier. He married second, March 13, 1816,
Catherine Avery, born in Holden, Mass., Feb. 3, 1788, died in
Hoyleton, 111., Oct. 3, 1865, daughter of Rev. Joseph Avery*
(1751-1824), who graduated from Harvard in 1771, and preached
in Holden from 1774 until his death. Mrs. Catherine Bent, who
is described as a woman of remarkable beauty, both in person and
in mind, lived after the death of her husband with her daughter in
Tarrytown, N. Y., but died while on a visit to her son.
Children of Samuel B. and Hannah, all born in Rutland, Mass. :
*Eev. Joseph Avery m. 1777, Mary Allen, dau. of James Allen, tailor, of Boston, by
his 2d wife, Mary Adams, an elder sister of the Revolutionary patriot Sam Adams.
BENT FAMILY. 43
i. Martha Maria,« b. Jan. 12, 1808; d. June 11, 1824.
ii. Elizabeth Rebecca, b. Jan. 14, 1810; d. Nov. 6, 1825.
110, iii. Samuel Watson, b. Oct. 27, 1811.
iv. Infant son, b. and d. Sept. 5, 1813.
Children of Samuel B. and Catherine, i. born in Rutland, Mass. ;
ii. to vi. b. in Middlebury, Vt.
i. Catherine,^ b. Feb. 17, 1817; living in New Haven, Conn.;
m. Sept. 19, 1839, Rev. Edward Osborne Dunning, b. in New
Haven, March 12, 1810, d. in New Haven, March 23, 1874.
Five children: 1. Katherine^ b. July, 1840; d. in Lex-
ington, Ky., in 1892 ; a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary,
Hadley, Mass.; m. in 1867, Maj. Morris Clark, a portrait
painter; seven children. 2. Antoinette, b. Nov. 21, 1843;
living in Washington, D. C. ; m. Aug. 17, 1869, Alexander
D. Anderson, attorney-at-law ; five children. 3. Virginia, b.
Aug. 28, 1845 ; m. Adoniram J. Carter, who d. in Chicago,
111.; two children. 4. Edward, b. Nov. 14, 1847; d. young.
5. Minnie 0., b. Dec. 1, 1850; living in Minneapolis, Minn. ;
m. Charles H. Leary ; one child.
111, ii. Mary Avery, b. Jan. 7, 1819 ; m. Rev. Jonathan Blanchard.
iii. Hannah Watson, b. June 5, 1821 ; d. in Peoria, 111., Sept. 18,
1884; while in her teens went to live in her sister's home in
Cincinnati, 0. ; m. first, Oct. 9, 1845, Silas Tyner, a merchant
of Brookville, Ind. ; m. second, May 17, 1865, Hon. Moses
Pettengill of Peoria, 111., merchant, philanthropist, deacon and
Statesenator,b. April 16, 1802, d. Nov. 9, 1883. By her
first husband she left one son, Blanchard Tyner,'' b. Oct. 17,
1850, who added the name of Pettengill, and lives in Wor-
cester, Mass.
112, iv. Joseph Avery, b. April 22, 1823.
V. Maria Allen, b. April 5, 1825 ; living in Tarrytown, N. Y. ;
m. Oct. 1, 1849, George Merritt Nichols, a wholesale hard-
ware merchant of Shreveport, La., b. in Middlebury, Vt., June
12, 1813, d. in Tarrytown, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1863; came north
at the outbreak of the civil war. Six children : 1. Edward,''
d. Jan. 7, 1 892 ; was President of Brooks Locomotive Works
at Dunkirk, N. Y, 2. Kate, d. as. 15 mos. 3. Hoioard
Walter, lives in Tarrytown, but is in the real estate business in
New York city. 4. Sophia May, living, unm., in Tarrytown,
N. Y. 5. Gertrude, living, unm. in Tarrytown, N. Y. 6.
George Herbert, living, unm., in Tarrytown, N. Y.
113, vi. George, b. March 29, 1827.
50
John' Bent (^Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^), nail
maker, was born in Middleboro', Feb. 27^ 1732 ; died in Middle-
boro', 1806, te. 74 ; lived on the old place near the Plympton line.
He married, May 16, 1753, Bethia Morse of Middleboro'.
Children, all born, probably in Middleboro' :
44 BENT FAMILY.
114. i. Francis,® b. March 10, 1754.
ii, Hannah, m. in Carver, Nov. 6, 1795, Eli Shaw.
115. iii. John, b. February, 1763.
116. iv. Experience, b. about 1764.
117. V. William, b. 1767.
vi. Charity, b. 1769 ; d. unm. iu Middleboro', Sept. 27, 1849, as.
80.
118. vii. Zenas, b. 1771.
viii. Abiah, m. Feb. 18, 1796, Joseph Morse.
ix. Mercy, m. Nov. 17, 1800, Hilkiah Tinkham.
51
Joseph* Bent (^Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^ Jolin^^ mariner
and sailmaker, was born in Middleboro', Mass., Jan. 6, 17B6 ; died
in Yarmouth, N. S., Jan. 8, 1816, as. 80 ; lived in Middleboro' and
the then adjoining town of Plymouth until 1772, when he moved
to Yarmouth, N. S. (The settlement of Yarmouth was begun in
1761, but Plymouth fishermen doubtless knew the Nova Scotia
shore before that.) He married, in 1759, Elizabeth Waterman,
born in Plymouth, Mass., 1737, died in Yarmouth, N. S., sister of
Elkanah, and daughter of John and Hannah (Cushman) Water-
man of Plymouth.
Children, all born, probably, in Plymouth, Mass. :
119. i. Joseph.^
120. ii. Elkanah.
121. iii. James.
-52
Lemuel" Bent {Joseph,'*' Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Johm}^, blacksmith
and tavern keeper, was born May 2, 1727, in Milton, where he died
Jan. 6, 1774, £e. 46. In 1755, he was a lieutenant under Col. John
Winslow at the taking of Fort Beau Sejour (Cumberland) at the
beginning of the warfare which ended in the expulsion of the
Acadians from Nova Scotia. April 29, 1759, he was authorized
to beat his drums for enlistment of soldiers for His Majesty's ser-
vice in a regiment of foot for a general invasion of Canada. From
May, 1759, to January, 1760, he was at Crown Point with his
company, and in 1761 at Halifax. In 1770 and 1772, Capt. Bent
was selectman. His widow, Milatiah (maiden name not ascertained) ,
died Oct. 20, 1796, re. 67. She evidently kept the tavern, which
was on the Canton turnpike at the corner of what is now Atherton
Street, after her husband's death, as shown by the following adver-
tisement that appeared in the Boston Gazette, Feb. 23, 1784:
" On Friday next at 2 o'clock will be sold by Public Vendue at the
house of the Widow Bent Innholder in Milton, a number of Lots
of Woodland Pasture and Orcharding lying in the town of Milton
BENT FAMILY.
and belonging to his Excellency Gov. Hancock. The above land
has been lately surveyed and laid out in convenient Lots for the pur-
chasers and conditions of sale may be known by applying to Russell
& Clap." A part of the woodland was on what is now known as
Hancock Hill in the Blue Hills.
53
Joseph* Bent (Joseph,* Joseph,"^ Joseph,^ John^)^ blacksmith,
was born March 9, 1735, in Milton (Mass.), where he died Jan.
9,1774, ffi. 38. He married, Dec. 6, 1758, Mehitable, daughter
of Capt. John Crehore of Mikon. She died Aug. 2, 1795, a^. 70.
Children, all born in Milton :
i. RuTH,^ b. Jan. 5, 1759,
ii. Eunice (twin), b. Nov. 18, 1761.
iii. Lois (twin), b. Nov. 18, 1761 ; d. unm. July 28, 1799.
122. iv. Joseph, b. Aug. 21, 1762.
William" Bent {Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^') was born in
Milton, Mass., Nov. 13, 1737; died in Canton, Mass., Oct. 17,
1806, 33. nearly 69. He moved about 1763 to the quaint little vil-
lage of Ponkipog, immortalized by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, who has
a summer home there. Aldrich says of it : "After the black bass
and wild duck, solitude is the chief staple. * * * The nearest rail-
way station (Heaven be praised !) is two miles distant and the seclu-
sion is without a flaw. Ponkipog has one mail a day ; two mails
would render the place uninhabitable." Originally an Indian settle-
ment, within the bounds of the town of Dorchester, it became a part
of Stoughton in 1726, and was included in the new town of Canton
in 1797. Canton was the home in his later years of Gen. Richard
Gridley and, in 1801, another Revolutionary hero, Paul Revere,
founded there the Revere Copper Works, Avhich are still in active-
existence.
William Bent became a man of considerable local prominence.
In the Canadian invasion of 1759, in the old French and Indian
war, he was a sergeant. At the time of the Lexington alarm, he
marched with Capt. Asahel Smith's company, but remained only a
few days, came back, and recruited a company, at the head of
which he marched April 27, to Roxbury, wdiere he was ordered. In
October, 1775, he was in the 36th regiment. Continental army.
During the war, when not in service, he purchased and delivered
supplies to the families of the soldiers. For many years he kept
the Eagle Inn, a great resort for old-time gentlemen and Federalists.
" During the piping times of peace," says the historian of Canton,
" Bent had leisure to devote to town aflairs and parish matters."
46 BENT FAMILY.
He attended to the painting of the meeting house and on Sundays
took charge of the boys in the gallery. The supply of the pulpit
was in his hands and the candidates were well entertained at the old
inn. He was one of the committee to prepare the bill for the separa-
tion of Canton from Stoughton, and many of the meetings were held
there. Here also were held the trials for small offences. He con-
tinued to keep the Eagle until his death, when it was taken by his
son, William, who ran it until about 1824. The building is still
in existence, though reduced in size. Capt. William married, Nov.
24, 1763, Chloe Blackman, born in Canton, Oct. 16, 1740, died in
Canton, March 12, 1820, se. 79, daughter of George and Thanldul*
(Redman) Blackman, and a descendant of John Blackman of Dor-
chester, 1640.
Children, all born in what is now Canton :
Lemuel,^ b. Nov. 21, 1764; cL 1765.
Lemuel, b. Feb. 17, 1766.
Nathaniel, b. Feb. 23, 1770; lived in Virginia; d. at sea
unm. sometime after 1806.
William, b. 1773 ; d. 1774.
William, b. Nov. 13, 1775.
James, b. and d. 1778.
Chloe, b. March 9, 1781 ; m. Thomas Dunbar.
James, b. Dec. 31, 1784.
55
Rufus'Bent (Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Joseph^^ John^), house-wright,
was born in Milton, March 10, 1742 ; date of death not ascertained.
He moved about 1772 or 1773 to Boston ; was living in Marietta, O.,
in 1798. He married, Dec. 6, 1767, Mrs. Ann McKenzie, born
1741, died July 31, 1807, widow of Andrew McKenzie of Dor-
chester, and daughter of Alexander Middleton, who came from
Scotland about 1735.
Children, i. to iii. born in Milton :
127. i. Ank,« b. June 19, 1768.
ii. Mary, b. June 18, 1770; d. unm.
iii. Rurrs, b. May 2, 1772 ; d. at sea Jan. 25, 1794, as. 21.
128. iv. Prudence, m. 1794, Silas Kinsley.
V. Martha, m. Dec. 17, 1797, Bethuel Allen of Canton,
vi. Sarah, d. 1836 ; m. Charles Barnard (1781-1869), an old time
Boston merchant, of the firm of Barnard, Adams & Co., Com-
mercial Wharf ; their son, Rev. Charles Francis Barnard
(1808-1884), a rare philanthroiDist, founded the Warren St.
Chapel, now known as the Barnard Memorial.
* Thankful Re dm au (1701-1783) was tlie first white child born in what is now Can-
ton. Her father, Charles, lived on the estate recently occupied by the late Hon. Henry
L.Pierce, the millionaire chocolate manufacturer in Ponkipog.
123.
1.
ii.
iii.
iv.
121.
V.
vi.
125.
vii.
126.
viii.
BENT FAMILY. 47
56
Jesse* Bent (^John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^), farmer and
blacksmith, was born in Milton, Mass., Nov. 16, 1729 ; moved
about 1764 to Fort Lawrence, N. S., where he died Dec. 6, 1816,
aJ. 87. He married, Dec. 6, 1758, Hannah Vose of Milton, who
died Dec. 8, 1816, te 81. Mrs. Bent had been an invalid for many
years, and survived her husband's death but two days.
Children, i. to iii. born in Milton ; iv. to xii. born in Fort Law-
rence, N. S. :
129. i. Arethusa,^ b. Dec. 24, 1759 ; m. Jan. 7, 1779, Ephraim
Church.
ISO. ii. Martin, b. April 16, 1762.
131. iii. Jacobina, b. Jan. 26, 1764; m. Nehemiah Ayer.
132. iv. Cynthia, b. April 22, 1766; m. George Oxley.
133. V. Tryphenia, b. Oct. 1, 1767 ; m. Luke Harrison.
134. vi. Eunice, b. March 31, 1769 ; m. Samuel Freeman of Amherst,
N. S.
135. vii. Ebenezer Vose, b. March 3, 1771.
136. viii. Jesse, b. 1773.
ix. John, b. March 12, 1775; d. Dec. 1, 1780.
137. s. Hannah, b. Nov. 29, 1777 ; m. William McAllan.
138. xi. Lemuel, b. October, 1783.
57
John* Bent {John,'^ Joseph^^ Joseph,^ John^), farmer, was
born in Milton, Mass., Aug. 4, 1747 ; date of death not ascertained.
He followed his brother to Nova Scotia and located in Amherst.
He married Mary Lunt of Eastport, Me.
Children, all born in Amherst, N. S. (order of births not as-
certained) :
i. Mary,® m. William Black.
ii. Betsey, m. Thomas Logan.
iii. Clementina, m. Gilbert Purdy.
iv. Harriet, m. WilHam Chapman.
V. BiNA.
vi. Samuel, d. young.
139. vii. John.
140. viii. Daniel.
141. ix. William White, b. Jan. 7, 1800.
142. X. Ezra.
58
Ebenezer^ Bent {Ehenezer,* Joseph,"^ Joseph,- John^), farm-
er, was born in Milton, Aug. 22, 1737, and died in Milton, Sept.
10, 1796, «. 59. He was in Capt. Josiah Vose's company, that
guarded the seashore, April 13 to 26, 1776, after the evacuation of
48 BENT FAMILY.
Boston. He married first, Dec. 6, 1765, Hannah, born Dec. 25,
1742, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah Shepherd of Milton ; mar-
ried second, July 9, 1771, Ruth Crouch, born 1741, died Nov. 4,
1816, daughter of William and Sarah (Humphrey) Crouch of
Dorchester.
Children of Ebenezer and Hannah, both born in Milton :
i. Elizabeth,® b. Aug. 31, 1766 ; d. in Dedham, Mass., Feb. 6,
1857, se. 90; m. first, July 2, 1789, John Wentworth Bussey
of Canton, b. Nov. 16, 1763; m. second, Aug. 4, 1796,
Ebenezer Farrington, Jr., of Dedham, b. Dec. 25, 1759, d.
April 10, 1848.
143. ii. Shepherd, b. Nov. 27, 1768.
Children of Ebenezer and Ruth, all born in Milton :
144. i. William," b. April 27, 1772.
145. ii. Sarah, b. April 7, 1774; m. Sept. 13, 1794, James Blake, Jr.,
brother of Sukey F. Blake.
146. iii. Adam, b. March 17, 1776 ; m. Sukey F. Blake.
iv. Jerusha, b. July 15, 1779 ; d. in Boston ; m. Ebenezer Tres-
cott. Seven children : 1. Caroline J 2. Mary Ann. ^. Eliza.
4. Charles. 5. Helen. 6. Emeline. 7. Sarah.
V. Lemuel, b. Aug. 31, 1781 ; d. unm.
vi. Hannah, b. July 15, 1783 ; d. in Boston; m. Arnold Hay ward.
Two children: 1. George.'' 2. (7/ia?Ves ^., living in Boston.
14T. vii. Ebenezer, b. March 29, 1788.
148. viii. Charles, b. Jan. 18, 1790.
Samuel^ Bent {Ehenezer," Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ John^) was born
in Milton, Mass., March 1, 1739, and died in Granville, N. S.,
in 1827, 33. 88. The story is that he was apprenticed to a Capt.
John Wade of Ip8wich( ?), Mass., a carriage and chair maker, and,
toward the end of his term of service, enlisted in a company, com-
manded by his master, for the campaign against the French in
Canada, and, in that capacity, assisted in the reduction of Quebec
by Gen. Wolfe in September, 1759. The family tradition is as
follows : Towai'd the close of the battle on the Plains of Abra-
ham, when victory seemed certain, a call was made for a flag staff.
Young Bent volunteered to improvise one from the many tall firs
which lined the heights. After it had been set in position it was
found that in the hurry of the moment the .necessary halyard had
not been made fast to the top. After several had tried in vain to
climb the flag staff. Bent asked permission to try it and succeeded
in reaching the top with the line in his teeth. The flag was attached
and the officer in command ordered that the young soldier should
have the honor of hoisting the flag of victory. About 1760, or
1761, he and Capt. Wade went to Granville, N. S., among the first
149.
i.
150.
ii.
151.
iii.
152.
iv.
V.
153.
vi.
vii.
viii.
154.
ix.
155.
X.
156.
xi.
BENT FAMILY. 49
to take up the lands made vacant by the expulsion of the Acadians,
and here he lived the rest of his life, near the place where the first
French settlement in Nova Scotia was made in 1604. He married,
in 1764, Rachel Ray.
Children, all born in Granville, N. S. :
Samuel,^ b. June 6, 1765.
Nedabiah, b. 1767.
Seth, b. 1769.
Jesse, b. 1771.
James, b. 1772.
John, b. 1774.
vii. Rachel, b. 1777 ; m. John Elliott.
Nancy, b. 1779 -, m. John Fritz.
Ebenezer, b. 1783.
X. Elias, b. 1785.
Charles, b. 1787.
60
Nedabiah^ Bent {EhenezQr,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was
born Jan. 21, 1742, in Milton. He moved to Braintree, the part
incorporated in 1792 as Quincy, where he died, May 28, 1816, £6.
74. In 1759, when only 17 years old, he was in a company bound
for Lake George, in one of the campaigns of the French and Indian
War; but during the Revolution he was a Royalist. In 1787 he
is called a victualler. He married, Feb. 8, 1769, Miriam Ruggles
of Braintree, who died in Quincy, Sept. 23, 1834, as. 86.
Children, all born in what is now Quincy, probably :
Nedabiah,® b. about 1771.
Lemuel, b. about 1773.
Joanna, m. 1798, Samuel Baxter.
Isaac.
Polly, m. 1809, Ebenezer Pratt,
Harriet, b. about 1786 ; d. March 10, 1810, a;. 24.
Fanny, b. about 1788 ; d. Nov. 18, 1803, aj. 15.
William, b. about 1791.
61
JoHN^ Bent (^Ebenezer ,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Jolin^') was born in
Milton, July 10, 1746, and died in Milton, Jan. 12, 1817, a3. 70.
He was one of those that marched to Dorchester Heights when the
forts were erected that caused the British to evacuate Boston in
March, 1776 ; a Revolutionary marker has been placed on his grave.
He married, Dec. 11, 1769, Hannah Coller of Dedham, born in
Needham, March 4, 1746, and died in Milton, Aug. 8, 1816, ».
70, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Coller.
Children, all born in Milton :
157.
i.
158.
ii.
iii.
159.
iv.
V.
vi.
vii.
160.
viii.
50 BENT FAMILY.
IGl. i. JosiAH,«b. April 26, 1771.
ii. Samuel, b. Dec. 8, 1772 ; d. unm. of consumption, Dec. 14,
1797.
iii. Elijah, b. Nov. 19, 1773; d. young.
162. iv. John, b. Nov. 13, 1778.
V. SuKEY ; m. Myers.
163, vi. Nathaniel, b. 1783.
vii. Hannah, b. about 1786 ; d. Jan. 5, 1826, fe. 40 ; m. first, March
30, 1806, Minott Adams ; m. second, Joseph Ewell, Jr.
viii. Joseph, d. unm. in Milton, se. about 60.
SIXTH GENERATION.
Thomas® Bent {Jason,^ Thomas,* Hojoestill,^ Peter, ^ John^),
farmer, was born in Sudbury, Sept. 4, 1776, and died in Sudbury,
March 28, 1848, 2d. 71. He married, in 1807, Sarah Patch, born
in Stow, June 8, 1782, and died in Sudbury, May 16, 1869, se.
87, daughter of John and Isabel (Jewett) Patch.
'. Children, all born in Sudbury :
164. ,i. Newell,^ b. Nov. 15, 1807.
ii. Isabella J., b. March 9, 1809 ; d. in Sudbury, May 18, 1887,
Si. 78; m. first, Sept. 15, 1857, Jesse Shattuck (1802-1864)
of Pepperill, and second, Feb. 4, 1874, her father's cousin,
Thomas^ Bent {q.v.).
165. iii. William Glover, b. Nov. 21, 1810.
166. iv. Thomas Elbridge, b. June 18, 1812.
V. John Hastings, b. May 28, 1814; d. Jan. 13, 1873, in Con-
cord, where most of his life was spent ; farmer, stock trader
and real estate dealer ; m. April 19, 1840, Sarah Woodman
of Boston. No children.
167. vi. Jonathan Patch, b. Feb. 26, 1817.
168. vii. RuFus HuRLBURT, b. May 3, 1820.
viii. Sakah Ann, b. July 4, 1826 ; d. in Sudburv, unm., March 21,
1847.
ix. Lucy Jane, b. May 15, 1828 ; d. in Sudbury, unm., Dec. 13,
1846.
63
Sewell' Bent (Jason,^ Thomas,* Ilojyestill,^ Peter, ^ John}),
farmer, was born in Sudbury, Oct. 9, 1778. He moved about
1805, Or 1806, to the adjoining town of Stow, where he died,
Sept. 11, 1854, 86. nearly 76. He married, April 10, 1806, Lydia
Patch of Stow, born June 8, 1782, died June 6, 1858, twin sister
of Sarah, who married his brother Thomas.
Children, all born in Stow :
BENT FAMILY. 51
169. i. John Patch,'' b. April 22, 1807.
ii. Anna Glover, b. Dec. 16, 1808; d. Oct. 7, 1828.
iii. JosiAH Jason, b. April 18, 1811 ; d. Jan. 21, 1833.
iv. Hannah Miller, b. Aug. 6, 1813; d. in Michigan, February,
1892, £6. 78 ; m. Paul H. Whitcomb, who d. in Bosboro',
Mass., March, 1875.
170. V. Thomas Hastings, b. Sept. 15, 1815.
Jason* Bent (Jason,^ Thomas,'* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Johi^),
farmer, was born in Sudbury, Sept. 12, 1785, and died in Sudbury,
Aug. 27, 1872, ae. nearly 87. He married first, April 10, 1810,
Asenath Fairbanks of Framingham, who died Aug. 30, 1834, te.
51 ; married second. May 7, 1835, Mrs. Martha Plympton, born
in Stirling, Mass., in 1791, died in Sudbury, Sept. 30, 1866,
daughter of John Ewers and widow of Ebenezer Plympton.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Elizabeth Clough,'' b. May 5, 1811 ; d. in Wayland, Mass.,
Oct. 14, 1880 ; m. May 21, 1843, Thaddeus Garfield* of Sud-
bury. Two childreii : 1. Mary Mossman,^ b. April 28, 1844.
2. George Henry, b. Nov. 22, 1847.
171, ii. Daniel Fairbanks, b. Oct. 19, 1815.
172. iii. Asahel Wheeler, b. Feb. 13, 1818.
iv. Harriet Sophia, b. April 1, 1823; m. March 27, 1851, Jona-
than C. Dakin of Sudbury, where she still lives. No children.
He d. Sept. 13, 1894.
V. Mary Ann, b. Feb. 5, 1826; d. in Sudbury, March 1, 1880;
m. May 5, 1847, Calvin Morse of Sudbury. Three children :
1. Emma Irene.^ 2. Theodore Warren. 3. Calvin Jones.
Samuel^ Bent {Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^),
farmer, was born in Sudbury, Feb. 10, 1778, taken to Fitzwiiliam,
N. H., with his parents in 1780, and there lived till about 1810,
when he removed to Stockbridge, Vt., where he died, March 20,
1854, fe. 76. He married, Oct. 9, 1804, Kuth Pratt of Fitzwii-
liam, born Sept. 9, 1782, died Dec. 9, 1872, as. 90, having out-
lived all of her descendants. She was a daughter of Keuben and
sister of Amos, who married Samuel Bent's sister. Nearly all of
their children died in infancy ; only one married :
i. Mary Ann,^ b. Oct. 13, 1808 ; d. in Stockbridge, Yt., Feb. 13,
1848 ; m. November, 1841, George W. Reynolds, and had one
son, George IF.* Reynolds, Jr., who d. Jan. 3, 1864, as. 19 yrs.
3 mos. 24 days.
*A descendant of Edward Garfield (or Gearfield), one of the early settlers of Watei"-
town, Mass., and ancestor of President Garfield.
52 BENT FAMILY.
Maey^ Bent (Samuel,^ Thomas,^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^)
was born April 24, 1780, in Fitzwilliam, N. H., where she died
June 16, 1864, je. 84. She married, Nov. 28, 1798, Amos Pratt
(1775-1839) of Fitzwilham.
Children of Amos and Mary (Bent) Pratt, all born in Fitz-
william :
i. Infant,^ b. and d. 1799.
ii. Curtis Pratt, b. 1800; d. 1812.
ill. Mary Pratt, b. Sept. 27, 1802 ; d. June 27, 1839 ; m. Jan. 24,
1822, Timothy Metcalf, Jr., of Rindge, N. H.
iv. Candace Pratt, b. Jan. 4, 1805 ; d. in Rindge, N. H., Sept. 4,
1884 ; m. Dec. 1, 1825, Oratio Putnam Allen of Eindge, N. H.
V. Laura Ann Pratt, b. April 23, 1807 ; d. in Jaffrey, N. H.,
Aug. 24, 1856 ; m. first, Dec. 13, 1827, Oilman Eveleth (1799-
1841) of Dublin, N. H., and second, Abel Marshall (1789-
1871) of Fitzwilliam, N. H.
vi. Reuben Banister Pratt, b. April 21, 1809 ; d. in Fitzwilliam,
April 7, 1877 ; m. Ann Maria Haskell, and had : 1. Granville
Reuben.^ 2. Nelson Edwin. 3. Eliot Almond. 4. Eliza Ann.
5. Albert Henry.
vii. Sarah Pratt, b. Jan. 17, 1812; d. in Rindge, N. H., Feb. 6,
1895 ; m. Austin A. Bradford,
viii. Htman Curtis Pratt, b. March 12, 1815; d. Oct. 13, 1839;
m. Sally Bemis.
ix. Amos Sabin Pratt, b. Oct. 2, 1817; d. Nov. 27, 1863; m.
Callephina Handy.
X. Warren S. Pratt, b. 1819; d. 1824.
si. Sylvester Pratt, b. 1821 ; d. young.
xii. Caroline Pratt, b. 1823 ; d. 1825.
xiii. Son, b. 1824; d. 1827.
Martha" Bent (^Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^)
was born Sept. 26, 1782, in Fitzwilliam, N. H., where she died,
Nov. 11, 1867. She married, Sept. 25, 1800, Moses Chaplin
(1777-1859), son of Micah and a descendant of Hugh Chaplin of
Rowley, Mass., 1642.
Children of Moses and Martha (Bent) Chaplin, all born in
Fitzwilliam :
i. Mary Chaplin,'^ b. Dec. 23, 1801 ; d. in West Townsend, 1888 ;
m. Sept. 15, 1825, Martin Streeter (1801-1861) of Fitzwilliam,
and had : 1. Edwin.^ 2. Anson. 3. Elmon. 4. Alvin.
5. Sophia D.
ii. LuRENA Chaplin, b. Jan. 22, 1803 ; d. in Winchendon ; m. first,
Dec. 30, 1824, Elisha Gregory, Jr. (1798-1838), and second.
May 27, 1847, Jonas Brooks (1813-1859). By the first mar-
BENT FAMILY. 53
riage she had : 1. John Milton,^ who in. Betsey A., dau. of
Henry and Betsey (Bent) Shirley. 2. Martha O. S. Afary
E. 4. Eliza Caroline, who m. Loammi B. Underwood of
Rindge, N. H. 5. Adelaide Lurena, m. first, Alpheus C.
White, and 2d, Julius Hale of Winchendon.
iii. Milton Chaplin, b. April 7, 1805 ; d. in Fitzwilliam, Jan. 1,
1893; m. Nov. 30, 1830, Caroline Allen (1811-1891), and
had : 1. Frances Ade,^ m. Philij) S. Batcheller of Fitz-
william, and had one dau., Ida Louise,® who m. Isaac F. Paul
of Boston. 2. Elliott Milton, lives at Sand Spring, Iowa. 3.
Martha Alicia, m. Charles Newton (1834-1893) of Fitz-
william, N. H.
iv. Julia Chaplin, b. Oct. 1, 1807; d. in Fitzwilliam, Oct. 26,
1844 ; m. Aug. 8, 1826, Lyman Deeth (1804-1842), and had :
1. Moses Sumner.^ 2. Julia Ann. 3. Martha A. 4. Lyman
G. 5. Jane R. 6. Martin Streeter, who m. first, Jane E.
Bent.
v. Anson Chaplin, b. 1810; d. 1812.
vi. RoxANNA Chaplin, b. Oct. 18, 1812; d. in Winchendon 1893;
m. first, Nov. 27, 1833, Ephraim W. Weston of Winchendon,
who d. Oct. 29, 1854; m. second, Oct. 16, 1861, Edwin Parks
of Winchendon. One son, Irving E? (1835-1889) by the
first marriage.
vii. and viii. Infants (twins), d. 1815.
ix. Elisha Chaplin, b. Oct. 27, 1816; d. m FitzwUliam, N. H.,
Aug. 30, 1897 ; m. first, Jan. 31, 1844, Sarah R. Marshall
(1824-1875) of Jaffrey, N. H. ; m. second, Jan. 8, 1879,
Abbie, sister of his first wife, and widow of his brother Moses.
Two children by first marriage : 1. Martha Abbie,^ m. Willis
A. Stiles. 2. Marshall Elisha.
X. William Chaplin, b. 1820 ; d. 1822.
xi. Martha Chaplin, b. 1823 ; d. 1840.
xii. Moses Chaplin b. Sept. 22, 1828 ; d. Nov. 13, 1870 ; m. Nov.
26, 1850, Abbie Marshall, dau. of Abel of Fitzwilliam, and
had: 1. Emma Frances,^ m. Almancer J. Streeter. 2. Julia
Roxana, m. Elisha M. Bent. 3. Winjield Marshall, m. Abbie
F. Reed.
68
William HuNT^ Bent {Samuel,^ Thomas,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^') farmer, was born July 14, 1785, in Fitzwilliam, N. H.,
and died in Townsend, Mass., July 23, 1866, a3. 81. He married
first, Dec. 3, 1815, Margaret Brooks of Winchendon, who died
July 10, 1825, 06. 35 ; married second, Betsey, daughter of Isaac
Taylor of Winchendon. Betsey died May 13, 1860, se. 62.
Children of William H. and Margaret, both born in Fitzwilliam :
173. i. Levi Brooks,'' b. Sept. 12, 1817.
ii. Eliza, b. 1824; d. 1824.
Children of William H. and Betsey, all born in Fitzwilliam :
54 BENT FAMILY.
174. i. William/ b. Jan. 18, 1828.
ii. Betsey, b. Aug. 27, 1831 ; d. in Townsend, Mass., May 14,
1871 ; m. Samuel Woodley of Townsend, who d. in Detroit,
Mich., October, 1896. No children,
iii. Harkiet, b. Feb. 13, 1838; d. April 7, 1855.
iv. Laura Abby, b. Nov. 1, 1841; living in Townsend; m. Dec.
31, 1868, Charles W. Hildreth of Townsend. No children.
Hyman^ Bent (^Saimiel,^ Thomas,'^ Ho'pestill^^ Peter,"^ John^)
was born Sept. 17, 1788, in Fitzwilliam, N. H., where he died
Dec. 21, 1872, se. 84. He was probably named for his mother's
brother, Haman Hunt. With the exception of a year and a half
spent in Boston previous to his marriage, he lived on a farm, cleared
about 1790 by another Sudbury settler, Isaac Goodnow, in the
south-eastern part of Fitzwilliam. The following, written in 1888,
is from a tribute by his second son :
Hyman Bent was a man of untiring industry, and he had a faculty of
turning off work with ease and rapidity that bordered on the marvellous.
He worked on the eight hour system, hut it was eight hours in the fore-
noon and eight hours in the afternoon. He was an early riser, usually up
at four o'clock in the morning, and in the short days of winter his chores
would be all done and he, with his axe, a mile away, like proud Edward at
Bannockburn, " waiting for the break of day to glimmer in the east," that
he might commence his battle-
To subdue an ordinary New England farm, and support a family from
it, required energy, perseverance and heroism. But our hero, with a stub-
born farm and a rapidly increasing family, was equal to the task. He was
devoted to his family, and he is remembered as very often and very cheer-
fully sitting down before the old open fire-place with his chiklren after
those long days of toil, to sing to them, and with them, some spirited hymns
or patriotic songs.
What to others might have been a weary round of toil, to him was cheer-
ful duty. He was
" Pleasant as the air of evening
When it floats among tlie trees."
and yet he was firm as the rock of ages, and in his family government
was master of the situation. He was always interested in town affairs,
making special efforts to attend all town meetings. He believed in having
good schools, good roads, and in progress generally, and so he always paid
his part of the tax cheerfully. In 1831 and 1832, he was one of the select-
men of the town. Politically and socially his aim was to establish an
aristocracy of true princiiDal.
In religion, he made few professions, and fewer pretensions. He needed
neither, no more than substance needs a shadow. The spirit of the golden
rule shone forth from his every-day life. He had a steady love of good
and a steady scorn of evil. To " do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly "
was his amlDition. He did not sigh for grand achievements, but his aim was
to do each little duty well. With him each day was a worthy record, and
the sum a faithful life.
BENT FAMILY. 55
Hyman Bent and three of his children lived to have their golden
weddings remembered, and all of his children that married (ten)
celebrated their silver weddings. He married, Aug. 27, 1817,
Levinah Johnson Allen, born in Shrewsbury, Mass., July 15, 1797,
died in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Nov. 13, 1883, daughter of Rev.
Arunah Allen (1767-1853), and a descendant of Walter Allen of
Newbury, Mass., 1640.
Children, all born in Fitzwilliam :
175. i. Samuel/ b. Dec. 23, 1817.
176. ii. Eliza, b. Oct. 25, 1819.
177. iii. LuRENE, b. Oct. 2, 1821.
178. iv. Arunah Allen, b. Jan. 29, 1823.
179. V. Susan, b. Dec. 30, 1825.
180. vi. Maria, b. Oct. 13, 1828.
181. vii. Elmina, b. June 16, 1830.
viii. Sarah, b. Jan. 5, 1832 ; living imm. in Gardner, Mass. Until
1883, she made her home on the old farm in Fitzwilliam, N. H.
182. ix. Charles Orra, b. June 4, 1835.
183. X. Frances Flora, b. Oct. 27, 1838.
184. xi. RoDERic Leslie, b. March 22, 1843.
70
Elisha^ Bent {Samuel,^ Thovias,^ Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ John^)
was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Dec. 10, 1793; died in Fitz-
william, Nov. 13, 1865, £6. nearly 72. He took the farm his father
cleared and always lived there. He married, June 23, 1831, Nancy,
born Nov. 11, 1800, died April 30, 1885, daughter of William
Bobbins of Winchendon, Mass.
Children, all born in FitzwiUiam :
i. Newell,^ b. 1832 ; d. 1837.
ii. Mart Anna, b. Jan. 8, 1834; living in Orange, Mass.; m.
March 15, 1881, Jonah Davis of Orange, where he d. April
11, 1888.
iii. Eunice R., b. 1835; d. 1837.
^ iv. Jane E., b. Jan. 13, 1837 ; d. Nov. 30, 1868 ; m. April 7, 1857,
Martin Streeter Deeth, b. Jan. 30, 1836. No children. He
m, again, Feb. 2, 1870, Nancy A, Stiles, and lives in Fitz-
william, N. H.
V. Elmina, b. 1838; d. 1841.
vi. Lois, b. 1839; d. 1841.
vii. Nancy Maria, b. June 2, 1842; m. May 11, 1875, Caleb G.
Cox, who has a farm in Fitzwilliam, N. H.
185. viii. Elisha Melzo, b. Aug. 6, 1845.
71
Betsey® Bent {Samuel,^ Thowas,^ Hopestill,^ Peter,^ Johii^)
was bom Aug. 9, 1796, in Fitzwilliam, N. H., where she died Jan.
4
56 BENT FAMILY.
23, 1851. She married, Feb. 20, 1823, Henry Shirley of Fitz-
william, born March 22, 1796, died April 21, 1869, son of John
Shirley (1755-1848), a Revolutionary soldier, who moved from
Sudbury to Fitzwilliam in 1799. John was a son of Fenners
Shirley who came from England in 1755 and settled in Sudbury.
Children of Henry and Betsey (Bent) Shu-ley, all born in Fitz-
william :
i. Mart Submit'^ Shirley, b. Aug. 20, 1824 ; d. in Manchester,
Vt., Sept. 19, 1876; m. first, George Bissell, who d. Dec. 28,
1852, fe. 36; m. second, Levi Phillips (1814-1865).
ii. John Warren Shirley, b. Dec, 2, 1825 ; stillliving; m. Nov.
3, 1850, Ellen Maria, dau. of John J. Allen,
iii. William Henry Shirley, b. Oct. 1, 1827 ; d. in Winchendon,
Mass., Feb. 3, 1892 ; m. Dec. 15, 1853, Caroline C. Williams
of Keeseville, N. Y. Three children : 1. Florence F.,^ b.
1855 ; d. 1856. 2. Flora A., b. Jan. 31, 1858 ; d. March 22,
1876. 3. Harry A., b. Sept. 15, 1865 ; m. July 30, 1896,
Anna Robinson of Worcester, N. Y., and moved immediately
to Salem, ISf. C.
iv. Betsey Ann Shirley, b. Oct. 11, 1829 ; living in Sunderland,
Vt. ; m. Nov. 22, 1848, John Milton Gregory. Seven chil-
dren : 1 . Addis Leslie.^ 2. Clarence Edgar. 3. Flla Caro-
line. 4. Emma Lurena. 5. William Henry. 6. Florence Edna.
7. MaryEffie.
V. Nancy Shirley, b. 1832 ; d. 1837.
vi. Catherine Shirley, b. 1835 ; d. 1837.
vii. Sarah J. Shirley, b. 1837 ; d. 1837.
Newell® Bent {Jonathan,^ Thomas,'*' Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in Sudbury, Mass., Oct. 9, 1778; died in Cam-
bridge, Mass., Feb. 13, 1831, se. 52. He taught school in Wes-
ton before marriage, soon after which he located in Cambridgeport,
where he had a lumber wharf and was largely interested in real
estate ; was a justice of the peace and a bank director ; selectman,
1822 to 1824; representative to the Legislature, 1824 to 1826.
He married, Oct. 3, 1805, Betsey Kendall, daughter of Joshua and
Susannah Shattuck of West Cambridge (now Belmont). She died
in Ludlow, Vt., Sept. 1, 1854, se. 69 ; buried in Mt. Auburn.
Children, all born in Cambridge :
i. Eliza Ann,'^ b. Aug. 7, 1806 ; d. in Claremont, N. H., Aug.
23, 1838 ; m. Nov. 21, 1837, Joel Gillingham.
186. ii. Newell, b. March 5, 1810.
in. Susan Maria, b. March 11, 1814; d. Dec. 21, 1874; m. Feb.
7, 1833, Joseph Porter,
iv. Mary Kendall, b. 1822 ; d. 1825.
V. Mary Lucretia, b. April 19, 1826 ; d. Feb. 20, 1855 ; m. Jan.
20, 1848, Robert Henry Fuller.
BENT FAMILY. 57
vi. Fannie Loretta, b. March 22, 1828 ; d. in Cambridge, Mass.,
March 18, 1896; m. March 5, 1855, Abijah Richardson,
attorney-at-law, b. in Turner, Me., June 6, 1823, d. in Rox-
bury, Mass., Feb. 20, 1874. Two children: 1. Edith,^\i.
1867. 2. William Bent, b. 1869.
73
Hezekiah® Bent {Jonathan,^ Thomas,* Hopestill^^ Peter, ^
John^), farmer, was born in Sudbury, Nov. 21, 1789; died in
Holden, Mass.,' Feb. 27, 1867, ie. 77; moved from Sudbury tO'
Holden about 1820. He was in a company of grenadiers in 1822.
He married, in 1815, Polly Colburn, of Lincoln, Mass., born
Oct. 11, 1792, died in Holden, Aug. 16, 1879, daughter of John
Colburn.
Children, i. and ii. born in Sudbury ; iii. and iv. born in Holden :
i. Mary Ann,^ b. July 4, 1816; d. in Worcester, Mass., Oct. 26,
1852 ; m. in 1840, George H. Smith of Holden. Five chil-
dren,
ii. Sarah Rice, b. Jaly 3, 1819; m. April 10, 1838, John Bisco
Moore of Worcester. Six children.
iii. Eliza Stone, b. May 10, 1829 ; m. first, in April, 1852, Jones
Chafihi of Holden, and moved to Worcester. He d. in Jan-
uary, 1861, and she m. second, in 1863, Thomas L. Bugbee
of Worcester, who d. April 11, 1890. No children.
iv. Nancy Osborne, b. Sept. 21, 1830; d. in Worcester, Mass.,
July 9, 1864; m. George A. Willard of Worcester. One son.
74
Samuel® Bent {Jonathan,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^
John}), farmer, was born in Sudbury, Feb. 21, 1794; died in
Sudbury, July 4, 1863, ae. 69. He married first, March 20, 1825,
Anna Haynes of Sudbury. He married second. May 25, 1831,
Mary Savary of Lincoln, Mass., born in Boston, October, 1801,
died in Sudbury, April 1, 1878, daughter of Henry and Mary
Savary. No issue by first wife.
Children of Samuel and Mary, both born in Sudbury ;
i. Samuel,'^ b. March 13, 1832 ; d. in Sudbury from a fall in his
barn July 19, 1885; m. Nov. 29, 1860, Harriet E. Haynes.
No children.
ii. Mary Charlotte, b. Aug. 17, 1834; living in Ashland, Wis. ;
m. April 4, 1857, Edward Mclntyre of Cambridge, Mass.
Two cliildren : 1. Edward B.^ 2. Sarah Agnes, m. Samuel
Wheeler of Concord, Mass.
75
Thomas® Bent {Jonathan,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
Jo A^i'), farmer, was born in Sudbury, April 11, 1804; died in
187.
188.
189.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
100.
V.
191.
vi.
58 BENT FAMILY.
Sudbury, Sept. 26, 1881, ^. 77. He married first, Dec. 1, 1831,
Keziah Carr, born July 12, 1812, died Jan. 14, 1873, daughter of
Ezra and Mary Carr of Sudbury. He married second, Feb. 4,
1874, Mrs. Isabella J. Shattuck, daughter of his cousin Thomas
Bent. She died May 18, 1887, se. 78.
Children of Thomas and Keziah, all born in Sudbury :
Lucius Philip,'^ b. June 14, 1833.
Thomas Albert, b. July 31, 1835.
Cyrus Anderson, b. Feb. 1, 1840.
Charles Edward, b. Sept. 8, 1844; living in Somerville,
Mass. ; m. Nov. 20, 1870, Maria Theresa, dan. of Casimir and
Theresa Bechler of Baltimore, Md. No children.
George Henry, b. May 8, 1846.
Francis Eugene, b. Dec. 30, 1848.
76
Silas® Bent (/Silas,^ Elijah,^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Johv}),
lawyer and judge, was born in Rutland, Mass., May 16, 1768, died
in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 20, 1827, je. 59. In 1788 or 1789, he
went to Marietta, Ohio, to prepare the way for his parents, who
were among the earliest permanent settlers of the Northwest Terri-.
tory ; soon after he began the study of law with Philip Dodridge
at Wheeling, (West) Virginia. Upon the completion of his studies,
he decided to embark in a mercantile career and opened a store in
Charleston, in what is now West Virginia. In January, 1802, he
was made postmaster of Brooke Court house, Virginia, and in 1803
became a deputy in the office of Eufus Putnam, who was surveyor-
general. Feb. 17, 1804, he was commissioned by Gov. Edward
Tiffin an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Wash-
ington County, in his old home in southern Ohio. In July, 1805,
he became deputy surveyor under Jared Mansfield, surveyor-general.
In July, 1806, he was appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury,
Albert Gallatin, principal deputy surveyor for the great but little
known territory of Louisiana, only recently (1803) purchased from
Napoleon, and ordered to St. Louis, which he reached Sept. 17,
1806. Aug. 20, 1807, he was appointed by Frederick Bates,
secretary and acting governor of Louisiana, "first judge of the
Court of Common Pleas and the Court of Quarter Sessions of the
Peace for the District of St. Louis." In November, 1808, he was
appointed, by Gov. Meriwether Lewis, auditor of public accounts
for the district of St. Louis. Nov. 9, 1809, he was made presiding
judge of the St. Louis Court of Common Pleas, and on that day
signed the first charter for the town of St. Louis. Jan. 5, 1811,
Frederick Bates, acting governor, appointed him auditor of public
accounts, and in September following, he was commissioned judge
of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions by Gov. Ben-
BENT FAMILY. 59
jamin Howard. Feb. 21, 1813, President Madison commissioned
him judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri Territory, and on Jan.
21, 1817, he was re-commissioned as such by President Monroe, and
held the office until it was abolished by the admission of Missouri*
into the Union in 1821, when he became clerk of the St. Louis
County Court which, in addition to the county business, exercised
probate jurisdiction. This office he held until his death six years
later. (See "Reminiscences of the Bench and Bar of Missouri,"
by W. V. N. Bay, St. Louis, 1878.)
It will thus be seen that Judge Bent was a pioneer of two
great states, and that almost his entire life was spent in the public
service ; and the fact that no complaint was ever made against
him is good evidence of his ability and integrity. He was not only
an able jurist, but a man of varied and extensive information, just
such a man as the government needed in the early settlement of the
West. He had a fine residence at Carondalet, now South St. Louis.
Silas Bent married Martha Kerr, born June 8, 1778, died Aug.
19, 1833, 86. 55, of Virginia. Her early home was near Winchester.
Children, i. to iii. born in (West) Virginia; iv. in Ohio; v. to
xi. in St. Louis, Mo. :
192. i. Charles,'^ b. Nov. 11, 1799.
193. ii. JuLiANNAH, b. July 18, 1801 ; m. Lilburn W. Boggs.
194. iii. John, b. May 31, 1803.
195. iv. Lucy, b. March 8, 1805; m. Joseph Russell.
196. V. Dorcas, b. March 12, 1807 ; m. Judge William C. Carr.
197. vi. William, b. May 23, 1809.
198. vii. Mary, b. Jan. 25, 1811 ; m. Major Jonathan L. Bean, U. S. A.
viii. George, b. April 15, 1814 ; d. at Bent's Fort, Col., Oct. 23,
1846, aj. 32.
ix. Robert, b. Feb. 23, 1816; d. at Bent's Fort, Oct. 20, 1841, £e.
25. His remains, with those of his brother George, were
afterwards removed to St. Louis.
X. Edward, b. Sept. 14, 1818 ; d. May 5, 1824.
199. xi. Silas, b. Oct. 10, 1820.
Polly® Bent (Silas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,"^ John^) was
born in Rutland, Mass., Sept. 23, 1769; died in Orwell, Ohio,
Dec. 18, 1857, se. 88. She married, Feb. 12, 1789, George
Smith, Jr., born in Rutland, Mass., June 19, 1761, died in Orwell,
Ohio, June 17, 1844, ge. 83, son of Lieut. George and Jane
(McElwain) Smith of Rutland. George, Jr., was a private in
Capt. Ralph Earll's company, in Col. Danforth Keyes's regiment,
from July 10, 1777, to Jan. 3, 1778. Soon after marriage they
moved to Peru, Berkshire Co., Mass., and afterward lived in the
* Missouri's territorial organization dates from 1812.
60 BENT FAMILY.
adjoining town of Worthington ; in 1836, they moved to Orwell,
Ohio.
Children of George and Polly (Bent) Smith :
i. John'' Smith, b. July 19, 1789 ; d. in Dorset, O., Feb. 29, 1880 ;
m. 1817, Charlotte Cottrell, and had: 1. John G.^ 2. Mary
B., m. Chester Chajjin. 3. Alexander H. 4. George E. 5.
Philander. 6. Lucy Ann, d. unm. 7. Pomeroy H. 8.
Rufus G.
ii. Jane Smith, b. Jan. 19, 1791 ; d. unm. Feb. 1, 1817.
iii. George Smith, b. Jan. 3, 1793; d. 188- ; settled in Green-
ville, Tenn., about 1820 ; has a son William, attorney, of
Mansfield, O.
iv. Charlotte Smith, b. Sept. 20, 1794; d. in Windsor, 0., April
3, 1884; m. 1832, Owen Stoughton (1795-1874), and had:
1. Sumner, b. July 21, 1833. 2. Maria G, b. Dec. 9, 1836 ;
m. Edwin D. Gleason, and has Charles S.^ and Maud.
V. Sumner Smith, b. Jan. 20, 1796; d. unm. in or near Belpre,
O., Nov. 9, 1822.
vi. Renselaer Smith, b. June 2, 1798; d. June 22, 1863; m.
Electa Clark, and bad : 1. Susan.^ 2. Franldin. 3. Solo-
mon. 4. Sophronia. 5. Delia. 6. Dorothy. 7. Elisif.
8. Electa. 9. Silas.
vii. Sewell Smith, b. 1799 ; d. 1800.
viii. Sophronia Smith, b. 1801; d. 1802.
ix. Sophronia Smith, b. Nov. 23, 1803 ; d. in Cleveland, O., Aug.
7, 1883 ; m. Ralph Blair, and had Johi^ and a dau. M. L.
X. PoMEROY Smith, b. Nov. 28, 1805 ; d. Nov. 6, 1868 ; m. Jan.
1, 1833, Louisa C. Burnell (1807-1885), and had: 1.
Sarah L.^ 2. Garoline S. 3. Trowbridge P. 4. Henry S.
5. Glayton B.
xi. Cynthia Smith (twin), b. Nov. 9, 1807 ; d. July 6, 1893 ; m.
Newton Walcott, and had: 1. Helen.^ 2. Julia. 3. Gharles.
xii. Orsabius Smith (twin), b. Nov. 9, 1807; d. Dec. 31, 1886; m.
first, Melinda Clapp of Deerfield, O., and had : 1. Frances.^
2. Horatio M., major, U. S. A. 3. George. He m. second,
Almira Kendall of Deerfield, 0., and had: 1. William 0.
2. Emma. Both of whom lived in Orwell, O.
xiii. Franklin Silas Smith, b. March 15, 1810; d. Dec. 31,
1888 ; m. Martha Jane Euby, and had : 1. Edward.^ 2.
Marion. 3. Newell. 4. Ella. 5. Lewis.
xiv. Dorothy Smith, b. March 4, 1815 ; d. in Windsor, 0., Oct.
17, 1896 ; m. March 2, 1837, Earl Clapp of Windsor, 0., and
had nine children: 1. Mary,^ m. Lester Clark. 2. Gorral
William. 3. George Merit. 4. John. 5. Dwight Mo7iroe.
6. Earl. 7. Emma, m. Horace A. Bowyer. 8. Eusebius.
9. Alice Genevera.
IS
Susan* Bent {Silas,^ Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^)wdiB
born in Rutland, Mass., April 21, 1771 ; died in Little Hocking,
BENT FAMILY. 61
Ohio, April 5, 1865, se. 94. She married, about 1795, Joel Oaks
of Newbury,* Ohio.
Children, all born in Ohio :
i. Susan'^ Oaks, b. 1796; d, Nov. 22, 1829.
ii. Elizabeth Oaks.
iii. William Oaks, b. 1800; d. 1811.
iv. Daniel Oaks, b. Dec. 20, 1801 ; d. March 24, 1869. His son,
Silas Benf Oaks, lives on the old Oaks place in Little Hocking.
V. SmiNER Oaks, d. April 28, 1874.
vi. Charlotte Oaks, b. Jan. 11, 1807; d. March 30, 1844; m.
May, 1835, James H. Guthrie. Three children : 1. Charles
H.} b. 1836 ; d. 1859. 2. Lucy 0., b. May 24, 1838 ; living
in Swan Creek, O. ; m. Oct. 12, 1858, James M. Hannan. 3.
Clarinda,\). 1841; d. 1842. James H. Guthrie m. second,
Mary, dau. of Nahum® Bent (q-v.).
vii. Lucy Oaks, b. 1808 ; d. 1822.
79
Nahum® Bent ( Silas, ^ Mij'ah,* HojJestill,^ Peter, ^ John^),
farmer, was born in Rutland, Mass., Nov. 17, 1778 ; died of con-
sumption in Nodaway, Andrew Co., Mo., June 29, 1856, se. 77.
While still a boy, he was taken to the Ohio valley by his parents ;
brought up in Belpre ; was the first postmaster of Bent's Post Office,
as Centre Belpre, Ohio, was once called. About 1835, he moved
to north-western Missouri. He married, at Marietta, Ohio, March
16, 1810, Susan Dilley, who died in Nodaway, Mo.
Children, all born in Ohio :
i. Elizabeth,'^ d. near Salmon City, Idaho ; m. Frank Price of
Parkersburg, W. Virginia, who moved to Ottawa, Canada,
after his wife's death.
ii. Mart, b. 1813 ; d. of consumption, in Swan Creek, 0., July 29,
1856, 86. 43 ; m. Nov. 15, 1844, James H. Guthrie, b. in New-
bury, 0., m 1804, d. in Swan Creek, O., April 4, 1877. Two
children: 1. Sarah Missouri,^ h. Oct. 20, 1845 ; d. Aug. 14,
1874; m. Sept. 15, 1869, Corydon I. Bush. 2. Edward A.,
b. Dec. 7, 1850 ; drowned June 15, 1864. James H. Guthrie's
first wife was Charlotte, dau. of Susan^ Bent Oaks. He was
married still a third time.
iii. Nahum, Jr. (called .June), returned to Ohio from Missouri in
May, 1856, and d. in Swan Creek, O., June 29, 1856.
200. iv. Edward, b. May 1, 1817.
201. V. Luther, b. Aug. 8, 1819.
vi. Charlotte, b. about 1820; d. in Newbury, 0., Aug. 29, 1865,
ce. 45 ; m. Feb. 20, 1853, at Swan Creek, 0., Edwin Guthrie
(his second marriage) of Newbury, O., brother of James H.,
who married her sister. Two children : 1. Edwin Benf Guth-
rie, b. June 11, 1855 ; living in Marietta, O. 2. Elizabeth
Susan Guthrie, b. June 9, 1858 ; d. June 22, 1881.
* On the Ohio River, twenty-one miles below Marietta.
62 BENT FAMILY.
vii. Susan, b. March 24, 1827 ; d. in Savannah, Mo., Aug. 14,
1861 ; m. Dec. 12, 1848, William Eayburn King of Tenn.,
who d. in St. Louis, Mo., March 8, 1894 ; two sons living,
one, William,^ in Marshall, Sabine Co., Mo.
80
Abner^ Bent (Silas,^ Elijah,^ Hopestill,^ Peter,^ Johv}),
farmer, was born in Rutland, Mass., Sept. 22, 1780 ; died in Marion
County, Ohio, July 12, 1834, se. 53. In 1789, he was taken by
his parents from Massachusetts to Ohio ; was brought up in Belpre
(Ohio), where he lived, with the exception of the years 1806, 1807,
and, perhaps 1808, which were spent in New Orleans, until 1821,
when he removed to a large farm on the Little Scioto River in
Marion County. He was a justice of the peace, a man of education
and refinement, and held in high esteem by the pioneers who sur-
rounded him. He married first, Jan. 18, 1802, Elizabeth Williams
of Marietta, Ohio, born in Detroit, Mich., daughter of Nathan and
Eleanor (Lovelace) Williams.* She died in New Orleans in 1807
or 1808, and he married second, about 1816, Elizabeth Dilley, who
moved, after her husband's death, to Wabash, Ind. , where she died
May, 1854.
Children, by the first marriage, all born in Belpre, Ohio :
i. Nahum W.,^ b. Dec. 3, 1802 ; d. March 4, 1824.
202. ii. Elijah, b. about 1804.
203. iii. Sarah, b. Aug. 19, 1806 ; m. first, George Parker; m. second,
David Miller.
Children, by the second marriage :
204. i. Lincoln Goodale.
ii. Dorcas, b. Dec. 9, 1820 ; living in La Eue, O. ; m. March 12,
1850, Lewis Topliff, b. Oct. 18, 1807 ; d. Feb. 2, 1867. Five
children : 1. Susan Amanda,^ d. young. 2. Lewis R., d. young.
3. Calvin Horatio. 4. Emma Josephine, m. William J. Myers.
5. Princess Oalista, m. J. E. Moore.
iii. Susan Elizabeth, m. Spencer West.
iv. Cornelius, d. in infancy.
V. Henry Clay, d. in infancy.
vi. Augusta, d. in Cal., Dec. 29, 1876 ; m. Samuel Ridenour.
vii. RoENA, m. George Reeves,
viii. Abner, b. 1828 ; d. 1828.
81
Dorcas^ Bent (Silas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^)
was born in Rutland, Mass., Aug. 9, 1782; taken when a mere
child to Ohio ; died in Newport, Ohio, April 8, 1839, se. 56. She
* Nathan "Williams moved during the Revolution from Connecticut to Detroit, then
a British trading post. His wife's parents, members of Daniel Boone's colony in Ken-
tucky, were massacred by the Indians about 1773, and the young Eleanor with her
sister carried captive to Detroit.
BENT FAMILY. 63
married, in Belpre, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1816, Deacon William Dana of
Newport, Ohio, born in Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 16, 1775, died in
Newport, Ohio, June 24, 1851, son of Capt. William Dana of
Belpre. Deacon Dana was married three times. His first wife, by
whom he had six children, was Polly Parkman Foster, daughter of
Hon. Peregrine Foster of Belpre, Ohio ; and his third wife, to
whom he was married Oct. 1, 1840, was Mrs. Maria (Taylor)
Guitteau, widow of Benjamin Guitteau.
Children of William and Dorcas (Bent) Dana :
i. Mary Bent^ Dana, b. Nov. 9, 1816 ; d. April 15, 1862 ; m.
Sept. 28, 1837, Rev. Mighill Dustin, D.D., a Methodist
clergyman, b. Aug. 18, 1810, d. March 10, 1896. Five child-
ren: 1. Samuel H.,^ lived in Cincinnati, but d. in Colorado,
Aug. 6, 1894. 2. Thomas E. 3. Mary, m. Dr. Ludlum. 4.
William. 5. Charles W., Judge of Common Pleas Court in
Dayton, O.
ii. Grace Dana, d. in Marietta, 0., in 1854; m. Oct. 16, 1838,
Hon. Thomas W. Ewart, a lawyer, of Marietta, 0. Six chil-
dren : 1. Mary D.,^ m. Lieut. Edgar P. Pearce of Marietta.
2. Robert, d. young. 3. Grace, d. young. 4. William D., a
mfr. in Chicago ; m. Susan Hart. 5. Alice D., d. in Gran-
ville, O., Feb. 10, 1898 ; m. Rev. Frank Adkins, a Baptist
clergyman, who d. 1899. 6. Thomas, an able lawyer, still
living in Marietta, O. ; m. Agnes Bertha Tibbetts.
iii. Joseph Dana, b. May 3, 1819 ; drowned in the Ohio River,
June 28, 1827.
iv. Dorcas Dana, b. March 9, 1821 ; d. Marietta, 0., Feb. 10,
1852 ; m. Col. Melvin Clark of Marietta, 0., who was killed
at the battle of Antietam, Sept., 1862 ; one child, Joseph D.,^
enlisted in 148th Ohio Infantry and was killed at City Point,
Va., Aug. 9, 1864.
82
Daniel® Bent (Silas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,"^ Joh'n}) was
born in Rutland, Mass., Feb. 3, 1785 ; taken four years later with
the rest of the family to Marietta, Ohio, and a year after that to
Belpre, Ohio, where the remainder of his life was spent. He took
his father's farm, and died there March, 1828, se. 43. He married,
Feb. 16, 1826, in Newport, Ohio, Elizabeth Rowland, born in or
near Wilmington, Del., May 4, 1788, died in Chicago, 111., Oct.
1, 1855, se. 67, daughter of John and Isabella (Evans) Rowland.
Child, born in Belpre, Ohio :
i. Jennie Elizabeth,'^ b. Jan. 17, 1827 ; living in Cleveland, 0. ;
m. Aug. 4, 1845. Rev. Joseph Silliman Edwards, b. Manlius,
N. Y., Nov. 6, 1818 ; d. in Cleveland, O., Oct. 17, 1876, son
of Rev. Joseph and Anna (Warner) Edwards. Four children :
1. Mary Frances'^ Edwards, b. in Belpre, 0., Oct. 16, 1846 ;
an invalid for many years ; d. unm. in Cleveland, March 5,
64 BENT FAMILY.
1889. 2. Anna Maria Edwards, h. in Cincinnati, 0., March
6, 1849, living unm. Avith her mother ; has been connected
with the W. C. T. U. for many years as speaker and organizer.
3. HJUa Louisa Edwards, b. in Chicago, 111., Sept. 26, 1854 ;
living in Punxsutawney, Pa. ; m. first, Sept. 29, 1875, Rev.
Samuel Lee Hillyer, pastor of the Congregational Church in
Woodbridge, N. J., who d. Nov. 28, 1877 ; for about ten
years Mrs. Hillyer was principal of the Fairmount School in
Cleveland, O. ; m. second, April 3, 1889, Rev. Philip Robin-
son Danley, D.D., of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
TaylorsvUle, 111. 4. Flora Lucretia Edwards, b. in Cleveland,
O., Sept. 7, 1865 ; 'living unm. with her mother in Cleveland,
where she is Supt. Missionary Extension, Ohio Christian En-
deavor Union.
83
Joel® Bent {Joel,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John}) was
born in Barre, Mass., Nov. 27, 1770; died in Wendell, Mass.,
Aug. 19, 1821, ^. 50. He married, May 30, 1797, Esther Law-
rence, who died Nov. 26, 1837, ge. 65.
Children, all born in Wendell :
i. JoEL,^ b. May 28, 1798 ; d. in Wendell, Sept. 15, 1819.
ii. Lydia Messingee, b. June 19, 1800 ; d. in Salem Centre, Ind.,
June 17, 1874 ; m. Jan. 1, 1821, Joseph Locke. Six children :
1. Nancy Maria} 2. Joseph. 3. Sylvester Carver. 4. Joel
Llewellyn. 5. Ezra Elijah. 6. Lydia Bernice.
iii. Mary Mason, b. July 4, 1802 ; d. in Wendell, Mass., Dec. 28,
1843 ; m. Nov. 15, 1825, Martin Armstrong, who d. in Mon-
tague, Mass., Jan. 26, 1881. Six children: 1. Sarah Kil-
hurn.^ 2. 3Lary Bent. 3. Timothy Martin. 4. Joel Mason.
5. Dwight E., killed at battle of Chancellorsville, 1863. 6.
Gelinda Bullard.
205. iv. William Lawrence, b. May 12, 1806.
V. Nancy, b. Aug. 4, 1808; d. April 12, 1817.
vi. Jerusha, b. Nov. 17, 1810 ; m. Wisel.
vii. Elijah Knight, b. Dec. 2, 1812 ; lived in Ontario Co., N. Y.,
and in Wisconsin ; in 1849 went to California, where he d. of
sun-stroke Oct. 17, 1850; m. in 1848, at Waterford, Wis.,
Mary Palmer, by whom he had one child that d. fe. 5.
84
Samuel® Bent {Joel,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was
born in Barre, Mass., July 19, 1778. No record of death found.
Lived in Wendell and Barre, Mass., Chittenden and Orwell, Vt.
He went West in 1825, and lived in Michigan, 111., Missouri, and
probably still further West. He married, March 3, 1805, Mary
Kilburn of Wendell, who died in Missouri.
Children, all born in Wendell, Mass. :
BENT FAMILY. 65
206. i. William Erying," b. Dec. 22, 1805. .
207. ii. Horatio Gates, b. Nov. 22, 1807.
iii. Mary, b. April 29, 1809 ; m. Miles in Utah, and went
to California.
208. iv. Joseph Kilburn, b. Nov. 16, 1816.
85
Stephen® Bent {Stephen,^ JElijah,* Hopestill,'^ Peter ^^
Joh'n}), physician, vv^as born in Dublin, N. H., Nov. 22, 1783;
died in Sterling, N. Y., June 26, 1822, se. 38, from pneumonia
brought on from overwork; moved, in 1811, from New Hampshire
to New York, where he owned a farm. He saw service in the war
of 1812 as an army surgeon. He married, in 1810, Almira, born
December, 1786, died December, 1858, eldest daughter of Thad-
deus and Hannah Curtis of Springfield, N. H.
Children, i. born in Greenfield, N. Y. ; the others in Sterling,
N. Y. :
i. Augustus Curtis,'' b. June 23, 1811 ; living in Clyde, N. Y. ;
sold Sunday School books and magazines ; went around Cape
Horn, and lived a few years in California; m. Oct. 8, 1845,
Eliza, b. in Isle of Wight, May 24, 1819, eldest dau. of John
and Mary Mylecrain. Two children : 1. John Ghester,^ b.
March 25, 1847 ; d. Dec. 21, 1869. 2. Stephen Augustus, b.
1851; d. 1860.
ii. Eliza Wright, b. May, 1815; d, at Seward, Neb., in 1889;
m. in 1839, Rev. Newell Boughton.
209. iii. Clinton De Witt, b. April 30, 1817.
iv. Emeline, b. July, 1820; d. at Hannibal, N. Y., in 1892 ; m.
in 1845, Samuel C. Fullerton.
V. Orpha, b. 1822 ; d. 1823.
86
David Jackson® Bent (Bufus,^ Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
JoJin^) was born in East Sudbury (now Wayland), Mass., about
1787; died in Parkesburg, Pa., in 1872, ^. 85. About 1809 he
moved to Bangor, Me. (where he was a baker) , remaining until
1827, when he bought a farm near Parkesburg, Pa., and removed
thither. He was major of a Maine militia regiment that was called
out to defend the coast during the war of 1812, a member of the
Maine Legislature in 1826 and 1827, and later of the Pennsylvania
Legislature, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He
married first, Oct. 21, 1810, Rebecca Hubbard, born in Concord,
Mass., March 16, 1790, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Hubbard.
He married second, Emeline M., daughter of Thomas Armstrong
of Philadelphia. She died in Cedarville, N. J., Dec. 8, 1888.
Children, by first marriage, all born in Bangor, Me. :
66 BENT FAMILY.
i. Lucy/ d. in childhood,
ii. Mary Rebecca, b. July 31, 1811 ; d. unm. in 1872.
210. iii. William Henry, b. Dec. 15, 1812.
iv. Emeline Augusta, b. Feb. 28, 1815 ; m. Ward Haseltine of
Philadelphia. One son, Franh.^
V. Harriet (Hannah?), b. Aug. 1, 1817.
211. vi. Edwin Jackson, b. Oct. 17, 1819.
212. vii. Cyrus Hubbard, b. June 24, 1821.
Children of David J. and Emeline, born in Parkesburg, Pa. ;
i. Frances Henrietta,'' b. about 1840 ; d. unm. in Cedarville,
N. J., Sept. 15, 1887.
ii. Caroline, b. about 1843; d. unm. in Cedarville, N. J., Jan.
23, 1886.
iii. Thomas, b. April, 1845 ; d. unm. at Clifton Heights, Pa., Oct.
31, 1876 ; graduated from Yale College in 1874, and was pre-
paring for the ministry at the Episcopal Divinity School, West
Philadelphia, when cut off by death.
213. iv. EuFus Howard, b. Sept. 23, 1850.
Henry® Bent {Rufus,^ Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^)
was born in East Sudbury, now Wayland, Mass., Oct. 10, 1789;
moved to Bangor, Me., where he died about 1825. He married,
1816, Olivia Harriman of Bangor, who died about the time of her
husband's death.
The following was probably his child :
i. Henry Wyman,'' b. in Bangor, Me., 1819; brought up by his
mother's brother ; was a tailor, and d. in Maine, April 18,
1876, £6. 58 ; was married three times ; name of first wife not
ascertained; m. second, Charlotte Augusta Dodge of Sedg-
wick, Me. ; m. third, in 1872, Sarah E. Parker of Blue Hill,
Me., who is still living. He had a son and a dau. by the first
marriage and a dau. by the second, but all are dead, and there
are no descendants.
88
Elijah® Bent {Nathan,' Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^^,
carpenter, was born in Winchester, N. H., in 1799, and died in
Yernon, Vt., in 1842, death caused by falling from a building upon
which he was at work. He married, March 8, 1827, Ruth E.
Matoon, who was born in Northfield, Mass., Dec. 20, 1807, and
died in Greenfield, Mass., April 1, 1896.
Children, i. born in Winchester, N. H., ii. and iii. in Northfield:
i. Andrew Jackson,'^ b. Dec. 13, 1828 ; d. unm. in Chicago, Ilk,
March 12, 1898.
ii. Frances Ann, b. Aug. 31, 1832; m. Aug. 13, 1851, Stephen
B. Hale, b. in Athol, Aug. 16, 1824, d. in Deerfield, Dec. 26,
BENT FAMILY. 67
1888 ; has lived since marriage in Deerfield, but in the part
(Cheapside) annexed in 1896 to Greenfield. Three children :
1. Annie F.,^ m. Melvin D. Church of Randolph, Vt. 2.
Mary E., m. John S. Miller of Sugar Grove, 111. 3. Nettie A.,
m. Ferdinand G. Packard of Erving, Mass.
iiL Marshall Ashley, b. Aug. 14, 1834; d. unm. in Deerfield,
Mass., Oct. 19, 1889 ; a soldier in the civil war; after which
he lived with his sister.
89
MiCAH^ Bent {David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter ^"^ John^)
was born in Annapolis, N. S., about 1762, and was drowned in
the Annapolis Eiver, N. S., about 1790. He married, April 13,
1786, his cousin Abigail Harrington, who was born April 14, 1767,
daughter of Jonas and Jane* (Bent) Harrington.
Child of Micah and Abigail, born in Annapolis, N. S. :
214. i. Beeiah,^ b. Feb. 11, 1788.
90
David® Bent {David^^ Micah,* Hojpestill,^ Petei-,^ John^)
was born in Annapolis, N. S., in 1764, and died in Belleisle, a
hamlet in the township of Granville, N. S., Aug. 16, 1831, a3. 67.
He married, in Lexington, Mass., Nov. 14, 1787, Ruth Parker,
who was born Dec. 7, 1765, and died March 12, 1838, daughter
of Capt. John Parker, who commanded the minute men. at Lexing-
ton, April 19, 1775.
Children, all born in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia :
215. i. AsAPH,'^ b. Aug. 25, 1788.
ii. Arethusa, b. OcU 29, 1789 ; d. Aug. 17, 1867 ; m. Charles
Barteaux.
216. iii. Isaac, b. Oct. 13, 1791.
2i7. iv. RuFus, b. July 5, 1793.
V. Abigail, b. May 14, 1795 ; d. Jan. 19, 1829 ; m. Simon Starratt.
218. vi. David, b. May 17, 1798.
vii. Rebecca, b. Sept. 29, 1800; d. May 15, 1846; m. Joseph
Starratt.
viii. Ruth, b. March 5, 1803; d. Jan. 1, 1884.
ix. Miriam, b. May 14, 1804; d. June 21, 1869.
91
William® Bent {David,'" Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^)
was born in Annapolis, N. S., about 1767 ; lived in Paradise, a
hamlet of Wilmot, N. S. ; died 1833. He married, in 1796,
Abigail, daughter of Phineas and Abigail (Thayer) Lovett of
Annapolis, N. S. She died in 1852.
Children, all born in Nova Scotia :
68 BENT FAMILY.
219. i. William Lovett,'^ b. 1798.
ii. Elizabeth, b. 1800; m. Caleb Marshall,
iii. Abigail, b. 1802 ; m. first, John Forrest, and second, Edward
McLatchie.
iv. Maria, b. 1804; m. William Marshall.
220. V. Phineas Lovett, b. 1807.
221. vi. Sabiuel Stillman, b. 1810.
vii. Selina L., b. 1813 ; m. Walter Ricketson.
92
Joseph® Bent {David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ John^),
farmer, was born in Annapolis, N. S., about 1770, and lived near
Bridgetown, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, where he died. He
married, in 1792, Anna Longley, who was born in Annapolis
County 1773, daughter of Israel and Anna (Kent) Longley and
sister of Isaac who married Dorcas Bent.
Children, all born in Annapolis County, N. S. :
222. i. Warren,'^ b. Oct. 9, 1793.
ii. Lucy, b. Feb. 21, 1795 ; m. George Willett of Bentville,
Annapolis Co., N. S. Nine children,
iii. Amelia, b. June 8, 1797 ; m. Gilbert T. Eay of St. John,
N. B. No children.
223. iv. Israel Longley, b. Feb. 2, 1799.
V. Susan, b. March 22, 1801 ; m. George Fellows of Annapolis,
N. S.
vi. Mary, b. Nov. 5, 1802 ; m. Aaron Eaton of St. John, N. B.,
who was in business with G. T. Ray above.
224. vii. Joseph Fletcher, b. April 26, 1806.
225. viii. William, b. Oct. 5, 1809.
226. ix. Gilbert, b. April 10, 1813.
X. John, b. Sept. 15, 1822; d. unm. in Nova Scotia.
98
Stephen® Bent (David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,"^ Peter, ^ Johri^)
was born in Annapolis, N. S., May 12, 1775, and died Aug. 7,
1862, ge. 87, in the Annapolis Valley, N. S., where he always
lived. He married, in 1797, Amy, born Sept. 25, 1782, died
March, 1868, £e. 85, daughter of Elisha Tupper, formerly of Con-
necticut.
Children, all born in Annapolis Valley, N. S. :
i. Elizabeth Sprague,^ b. 1798; d. in Wilmot, N. S., in 1876;
m. Archibald Rolls,
ii. Jerusha Prince, b. 1800; d. about 1888; m. James D'Arcy.
iii. Caroline, b. Feb. 3, 1803; m. Adam Hawkes of Lynnfield,
Mass., where she d. July 26, 1875.
227. iv. James Sprague, b. Jan. 24, 1806.
V. Lucy, b. Jan. 15, 1808 ; d. in Lawrencetown, N. S., June 18,
1896, £6. 88 ; m. Charles Elliot of Wilmot, N. S.
BENT FAMILY. 69
vi. Amy, b. Aug. 16, 1810; d. in Halifax, N. S., April 16, 1899,
se. 88 ; m. James Thomas of Digby, N. S.
vii. Mart, d. young.
viii. William Henry, b. Jan. 9, 1813 ; d. unm. about 1841.
ix. Louisa Bethia, b. June 12, 1816; living, unm., at the old
home in Nova Scotia.
X. Susan Marilla, b. Oct. 30, 1819 ; living in Belleisle, N. S. ;
m. Obadiah Parker of Granville, N. S.
228. xi. Stephen Edward, b. Jan. 30, 1823.
94
AsAPH^ Bent (David,^ Micah,* UopestiU,^ Peter ^^ John^)
was born in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, where he died.
He married first Lois Tupper, married second Mary Tupper, mar-
ried third in 1832 Ann Busby.
Children of Asaph and Lois :
i. Ambrose,'' b. 1797 ; m. Susan Balcom. No children,
ii. Elias, m. Elizabeth Hardwick. No children.
229. iii. Eliakim, b. 1808.
iv. Ann, d. unm.
V. David, d. unm.
Children of Asaph and Mary :
i. Mary,'' m. John Warner,
ii. Child, d. unm.
Children of Asaph and Ann :
230. i. BusBY,^ b. 1833.
231. ii. Ralph, b. 1836.
iii. John Zenas, b. 1839 ; m. Lucy Gesner.
iv. Albenia, m. John Bartlett.
V. Anna, m. Thomas Bowles.
95
Silas® Bent {David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^),
farmer and blacksmith, was born at Bentville in the Annapolis
Valley, N. S. ; moved to Paradise, a hamlet in the township of
Wilmot, N. S., but, sometime before 1830, removed to Nictaux
Falls, about twenty miles from his birthplace. His old age was
spent with his youngest daughter in Granville, N. S., where he
died. He married Mary Newcomb, who died at her son's home in
Somerset, King's County, N. S. She was a daughter of Abraham
Newcomb.
Children, all born in Paradise, N. S. :
232. i. Abraham Newcomb.'^
ii. Mary, m. Isaac Phillips of Liverpool, Queen's Co., N. S. Three
children: 1. James.^ 2. Mary Eliza, m. Eldrid Day. 3.
Thomas.
70 BENT FAMILY.
233. iii. James, b. about 1805.
2S4, iv. Dennis.
V. Elizabeth Ann, b. 1811 ; m. her cousin, David''' Bent of Gran-
ville, K S.
William® Bent ( William,^ Micah,* Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ Joh'n})
was born Oct. 7, 1783, in East Sudbury (nov^ Wayland), Mass.,
where he died Oct. 21, 1821. He drove a wood team from Massa-
chusetts to South Carohna, and was captain of a local militia com-
pany. He married, April 20, 1808, Polly CooHdge, who was
born in Natick, Mass., Nov. 29, 1787, and died in Wayland, Jan.
19, 1878, je. 90, daughter of Thomas and Polly.
Children, all born in East Sudbury :
i. Willi AM,'' b. July 28, 1808 ; d. unm. in Wayland, June 11,
1863 ; was a shoe mfr., in business with his brother, J. M., at
Cochituate Village,
ii. Abigail, b. May 3, 1810; d. Aug. 12, 1842; m. May 19,
1831, John L. Loker of East Sudbury. One son, William.^
235. iii. James Madison, b. May 19, 1812.
iv. Mary, b. March 2, 1819; d. Aug. 16, 1849; m. Jan. 6, 1848,
George Alouzo Rice. No children.
V. Thomas Gilbert, b. July 15, 1821 ; living, unm., in Cochi-
tuate Village, Wayland, Mass.
97
MiCAH® Bent {William,^ Micali," Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ John^),
shoemaker, was born in East Sudbury (Wayland), Mass., Sept.
23, 1788, and died in Bellingham, Mass., April 29, 1859, je. 70;
lived in Framingham, Water town, Milford and Bellingham. He
married, first, Anne Stone, who died April 18, 1821 ; married,
second, Sept. 9, 1827, Mrs. Betsey Mellen (Green) Whitney of
Milford, Mass., who was born in Mendon, Nov. 22, 1792, and died
in Bellingham, Aug. 22, 1871, as. 78, daughter of Lemuel and
Sukey (Torrey) Green and widow of Ethan Whitney of Milford,
Mass.
Children of Micah and Anne, i., ii., v. to viii. born in Framing-
ham, iii. and iv. born in Watertown :
23o, i. Archibald,'^ b. Dec. 4, 1809.
ii. Hiram, b. Jan. 12, 1811 ; d. young.
iii. Delia Ann, b. Dec. 30, 1811 ; d. young.
23L iv. Hiram, b. Oct. 7, 1813.
V. Elbridge, b. July 16, 1815; d. 1821.
vi. Delia Ann, b. Sept. 23, 1817; d, young.
288. vii. EoswELL, b. July 28, 1819.
viii. Nancy, b. April 12, 1821 ; d. unm. May 30, 1879.
BENT FAMILY. 71
Children of Micah and Betsey, i. born in Milford, ii. to iv. born
in Bellinghani :
239. i. Mellen Green,' b. Aug. 3, 1828.
ii. Charles Elbridge, b. Oct. 10, 1830; living in Lowell, Mass.
iii. Eugene Alonzo, b. June 8, 1833.
240. iv. Ferdinand Augustus, b. July 24, 1836.
98
George* Bent ( William,^ Micah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^),
farmer, was born in East Sudbury (Wayland), Mass., Sept. 10,
1793, and died in Natick, Mass., April 9, 1865, ae. 71. He mar-
ried, first, Esther Marshall ; married, second, Mrs. Mary Kimball,
whose son, Russell S., by her former husband, adopted the name
of Bent and lives in Natick.
Children, born in East Sudbury :
i. Eustace/ d. unm.
ii. Samuel, b. March 20, 1822; carpenter; d. in Framingham,
April 29, 1849; m. first, April 10, 1845, Martha A. Fuller,
who d. Jan. 28, 1846, te. 23 ; m. second, Oct. 25, 1846, Emily
Fletcher of Waltbam, b. in Washington, N. H., Jan. 22, 1827.
She m. second, Aug. 23, 1852, Warren Wetherbee of Waltham.
iii. Louisa, b. Oct. 29, 1823 ; m. John Pond, and had Augustus^
and Harriet.
iv. RosANNA, b. 1828; d. Nov. 10, 1847.
V. Harriet M., b. 1831; d. Sept. 1, 1862; m. Nov. 16, 1848,
Calvin H. Saunders. Three children,
vi. Elizabeth, d. in Waltham, Mass. ; m. Francis Brown. Four
children.
Children of George and Mary, all born in Natick :
i. Yelzora,'^ b. 1837 ; d. in Natick, te. 17.
ii. Marcus Morton, b. March 19, 1843 ; d. in Natick about 1860.
iii. Orianna, b. June 10, 1847; d. in Natick, 1855.
iv. WiLMA D., b. 1852; m. George 0.^ Bent.
V. Idella Florence, b. 1858; d. in Natick, Aug. 11, 1894; m.
Jan. 31, 1877, Charles F. Partridge of Natick.
99
Jason* Bent ( William,' Micah,^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^),
farmer, was born in East Sudbury (now Wayland), Mass., March
28, 1796 ; moved, in 1842, to the adjoining town of Framingham,
where he died March 19, 1849. He married, Feb. 12, 1821,
Elizabeth Amy Smith, who was born in Brunswick, Vt., Oct. 25,
1800, and died in Framingham, Oct. 26,.,1872.
Children, i., ii., iii. born in Wayland, iv. born in Framingham:
241. i. Jason,"^ b. Feb. 21, 1827.
ii. Elizabeth Ann J., b. Nov. 17, 1829 ; living in North Natick,
Mass.; m. Nov. 21, 1853, Henry Fairbank of Natick; na
second, July 24, 1867, George Fairbank.
5
72 BENT FAMILY.
iii. Angelia Avilla, b. Sept. 27, 1837 ; living in Cochituate Vil-
lage, Wayland, Mass. ; m. Dec. 20, 1860, Theodore L. Sawin
of Natick. One child, Florence Elizabeth,^ b. Sept. 20, 1867.
iv. Helen Marr, b. March 11, 1844; d. 1846.
Petee® Bent {David, ^ David," David, ^ John,^ Johv}),
farmer, was born June 8, 1777, in Templeton, Mass., probably,
and died in Denmark, Lewis County, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1833, dS,.
56 ; moved from Mt. Holly, Vermont, wbere he had lived since his
ninth year, to New York in March, 1801. He married, in Mt.
Holly, April 20, 1799, Hannah Hartv^^ell, who was born May 17,
1781, and died May 13, 1847, ». m.
Children, i. born in Mt. Holly, Vt., the others in Denmark,
N. Y. :
242. i. Peter,^ b. May 29, 1800.
243. ii. Abel Dirgt, b. July 1, 1802.
iii. Tamar, b. June 19, 1804; d. in Union Grove, Whiteside Co.,
111., May 24, 1893, fe. 89 ; m. Dec. 31, 1830, Cyrus Brown
of Leroyville, Jefferson Co., N. Y., who d. at Union Grove,
111., Nov. 12, 1878.
iv. Ilona, b. July 9, 1806 ; d. at the home of her son, Giles F. Van
Vechton, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dec. 4, 1896, se. 90; m.
Oct. 14, 1826, Gilbert Van Vechten of Denmark, N. Y., who
d. Oct. 19, 1848.
V. Adeline E., b. April 28, 1808 ; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., March
25, 1835 ; m. 1834, Smith Gardner of Leroyville, N. Y.
244. vi. Major Evans, b. May 23, 1810.
vii. Hannah, b. May 6, 1812; d. at the home of her son in Clar-
ence, Iowa, July 2, 1897, fe. 85; m. April 16, 1829, Seth
Sylvester of Denmark, N. Y., b. m Salem, N. Y., March 22,
1804, d. in Clarence, Iowa, July 30, 1879. One son, Peter
Benf Sylvester, b. in Denmark, N. Y., March 16, 1830, m.
Catherine McKibben, and has several children.
viii. Relief, b. May 4, 1814; living in Oswego, N. Y. ; m. in 1835,
William A. Hollister of Denmark, N. Y.
245. ix. Lemuel Mason, b. Oct. 7, 1816.
X. Warren Walker, b. Aug. 13, 1819; merchant; d. unm. in
Crown Point, Ind., May 3, 1845.
248. si. MiLO Green, b. March 13, 1822.
Relief® Bent {David,^ David,* David,^ John,^ John^), gen-
erally called Lephe, was born (probably) in Templeton, Mass.,
April 20, 1779, and died in Castleton, Vt., Aug. 16, 1863, ^. 84.
She married, in 1799, Dr. Ohver Guernsey of Mt. Holly, Vt.,
who was born May 29, 1778, and died at his son's home, Randolph,
N. Y., Sept. 17, 1837.
BENT FAMILY. 73
Children of Oliver and Relief (Bent) Guernsey :
i. Lowell Ware'' Guernsey, b. April 23, 1800 ; a physician in
Shrewsbury, Vt. ; cl. 1859. His dau., Sarah Livonia^, m. Jan.
7, 1850, liis cousin Capt. Montraville Green {q. v.).
ii. Erastus Bent Guernsey, b. Nov. 8, 1801 ; d. 1880.
iii. Oliver Guernsey, b. Jan. 6, 1804 ; a physician in Randolph,
N. Y.; d. 1864.
iv. Alonzo Guernsey, b. Nov. 5, 1805 ; d. 1891. His widow,
b. Ellen Hinds, is living in Chicago.
V. Adison Guernsey, b. March 9, 1808 ; d. 1844.
vi. Adeline Guernsey, b. Sept. 13, 1809; d. 1891.
Yii. Sallie Guernsey, b. Feb. 14, 1812 ; d. 1829.
viii. Lephe Guernsey, b. March 2, 1814; d. 1891.
ix. Lorenzo G. Guernsey, b. Dec. 11, 1819; living in Hudson,
N. Y.
Dayid® Bent {David,^ David,'* David,^ Jolin,^ John^) was
born Oct. 23, 1780, in Templeton, Mass., probably; was taken to
Mt. Holly, Vt., about 1786, and died in Cavendish, Vt., in Dec,
1859, £6. 79. He married, first, in 1800, Lucy Fletcher, who died
about 1807, as. 24; married, second, Lydia Stiles.
Children of David and Lucy :
247. i. Dalmanutha,'' b. Aug. 5, 1801.
248. ii. Hartwell, b. about 1803.
249. iii. Betsey, b. May 7, 1805.
iv. Robinson, b. about 1807; moved about 1835 from Vermont to
New York, and thence five years later to Wisconsin ; lived
near Janesville ; m. Esther Pierce, and had four children.
Children of David and Lydia :
i. Samuel Walker.'^
ii. Elvira, m. Sinclair of Mt. Holly, Vt.
iii. Corliss, d. unm. ; went West and drove stage for S. Bent
Walker ; was killed by being thrown from his stage.
iv. Mark.
Betsey® Bent {David,^ David,* David,^ John,^ Johii^) was
born Aug. 19, 1784, in Templeton, Mass., probably, and died Oct.
4, 1843, in Ludlow, Vt. She married, first, Aug. 30, 1812,, her
cousin, Darius Green, who was born in Paxton, Mass., June 18,
1786, and died Jan. 13, 1831, in Mt. Holly, Vt., where he had
kept a hotel for several years. He was a son of Joseph and Lucy
(Bent) Green, and, although a Yankee lad and the son of a farmer,
he was not related to that aspiring genius of flying-machine fame
who sprang fully equipped from the brain of Mr. Trowbridge.
Betsey (Bent) Green married, second, about 1834, Daniel Perry
of Cavendish, Vt.
74 BENT FAMILY.
Children of Darius and Betsey (Bent) Green :
i. Eliza Malvina' Green, b. 1813 ; d. 1814.
ii. Darius Lorenzo Green, b. Nov. 30, 1815 ; d. Sept. 5, 1891.
iii. MoNTRAViLLE Green, b. March 4, 1818; hving in Ahon, 111.
He was for many years captain of a river steamboat running
from St. Louis to St. Paul ; m. first, Abigail Gorum Manning,
•who d. Aug. 31, 1845, childless; m. second, Jan. 7, 1850,
Sarah Livonia Guernsey {q. v.). Two children.
iv. George Bent Green, b. April 30, 1821 ; living in Medford,
Mass.; m. Oct. 18, 1841, Melinda Wetherbee. Four chil-
dren : 1. Darius Alonzo,^ has a government position in Wash-
ington, D. C. 2. Charles Montraville, graduated from Har-
vard College in 1874, from Harvard Medical vSchool in 1877,
and has since practised in Boston. 3. Lorenzo Luther, paying
teller in the Suffolk Savings Bank, Boston. 4. George
Wetherbee, book keeper in the Old Boston National Bank.
V. Charles Green, b. Feb. 17, 1823 ; d. Feb. 17, 1848.
vi. Eliza Sophronia Green, b. 1825 ; d. 1829.
loer
George W.® Bent (David,^ David,'^ David,^ John," John^),
farmer, was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., Feb. 13, 1790; in the fall of
1814 he moved to Watertown, N. Y., vrhere he died, June 1, 1829,
ge. 39. He married Clarissa Kilborn.
Children, i. born in Vermont, the others in Watertown, N. Y. :
i. George W.,' b. 1814 ; d. in De Pauville, N. Y., Sept. 22, 1892,
86. 78 ; farmer ; m. Sally Wadley of Watertown, N. Y., who
is living in Clayton, N. Y. Three children: 1. George W.,^
d. 1895. 2. Olive C, living in Clayton, N. Y. ; m.
Patch. 3. Jane, living in Brown ville, N. Y. ; m.
Walcott.
ii. Olive.
iii. Harriet.
iv. Mart.
V. Clarissa.
vi. Aldula.
vii. Clarinda.
104
Earl F.^ Bent {David,^ David,* David,^ John,^ JoTin^),
farmer, was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., March 10, 1792; moved,
about 1842, to Poultney, Vt., where he died, Oct. 31, 1866, ae.
74. He married Lephe Livona Clark, who was born in Mt. Holly,
Vt., in 1800, and died Aug. 28, 1865, daughter of Deacon Ichabod
G. Clark, the first settler of Mt. Holly.
Children, all born in Mt. Holly, Vt.
* Received too late to be properly numbered. See page 40.
BENT FAMILY. 75
i. Lephe L.,^b. 1816; d. 1816.
ii. Ersula Lephe, b. Aug. 30, 1817; d. August, 1893; m. 1834,
Alvah Horton of Mt. Holly, Vt.
251. iii. Clark Earl, b. April 21, 1822.
252. iv. Henry Willard, b. Feb. 13, 1824.
V. Sophronja Frances, b. Sept. 17, 1828; d. April 1, 1886; m.
in 1848, Levi L. Munson of East Poultney, Vt.
vi. Ilona Almina, b. Aug. 13, 1831 ; living with her children in
California; m. July 4, 1849, Ashbel Holister Pepper, b. in
Paulet, Vt., Jan. 17, 1829, d. in Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 3,
1895. Four children, all b. in Vermont: 1. Theodore
Martin,^ living in Chicago. 2. Kate Elizabeth, m. George E.
Gyirrits, and lives in Los Angeles, Cal. 3. Nettie Maria, m.
Dr. Frank B. Carpenter, and lives in San Francisco, Cal. 4.
Mary Chase, m. George W. Hallowell of St. Paul, Minn., now
of San Francisco.
vii. Mart Elizabeth, b. July 30, 1834 ; living in Bancroft, Iowa ;
m. July 4, 1855, Charles W. Goddard of Bancroft, Iowa.
Three children: 1. Robert Earl? 2. Lora E., m. Charles
R. Morehouse. 3. Delia M., m. Fred. R. Anderson.
viii. Martha M., b. 1839 ; d. 1840.
105
Silas Proctor^ Bent {David,^ David,'^ David,^ John,^ John^)
was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., March 16, 1794, and died in De Kalb,
111., Oct. 22, 1874, 86. 80; vras named after one of his father's
neighbors, Silas Proctor, one of the first settlers of Mt. Holly.
He moved from Vermont to New York, and thence, about 1854, to
Illinois. He married, first, Jan. 24, 1815, Olive Clark, who was
born Jan. 24, 1799, and died Aug. 7, 1825; married, second,
Jan., 1826, Orythea Shaw, who was born Jan. 13, 1801, and died
Dec. 9, 1887.
Children of Silas P. and Olive :
i. Livonia 0.,^ b. Aug. 26, 1816; d. 1877; m. first, 1834, Eph-
raim Skeels, who d. September, 1853 ; m. second. May, 1865,
Enos Whitmore, who d. in Lincoln, Neb., 1888.
25B. ii. Silas Walker, b. July 23, 1818.
iii. Mardula D., b. July 25, 1824; m. first, 1842, Darius Boynton,
who d. 1862; m. second, October, 1865, Ira V. Randall, a
lawyer in De Kalb, 111.
Children of Silas P. and Orythea :
i. Emeline A.,^ b. Nov. 7, 1826; m. Jan. 22, 1852, George J.
Squires.
ii. Darius S., b. July 18, 1829 ; d. Sept. 12, 1849.
254. iii. John Jay, b. July 3, 1831.
iv. Levantea, b. Sept. 1, 1833.
V. Martha, b. Oct. 25, 1836 ; m. June, 1857, William Dana Earl.
vi. Mary E., b. July 10, 1838 ; m. June 4, 1861, Dr. John B.
Earl, who d. April 23, 1874.
76 BENT FAMILY.
Thomas W.® Bent {David,^ David," David,^ John,^ John'')
was bom in Mt. Holly, Vt., Feb. 16, 1798, and died in Croghan,
N. Y., March 16, 1853. He married, Feb. 25, 1818, Phidelia
Hammond of Mt. Holly, Vt., who was born March 1, 1796, and
died in Antwerp, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1876, ^e. 80.
Children, i. born in Watertown, N. Y., ii. to vi. born in Mt.
Holly, Vt., vii. and viii. born in Croghan, N. Y. :
255. i. Alvin FinneV b. Jan. 25, 1819.
250. ii. Darius Green, b. Jan. 5, 1821.
ill. Tamar a., b. Dec. 1, 1822 ; d. March 25, 1876 ; m. Dec. 1,
1840, Jacob House,
iv. Hartwell Franklin, b. July 11, 1825; living in Antwerp,
N. Y.
V. Lydia L., b. July 22, 1827; living in Antwerp, N. Y. ; m.
April 10, 1851, Joseph F. Graves of Antwerp, N. Y.
vi. Phebe C, b. June 25, 1830; d. Dec. 31, 1888, at Croghan,
N. Y. ; m. July 3, 1855, Albert Overton, who lives at Natural
Bridge, N. Y.
257. vii. George Washington, b. Feb. 3, 1836.
viii. Charles Hammond, b. Sept. 18, 1838 ; d. in Denver, Col.,
Dec. 25, 1896. Three children.
Geoege® Bent {Darius,^ David,'^ Dcivid,^ John,^ John^)
was born in Boston, Mass., Dec. 4, 1806, and died in Montreal,
Canada, July 13, 1852, te. 45. He was a druggist and chemist
in Montreal and in Cincinnati, O. About 1847, he returned to
Montreal, and became the first express agent in Canada, represent-
ing Cheney, Rice & Co. of Boston, and Pullen, Virgil & Co. of
New York. His wife Laura, daughter of Daniel Ward Eager,
died in Montreal, Aug. 13, 1874.
Children, i. born in Amandville, Ky., ii. and iii. in Montreal,
Can. :
i. Emmeline Bowman,'^ b. Oct. 31, 1836 ; living in Montreal ; m.
Nov. 7, 1864, Guy Richards Dewar of St. Andrews, P. Q.
ii. George D., b. Nov. 19, 1838; living, num., in Montreal.
258. iii. John Boice, b. Dec. 29, 1847.
Alphonso" Bent {Thaddeus,^ David," David, ^ John,^ John^)
was born in Rutland, Vt., in 1810, and died in Waynesville, Mo.,
in hospital, June 11, 1863, of typhus pneumonia. Left an orphan
at the age of four, he was brought up by his sister Roxa, and, after
her death in 1821, by friends of the family. He learned the paint-
ing trade thoroughly and located at Smith's Falls, Canada West
BENT FAMILY. 77
(now Ontario). In Oct., 1844, he moved to Chicago, 111., where
he was still engaged in the painting business. In May, 1856, he
removed to Morrison (111.), then just located. In 1862, he en-
listed in Co. H, 5th Missouri Cavalry.
He married, first, Charlotte Rogers, who died shortly after mar-
riage without issue ; he married, second, at Smith's Falls, Canada,
Beulah Ann Bartlett, who was born in Rome, N. Y., July 29,
1819, and died Jan. 11, 1841; married, third, Nov. 17, 1842,
Elizabeth Armstrong, who was born in Scotland in 1812, and died
May 22, 1880.
Children of Alphonso and Beulah :
i. Arabella,'^ d. young,
ii. James, d. yoiuig.
259. iii. George Russell, b. Nov. 21, 1840.
Children of Alphonso and Elizabeth :
i. Janet,'^ b. Aug. 18, 1843 ; living, unm., with her brother Charles
in Morrison, 111.
ii. Charles, b. Dec. 8, 1844.
iii. Isabella, b. Dec. 8, 1844; d. 1846.
iv. Ellen, b. May, 1846; d. 1848.
James B.^ Bent {Phine^s,^ David,'^ David,^ John,^ Johv})
was born in Jericho, Vt., Nov. 23, 1816, and died in Stockbridge,
Vt., May 18, 1897 ; lived a few years in Milton, Vt., and removed
thence, in 1868, to Stockbridge, Vt. He married, Sept. 25, 1842,
Lucretia Lincoln, who was born in Jericho, Vt., Jan. 23, 1823, and
died in Stockbridge, Vt., March 31, 1880.
Children, i. to iv. born in Jericho, Vt., v. born in Milton, Vt. :
i. Truman P.,'^ b. Oct. 21, 1843; living in Chicago,
ii. Edwin J., b. Sept. 13, 1846; living in Stockbridge, Vt. ; m.
Dec. 31, 1873, Orpha B., dau. of WiUiam and Hannah (Brock-
way) Pierce,
iii. Charles W., b. Sept. 18, 1853 ; drowned March 30, 1865.
iv. Fred F., b. May 21, 1857 ; living at Lake Geneva, Wis.
V. Charles S., b. Dec. 6, 1867 ; living in Randolph, Vt. ; m. May
22, 1890, Stella L., b. in Rochester, Vt., May 6, 1874, dau. of
George W. and Melissa L. Jones of Hancock, Vt. Three
children: William James,^ b. in Concord, N. H., Dec. 2,
1891. 2. G^eor^e iforoW, b. in Hancock, Vt., May 22, 1893.
3. Charles Irving, b. in Hancock, Vt., April 18, 1897.
Samuel Watson® Bent {Samuel B.,^ David,* David, ^ John,^
John^) was born in Rutland, Mass., Oct. 27, 1811, and died in
New Ipswich, N. H., Feb. 6, 1861, ^. 49. When in his seventh
78 BENT FAMILY.
year, the parental home was changed from Massachusetts to Vermont
(Middlebury) . At sixteen, he left for Boston, where, in 1832, he
opened a dry-goods store on Washington Street, near the present
Franklin Street. In 1849, he went to California; upon his return
to the East, two years later, he spent a few months in New York,
and finally located in New Ipswich, N. H.
He married, Aug. 3, 1836, Mary Narcissa Barrett, who was
born in Bakersfield, Vt., Aug. 24, 1816, and died in Boston,
Mass., May 28, 1892, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Appleton)
Barrett.
Children, both born in Boston :
261. i. Samuel Arthur,^ b. July 1, 1841.
ii. Joseph Appleton, b. Feb. 22, 1843 ; d. of consumjotion in
Nashua, N. H., Aug. 12, 1869 ; graduated, in 1865, from Yale
College, where he obtained the De Forest gold medal, " for
the best written and spoken oration in the senior class " ; en-
tered the Columbia Law School, but ill health prevented the
completion of the course.
Ill
Mary Ayery® Bent {Samuel B.,^ David,* David,^ John,^
John^^ was born in Middlebury, Vt., Jan. 7, 1819, and died Jan.
11, 1890, at Las Vegas, N. M., while on the way to California to
visit a daughter. She married, Sept. 19, 1838, Rev. Jonathan
Blanchard who was born in Rockingham, Vt., Jan. 19, 1811, and died
in Wheaton, 111., May 14, 1892. He was educated at Middlebury
College, Vermont, Andover and Lane seminaries ; taught school ;
lectured in the anti-slavery cause ; was American vice-president of
the World's Anti-slavery Convention in London, 1843 ; was pastor
of Sixth Street Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, O., from 1838 to
1845 ; President of Knox College,* Galesburg, 111., from 1846 to
1860, and President of Wheaton College, Wheaton, 111., fi'om
1860 to 1882 ; devoted much of his time to the Christian Associa-
tion opposed to Secret Societies.
Mary Avery Bent left her home in the spring of 1835, when
only sixteen years old, and, with a young friend, set out for the
then distant State of Pennsylvania. The beginning of the follow-
ing year found her principal of the Girls' High School in Harris-
burg, where she first met her future husband, then on an anti-slavery
lecturing tour. Securing her position in Harrisburg for her sister,
she set out in 1837 for Montgomery, Ala., where she taught a few
months in the Female Seminary, and then returned to her Vermont
home. The following fall, a nineteen-year-old bride, she bade fare-
well to her native hills and began her duties as a minister's wife in
Cincinnati. She was a woman of true piety, gentle but resolute,
* Founded in February, 1837.
BENT FAMILY. 79
and in her home, in the church, and in the reforms so ardently
espoused by her husband, was always ready with her untiring
energy and unfailing judgment.
Children, i. to iv. born in Cincinnati, v. to xii. born in Gales-
burg, 111. :
i. Jonathan Edwards^ Blanchard, b. July 24, 1839 ; d. ee. 7
mos.
ii.. Mart Avery Blanchard, b. Jan. 7, 1841 ; d. of consumption
in Wheaton, 111., Dec. 6, 1860 ; graduated from Wheaton Col-
lege, and taught two years ; a bright, sunshiny girl, and a good
singer.
iii. William Walter Blanchard, b. Dec. 16, 1842; d. in in-
fancy.
IT. Catherine Lucretia Blanchard, b. July 13, 1844 ; killed
on the railroad, June 21, 1876 ; m. Sept. 17, 1862, Rev. James
P. Stoddard, and moved to Byron, 111. Six children.
V. Maria Elizabeth Blanchard, b. Oct. 30, 1846 ; graduated
from Wheaton College; m. Aug. 5, 1869, Ezra A. Cook,
printer and book publisher, of Chicago, where she still lives.
Ten children.
vi. Charles Albert Blanchard, b. Nov. 8, 1848; succeeded
his father as President of Wheaton College, where he still
remains ; m. first, 1873, Ellen M. Milligan, who d. October,
1884 ; m. second, 1886, A. Jennie Carothers, who d. February,
1894; m. third, February, 1896, his second wife's sister,
Frances Carothers, M.D., of Des Moines, Iowa. Five chil-
dren by the first marriage, and three by the second.
vii. WiLLisTON Blanchard, b. Sept. 13, 1850; d. as. 7 years,
viii. Nora Emily Blanchard (twin), b. April 3, 1853 ; living in
Wheaton, 111. ; graduated from Wheaton College ; m. Oct. 15,
1873, Henry L. Kellogg of Chicago, 111., who d. in 1895.
Eleven children.
ix. SoNORA Caroline Blanchard (twin), b. April 3, 1853 ; lives
in Wheaton ; graduated from Wheaton College ; m. Decem-
ber, 1875, Thomas E. Kennedy, who d. in 1893 ; lived seven-
teen years in California, where he was principal of the High
School in San Jose, and Inspector of Schools and attorney in
San Francisco. Six children.
X. Julia Waters Blanchard, b. April 16, 1855; living in
Wheaton, 111. ; graduated from Wheaton College ; has pub-
lished a life of her mother (159 pages) ; m. June 30, 1875,^
Herman A. Fischer, professor of mathematics in Wheaton Col-
lege. Eleven children.
xi. Cyrus Louis Blanchard, b. July 11, 1857 ; d. unm. March
10, 1884 ; graduated from Wheaton College, 1878 ; studied law
two years in Chicago, aaid practised four years.
xiL Geraldine Cecilia Blanchard, b. Oct. 15, 1859 ; graduated
from Wheaton College ; living in Wheaton, 111 ; m. June 30,
1882, William H. Fischer, who was professor of modern lan-
guages, but is now practising law in Chicago, 111. He is a
brother of Prof. H. A. Fischer. Eight children.
80 BENT FAMILY.
112
Joseph Aveey® Bent {Samuel B.,^ David,'^ David,'^ John,^
Johii") was born in Middlebury, Vt., April 22, 1823; still living
(1899). He graduated from Middlebury (Vt.) College in 1845,
and was instructor in several seminaries and colleges in the few
succeeding years. He studied theology at Union Seminary, New
York, in 1850, and at Andover, Mass., in 1851-52; preached in
Stowe and Cornwall, Vt., Hoyleton and Huey, 111! He retired
from pastoral work in 1872, and has since been engaged in finding
homes for colonists and others in the West. He lives in South
Omaha, Neb., in summer, and in Houston, Texas, in winter; has
large orchards of pear, plum, peach, fig and other fruit trees at
Areola, eighteen miles from Houston.
He married, in Burlington, Vt., Nov. 21, 1854, Cynthia Ann
(Bullard) Eoot, who died in Wheaton, 111., April 8, 1876.
Children, i. and ii. born in Vermont, iii. and iv. in Hoyleton, 111. :
i. Catherine Mart J b. Nov. 19, 1855 ; living in South Omaha,
Neb. ; m. Feb. 23, 1887, Edmund C. Low, a lawyer, who d.
suddenly in 1898. Three children.
2^2. ii. Joseph Avery, b. April 23, 1857.
263. iii. Samuel Adams, b. March 4, 1861.
iv. Anna Maria, b. July 17, 1862 ; living in Beatrice, Neb. ; m.
Jan. 20, 1890, J. Edward Jones.
113
George® Bent {Samuel B.,^ David,* David,^ John,^ Joh'n})
was born in Middlebury, Vt., March 29, 1827; living with his
children in the West. After two years spent in his brother's dry-
goods store in Boston, he accompanied his brother-in-law. Rev.
Jonathan Blanchard, to Galesburg, 111., where he entered upon a
course of study at Knox College, of which Mr. Blanchard was
president. After graduating, in 1849, he taught school at Brook-
ville, Ind., and Richmond, Ky., for two years, and then prepared
for the ministry at Andover, Mass. (1851-52), and Yale University
(one year). He was ordained as an Orthodox clergyman, Oct.
20, 1856; preached in Dundee, 111., Onoka, Minn., Lansing and
Burr Oak, la., Seneca, Kan., Red Cloud, Loup City and Hazard,
Neb. In Jan., 1892, he was elected Judge of Sherman County,
Neb. Since Jan., 1896, he has retired from active labors.
He married, Sept. 12, 1853, Mary Priscilla, daughter of Roswell
and Elvira Payne. She was born in Bridport, Vt., Jan. 11, 1825,
and died in Nebraska, Aug. 17, 1898.
Children, i. born in Dundee, 111., iii. to vi. born in Burr Oak,
Iowa :
JUDGE GEORGE BENT, OF NEBRASKA.
BENT FAMILY. 81
264. i. George Payne,'^ b. June 16, 1854.
ii. Samuel Browning, d. 1861.
265. iii. Charles Avert, b. Oct. 10, 1860.
iv. Mary Catherine, b. March 31, 1862; d. 1864.
266. V. Arthur Sumner, b. July 17, 1864.
vi. Hattie Maria, b. Aug. 10, 1867 ; living, unm., in Chicago.
Francis® Bent (John,^ Josejjh,* Experience,'^ Joseph ^^ John^),
blacksmith, was born in Middleboro', Mass., March 10, 1754;
moved to Wareham (Mass.), where he died, Oct. 27, 1828, £e. 74.
He was a fifer in Capt. Joshua Benson's company around Boston
from May to Dec, 1775, and tradition adds that at the battle of
Bunker Hill he was detailed to repair muskets near the battlefield.
In Dec, 1776, he marched to Rhode Island in Lieut. Jonah Wash-
burn's company on an alarm; in Sept. and Oct., 1777, he was out
thirty-one days in Capt. Nehemiah Allen's company in another ex-
pedition to Rhode Island ; in May, 1778, he was out a few days at
Dartmouth, and again in Aug., 1780, he saw further service.
After his marriage, he lived a few years in what is now South
Carver, then a part of Plympton, some ten miles south of his birth-
place, but, about 1789, pushed on some seven or eight miles further
south to Wareham, a fishing and manufacturing settlement at the
head of Buzzard's Bay, some sixteen miles from Plymouth. He
lived in the part known as Parker's Mills. The town had been in-
corporated in 1739. Here he did a large business, making harpoons,
agricultural implements, edge tools, etc.
He married, first, Silva Sturdevant, who was born March 16,
1757, and died Aug. 5, 1793 ; married, second, Nov. 20, 1794,
Abigail Dexter Bates, who was born Sept. 4, 1775 ; married, third,
Mrs. Kezia Pierce ; no children by the last marriage.
Children of Francis and Silva, all born in Plympton, probably,
except the last, born in Wareham :
i. IsAAC,'^ b. Feb. 16, 1780; d. June 17, 1799.
ii. Mary, b. Jan. 4, 1782 ; m. Sylvanus Harlow of Bridge water,
Mass.
iii. Sylva, b. Feb. 10, 1784; lived to be over 80; m. Lewis Har-
low of Bridgewater, brother of Sylvanus above.
iv. Francis, b. March 15, 1786; left home in his minority; lived
a few years in Baltimore, Md., where he married ; moved to
Ohio, near Chillicothe, and later removed to Nauvoo, 111., after
the Mormons had been expelled from the place.
267. V. Joseph, b. Feb. 29, 1788.
268. vi. John, b. July 7, 1790.
Children of Francis and Abigail, all born in Wareham :
i. James,'^ b. and d. 1795.
ii. Martin, b. Nov. 14, 1797 ; d. of quick consumption on the way
home from a voyage around Cape Horn.
82 BENT FAMILY.
iii. Isaac, b. Aug. 4,- 1799.
iv. Jane Dexter Bates, b. Feb. 18, 1801 ; d. in Foxboro', Mass.,
Feb. 9, 1874; m. Samuel Fuller of Middleboro', b. Dec. 6,'
1792, d. Feb. 16, 1843. Four children : 1. /awe, » m. George
Godfrey. 2. Susan, m. T. B. Carpenter. 3. Mary, m. Lewis
Pond. 4. Eliza, m. Benjamin Grossman, and lives in Roches-
ter, N. Y.
V. TiRZAH, b. Feb. 13, 1803 ; m. in Canton, Mass., Dec. 5, 1822,
Freeman Belcher. Two children: 1. Mary Ann, ^ m.. lSiI.at,v)s.
Bump. 2. Merritt Bates.
vi. Emeline, b. Oct. 23, 1804; m. Jacob Thompson of Halifax,
Mass. Several children.
vii. James, b. May 20, 1806.
27®t viii. Lucy, b. March 17, 1808 ; m. Jonathan Perry.
ix. Lewis, b. March 7, 1810; d. in Lynn, Mass., Feb. 25, 1870;
m. Jane W. Savary, who d. in Foxboro', Mass., July 24, 1893.
No children.
X. Abigail, b. March 17, 1812 ; d. in Wareham, Mass. ; m. March
1, 1841, Spencer Bartlett. One child, James,^ living in
Wareham.
2.7 !• 511. "Wilson Dexter, b. June, 1814.
xii. Eliza Cobb, b. May 20, 1817 ; d. in East Bridgewater, Mass.,
Dec. 3, 1859; m. Oct. 11, 1835, Lysander Washburn (1810-
1875). Two children: 1. Selden M.,^ living in Westdale,
Mass. 2. Maria, d. July 20, 1854, se. 16.
115
John® Bent {John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^ John}^
was born Feb., 1763, in Middleboro', Mass., where he died Sept.
14, 1853, 2b. 90. Most of his active business life was spent in the
adjoining town of Carver, which was set off from Plympton in
1790 and joins Plymouth. About 1792 he began operating a forge
at what is now known as Benson's Point (Carver), where he made
wrought iron bars; this he sold out in 1798 or 1799, and, with
others, started a furnace in another part of the town, Pope's Point,
where he remained until about 1817, when he and Timothy Savary
purchased the Federal Furnace, where they made hollow ware, pots,
kettles, etc., until about 1830. This latter furnace, erected in
1794, had made cannon balls for the government during the War
of 1812, hence the name.
He married, first, Oct. 26, 1788, Elizabeth Murdock, who was
born June 10, 1771, and died June 7, 1808, youngest daughter of
Bartlett Murdock, who was a son of John and Ruth (Bartlett)
Murdock; married, second, Polly Shaw, who died Jan. 11, 1818.
Children of John and Elizabeth, all born in Carver :
i. Elizabeth,^ b. Nov. 8, 1795 ; d. April 11, 1865 ; m. John Cobb
of Middleboro', brother of George below. Three children :
1. Betsey.^ 2. Lucy. 3. John.
272. ii. Bartlett, b. Nov. 30, 1797.
BENT FAMILY, 83
iii. Lucy, b. June 25, 1801 ; d. March 5, 1842; m. Ellis Griffith.
Four children : 1. Thomas B.,^ h. 1823; d. 1897; capt. of
Co. B, 3d Mass. Infantry in civil war, and afterwards major
of militia and president of Murdock Parlor Grate Co. 2.
Charles W. (1825-1893). 3. Ann M. B., m. Dr. Benjamin
Shurtleff, and went to California. 4. Lucius Ellis, d. during
civil war.
273. iv. Thomas, b. Nov. 8, 1803.
Children of John and Polly, all born in Carver :
i. Emily^ b. Oct. 27, 1810 ; d. in Carver, Nov. 28, 1897 ; m. Nov.
3, 1833, George Cobb, b. in Carver, May 9, 1810, d. in Carver,
Sept. 24, 1854. Five children: 1. Erastus W.,^ b. Nov. 22,
1834 ; d. in Carver, May, 1853. 2. George F., b. Dec. 20,
1835 ; living in Middleboro', Mass. ; m. Jan. 2, 1860, Eliza A.
Murdock of Carver. 3. Melvina F., b. June 2, 1838 ; m. in
December, 1859, W. F. Shurtleff of Carver. 4. Isaac, b.
April 12, 1843 ; living in Boston. 5. Nathan, b. 1847 ; d. 1851.
ii. Mary A., b. Oct. 8, 1812 ; d. in Carver ; m. June 5, 1836, Still-
man Ward. Four children: 1. Henry? 2. Stillman. 3.
Laura. 4. Anselm.
iii. Adaline C, b. Dec. 24, 1814; d. in Carver, June 23, 1864;
m. Harrison Shaw.
iv. George W., b. June 3, 1817; d. in Carver, Mass., Nov. 21,
1892 ; m. Anne Mitchell. No children. With Jesse Mur-
dock, Matt. Ellis and Thomas B. Griffith, he founded, in 1834,
what is now known as the Murdock Parlor Grate Co., of Bos-
ton. The firm was known as Bent, Griffith & Co. until his
retirement, in 1866, after which it became Murdock & Co.,
bearing the latter name until its incorporation in 1875.
116
Experience® Bent {John,^ Joseph,* JExperience,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in Middleboro,' Mass., about 1764, and died in
Middleboro', July 12, 1848, in his 85th year; buried in North
Carver. He married, Oct. 27, 1790, Salome Gushing of Halifax,
Mass., who died in Middleboro', Aug. 27, 1834, in her 63d year.
Children, all born in Middleboro' :
i. Samuel,^ b. April 2, 1791 ; kept a hotel in Rochester, N. Y. ;
was a fine singer ; married and had a daughter.
ii. Lydia, b. March 27, 1793 ; m. Jerome Messinger of New
Hampshire.
iii. Nancy, b. Jan. 24, 1795 ; d. Dec. 27, 1869 ; m. Aug. 22, 1821,
Joab Lindley, an architect. Four children : 1. Warren Joab,^
b. 1822 ; d. in Watertown, Mass., 1865. 2. Charles Decatur,
b. 1824; d. 1832. 3. Nancy Maria, b. June 21, 1826; m.
Henry Bump of Middleboro'. 4. Henry Clay, b. Feb. 28,
1829 ; d. in Foxboro', Mass., June 14, 1895 ; was chaplain in
U. S. army in Texas five years and in civil war three years ;
m. his second cousin, Mary Jane, dau. of Jonathan and Lucy
(Bent) Perry.
84 BENT FAMILY.
iv. Bethia, b. Feb. 19, 1797; m. Cebra Briggs of Middleboro'.
274. V. John, b. May 30, 1799.
. vi. Salome, b. March 9, 1801 ; m. Martin Leach of Putnam, Conn,
vii. Experience, b. May 28, 1803 ; d. unm. Oct. 6, 1825, of heart
disease while dancing,
viii. WiNSLOW, b. July 19, 1805 ; d. July 18, 1827, leaving a widow,
Nancy, who d. Feb. 5, 1837, in her 36th year; both buried
in North Carver.
ix. Everett, b. Dec. 3, 1807 ; d. Oct. 21, 1847 ; m. April 6, 1836,
his cousin Betsey C, dau. of Zenas® Bent.
275. X. Ebenezer, b. Oct. 10, 1809.
276. xi. Luther, b. Jan. 7, 1812.
xii. Otis, b. May 12, 1815; d. Sept. 6, 1815.
277. xiii. Otis, b. May, 1816.
117
William® Bent {John,^ Joseph,'*^ Experience,^ Joseph,^ JoJin^)
was born in Middleboro', Mass., in 1767; was a nail maker, and
moved, about 1796, to Paris,* Me., where he died April 24, 1858,
je. 91. He married, Feb. 23, 1790, Olive Cushman Bessey of
Wareham, Mass., who died in Paris, Me., in 1851.
Children, i. and ii. born in Middleboro', the others in Paris, Me. :
i. Olive,'' b. Nov. 30, 1790 ; d. young.
278. ii. Otis, b. Aug. 23, 1793.
279. ill Orren, b. March 27, 1796.
280. iv. William, b. March 24, 1798.
V. Olive, b. Sept. 10, 1800; m. Mark Rawson.
vi. Bethia, b. Oct. 5, 1802 ; m. Tristam Norton of Livermore,
Me.
vii. Christiana, b. March 4, 1805; m. Alanson M. Dunham of
Norway, Me., where she died,
viii. Almira, b. March 14, 1807 ; d. in Chelsea ; m. Samuel Jack-
son Durell of Chelsea, Mass.
281. ix. John, b. March 12, 1809.
X. Lucy Cole, b. Sept. 15, 1812; d. Nov. 1, 1842; m. 1834,
Simeon Cummings, Jr. (1812-1866) of Paris, Me., store
keeper and deputy sheriff, a man of wealth and influence. He
m. again.
118
Zenas® Bent {Jolin,^ Joseph," Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^^
was born in Middleboro' in 1771 ; died in Middleboro', Feb. 1,
1823 ; buried in North Carver. He married, Sept. 2, 1795, Eunice
Lyon of Halifax, Mass., who died Oct. 8, 1850, te. 74.
Children, all born in Middleboro', probably :
i. Letitia,' b. Oct. 13, 1796 ; d. in Taunton, Mass., Feb. 8, 1869 ;
m. Oct. 13, 1816, Eliab Richardson of Franklin, Mass. Four
children : 1. Harrison Haven^ Richardson, b. Oct. 31, 1817 ;
* Paris incorporated 1793, when Maine was still a part of Massachusetts.
BENT FAMILY. 85
living at Nayatt Point, R. I. ; m. Oct. 2, 1845, Mary Dane
Tripp, by whom he has one son, Louis Haven Richardson.
2. Eveline JEliza Richardson, b. 1821 ; d. about 1837. 3.
Louisa Maria Richardson, b. May 21, 1823 ; d. about 1870.
4. Anginette Amelia Richardson, b. Jan. 27, 1828 ; m. Gus-
tavus Adolphus White, and lives in New Bedford, Mass.
282, ii. AsAHEL, b. 1797.
iii. Elfear (or Fear), d. in East Bridgewater, Mass., aboiat 1856 ;
m. first Standish ; one daughter, Harriet^ Standish, m.
William Baylies of Dighton, Mass. Fear m. second
Edson ; two children : 1. Mary^ Edson. 2. Helen Edson.
Both married.
iv. Betsey Cobb, b. about 1808 ; d. in Middleboro' in 1885 ; m.
first, April 6, 1836, her cousin Everett'^ Bent ; m. second,
Caleb Lucas of Middleboro' ; no children by either marriage.
V. Eunice, b. Nov. 13, 1810 ; d. in Waltham, Mass., Sept. 7, 1828.
vi. Lucy Morse, b. Dec. 25, 1813 ; d. Jan. 13, 1871, ee. 57 ; m.
June 23, 1842, Joseph Pierce of Dighton, Mass., a native of
Fairhaven, Mass., who d. March 22, 1866, ai. 77. Three
children : 1. Charlotte Louise^ Pierce, d. 1852, se. 6. 2. Ros-
well Adrian Pierce. 3. Zenas Pent Pierce, living in Taunton,
Mass.
vii. Zenas, b. AprU 28, 1815 ; lived in Honolulu, S. L, where he
was a builder or repairer of vessels ; lost at sea in the spring
of 1867.
119
Joseph® Bent (Joseph,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born in Plymouth, Mass., about 1760 ; was taken a dozen years
later to Yarmouth, N. S. He married, Aug. 17, 1780, Priscilla,
daughter of Capt. Samuel Harris.
Children, i. and ii. recorded and probably all born in Yar-
mouth, N. S. :
i. Elizabeth,^ b. Sept. 17, 1781 ; d. AprU 26, 1849, je. 67 ; m.
Samuel Rodney. Nine children : 1. Nathan.^ 2. Josiah. 3.
Samuel. 4. Jonathan. 5. Amasa. 6. Cynthia, married Ezra
Harris, Jr. 7. Alice, m. Capt. James Ritchie, Jr. 8. Mary
Ann, m. Capt. William Crosby. 9. Elizabeth, d. unm.
ii. Lucy, b. July 26, 1782 ; m. Ezra Harris.
iii. Esther, m. James Ritchie. Ten children : 1. James.^ 2. Wil-
liam. 3. Elihu, d. unm. 4. Joel. 5. Esther, m. Wellington
Wyman. 6. Mary, m. first John Gray, and second his brother
Nelson Gray. 7. Charlotte, m. Benjamin Whitehouse. 8.
Benjamin. 9. Joseph JV. 10. Isabel, m. William Thurston,
Jr.
iv. Bethiah, m. John Porter,
v. Hannah, m. Nov. 1806, Benjamin Harris, Jr.
283, vi. Waterman.
vii. Joseph.
284, viii. Samuel.
bb BENT FAMILY.
285. ix. JoH?f.
X. Priscilla.
xi. ZiLPAH.
120
Elkanah® Bent (Joseph,^ Josejjh,^ ^xperience,^ Joseph^^
John^), mariner, was born, probably, in Plymouth, Mass.; went
to Yarmouth, N. S., with his parents in 1772 ; died at Short Beach,
N. S., June 27, 1858. He lived in Yarmouth, N. S., until the war
of 1812, when the vessel in which all of his money was invested
was taken by an American privateer, it is said. He then moved
some ten miles from Yarmouth, to what is now known as Short
Beach or Sanford, and made a home for himself and family in the
wilderness. He married Eunice, daughter of Nathaniel Elwell,
who moved from Beverly, Mass., to Yarmouth, N. S., in 1765.
Children, all born in Yarmouth, N. S. :
i. JoHN,^ b. 1794 ; d. May 16, 1861.
286. ii. James.
iii. Hannah, d. at Short Beach, N. S. ; m. Aaron Baker, farmer,
of Short Beach, N. S. Two children : 1. Albert,^ a sea cap-
tain. 2. Annie, m. Charles Crosby and lived in Lynn, Mass.
287. iv. William.
V. Eunice, d. Jan. 21, 1888 ; m. Samuel Raymond and lived in
Milton Highlands, N. S. Five children,
vi. Sarah, d. in Chebogue, N. S. ; m. Dimock Doane. No child-
ren.
288. vii. Alexander.
viii. Rebecca, b. Sept. 16, 1808 ; d. Feb. 16, 1856 ; m. first, Feb.
6, 1834, Robert Beveridge, a sea cajotain ; m. second, Jan. 11,
1849, John Phillips. Three children by first marriage : 1.
Amanda Malvina^ Beveridge, b. June 10, 1835 ; living at Lake
Darling, N. S. ; m. June 26, 1853, Daniel Ellis, and has had
eleven children. 2. Robert Beveridge, b. Oct. 7, 1838. 3.
Thomas Beveridge, b. Oct. 26, 1840. One child by second
marriage, John Thompson Phillips, b. May 24, 1851.
289. ix. Charles, b. Dec. 1810.
121
James® Bent {JosepTi,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^ JosepJi,^ John^^
was born, probably, in Plymouth, Mass., taken by his parents to
Yarmouth, N. S., in 1772, and died Dec. 26, 1849. He married
Esther, dau. of Samuel Baker.
Children, i. to iii. recorded in Yarmouth, N. S. :
i. Elkanah,^ b. Jan. 24, 1803.
ii. Lois, b. Dec. 27, 1805 ; m. Feb. 6, 1841, Charles Munro.
iii. James, b. Oct. 29, 1807 ; settled in Liverpool, N. S.
iv. Amos.
V. Wealthy, b. 1811 ; d. unm. April 4, 1889.
BENT FAMILY. 87
vi. Milton, lost witli the brig Paragon in Feb. 1841.
vii. William.
viii. Phcebe, lost and frozen to death when about six years old.
Joseph® Bent {Joseph,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph, "^ John^) far-
mer, was born Aug. 21, 1762, in Milton, Mass., where he died
Sept. 25, 1849, £e. 87 ; a major of militia; moderator of the town
meetings in 1808, 1810 and 1814. He married, March 20, 1787,
Sarah White of Milton, where she died Jan. 19, 1857, 2&. 88.
Children, all born in Milton :
i. Sally,"^ b. Nov. 23, 1787; d. unm. in Milton, July 15, 1829.
ii. Eunice, b. Jan. 20, 1790 ; d. unm. in Milton, Feb. 5, 18.57.
iii. Nancy, b. Nov. 29, 1799 ; d. unm. in Milton, April 1, 1889,
2d. 89.
123
Lemuel® Bent (^William,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born Feb. 17, 1766, in the village of Ponkipog, now a part of
the town of Canton, then a part of Stoughton, Mass. Sometime
before his marriage he moved to Alexandria, Va., but before 1800
transferred his residence to Winchester, Va., where he died April
5, 1849, £6. 83. He was clerk in the court at Winchester, and later
clerk of the railroad running from Winchester to Harper's Ferry.
He married, Sept. 13, 1792, Betsey Lewis, born in Dedham, Mass.,
Nov. 19, 1766, died in Winchester, Va., June, 1850, ae. 83, daugh-
ter of Joseph and Molly (Baker) Lewis.
Children, i. born in Alexandria, Va., the others in Winchester,
Va.:
i. Eliza Lewis,'^ b. Aug. 18, 1797 ; d. in Wilkesbarre, Pa., Jan.
13, 1865, £6. 67 ; m. June 20, 1816, Alexander Holliday of
Winchester, Va. One child, Elizabeth Benf Holliday, b. April
16, 1822 ; d. Sept. 28, 1868 ; m. Rev. Archibald Alexander
Hodge, D.D., LL.D., afterwards of Princeton Theological
Seminary. He d. Nov. 11, 1886, iS. 63, leaving two daughters,
both born in India: (1) Sarah Bache Hodge,^ living in
Princeton, N. J. (2) Elizabeth Holliday Hodge, d. March
15, 1893.
290. ii. Mary Ann, b. June 8, 1800 ; m. Rev. Francis McFarland.
iii. RoxANA Dabney, b. March 20, 1802 ; d. unm. in Winchester,
Va., Dec. 23, 1869.
iv. Theda Ellis, b. Feb. 14, 1805 ; d. unm. Nov. 21, 1836.
V. Nathaniel, b. April 18, 1807 ; a Presbyterian elder and bank
teller in Winchester, Va., where he died Dec. 11, 1869 ; m.
in 1836 Martha Little of Winchester, who d. a few days after
her husband. No children,
vi. William Lemuel, b. Jan. 13, 1814 ; was deputy county clerk
and afterwards in the insurance business ; d. in Winchester,
Va., Dec. 11, 1878, ae. 64 ; m. Dec. 25, 1845, Martha Annan
of Maryland. No children.
BENT FAMILY.
124
William' Bent ( William,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,"^ Joseijh,^ John})
was born Nov. 13, 1775, in Canton, Mass., where he died Dec. 26,
1847, ae. 72. He married, Oct. 12, 1811, Judith Swift Crane,
who died in June, 1866.
Children, all recorded in Canton but the last:
i. Lemuel,^ b. 1812 ; d. 1814.
ii. Sarah, b. Oct. 26, 1813 ; d. in Thompsonville, Conn., Feb.
1891; m. Dec. 12, 1832, Elijah Benton. One daughter,
Charlotte T., m. in 1862 Benjamin F. Lord of Thompsonville,
Conn,
iii. Betsey, b. Feb. 21, 1815 ; d. in Kalamazoo, Mich., about 1859 ;
m. in 1844 James Porter of Thompsonville, Conn. No
children,
iv. Chloe, b. Jan. 24, 1817 ; d. unm. in hospital at Boston, Oct.
31, 1877.
V. Lemuel, b. Oct. 28, 1818 ; d. Sept. 1835.
291. vi. William Henry, b. Jiine 13, 1819. .
292. vii. RuFus, b. Oct. 21, 1821.
293. viii. Joseph, b. Aug. 5, 1823.
294. ix. Charles Crane, b. Sept. 8, 1826.
%. Ann, b. March 3, 1829 ; d. July, 1891 ; m. George Benton of
Canton, Mass., brother of Elijah above. Two children : 1.
Walter^ Benton, m. in 1877 Ella Jaquith of Boston. 2. JSlisa
Otis Benton, m. in 1880 Wellington Donaldson.
xi. Horatio Nelson, b. about 1831 ; d. unm. in Burlington, Kan.,
Nov. 24, 1873 ; went West when young and located in Bur-
lington, Kan. ; was a blacksmith, but read law, and from 1862
to 1868 was probate judge. He is described as an odd genius,
tall, angular, careless in dress, but of a naturally legal turn
of mind, with a wonderful memory, and in general a sort of
walking encyclopedia.
125
Chloe® Bent (WilUani,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ Johv})
was born March 9, 1781, in Canton, Mass., where she died May
14, 1852, £6. 71. She married. May 21, 1804, Deacon Thomas
Dunbar, born July 25, 1775, died Dec. 8, 1855 ; a farmer who had,
during a part of his life at least, a forge and a grist mill ; was
descended, through Hon. Elijah'^ (1740-1817) and Rev. SamueP
(1704-1783) from John' Dunbar, who came from Scotland to Bos-
ton about 1700, married Martha Holmes, and died in 1708.
Children, all born in Canton, Mass. :
i. Chloe^ Dunbar, b. May 1, 1805 ; d. unm. Oct. 27, 1887.
ii. Thomas Dunbar (twin), b. Jan. 30, 1807 ; d. Feb 5, 1807.
iii. Nathaniel Dunbar (twin), b. Jan. 30, 1807 ; d. July 11,
1883 ; m. first, April 24, 1833, Julia Ann Cascalean Chase ;
BENT FAMILY. 89
m. second, Aug. 20, 1838, Frances Ann Draper ; m. third,
Feb. 19, 1857, Lucinda Draper. By the second marriage he
had five children : 1. Francis Draper} 2. Louisa. 3.
Nathaniel William. 4. Anna Lucinda. 5. Julia Ann Cas^
calean.
iv. William Dunbar, b. March 27, 1809 ; d. unm. Sept. 2, 1867,
V. Dorothy Dunbar, b. Oct. 5, 1810 ; d. unm. Sept. 7, 1833.
vi. Samuel Dunbar, b. Nov. 12, 1812 ; d. in 1813.
vii. Thomas Dunbar, born Aug. 19, 1814 ; d. in Canton, Aug. 3,
1899; m. first, Dec. 20, 1837, Hannah Howe French; m.
second, Sept. 29, 1869, Mrs. Harriet E. (Chamberlain) Went-
vrorth. By the first marriage he had six children : 1. Charles
French,^ b. Jan. 6, 1839. 2. Frederic, b. 1840 ; d. 1883. 3.
Edward Thomas, b. 1844; d. 1849. 4. Alice Hannah, b.
1848; d. 1849. 5. Elwin Eugene, b. 1850; d. 1874. 6.
William Thomas, b. 1854 ; d. 1883.
viii. Sarah Dunbar, b. July 17, 1816 ; d. Oct. 12, 1889 ; m. June
19, 1834, Nathaniel Davenport (1811-1894). Seven children :
1. Jane.^ 2. Nathaniel Thomas. 3. James Dunbar. 4.
Francis William. 5. George Lyman. 6. Helen. 7. Waldo
Emerson.
ix. Hannah Dunbar, b. July 17, 1816; d. Dec. 17, 1846; m.
April 30, 1840, Gerry Tucker. Two children : 1. Samuel?
2. Emily.
X. Mart Ann Dunbar, b. Feb. 21, 1819 ; d. June 27, 1868 ; m.
Nov. 12, 1840, Virgil J. Messinger. Three children : 1.
Mary Fidelia.^ 2. Virgil Dunbar, d. young. 3. Herbert
Stanley, b. 1847 ; d. 1889.
xi. Elijah Dunbar, b. Jan. 6, 1821 ; m. April 23, 1859, Virginia
Clifford. Three children : 1. T^aura Clifford,^ d. young. 2,
Edward Clifford, b. 1862. 3. He7iry Clifford, b. 1867.
xii. Julia Dunbar, b. Sept. 29, 1823 ; d. April 17, 1825.
James® Bent ( William,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Joh'n})
was born Dec. 31, 1784, in the part of Stoughton, Mass., that was
incorporated in 1797 as the town of Canton, where he died Feb.
3, 1847, se. 62. He was a gun-smith and sword-cutler, and worked
at the armory in Hichmond, Va., during the early part of the war
of 1812. He evidently was a good workman, as is shown by the
following certificate, which has been preserved :
Virginia Manufactory of Arms, June, 1813.
James Bent, lately an Artificer in this Manufactory, and now in the
State of Massachusetts, during his employment here was under my Superin-
tendence for nearly five years. I have pleasure in saying he conducted
himself with great propriety, and is a good workman at polishing all kinds
0$ arms, finishing pistols, &c.
Given under my hand the date above.
Jn Staples, Sup't.
90 BENT FAMILY.
After his return to Massachusetts, he worked at the machinist's
trade a part of the time and taught school winters ; but from 1833
until his death in 1847, he kept the Massapoag House in Canton.
The hotel was built in 1789, and is still standing. From 1819 to
1824, he was adjutant of a militia regiment. He married, April
18, 1815, Hannah Crane Davenport, born Dec. 8, 1791, died Oct.
2, 1870, daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Crane) Davenport of
Canton.
Children, all born in Canton :
i. Hannah,'^ b. Jan. 28, 1817 ; d. unm. in Canton, Oct. 25, 1887.
ii. Harriet, b. Jan. 28, 1817 ; d. se. 11 mos.
ill. Elijah, b. May 5, 1824 ; d. unm. in Canton, March 23, 1893.
295. iv. Nathaniel, b. May 5, 1824.
127
Ann® Bent {Rufus,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Joh'n}) was
born in Milton, Mass., June 19, 1768 ; died, unmarried, in Canton,
Mass., Feb. 27, 1857, se. 88. As a young woman, she taught
school on Milton Hill, but in 1795 opened a store on what is now
Washington Street (then Marlboro' Street), near Summer Street,
Boston, where she continued in active business until 1833. Her
shop was a sort of ladies' exchange, and she was well and favorably-
known. She was a capable, energetic and generous woman, says
the historian of Milton, and a constant attendant at the Federal
Street Church during Channing's and Gannett's pastorates. For
several years she lived over her store, even after she had turned the
management of the business over to her relatives, Ann and WiUiam
H. Allen, who continued there until the great fire of 1872 ; but the
last two years of her life were spent with her sister, Mrs. Kinsley,
in Canton. Her store was valued at $24,000 at her death.
128
Prudence® Bent (Hufus,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Joseph," Joh7i^),
married, Aug. 18, 1794, Silas Kinsley, farmer, of Canton, Mass.
Children, all born in Canton :
i. Silas'' Kinsley, b. April 24, 1795.
ii. RuFus Bent Kinsley, b. March 20, 1797 ; d. in Newport, R.
I., Feb. 5, 1870 ; founded Kinsley's Express between Boston
and Newport ; this was afterward consolidated with the Adams
Express Co., of which he became a director.
iii. Mary Kinsley, b. April 2, 1798.
iv. Allen Kinsley, b. April 25, 1801.
V. Charles Kinsley, b. Feb. 21, 1806.
vi. Ann Kinsley, b. July 17, 1808.
vii. Maria Kinsley, b. May 9, 1810.
viii. Sarah Barnard Kinsley, b. July 15, 1812.
BENT FAMILY. 91
ix. Henry Kinsley (twin), b. Feb. 4, 1816.
X. Helen Kinsley (twin), b. Feb. 4, 1816.
xi. Edward James Kinsley, b. Marcb 9, 1820.
129
Aeethusa® Bent (Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,"^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born in Milton, Mass., Dec. 24, 1759 ; moved about 1765 with
her parents to Fort Lawrence, N. S., where she died March 16,
1820, fe. 60. She married, Jan. 7, 1779, Ephraim Church of
Windsor, N. S., born in Little Compton, R. L, Sept. 20, 1751,
died in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Oct. 3, 1790.
Children of Ephraim and Arethusa (Bent) Church :
i. Charles Church,'' b. April 13, 1780; d. unm. Sept. 16, 1812.
ii. George Church, b. Feb. 7, 1782 ; d. Feb. 10, 1870 ; farmer,
in Fort Lawrence, N. S. ; m. Anna Brownell, who d. Jan.
14, 1876, se. 90. Seven children: 1. Melinda,^ vn. Edward
Carter. 2. Elizabeth, m. William Atkinson. 3. Thomas. 4.
Lavinia, m. William Smith. 5. Cynthia, m. Edward Barnes
of Wood Point, N. B. 6. Jeremiah, went to California. 7.
Ephraim, living unm. at Fort Lawrence, N. S.
iii. Jesse Church, b, Jan. 22, 1784; d. Sept. 15, 1856; farmer;
lived at Point de Bute, N. B., and East Amherst, N. S. ; m.
April 14, 1808, Lavinia Brownell (1788-1869). Fifteen
children : 1. Ephraim. 2. Anna Brownell, m. John William
Burnham of St. John, N. B. 3. Arethusa Bent, m. Amos Bots-
ford Barnes, grandson of Jacobina^ Bent, who m. Nehemiah
Ayer. 4. Lavinia, m. George Frederick Calkins. 5. Charles
Lemuel. 6. William Constant. 7. Aaron Alexander. 8. Jessie
JRebecca, unm. 9. James Harvey, d. in Austin, Texas, 1880.
10. Margaret Ann, m. William Edward Weldon of Moncton,
N. B. 11. Edward Weldon. 12. Clarissa. 13. Harlon. 14.
Sarah Oressa. 15. Caroline Elizabeth. Last five d. young.
iv. Edward Church, b. Oct. 27, 1786 ; m. Isabel Weldon. Twelve
children. 1. Sarah, m. John Travis. 2. Elizabeth, m. James
Travis. 3. Catherine, m. James Schurman of River Philip,
N. S. 4. Abel, m. Bent. 5. Clementina, m. Rufus
Henson of Oxford, N. S. 6. Matilda, m. Vickery.
7. Selina, m. Leek. 8. Augusta, m. ■ Howard.
9. John, m. Mrs. Eliza (Black) Black, dau. of Joshua and
Amy® (Bent) Black. 10. Harvey, d. young. 11. Martha, d.
young. 12. Arethusa, d. young.
V. Elizabeth Church, b. Jan. 29, 1788 ; m. Sylvanus Miner of
Mt. Whately, N. B. Two children : 1. George. 2. John.
vi. Lavinia Church, b. Jan. 28, 1790; m. John McClelan of Fort
Lawrence, N. S. Five children.
130
Martin® Bent (Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^), far-
mer, was born in Milton, Mass., April 16, 1762; was taken in
92 BENT FAMILY.
childhood to Fort Lawrence, N. S., where he died April 20, 1842,
ae. 80. He married, Deo. 12, 1786, Mrs. Amy (Esterbrooks)
Ayer, born Sept. 14, 1763, died June 4, 1845, widow of Capt.
Mariner Ayer of Sackville, N. B., a sea captain, who died March
10, 1785, the result of his vessel being wrecked near Grand Manan.
Children, all born in Fort Lawrence, N. S. :
296. i. Cynthia,'' b. Sept. 7, 1787 ; m. Harmon Trueman.
ii. LoviCY, b. 1789 ; d. 1793.
297. iii. Calvin Gay, b. Nov. 9, 1791.
298
299
301
302
iv. Martin, b. July 30, 1793.
V. Eunice Conviss, b. Feb. 15, 1796 ; m. Robert K. Trueman.
vi. Seraphina, b. Sept. 5, 1798 ; m. Richard Hewson.
vii. James Valentine, b. Oct. 18, 1800.
viii. John, b. April 6, 1806.
131
Jacobina^ Bent (Jesse,^ Joh7i,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was
born in Milton, Mass., Jan. 26, 1764; taken soon afterward to
Fort Lawrence, N. S., and died in Sackville, N. B., March 23,
1840, 96. 76. She married, Sept. 11, 1783, Nehemiah Ayer, born
1754, died Oct. 3, 1842.
Children :
i. LucRETiA Ayer,'' b. Oct. 9, 1786 ; m. Oliver Barnes of Wood
Point, N. B. Ten children : 1. Rebecca.^ 2. Stephen. 3.
An7i. 4. Charles. 5. Martha. 6. Sarah, m. John^ Bent.
7. Matilda. 8. Eunice. 9. Olive. 10. Lucretia. 11. Letitia.
ii. Thomas Ayer, b. Oct. 3, 1788 ; m. — Estabrooks.
Seven children : 1. Valentine.^ 2. Manford. 3. William.
4. Charles. 5. Joseph. 6. Cynthia. 7. Jane.
iii. Jane Ayer, b. May 23, 1790 ; m. James Barnes and lived near
Sackville, N. B. Twelve children : 1. Cynthia.^ 2. Jacohina.
3. Jane. 4. Prudence.. 6. John. 6. Rebecca. 7. Julia. 8.
Silas. 9. James. 10. Edward. 11. Amos Botsford, m.
Arethusa Bent Church, granddaughter of Arethusa® Bent. 12.
Alfred,
iv. Jesse Ayer, b. Sept. 29, 1794; lived at Beech Hill, N. B.; m.
Harper. Six children : 1. Albert.^ 2. Edward.
3. John. 4. Eelle. 5. Eunice. 6. Mercy.
V. Joseph Ayer, b. Dec. 2, 1796; d. unm. in Sackville, N. B.,
where he was a mill-wright.
vi. James Ayer, b. Nov. 3, 1798 ; manufacturer in Middle Sack-
ville ; m. Elizabeth Chase of Cornwallis, N. S. Six child-
ren: 1. Stephen.^ 2. James R. ^.Nehemiah. ^. Jacobina,
m. Charles Stockton of St. John, N. B. 5. Submit. 6. Sarah.
vii. William Ayer, b. Dec. 9, 1801 ; lived in Sackville, N. B.
Two children : 1. Jacobina.^ 2. Alfred.
viii. Sarah Ayer, b. Dec. 17, 1804 ; lived in Sackville, N. B. ;
m. Henry Ogden, a farmer. Three children : 1. Amos.^ 2.
Eunice. 3. William.
ix. Eunice Ayer, b. March 2, 1807 ; d. unm.
BENT FAMILY. 93
132
Cynthia® Bent (Jesse,^ John^" Joseph,^ Joseph^^ Joh'n})
was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., April 22, 1766. She married
George Oxley, and settled in Wallace, N. S.
Children :
i. Eunice^ Oxley, d. unm,
ii. Mart B. Oxley, m. Richard Smith of Maitland, N. S. No
children,
iii. Joseph Oxley, living in "Wallace, N. S. ; m. Miss Nichols. No
cliildren.
iv. Arethusa Oxley, m. Richard Black of River Philip, N. S.
Nine children: 1. George Oxley. ^ 2. Cynthia, m. John
Powers of Black River, N. S. 3. Richard Lorenzo. 4.
Jane, m. Edwin J. Purdy of Westchester, N. S. 5. James.
6. Elizabeth, m. Henry Cove. 7. Margaret, m. Martin^ Bent
{q. v.). 8. Emeline, m. Caleb Schurman of Black River,
N. S. 9. Augusta, m. her cousin Rupert Donkin of River
Phihp, N. S.
v. H. Nelson Oxley, d. unm.
vi. Georgianna Oxley, m. Mr. Stephens of Wallace, N. S.
vii. Cynthia Eliza Oxley, m. Robert Donkin of River Philip,
N. S. Six children : 1. George.^ 2. Olivia, m. John W.
Schurman of River Philip, N. S. 3. Hiram. 4, Fredenc. 5.
Rupert. 6. Amelia, m. first, Charles Lawrence of Southampton,
N. S. ; m. second, Mr. Pugsley of Amherst, N. S.
"viii. Almira Oxley, m. David Freeze of Maitland, N. S. Three
children: 1. George.^ 2. Frederic. 3. Abigail.
ix. Margaret Wooler Oxley, m. James Christie of River
Hebert, N. S. Seven children : 1. George.^ 2. Robert. 3.
Charles. 4. Alexander. 5. Edward. 6. Angelina. 7. Mary.
133
Teyphenia® Bent (Jesse,^ Jokn,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,' John^)
was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Oct. 1, 1767 ; died in Maccan( ?),
N. S., Aug. 25, 1858, ^e. 85. She married, Nov. 22, 1786, Luke
Harrison, born in Yorkshire, Eng., Aug. 25, 1754, died April 25,
1820, son of John and Sarah (Lovell) Harrison, who came from
England to Maccan, N. S., in 1774.
Children :
i. Jane'^ Harrison, m. ■ Bostwick. No children.
ii. Margaret Harrison, d. young.
iii. George Harrison.
iv. Hannah Harrison, m. Boss.
V. Amy Harrison, m. Dodsworth.
vi. Eunice Harrison, m. Boss.
vii. Elizabeth Harrison, m. Smith.
viii. Joseph Harrison.
ix. Jesse Harrison.
94 BENT FAMILY.
134
Eunice® Bent (Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was
born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., March 31, 1769 ; died in Amherst,
N. S., June, 1832, se. 63. She married Samuel Freeman of
Amherst, N. S.
Children :
i. Emily' Freeman, m. George Mason Black of Dorchester, N. B.
Five children : 1. Silas,^ was a carriage manufacturer in Sack-
ville, N. B. 2. Elizabeth, m. John Smith of Memrancook,
N. B. 3. Alfred, living in California. 4. Eunice, m. James
Dunbar Dixon of Sackville, N. B. 5. Mary Jane, m. Amos
Ogden, a shipping and lumber merchant, of Sackville, N. B.
ii. Jame% Freeman, m. first, Emily Blake, by whom he had : 1.
Samuel E.^ 2. Eunice. 3. George B. He m. second. Miss
McCully, by whom he had one child, Emily.
iii. Elizabeth Freeman, m. James Page of Amherst, N. S.
Seven children : 1. Eunice,^ m. White and went
to California. 2. Jane, m. first, Mr. Elderkin, and second,
Thomas De Wolfe of Dartmouth, N. S. 3. Edward. 4.
Silas, went to the Sandwich Islands to live. 5. Emily, m.
Jeremiah Church. 6. Albert, living in California. 7. Eliza-
beth, living unm.
iv. Jacobin A Freeman, m. William White® Bent {q. v.).
V. George Freeman, d. suddenly when a young man ; m. Annie
Dow ; no children.
vi. Samuel Freeman, m. Miss Tait. Three daughters^ and one
son, Samuel, who m. Mary AmeUa, dau. of Jesse'' Bent (5^. v.).
185
Ebenezee Vose® Bent (Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,"
John^), farmer, was born March 3, 1771, in Fort Lawrence, N. S.,
where he died June, 1855, £e. 84. He had a large farm near his
father's. He married, Oct. 23, 1799, Lucy Miner of Horton (the
Grand Pre of Longfellow's Evangeline), N. S. She died se. 73.
Children, all born in Fort Lawrence, N. S. :
303. i. Sarah,' b. 1800 ; m. Robert Embree.
ii. Lucy Ann, b. 1802; m. Joseph Bowser of Sackville, N. B. ;
their only child d. in infancy.
301. iii. Amy, b. 1804 ; m. Joshua Black.
305. iv. Almira, b. 1806 ; m. John Embree.
306. V. Cynthia, b. 1809 ; m. George Fullerton.
vi. Jesse L., b. 1812 ; lived in Sackville, N. B. ; magistrate for
Westmoreland Co., N. B. ; d. Sept. 27, 1889 ; m. Ruth Scurr
of Sackville. No children,
vii. Hannah, b. 1817 ; d. 1860 ; m. Isaac Logan, farmer, of Salem,
N. S. Three children : 1. Bessie,^ unm. 2. Annie, m.
James W. Clark of Moncton, N. B. 3. Son, d. young.
BENT FAMILY . 95
136
Jesse® Bent ( Jesse, ^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ John^) was born
in Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1773 ; took his father's homestead, and
died there March 3, 1839, se. 66. He married Dorothy Freeman,
who died June 7, 1842, eldest daughter of Samuel Freeman of
Amherst, N. S.
Children, all born in Fort Lawrence, N. S. :
307. i. William Freeman/ b. 1799.
808. ii. Samuel, b. 1801.
309. iii. Matilda, b. 1804 ; m. John William Smith.
310. iv. Ann, b. 1806 ; m. James Smith.
311. V. Susan, b. 1809 ; m. first, George Chapman ; m. second, Bradley
Etter.
312. vi. ToRREY, b. 1811.
313. vii. Jane, b. Dec. 4, 1813 ; m. Andrew Reed Chapman.
314. viii. Jesse, b. 1816,
ix. Lemuel, b. 1818 ; d. in Point de Bute, N. B., Feb. 1892 ; m.
in 1847, Mary Dixon of Point de Bute, who d. Jan. 1898.
No children ; they adopted Jesse'^ Bent's dau. Mary.^
137
Hannah® Bent (Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was
born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Nov. 29, 1777 ; died at River Philip,
N. S., April 29, 1869, ^e. 91. She married. May 10, 1810, William
McAUan of Mt. Whatley, N. S., his second marriage. He died
June, 1820. Some of the descendants write the name McCallin.
Children :
i. Elvira^ McAllan, b. March 11, 1811; d. May 3, 1859;
m. James Ferguson (1809-1870) of Fort Lawrence, N. S.
Nine children : 1. Cynthia,^ d. 1846, «. 13. 2. William 0.
3. Annie E., living in St. John, N. B. ; m. R. R. Page. 4.
Mary J., m. E, C. Estabrooks of Sackville, N. B,, and later
moved to Boston. 5. Sarah M., m. George P. Rodgers of
Amherst, N. S. 6. ^^e ^., d. 1864, fe. 18. 1. James R. 8.
Matilda S., m. E. L, Patch of Boston. 9. Lucia M., m. W. C.
Harper of Amherst, N. S.
ii. John Bent McAllan, b. July 11, 1812 ; living with his dau.
in Portsmouth, N. H. ; writes his name McCallin ; m. Mary
Jane Schiirman, dau. of John S. Schurman of River Philip,
N. S. Nine children : 1. Elizabeth^ m. Hanson Harrison
of Maccan, N. S. ; now living in Portsmouth, N. H. 2.
Eunice, living in Amesbury, Mass. ; m. first, Fred Shaw, and
second, Frank J. Harvey. 3. Mary, m. John Somerby of
Portsmouth, N. H. 4. Clara, m. Joseph C. Shaw of Ports-
mouth, N. H. 5. Sarah, d. fe. 30. 6. William. 7. Elvira,
m. C. P. Haley. 8. Kate, m. C. P. Haley, who afterwards m.
her sister. 9. Maretta, living in Danvers, Mass. ; m. Edward
E. Tozer.
96 BENT FAMILY.
iii. Cynthia McAllan, m. Patrick Baird of River Hebert, N. S.
Nine children: 1. John Dixon? 2. William McCallin. 3.
Mary Elizabeth, m. Michael Hogan. 4. Samuel. 5. Hannah,
m. Capt. WingjBeld Yates Theal. 6. Thomas, d. unm. in
Texas. 7. JRufus. 8. James. 9. Alexander Clarh.
138
Lemuel® Bent (Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^), far-
mer, was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., October, 1783 ; lived in
East Amherst, N. S., where he died October, 1843, ae. 60. He
married Elizabeth Davis of Horton, N. S., or vicinity, who sur-
vived her husband several years.
Children, all born in Nova Scotia :
315. i. Albert.
316. ii. VosE.
iii. Samuel Freeman, d, unm.
iv. Silas, carpenter ; d. unm. in Maine,
v. Charles Edward.
vi. William, d. young.
317. vii. Benjamin Page,
viii. Thomas Hanlet, farmer ; living unm. in Amherst, N. S.
ix. Charlotte Marilla, living in East Amherst, N. S. ; m. Silas
Edward Travis, farmer. Two children : 1. James Wilber,
living in Montreal. 2. Edward St. Claire, living in East
Amherst, N. S.
139
John® Bent (John,^ John,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^'), farmer,
was born in Amherst, N. S. ; died in Nova Scotia, April 7, 1854.
He married, Jan. 5, 1815, Martha McLellan.
Children, all born in Brookdale, N. S. :
318. i. Edward,' b. Dec. 28, 1815.
ii. Mary, b. May 11, 1817 ; living in Amherst, N. S. ; m. Moses
Lowe, who d. in Amherst,
iii. Martha Ann (twin), b. Oct. 3, 1819 ; m. Alfred Black.
319. iv. John (twin), b. Oct. 3, 1819.
V. Samuel, b. Dec. 8, 1822 ; d. in Virginia while a young man ;
was a daguerreotyper.
320. vi. Charles, b. Jan. 10, 1826.
vii. Eleanor Jane, b. April 10, 1829 ; living in Amherst, N. S. ;
m. Nathan Tupper, M.D.
321. viii. William White, b. Aug. 24, 1831.
140
Daniel® Bent {John,^ John* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Johv}') waa
born in Amherst, N. S. He lived in Salem, N. S. He married
Sarah Wetherhead.
BENT FAMILY. 97
Children, all born in Nova Scotia :
i. Wetherhead,' living in Leicester, N. S. ; has one dau.^ who
m. Rev. George Glendenning.
ii. Betsey.
iii. BiNA.
iv. Lucy, m. her cousin Rupert' Bent.
V. ASETHUSA.
141
"William White® Bent {John,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
Joh'n}^ was born Jan. 7, 1800, in Amherst, N. S., where he died
April 25, 1866. He represented Cumberland County in the local
House for several years. He married, March 17, 1829, Jacobina,
born May 16, 1806, died Jan. 26, 1862, daughter of Eunice" (Bent)
Freeman (q.v.).
Children, all born in Amherst, N. S. :
i. Augusta A./ b. May 7, 1830 ; living ia Amherst, N. S. ; m.
Oct. 22, 1867, Jesse G. Harding of New Castle (Miramichi),
N. B., who d. Dec. 30, 1898. Three children: 1. WtUiam
Edward.^ 2. Bessie. 3. Ernest S., a doctor in Montreal.
ii. Eunice, b. May 31, 1832 ; living in Amherst, N. S. : m. March
20, 1860, Hon. Thomas R. Black, M.P.P., of Amherst, N. S.
Five children : 1. William. 2. Charles. 3. Mary, d. 1881.
4. Emma, d. 1877. 5. Mira.
iii. Rupert Freeman, b. May 17, 1837 ; living in Amherst, N. S. ;
m. Jan. 11, 1871, his cousin Lucy, dau. of Daniel^ Bent ; no
children.
322, iv. Frederic W., b. Feb. 20, 1840.
V. Charles H., b. April 26, 1843 ; living in Amherst, N. S. ; m.
April 17, 1867, Martha Lowe. One child, Mary Louise, b.
Dec. 16, 1870.
142
Ezea* Bent {John, ^ John, '^ Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ John^') was born
in Amherst, N. S. He took his father's homestead, which is now
occupied by his daughter Frances. He married Ellen McMonagle.
Children, all born in Amherst, N. S. :
i. Mary,^ b. 1824.
ii. Sarah, b. 1826.
iii. Ellen, b. 1828.
823. iv. John Hugh, b. April 12, 1830.
V. Richard, b. 1832 ; went to New Zealand,
vi. Frances, b. 1834; living unm. on the old homestead in Am-
herst, N. S.
vii. Annie, b. 1836.
98 BENT FAMILY.
143
Shepherd^ Bent {Ebenezer,^ Ehenezer,'^ Jose2^h,^ Joseph,^
John^), farmer, was born Nov. 27, 1768, in Milton, Mass., where
he died Aug. 27, 1828, £6. 59. He was in Capt. James Robinson's
company, of Dorchester, that was called out to suppress Shays'
rebellion in January and February, 1787. He married, in 1795,
Susannah Glover, born Dec. 30, 1771, died in Dorchester, July 23,
1853, ffi. 81, daughter of Thomas Glover of Milton.
Children, all born in Milton :
i. Charles,'' b. Dec. 8, 1796 ; went to Sandwich Islands and m.
a native.
324. ii. Samuel Glover, b. Jan. 21, 1799.
iii. Lewis, d. unm. in Milton, Oct. 15, 1836.
iv. Eunice, b. March 24, 1802 ; d. in Dorchester, Mass., July 2,
1893, fe. 91 ; m. Oct. 19, 1823, Edward Hutchinson Robbing
Ruggles (1800-1889) of Dorchester ; a native of Montague,
Mass. Eleven children ( see " The Ruggles Family in Eng-
land and America," by Henry S. Ruggles, 1896).
144
William® Bent {Ebenezer,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
Johri^) was born in Milton, Mass., April 27, 1772; moved about
1799 to Boston, where he died March 1, 1851, ae. nearly 79. He
learned the trade of wood carving, and upon his removal to Boston
began, with his brother Adam, the manufacture of pianos, which
were amongj the first to be made in New England. In the summer
of 1797, a Frenchman named Mallet, connected with the theatre
in Boston, sent the Bent brothers a piano to be repaired, and this led
them to begin the manufacture soon after. Their shop was at 26
Orange Street, as a part of Washington Street was then called, and
number 26 was near the present bridge over the Boston & Albany
Railroad. In 1802, 1803 and 1804, the younger brother, Adam,
went to the West Indies selling their goods. The early directories,
beginning with 1800, call them "instrument makers and carvers";
it is not until 1807 that the entry " William Bent, pianoforte maker"
appears. Soon after, about 1809, William Bent moved to Phila-
delphia, where the first piano manufactured in America was probably
made by John Behrend in 1775.* In Philadelphia he worked for
other piano makers some twenty years, after which he returned to
Boston.
William Bent married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Mehita-
ble Phillips of Boston, where she died Dec. 11, 1853, ae. 71 ; buried
in the Granary Burial Ground. No children.
* It was in Philadelphia that the first upright piano was produced by Hawkins, in
1800. See " Spirit of 76," September, 1895.
BENT FAMILY. 99
145
Sarah® Bent {Ehenezer,^ Ehenezer^^ Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ John^^
was born in Milton, Mass., April 7, 1774; died in Charlestown,
Mass., July 18, 1860, ae. 86. She married, Sept. 13, 1794, James
Blake, Jr., carpenter, of Boston, born May 12, 1770, d. Aug. 16,
1823.
Children :
i. Charles L. Blake,'' b. Oct. 23, 1796 ; d. in Dedham, Mass.,
1882.
ii. Robert A. Blake, b. March 4, 1801 ; d. unm. in Boston, Dec.
1, 1882.
iii. Sarah Blake, b. Aug. 29, 1803 ; m. Samuel Barrett and
moved to New Orleans, La.
iv. Elizabeth Blake, b. April 12, 1805 ; m. first, 1831, Charles
C. Hoyt, and second, 1847, Peletiah Harmon.
V. James Blake, b. 1807 ; d. in Jacmel, Hayti, in 1830.
vi. William Blake, b. 1810 ; d, in Boston in 1838.
vii. Caroline Blake, b. 1815 ; d. April 5, 1839 ; m. Aug. 13,
1833, WUliam L. Luke,
viii. Edward Blake, b. May 16, 1816 ; d. in Dorchester in 1892 ;
m. Feb. 22, 1841, Eliza Ann Boss,
ix. Adeline Blake, m. Schultze.
146
Adam® Bent {JEhenezer^^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born in Milton, Mass., March 17, 1776 ; died in South Boston,
Mass., March 22, 1857, se. 81. He moved to Boston about 1799,
and in 1807 located near City Point, South Boston, then but
sparsely settled,* though the Blakes had dwelt at Dorchester Point,
as it was called, for a century and a quarter. The house that he built
about 1810 is still standing. Less than a mile away, on the heights of
South Boston (until 1804 a part of Dorchester), were thrown up the
earth-works that caused the British to evacuate Boston on his natal
day. In 1825, 1826 and 1827, he was in the common council; in
1831, alderman ; and in 1829, 1830 and 1831, representative to the
Legislature ; was an original member of the Hawes Congregational
(Unitarian) Church; chosen deacon in 1829. The historian of
South Boston calls him a man of pleasant manner, good judgment
and original thought. (See William® Bent preceding for an account
of his connection with the piano business.)
He married. May 20,1808, Sukey Foster Blake, born Jan. 12,
1784, died March 23, 1859, daughter of James and Lydia (Dana)
Blake of Dorchester Neck, as South Boston was then called.
*Mr. Francis E. Blake says, that " at the date of annexation to Boston, 1804, there
were only twelve families living there."
100 BENT FAMILY.
Children, all born in South Boston :
325i i. Albert Adam/ b. June 5, 1809.
326. ii. George Elbridge, b. July 28, 1811.
iii. Susan Foster, b. June 19, 1813; living unm. ; spends the
summers in South Boston and the winters in Pennsylvania,
iv. Clarissa, b. 1815 ; d. 1821.
V. Charles Pynson, b. Sept. 1, 1817 ; builder ; lived for 22 years
in Wilmington, Del., where he d. March 20, 1876 ; buried at
Forest Hills, Boston, Mass. Previously had lived in Cali-
fornia a few years ; m. Sarah Elizabeth Drayton, dau. of
Henry H. and Sylvia. She is Uving in Dorchester, Boston.
No children,
vi. James B., b. 1820; d. 1824.
vii. Clarissa, b. 1823 ; d. 1833.
32T. viii. Henry Blake, b. Feb. 1, 1826.
U1
Ebenezer® Bent (JSbenezer,^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,'^ Joseph,^
e/oAw^), was born in Milton, Mass., March 24, 1788; died April
17, 1848, in the adjoining town of Quincy, where he made his home
after marriage. Represented his district in the Legislature in 1840.
He married, in 1808, Nancy Stedman of Weston, Mass., born Oct.
15, 1789, died in Quincy, July 16, 1878, £e. 88, daughter of
Ebenezer and Eunice (Morse) Stedman.
Children, all born in Quincy :
328. i. Nathaniel Bowman,' b. April 15, 1809.
ii. Ruth Crouch, b. Feb. 13, 1812 ; d. July 2, 1825.
iii. Emily Ann, b. Feb. 14, 1814 ; d. in Watertown, Mass., Aug.
31, 1882 ; m. Jan. 4, 1846, Wyman Abercrombie of Quincy,
b. in Pelham, Mass., June 24, 1816, d. in Quincy, Oct. 7,
1873. One child, Wyman Ebenezer, b. in Quincy, Dec. 29,
1847 ; m. Nov. 8, 1876, Lucy A. Coffin and lives in Steelton,
Pa.
iv. Elizabeth Phillips, b. Aug. 28, 1816 ; living in Brookline,
Mass. ; m. Nov. 17, 1838, Daniel Munroe, b. July 30, 1811,
d. Dec. 17, 1893. Five children : 1. Emily Ann Bent,^ b.
July 19, 1840; d. Feb. 8, 1871. 2. Mary Ellen, h. 1842;
d. 1843. 3. Elizabeth Ellen, b. Sept. 21, 1844; living in
Brookline. 4. Daniel Stedman, b. 1857 ; d. 1858. 5. B,uth,
b. and d. 1859.
v. Mary Marsh, b. Feb. 22, 1819 ; living with her dau. in Steelton,
Pa. ; m. May 9, 1847, Richard S. S. Hayden, b. in Braintree,
July 24, 1814, d. in Stoughton, June, 1853. Two children :
1. Madeline Ophelia, b. April 7, 1848 ; m. June 29, 1880,
Franklin Poole. 2. Winslow Brigham Bent, b. Aug. 15, 1851 ;
m. June 12, 1879, Mary Sullivan.
329, vi. Ebenezer, b. Dec. 18, 1820.
vii. Eliza, b. 1823 ; d. 1825.
BENT FAMILY. 101
330. viii. WiNSLOW Brigham, b. Nov. 15, 1825.
331* ix. Luther Stedman, b. Dec. 6, 1829.
X. Hannah Augusta Hayward, b. May 6, 1836 ; d. unm. in
Quincy, Feb. 28, 1861.
148
Chaeles® Bent {Ebenezer^^ Ebenezer,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John}^ was born in Milton, Mass., Jan. 18, 1790; died in Lowell,
Mass., Dec. 5, 1852. About 1823, he moved to what is now the
city of Lowell, then a part of Chelmsford, Mass., and shortly after
began, with Francis Bush (who married, in 1828, his wife's sister,
Jane Bond) , the manufacture of hats ; about 1849 they opened a
store at the corner of Washington and Court Streets, Boston, though
the senior member of the firm, which was styled Bent & Bush, never
moved to Boston ; the firm name is still retained, and is familiar to
all Bostonians. He represented Chelmsford in the Massachusetts
Legislature in 1832, 1833 and 1834, and his partner represented
Lowell in 1851.
He married, Sept. 16, 1820, Sarah Bond of Watertown, born
Sept. 3, 1798, died in Chelmsford, May 18, 1838, daughter of
Daniel Bond (1767-1842).
Children, i. and ii. born in Watertown, iii. born in Chelmsford ;
i. Charles,'^ b. Sept. 26, 1821 ; living unm. in Lowell, where he
has been for many years in the grocery business.
ii. Mart Stearns, b. June 14, 1823 ; d. in Lowell, July 1,
1889 ; m. July 20, 1853, Joseph Warren Smith.
iii. Sarah Jane, b. July 16, 1830 ; living unm. in Middlesex Vil-
lage, LoweU.
149
Samuel^ Bent {Samuel,^ JEbenezer,* Joseph,^ Josejjh,^ John^^
was born in Granville, N. S., June 6, 1765; moved to Wilmot,
N. S. He married first, Mollie, born in Granville, N. S., 1770,
daughter of Jonathan and Sarah (Dodge) Leonard. He married
second, Brown.
Children by first marriage, born in Wilmot, N. S. :
332, i. Lawrence,^ b. Sept. 15, 1798.
ii. Martin.
iii. Rachel, m. 1814, Abraham Bogart.
Children by second marriage :
i. Alice, m. 1835, Cornelius Bogart.
ii. Nedabiah.
iii. Edward.
102 BENT FAMILY.
150
Nedabiah* Bent (^iSamuel,^ Ehenezer,^ JosepJi^^ Joseph,'^
John^^ was born in Granville, N. S., in 1767. He located after
marriage in the adjoining township of Wilmot, where he presumably
died. He married, 1788, Elizabeth Twesdell.
Children, all born in Wilmot, N. S. :
i. Experience,''' b. 1789 ; m. Thomas Messenger.
333. ii. Samuel, b. 1791.
iii. Abigail, b. 1793 ; m. David Messenger.
iv. Alpheus, b. 1795 ; d. unm.
V. Mart, b. 1797; d. 1797.
vi. Phebe, b. 1798 ; m. Joseph Brown.
334. vii. Jesse, b. 1801.
335. viii. Ezekiel, b. 1803.
ix. John, b. 1805 ; d. unm.
s. Ellen, b. 1807 ; m. Christopher Bolsor.
xi. Rachel, d. unm.
161
Seth® Bent (^Samuel,^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph^^ Joh'n}^
was born in Granville, N. S., 1769. He married first, Lucy
Hackleton. He married second, Elizabeth O'Brien.
Children of Seth and Lucy :
336. i. John.''
ii. Lucy, d. unm.
iii. Sarah, m. 1821, David Young,
iv. Margaret, m. David Milbury.
Children of Seth and Elizabeth :
337. i. Grandison.
ii. Moses, d. unm.
iii. Edward, d. unm.
iv. Mart Ann, d. unm.
152
Jesse® Bent (^Samuel,' Ehenezer^'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^')
was born in Granville, N. S., 1771. He married, 1801, Sarah
Hackleton.
Children of Jesse and Sarah :
i. William,^ b. 1802 ; m. Ruth North ; no children.
ii. Eliza, b. 1804 ; d. unm.
iii. LuvosE, b. 1806 ; m. Elvira Wade ; no children,
iv. Seth, b. 1810 ; m. Eliza Farin.
338. V. George, b. 1813.
339. vi. Ambrose, b. 1817.
340. vii. Edmund, b. 1822.
BENT FAMILY. 103
153
JoHN^ Bent {Samuel,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born in Granville, N. S., 1774. He married, 1809, Mary,
born 1781, daughter of John and Maria (Dunn) Harris of Anna-
polis County, N. S.
Children :
i. Mart,'' b. 1811 ; m. Henry Gesner.
ii. Sarah, b. 1813 ; m. Robert Parker; no children.
841. iii. John Harris, b. 1815.
342. iv. William Henry, b. 1817.
V. EuPHEMiA, b. 1820 ; m. "William Henry Young.
164
Ebenezee® Bent {^Samuel,^ Ebenezer^'^ Joseph,^ Joseph^^
John^) was born in Granville, N. S., in 1783. He married, 1809,
Loretta Dench, born 1781, died 1858.
Children of Ebenezer and Loretta :
Robert,^ b. 1810.
Henry, b. 1812.
Deborah, b. 1814 ; m. Jesse Dodge.
Eunice, b. 1816 ; m. Ezekiel Burns.
Ezra, b. 1819.
Hannah, b. 1823 ; still living ; m. Joseph Troop.
Abraham, b. 1824 ; m. Mary Young.
Mary, b. 1827 ; m. Stephen Mil bury.
Jacob Fritz, b. 1827.
155
Elias® Bent (^Samuel,^ Ehenezer,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,"^ John^)
was born in Granville, N. S., in 1785. He married first, 1811,
Mary Ann Van Blascom. He married second, Susan Anthony.
Children of Elias and Mary :
i. Anne,'' b. 1812.
348. ii. Joseph, b. 1816.
iii. Maria, b. 1819-
iv. Elizabeth, b. 1821.
V. Georgina, b. 1823.
vi. John, b. 1826 ; d. unm.
vii. Ebenezer, b. 1828 ; m. Elizabeth Morrison.
viii. Ruth, b. 1832.
ix. George Thomas, b. 1835 ; m. Horatia Gesner.
Children of Elias and Susan :
i. William.
ii. Alfred, m. Laura Sulis.
7
343.
i.
344.
ii.
iii.
iv.
345.
V,
vi.
346.
vii.
viii.
347.
ix.
104 BENT FAMILY.
156
Charles® Bent {Samuel,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph, "^ Joseph,^ John^')
was born in Granville, N. S., 1787. He married, 1814, Elizabeth,
born in Granville, N. S., 1780, daughter of Daniel and Mary
(Starratt) Wade, and granddaughter of Capt. John Wade.
Children of Charles and Elizabeth :
i. Lucy,'' b. 1814 ; m. John Hutchinson.
ii. Stephen, b. 1815; m. Cynthia Wade. Has Jessie,^ who m.
John Healy.
iii. Helen, still living ; m. Robert Hoseason.
iv. Ann, b. 1818 ; m. John Roney. '
V. Rachel Maria, m. Edward Schafner.
349. vi. Samuel, b. 1822.
350. vii. Benjamin, b. 1824.
851, viii. Daniel, b. 1826.
ix. Prudence, b. 1829 ; still living ; m. George Covert.
X. Hannah, b. 1832 ; m. Edwin Wade.
xi. Mary.
157
Nedabiah® Bent {JSTedabiah,^ Ehenezer,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^^, butcher, was born about 1771 in what is now Quincy,
Mass., where he died Jan. 4, 1852, k. 80. He married, May 2,
1802, Lois Vinton, born July 28, 1778, died in Quincy, Dec. 28,
1866, fe. 88, daughter of John and Sarah Vinton of Braintree.
Children V all born in Quincy :
i. Elisha,^ b. 1804 ; d. 1813.
ii. Joanna, b. Sept. 20, 1805 ; d. te. 74 ; m. Sept. 17, 1828, Josiah
Baxter of Quincy. One child, Mrs. Benjamin F. Curtis,^
living in Quincy.
iii. Sarah Ashton, b. Dec. 27, 1810 ; living unm. in Quincy.
iv. Harriet, b. and d. 1815.
V. John, b. and d. 1817.
vi. Elisha, b. and d. 1820.
158
Lemuel® Bent (JVedahiah,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born about 1773 in what is now Quincy, Mass., where
he died about 1847, as. 74. He married, Oct. 30, 1796, Mary
Pratt of Weymouth, Mass., who died in Quincy, Aug. 25, 1857,
se. 79.
Children, all born in Quincy :
i. Nancy,^ b. July 12, 1797 ; d. Nov. 17, 1817.
ii. Mary, b. Oct. 28, 1799 ; m. Job Thayer, Jr.
iii. Eliza, b. Oct. 22, 1800 ; m. April 19, 1819, Asa Colburn.
352. iv. George, b. April 21, 1803.
BENT FAMILY. 105
353i V. Isaac, b. June 3, 1805.
vi. Fanny, b. Oct. 8, 1806 ; m. May 18, 1834, Lewis Tliay.er.
vii. Harriet, b. July 5, 1809 ; m. Nathaniel Newcomb.
354t viii. Samuel, b. June 30, 1812.
ix. James, b. Sept. 27, 1815.
Isaac® Bent {Nedabiah,^ JEbenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,"^ John^),
farmer, was born in what is now Quincj, Mass., about 1^77 ; died
in Vienna, Me., Feb. 7, 1859, aa. 82 ; lived after marriage in New
Sharon, Me., except the last eight years of his life which were spent
with his son in Vienna, Me. He married, April 6, 1800, Mrs.
Sarah (Newcomb) Brown of Quincy, a native of Wellfieet, Mass.
She died Oct. 30, 1854.
Children, all born in New Sharon, Me. :
355, i. vSamuel Brown,'^ b. July 24, 1801.
ii, Joanna Baxter, b. March 2, 1804 ; cl. in Mt. Vernon, Me.,
July 25, 1858 ; m. John Marden of Vienna, Me.
356. iii. Hiram, b. August 26, 1806.
William® Bent (JSTedabiah,^ Ubeneze?^* Joseph,^ Josej^h,^
John^^, farmer, was born about 1791 in what is now Quincy, Mass.,
where he died March 18, 1853, £e. 62. He married, Jan. 30,
1823, Nancy Tirrell of Quincy, who died there Nov. 25, 1866,
£6. 73.
Children, all born in Quincy :
i. Abigail Ann^ b. May 2, 1826 ; m. Sept. 19, 1854, Thomas
Kelley.
ii. Lucy Fracker, b. 1828 ; d. 1831.
iii. Lucy Maria, b. March 6, 1833 ; d. unm. July 25, 1889.
iv. Marion Clark, b. Jan. 17, 1835 ; m. Jan. 1874, Thomas Wil-
liams of Milton, Mass. ; no children.
V. William Quincy, b. May 24, 1838 ; living unm. in Quincy,
Mass.
JosiAH® Bent {John,'" Ebenezer,'^ Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ Johi^),
cracker baker, was born April 26, 1771, in Milton, Mass., where
he died April 26, 1836, ae. 65. He was representative to the Legis-
lature in 1833. In 1801, he began with one oven in his house the
manufacture of Bent's water crackers, which have done more, proba-
bly, than anything else to make the name of Bent known, for the
crackers have been sent to all parts of our country and to foreign
shores. He continued the manufacture until 1830, when he sold
the business to his son-in-law, Deacon Samuel Adams, and his son
106 BENT FAMILY.
Samuel T. Bent. From 1837 to 1871, Deacon Adams was sole
proprietor ; in the latter year, he leased the business to Samuel T.
Bent, Horatio Webster, John A. Shaw, George A. Fletcher and
William H. Balcom. At the expiration of the lease, five years
later, he again leased it for a similar term ; but, during the interval,
viz. in 1879, he died, devising the property to George A. Webster
and Granville J. Young. In 1890, the business was sold to the
New York Biscuit Co., who still continue the manufacture in Milton
under the name of Bent & Co., though they have moved from the
old location to a new building nearer the railroad station. In June,
1892, Geoi'ge H. Bent, son of Samuel T., after many years service
with Bent & Co., began the manufacture of the G. H. Bent & Co.
water cracker.
Josiah married, March 28, 1794, Susanna, born 1776, died Oct.
16, 1857, daughter of Samuel Tucker, Jr., of Milton.
Children, all born in Milton :
i. Mart Ann,'' b. July 31, 1795; d. 1885, s&. 90; m. May 10,
1815, Deacon Samuel Adams, Jr., b. in IjDswich, Mass.,
March 11, 1791, d. in IMilton, Jan. 3, 1879, a descendant of
Henry Adams of Braintree, 1632, the ancestor of the Presi-
dents Adams.
857. ii. JosiAH, b. Oct. 1, 1797.
iii. Catherine A., b. Nov. 24, 1799 ; d. in Fairhaven, Mass., about
1886 ; m. Feb. 7, 1833, Charles Drew, lawyer. Two child-
ren : 1. Charles} 2. Samuel.
iv. Susan T., b. Oct. 24, 1801 ; d. unm. in Milton, May 7, 1878.
?58. V. Samuel Tucker, b. Feb. 22, 1804.
859. vi. Horatio Nelson, b. July, 1807.
S6^, vii. Nathaniel Tucker, b. July 30, 1810.
viii. Abbie Vose, d. in Brookline, Mass., in 1897 ; m. Benjamin
Barstow Torrey, Treasurer of the New-England Historic Gen-
ealogical Society, and of the O. C. R. R. and B. & P. R. R.
John® Bent {John,^ Ehenezer,* Josejjh,^ Joseph,^ JoJin^), car-
penter, was born in Milton, Mass., Nov. 13, 1778; moved soon
after marriage to Dedham, Mass., where he died January, 1873, te.
94; a solidly-built, powerful man. He was married, in Boston,
Jan. 2, 1814, by Rev. Charles Lowell (father of James Russell
Lowell) to Hannah Jordan, born in Needham, Mass., March 21,
1790, died in Dedham, September, 1863.
Children, i. born in Milton, the others in Dedham :
i. Samuel Guild,''' b. March 13, 1815 ; living unm. in Dedham ;
carpenter ; fine bass singer ; sang in the Episcopal church for
over fifty years.
861, ii. Edward Dexter (twin), b. Feb. 7, 1817. ^
362. iii. John Quinct (twin), b. Feb. 7, 1817.
BENT FAMILY. 107
iv. Hannah Elizabeth, b. 1819 ; d. 1820.
V. Stillman, b. 1821 ; d. 1823.
383. vi. Elijah, b. May 27, 1823.
vii. Elizabeth Hannah, b. May 4, 1825 ; d, in Boston, Nov. 23,
1882 ; a fine singer ; m. May 12, 1853, George W. Parmenter,
a well known druggist, at the corner of Hanover and Par-
menter Streets, Boston, and brother of Judge William E.
Parmenter. One child, Elizabeth F. Parmenter,^ living unm.
in Cambridge, Mass.
viii. Joseph, b. May 21, 1829 ; drowned in Fox Lake, Wis., while
pleasure sailing, Oct. 1876, ce. 47 ; was employed in the Fox
Lake bank, and like his brothers was a good singer ; m. Oct.
28, 1867, Mrs. Lucretia Spring ; no children.
Nathaniel® Bent {John^^ Ebenezer,* Joseph^^ Joseph,"^ John^),
cracker baker, v^'^as born in Milton, Mass., about 1783; died in
Milton, April 24, 1837, je. 54. He married first, Aug. 15, 1813,
Lucy Ann Adams, who died July 29, 1820, ^e. 24. He married
second, Sept. 4, 1822, Rebecca Ruggles Baker of Milton, who died
in Boston, Nov. 2, 1886, £e. 85. No children by second marriage.
Children by first marriage, born in Milton :
364. i. Sally Ann,'^ b. May 31, 1814 ; m. Thomas Hews Hinckley.
ii. Nathaniel, b. Oct. 1817 ; baker in Milton ; d. unm. July 14,
1848, a3. 30.
iii. MiNOT Adams, b. July, 1819 ; d. in Milton, unm., Oct. 25,
1848, 86. 29.
SEVENTH GENERATION.
Newell^ Bent {Thomas^, Jason,^ Thomas,* Hope still, ^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in Sudbury, Mass., Nov. 15, 1807 ; died in Sud-
bury, Dec. 10, 1859. He married, Jan. 5, 1837, Sarah C, born
May 1805, died September 1865, daughter of Luther and Sally
Goodnow of Sudbury.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
365. i. William Henry,^ b. Aug. 10, 1838.
ii. Mary Jane, b. April 13, 1841 ; living in Sudbury; m. April
13, 1862, George Moore.
105
William Glover^ Bent {Thomas,^ Jason,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^), machinist, was born in Sudbury, Nov. 21,
108 BENT FAMILY.
1810; died in Orono, Penobscot County, Me., Sept. 10, 1855.
He married, June 23, 1839, Melinda, born in Orono, Aug. 25,
1808, died in Orono, April 9, 1881, daughter of James Lunt. No
children. Mrs. Bent adopted a daughter, who married George W.
Foster of Bangor, Me.
Thomas Elbeidge'' Bent {Thomas,^ Jason^^ Thomas* Hope-
still,^ Peter, "^ John^'), farmer, was born June 18, 1812, in Sud-
bury, Mass., where he is still living. He married first, Jan. 28,
1845, Matilda Louisa Phelps, who died in Sudbury, July 7, 1872.
He married second. May 21, 1876, Rachel Huse Atwood. No
children by second marriage.
One child by first marriage, born in Sudbury :
i. Eliza Matilda,^ b. Dec. 23, 1851 ; d. unm. in Sudbury, May
1, 1876, <&. 24.
Jonathan Patch' Bent {Thomas,^ Jason,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^^, farmer, was born in Sudbury, Mass., Feb.
26, 1817 ; lived in the part of Stow taken in 1871, with a part of
Sudbury, to form the town of Maynard, where he died Jan. 9, 1892,
se. nearly 75. He married, April 29, 1845, Clarissa A. Smith,
born in Sudbury, Feb. 6, 1829, died in Maynard, Oct. 14, 1887,
^. 58, daughter of Elisha and Clarissa (Parks) Smith.
Children, all born in part of Stow now Maynard :
i. Fkederick,^ b. 1849 ; d. 1849.
ii. Helen Maria, b. March 22, 1851 ; living in Maynard, Mass. ;
m. April 24, 1889, Herbert Curtis of New York City, where
he died Dec. 15, 1891.
iii. Jennie Blanche, b. July 28, 1853 ; d. Jan. 22, 1863.
iv. Emma, b. July 27, 1855 ; m. June 8, 1881, William Andrews
of Lowell, Mass.
V. Sarah W., b. May 22, 1859.
vi. John, b. Aug. 24, 1861 ; m. July 26, 1893, Isabelle S. Reding-
ton of Littleton, N. H., dau. of Henry C. Redington. One
child, Henry Redington Bent^ b. in Littleton, N. H., March
26, 1896.
vii. James Read, b. April 19, 1864; living in Maynard, Mass.,
where he is in the ice business ; m. Aug. 1, 1888, Mary Eliza-
beth Whitney, b. May 31, 1867, dau. of Artemas and Lucy
(Pease) Whitney of Maynard. Two children, b. in Maynard :
1. Pauline Bent^ b. Dec. 24, 1892. 2. Whitney Jonathan
Bent, b. Oct. 12, 1895.
viii. Kate, b. 1867; d. 1867.
BENT FAMILY. 109
RuFUS HuRLBURT^ Bent {Thomcts,^ Jason,^ Thomas,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^^ was born in Sudbmy, Mass., May 3, 1820;
died in Brighton (since 1874 a part of Boston), Mass., Jan. 12,
1861, £6. 40; named after Rev. Rufus Hurlburt, pastor of the
Orthodox Church in Sudbury at the time of his birth. From 1852
to 1856, he was in the provision business in Faneuil Hall Market,
Boston, the firm being first Blood & Bent, then R. H. Bent, and
finally Bent & Pierce. About 1856, he went West for his health,
and after remaining two years in Janesville, Wis., returned to Massa-
chusetts and established himself in the beef business in Brighton.
He married first, April 24, 1845, Eliza W. Coburn of Weston,
Mass., who died in Brighton, Aug. 15, 1849, «. 24. He married
second, May 29, 1850, Mary Noyes Rice, born March 6, 1818,
died May 24, 1866, daughter of Deacon Edmund and Abigail
(Maynard) Rice of Brighton, and a descendant in the eighth genera-
tion from Deacon Edmund Rice (1594-1663), one of the original
settlers of Sudbury.
Children of Rufus H. and Eliza W. :
i. Albert Rufus,^ b. 1846 ; d. 1847.
ii. Albert Rufus, b. 1848 ; d. 1852.
iii. William, also d. in infancy.
Children of Rufus H. and Mary N., all born in Brighton except
iv., who was born in Janesville, Wis. :
S66. i. John Hastings, b. May 25, 1851.
ii. Mart Eliza, b. March 14, 1853 ; m. at Winchendon, Mass.,
Oct. 25, 1876, Rev. Horace Sanderson (b. in Phillipston,
Mass., Oct. 30, 1854) of the American Baptist Home Mis-
sionary Society ; since 1890 their home lias been in Denver,
Col. Two children : 1. Maude Mason, b. in Winchendon,
Mass., Feb. 22, 1879 ; d. in Denver, Col., Sept. 4, 1894. 2.
Harold Hastings, b. in Phillipston, Mass., June 24, 1881.
iii. Martha Hurlburt, b. Sept. 11, 1855 ; d. Aug 1, 1864.
iv. Austin Rice, b. 1857 ; d. 1859.
V. Emma Cutting, b. Dec. 19, 1859 ; d. unm. in North Brook-
field, Mass., Aug. 30, 1889, se. 29. Left early an orphan,
she was adopted by Marshall E. and Caroline A. Gray of
Framingham, Mass., and added the name of Gray to her own ;
graduated from Smith College in 1881 with the degree of A.B.
John Patch^ Bent (Setvell,^ Jason,^ Thomas,^ Hopestill,^
Peter,^ John^) was born in Stow, Mass., April 22, 1807 ; died in
Bangor, Me., Jan. 10, 1880, as. 72. He was in the grocery busi-
ness several years in Boston (the firm name was changed several
times) , and afterwards a large dealer in flour and grain in Bangor,
110 BENT FAMILY.
Me. He married first, Dec. 2, 1835, Lurenia Fairbanks, born Aug.
18, 1812, died Oct. 7, 1860, 2d. 48. He married second, April
23, 1867, Mrs. Sarah H. (Stickney) Pearson, born Dec. 6, 1826;
living in Bangor, Me. No children by the second wife.
Children of John P. and Lurenia :
i. John Patch,^ b. Jan. 25, 1837 ; d. in Galveston, Texas, Sept.
28, 1858.
ii. William Winslow, b. July 8, 1838 ; d. Feb. 10, 1843.
iii. Anna Lurenia, b. Jan. 6, 1840; d. Feb. 12, 1855.
iv. Frances White, b. Aug. 2, 1841 ; living in Bangor, Me. ; m.
Aug. 31, 1865, George Webster.
V. Elizabeth Adelaide, b. Nov. 27, 1843 ; living in Stillwater,
Minn. ; m. May 16, 1866, Seward Porter Richardson. One
child, Harry Bent Richardson,^ b. Oct. 6, 1870 ; m. Oct. 15,
1891, Jessie Fenwick Gorrie.
vi. William Winslow, b. 1846 ; d. 1849.
vii. Frank Sewell, b. 1848 ; d. 1849.
Thomas Hastings^ Bent {8eioell,^ Jason,^ Thomas,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ John^) was born Sept. 16, 1815, in Stow, Mass.,
where he still lives. He married, in April, 1846, Harriet Gates,
who died in May, 1886.
Children, born in Stow :
i. Emma A.,^ m. J. T. Warren of Littleton, Mass.
ii. Sarah E., living unm. in Stow ; at the 200th anniversary cele-
bration in 1883 she contributed an original poem.
171
Daniel Fairbanks^ Bent (Jason,^ Jason,^ Thomas,^ Hope-
still,^ Peter ^^ John^^, farmer, was born in Sudbury, Mass., Oct.
19, 1815; died in Sudbury, Sept. 4, 1859, as. 44. He married,
Nov. 18, 1841, Sarah W., born Sept. 1, 1809, died July 23, 1860,
daughter of Joseph W., and Mary L. Norcross of Boston.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Angeline M.,8 b. June 15, 1843 ; d. Oct. 5, 1849.
S6T. ii. Francis Fairbanks, b. July 17, 1845.
368. iii. James Edward, b. 1848.
AsAHEL Wheeler' Bent (Jason,^ Jason,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in Sudbury, Mass., Jan. 13, 1818 ;
died in Waltham, Mass., Sept. 4, 1872, ^e. 54. He married,
November, 1840, Hephzibah Sanderson of Waltham, who married
again Oct. 7, 1879, Gad Wright of Waltham.
Children, i. born in Waltham, ii. born in Sudbury :
i. Edwin W.,^ b. April 10, 1842 ; d. May 14, 1842.
ii. Anna Sanderson, b. Jan. 15, 1845 ; d. Feb. 27, 1862.
BENT FAMILY. Ill
173
Levi Brooks'' Bent ( William H.,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hojoe-
still,^ Peter, ^ Johii^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Sept. 12,
1817; died in Lynn, Mass., Aug. 21, 1884, £e. 67. About 1847
or 1848, lie moved from his native town, where he had been asso-
ciated since 1841 with Elisha Chaphn in the manufacture of shingles,
clothes pins, etc., to Lynn, Mass., where he re-embarked in the
wooden ware business. In 1855, he was a member of the Common
Council, and in 1857 on the board of Aldermen. He married first,
in 1847, Sarah Lawrence, born in Troy, N. H., 1826, died in
Troy, N. H., 1849. He married second, Dec. 15, 1852, Sarah P.
Babb, born in Saugus, Mass., June 29, 1828, living in Lynn, daugh-
ter of William Babb of Lynn.
Child by first marriage, born in Troy, N. H. :
i. Abbie Almira,^ b. Feb. 3, 1848 ; living in Townsend, Mass. ;
m. May 2, 1868, John D. Finegan of Lynn. One child liv-
ing, Herhert F.^
Children by second marriage, born in Lynn :
i. Hattie Maria, b. Aug. 8, 1856 ; was a school teacher in Lynn,
where she d. unm. Feb. 17, 1895.
ii. Fred Brooks, b. Nov. 26, 1860 ; living in Lynn ; m. Nov.
26, 1889, Susan L. Barker of Lynn ; no children.
174
William^ Bent {William H.,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ John^^, farmer, was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Jan.
18, 1828 ; died in Fitzwilliam, Sept. 26, 1898, se. 70. He took
his father's farm; was selectman in 1858, 1859 and 1860. He
married first, Lucy A. Priest, who died Dec. 6, 1856, te. '2>^, daugh-
ter of Jacob and Martha (Clark) Priest of Fitzwilliam, N. H.,
formerly of Gardner, Mass. No children. He married second,
Jan. 18, 1859, Caroline Howard Pierce, born May 22, 1840,
daughter of Leonard and Caroline (Goodspeed) Pierce.
Children of William and Caroline, all born in Fitzwilliam :
i. Irving Pierce,^ b. Nov. 26, 1862 ; d. Dec. 11, 1876.
ii. George Souther, b. Jan. 9, 1871 ; d. Dec. 6, 1893.
iii. Florezstce Lyle, b. Nov. 1, 1880.
175
Samuel'' Bent {Hyman,^ Samuel," Thomas,* Hopestill,^
Peter, "" Johti") was born in Fitzwilham, N. H., Dec. 23, 1817,
and died in Gardner, Mass., Aug. 10, 1883, ^. 65. After a few
years spent in Winchendon (Mass.), which adjoins his native town,
he moved, about 1849, to Gardner, Mass., where for ten years he
112 BENT FAMILY.
worked in the chair factories. In January, 1859, he formed a
partnership with his brother, A. Allen, and they manufactured
chairs for two years and a half, when Samuel went to Newburg,
now a part of Cleveland, Ohio. Returning to Gardner in 1864,
he worked for Hey wood Bros. & Co. for a few years. In 1867, he
formed a partnership with his youngest brother, R. L. Bent, for the
manufacture of dining chairs. In October, 1868, they bought out
their brother Allen's business, and the other brother, Charles, was
added to the firm. The firm of S. Bent & Bros., of which
Samuel was at the head until his death, still continues at the South
village, where it has been successful in a town noted for this indus-
try, some $2,000,000 worth of chairs Jbeing made in the place
annually at present. He was one of the selectmen of Gardner for
several years, and a man of sterling integrity, devoted to his family,
and faithful in whatever post of service he was called to fill. He
married, Sept. 28, 1847, Mary Louisa Emery, born Sept. 15,
1824, died Sept. 18, 1895, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bailey)
Emery of East Jaffrey, N. H., and a descendant of Anthony
Emery who came from Romsey, in Hampshire, Eng., in 1635, and
eventually, 1648, located in Kittery, Me.
Children of Samuel and Louisa, all born in Gardner :
i. Elizabeth Estelle,^ b. Nov. 23, 1858 ; living in (South)
Gardner, Mass. ; m. first, JNov. 15, 1883, Franklin Eaton of
Gardner, a retired chair manxifacturer, who d. March 1, 1891 ;
m. second, June 2, 1896, Arthur John Stone, silversmith, b.
in Sheffield, Eng., Sept. 26, 1847, came to America (Concord,
N. H.) in 1884, removed to Gardner in 1887, seventh and
youngest child of Joseph and Ann (Mills) Stone.
369. ii. Charles Leslie, b. Oct. 23, 1860.
iii. Adelaide, b. Jan. 3, 1868; an accomplished violinist; living
unm. in Gardner, Mass.
176
Eliza^ Bent (ii?^/77^mz,® Samuel," Thomas,'^ Hopestill^ Peter ^^
John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Oct. 25, 1819; died in
Gardner, Mass., March 21, 1893, te. 73. She married, Nov. 3,
1840, John Sawin of Gardner, who has made chairs and told funny
stories for over sixty years. He was born in Westminster, Mass.,
Oct. 9, 1815, the son of Sullivan and Mary (Hey wood) Sawin,*
and is living in Gardner, his home since about 1830. About 1836,
he and his brother Sullivan Sawin, Jr., began making chairs and
school furniture on the site now occupied by S. Bent & Bros.'
factory, where previously John Merriam, who built the original
shop and dam in 1822, had carried on a fulling establishment.
John soon bouoht out his brother's interest and continued alone until
* A descendant of Kobert Sawin, who settled early in Watertown, Mass.
BENT FAMILY. 113
he disposed of the chair business to his brother-in-law, A. A. Bent,
in 1856. After this, he still continued to make school furniture, but
in recent years has been in the employ of others.
Mr. and Mrs. Sawin celebrated their golden wedding in 1890,
surrounded by a large and happy family cu'cle. Mrs. Sawin was
the first of the Bent family to locate in Gardner, where all of her
brothers and most of her sisters have lived at one time or another.
She and her sisters were instrumental in the formation of the Uni-
tarian church in 1884.
Children, all born in Gardner, Mass. :
i. Mart Levin a^ Sawin, b. Oct. 17, 1845 ; d. unm. in Gardner,
Mass., May 11, 1868.
ii. Hamilton Heywood Sawin, b. July 12, 1851 ; living in
Gardner, Mass. ; has had charge of one of the rooms in S. Bent
& Bros.' chair factory for many years ; m, Dec. 10, 1873, E.
Janette Brown, dau. of Moses and Eliza (Bixby) Brown of
Hubbardston, Mass.
iii. Ida Maria Sawin, b. April 8, 1855 ; d. unm. July 19, 1876.
Lueene'^ Bent {Hyman,^ Samuel," Thomas,'^ Hojyestill,^
JPeter,^ John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Oct. 2, 1821 ; died
in Camden, N. J., July 12, 1891, jb. 69; buried in her native
town. She married, Aug. 15, 1841, Matthias Britt Felton of Fitz-
william, born Oct. 18, 1819, died March 2, 1892, son of Lyman
and Sally (Scott) Felton, and a descendant of Nathaniel Felton
who fettled in Salem, Mass., in 1633. Matthias and Lurene lived
in Winch endon and Northfield, Mass., and Vineland and Camden,
N. J. In the latter city, whither they removed in the fall of 1868,
Mrs. Felton was prominent in organizing the first Unitarian church.
Children, i. to iv. born in Winchendon, Mass., v. born in North-
field, Mass. :
i. Clarence M.^ Felton, b. July 9, 1842 ; d. Dec. 26, 1842.
ii. George Godfrey Felton, b. May 21, 1845 ; is a prominent
Mason and Knight Templar in Camden, N. J., and deputy
quarter-master general of the State militia with the rank of
lieut.-colonel ; m. June 6, 1871, Esther M., dau. of David T.
Long of Northfield, Mass. They had Willie Allen Felton,^ b.
April 27, 1872 ; d. March 28, 1882.
iii. Alden Putnam Felton, b. Sept. 5, 1849 ; d. Oct. 26, 1849.
iv. Charles Hudson Felton, b. Aug. 24, 1855 ; d. in Camden,
N. J., Nov. 23, 1887 ; m. Sept. 4, 1879, Mary E., dau. of
Alvin Sanderson of Camden, N. J., and had : 1. Edith Lu-
rene, b. March 28, 1882. 2. Alvin Sanderson, b. Feb. 2,
1885. 3. Charles Hudson, b. Aug. 16, 1886.
V. Ernest Edwin Felton, b. June 28, 1860 ; d. in Gardner,
Mass., Oct. 31, 1881.
114 BENT FAMILY.
178
A. Allen^ Bent {Hyman^^ Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,'^
Peter,^ John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Jan. 29, 1823;
living in Boston, Mass. Although brought up on " a stern and
rock-bound farm," to use his own expression, he worked more or
less through his youth in a wooden-ware shop. At the time of
leaving his native town, in August, 1845, he was a lieutenant in the
12th regiment. New Hampshire militia. Except a year and a half
spent in Weston, Mass., in 1855 and 1856, his home for the next
twenty-four years was in the South village of Gardner, Mass.,
fourteen miles from his birthplace. At first he worked for his
brother-in-law, John Sawin, chair manufacturer, but after his re-
turn from Weston bought out a part of the business, which he con-
tinued until 1868, when he sold it to his three brothers.
Becoming early interested in the anti-slavery cause, much of his
time, money and energy were spent in that work. For several
years he was secretary of the Worcester County North Anti-
Slavery Society, and for a few years was one of the Vice Presidents
of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. In 1866, he repre-
sented his district in the Legislature. The first of April, 1869, he
transferred his home to Boston, the part formerly the city of Rox-
bury, where he continues to reside. Since its organization, in
1879, he has been one of the Trustees of the Boylston Street Land
Company, and since April, 1882, the company's Treasurer.
He was married, Nov. 1, 1848, by Eev. William B. Stone
(brother of Lucy Stone) to Sarah Breck, born in Gardner, Mass.,
July 24, 1826, daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Comee) Breck, and
a descendant in the 7th generation from John Breck, who died in
Medfield, Mass., Jan. 3, 1660. Mr. and Mrs. Bent celebrated
their golden wedding (the fourth in the family) at Gardner, Nov. 1,
1898, surrounded by nearly three score of their relatives and friends,
including six who were present fifty years before.
Children, both born in Gardner :
i. Alice Maria,^ b. May 21, 1857 ; d. March 26, 1863.
370. ii. Allen Herbert, b. June 5, 1867.
Susan'' Bent {Hyman,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,^ Peter,*
John^) was born Dec. 30, 1825, in Fitzwilliam, N. H., where she
is still living. She married, April 21, 1847, Winslow Phillips,
born in Fitzwilliam, Jan. 19, 1817, died in Fitzwilliam, April 26,
1897, £e. 80, youngest son of Elijah and Lydia (Brigham) Phillips.
Soon after marriage he went to live on the Hyman Bent farm, which
he continued to cultivate until the end of his days.
BENT FAMILY. 115
Children, all born in Fitzwilliam, N. H. :
i. Herbert^ Phillips, b. March 18, 1851 ; cL Sept. 29, 1853.
ii. Arthur Lyniiore Phillips, b. Sept. 7, 1854 ; living in
Winchendon, Mass. ; m. Oct. 7, 1878, Hattie M. Keith, b.
July 9, 1858, clan, of Henry and Eunice Keith of Winchen-
don. Two children : 1. Goldie Augusta Phillips, b. Dec.
14, 1879. 2. Winslow Keith Phillips, b. Feb. 12, 1891.
iii. Wilbur Henry Phillips, b. Feb. 8, 1856 ; living in Leo-
minster, Mass. ; m. Aug. 6, 1884, Carrie A., dau. of Edwin
and Caroline Rice of Gardner, Mass. No children.
iv. Chester Herbert Phillips, b. May 27, 1868 ; living in
Fitzwilliam, N. H., where he carries on the old Hyman Bent
farm in addition to running a store and the post office at State
Line, a mile south of his home ; has been selectman several
years ; m. April 20, 1892, Anna M., dau. of Alvah M. and
Martha Ann (Parker) Merrill of Plymouth, N. H. One
child. Marguerite Phillips, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Sept. 13,
1894.
180
Makia' Bent {Hyman,^ 8amuel,^ Thomas,^ Hopestill,"^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Oct. 13, 1828. Resides
in Gardner, Mass. She married, Oct. 12, 1853, Marcus Wright,
born April 23, 1825, died Feb. 22, 1883, son of Nathaniel and
Susan (Edgell) Wright of Gardner, and a descendant of John
Wright who settled in Woburn, Mass., in 1640. Lois Maria, a
child by Marcus Wright's first wife, Maria S. Sawin, has always
lived in the family.
Child, born in ( South) Gardner :
i. Lewis Ashley^ Wright, b. June 25, 1861 ; living in South
Gardner, where he operates the saw-mill started by his great-
grandfather, Joseph Wright, at the beginning of the 19th
century ; m. March 15, 1888, Edith, dau. of Gustavus Newell
of Harvard, Mass. One child, Marcus Newell Wright, b. in
South Gardner, Jan. 26, 1889.
181
Elmina'' Bent {Hyman,^ Samuel,^ Thomas," Hope still, ^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., June 16, 1830; living in
South Gardner, Mass. She married, Nov. 15, 1859, Joseph Green
of Hubbardston, Mass,, born Feb. 12, 1832, son of Joseph and
Sally (Foster) Green, and a descendant of John Green of Charles-
town, Mass.,- 1632.
Children, all born in Gardner :
i. William Hyman^ Green, b. Oct. 23, 1862 ; living in South
Gardner, Mass. ; m. Oct. 11, 1892, Emma, S. in Westminster,
Jan. 4, 1867, dau. of Sewall Whitcomb and Mary Jane (Bick-
ford) Seaver.
116 BENT FAMILY.
ii. Allen Arunah Green, b. Nov. 3, 1866 ; m. first, Jan. 12,
1886, Kate Osgood, who d. in Gardner, April 11, 1895 ; m.
second. May 27," 1897, Mary Morrisy of Gardner. One
child, Margaret JElmina, b. June 15, 1898.
iii. Lester Newell Green, b. Aug. 24, 1871 ; living unm. in
South Gardner, Mass.
182
Chaeles Orea^ Bent {Hymmi,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., June 4,
1835, and is living in Gardner, Mass. When a young man, he
followed his brothers and sisters to Gardner, but soon after, in 1858,
went, via Isthmus of Panama, to California, where he married,
Sept. 18, 1864, at Santa Cruz, Emeline Barnhill, born in Truro,
N. S., April 7, 1842, died Sept. 26, 1889, daughter of John Barn-
hill. He returned to Gardner in the fall of 1868, and soon after
formed, with his brothers, the firm of S. Bent & Bros., chair manu-
facturers, of which he is the present head. He married second,
April 28, 1895, at Concord, N. H., Mrs. Angeline (Barney)
Wetherbee, a native of Nantucket, Mass.
Children of Charles O. and Emeline, i. born in Santa Cruz, Cal.,
ii. b. in Gardner, Mass. :
i. Alice Levina,^ b. Oct. 28, 1866 ; living in Gardner, Mass. ;
m. Aug. 1, 1895, James Arthur Stiles (his second marriage),
a lawyer, of Gardner, b. in Fitchburg, Mass., Sept. 1, 1855,
graduated from Harvard in 1877, son of James Franklin
Stiles. One child, Elizabeth Stiles, b. in Gardner, Nov. 22,
1896.
ii. George Barnhill, b. April 8, 1872 ; living in Gardner,
Mass. ; m. Dec. 6, 1893, Edith L., dan. of Jonathan Davis
of Gardner.
183
Frances F.' Bent (^Hyman,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,'^ Hopestill,^
Peter,^ John') wasborn in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Oct. 27, 1838;
living in Marlboro', N. H. She married, at Keene, N. H., Nov.
27, 1862, Charles Oscar Whitney, born in Troy, N. H., May 4,
1838, son of Luke and Lovina (White) Whitney, and a descendant
of John Whitney of Watertown, 1635. They lived in Springfield
and Gardner, Mass., before locating, in 1866, in Marlboro', where
Mr. Whitney is now a prominent business man and mill owner.
Mrs. Whitney has been long and faithfully identified with the
Universalist church.
Children, i. born in Gardner, Mass., ii. and iii. in Marlboro',
N. H. :
i. Frank Russell^ "Whitney, b. Aug. 29, 1866 ; d. Aug. 25,
1885.
R. L. BENT, OF GARDNER, MAS:
BENT FAMILY. 117
ii. Charles Winfred Whitney, b. Aug. 4, 1877 ; m. Julia
Cloutier of Marlboro'.
iii. Robert Lynmore Whitney, b. Sept. 10, 1880.
184
RoDERic Leslie'' Bent (^Hyman,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ John^) was born in Fitzwilliam, N. H., March 22,
1843; died in Gardner, Mass., Jan. 5, 1895, 2d. 51. When a
young man, following the course of his brothers and most of his
sisters, he moved to Gardner, Mass., where, with the exception of
a brief interval in New Haven just previous to his marriage, the rest
of his life was spent. In October, 1868, he and two of his brothers
bought the business of the remaining brother, A. Allen Bent, and
formed the firm of S. Bent &> Bros., chair manufacturers, of which
he was an active member at the time of his death. In addition to
his business cares, he took an active part in town affairs and served
on many and various committees, besides representing his district in
the Legislature in 1884 and 1885. He was president of the Gard-
ner Electric Light Co., a director of the Blount Manufacturing Co.,
a director of the First National Bank, and one of the investment
committee for the Gardner Savings Bank.
The following tribute is from the pen of his brother :
R. L. Bent possessed some remarkable traits of character, some rare
business qualifications. He was one of the few who could conduct business
with success and at the same time with fairness towards those associated
with him and with all he had dealings with. The successful business man
is worthy of more credit than he usually gets. Statistics show that only
five or six out of every hundred can manage business successfully ; conse-
quently, the other ninety-four or ninety-five are in some way dependent on
the five or six. Successful business men are the great promoters of ad-
vanced civilization. Indeed, civilization is largely dependent on them.
The varied and valuable charitable institutions and the many noble enter-
prises that go to make our civilization valuable are results of business
enterprise of men who accumulate more than enough to support their own
families. I honor the successful business man, and such was R. L. Bent.
And his good traits did not end with his fine business capabilities. He was
a faithful husband, a devoted father, a kind and thoughtful relative, gen-
erous to those less fortunate than himself, a true public spirited citizen,
loyal alike to his family, to his friends, to his associates, to his country,
and to the higher law of truth and right, an honest, conscientious, fair-
minded, representative man. The needs of the hour are for more such
men. He fought a good fight, but finished his course all too early. We
cannot explain the mystery of his removal when he was so useful and when
he seemed so much needed. Perhaps his tireless activity hastened his
departure. He dro]3ped the earthly garments, which energetic use had
Worn out, too soon. Still we have reason to be thankful that we have
seen him and known him and been helped by him. We are all better for
having known him. A great loss means that we have had a great treasure.
118 BENT FAMILY.
We shall hold him in grateful remembrance for his rare ability, for his
loyalty, integrity, strong hand and generous heart.
He married, July 10, 1866, Mary L. Adams, bom Jan. 22,
1849, daughter of Silas and Hoxa (Hunting) Adams of Gardner,
and a descendant of Henry Adams of Braintree, 1632, the ancestor
of the Presidents Adams, the Revolutionary patriot Samuel Adams
and William T. Adams (Oliver Optic) .
Children, both born in Gardner :
i. RoLLAND Adams,^ b. March 22, 1876.
ii. Arnold Ainslie, b. Nov. 28, 1887.
185
Elisha Melzo'' Bent {Elisha,^ Samuel,^ Thomas,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ Joh'n}) was born Aug. 6, 1845, in Fitzwilliam,
N. H., w^here he is still living on the farm his grandfather cleared
in 1780. He married, Jan. 17, 1878, Julia Roxana, born April
2Q, 1856, daughter of Moses and Abbie (Marshall) Chaplin of
Fitzwilliam.
Children, all born in Fitzwilliam :
i. Agnes May,« b. Sept. 27, 1878.
ii. Floka Josephine, b. June 20, 1881.
iii. Waldo Heywood, b. March 25, 1883.
iv. Abbie Lucretia, b. Sept. 23, 1885.
V. Holland, b. 1887 ; d. 1887.
vi. Robert Wares, b. Aug. 21, 1889.
vii. Bernice Belle, b. 1890 ; d. 1890.
viii. Ruth Isabelle, b. July 10, 1893.
ix. Mildred Roxana, b. July 22, 1897 ; d. Jan. 20, 1899.
186
Newell^ Bent {Newell,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,* Hopestill,^
jPe^er,^ Jo 7i 51 '), was born March 5, 1810, in Cambridge, Mass.,
where he died Dec. 18, 1872, ^. 62. He was a coal and wood
merchant, and dealt largely in real estate in addition. He was for
several years a director of the First National Bank of Cambridge.
He married, June 19, 1833, Mary Emery, daughter of John and
Sally (How) Trowbridge. Sally How was a daughter of Col.
Ezekiei How of Wayside Inn fame (see page 17).
Children, all born in Cambridge :
i. Harriet Augusta,^ b. May 4, 1834 ; m. June 3, 1863, David
F. Leavitt of Boston, at Point de Galle, Ceylon, where Mr.
Leavitt was engaged in business from 1861 to 1866, when
they renioved to St. Louis, Mo., where he still resides en-
gaged in coifee and sugar business. Four children : 1. Mary
T., b. 1864; d. 1875. 2. Franklin, b. Oct. 7, 1871. 3.
Newell Bent, b. 1873 ; d. 1873. 4. Sherman, b. Dec. 20,
1878.
BENT FAMILY. 119
371. ii. George Henry, b. June 19, 1836.
iii. Ellen M., b. 1838 ; d. 1842.
iv. Sarah Chaplin, b. July 25, 1841 ; living unm. in North Cam-
bridge.
V. Mary Emma, b. Nov. 24, 1843 ; living unm. in North Cam-
bridge.
vi. Fannie Eliza, b. March 13, 1846 ; living in Newton, Mass. ;
m. Oct. 21, 1873, Charles Hunt of Boston, Capt. Co. G., 44th
Reg. Mass. Vols, in Civil War. Four children : 1. Helen
r.,» b. Nov. 12, 1875. 2. Walter M, b. June 6, 1877 ; d.
Sept. 4, 1887. 3. Charles G., b. Jan. 21, 1885. 4. Lowell,
b. March 6, 1886.
vii. Martha Jane, b. June 11, 1848 ; living in Framingham, Mass. ;
m. March 17, 1873, William F. Gregory, shoe mfr., firm of
Gregory, Shaw & Co. Six children : 1. Evelyn W.,^ b. July
3, 1874. 2. Franklin K, b. June 27, 1877. 3. Arthur W.,
b. Oct. 1, 1879. 4. Ernest T., b. Feb. 14, 1883. 5. Marion
H., b. Oct. 22, 1886. 6. Eussell E., b. Dec. 23, 1891.
372. viii. Walter Trowbridge, b. May 5, 1851.
187
Lucius Philip^ Bent (Thomas,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,'* Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John}), farmer and insurance agent, M^as born June
14, 1833, in Sudbury, Mass., where he has always lived, except
two years before marriage spent in a store in Framingham. He
has been moderator at town meetings several times. He married,
July 8, 1857, Lauretta, daughter of Aaron and Lois (Hosmer)
Hunt.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Lucius Ellsworth,* b. June 23, 1861 ; living in North Sud-
bury; m. May 31, 1890, Annie I. Ward of Wayland; no
children,
ii. Lauretta Josephine, b. March 1, 1864; living in Natick,
Mass. ; graduated from State Normal School at Framingham
and afterwards made a study of the organ ; m. March 1, 1886,
Walter Leslie Felch, a shoe mfr. in Natick.
iii. Grace Edna, b. 1869 ; d. 1870.
iv. Mattie Blanche (twin), b. Sept. 16, 1870 ; educated in State
Normal School at Framingham and Normal Art School,
Boston; m. April 16, 1895, George Frank Cutting, who
keeps a hotel in Maynard, Mass.
V. Ruth Blanche (twin), b. Sept. 16, 1870; d. unm. in Sud-
bury, March 5, 1899 ; graduated from State Normal School
in Framingham and had served on the school committee of
her native town ; at the time of death was treasurer of the
First Unitarian Society in Sudbury,
vi. Harold Burton, b. March 27, 1878.
8
120 BENT FAMILY.
188
Thomas Albeet' Bent {Thomas,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas * Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^), carpenter, was born in Sudbury, Mass., July-
Si, 1835 ; living in Somerville, Mass. He married Eebecca H.
Brigham of Sudbury.
Children :
i. Lewis Albert Brigham,^ b. 1864 ; d. April 4, 1882.
ii. Carrie Frances, living unm. with her parents.
189
Cyrus Andeeson'' Bent {Thomas,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,* Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ John^) was born Feb. 1, 1840, in Sudbury, Mass.,
where he died Sept. 28, 1879, ai. 39. He married, Sept. 7, 1862,
Lauretta Sophia, daughter of George and Abby Parmenter of Sud-
bury, where Mrs. Bent still resides.
Children :
i. Ella Melissa,^ b. Dec. 21, 1863 ; living in Clinton, N. Y. ;
m. June 10, 1884, Rev. Matthew D. Sill.of Mcholville, N. Y.
ii. Charles, b. 1868 ; d. 1869.
iii. Fred, b. 1871 ; d. 1871.
iv. Herbert Newton, b. Aug. 30, 1875 ; freight agent in South
Framingham, Mass.
190
George Henry'' Bent {Thomas,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^), farmer, was born May 8, 1846, in Sudbury,
Mass. ; still living in the north part of the town. He married, Oct.
26, 1865, Lydia Ann, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Battles of
Sudbury.
Children, all born in Sudbury except ii. and iii., born in Somer-
ville, Mass. :
i. Carrie Jane,® b. Dec. 9, 1866 ; m. Nov. 5, 1881, Hiram
Haynes, 2d, of Sudbmy.
i. George Luman, b. Feb. 3, 1870 ; farmer and station agent at
Sudbury Centre; m. first, Nov. 10, 1890, Sarah E., dau. of
Albert W. and Helen F. Rice of Sudbury ; m. second, April
2, 1899, Evie Parmenter of Sudbury. One chUd by first
marriage, Grace Eloise, b. Sept. 30, 1891.
iii. Annie G., b. 1873 ; d. 1876.
iv. Charles Ernest, b. June 4, 1876.
V. Thomas Battles, b. Feb. 27, 1878 ; d. Dec. 25, 1885.
vi. Samuel Elbridge, b. Sept, 7, 1880 ; saw service in 6th Mass.
Reg. m Cuban campaign, 1898.
GOV. CHARLES BENT, OF NEW MEXi
PUBLIC
BENT FAMILY, 121
191
Feancis Eugene^ Bent {Thomas,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter,'' John^') was born Dec. 30, 1848, in Sudbury, Mass.,
where he still lives. He has been town treasurer, constable and tax
collector for many years. He married, Oct. 31, 1871, Abbie E.,
daughter of George and Sarah Smith of Sudbury.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Sarah E.,^ b. Nov. 29, 1874; m. Luman Emory Conant of
Waltham, Mass.
ii. Gertrude E., b. Nov. 27, 1877 ; d.
iii. Alice Esther, b. April 29, 1881.
iv. Frances Ella, b. May 31, 1886.
192
Charles'' Bent (Silas,^ jSilas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in Charleston, (West) Virginia, Nov. 11, 1799;
killed by the Indians at Taos, N. M., Jan. 19, 1847. About the
year 1826 four of the Bent brothers, Charles, William, George and
Robert, together with Ceran St. Vrain, went from the Upper Mis-
souri or Sioux County (whither they had gone, some of them as
early as 1823, in the service of the American Fur Co.) to what is
now Colorado, where they immediately built a wooden fort. Two
years afterward they began the construction of an adobe fort, which
was finished in 1832. This was the famous Bent's Fort, or
as they called it. Fort William. For ten years they, and those in
their employ, were the only white men in what is now Bent County.
St. Vrain and the oldest of the Bent brothers, Charles, did not re-
main long, but pushed on to New Mexico. It was probably in 1829
that they applied to President Jackson for a military escort to cross
the Arkansas river, then the dividing line between the United States
and Mexico. The band that started consisted of about sixty men
and thirty-six wagons. Charles Bent was chosen captain, and two
hundred soldiers, under the command of Major Bennett Riley, were
granted them. At one time on their journey they were attacked by
a band of Indians variously estimated at from five hundred to two
thousand, but succeeded in holding their own. They finally reached
what is now New Mexico and located permanently for trading pur-
poses. In 1829 Spain invaded Mexico, and the latter country,
which had become independent in 1821, banished all people of
Spanish birth from the Republic. Several Spanish families crossed
the plains from Santa Fe to St. Louis that fall, under the guidance
of Charles Bent and his caravan.
Everyone speaks highly of Captain Charles. William Waldo of
Texas, who was with him in those early days, says, "he was a man
of splendid nerve and power, and a mihtary genius of no mean
122 BENT FAMILY.
order, and furthermore his caution was equal to his valor." Captain
James Hobbs of California, who also knew him, says, "I always
found him perfectly upright in his dealings, both with his party and
with the Indians. He commanded the confidence and respect of all
the tribes he dealt with, and his honorable treatment of them pre-
vented violence on their part." J. P. Dunn, Jr., in his "Massacres
of the Mountains," says, " besides being a man of practical know-
ledge. Bent was a man of talent, energy and patriotism."
At the declaration of war with Mexico, in 1846, Colonel Stephen
W. Kearney left Fort Leavenworth in June, and on August 1st en-
camped with his command at Bent's Fort. The following day they
left for Santa Fe, marching over the route now occupied by the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Charles Bent commanded
a company of spies on the expedition.
On the 22d of September (1846), Kearney, being duly author-
ized by the President of the United States, appointed Charles Bent
Governor of New Mexico, of which they had just taken possession.
Previous to this, he had married a Spanish lady (whose sister mar-
ried Kit Carson) and established his residence at Don Fernandez
de Taos (now plain Taos, about sixty-five miles N. N. E. of Santa
Fe). "The community over which he was called to rule," says
J. P. Dunn, Jr., "was complex. The Americans were trifling
in number outside the military. The people generally may be
classed as Mexicans, Pueblos and wild Indians, though there existed
in abundance every imaginable gradation of blood and habits be-
tween these classes. The Pueblos were the most interesting and,
indeed, the most reliable of the three classes. They are not a nation
or tribe, but include a number of tribes, speaking six distinct lan-
guages. They are, as the name signifies, Indians who live in per-
manent towns. Most of them were Christianized after a fashion at
an early date. At the time of this conquest, they inhabited the
twenty-six villages which they still occupy."
"On the 26th of Dec, 1846, Governor Bent wrote that he had
received information of a revolt on the 17th of December, but that
he had secured seven of the conspirators. Believing the revolt to
be at an end, he went, on the 14th of Jan., 1847, to his home at
Taos. On the 19th the Indians appeared and asked for the release
of two prisoners. This being refused, they killed the sheriff, and
then attacked the Governor's house, killing and scalping Bent and
two others, one of the latter being his brother-in-law, Pablo Jaramillo.
The army, after capturing the insurrectionists, fourteen of whom
were afterward tried, convicted and hung, returned to Santa Fe, and
there on the 13th of February the bodies of Governor Bent and
prosecuting-attorney Leal were buried with civic, masonic and mili-
tary honors. After a third interment the remains of Governor Bent
BENT FAMILY. 123
now lie in the Masonic Cemetery at the New Mexican capital, be-
neath a handsome monument and honorable epitaph."
He is described as a heavily built man, with a pleasant but firm
disposition, and was evidently a good exemplification of the motto
of the English Bents, " Nee temere nee timide."
Don Carlos, as he was known in his home, had by his wife,
Ignacia Jaramilla, three children, all born in Taos, N. M. :
3T3. i. Alfred,^ b. 1836.
ii. EsTEPiNA, m. Zan Hickling and moved to a ranch on the
Green Horn in Colorado (25 miles from the nearest settle-
ment), where he died in 1878 ; his widow still lives near by
with her two children.
iii. Terisina, m, first, Lux ; m. second, Aloys Scheurick
of Taos, JST. M., where they still reside ; five children.
193
Juliannah' Bent (Silas,^ Silas,^ Mijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John") was born in (West) Virginia, July 18, 1801 ; died in St.
Louis, Mo., Sept. 21, 1820. She married Lilburn W. Boggs,
Lieut. Governor of Missouri 1832 to 1836, Governor 1836 to 1840,
and leader of the first great band of settlers that went from Missouri
to California.
Children, both born in St. Louis :
i. Angus Langham* Boggs, b. July 17, 1818; d. in San Jose,
Cal., May 8, 1878 ; m. Susannah Rebecca And, b. in Dan-
ville, Ky., Jan. 25, 1822, d. in San Jose, March 4, 1896. Six
children : 1. Charles SamueP Boggs, b. 1844 ; d. 1849. 2.
Ann Eliza Boggs, b. in Independence, Mo., July 16, 1846 ;
m. Hugh Moore. 3. Julia Maria Boggs, b. 1849 ; d. 1868.
4. Mary Frances Boggs, b. 1851 ; d. 1857. 5. Walter Aud
Boggs, b. in Napa Valley, Cal., Nov. 29, 1855. 6. Clara
Grace Boggs, b. 1861 ; d. 1865.
ii. Henry Carroll Boggs, b. June 1, 1820 ; d. Sept. 27, 1898 ;
was president of The Farmers Savings Bank in Lakeport,
Cal. ; m. Oct. 13, 1840, Martha Jane Young of Kentucky.
Three children : 1. Julia Luvanrv' Bogqs, b. Sept. 11, 1841 ;
d. Nov. 23, 1864 ; m. March 9, 1864, William Wht Pender-
gast. 2. James William Boggs, b. Aug. 10, 1843 ; living in
Lakeport, Cal. ; m. July 19, 1870, Josephine Boggs. 3. Lil-
hurn Henry Boggs, b. Feb. 4, 1850 ; living in Lakeport, Cal. ;
m. Oct. 4, 1871, Sarah Coloma Elgin. One of daughters of
latter bears the name of Bent Young-^" Boggs.
194
John' Bent (Silas,^ Silas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in (West) Virginia, May 31, 1803 ; died in Calla-
way County, Missouri, May 18, 1845, £e. 42. He was educated at
124 BENT FAMILY.
Cannonsburg College, Washington Co., Penn., admitted to the
bar in Missouri about 1825, and soon after was appointed clerk of
the Circuit Court and recorder of Jefferson County, at Herculaneum,
Mo. About a year afterward he returned to St. Louis, and in 1828
was a representative to the State Legislature, where his oratorical
powers, as well as urbanity of manner, soon attracted attention.
Upon his return, he was appointed circuit attorney for the St. Louis
Circuit, the duties of which he faithfully discharged for six or eight
years. His death was occasioned by an injury received from the
overturning of a coach in which he was travelling.
He married in 1829 Olivia McClelland of Boone County, Mo.
About 1853 she moved to Kentucky to live among her people.
She died at her daughter's home in Springfield, Mo., in 1889.
Children, all born in St. Louis :
i. Virginia,^ b. Oct. 1831 ; living unm. in Bowling Green, Ky.
ii. Martha, b. Oct. 1831 ; d. unm. in Springfield, Mo., April,
1889.
374. iii. James McClelland, b. April, 1841.
195
LuCY^ Bent (Silas,^ Silas, ^ Elijah,* Hojjestill,^ Peter, '^ John^)
was born in Ohio, March 8, 1805, but went with her parents the
following year to St. Louis, Mo., where she died March 2, 1871.
She married, Sept. 28, 1826, Joseph Russell, who was born in
Rockbridge County, Va., Feb. 27, 1786, and moved to Missouri
about 1820.
Children, all born near St. Louis :
i. Julia A. B.^ Russell, b. Oct. 16, 1827 ; m. Dec. 20, 1853,
Trumbull Gustine Russell, b. April 7, 1823 ; not related so
far as is known. Five children, only two living : Lucy Benf
and Daniel Renouard.
ii. John G. Russell, b. Nov. 6, 1830.
iii. Charles S. Russell, b. March 7, 1833.
iv. RussELLA Lucy Russell, b. Sept. 4, 1835 ; m. George W.
Parker, Pres. of the Parker-Russell Mining & Mfg. Co. of
St. Louis.
1%
Dorcas' Bent (Silas,^ Silas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^) was born March 12, 1807, in St. Louis, Mo., where she
died Feb. 27, 1888, se. 81. She married, Dec, 1829, William
Chiles Carr, who was born in Albemarle County, Va., April 15,
1783, and settled, 1804, in St. Louis, where he died March 31,
1851. He was judge of St. Louis Circuit Court from 1826 to
1833 ; he had five children by a previous marriage.
BENT FAMILY. 125
Children of William C. and Dorcas (Bent) Carr :
i. Dabnet® Carr, b. June 29, 1831 ; living in St. Louis ; m.
Mary E. Dyer. Four children : 1. Mary L,^ 2. Carrie.
3. Dahney W. 4. Emeline.
ii. Walter Bent Carr, b. Jan. 11, 1833 ; d. March 22, 1865 ;
m. Eugenia L. Paschall. Five children : 1. William G. 2.
JV. Paschall. 3. Martha E. 4. Mary P. 5. Walter Bent.
iii. William Chiles Carr, b. 1835 ; d. 1840.
iy. Charles Bent Carr, b. July 28, 1836 ; living in St. Louis ; m.
Louisa A. Atchison. Seven children : 1. George A. 2. Dor-
cas Bent, m. Ernest P. Bell. 3. Charles Bent. 4. Fannie L.
5. Marie. 6. Robert C. 7. Hazel A.
v. George Washington Carr, b. 1838 ; d. 1839.
vi. Thomas Jefferson Carr, b. June 28, 1840 ; d. Nov. 21,
1876 ; m. Minerva Norton. One child, Eugenia.
vii. Robert Septimus Carr, b. Feb. 20, 1842 ; living in St. Louis ;
m. first, Fannie Selby ; m. second, Helen Sims. One son,
Robert L., by 1st wife ; and one dau., Mary Josephine, by 2d
wife,
viii. Martha Elizabeth Carr, b. 1844; d. 1849.
ix. Eugenia Carr, b. May 19, 1847; living in St. Louis; m.
Augustus Kerr Phillips. Four children, one of whom bears
the name of Silas Benf Phillips.
197
William^ Bent (Silas,^ 8ilas,^ Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
Joh'n}) was born in St. Louis, Mo., May 23, 1809, and died in
Bent County, Col., May 19, 1869. About 1826 he accompanied
his brother Charles and others (see page 121) to the Arkansas
valley in what is now the State of Colorado, then simply an unex-
plored part of the vast Louisiana purchase. Here they built a
temporary wooden fort, which lasted until the completion in 1832
of what was known at first as Fort William, but later as Bent's
Fort. From this as a centre he made trapping and trading expe-
ditions among the Indians. When the fort was built the surround-
ing country was occupied by Comanches and Kiowas, but in 1836
he went to the valley of the Platte for a wife, a Cheyenne maid,
daughter of a chief of great influence. The result was that about
three-quarters of that tribe removed to the Arkansas valley, and his
business increased correspondingly. In the palmy days he employed
a hundred trappers.
During the Mexican War, in 1846 and 1847, the fort was head-
quarters for the commissary department, and many supplies were
stored there. William Bent acted as guide as far as Taos, N. M.
(his brother's home), for the 2d Missouri Cavalry, commanded by
Col. Sterling Price (later a Confederate major-general), and after
that was known as Col. Bent. In 1852 the Government offered
126 BENT FAMILY.
him $12,000 for his fort, but his price was 1 16, 000. As no agree-
ment could be reached, he loaded what goods he could into his
wagons, set fire to the powder magazine, and blew up the fort.
In the spring of 1853 Col. Bent began a new fort, forty miles
east of the old one, completing it the following year. In 1859 he
was appointed U.S. Indian agent for the Cheyennes and Arapahoes,
but resigned in the next year. In the fall of 1859 he leased his
fort to the Government, and it was occupied with troops and called
Fort Wise, after Gov. Wise of Virginia ; but this name was changed
in 1861 to Fort Lyon, after the gallant Gen. Lyon, one of the first
to die in the Civil War. The fort was abandoned in 1867 and a
new fort was built by the United States twenty-five miles up the
Arkansas Kiver and named Fort Lyon, but this was given up in
1890.
In 1859 Col. Bent began improvements near the mouth of the
Purgatoire River, Colorado, building a stockade one hundred feet
square. In 1860 R. M. Moore, from Jackson County, Mo., joined
him, and soon after married the Colonel's oldest daughter, Mary.
This daughter had been educated in the family of Col. Albert G.
Boone, a relative of the famous Daniel Boone of Kentucky. "The
wedding," says the Kansas City Journal of Oonmerce, " was such
a one as could be given only on the Western frontier and at the
mansion of Col. Bent." The latter assembled his old hunting
companions, formed an Indian council and passed around the pipe
of peace. R. M. Moore, who was born in Ohio in 1833, was the
first probate judge and first superintendent of schools for Bent
County, 1870, and is now one of the largest ranch owners and
cattle raisers in the county, and a man greatly respected. He has
2200 head of cattle, besides a large lot of sheep.
Col. Bent's wife died soon after the birth of her youngest child,
and he married her sister. He himself died at his home, near Las
Animas, Colo., May 19, 1869, £e. 60. Says Hall's History of
Colorado : "A remarkable man in his day was William Bent, not
perhaps according to the gesthetic standard, but in the estimation of
his fellows and of the red men, where his iron firmness yet kindly
manners, his integrity, truthfulness and courage not only compelled
admiration but endeared him to them. As a consequence, no such
harvests as he gathered were open to his competitors, and when his
heavily loaded trains reached St. Louis, bearing the fruits of his
enterprise, they came like ships bearing coveted cargoes from
foreign lands."
William Bent's children were :
i. Makt,« b. Jan. 22, 1838 ; d. May 6, 1878 ; m. April 3, 1860,
R. M. Moore. Six children, four girls and two boys.
ii. Robert, d. in Indian Territory in April, 1889.
iii. George, living, 1894, at Darlington, I. T.
BENT FAMILY. 127
iv. Julia, m. Edward Gurrie ; living, 1894, at Darlington, I. T.
V. Charles, was educated at St. Louis, but joined the Indians and
died with them in 1868. The cause of his death was malarial
fever superinduced by a wound received in a fight with the
Kaws near the mouth of the Walnut Creek in Kansas. His
picture appears in Harper's Magazine for Feb. 1868 (vol. 36,
p. 305).
BENT'S FORT.
Bent's Fort, Colorado, as has already been stated,* was begun in
1828 and completed in 1832. It was on the north bank of the
Arkansas River, twelve or fifteen miles from Las Animas, the
former capital of Bent County, some seventy miles east of Pueblo,
Col., 650 miles west of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and 8958 feet
above the sea. It was one hundred feet square, with adobe walls 15
feet high and four feet thick. At the northeast and southwest corners
were bastions armed with cannon. Inside the apartments were
built against the walls in the Mexican fashion and in the centre
was the storehouse for furs. In 1846 it justified Col. Cooke's
assertion that it was in reality the only /br^ at the West. Francis
Parkman stopped in August of that year, just after Kearney's
soldiers had been there, and makes a brief allusion in " The
Oregon Trail " to its " high clay walls in the midst of the scorching
plains." At present, however, not a vestige of it remains, but in
its day it afforded shelter to hundreds of weary travellers and was
the most noted trading post west of the Missouri River.
In 1831, after Charles Bent had pushed on further west. Kit
Carson, I then barely twenty-one, was hired as a hunter and re-
mained until Gen. Fremont found him in 1845 and employed him
as a guide. This was Fremont's third western expedition, but the
first time he had ever stopped at Bent's Fort. He came again on
his fourth expedition in 1848.
"The contiguous region to Fort William," says Col. Henry
Inman in "The Old Santa Fe Trail," "was in the early days a
famous hunting ground. It abounded in nearly every variety of
animal indigenous to the mountains and plains, among which were
the panther, the lynx, white wolf, prairie wolf, silver-gray fox,
prairie fox, antelope, buffalo, gray, grizzly and cinnamon bears,
together with the common brown and black species, the red deer
and the black tail. Of birds there were wild turkeys, quail and
grouse, besides an endless variety of the smaller-sized families, not
regarded as belonging to the domain of game in a hunter's sense.
It was a veritable paradise too for the trappers. Its numerous
streams and creeks were famous for beaver, otter and mink."
* See pages 121 and 125.
t Christopher or Kit Carson was born in Kentucky, Dec. 24, 1809, and died May 23,
1868, K. 58.
128 BENT FAMILY.
"Scarcely an acre," he significantly adds, "of the surrounding area
within the radius of hundreds of miles but has been the scene of
many deadly encounters with the wily red man."
BENT COUNTY, COLOEADO.
Bent County, Colorado, was authorized by legislative act of
February, 1870, it having been part of Las Animas and Pueblo
Counties previously. The original county seat was Las Animas,
but this was soon changed to Boggsville. The county is 110 miles
long and 84 miles wide, having an area of nearly 9500 square
miles, about the size of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The
Arkansas River runs through the entire length of the county, a
little south of the centre, and the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad follows the bank of the river. The county is in the south-
eastern part of the state, the eastern boundary being Kansas. The
surface in general is a grassy plain, which up to 1872 was occupied
by great herds of buffalo and antelope. Its modern growth as a
farming country did not begin until 1886-87. The population in
1890 was about 20,000, but it has increased largely since then.
198
Mary^ Bent (Silas^, Silas\ Elijah\ HoioestilV, Peter^y
John^) was born Jan. 25, 1811, in St. Louis, Mo., where she died
March 3, 1866, aged 55 ; married Oct. 22, 1835, Major Jonathan
Leet Bean, U. S. A., born July 14, 1800, died July 16, 1853.
Children, all born in St. Louis, Mo. (three died in infancy) :
i. William Chambers Bean,® b. Sept. 9, 1836, d. July 14,
1885 ; m. Oct. 4, 1866, Susan Johnson, b. Petersburg, Ya.,
Jan. 1, 1837. Four children, all b. in St. Louis: 1. Mary
Leet Bean, b. July 31, 1869. 2. Annie Johnson Bean, b. April
12, 1871. 3. Ashtmi Garrett Bean, b. March 11, 1872.
4. Edith Bean, b. Sept. 24, 1882.
ii. Mary Catherine Bean, b. Dec. 28, 1843, d. Feb. 6, 1891 ;
m. Nov. 27, 1867, James Boude Sharpe, b. Mayslick, Ky.,
July 0, 1833, d. Feb. 9, 1894; five children: 1. Norville
Wallace^ Sharpe, b. Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 21, 1869, living in
St. Louis; m. Aug. 19, 1895, Daisy McClain Scott. 2. Bent
Sharpe, b. St. Louis, March 29, 1871. 3. Daisy Sharpe, b.
1873, d. 1882. 4. Charles B. Sharpe, b. 1877, d. 1884.
5. James Marion Sharpe, b. Ferguson, Mo., July 4, 1883.
199
Silas^ Bent {Silas^, Silas^, Elijah'^, HopestiW, Peter^,
John^,) was born in South St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 10, 1820, and
died Aug. 26, 1887, at Shelter Island, L. I., where he had gone
for his health ; buried in Louisville, Ky. His education was re-
LIEUT. SILAS BENT, U.S. N.
BENT FAMILY. 129
celved at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. He became
a midshipman July 1, 1836, master in 1849, and lieutenant Aug. 1,
1849. In the latter position he conducted a series of surveys on
the coast of Japan during Commodore Matthew C. Perry's expedi-
tion, which resulted in the opening to the world of the ports of that
hitherto exclusive country. Bayard Taylor, who took part in the
expedition, says in his " A Visit to India, China and Japan in the
Year 1853," published two years later: "Too much credit, how-
ever, cannot be awarded to the different officers, and especially to
Lieut. Bent, for the coolness and courage with which they prose-
cuted their work. When we consider that this, one of the greatest
bays in the world, had hitherto never been surveyed, the interest
and value of their labors will be better understood." Before this
Lieut. Bent had been on the U. S. Brig Preble, 14 guns, with
Commander Glynn, who succeeded in getting eighteen American
sailors released from Japanese prisons and paved the way for
Commodore Perry.* At the outbreak of the civil war his sym-
pathies were with his native state and he resigned his commission
and returned to his early home in St. Louis, where he assumed the
management of the Tyler estate. He was a member of the Board
of Freeholders who formed the present city charter of St, Louis
and held many positions of trust. For several years he was senior
warden of Christ Church. Most of his leisure was devoted to
scientific research, and he took especial interest in polar explorations.
As early as 1868 he addressed the St. Louis Historical Society on
"The Thermometric Gateways to the Poles." This address was
published and attracted the attention of scientists all over the world.
He married Nov. 5, 1857, Ann Eliza Tyler, daughter of Robert
and Mary Lawrence (Chambers) Tyler of Louisville, Ky.
Children, i. born near and ii. in Louisville, Ky.
i. Mart Lawrence,® living unm. in St. Louis, Mo.
ii. Lucy, living in St. Louis ; m. April 19, 1892, Crittenden
McKinley of St. Louis. One child : Silas Benf McKinley, b.
1893.
200
Edward^ Bent {Nahum^ ^ 8ilas\ Elijah, HopestilF, Peter^,
John^) was born in Marietta, O., May 1, 1817 ; died Martinez, Cal.,
June 19, 1879, aged 62 ; soon after his marriage he and his father
moved to Northwestern Missouri, where he remained until 1852,
when he moved his family back to his father-in-law's home, near
Riggston, Illinois, and went to California prospecting. Notwith-
standing the fact that this was " the year of the cholera " and he
had many rough experiences, he decided to return to Illinois and
* See article by William Elliot Griffis in Harper's for October,'l898.
130 BENT FAMILY.
take his family thither. June 1, 1854, they all started for Cali-
fornia overland in a prairie schooner, a journey that took four
months. Soon after their arrival death claimed three of the children.
For two years they lived in Napa County, but in 1856 the family
located in Alhambra Valley, near Martinez, in central California.
Edward Bent married July 25, 1838, Harriet Amanda, born in
Connecticut, died in Martinez, Cal., Feb. 19, 1899, daughter of
George W. Camp of Scott County, 111. Mrs. Bent was a genuine
pioneer. When she was very young her father took his family
with a pioneer's outfit to Vermont, then but sparsely settled ; a few
years later he pushed on to the Ohio River, where he built a flat
boat and floated down the Ohio and Mississippi until near St. Louis.
After a short time here he packed his effects on to an ox-cart and
moved to central Illinois. Here the future Mrs. Bent s^rew to
womanhood and married. Soon after marriage, as has already been
stated, she went to western Missouri and in 1854 to California, so
it will be seen that she had crossed the continent in ox-wagons.
Children, i. to vi. born in Nodaway, Mo., vii. in Riggston, 111.,
viii. to X. in the Alhambra Valley, Cal.
i. Helen Maria^, b. Jan. 21, 1841 ; d. unm. July 19, 1864.
ii. George Camp, b. June 5, 1842; d. unm. Aug. 15, 1867.
ill. Edward Tuppee, b. Dec. 2, 1843; d. Dec. 19, 1875; m. in
Martinez, Cal., Dec. 12, 1869, Mary Louisa Gift. Two
children : 1. Helen Mana,^h. 1871, d. 1872. 2. Mary Louisa,
b. 1873, d. 1876.
iv. Harvey Guthrie, b. Nov. 17, 1846 ; d. Nov. 9, 1854.
V. William Dana, b. April 23, 1849 ; d. 1850.
vi. Warren Douglas, b. March 26, 1852; d. Oct. 27, 1854.
vii. Charles Abner, b. Feb. 16, 1854; d. Nov. 3, 1854.
viii. Marietta, b. April 6, 1857; d. unm. June 1, 1886.
ix. Luther, b. March 7, 1859 ; d. Nov. 26, 1861.
X. Charlotte, b. Sept. 11, 1861; Hving in Martinez, Cal.; m.
May 24, 1884, William R. Matthews, real estate dealer.
201
Luther^ Bent (JSTahum,^ Silas,^ Elijah,^ HopestilU^ Peter,^
Johyi^), physician, was born in Marietta, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1819 ; died
in Bedford, Iowa, Aug. 1, 1878, as. 59. While in his teens accom-
panied his parents to north-western Missouri. In 1850 and 1851
attended medical lectures in St. Louis, Mo. Began the practice of
medicine in Maryville, Mo., in 1852; removed to Taylor County,
Iowa, in the fall of 1853 ; three years later, he located in Bedford,
Iowa, where he continued the practice of his profession until his
death. He was a successful physician and a highly esteemed gen-
tleman. He married a daughter of Judge Lowe.
BENT FAMILY. 131
Children:
i. Charles.*
ii. Waittie, school teacher in Bedford, Iowa.
And others.
202
Elijah'' Bent (^Ahner^^ Silas, ^ JElijah,* Hbpestill,^ Peter, ^
Johv}') was born in Belpre, Ohio, about 1804; died 1837. He
married Maria, daughter of Hamilton Carr. She was living with
her son in Iowa in 1887.
Children :
i. Mathilda.*
ii. Nahum.
iii. Hamilton, moved to Iowa.
iv. Charles.
203
Saeah^ Bent (^Ahner,^ Silas, ^ Elijah,^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John}') was born in Belpre, Ohio, Aug. 19, 1806 ; died in Upper
Sandusky, Ohio, June 24, 1859. She married first, in 1826,
George Parker, who died in 1828. She married second, Oct 28,
1833, David Miller* of Wyandot County, Ohio, born in Rocking-
ham County, Va., Feb. 12, 1794, died in Wyandot County, Ohio,
Aug. 28, 1855, son of Eev. Eobert and Mary (Highfield) Miller.
Child by first marriage, born in Pitt township, Ohio :
i. Mary Eleanor* Parker, b. March 14, 1827 ; d. in De Witt,
Ark., Jan. 31, 1876 ; m. Oct. 23, 1851, Findley Franklin
Fowler, b. in Bradford Co., Pa., Jan. 8, 1818, d. in Little
Sandusky, 0., June 7, 1897. One child living, Mrs. Bessie A.^
widow of Thomas Haley Hutchinson of Stuttgart, Ark.
Children by second marriage, born in Pitt township, Ohio :
i. Maria McBeth* Miller, born Nov. 21, 1835 ; d. in Upper
Sandusky, O., April 1, 1874 ; m. Oct. 11, 1855, Robert Nelson
Taylor. Three children,
ii. Princess Amanda Miller, b. Aug. 4, 1837 ; m. Nov. 27,
1856, James House Anderson, b. March 16, 1833, now a judge
in Columbus, 0. Mr. Anderson, who is a descendant of Col.
William Anderson, who fled from Scotland to Virginia ia
1715, was b. in Marion, 0., March 16, 1833, educated at the
Ohio Wesleyan University and the Law Department of Cin-
cinnati College, was mayor of his native city from April to
October, 1855, when he became prosecuting attorney of the
County ; from 1861 to 1866, he was American consul at
Hamburg, where he rendered his government valuable service
* David Miller's brother Reuben was the father of Kear Admiral Joseph IST. Miller,
U. S. N., recently retired.
132 BENT FAMILY.
during the trying war times. He is a trustee of the Ohio
State Arch geological and Historical Society, one of the Vice-
Presidents General of the Sons of the American Revo-
lution, and has taken much interest in the preparation of the
Bent Genealogy. Five children : 1. Mary Princess^ b. Aug.
26, 1857 ; m. Edward Orton. 2. James Thomas, b. March 26,
1862 ; educated at Ohio State University ; Lieut. U. S. A. ;
living in Colorado Springs, Col. ; m. Helen Bagley. 3. Charles
Finley, b. March 23, 1864. 4. Amelie Ellen, b. 1865; d.
1873. 5. Alice Florence, b. 1871 ; d. 1895.
iii. David Selsor Miller, b. June 23, 1843; living in Upper
Sandusky, 0. ; m. April 10, 1873, Fanny Witter.
204
Lincoln Goodale' Bent {Ahner,^ Silas,^ Elijah,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter," Johv}^ was born in Belpre, Ohio, about 1818; died
May 17, 1877. He married Mary A. Kirts.
Children :
i. George K.,^ b. about 1846 ; living in San Angelo, Texas,
ii. W. H.,
iii. Albert D., Y living in "Wabash, Ind.
iv. Amos R.,
And others.
205
William Lawrence^ Bent {Joel,^ Joel,^ Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^
Peter, ^ John') was born in Wendell, Mass., May 12, 1806; died
in Waterford, Wis., Jan. 3, 1855. He was a stone mason and a
deacon in Wendell, where a greater part of his life was spent. For
a few years before marriage, he lived in New York State, and in
1849 he moved to Waterford, Wis. After his death, his widow re-
turned to Massachusetts, and resided in Leverett. He married first,
Nov. 29, 1832, Lucinda Armstrong, who died in Wendell, March
13, 1842. He married second, March 15, 1843, Mariah Hannah,
daughter of John and Lydia G. Woodbury of Leverett, Mass.,
where she died May 28, 1864.
Children of William L. and Lucinda, all born in Wendell :
i. Horatio Gates,^ b. 1835 ; d. 1838.
ii. Amelia, b. Nov. 3, 1839 ; living in Plattsmouth, Neb. ; m. first,
Aug. 25, 1856, in Waterford, Wis., Addison Parker Weston,
who d, in Nehawka, Neb., April 3, 1895. No children. She
m. second, May 28, 1897, in Grundy Centre, Iowa, Jacob H.
Halderman.
iii. Lucinda Armstrong, b. Feb. 16, 1842 ; d. unm. in Amherst,
Mass., May 16, 1870.
BENT FAMILY, 133
Children of William L. and Mariah, i. and ii. born in Wendell,
Mass., iii. and iv. in Waterford, Wis. :
B75. i. Joel Woodbury,^ b. July 24, 1846.
376. ii. William Osgood, b. July 17, 1848.
iii. Lydia Mariah, b. July 29, 1850; living in Chicopee Falls,
Mass. ; m. May 8, 1875, Henry Taylor Nims. One child,
Alice,^ b. in Boston, May 20, 1877.
iv. Emily Electa, b. May 23, 1852 ; d. in Leverett, Mass., Sept.
4, 1863.
206
William Erving" Bent {Samuel,^ Joel,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^
JPeter,'^ John^) was born in Wendell, Mass., Dec. 22, 1805 ; died
in Elgin, 111., May 13, 1879, m. 73. When a young man, he went
with his father to Vermont and later to Michigan, but in 1836
moved to Illinois, where, with others, he founded the town of
Batavia ; subsequently he lived for thirteen years three miles east of
that place, then returned to Batavia, remaining until 1855, when he
purchased a farm in Elgin, which he sold in 1864 and became a resi-
dent of the city of Elgin. He was a farmer, well educated and
much respected. He married, at Batavia, N. Y., in 1830, Lucetta
Wilson Smith, born Sept. 28, 1809, died Feb. 18, 1885, £e. 75.
Children of William and Lucetta :
i. Mary LAvmA,^ b. 1834 ; d. 1834.
ii. Daughter, b. Feb. 8, 1836; d. Feb. 10, 1836.
iii. Pliny Smith, b. Aug. 1, 1837; d. June 30, 1849 ; a remarka-
bly scholarly lad.
iv. Jerome Smith, b. 1840 ; d. 1841.
V. Mary Cordelia, b. June 14, 1844; living in Washington,
D. C. ; m. at Elgin, 111., Jan. 5, 1864, Oliver Corwin Sabin,
b. in Ohio, May 19, 1840. Four children: 1. Lucetta,^ b.
1865 ; d. 1869. 2. Rhoda, b. 1870 ; m. 1892, Alonzo B.
Eaton. 3. William Bent, b. 1872. 4. Oliver Corwin, b. 1874.
vi. Daughter, b. 1849 ; d. 1849.
vii. Horatio William, b. 1850 ; d. 1851.
HoEATio Gates^ Bent {Samuel,^ Joel,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^
Peter, ^ John^) was born in Wendell, Mass., Nov. 22, 1807 ; died
in Bloomington, 111., July 31, 1863, ae. 55 ; buried at Batavia, 111.
He lived for four or five years in the family of his relative, Rev.
Joseph Kilburn, who educated him. When about seventeen, he
left Massachusetts for the South, and after a time went into business
for himself, first in Atlanta, Ga., and afterwards in Charleston,
S. C, Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, La. In the latter place, he
became a very successful commission merchant. Prior to the war
134 BENT FAMILY.
(1859) realizing that the conflict must come, he disposed of his in-
terests and moved to Bloomington, 111., where the few remaining
years of his life were spent. In New Orleans, he was offered the
presidency of one of the leading banks, but ill health obliged him
to decline the offer. He ■v^'os a man of much intelligence and re-
finement, as well as business ability. He married, Sept. 24, 1856,
Lucinda Grimes of Batavia, 111., born in Bethany, N. Y., Aug.
12, 1823, died in Bloomington, 111., March 12, 1898, se. 74.
Children of Horatio G. and Lucinda :
877. i. Horatio Grimes,^ b. Nov. 22, 1857.
ii. Nellie, b. March 25, 1860 ; m. Aug. 11, 1884, James S. Neville
(b. March 11, 1851), a prominent lawyer in Bloomington, 111.,
where they still live. One child, Edith,^ b. Aug. 29, 1885.
Mrs. Neville is a member of the 111. Soc. Daughters of the
Revolution.
208
Joseph Kilbuen^ Bent {Samuel^^ Joel,^ Elijah,'^ HoiJestill^^
Peter, ^ John^) was born in Wendell, Mass., Nov. 16, 1816 ; died
in St. Louis, Mo., March 22, 1880, ae. 63. When a young man,
he lived with his father in Vermont, Michigan and Missouri. In
1839, he located in St. Louis, and soon became one of the most
successful contractors and builders in the city, amassing considerable
wealth. He married, July 3, 1837, Sabina Phelps, who died in St.
Louis, April 10, 1887.
Children of Joseph K. and Sabina, i. born at Liberty, Clay
County, Mo., the others in St. Louis :
i. Ellen,^ b. 1839 ; living in St. Louis ; m. Jan. 18, 1860, Joseph
M. Hanson, who died several years ago. Eight children :
1. Grace.'^ 2. Mellor. 3. 31aude. 4. Mahel 5. Beatrice.
6. Amy. 7. Helen. 8. Hope.
378. ii. George, b. Oct. 25, 1840.
iii. William Edward, d. leaving two boys and a girl,
iv. Samuel, living in California.
Clinton De Witt^ Bent (Stephen,^ Stephen,^ Mijah,^ Hope-
still,'^ Peter, ^ Jolin^) was born in Sterling, N. Y., April 30, 1817 ;
living in Columbus City, Iowa. He was named after De Witt
Clinton, who was elected Governor of New York the year his name-
sake was born. Owing to the early death of his father and the poor
health of his brother, he was early called upon to manage the home
farm. In the fall of 1856, he moved to Iowa City, where he re-
mained eight years, and then moved thirty miles further south, re-
maining six years, at the end of which time he located in Columbus
City, where as a stock raiser he has taken many prizes. He is an
BENT FAMILY. 135
elder in the United Presbyterian Church. All of his daughters are
graduates from the Normal Department of the State University of
Iowa. He married, Oct. 29, 1840, Letitia Smiley.
Children, all born in Sterling, N. Y. :
i. Frances Almiea,^ b. Oct. 4, 1841 ; d. 1883 ; m. in 1861,
J. Stanley McFarland.
ii. Mariette S., b. June 28, 1843; m. Feb. 7, 1872, Cornelius
Austin, a farmer, of Mendon, 111., where they have since re-
sided. Three children : 1. Carrie Letitia? 2. Harry Clin-
ton, d. 1882. 3. Clarence B.
iii. Alice Orpha, b. May 17, 1846 ; living m Colorado City, Col. ;
m. in 1871, Samuel E. Thomas.
210
William Henry^ Bent {David J.,^ Rufus,^ Eli jah^'^ Mope-
still,'^ Peter,^ John''') was born in Bangor, Me., Dec. 15,' 1812;
living in Denver, Col. In his youth he went to Philadelphia, Pa.,
with his father, and was for many years in a large dry goods store ;
w^ent West in 1856, and lived in Louisiana, Pike County, Mo., un-
til 1871, when he removed to Denver, Col. He married, Sept. 26,
1859, Martha A., daughter of Jude Stevens of Louisiana, Mo.
Child, born in Louisiana, Mo. :
i. Edwin Jackson,^ b. July 14, 1862 ; in 1884 moved to Ouray,
a busy mining town in the heart of the mountains of Colorado,
where he has be^n cashier of the Miners and Merchants Bank
since 1887 ; m. Dec. 22, 1888, Anna Atherton, b. in Fort
Edward, JSC Y., dau. of George H. and Nellie Burrows. One
child, Britla^ b. June 19, 1892.
211
Edwen Jackson^ Bent {David J.,^ Rufus,^ Elijah,'^ Hope-
still,'^ Peter,^ John^) was born in Bangor, Me., Oct. 17, 1819;
died in St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 3, 1862, as. 42. When a young man,
he located in Philadelphia. About 1850, he moved.to St. Louis,
Mo., where he was engaged in the wholesale leathej/ business. He
married, at Kingston, N. J., May 19, 1846, Margaret Van Dyke
Gulick of Princeton, N. J., born in Kingston, Sept. 27, 1821, died
in Philadelphia, June 1, 1863.
Children, i. born in Philadelphia, ii. in Kingston, N. J. :
i. MAR-fvKiMBALL,^ b. Oct. 31, 1849 ; living, unm., in Harris-
burg, Pa.
ii. "Ward Haseltine, b. Oct. 15, 1852 ; d. in Philadelphia, Pa.,
Jan. 25, 1898; m. at East Boston, Mass., April 10, 1883,
- Elizabeth Dow Whidden, dau. of Stephen H. Whidden of
Boston. She d. in Philadelphia, Nov. 19, 1894. He m.
second, Oct. 30, 1897, Sara Cromwell of Bordentown, N. J.
No children.
9
136 BENT FAMILY.
212
Cyeus Hubbard^ Bent {David J.,^ Rufus,^ Elijah,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^^, a successful merchant, was born in Bangor,
Me., June 24, 1821 ; died in Louisville, Ky., April 4, 1857, «.
35. He married, June 27, 1847, Anne Irvine McDowell, daugh-
ter of William Adair McDowell (1795-1853) of Louisville, Ivy.
She was born in Fincastle, Va., Jan. 24, 1827, and died in Louis-
ville in October, 1873, £e. 46. The McDowells, Scotch Presby-
terians, were among the F. F. Vs. William A., who was a soldier
through the war of 1812, moved to Kentucky in 1838, and to
Indiana in 1850.
Children, all born in Louisville :
i. Maria Harvey,® b. June 1, 1850 ; d. unm. in Danville, Ky,, in
1897.
ii, Emeline Haseltine, b. June 26, 1852 ; living in Danville,
Ky. ; m. in 1873, William Octavius Goodloe, a lawyer. Five
children, all educated at Centre College, a Presbyterian school
in DanvUle, Ky., except the youngest, who is a pupil at Herg-
selt Military Academy : 1. Bent^ b. 1874 ; a lawyer in St.
Louis, Mo. 2. Hart^ b. 1875; studying medicine in Louis-
ville, Ky. 3. Ward, b. 1878. 4. Glay, b. 1879. 5. William,
b. 1883.
379« iii- William McDowell, b. June 1, 1855.
213
EuFUS Howard'' Bent {David J.,^ Rufus,^ JElijah,* Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ John}) was born near Parkesburg, Pa., Sept. 23,
1850 ; living in Chining Chow, China. He graduated from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1878, and studied for the ministry at
the Union Theological Seminary, New York, and at Princeton,
N. J. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New York, June 6,
1881, and ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, June 1,
1882 ; preached in Edge Hill, Pa., 1882 to 1884, Cedarville, N. J.,
1884-89 ; chaplain of Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, 1890
to 1892 ; missionary to China 1892. He married, April 2, 1896,
at Chefoo, China, Sarah A. Poindexter, M.D., a missionary from
America.
Child, born in China :
i. Frances,^ b. 1898.
214
Beriah' Bent {Micah,^ David,'' Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,^
John^) was born in Annapolis, N. S., Feb. 11, 1788 ; a sea cap-
tain, having his home in New Albany, Annapolis County, N. S. ;
sailed Nov. 1, 1820, and was never heard from again. He married,
BENT FAMILY. 137
Feb. 1, 1808, Lovefry Parker (1790-1836), daughter of Major
Nathaniel and Salome (Whitman) Parker of Annapolis County,
N. S. She married second, 1828, Simeon Freeman.
Children, all born in New Albany, N. S. :
i. Harriet,^ b. Dec. 29, 1809 ; d. May 6, 1847 ; m. Feb. 13,
1827, William Starratt (1803-1885).
ii. Charlotte, b. Dec. 22, 1811 ; d. June 29, 1822.
iii. Mart Eliza, b. May 24, 1814; d. Aug. 3, 1855 ; m. Nov. 26,
1833, AUeu Tupper Freeman (1808-1859) of Milton, N. S.
iv. William Beriah, b. 1816; d. unm.
V. Abigail Salome, b. 1816; m. William Starratt.
215
Asaph'' Bent {David^^ David,^ Micali^" Hopestill,^ Peter^^
Johri^) was born in Nova Scotia, Aug. 25, 1788. He married
Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Larlie) Fales, and widow
of Lot Phinney.
Children :
i. David, ^ m. Susan Stronach.
ii. Susan, m. George Stronach.
iii. Ruth, m. Hoyt Foster.
216
IsAAC^ Bent {David,^ David,^ Micah,* Hopestill^^ Peter,^
John}) was born in Nova Scotia, Oct. 13, 1791. He married,
1819, Miriam Young.
Children :
i. Louisa Jane,^ b. 1816 ; d. unm.
ii. Abigail, b. 1818; m. first, Wood, and second, James
Lettenney.
iii. Miriam Rebecca, b. 1820 ; d. 1822.
217
RuEUs'' Bent {David, ^ David, ^ MicaJi,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^) was born in Granville?, N. S., July 5, 1793 ; died in Nova
Scotia, Nov. 19, 1854, a;. 61. He married, Dec. 29, 1818, Ann,
daughter of George Starratt.
Children :
i. Sarah Ann,8 b. Jan. 1, 1820; d. Aug. 7, 1867; m. Jan. 18,
1752, James More.
380. ii. George Starratt, b. Nov. 1, 1822.
381. iii. David Parker, b. Sept. 23, 1824.
iv. Zenas Edwin, b. Juue 28, 1827 ; d. Dec. 14, 1835.
V. Elizabeth Caroline, b. May 7, 1829 ; d. Nov. 14, 1878 ; m.
Oct. 20, 1858, Simeon Freeman.
138 BENT FAMILY.
vi. Mary Amelia, b. Oct. 12, 1833 ; Kving in Belleisle, N. S.
vii. Edwin.
viii. Caroline.
218
David'' Bent {David, ^ David, ^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^^ was born in Granville, N. S., May 17, 1798; died in
Paradise, Annapolis County, N. S., April 17, 1876, ». nearly 78.
He married his cousin, Elizabeth Ann, born 1811, died March 18,
1877, daughter of Silas^ Bent.
Children :
i. Caroline Adelia,^ b. Jan. 17, 1835 ; d. Oct. 17, 1876 ; m.
January, 1865, Eli Boehner of Paradise, N. S., who d. May
14, 1875. Five children, only two living: 1. Sarah Eliza-
heth,^ living at Martin's River, N. S. ; m. Dec. 28, 1892, Zenas
Eisenhauer. 2. Eugene Heartz, living in Massachusetts.
ii. Mary Elizabeth, b. June 25, 1837 ; living, unm., in Somer-
set, N. S.
iii. David Edwin, b. Dec. 27, 1842 ; d. unm. May 28, 1874.
219
William Loyett'^ Bent {William,^ David,^ Micah,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ Joh'ii}^, physician, was born in Nova Scotia, 1798.
He married, in 1826, Euphemia E., born 1797, daughter of Capt.
Richard Longmuir of St. John, N. B.
Children :
i. William Lovett,^ b. 1827 ; d. 1829.
ii. Mary Catherine, b. 1829 ; living in Digby, N. S. ; m. 1857,
Capt. George Jones, who d. of yellow fever at Rio Janeiro,
Brazil. Six children : 1. Laura? 2. Beverly. '^.Minnie.
4. Gordon. 5. Henrietta. 6. Jessie.
882. iii. Edwin, b. 1830.
iv. Jane Hamilton, b. 1831 ; living in Waltham, Mass. ; m. 1850,
Edward Dakin,* a sea captain, who d. about 1864 at Berbice,
British Guiana, of yellow fever. Three children : 1. E. Arthur,^
M.D. in Boston, Mass. 2. Daughter, m. E. B. Woodrow. 3.
Archibald, a druggist in Brockton, Mass., and historian of the
Dakin family.
V. Frances E., b. 1833; d. unm. 1886.
vi. John Kerr, b. 1835 ; d. unm. 1890 ; was a druggist in Halifax,
N. S.
••^- vii. Euphemia, b. 1836; living, unm., in Digby, N. S.
viii. William H., b. 1838; living, unm., in Argyle, N. S. Gradu-
ated from Harvard Medical School in 1869.
ix. Maria Louisa, b. 1840; d. 1886; m. George F. Stone.
X. Charles Symonds, b. about 1844; d. unm. 1885.
* Descendant of John Dakin of Concord, Mass., 1635.
BENT FAMILY. 139
220
Phineas Lovett^ Bent {William,^ David,^ Micah,* Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in Nova Scotia, in 1817. He
married Maria C. Boehner.
Children :
i. Stephen.^
ii. William, m. Sarah Starratt ; living in Chelsea,
iii. Ellen, m. Leander Gilnought.
383. iv. Thomas D., b. Oct. 13, 1842.
V. George.
vi. Ada, m. John Carroll,
vii. Lavinia, m. Caleb S. Phinney.
viii. Sophia, m. John Charleton.
ix. Edward.
221
Samuel Stillman'' Bent ( William,^ David,^ Micah,^ Hope-
still,'^ Peter,^ John^) was born in Wilmot, N. S., in 1810, and
died in Boston, Mass., Sept. 4, 1868, 2d. 58. He married Hannah
S. Morse, born in Fredericton, N. B., died in Boston, May 21,
1888, £6. 64 years, 3 months and 6 days.
Children :
i. Samuel M.,^ b. 1841 ; d. in Boston, Nov. 26, 1858.
ii. Daughter, m. John Bath Reed,
iii. Lizzie D., b. 1862 ; d. in Boston, Dec. 31, 1875.
iv. Mary, m. John Hillis.
And others, who d. young.
222
Wareen^ Bent {Joseph,^ David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter,^
John^^ was born in 1793 in the Annapolis Valley, N. S., where he
died in 1873. He married, in 1816, Frances Schafner.
Children :
384. i. William Henry,^ b. 1817.
ii. MaryE., b. 1819; d. 1833.
iii. John Wesley, b. 1822 ; d. young.
385. iv. Gilbert Ray, b. Jan. 22, 1825.
386. V. Israel, b. 1827.
vi. Barbara Ann, b. 1830 ; living in California ; m. William A.
Boole,
vii. Caroline Sarah, b. 1832 ; m. Capt. Jacob Bent of Granville
Ferry, N. S.
viii. Joseph Fletcher, b. 1834.
ix. Mary Eliza, b. 1837 ; m. Edgar Reynolds.
387. X. Warren Edgar, b. 1841.
140 JBENT FAMILY.
223
Israel Longlet'' Bent {Joseph,^ David, ^ Micah,'^ Hopestill,^
Peter,^ John^^ was born in Granville, Annapolis County, N. S.,
Feb. 2, 1799; died in Granville, N. S., Dec. 25, 1«54, je. 55.
He married first, in 1822, Hannah Stoneth Bath, born 1805, died
Oct. 29, 1847. He married second, in 1848, Susan Foster.
Children of Israel L. and Hannah, all born in Granville, N. S. :
i. Elizabeth Ann,8 b. April 2, 1824; d. 1868; m. Nov. 28,
1844, Archibald Marsden Foster. Only cue, Atinie,^ of their
four children lived to grow up, and she m. in 1873, Charles
H. Davison,
ii. Susan Amelia, b. Sept. 16, 1827; m. Dec. 29, 1847, John
Bath Troop. Five children : 1. Howard H.^ 2. Margaret
Parker. 3. Anne Bent. 4. Lizzie W. 5. Archie Foster.
388. iii. John Fletcher, b. Sept. 30, 1829.
iv. Margaret, b. Aug. 11, 1831 ; d. March 7, 1853.
V. Mary Eliza, b. June 27, 1833 ; d. unm. Sept. 24, 1866.
vi. Joseph, b. Sept. 27, 1835 ; m. 1859, Lavinia De Wolf,
vii. Phebe M., b. April 16, 1838 ; d. Oct. 4, 1853.
389. viii. Jacob Valentine, b. Oct. 10, 1840.
ix. Hannah, b. June 9, 1842 ; d. unm. Sept. 27, 1870.
X. Minetta, b. April 15, 1844; m. in 1865, Eugene P. Troop.
Six children: 1. Bugh A.^ 2. Frank J. 3. Herbert E. 4.
Stewart L. 5. Bessie M. 6. Ganie L.
Child of Israel L. and Susan, born in Granville, N. S. :
390. i. Israel Archibald,* b. Oct. 2, 1849.
224
Joseph Fletcher^ Bent {Joseph,^ David,' Micah,'^ Hope-
still,^ Peter, ^ John^^, Methodist clergyman, was born in Gran-
ville, N. S., April 26, 1806; died in Tupperville, a village of
Annapolis, N. S., March 19, 1893, £e. nearly 87. He preached in
in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland for sixty-four
years. He married, Nov. 5, 1833, Sarah Berry, born in St.
Andrews, N. B., June 3, 1807, died in Tupperville, N. S., March
26, 1874, a3. m.
Children, i. and ii. born in St. Andrews, N. B., iii. and iv. born
in St. David's, N. B., v. and vi. born in Aylesford, N. S., vii. born
in Sheffield, N. B., viii. born in Woodstock, N. B. :
i. Sarah Ann,* b. Aug. 26, 1835 ; m. Feb. 5, 1868, William F. S.
Wilson, born in Studholm, N. B., Sept. 1, 1825, d. in Reading,
Mass., April, 1893. Five children, all born in Springfield,
N. B. : 1. Alice Amelia,^ b. Dec. 5, 1868. 2. William
Frederick, b. Dec. 28, 1869. 3. Elizabeth, b. March 29, 1871.
4. Mary Bent, b. May 23, 1872. 5. Ella Grace, b. Oct. 25,
1875; d. 1876.
BENT FAMILY. 141
ii. George Fletcher, b. May 19, 1837; enlisted from Milton,
June 15, 1861, in the 7th Mass. Infantry, and d. in Washing-
ton, D. C, March 9, 1862.
891 1 iii. Joseph Benson, b. Nov. 25, 1838.
iv. Gilbert Ray.
V. Minnie Ray, b. May 21, 1842; d. in Tupperville, N. S., May
15, 1893.
vi. Mary Emma, b. June 3, 1844.
vii. John Wesley, b. 1846; d. 1847.
viii. Susan Berry, b. July 27, 1848 ; living in Tupperville, N. S. ;
m. Dec. 27, 1875, Elias Henniger Tupper. Six children, all
b. in Tupperville, N. S. : 1. Grace,^ b. 1876; d. 1887. 2.
Louise Caroline Alberta^ b. Dec. 13, 1878. 3. Thornton Ray,
b. Feb. 20, 1881. 4. Charles Armand, h. March 27, 1883.
5. Francis Clifford, b. Sept. 30, 1891. 6. Mary Marguerite,
b. 1894; d. 1895.
225
William' Bent (Joseph,^ David,^ Micah,* Hoioestill,'^ Peter,^
John^), blacksmith, was born in Annapolis County, N. S., Oct. 5,
1809. He married first, Maria M. Troop, and second, Charlotte
Hard wick.
Children of William and Maria :
i. Anna Maria, ^ d. unm.
892. ii. William Bennett.
Children of William and Charlotte :
i. Mary Jane,^ m. Major Durland.
ii. Harriet Louisa, m. John Smith.
iii. Charlotte Amelia, m. Ansel Holdworth.
iv. John, d. unm.
V. Euphemia E., d.'unm.
vi. Emma Olivia.
vii. Charles Wesley, m, Ella Johns, and had : 1. Edmund. 2.
Lizzie. 3. Margaret.
226
Gilbert' Bent {Joseph,^ David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^
Johu^^ was born in Annapolis County, N. S., April 10, 1813;
living in Hampton, twenty-two miles from St. John, N. B. After
a short business career in Bridgetown, N. S., he moved, early in
1843, to St. John, N. B., and in 1845 embarked in the wholesale
grocery business, in which he has been very successful ; has made
many trading voyages to the West Indies. He married first, Mary
Eliza Bath, who died Dec. 12, 1878. He married second, Matilda
Breeze.
142 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i. Annie M.,* b. Aug. 5, 1839 ; m. Samuel E. Dawson, Queen's
Printer, Ottawa, a native of Halifax.
ii. J. Bath, d. young.
iii. Elizabeth A., b. May 4, 1844; living unm.
iv. Amelia Rat, b. April 28, 1849 ; lives in vSt. John summers, in
Boston winters ; m. Hon. Acalus L. Palmer of St. John,
N. B., who has been a member of the Canadian House of
Commons and a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Bruns-
wick.
V. Mary, d. young.
vi. Gilbert Oscar, b. July 24, 1854 ; living unm. in St. John,
N. B. ; in business with his father.
vii. Frank Gordon, b. July 14, 1857; living unm. in St. John;
in business with his father.
227
James Spragde^ Bent (Stepheii,^ David, ^ Micah,'^ Hopestill,^
Peter, ^ John^ ) , blacksmith, w^as born in Annapolis Valley, N. S., Jan.
24, 1806 ; died in East Boston, Mass., March 25, 1895, je. 89 ; moved
from his old home in Nova Scotia to Lynnfield, Mass., in 1848.
Six years later he removed to East Boston, w^here the rest of his
days were spent. He married first, Oct. 8, 1829, Lucinda Morse,
who died Oct. 28, 1837. He married second, June 26, 1838,
Margaret Boole, who died in East Boston, March 18, 1895, se. 78
years and 4 months.
Children of James S. and Lucinda, all born in Nova Scotia :
i. David Morse,* b. July, 1829 ; d. Sept. 15, 1850.
ii. Stephen Edward, b. Feb. 18, 1832 ; living in Lynnfield,
Mass. ; m. Sarah Campbell of Cape Breton ; no children,
iii. Samantha Adelaide, b. July 5, 1834; d. June 16, 1860; m.
Henry Aborn of Lynnfield.
iv. Lucinda Caroline, b. Feb. 17, 1836; d. unm. in Lynnfield,
Aug. 6, 1879, a;. 43.
Children of James S. and Margaret, i. to v. born in Nova Scotia,
vi. to viii. in Lynnfield, Mass., ix. in East Boston, Mass. :
i. Elizabeth Amy,* b. July 4, 1839 ; m. John 0. Atwood of
East Boston ; no children.
393. ii. James Henniger, b. Oct. 2, 1840.
iii. Margaret Ann, b. July 7, 1842 ; livuig in Flagstaff, Ari. ; m.
Capt. Henry Cameron of Maine. One son. Burton^ Cameron.
iv. William Melbourne, b. Aug. 22, 1844; d. in Chicago, 111.,
Jan. 28, 1891 ; m. Mrs. Mary E. Boole.
V. Harriet Jerusha, b. Feb. 18, 1847 ; m. Major Flavel Shurt-
leff of East Boston. One son, Flavel, a student in Harvard
College.
BENT FAMILY. 143
vi. George Boole, b. July 24, 1849 ; living in Austin, 111. Five
children,
vii. Alfred, b. Sept. 3, 1851; d. in infancy.
viii. Charles Thomas Augustus, b. Oct. 2, 1853 ; m. Jessie Doane
Smith of Harwich, Mass. ; no children.
ix. Ida Josephine, b. Dec. 20, 1857 ; living in North Carolina ; m.
James H. Esteb of Indiana.
228
Stephen Edwaed^ Bent {Stephen,^ David, ^ Micah,* Hope-
still,^ Peter,^ Johyi^) was born in AnnapolisV alley, N. S., Jan. 30,
1823; died where he was born, May, 1891, £6. 68. He inherited his
father's farm and always lived there ; the place is known as Bent-
ville (P. O. Tupperville) and is about nine miles from Annapolis.
He married first, Jane Willett. He married second, Mary Eliza-
beth Parker. He married third, Mrs. Emma (Bacon) Bent, widow
of John Bent ; no children by the last marriage.
Children of S. Edward and Jane :
i. Herbert Willett,^ living in Granville, N. S.
ii. "William Edward, d. in infancy.
Children of S . Edward and Mary Elizabeth :
i. Howard,® living in Annapolis, N. S.
ii. Jennie Elizabeth, m. Rev. Mr. McNish, and lives in New
Brunswick,
iii. Albert E., living in Roslindale, Boston, Mass.
iv. John Stephen, living in Annapolis, N. S.
V. Rupert.
229
Eliakim^ Bent (Asaph,^ David,^ Micah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^) was born at Bentville in Annapolis Valley, N. S., in 1808 ;
died in Lawrencetown, N. S., Feb. 21, 1847. He married, in
1843, Naomi Gr. Brown of Mount Hanly, N. S., born April 11,
1823 ; she married second, N, G. Potter, and died in East Boston,
Mass.
Children, both born in Lawrencetown, N. S. :
i. Edward E.,® b. Oct. 31, 1843 ; living at Bentville, N. S. ; m.
June 20, 1872, Annie C. Simpson. Two children : 1. Mahel
E.^ b. March 23, 1874. 2. Winnifred R., b. Nov. 6, 1882.
ii. Lois E., b. Oct. 30, 1845 ; m. Edward A. Leavitt of Sandwich,
111. ; no children.
230
Busby'' Bent {Asaph, ^ David, ^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^
John^^, farmer, was born in 1833, in Annapolis Valley, N. S.,
where he still resides. He married Susan Morse Miller.
144 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i. Mary Alice.^
ii. Edwin Busby.
iii. Anna Cecilia.
iv. Leander Rupert.
231
Ralph'' Bent (Asaph,^ David,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter ^^
John^) was born in 1836 in Annapolis Valley, N. S. ; still living
there, near Tupperville. He married, Nov. 19, 1861, Sarah A.,
born May 10, 1842, daughter of Ebenezer Rice.
Children :
i. Charles Rice,* b. Feb. 11, 1863 ; m. Jeanette Calder.
ii. Ella L., b. July 16, 1864; living unm.
iii. Anna A., b. Sept. 22, 1865 ; d. July 31, 1881.
iv. Edith F., b. Oct. 19, 1868 ; d. Aug. 25, 1881.
V. Sarah A., b. Oct. 6, 1870; living unm.
vi. Florence A., b. July 2, 1872.
vii. Ralph S., b. Dec. 5, 1873.
viii. Blanche B., b. and d. 1877.
ix. Kate B., b. Aug. 28, 1878.
X. Fred V. D., b. July 16, 1879.
xi. Reginald Whitman, b. Aug. 15, 1882.
xii. Clara B.
232
Abraham Newcomb^ Bent (Silas,^ David, ^ Micah,* Hopestill,^
Peter,^ John^^ , blacksmith and farmer, was born in Paradise, N. S.,
moved to Somerset, King's County, N. S., and died October, 1885 ;
buried in Grafton, N. S. He married Hannah Foster of Nictaux
Falls, N. S., who died May 7, 1880. She was a daughter of
Joseph Foster.
Children :
i. Harriet Ann,* b. Nov. 6, 1827 ; living in Somerset, N. S. ; m.
Jan. 29, 1849, James Augustin Bryden, who d. March 13,
1879. Seven children: 1. Eliza Macintosh,^ b. Oct. 28,
1849; m. Isaac Morton. 2. Anna Bell, b. Oct. 16, 1853;
living at Jordan River, N. S. ; m. first, Nov. 29, 1876, Major
Rhodes, who d. April, 1884 ; m. second, Ingham B. Turner.
3. Elvira Manetta, b. May 21, 1857; m. Jan. 29, 1878,
Ephraim T. Withers. 4. Albert Newcomb, b. 1859 ; d. 1868.
5. Arthur Knight, b. 1862 ; d. 1862. 6. James Narroway, b.
Aug. 19, 1865 ; living in Weston, N. S. ; m. December, 1887,
Augusta Franklin. 7. John Reed, b. June 30, 1868; living
in British Columbia.
ii. Belina, b. June 28, 1829 ; d. Feb. 6, 1848.
BENT FAMILY. 145
iii. Elvira, b. June 12, 1832; d. 1887; m. first, Samson Patter-
son of Somerset, N. S., who d. about 1860 ; m. second,
Thomson Foster of Illinois; m. third, about 1875, James A.
Morton ; no children.
iv. Cornelia, b. Nov. 8, 1836 ; d. about 1870 ; m. John Murdoch
of Bridgetown, N. S. Five children, three of whom d. young :
1. Mary Alvinic?. 2. Cora Elvira.
V. Albert, April 22, 1840; d. Feb. 11, 1848.
233
James'' Bent (Silas,^ David,^ Mzcah,^ Hopestill,^ Peter,^
JoJin^^, blacksmith, was born in Paradise, Annapolis County, N. S. ;
died in Nictaux Falls, N. S., 1869, £6. 64. He married Amoret
Martin, who died ee. 89.
Children :
i. Pamelia,^ b. about 1829 ; living in Upper Lahave, Lunenburg
Co., N. S. ; m. Henry Klinkworth ; no issue.
ii. David Albert, trader ; d. Hantsport, N. S., £e. 62 ; m. Euth
Lockhart ; no children.
394. iii. Rupert George, b. 1836.
iv. Augusta S., d. unm.
V. James Edward, b. about 1840; blacksmith; living unm. in
Nictaux Falls, N. S.
395. vi. Horatio Nelson.
vii. Mart M. ; living unm. in Marblehead, Mass.
viii. William S., d. unm.
ix. Ella E., m. Edwin Bartaux, of Nictaux Falls, N. S.
234
Dennis'' Bent (Silas,^ David,^ Micah,* HopestiU,^ Peter^^
JoJin^^, blacksmith, was born in Paradise, Annapolis County, N. S.,
Nov. 4, 1813; moved, 1849-1850, to Newburyport, Mass., where
he died July 16, 1887, se. 73. He married, in 1834, Amy Beals,
daughter of Joshua and Rebecca (Taylor) Beals.
Children, i. to v. born in Nictaux, N. S., vi. born in Newbury-
port, Mass. :
i. Amanda,* b. Aug. 4, 1835 ; living in Newburyport, Mass. ; m.
first, in 1851, Hiram Turple, who was accidentally killed in
a shipyard, Oct. 26, 1853 ; m. second, Feb. 1, 1857, Stephen
H. Guptill. Two children by the latter : 1. Dennis D? Gup-
till, b. Aug. 23, 1861. 2. George W. Guptill, b. Oct. 31,
1866.
ii. S. Lavinia, b. Sept. 3, 1839 ; living in Lynn, Mass. ; m. July
23, 1854, Amos C. Merrill. One child, Ida Merrill.
396. iii. William Henry, b. Dec. 6, 1841.
iv. Catherine Rebecca, b. April 21, 1843 ; living unm. in Wash-
ington, D. C.
146 BENT FAMILY.
V. Mary Ellis, b. Oct. 28, 1846 ; living in Denver, Colo. ; m.
March 3, 1865, Moody Page. Three children: 1. Gertrude
E.^ Page, b. Sept. 23, 1866. 2. William Moody Page, b. Sept.
2, 1868. 3. Charlotte M. Page, b. Jan. 15, 1872.
vi. Hiram Kerchever, b. Oct. 29, 1854; living in Lowell, Mass. ;
m. Oct. 29, 1885, at Newbury Oldtowu, Helen Maria Little.
Three children: 1. George Edward^ Bent, b. Nov. 27, 1886.
2. Willard Little Bent, b. Feb. 17, 1888. 3. Ethel Mary Bent,
b. March 26, 1891.
235
James Madison^ Bent( William,^ William,'" Micah,'^ Hopestilly^
Peter, ^ John,^) was born in East Sudbury (novr Wayland) , May 19,
1812; died in Wayland, July 24, 1888, se. 76. With his elder
brother William he vv^as engaged for many years in the manufacture
of shoes at Cochituate Village, in the south part of Wayland,
the firm being styled W. & J. M. Bent. In 1857 he was in the
State legislature. He married Martha F. Damon, born July 22,
1817 ; died Jan. 24, 1886 ; daughter of Charles and Lydia Damon.
Children, all born in Wayland :
i. Anna Maria,* b. 1839 ; m. April 17, 1860, William Lovejoy
of Wayland.
397t ii. William Harrison, b. 1840.
398t iii. James Alvin, b. 1843.
iv. Thomas D., b. Nov. 14, 1844 ; living in Cochituate, Mass.
V. Abby Bruce, b. June 25, 1847; living in Cochituate, Mass.;
m. May 22, 1868, George W. Fairbank.
399. vi. Myron W., b. Sept. 19, 1849.
400. vii. Ralph, b. Nov. 6, 1854.
286
Archibald'' Bent {Micah,^ William,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^
Peter, ^ John^^ was born in Framingham, Mass., Dec. 4, 1809 ; died
in Framingham, Jan. 18, 1890, as. 80. He married, Feb. 5, 1835,
Fanny Hudson, born Nov. 4, 1810; died Dec. 14, 1887 ; daughter
of Nathan.
Children, all born in Framingham :
i. Silas Hunt,^ b. Dec. 15, 1836 ; d. Natick, Sept. 5, 1897 ; m.
November, 1860, Margaret A. Littlefield of Natick, where she
still resides ; no children.
401. ii- George Oberlin, b. Nov. 3, 1842.
iii. Anna Maria, b. Dec. 4, 1845; m. April 11, 1869, George
Forbush of Framingham, where she still lives ; no children.
237
Hiram' Bent {Micah,^ William,^ Micah," Hopestill,^ Peter,^
John^^ was born in Watertown, Mass., Oct. 7, 1812 ; died in Har-
BENT FAMILY. 147
rison, Westchester County, N. Y., in 1891. He studied medicine at
Philadelphia and practised in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York.
He married first, Eraeline Knowlton of Warwick, Mass., who died
about 1842 ; was married twice afterwards. By his first wife he
had one child, Mortimer F.,^ who died se. about two years. No
issue by the others.
238
Eoswell'' Bent (Micah,^ William,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter ^"^
John^^, farmer, was born in Framingham, Mass., July 28, 1819;
living in North Bellingham, Mass. He married first, April 6, 1842,
Tryphenia Adams, who died June 20, 1858. He married second,
1859, Ann Grism, born Sept. 26, 1823, still living.
Children of Roswell and Tryphenia, all born in Bellingham :
i. Amos Roswell,^ b. Aug. 31, 1843; living in the Soldier's
Home, Wis.; m. December, 1866, Mary Thomas; no chil-
dren; saw service in the 16th Mass. Infantry from July 12,
1861 to Sept. 27, 1862.
ii. Edward Micah, b. July 1, 1846 ; enlisted Nov. 7, 1864, in
Co. F., 61st Reg., Mass. Infantry, and d. at Washington, D. C,
July 2, 1865.
iii. Waldo Adams, b. Jan. 16, 1849 ; left Massachusetts in 1864,
and has not been heard from since.
Children of Roswell and Ann, all born in Bellingham :
i. Ernest,^ b. Dec. 24, 1860; a dentist, formerly of Grafton, now
of Braintree, Mass. ; m. Sept. 28, 1892, Henrietta F. Cap-
well of Providence, R. I. One child, Florence A.,^ b. Aug. 3,
1893.
ii, George Sumner, b. Sept. 4, 1862 ; m. Dec. 7, 1887, Avis
Jacobs, b. Franklin, Mass., Jan. 25, 1861, and lives in Med-
way, where he has a store, gentlemen's furnishings and boots
and shoes ; no children.
iii. Otis Chase, b. June 2, 1864 ; living in North Brookfield, Mass. ;
m. Sept. 25, 1891, Jessie, dau. of John C. Morrill of Natick.
One child, Edith Marie, b. Dec. 14, 1896.
iv. Edwin, b. 1867 ; d. se. 6 mos.
239
Mellen Green'' Bent {Micah,^ William,^ Micah,* Hopestill,^
Peter,^ John}) was born in Milford, Mass., Aug. 3, 1828. He mar-
ried Louisa Huntoon, who married second, L. A. Paige, and is
living in Goffstown, N. H.
Children, i. born in Webster, Mass., ii. and iii. in Valley Falls,
K. 1.:
402, i. Herbert Alphonso,^ b. Jan. 22, 1855.
408. ii. Lawson Green, b. Sept. 19, 1857.
iii. Mary Frances, b. May 5, 1859 ; living in Milford, Mass.
148 BENT FAMILY.
^ Brought up in Dover, N. H., where she m. Sept. 19, 1881,
George A. Reynolds, b. in Durham, N, H., Sept. 19, 1849.
Three children : 1. Sumner C.,^ b. Nov. 12, 1882. 2. Bea-
trice A., b. June 14, 1884. 3. Charles A., b. April 18, 1890.
240
Feedinand Augustus'' Bent {Micah,^ William,^ Micah,^
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Johv}) was born in Bellingham, Mass., July
24, 1836, and is living in Effingham, IST. H. He enlisted from
Mendon, Mass., June 10, 1862, in 8th Mass. Battery, Lt. Artillery.
He married Jane , a native of New Brunswick.
Children :
i. Sophia,^ d. in "Worcester, Mass., March 18, 1869, se. 9.
And others.
241
Jason^ Bent {Jason,^ William,^ Micah,^ Hopestill,^ Peter,^
John^^, shoemaker, was born in East Sudbury (now Wayland),
Mass., Feb. 21, 1827, and died in Framingham, Mass., in 1863,
£6. 36. He married, Nov. 13, 1855, Alice A. Crosby of Holliston,
Mass., a native of Derby, Vt., now living in New York City.
Children, iii. born in Natick, Mass. :
i. Jessie Marr,^ living in New York City ; m. first, Charles
Frazer ; m. second, John C. Dewey. One child by first mar-
riage, Allan Benf Frazer.
ii. Julia Maud, living in New York City ; m. Joseph Thomp-
son. One child, Don Cameron Thompson.
iii. Jason, b. May 23, 1863 ; living unni. in New York City.
Peter'' Bent (Peter, ^ David,^ David,'^ David,^ John,^ Jolin^^
was born in Mount Holly, Vt., May 29, 1800, and died in Copen-
hagen, N. Y., March 25, 1868, ^. 67; previous to his residence
in the latter place he had lived in Denmark, N. Y. He married,
Jan. 21, 1821, Sally M. White, born in Vernon, N. Y., May 28,
1803 ; died in Copenhagen, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1882, «. 79.
Children, all born in Denmark, N. Y. :
i. Darius Green,^ b. Aug. 9, 1831 ; d. June 25, 1854, in Den-
mark, N. Y. He m. Sept. 2, 1852, Susan Penniman ; no
children.
404. ii- Peter, b. July 17, 1836 ; m. Nancy M. Cottrell.
iii. Henrietta, b. Aug. 6, 1838 ; m. Sept. 29, 1857, W. D. G.
Cottrell of Denmark, N. Y. ; living in Clarence, Iowa, where
he is engaged in the banking business. One child, Myron
Bent^ Cottrell, b. Feb. 25, 1861.
BENT FAMILY. . 149
243
Abel Dirgy'' Bent {Peter, ^ David,^ David,'^ David,^ John,^
John^) was born in Denmark, N. Y., July 1, 1802, and died Feb.
17, 1878, «. 75. He married Sally Bedell of Denmark, N. Y.,
who died Sept. 10, 1861.
Children, all born in Denmark, N. Y. :
i. Deborah,^ m. Rufus Waite of Champion, N. Y.
ii. LoviNA, living in Fondulac, Wis. ; m. Colman Wedge.
iii. Hannah, m. Benjamin Hartwell of Denmark, N. Y.
iv. Frances, b. April 30, 1838; living in California; m. Sept. 4,
1864, Charles Horr.
2M
Major Evans^ Bent {Peter, ^ David, ^ David,* David, ^ Jolinf
John^) was born in Denmark, N. Y., May 23, 1810, and died in
Morrison, 111., Sept. 3, 1885, ae. 75. He lived in Lewis County,
N. Y., until 1864, when he moved to Carroll County, 111. Shortly
afterward he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Whiteside County,
but his health becoming poor he sold his farm and in 1882 removed
to Morrison. He married, June 16, 1831, Harriet Waldo of Cham-
pion, N. Y., who died at her son's home in Osborne County,
Kansas, Oct. 21, 1889.
Children, all born in Lewis County, N. Y. :
i. Theresa,* b. 1833 ; d. Jan. 12, 1851.
ii. Sophia, b. 1836; living in Lewis Co., N. Y. ; m. February,
1861, Epliraim Richards.
405. iii. Warren G., b. June 26, 1839.
iv. Sarah, b. Jan. 23, 1844; hviug in Marshalltown, Iowa; m.
1866, Byron Taylor.
406. V. Z. Major^ b. March 29, 1850.
vi. Ida, b. April, 1853 ; m. in 1874, William Mills.
245
Lemuel Mason^ Bent {Peter, ^ David,^ David,* David,^
John,^ John}^ was born in Denmark, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1816, and is
living in Morriaon, 111. He remained at home until September,
1838, when he started on a tour of observation, remaining in
Bureau County, 111., a year, after which he returned to Denmark
(N. Y.), where he remained, farming, until the spring of 1858,
when he moved to Milledgeville, Carroll County, 111. The follow-
ing fall he pushed on to Union Grove, Whiteside County, 111., and
bought a farm. In 1881 he retired from active work and located
in Morrison, 111., where he has since resided. He has been much
interested in the history of the Bent family and has rendered valu-
able assistance.
150 BENT FAMILY.
He married first, Dec. 25, 1839, Betsey, daughter of Jonathan
and Betsey Parks of Champion, N. Y., where she was born Sept.
16, 1819. She died Dec. 27, 1892, after a happy married life
of fifty- three years. He married second, Oct. 9, 1894, Mrs. Lurissa
A. Colon.
Children, both born in Denmark, N. Y. :
i. Orrin M.,® b. Aug. 26, 1842 ; engaged in farming at Union
Grove, 111., until 1891, when he retired and moved to Mor-
rison, 111. ; m. Mary F. Twining of Union Grove, 111., b. in
Champion, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1849, dau. of William and Melinda.
One child, Lottie F.? b. Dec. 6, 1866; m. Feb. 2, 1887,
Richard Z. Tilton of Clyde, 111.
ii. Adelaide L., b. Aug. 26, 1846; living in Morrison, 111.; m.
Sept. 27, 1866, Samuel R. Hall of Union Grove, 111.
■ 246
Mtlo Green^ Bent {Peter, ^ David,^ David,* David,^ John,^
John^), farmer, was born in Denmark, N. Y., March 13, 1822, and
died March 24, 1852. He married, March 10, 1844, Maria Parks
of Champion, N. Y., who died Aug. 5, 1870, je. 47.
Children, both born in Denmark, N. Y. :
i. Lauretta Elnora,^ b. Nov. 3, 1845; d. May 2, 1876; m.
Aug. 3, 1869, William H. Beach of Lynn, Ontario, Canada.
Four children : 1. Enos^. 2. Milo. 3. Walter. 4. Fred.
ii _ Alfaretta Malvina, b. May 15, 1848 ; living in St. Paul,
Minn. ; m. March 8, 1870, William 0. Williams of Pierre-
pont Manor, Jefferson Co., N. Y. Two children, both educated
for the medical profession.
Dalmanutha^* Bent (David,^ David,^ David,'* David,^ John,^
John^), farmer and shoemaker, was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., Aug.
5, 1801, and died in Antwerp, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1883, aged 81.
He moved from Vermont to northern New York in 1830. He
married Betsey Phippen, born in Westminster, Vt., June 3, 1801,
died in Antwerp, N. Y., Feb. 8, 1894, aged 92, daughter of Jo-
seph Phippen, a soldier of the Revolution, by his wife Sally Paul.
Children, i. and ii. born in Westminster, Vt., iii. to v. in Mt.
Holly, Vt., vi. and vii. in Philadelphia, N. Y., viii. in Denmark,
N. Y. :
407t i- Curtis Rinaldo,^ b. Aug. 23, 1820.
ii. Martha Jane, b. May 24, 1822 ; d. in Cookstown, Wis., April
4, 1851 ; m. first, March 27, 1839, Nicholas Lathan; m. second,
John Curtis. Two children by the first marriage : 1. Marie?
Lathan. 2. Frank B. Lathan. One by second: 1. Albion Gurtis.
* Dalmanutha is tlie name of a town on the west side of the Sea of Galilee.
BENT FAMILY. 151
iii. Mart Eliza, b. June 29, 1826 ; m. March 8, 1849, her father's
cousin, Alvin F. Bent (q.v.).
iv. Erva Adeline, b. Dec. 29, 1828 ; living in Fayette, Iowa; m.
in Wisconsin to Alexander Winston. They celebrated their
golden wedding, July 1, 1899. Seven children : 1. E.Lavilla.^
2. Ella L. 3. John W. 4. Edward A. 5. Flora A. 6.
Ahbie M. 7. George Omar.
V. Matilda Eveline, b. May 5, 1830 ; living in Antwerp, N. Y. ;
m. first, Oct. 18, 1852, Andrew Jackson Cross, who d. in
Great Bend, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Aug. 9, 1853 ; no children ; m.
second, Nov. 29, 1870, George D. McAllaster; one child,
George Ernest^ McAllaster, b. May 25, 1873, graduated from
Albany, N. Y., Law School in June, 1899.
vi. Esther Caroline, b. Sept. 26, 1834; d. Dec. 30, 1893; m.
first, in November, 1859, Thomas Arlow ; m. second, Lincoln
D. Lynde ; no children.
408i vii. Hartwell Fletcher (writes his name Hartwell H.), b. May
9, 1837.
viii. Lavilla Maria, b. June 25, 1844; d. in Antwerp, N. Y., June
4, 1899; m. in August, 1863, AbramG. Schermerhorn. Two
chUdren : 1. E. Ardelle? 2. Maude E.
248
Hartwell'' Bent {David, ^ David, ^ David, ^ David, '^ John,^
John') was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., May 28, 1803, and died in
Randolph, N. Y., May 2, 1844, ae. nearly 41. He married, in
Shrewsbury, Vt., March 12, 1829, Hannah Aldrich, who was born
Shrewsbury, March 25, 1807, and died in Randolph, Aug. 11,
1842, eldest daughter of Abner and Betsey (Sanderson) Aldrich.
Children, i. to iv. born in Mt. Holly, v. and vi. in Randolph :
i. Elizabeth,^ b. and d. Feb. 2, 1830.
409. ii. Mel VINA, b. May 19, 1831 ; m. May 29, 1848, James Brooks,
M.D.
iii. Betsey, b. Sept. 29, 1832.
iv. Horace Aldrich, b. June 14, 1834; d. May 21, 1862, from
injuries received in a railroad accident at Salamanca, N. Y.
V. Diana Hannah, b. March 31, 183- ; living in Randolph, N. Y. ;
m. Jan. 29, 1861, George S. Jones. Four children : 1. Frank
H? Jones, b. Sept. 21, 1863 ; a printer in Washington, D. C. ;
m. and has two children. 2. Glenn Jones, b. Nov. 27, 1865 ;
a bookkeeper in Lafayette, Ind. ; m. and has one child. 3.
Anna Jones, b. June 28, 1868 ; m. and has one child. 4.
Hartwell Jones, b. April 20, 1871 ; living unm. in Dunkirk,
N. Y., where he is a druggist's clerk,
vi. Hartwell, b. 1842 ; d. 1842.
249
Betsey'' Bent (David,^ David,^ David,'^ David,^ John,^
Johri}) was born May 7, 1805, and died in Randolph, N. Y., Oct.
10
152 BENT FAMILY.
6, 1887, ^e. 82 ; was brought up by her aunt Betsey (Bent) Green
in Mt. Holly, Vt. She married, Oct. 6, 1825, Aaron Pingrey,
who was born Feb. 11, 1802. They lived in Mt. Holly and Lud-
low, Vt., until Dec. 1840, when they moved to Randolph, N. Y.,
where, with the exception of the years 1842 to 1844, which were
spent in Yorkshire, N. Y., they remained to the end of their days.
Children, i. to iv. born in Mt. Holly, v. born in Ludlow, vi.
born in Yorkshire, vii. in Randolph :
i. Adaline Eliza^ Pingrey, b. Aug. 21, 1827; m. Jan. 24,
1854, Sidney U. Main, merchant, of Batavia, N. Y., where
she lived until her death, Nov. 4, 1891.
ii. Melzar Robbins Pingret, b. July 20, 1829 ; farmer; living
unm. in Randolph, N. Y.
iii. B. SoPHRONiA Pingrey, b. Nov. 20, 1831 ; living in Randolph,
N. Y. ; m. May 1, 1856, Edwin McManus, druggist, of Ran-
dolph, N. Y. Two children : 1. Edwin Pingrey^ McManus,
b. July 26, 1858; d. Dec. 5, 1882. 2. Gora Belle McManus,
b. Aug. 30, 1861 ; living unm. with her parents.
iv. Marion Amelia Pingrey, b. March 16, 1835 ; d. in Randolph,
N. Y, Oct. 14, 1898 ; m. June 16, 1857, John Crowley Pierce,
merchant, of Randolph, N. Y. One child, Grace Adele^ Pierce,
b. June 7, 1858.
V. Melissa Eusebia Pingrey, b. April 10, 1840 ; living in Buf-
falo, N. Y. ; m. July 25, 1861, John Emory Rogers, merchant,
then of Randolph, N. Y. Three children : 1. Gary BrowneW
Rogers, b. June 13, 1863 ; m. Oct. 19, 1898, Hattie Isabel
Freemyer. 2. Gharles Pingrey Rogers, b. Sept. 25, 1865 ;
m. June 6, 1893, Anna Elizabeth PfeifPer of Buffalo, N. Y.
3. Bessie Rogers, b. Sept. 4, 1872 ; living unm. with her
parents,
vi. Lucy Adele Pingrey, b. Dec. 1, 1842 ; living in Randolph,
N. Y. ; m. Oct. 31, 1878, Capt. Charles Caligan of Buffalo,
N.Y.
vii. Mary Rosette Pingrey, b. Sept. 29, 1845 ; living unm. with
her brother.
250
S. Walker' Bent (^David,^ David,^ David,^ David,^ John,^
John}) was born in Mt. Holly(?), Vt., and died in Cavendish, Vt.
He married, in Feb. 1845, Minerva Stiles of Westminster, Vt.,
who was born Nov. 17, 1823, daughter of Gideon and Lydia ( Wy-
man) Stiles.
Children :
410. i. Walker Martin.^
ii. Corliss, d. in infancy.
411. iii. George Carlos, b. 1848.
iv. Lydia Minerva ; living unm.
V. Nellie ; living in Cambridge, Mass. ; m. William H. Smith.
412. vi. Gideon Stiles (writes his name Stiles G.).
BENT FAMILY. 153
251
Claek Eael' Bent {Earl i^./ David, ^ David, ^ David,^ John^,
John}) was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., April 21, 1822, and died in
East Poultney, Vt., in July, 1896. He married, Jan. 31, 1848,
Ann M. Pepper of Pawlet, Vt.
Children :
i. Ellen J.,^ b. April 24, 1849 ; d. Oct. 29, 1882 ; m. Feb. 28,
1868, Frank H. Marshall.
ii. Eva E., b. 1853 ; d. 1855.
Henry Willard^ Bent {Earl F.,^ David,^ David,* David,^
John,^ Johv}), tinsmith, was born Feb. 13, 1827, in Mt. Holly,
Vt., where he died Dec. 13, 1883, ae. 56. He married, in Dec.
1846, Catalina S. Dean of Granville, N. Y., who is living in
Mechanicsville, Vt.
Children :
i. Annette I.,^ b. 1848; d. 1851.
ii. Julie E., b. and d. 1850.
iii. Charles H., b. Jan. 10, 1852 ; living in Fort Ann, N. Y.
iv. Leonora M., b. Dec. 5, 1854; living in Mechanicsville, Vt. ;
m. Nov. 17, 1883, George Trask.
V. Emelett, b. 1858; d. 1861.
vi. Earl Danforth, b. July 17, 1866; tinsmith; living in Brook-
lyn, N. Y.; m. in July, 1891.
253
Silas Walker^ Bent {Silas P.,® David, ^ David,* David, ^
John,^ John^), farmer, was born in Mt. Holly(?), Vt., July 23,
1818, and died in Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 15, 1889. He went from
Vermont to New York with his father, and in 1846 located in De
Kalb County, 111., where he lived until 1869, when he followed his
son to Nebraska, locating in Lincoln, then a place of only a few
hundred inhabitants. He married, in 1844, Lucy P. Overton, of
Henderson, N. Y., who died Aug. 12, 1892.
Child, born in Henderson, N. Y. :
413, i. Overton Walker,^ b. March 29, 1846..
254
John Jay'' Bent {Silas P., ^ David, ^ David,* David, ^ Jolm,^
Joh'n}), farmer, was born July 3, 1831, and died April 26, 1884,
£6. 52. He married, first, in 1858, Faustina P. Earl, who died
Aug. 20, 1860 ; married, second, Oct. 14, 1863, Harriet P.
White, who died June 7, 1893.
154 BENT FAMILY.
Child of John J. and Faustina :
AH, i. Earl Silas,« b. Aug. 15, 1860.
Children of John J. and Harriet :
i. Fred Jay, b. Jan. 1, 1865.
ii. Catherine Marion, b. March 27, 1871.
iii. Clinton Arthur, b. Jan. 1, 1873.
255
Alvin Finney^ Bent (Thomas W.,^ David,'" David, ^ David, ^
John,^ Joh'n}^, farmer and cheese maker, was born in Watertown,
N. Y., Jan. 25, 1819, and died in Antwerp, N. Y., May 16, 1875,
ae. 56. Five of his children (all at that time) died within two
weeks, it will be noticed. He married, March 8, 1849, at Natural
Bridge, N. Y., Mary E. Bent, daughter of his cousin Dalmanutha^.
Children, all born in Antwerp :
i. LoRETTA A.,« b. Aug. 9, 1851 ; d. Nov. 2, 1863.
ii. LuELLA M., b. AprH 2, 1855 ; d. Oct. 26, 1863.
iii. E. Ardelle, b. Dec. 26, 1856; d. Oct. 21, 1863.
iv. George H., b. Jan. 13, 1859 ; d. Oct. 24, 1863.
V. Cora, b. Dec. 28, 1862 ; d. Oct. 19, 1863.
vi. Myron Hammond, b. April 22, 1865 ; living in Antwerp, N. Y.
Educated at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., and Williams
College ; has been a newspaper man for some years ; was
legislative correspondent at Albany, N. Y., three winters, and
assistant superintendent of documents in Senate ; has managed
Will Carlton's tours ; and for three years has been editor and
publisher of the Antwerp Gazette.
vii. Effie, b. and d. 1870.
256
Darius Geeen' Bent {Thomas W.,^ David,^ David,^ David,^
John,^ John}) was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., Jan. 5, 1821, and is
living in Castorland, N. Y. He married, July 13, 1852, at Car-
thage, N. Y., Mary Elizabeth Snell.
Children, i. born at New Bremen, N. Y., ii. at Indian River,
N. Y., iii. at Theresa, N. Y., iv. at Croghan, N. Y. :
i. LuELLA May,« b. 1854; d. 1855.
ii. Sidney Eugene, b. May 3, 1857.
iii. May Gertrude, b. June 21, 1861 ; m. Nov. 30, 1882, William
Mauer of Spencerport, N. Y.
iv. Carrie Ardelle, b. Feb. 26, 1869.
V. Lillian Estelle, b. AprU 3, 1871.
BENT FAMILY. 155
257
George Washington' Bent {Thomas W.,^ David,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John^^ was born in Croghan, N. Y., Feb. 3, 1836,
and is living in East Florence, N. Y. He graduated from the
Boston University School of Theology in 1874, became a member
of the Northern New York Conference of Methodist Episcopal
Churches, and was actively engaged in pastoral work for twenty-two
years. He married Mrs. Fanny A. (Nutting) Everett of Granite-
viUe, Mass., daughter of J. P. and E. R. Nutting.
Children, i. b. at Vermilion, N. Y., ii. at Natural Bridge, N. Y. :
i. George Everett,* b. about 1877.
ii. Daisy Sunshine, b. about 1886.
258
John Boice' Bent {George,^ Darius,^ David,* David,^ John,^
Johv}^ was born in Montreal, Canada, Dec. 29, 1847, and is living
in Chicago, 111. He married, Nov. 8, 1869, Catherine Jane Ennis,
who was born in Utica, N. Y., Nov. 24, 1846.
Children, all born in Montreal :
i. Alice Maud,« b. Feb. 14, 1871.
ii. Kate Florence, b. May 24, 1875.
iii. George Walter, b. Oct. 31, 1877.
259
George Russell'' Bent {Alphonso,^ Thaddeus,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ Johv}) was born at Smith's Falls, Canada, Nov.
21, 1840, and died in Chicago, BL, of pneumonia, May 13, 1895,
se. 54. After he grew to manhood he followed the occupations of
painting and railroading until 1882, except when in the army. He
was a member of Co. F, 93d Illinois Infantry, in the Civil War.
In 1882 he was appointed a letter carrier in Chicago, which business
engaged his attention the remainder of his life. He learned his
trade as painter in Fulton, 111., ten miles from the family home, and
while residing there married, July 26, 1861, Eunice Eva, born in
Lockport, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1844, daughter of John and Sarah A.
Dyer.
Children, i., iv. and v. born in Fulton, 111., ii. in Clinton, Iowa,
iii. in Stirling, 111. :
i. Mattie Dell,8 b. Aug. 25, 1862 ; m. Nov. 29, 1880, at Chicago,
Albion H. Hutchings ; no children.
415i ii. Horace Edward, b. July 14, 1864.
iii. Charles Le Roy, b. 1869 ; d. 1870.
iv. William Henry, b. May 17, 1872 ; living in Chicago ; m. April
18, 1893, Lillian M. Dyer.
V. John Russell, b. Feb. 18, 1874.
156 BENT FAMILY.
260
Charles' Bent (Alphonso,^ Thaddeus,^ David,* David,^
John^ , John^) was born in Chicago, 111., Dec. 8, 1844, and is
living in Morrison, Whiteside County, 111., which has been his home
since May, 1856. In June, 1858, he was apprenticed to learn the
printing trade in the office of The Whiteside Sentinel, and after
completing his term of service occupied the position of workman in
the same office. In June, 1864, he enlisted in the 140th Illinois
Vol. Inf'y. and was mustered out by conclusion of term of service
Oct. 29, 1864 ; re-enlisted Feb. 2, 1865, in the 147th Illinois Vol.
Inf'y., which was attached to the 1st Brigade, 2d Division, Army
of the Cumberland, and was honorably discharged at Savannah,
Ga., Jan. 20, 1866; he served respectively as sergeant, 1st ser-
geant and 2d lieutenant. Returning home, he again engaged in
the printing business, and in July, 1867, purchased the office and
lias since been (except from Feb. 1877 to March, 1879, during
which time he was engaged in writing and publishing a history of
Whiteside County, 111.) and is at the present time editor and pro-
prietor of The Whiteside Sentinel. In civil life he has held the
following positions : Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue in the
3d collection district of Illinois from Dec. 1870 until the office was
abolished in 1873 ; alderman of the city of Morrison, 1870-'72,
1875-'77 ; member of the Board of Education, 1877-'84, 1887-
'96, and secretary of the Board since 1887. In Nov. 1878 he was
elected as a Republican to the State Senate from the 11th District,
comprising the counties of Carroll and Whiteside, for the term of
four years. In April, 1883, he was appointed by Gov. Hamilton
a member of the State Board of Canal Commissioners for the
term of two years, and was president of the Board during that
time. In Feb. 1889 he was appointed by Gov. Fifer as a com-
missioner of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, and held the
position until Jan. 12, 1893, when he tendered his resignation upon
the inauguration of a Democratic governor. He has also served
for several terms as a member of the State Republican Committee
from the Congressional district in which he resides. He was a
district delegate to the National Encampment G. A. R. at Detroit
in 1892, and one of the delegates at large from Illinois to the Na-
tional Encampment G. A. R. at Pittsburg in 1894.
He married, August 15, 1870, Decima Manington of Morrison,
111., who was born in West Vienna township, Oneida County,
N. y., July 9, 1844, daughter of Alfred and Sophia Manington of
England.
Children, all born in Morrison, 111. :
i. Paul Alphonso,^ b. May 28, 1871 ; foreman in his father's
printing establishment; m. June 25, 1895, Laura Quacken-
bush.
HON. CHARLES BENT, OF ILLINOIS.
^R-
BENT FAMILY. 157
ii. Elizabeth, b. July 26, 1873 ; m. Sept. 12, 1895, Eobert C.
Sattley of Wheaton, 111., where he is Supt. of Bridges and
Buildings of Galena Div. of C. & N. W. R'y.
iii. Charles, b. Aug. 2, 1875 ; local editor of his father's news-
paper ; m. Nov. 3, 1898, at Momson, 111., Mabel Benzeville.
iv. Ruth, b. Oct. 26, 1877.
V. Harry, b. March 13, 1879.
vi. George Manington, b. June 6, 1890.
261
Samuel Arthur^ Bent, M.A., LL.B., (SamuelW.,^ Samuel
B.,^ David,"^ David,^ John,'^ John^^ was born in Boston, Mass.,
July 1, 1841, and is living in Brookline, Mass. After graduating
from Yale College in 1861 and from the Harvard Law School in
1865, he practised law for a few years in Boston, where he was
a member of the School Committee in the years 1868, 1869 and
1870. At the close of the latter year he went to Europe, where
he was American editor of the 8wiss Times in Geneva in 1872
and 1873 (and as such was admitted to the final session of the
Court of Arbitration on the Alabama claims) and American editor
of Galigiiani'' s Messenger in Paris in 1874 and 1875. In the lat-
ter year he returned to his native country, and in 1878 was elected
Superintendent of Schools in Nashua, N. H., where he remained
until 1883, when he moved to Clinton, Mass., to fill a similar po-
sition. In 1886 he returned to Boston and in 1890 was elected a
director and later clerk and treasurer of the Bostonian Society. He
has been a member of the examining committees of the Boston
Public Library and Boston Athenaeum, and has published "Short
Sayings of Great Men" (1882), which has gone through several
editions in America and England ; is the author of " Hints on Lan-
guage" for primary schools, and has edited Longfellow's "Golden
Legend," the "Christmas Carol" and the "Cricket on the Hearth"
for Houghton, Mifflin & Co. ; his address on Gen. S. M. Quincy
was published by the Bostonian Society, and " Why Was Louisburg
Twice Besieged" and "The Wayside Inn, its History and Litera-
ture," addresses, have been published by the Society of Colonial
Wars. As historian of the Mass. Society Sons of the American
Revolution, he compiled the year books of the Society in 1893 and
1894, and has also compiled the year books of the Mass. Society of
Colonial Wars for 1894, 1897 and 1898.' An article from his pen
on "Damon and Pythias among our Early Journalists " appeared in
the New England Magazine for August, 1896. He has been
warden and vestryman of three Episcopal parishes, and is frequently
delegate to diocesan conventions. He married Aug. 30, 1890,
Mary Edna Thompson of Bridge water, Mass.
158 BENT FAMILY.
Child, born in Boston :
1. Mildred^ Bent, b. Nov. 6, 1891.
Joseph Avery' Bent {Joseph A.,^ Samuel B.,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John}), travelling salesman, was born in Middle-
bury, Vt., April 23, 1857, and is living in Denver, Colorado. He
began his business career in 1875 as office boy in his uncle's shoe
store in Peoria, 111., and the boot and shoe business, in its various
branches, has occupied his attention ever since. He was a manu-
facturer of shoes in Chester, 111., from 1881 to 1885. He located
in Colorado in the spring of 1890. He married, Feb. 22, 1888,
at Socorro, N. M., Effie A. Dougherty of North Platte, Neb.
Children :
i. Joseph Avert,^ b. 1889 ; d. 1890.
ii. Avert Ballard, b. Dec. 21, 1890.
iii. Harry Sims, b. Nov. 24, 1895.
iv. Mart Louise, b. April 23, 1898.
263
Samuel Adams'' Bent {Joseph A.,^ Samuel B.,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John^), a retail shoe dealer, was born in Hoyleton,
111., March 4, 1861, and is living in Denver, Colo., where he lo-
cated in 1889. He married, May 22, 1890, Sallie Marie Kane,
who was born in Jefferson ville, lud., Dec. 25, 1864.
Children, both born in Denver :
i. Roger Kane,^ b. May 20, 1891.
ii. Gertrude Louise, b. May 21, 1892.
264
Geoege Payne'' Bent ( George,^ Samuel B.,^ David,* David,^
John,^ Johii^) was born in Dundee, 111., June 16, 1854, and is
living in Chicago, 111., where he has been located since May, 1870,
at which time he entered the employ of David C. Cook. In May,
1878, he bought out Mr. Cook's business, and has been engaged in
the manufacture first of sewing machines and then of organs, and
latterly of the "Crown" pianos and organs up to the present time.
He married, at Burr Oak, la., April 26, 1876, Clara A. Wingate,
who was born in Hemingford, Canada, July 24, 1857, daughter of
Henry and Charity E. Wingate.
Children, all born in Chicago :
i. Clara Wingate,^ b. March 10, 1877; m. June 21, 1898,
Ernest G. Meikle of Chicago,
ii. George Henrt, b. Oct. 11, 1878.
BENT FAMELY. 159
iii. Charity Mary, b. May 23, 1884.
iv. Muriel, b. Aug. 18, 1890.
V. Dorothy Amelia, b. April 5, 1893.
vi. Charles Matchett, b. Aug. 25, 1895.
265
Chaeles Avery'' Bent {George^^ Samuel B.,^ David,^
David^^ John,^ Joh'n}) was born in Burr Oak, Iowa, Oct. 10,
1860, and has resided since April, 1882, in Chicago, 111., where he
is connected with his brother's manufactory. He married, Sept.
11, 1883, Cora Hannah Stone of Seneca, Kan., a native of North
Monroe ville, Ohio, daughter of William Biglow Stone.
Children, all born in Chicago :
i. Charles Howard,^ b. Dec. 21, 1884.
ii. Clara Amelia, b. March 21, 1887.
iii. Maurice Hiram, b. April 7, 1891.
iv. Roberta Mary, b. Nov. 15, 1896.
Arthur Sumner^ Bent {George,^ Samuel B.^^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John^), farmer, was born in Burr Oak, Iowa, July
17, 1864, and is living in Hazard, Neb. He married, Nov. 5,
1885, in Hazard, Lida Emma Heslop, who was born in McKees-
port, Penn.
Children, all bom in Nebraska, i. at Nonpareil, ii. at Litchfield,
iii. at Auburn, iv. and v. at Hazard :
i. Sadie Mary,« b. Jan. 10, 1887.
ii. Ivan Arthur, b. Nov. 30, 1888 ; d. April 7, 1891.
iii. Clara Alta Vera, b. Oct. 21, 1891.
iv. George Abram, b. Feb. 9, 1894.
V. Miriam, b. July 19, 1896.
267
Joseph'^ Bent {Francis,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^), blacksmith, was born in Wareham, Mass., Feb. 29, 1788,
and died in Wareham, March 8, 1860, a. 72. He married first,
Ruth Hall ; married second, Mary Bumpus of Carver.
Children of Joseph and Ruth :
i. Fearing W.,* b. Nov. 19, 1810 ; shoemaker ; d. in Rehoboth,
Mass., Dec. 5, 1894 ; buried in Brockton,
ii. SiLVA, b. 1813 ; d. 1858 ; m. Jan. 1831, Ezra Potter (1807-
1879).
Children of Joseph and Mary :
i. Nancy E., living in Plymouth, Mass. ; m. 1850, Warren Gibbs ;
four children.
160 BENT FAMILY.
ii. Sarah, living in Plymouth, Mass. ; m. Winslow B. Sherman
six children,
iii. Henrietta, m. "William Gibbs.
iv. Joseph F., b. 1835 ; d. Oct. 19, 1889.
268
JoHN^ Bent (^Francis,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,'^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in Wareham, Mass., July 7, 1790; lived a
few years in Middleboro', Mass., and about 1832 moved to the
adjoining town of Carver, where he died March 2, 1869, se. 78.
He was collector of taxes for several years and representative to the
Legislature in 1835 and 1836. He married first, in 1822, Hannah
Perkins; no children; married second, Nov. 1829, Mercy McFar-
lin, who was born in Carver, May 2, 1796, and died in Carver, Jan.
4, 1887, £6. 90, daughter of Hervit McFarlin.
Children of John and Mercy, i. born in Middleboro', ii. in
Carver :
416. i. JoHN,8 b. June 5, 1831.
ii. Hannah Perkins, b. Nov. 4, 1836 ; m. Feb. 1866, Rufus L.
Richards of Carver.
269
Isaac'' Bent {Francis,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^), blacksmith, was born in Wareham, Mass., Aug. 4, 1799,
and died in Wareham, Nov. 4, 1876. He made hoes and other
implements for the Southern planters and went South, winters, to
dispose of his wares. During the latter part of the War of 1812
(June 13, 1814) about two hundred British soldiers from the brig-
of-war "Nimrod" landed at Wareham under a flag of truce and
then proceeded to destroy property in the ship yards, etc. Before
re-embarking in their barges, they took and disarmed enough
prisoners to place around the gunwales of their boats to prevent
any attack from the gathering inhabitants. Isaac Bent, though a
mere boy, was one of these prisoners. After getting below the in-
habited part of Buzzard's Bay the prisoners were landed, for they
were no longer needed.
Isaac married, Dec. 11, 1833, Sophia Bartlett of Plymouth, who
died in Wareham, June 4, 1864, ae. 55-3-6.
Children, both born in Wareham :
417. i. Martin Francis,^ b. March 17, 1835.
ii. Isaac Bartlett, b. Sept. 8, 1840; living unm. in Ann Arbor,
Mich., where he deals in photographs and art goods ; was a
tinsmith in Wareham several years before going West.
BENT FAMILY. 161
270
LucT^ Bent {Francis^^ John,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^ Joseph,^
John}) was born in Wareham, Mass., March 17, 1808, and died in
Eochester, Mass., Oct. 13, 1854. She married, Sept. 8, 1827,
Jonathan Perry, who was born in Plymouth, Mass., Sept. 4, 1801,
and died in Rochester, Mass., Oct. 13, 1881.
Children, all born in Rochester, Mass. :
i. Isaac B.^ Perry, b. and d. 1828.
ii. Lucy Bent Perry, b. Sept. 4, 1829 ; m. in 1851, Rufus H.
King, a drummer in 28th Mass. Ini'y- in 1861-62. Four
children : 1. Rufus Washington,^ b. Dec. 8, 1851 ; d. May
26, 1883 ; m. in 1879, Katherine Mannix of Wheeling, W.
Ya. 2. Isaac Bradford, b. Aug. 8, 1854 ; lives in Taunton,
Mass. ; m. Feb. 11, 1885, Anna Maria Strange. 3. Maria L.,
b. Oct. 22, 1855. 4. Nellie M., b. Jan. 7, 1858 ; m. in 1875,
William Morton Holmes of Wareham.
iii. Mary Jane Perry, b. Feb. 6, 1831 ; d. in Rochester, Mass.,
July 2, 1885 ; m. Nov. 16, 1856, her second cousin, Henry
Clay Lindley of Watertown, who was a sergeant in U. S. A.
before marriage and captain in 16th Mass. Inf'y. in the Civil
War. Seven children: 1. Lucy Bent^ b. Jan, 24, 1858;
living unm. in Foxboro', Mass. 2. Orrin Eugene, b. and d.
1860. 3. Mary Jane, b. Sept. 4, 1861 ; living in Foxboro',
Mass. ; m. Jan, 26, 1898, Harrie Francis Gray. 4. Charles
Henry, b. 1866 ; d, 1867. 5. Henry Clayton, b. July 1, 1868 ;
m, Dec, 1, 1896, Louise Hodgson Matthews of Fitchburg.
6. Francis Bent, b. March 17, 1872; m, June 3, 1896, Ethel
Josephine Clement of New Bedford, 7, Susie Maria, b, and
d, 1874,
iv. Abbie Bates Perry, b. June 2, 1833 ; living in Carver, Mass. ;
m. July 7, 1863, Jason Southworth, b, in Middleboro', Mass.,
Julv 5, 1819. One child, Jason Alton,^ b, in Carver, July 9,
1866; d, in Carver, Nov. 8, 1889.
V. Isaac Francis Bent Perry, b. Jan. 6, 1835 ; d, unni. May 6,
1893, in Rochester, Mass,, where he had held many offices of
trust, town treasurer, collector of taxes, assessor, selectman,
representative to the Legislature, etc.
vi. TiRZAH M. Perry, b, Jan. 29, 1838; living unm. in Roches-
ter, Mass., where for many years she was a valued teacher in
the public schools.
vii. Susan W. Perry, b. Feb. 22, 1840 ; Hving unm. in Rochester,
Mass.
viii. Jonathan Perry, b. March 2, 1842 ; is engaged in cranberry
culture in Rochester ; unm.
ix, James E, Perry, b, Sept. 17, 1844; living in Rochester, Mass,,
where he is a soap manufacturer ; m, Jan, 7, 1866, Pamelia
Kinney, b, in Mattapoisett, Mass,, Jan, 23, 1847. Nine chil-
dren: 1, James F.," b, 1867; d, 1878. 2, George H, b.
1869 ; d. 1878. 3. Lucy Bent, b. Jan. 15, 1873; m. Oct. 24,
162 BENT FAMILY.
1896, George Keithley of Hamburg, Mo. 4. PameKa A., h.
Oct. 11, 1874; m. Aug. 25, 1897, Arthur H. Eandall of
Rochester, Mass. 5. Susan M., b. 1877; d. 1879. 6. Susan
Maria Frances, b. March 14, 1880. 7. George FranUin, b.
1882 ; d. 1885. 8. Jonathan L., b. Feb. 24, 1888.
271
Wilson Dexter'' Bent {Francis,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experi-
eyice,'^ Joseph,^ John}) was born in Wareham, Mass., in June,
1814, and died in North Sandwich (now Bournedale), Mass., July
27, 1856. He married first, May 25, 1834, Phebe Cahoon, who
died Jan. 6, 1842, as. 27-9-20; married second, Sept. 4, 1842,
Hannah Crowell, who died Jan. 10, 1861, se. 50.
Children of Wilson D. and Phebe, both bom in North Sand-
wich (now Bournedale) :
418. i. Wilson Dexteb,^ b. Aug. 13, 1835.
419. ii. Francis, b. Aug. 28, 1841.
Children of Wilson D. and Hannah :
i. Hannah Maria,^ b. May 14, 1845; d. Oct. 29, 1869; m. May
4, 1864, Seth W. Holway. Three children.
ii. Son (not named), b. and d. March, 1847.
iii. Nathan Prince, b. Jan. 23, 1848 ; d. in Stockton, Cal., July
12, 1873, se. 25.
iv. Phebe Ann, b. June 8, 1852 ; d. unm. May 25, 1881.
272
Bartlett'' Bent {John,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in Middleboro', Mass., Nov. 30, 1797, and died
in Middlefield, Conn., June 15, 1868, se. 70; buried in Middle-
town, Conn. His active business life was spent in New York City
in the iron trade. He lived in various places in Massachusetts,
New York and Connecticut, and one year in Philadelphia, Pa. In
1858 he removed from Port Chester, N. Y., to Middletown, Conn.
His last years were spent with his son, three miles out from the
latter city, and there he died. He married, July 24, 1824, Hannah
P. Savery, who was born in Carver, Mass., March 24, 1799, and
died in Flushing, L. I., April 19, 1892, se. 93, daughter of Peleg
and Hannah (Perkins) Savery.
Children, i. and ii. born in Wareham, Mass., iii. in New York
City:
i. Ann,^ b. Aug. 1, 1825 ; d. aged 9.
420. ii. Bartlett, b. Sept. 11, 1829.
iii. Thomas Savery, b. Sept. 12, 1833 ; in 1856 he moved from
Port Chester, N. Y., to Middletown, Conn., and purchased a
farm of one hundred and five acres, on which he lived until
BENT FAMILY. 163
his death, April 25, 1889 ; m. Mary Augusta Peacock, a sister
of his brother's wife. She died in Middlefield, Conn., about
1881.
273
Thomas'" Bent (^John,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
Johv}) was born in Middleboro', Mass., Nov. 8, 1803, and died
Dec. 18, 1870. He was an iron founder in New York, the firm in
later years being Thomas Bent & Son. He married Abigail Shaw,
who was born April 21, 1807.
Children :
i. Charles Henrt,« b. 1829 ; d. 1830.
421. ii. Samuel Shaw, b. July 15, 1830.
iii. Elizabeth M., b. June 19, 1838.
iv. Abby, b. AprH 9, 1846; d. June 9, 1876.
274
John^Bent {Experience,^ John,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,'^ Jo-
seph,^ John}) was born in Middleboro', Mass., May 30, 1799, and
died in Shamokin, Pa., in 1857 ; was connected with a foundry in
latter place. He married, June 2, 1822, Mary Adams of Carver,
Mass., who was born in Boston, Nov. 1805, and died in Washing-
ton, D. C, July 8, 1893, daughter of Thomas and Mercy (Savery)
Adams. Mrs. Bent married second, Watson Go ward of Croydon,
N. H.
Children, i., iv. and v. born in Carver, ii. in N. J., iii. in Middle-
boro' :
i. Mart Adams,^ b. Nov. 13, 1823 ; living in Washington, D. C;
m. in Newton, Mass., June 21, 1860, Henry T. Lawson, a
native of Scotland, Major of 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery, d. in
Newburn, N. C, Oct, 1, 1864. Three children, all living,
umn. : 1. Jeanette, a clerk in the War Dept. at Washington,
D. C. 2. Florence, a teacher in normal school at Los Angeles,
Cal. 3. Gertrude Henrietta, in Washington.
ii. JoHiff Watson, b. April 24, 1826 ; contractor and builder ; d.
April 8, 1899, in Chicago, 111., where he had lived since 1849 ;
saw service in the Mexican war ; m. first, Janet Buchanan of
Chicago ; m. second, Mrs. Mary E. Smith, who d. in Louis-
ville, Ky., in 1895. No children. One adopted son, who has
taken the name of John W. Bent.
422. iii. Samuel Adams, b. May 11, 1828.
iv. Mercy Ann, b. Sept. 6, 1829 ; d. in Brookfield, Mass., Aug. 9,
1876 ; m. first, in 1847, John King, a farmer, of Wilton, N. H.
Three children : 1. Emma Josephine,^ living in South Fram-
ingham, Mass. ; m. first, James Theodore Butterworth, and
second, his brother Frank H. Butterworth of So. Framingham.
164 BENT FAMILY.
2. Albert Henry, living in Brookfield. 3. Elizabeth Medora,
living in Barre, Mass. ; m. 1889, Seth Sumner Williams of
Petersham. Mercy Ann m. second, February, 1867, Henry
L. King.
V. Augusta, b. Feb. 18, 1835; living, 1897, in New York City;
m. first, in Newton, Mass., April 15, 1857, Gardner Kidder
of Medford, Mass. ; m. second, Frank E. Morse. No chil-
dren. One adopted daughter.
275
Ebenezer'' Bent (^Experience, ^ John,° Joseph,* Experiences^
Joseph,^ John^), cabinet maker, was born in Middleboro', Mass.,
Oct. 10, 1809, and died at his daughter's home in Ware, Mass.,
Feb. 1, 1890, £e. 80. . He married, Oct. 12, 1831, Susan Wheel-
wright, daughter of Thomas Gammons. She died in Springfield,
Mass., May 11, 1873, ^. 61.
Children, i. born in Middleboro', ii. and iii. in Charlestown,
Mass. :
423. i. Charles Henry Wheelwright,^ b. Feb. 2, 1835.
ii. Caroline Louise, b. February, 1841 ; living in Ware, Mass. ;
m. in Chelsea, Mass., Jan. 6, 1867, William B. Lawton of
Ware (his second marriage),
iii. William E., b. May, 1849 ; has musical talent and has travel-
led extensively, but since about 1884 has made his home in
Chicago, 111., where he is now employed in the office of the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Ry. Co. ; m. Aug. 24, 1879,
at Benton Harbor, Mich., Mrs. Sarah A. Warner ; no children.
276
Luther^ Bent (^Experience, ^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^
Josephs'^ John^) was born in Middleboro', Mass., Jan. 7, 1812,
and died in Watertown, Mass., Feb. 10, 1891, ae. 79. He moved
in 1835 to Watertown, where he was a cabinet maker and furniture
dealer. He married, April 12, 1836, Everline A. Wheeler ot
Watertown.
Children, all born in Watertown :
i. Luther Wheeler,^ b. 1838; d. 1841.
ii. Everline Elizabeth, b. Nov. 13, 1840; m. May 31, 1864,
John E. Stiles of Cambridge, son of John C. and Susan Stiles.
Two children: 1. Mabelle, b. June 26, 1867; d. June 1,
1892. 2. Florence, b. and d. 1869.
424. iii. JuDSON Luther, b. Dec. 13, 1843.
425. iv. Herbert Francis, b. Jan. 2, 1845.
V. Mary Ella, b. Sept. 2, 1848 ; d. unm. in Watertown, Mass.,
April 23, 1898.
BENT FAMILY. 165
277
Otis' Bent {Experience,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Jo-
seph,^ JoJi7i^), iron moulder, was born in Middleboro', Mass., in
May, 1816, and died in Middleboro' in 1892, ge. 76. He married,
Oct. 30, 1842, Louisa Thomas of Middleboro', who was born in
1826, and died Nov. 15, 1873.
Children, all born in Middleboro' :
i. Salome Maria,^ b. July 8, 1843; living in Middleboro'; m.
1863, Ansel Fuller, shoemaker, of Kingston, Mass.
ii. Otis Winslow, b. Aug. 5, 1846; drowned while skating Feb.
12, 1858 ; a skate is cut on his tombstone in the North Car-
ver cemetery.
iii. Mary Sampson, b. April 23, 1849 ; living in South Abmgton,
Mass. ; m. 1868, Samuel Barnes Barrows of Carver, who saw
four years service in the civil war.
iv. Caroline Janet, b. April 30, 1854; living in Middleboro' ; m.
1872, William Bonney of Plympton, Mass., who d. 1874.
V. Fannie Augusta, b. Oct. 1, 1860; m. 1895, Charles Eddy of
Fall River, Mass.
278
Otis'' Bent (^William,^ John, ^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^^, farmer, was born in Middleboro', Mass., Aug. 23, 1793;
in infancy was taken to Paris, Me., where he died March 31, 1871,
^.77. He saw service in Capt. Uriah Ripley's company in the
War of 1812. He married Hannah, daughter of Richard Walker
of Fryeburg, Me. She died June 1, 1877, ^. 82.
Children, all born in Paris, Me. :
i. Clarissa Shaw,^ b. April 18, 1817 ; m. first, Charles Howe ;
m. second, Charles Young.
ii. Ann Chandler, b. July 12, 1818; m. Wellington Dudley
(1817-1883). Four children : 1. Mary Aldrich. 2. Josiah
W. 3. Clara Maria. 4, John Hancock.
426. iii. Daniel Chandler, b. Nov. 18, 1821.
427. iv. Orren Webster, b. Jan. 31, 1824.
279
Oeen'' Bent ( William,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^^, a Methodist clergyman, was born in Paris, Me., March 27,
1796, and died in North Bridgeton, Me., in 1848, as. 52 ; preached
in many towns in south-western Maine. He was a strong temper-
ance advocate. He married Caroline Eaton of Rumford Falls, Me.,
who died in Harrison, Me., in 1846.
166 BENT FAMILY.
Children, all bom in Maine, i. born in Rumford and vi. in Wash-
ington :
i. Maria A.,^b. 1831; d. in Chelsea, Mass., in 1882; m. Nov.
15, 1866 (his second marriage) William G. Reed, who d. in
Chelsea in 1881. One child, Fay^ an organist in Boston,
ii. Fkancis Asburt, b. 1833 ; musician ; living in Portland, Me.,
where he m. Maria A. Stevens ; they have lived in Illinois
and in Boston, Mass. He was formerly a carriage-smith. No
children,
iii. Esther Ajstn, b. 1835 ; m. first, Orrin Bartlett ; m. second,
Hurd.
iv. Caroline M., b. 1838 ; d. in Chelsea, Mass., October, 1893 ;
m. Francis W. Forbush of Boston ; lived in Chelsea, where
he died in 1885. Three children: 1. Fred.^ 2. Maria
Albertina, m. Charles Smith of Somerville. 3. Charles.
v. John A., b. 1840 ; farmer ; liviag in Mapleton, Utah ; saw ser-
vice in the civil war in the 5th Maine Inf'y, and the 4th Reg.
. U. S. A. He moved to Colorado in 1873. Four children,
vi. Orrin, b. Sept. 3, 1842 ; living in Dorchester, Boston; saw ser-
vice in the civil war in the 1st and 17 th Maine Inf'y • Has
been ia the produce business in Quincy Market for several
years. He m. in Boston, July 16, 1871, Emma Jane Tuttle
of Athens, Me. Two children: 1. Louis Carroll,^ h. Dec. 9,
1875. 2. Fdwin Clarence, b. Sept. 30, 1877.
280
William'^ Bent ( William.^ John,^ Joseph,* Experiences^
Joseph,^ Johyi^), farmer, was born March 24, 1798, inParis, Me.,
where he died Dec. 12, 1878. He married Cynthia Russell of
Bethel, Me.
Children, all born in Paris, Me. :
i. Angeline,* m. Alexander Libbey.
ii. Cynthia Augusta, living in Lowell, Mass. ; m. Albert Liver-
more,
iii. Mart Jane, b. 1827 ; m. Frederick Libbey.
iv. Elizabeth, b. 1829 ; d. young.
V. Eliza Ann (twin), b. 1834; living in Abrams, Wis. ; m. Horace
Waldron.
vi. Lucy Ann (twin), b. 1834; living in Abrams, Wis,; m.
Augustus Knowles.
vii. Olive Elizabeth, b. 1836; living in Amberg, Wis. ; m. Isaac
Trask.
428. viii. William Edwin, b. July 10, 1838.
281
John" Bent ( William,^ John,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^^, printer and publisher, was born in Paris, Me., March 12,
1809, and died in Sanford, Florida, March 31, 1882, ^. 73. He
BENT FAMILY. 167
began his active business career in Eastport, Me., where he pub-
lished the Eastern Democrat for a few years, but his field not be-
ing broad enough, he transferred his residence to Philadelphia.
Before 1843, however, he located in Chelsea, Mass., which remained
his home for more than a quarter of a century. He was a member
of the City Council, and in 1858 and 1859, with Mellen Chamber-
lain, afterwards Judge and Librarian of the Boston Public Library,
he represented the city of his adoption in the Legislature. Mean-
while, about 1848, he had opened a printing establishment in Bos-
ton, and for a short time, about 1850, Henry Wilson, afterwards
Vice-President of the United States, was in partnership with him.
About 1870 he removed to Auburndale, Mass., but after the death
of his elder son he lived in Florida, engaged in orange growing,
with frequent trips north, until his death. He married, August 6,
1833, Dolly, daughter of Jonas T. Keyes of Eastport, Me. She
died in Aubui-ndale, Oct. 2, 1892, je. nearly 80.
Children, all born in Chelsea, Mass. :
i. John Shackford,^ b. Dec. 6, 1843 ; d. at Lake Mary, Fla.,
about 1872; enUsted Sept. 19, 1862, for nine months in Co.
E, 50th Mass. Inf'y ; afterwards he served in the U. S. Sani-
tary Commission until the close of the war, after which he
located in New Orleans ; about 1870, he took a land grant in
Florida, and was just beginning to raise oranges when he was
cut off by death.
ii. Eliza Frances, b. Jime 15, 1846 ; living in Auburndale, Mass. ;
m. June 24, 1868, Isaac Snow DilUngliam of Chelsea. Their
daughter, Frances Benf Dillingham, has made a good name
for herself as a writer of stories and verse ; one of the latter
will be. found at the end of this volume.
iii. Charles Andrew, b. Jan, 6, 1849 ; living in Melrose, Mass. ;
m. Belle Haskell. No children.
282
Asahel'' Bent (Zenas,^ John,^ Joseph,'^ JExperience,^ Josejjh,^
John^), iron moulder, was born in Middleboro', Mass., in 1797,
and died in Carver, Mass., Oct 23, 1849(?). He married, in
1819, Lydia Saunders, who was born in Middleboro' in 1800, and
died in Carver, Oct. 8, 1848.
Children, i. born in Middleboro', the others in Carver :
429. i. Ira Cook,^ b. Aug. 19, 1820.
ii. Nathaniel Allen, b. 1822; d. unm. in (South) Carver before
1872.
iii. George "Warren, b. Feb. 11, 1825; puddler in a naU factory ;
d. in Wareham, Aug. 23, 1872 ; m. in Wareham, Sept. 24,
1850, Mrs. Ruth (Savery) Long, b. Feb. 9, 1821, widow of
Andrew Long, and dau. of Samuel and Rebecca (Swift)
11
168 BENT FAMILY.
Savery. She m. third, Benjamin Ingalls, and liyes in East
Wareham, Mass.
iv. Eunice Hackett, b. Dec. 29, 1829; d. in Taunton, Mass., in
1876; m. . Three children: 1. Frank E.^
2. Charles W. 3. Ira F.
V. Abbie Bates, b. March, 1833 ; d. in Wareham, April, 1889 ;
m. in Wareham, March 9, 1855, Solomon Warren Hathaway.
Four children: 1. Rosalie Ashton? 2. Lenora Estelle, m.
Elmer Clarence Briggs. 3. Helen Frances, m. Nathan Ellis
Bourne. 4. Abbie Warren, m. James Everett Marville.
vi. Maky Ann, b. July 21, 1839 ; living, 1898, in East Wareham,
Mass. ; m. Oct. 8, 1861, Jeremiah T. Nightingale, mariner, of
Sandwich, b. Dec. 4, 1838. Five children : 1. Florence V.^
2. George T. 3. Jeremiah W. 4. Arthur E. 5. Lydia T.
All b. in Wareham.
283
Waterman^ Bent (^Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^
Joseph,^ John}), ship carpenter, was born in Yarmouth, N. S., in
July, 1808, and died in Eastport, Me., Feb. 11, 1855. He mar-
ried, Oct. 23, 1834, Mrs. Eliza (Reynolds) Baglv, born Sept. 19,
1805.
Children, recorded in Eastport, Me. :
i. John A.,« b. July 20, 1835.
ii. Kimball, b. Aug. 24, 1837.
iii. Sarah Ann, b. Sept. 8, 1841.
284
Samuel'' Bent {Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,* Experience,''
Joseph,'^ John^) was born probably in Yarmouth, N. S. He mar-
ried Maria, daughter of David Harris.
Children i
i. JOHN.^
ii. Joseph, lost at sea.
iii. Abigail, m. first, John Dowley ; m. second, Sept. 29, 1860,
Silas C. Trefry.
285
John' Bent (Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in Yarmouth, N. S., Aug. 3, 1809. He married
first, Sophia, daughter of David Harris ; married second, Mrs.
Maria (Harris) Bent, widow of his brother Samuel.
Children :
i. John,^ m. March 27, 1851, Dorcas, dau. of William Taylor.
ii. Joseph.
iii. Priscilla, m. William Hamilton.
iv. Lois, d. unm.
BENT FAMILY. 169
V. Margaret, d. unm.
vi. Mart, d. young,
vii. Elihu.
Yiii. Esther, m. Dominick Adams.
ix. Mary, m. Dominick Adams.
286
Jambs'^ Bent i^Elhanah,^ Joseph,^ Joseph^^ Experiences^
Joseph,^ Johyi^), farmer and cooper, was born in Yarmouth, N. S.,
and died at Lake Darling, N. S. He married first, Bethiah, daugh-
ter of David W. Beveridge ; married second, Nov. 25, 1841, Sarah,
daughter of John Landers.
Children :
i. Emily Jane,^ m. first, Dec. 23, 1852, Reuben Harris ; m. second,
George P. Bowers.
ii. Rebecca Louisa, m. Sept. 16, 1858, Jonathan Harris,
iii. Charles W., d. Nov. 29, 1890; m. first, Oct. 11, 1860, Eliza-
beth, dau. of Richard Power ; m. second, LaHa .
iv. Robert, d. June 4, 1892 ; m. Mary Ann Roberts.
287
William^ Bent {Ellcanali,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,* Experiences'^
Joseph,^ Jolin^^, sea captain and farmer, was born in Yarmouth,
N. S., and died at Short Beach, N. S. He married Hannah Cain.
Children :
i. William Henry,* d. at sea unm.
ii. RuFUS, d. at sea unm.
iii. Susan, m. Eldridge.
iv. James C, m. Sophronia, dau. of James Roberts. One cliild,
Ivan Clifford? b. 1892, d. 1896.
V. Delia, d. unm.
vi. Elizabeth, m. Alvin Scovil.
vii. Lucy L., m. Oct. 18, 1892, Capt. Thomas K. S. Doane.
viii. Stephen, m. Dec. 25, 1879, Laura E., dau. of Andrew J. Lin-
coln. Two children : 1. Josej)h N.? b, Nov. 23, 1880. 2.
Hubert Lincoln^ b. April 22, 1895.
ix. ZiLPAH, d. young.
288
Alexander' Bent {Elhanah,^ Joseph,^ Josephs'^ Experience,^
Joseph,^ John^^wa.B born in Yarmouth, N. S., and died in Sand-
ford, N. S. He was a sailor on a coasting schooner early in life,
but afterwards a farmer. He married Ellen, daughter of Milford
Tedford of Short Beach, N. S. She is still living.
Children, all born in Sandford :
430. i. Norman Hammond,* b. March 10, 1841.
170 BENT FAMILY.
ii. MiLFORD Tedford, b. June 9, 1844 ; d. Feb. 26, 1862, of con-
sumption contracted in the army. Enlisted in 1861 in Co. I,
14tli Reg. Mass. Vols.
iii. Gilbert, d. unm. Dec. 20, 1888.
iv. Hannah, living in Tapleyville, a village in Danvers, Mass. ; m.
Nov. 21, 1861, in Danvers, Albert Woodbury. Four child-
ren : 1. Eliza Ellen? 2. Lalia. 3. Althea Florence. 4.
Mabel Paton.
289
Chaeles^ Bent (^Elkanah,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^
Joseph,^ John^^ v^as born in Yarmouth, N. S., in Dec. 1810, and
died in Digby, N. S., Feb. 12, 1873. He followed the sea before
his marriage, after which he farmed. In 1862 he moved from
Westport, N. S., to Yarmouth, thence in 1866 to Digby. He
married, in Sept. 1846, Sarah Isabella Merritt, who was born at
Sandy Cove, N. S., Nov. 4, 1828, and died in Wakefield, Mass.,
March 4, 1894, £e. 65.
Children, all born in Westport, N. S. :
i. Emma,8 b. June 22, 1847 ; living in Wakefield ; m. Feb. 9, 1870,
John Crosby of Yarmouth. Seven children,
ii. Charles Amos, b. May 7, 1850 ; carpenter ; living in Wake-
field ; m. March 17, 1874, Sarah Carr of Digby. No chUd-
ren.
iii. George Henry, d. young.
431. iv. Elkanah, b. Jan. 3, 1855.
v. Henrietta, b. Oct. 31, 1858 ; living in Newport, Vt. ; m. Hiram
Belding of St. John, N. B. One child, Walter^ Belding.
290
. Mary Ann' Bent {Lemuel,^ William,^ Joseph,^ Joseph^^
Joseph,^ John^^ was born in Winchester, Ya., June 8, 1800,
and died in Bethel, Ya., Jan. 1, 1871. She married, March 23,
1826, Francis McFarland, D.D., a Presbyterian clergyman of
Bethel, and moved to Augusta County, near Greenville, Ya. In
1836 they removed to Philadelphia, where for five years he was cor-
responding secretary of the Board of Education of the Presbyterian
Church, but in 1841 he returned to his old charge at Bethel in
southern Yirginia, where he spent the remainder of his days. He
died Oct. 9, 1871, fe. 83.
Children, all born in Yirginia except the twins, who were born
in Philadelphia :
i. Betsey^ McFarland, b. Jan. 7, 1827 ; d. near Columbia,
Tenn., in Aug., 1861 ; m. Dr. W. F. Humphreys of Yirginia
and had three children, one of whom, D. C.^ Humphreys, is a
BENT FAMIiLT. 171
professor in Washington and Lee University at Lexington,
Va. One d. young, and the other, Theda McFarland Hum-
phreys, m. Rev. G. T. Storey and is living in San Angelo,
Texas.
ii. Mart McFaeland, b. Nov. 14, 1828 ; d. April 14, 1893 ; m.
in 1849, Dr. W. W. Lewis of Roanoke, Va., who died in
1854. Two children: 1. Frank Walton^ Lewis, now pastor
of the Presbyterian church at Clinton, La. 2. Marie Louise
Lewis, m. in 1877, Rev. Frank H. Gaines, now pastor of the
Presbyterian church at Decatur, Ga.
iii. Francis Patterson McFarland, b. 1830 ; d. in infancy.
iv. William McFarland, b. 1833 ; d. in infancy.
V. Francis William McFarland, b. June 8, 1835 ; taught
school several years, was a reporter in Congress, joined the
Confederate army, and after two years' service became a re-
porter in the Confederate Congress ; d. unm. July 21, 1866,
of consumption contracted while a prisoner at Fort McHenry,
near Baltimore, in 1863.
' vi. Lemuel Bent McFarland (twin), b. Dec. 8,'1838 ; d. young.
vii. Robert Patterson McFarland (twin), b. Dec. 8, 1838 ;
joined the Confederate army in 1861, became a lieutenant,
and was killed in battle near Richmond, Va., May 30, 1864.
viii. James Nathaniel McFarland, b. Feb. 24, 1842 ; joined the
Confederate army in 1861, and served under Stonewall Jack-
son ; was wounded and spent ten months as a prisoner of war
at Fort Delaware ; after the war went back to the farm in
Bethel, Va., where he remained until 1884, when he moved to
Staunton, Va., where he is now an elder in the First Presby-
terian Church and treasurer of Augusta County, the largest
county in Virginia ; m. in 1874 Mary E. Wallace. Two
children : 1. Francis Patterson^ McFarland, b. Dec. 9, 1875.
2. Wallace Bent McFarland, b. Sept. 22, 1878.
291
William Henry^ Bent {William,^ William,^ Joseph,* Jo-
seph,^ Joseph,^ JoJin^), grocer, was born in Canton, Mass., June
13, 1819, and died in Taunton, Mass., Dec. 17, 1873, se. 54;
lived in Neponset (now a part of Boston) . He married, in Jan.
1851, Martha Dean Plummer, who was born May 5, 1822, and
died in Dorchester, Sept. 17, 1857.
Children, i. and ii. born in Dorchester, iii. in Milton :
i. Abbie Elizabeth,* b. Jan. 18, 1852 ; d. unm. Jan. 1879 ; she
was adopted by her father's sister, Mrs. Sarah (Bent) Benton,
and lived in Connecticut.
ii. Sarah Frances, b. 1854 ; d. 1857.
iii. Harriet Chamberlain, b. Feb. 13, 1857 ; m. Oct. 4, 1886,
Henry C. Shields of Mattapan, Mass. Three children.
172 BENT FAMILY.
292
RuFUS^ Bent ( William,^ William,^ Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^), cabinet maker, was born in Canton, Mass., Oct. 21, 1821,
and died in Neponset, Boston, Mass., Sept. 15, 1897, ae. nearly
75 ; lived several years in Cambridge. He married, March 27,
1859, Emily Abigail Phillips of Brockton, Mass.
Children :
i. Cora Emilt,^ b. 1860 ; living in Neponset, Boston ; m. in
1888, George Burford. Two chUdren : 1. Emily 0.,^ b. 1891.
2. Miriam L., b. 1893.
ii. Merrill Nelson, b. 1864 ; electrician ; living in Neponset,
Boston ; m. first, Sarah E., dau. of John and Sarah Zoller.
She d. in Somerville, Mass., Sept. 28, 1892, aa. 25, and he
m. second, Sept. 1896, his cousin's daughter, Josephine E.,
dau. of Joseph A.^ Bent (q. v.).
293
Joseph' Bent ( William,^ William,^ Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^), carriage manufacturer, was born in Canton, Mass., Aug.
5, 1823, moved in 1847 to Thompsonville, in the town of Enfield,
Conn., where he died Feb. 28, 1888. He married first, Oct. 17,
1845, Emily Ann, daughter of James and Ann Hill of Dorchester,
Mass. She was born Nov. 20, 1824, and died Dec. 17, 1845 ; no
children. He married second, Oct. 30, 1849, Fannie Cutler, who
was born April 28, 1830, living in Thompsonville.
Children, all born in Thompsonville :
i. Charles D.,^ b. Dec. 8, 1850 ; is in the livery business in
Thompsonville, where he has always lived, except during the
years 1890 and 1891 ; a member of the Connecticut House of
Eepresentatives in 1899 ; m. first, Oct. 28, 1874, Emily E.
Holcomb of Thompsonville, who d. Dec. 21, 1876 ; m. second,
Dec. 28, 1892, Annie A. Harvey of Stafford, Conn. No
children.
432. u. Joseph Almon, b. Jime 28, 1852.
iii. Herbert, b. 1854; d. 1856.
294
Chaeles Ceane'' Bent ( William,^ William,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^^, carpenter, was born in Canton, Mass., Sept. 8,
1826, and died in Dorchester, Boston, Mass., Feb. 15, 1887. He
married, March 8, 1854, Phebe Ann Malin, who was born in
Chester, Pa., Oct. 1, 1832, and died in Dorchester, April 3, 1872,
daughter of Randall Malin.
BENT FAMILY. 173
Children, all born in Dorchester :
i. Edward Danforth,* b. Sept. 16, 1855 ; d. unm. Nov. 8, 1883,
06. 28.
433. ii. Charles Henry, b. March 28, 1858.
iii. George Alden, b. 1863 ; d. 1864.
iv. Alfred Malin, b. Feb. 7, 1865 ; is in retail boot and shoe
business in Dorchester; m. June 16, 1896, Margaret Mae
Simpson of Boston.
V. Francis Herbert, b. June 18, 1868 ; living in Bound Brook,
N. J. ; an architect in New York City ; m. Feb. 24, 1895,
Irene Wheeler of Manalapan, N. J. One child, Francis
Herhert,^ b. Oct. 3, 1896.
vi. Phebe Estelle, b. March 17, 1872 ; living unm. with her
brother in Dorchester.
295
Nathaniel^ Bent (James,^ William,^ Joseph,* Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ John^) was born May 5, 1824, in Canton, Mass., where he
died Oct. 29, 1882, se. 58. He and his twin brother, Elijah, who
lived until March 23, 1893, were so much alike in appearance as to
be often mistaken for each other, and their devotion to each other
was even more remarkable than their resemblance. For thirty
years they were in the grocery and dry-goods business in Canton.
During the latter part of the time Elijah was in the oil business in
Boston, but Nathaniel was also interested in it ; in fact they were so
united in their business relations that no division of their property
was made until the death of Nathaniel.
They were in favor of social progress, were total abstainers from
the use of alcoholic liquors, and early gave up the sale of tobacco
and cigars. They were interested in mechanical and scientific im-
provements, and were great lovers of nature. Nathaniel always
carried a sketch-book and spent much of his leisure time in paint-
ing, while Elijah made microscopy a studious pastime. Their in-
terest in the Unitarian church in Canton was abiding and efficient.
Among its people and the town's people generally they made many
life-long friends. They preserved to a remarkable degree a cheerful
boyish spirit, and were in sympathy with and greatly loved by the
young people around them.
Nathaniel married, Dec. 29, 1852, Amelia Maria Guild, who
was born in Canton, April 29, 1831, daughter of Horace and
Amelia (Fisher) Guild, and is living in Allston.
Elijah never married, but took a deep interest in his brother's
family and lived with them as long as he lived. He was treasurer
of the Canton Historical Society, and a member of the American
Unitarian Association.
174 BENT* PAMiLT.
Children of Nathaniel and Amelia, all born in Canton :
i. Annie Amelia,® b. Dec. 20, 1853 ; living in Concord, Mass. ;
m. June 16, 1881, Harvey Wheeler. Three children: 1.
Roger,^ b. 1882 ; d. 1892. ' 2. Gladys, b. June 10, 1885. 3.
Berkeley, b. April 26, 1888.
ii, Nathalia, b. Oct. 12, 1855 ; living unm. in Allston, Boston ;
is a member of the American Unitarian Association, and much
interested in genealogy.
434:. iii. James Stuart, b. Jan. 27, 1857 ; m. Lydia Ella Connery.
iv. Hattie GtUILD, b. Oct. 4, 1859 ; living in Allston, Boston ; m.
Sept. 18, 1883, Walter Josiah Connery, brother of Lydia E.
296
Cynthia'' Bent {Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Sept. 7, 1787, and died
in Point de Bute, N. B., July 16, 1874, ae. nearly 87. She mar-
ried, Jan. 8, 1807, Harmon Trueman, farmer and mechanic, born
in Point de Bute, N. B., Sept. 27, 1778, died in Point de Bute,
Sept. 18, 1856. Mr. Trueman's father and grand-parents came
from Billsdale, North Riding, Yorkshire, England, in 1775, and
settled at Point de Bute, then called Prospect.
Children, all born in Point de Bute, N. B. :
i. Stephen Bamford^ Trueman, b. Feb. 17, 1808; d. Dec. 29>
1875; m. Feb. 11, 1836, Eliza Wells (also of Yorkshire
descent), who d. May 3, 1876. Seven children, all b. Point
de Bute : 1. George Harmon,^ living in Moncton, N. B. 2.
Elizabeth Amy, m. first, Capt. Rufus Freeman Cutten of
Amherst, N. S., who was lost at sea in January, 1887; m.
second, April, 1891, Douglass Chapman, D.D. 3. Frederic
Alexander, d. unm. Dec. 27, 1881. 4. Humphrey PicJcard,
living in Sackville, N. B. 5. Louisa Cynthia, living in Point
de Bute, N. B. ; m. Charles Ford McCready of Tenobsquis,
N. B. 6. Sarah Anne, living in Sackville, N. B. ; m. Wil-
liam McLeod of Sussex, N. B. 7. Margaret Jane, d. Nov.
14, 1889 ; m, Alex. Ford of Sackville, N. B.
ii. Amy Elizabeth Trueman, b. April 17, 1810; d. March 17,
1839 ; m. Oct. 4, 1837, John Wesley McLeod of St. John,
N. B._, who d. Sept. 8, 1888. Their only child, Elizabeth
Cynthia,^ living in Moncton, N. B., has interested herself in
the preparation of the Bent genealogy, and the completeness
of this branch is due to her labors ; she m. William J. Robin-
son of Moncton, who d. June 22, 1893 ; no children.
,iii. Sarah Trueman, b. Aug. 27, 1812; d. Nov. 14, 1850; m.
Rev. Alexander W. McLeod (brother of John W. above), a
Methodist clergyman and editor of "The Wesleyan " in
Halifax, N. S., until 1854, when he moved to Baltimore,
Md., where he d. Nov. 30, 1891. Six children : 1. Alexander
Harmon,^ living in Wyoming, O. 2. Emm,a Elizabeth, m.
BENT FAmLT. 175
Fred WJ Bent {q.v.). 3. Albert Des Brisay, living in Avon-
dale, O. 4. Margaret Anne, m. Hibbert C. Black of Pug-
wash, N. S. 5. Robert Alder, fought in the Confederate army,
was taken prisoner, lost his right arm ; graduated from Har-
vard College in 1869 ; located in Paris, where he married, and
d. iu Algiers, March 3, 1878. 6. Ellen Lavinia, d. in infancy.
iv. Martin Trueman, b. Oct. 30, 1814; living in Point de Bute,
N. B.; m. April 11, 1843, Bethia Purdy of Wallace, N. S.,
b. April 24, 1818. Five children : 1. Amy Elizabeth,^ \iVmg
in Gladstone, Manitoba ; m. Joseph C. Wry of Jolicure, N. B.
2. Calvin Thompson, accidentally drowned in the harbor of
Newport, Wales, Eng., Oct. 7, 1876, while travelling for
his health. 3. Cynthia Anne Wood, m. Albert C. Carter of
Point de Bute, N. B. 4, Mary Ellen, living in Fairville,
N. B> ; m. first, William Robert McBride, M.D., who d. June
8, 1878; m. second, James Hiram Orey, M.D. 5. Harmon
Silas, an M.D., in Somerville, Mass.
V. Louisa Cynthia Trueman, b. Aug. 30, 1817 ; d. Aug. 30,
1859 ; m. Mariner Wood, a successful merchant and ship
builder in Sackville, N. B., who d. Aug. 8, 1875. Two
children : 1. Josiah^ educated at Mount Allison University ;
succeeded his father in business, and has been Representative
and Senator at Ottawa. 2. Charles Harmon, educated at Mt.
Allison University ; d. of consumption in Torquay, Eng.,
April 6, 1871, se. 25 yrs.
vi. Silas William Trueman, b. May 27, 1820 ; d. unm. July 10,
1859.
vii. Eunice Trueman, b. Dec. 18, 1822 ; m. Thomas B. Moore, a
lawyer of Moncton, N. B., who d. May 20, 1876. No children,
viii. Robert Alder Trueman, b. Aug. 22, 1825; living in Sack-
ville, N. B. ; educated at Mt. Allison University ; m. Mary
Barker Jewett of Sheffield, N. B., who d. May 8, 1899. Two
children: 1. Sarah Louisa,^ d. Oct. 16, 1885. 2. Emma
Cynthia.
ix. Mart Amelia Trueman, b. Sept. 28, 1828 ; living in Truro,
N. S. ; m. Rufus Freeman Black of River Philip, N. S. Five
children : 1. Ida Maria J 2. Louisa Cynthia, d. June 12,
1882. 3. Albert Seymour. 4. Emmeline Amelia. 5. Mary
Josephine, m. Edw. Freeman Smith of Halifax,. N. S., where
they still live.
297
Calvin Gay' Bent {Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,'
Johv}) was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Nov. 9, 1791 ; lived in
Salem, N. S. ; died Feb. 5, 1863, ». 71. He married Annie
Jones of Point de Bute, N. B., born June 11, 1796.
Children :
i. Fannie E.,^ d. Nov. 26, 1854, eb. 35 ; m. Robert Atkinson of
Fort Lawrence. Three children : 1. lanfha Elizabeth,^ d.
young. 2. Robert Byron, d. young. 3. John Cabin.
176 BENT FAMILY.
435. ii. John,
iii. Harmon, lived in Salem, N. S. ; m. Sarah Chapman. Three
children : 1. George. 2. Alonzo. 3. Gay.
436i iv. Martin.
V. Amy Ann, d. April 7, 1863, se. 27 ; m. Henry Taylor of Salem,
N. S. One child, Florence,^ d. Aug. 10, 1871, jb. 18.
298
MARTm'' Bent {Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
Johi^), farmer, was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., July 30, 1793 ;
died in Fort Lawrence, Oct. 5, 1875, ae. 82. He married, Jan.
12, 1819, Amelia Chapman, born April 28, 1800, died Oct. 8,
1875, daughter of Henry Chapman of Point de Bute, N. B.
Children :
i. James Roberts,^ b. Feb. 25, 1820; living unm. in San Diego,
California, whither he went when a young man.
ii. Cynthia Matilda, b. Sept. 20, 1822 ; living in Moncton,
N. B.; m. first, July 8, 1863, Mariner Wood of Sackville,
N. B., who d. Aug. 11, 1875; m. second, April 26, 1890, in
Montreal, Rev. John Prince of Moncton, N. B. No children.
iii. Joseph Benson, b. Aug. 11, 1825 ; living unm. on the old home-
stead at Fort Lawrence, N. S.
iv. Sarah Ann, b. April 15, 1828 ; living in Sackville, N. B. ; m.
Nov. 16, 1847, Edward Trueman of Point de. Bute, N. B.
Five children : 1. Clifford Bent,^ d. -anm. in 1894. 2. Her-
bert Gore, a dentist in San Francisco ; went to California
when a boy ; m. and has three sons. 3. James JE., a phy-
sician, formerly of Athol, N. S., now of St. Jose, Cal. ; m.
Alice, dau. of George R.^ Bent (g-v.). 4. Clarence, a mer-
chant in Amherst, N. S. 5. Amelia, m. Herbert Harrington,
a shipping merchant in Sydney, Cape Breton.
V. Silas Edward, b. Aug. 13, 1831; carpenter; living unm. in
San Francisco, Cal.
vi. Jonas Cutler, b. 1834; d. 1838.
vii. Victoria Amelia, b. Feb. 14, 1837 ; living in Amherst, N. S. ;
m. Jan. 16, 1872, Abram Stevens of Pugwash, N. S. Two
children : 1. Harold,^ in business in Amherst, N. S. ; m.
Grace Tingley of Dorchester, N. B. 2. Clarence, living with
his parents.
viii. Charles Martin, b. Oct. 20, 1839 ; living on the old home-
stead at Fort Lawrence, N. S. ; m. Feb. 9, 1885, Mrs. Hannah
(Embree) Goodwin, dau. of William Embree of Amherst.
No children.
299
Eunice Conviss^ Bent (Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^) was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Feb. 15,
BENT FAMILY. 177
1796 ; died in Point de Bute, N. B., May 9, 1867. She married,
Jan. 7, 1817, Kobert Keillor Trueman, who died Oct. 17, 1872.
Children :
i. James^ Trueman, living in Hampton, N. B. ; m. Jane Char-
lotte Black of Amherst, N. S., who d. May 20, 1886. Two
children : 1 . Seraph Augusta,^ m. first, Henry Charles
McMonagle, a lawyer of St. John, N. B., who d. June 12,
1881 ; m. second, Howard D. McLeod of St. John, N. B. 2.
Alexander, d. young.
ii. Seraphina Amelia Trueman, m. John Wesley McLeod (his
second wife) ; moved from New Brunswick to Newark, N. J.,
where he d. Sept. 8, 1888, se. 83. Six children: 1. Amy
Louisa.^ 2. Robert Trueman, living in Point de Bute, N. B.
3. Eunice Amelia. 4. Calvin Jewell, d. 1856. 5. Margaret
Des Brisay, m. David Perry Johnson of Newark, N. J. 6.
John Alexander, d. 1861.
iii. Calvin Gilbert Trueman, d. unm. May 12, 1846, £e. 22.
Seeaphina'' Bent {Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph^^
John}) was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Sept. 5, 1798 ; lived at
River Philip, N. S. ; died Nov. 12, 1880, se. 82. She married
Richard Hewson, born 1793, died Nov. 12, 1872. Their home
was for many years the regular stopping place for the mail coaches
running between St. John and Halifax.
Children :
i. James^ Hewson, living at River PhUip, N. S. ; m. Mary L.
Purdy. Five children : 1. Fannie, living in Boston ; m.
• Lothrop. 2. Belle. 3. Clement. 4. Trueman. 5.
James.
ii. Mart Eliza Hewson, d. unm. June 7, 1895.
iii. Eunice Hewson, d. Feb. 21, 1881, se. 56 ; m. Rufus Thompson
of Oxford, N. S. Five children : 1. Richard. 2. Freeman.
3. Howard. 4. Inglis. 5. Emma.
iv. Martin Hewson, lived at River Philip, N. S. ; moved to San
Francisco, Cal., where he d. in April, 1871, se. 45 ; m. Miss
Atkinson. Three children : 1. Bessie. 2. Nathan. 3. Hih-
hert.
V. Rufus Freeman Hewson, lived in Oxford, N. S. ; d. Dec. 2,
1891, 86. 62 ; m. Clementina Church, granddaughter of Are-
thusa® (Bent) Church {q. v.). Three children : 1. Arthur.
2. Walter. 3. Ida.
vi. Cynthia Hewson, d. in 1866 ; m. Wesley Oxley of Wallace
Bay, N. S. ; no children. \
vii. Silas Hewson, d. in Amherst, N. S., in 1885 ; m. Elizabeth
King of Westmoreland Point, N. B. Three chUdren : 1.
Lillian. 2. Gertrude. 3. Chandler.
178 BENT PAMELT.
viii. George Derby Hewson, living in Oxford, N. S., where he
has been for many years identified with the large woolen
mills ; m. Eliza Black of River Philip, N. S. Four children :
1. Harvey Lee? 2. Edgar Ellis, a lawyer in Amherst, N. S.
3. Louise Matilda. 4. Marie Olivia.
aoi
James Yalentd^e' Bent {Martin,'' Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^^y farmer, was born in Fort Lawrence, N. S., Oct.
18, 1800; taught school in Halifax, N. S., and Westmoreland,
N. B. ; moved in 1826 to Cornwallis, King's County, N. S., where
he died May 8, 1893, se. 92. He was captain of a militia company
and a justice of the peace ; had a keen intellect, and retained his
faculties to the end of his long life. He married, Dec. 1, 1829,
Eliza Ann, daughter of George Robinson of Cornwallis, N. S.,
where she died Nov. 16, 1872, te. 61.
Children, all born in Cornwallis, N. S. :
437. i. George Robinson,^ b. Jan. 28, 1831.
ii. Samuel Smith, b. Feb. 13, 1832 ; farmer ; living unm. in
Cornwallis, N. S.
iii. James Martin, b. 1834 ; d. 1838.
iv. Lucy Ann, b. 1835 ; d. 1838.
V. James Trueman, b. Aug. 6, 1838 ; physician ; d. in Newfound-
land, June 12, 1895 ; m. Aug. 10, 1878, Emily Squires. One
son, Edwin Mc Gregor?
vi. Calvin Martin, b. July 9, 1840 ; a merchant ; living in New-
foundland ; m. Mary Olderheads, a native of England. Three
children : 1. Ethel? 2. Beatrice. 3. Gertrude.
vii. Amy Ann, b. 1842 ; d. 1843,
viii. Anne Eliza, b. Aug. 23, 1844 ; living in Falmouth, Hants
Co., N. S. ; m. Nov. 7, 1872, William A. Smith. Four chU-
dren : 1. William Albert.^ 2. Ethel St. Claire. 3. Percival,
d. young. 4. Anne E., d. young.
ix. John Owen, b. Dec. 23, 1846 ; living in Windsor, N. S. ; m.
Dec. 5, 1888, Letitia White. Two children : 1. Owen
White.^ 2. Percival E.
X. Burpee Edwin, b. Jan. 10, 1848 ; living in Cornwallis, N. S. ;
m. Aug. 24, 1895, Ruth A. Finch,
xi. Robert Trueman, b. June 10, 1850; optician ; living in New
Glasgow, N. S. ; m. April 10, 1889, Jennie Noyes, who died
Nov. 10, 1894. Two children: I. Jean McFall^ 2. Gladys.
xii. Eva Eugenie, b. Aug. 16, 1854; living in West Somerville,
Mass. ; m. in St. John, N. B., in 1890, Trueman H. Hewson.
One child, Winnifred?
xiii. Ada Maria, b. Nov. 16, 1856 ; living unm. in Cornwallis with
her brother Burpee.
BENT FAMILY. 179
302
John'' Bent {Martin,^ Jesse,^ John^* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John})
was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., April 6, 1806, drowned June
14, 1875, crossing from Summerside, P. E. I., to Cape Jouri-
main, N. B. He took his father's farm, but in May, 1852, moved
to Port Elgin, N. B., and embarked in a mercantile career. He
married, March 4, 1828, Cecilia Anderson of Cole's Island, N. B.,
who was born Dec. 30, 1807, and died Sept. 11, 1887.
Children, all born at Fort Lawrence :
i. TiNSON BusBY,« b. July 22, 1829 ; d. in Port Elgin, N. B.,
Dec. 6, 1872, se. 43; m. Oct. 8, 1863, Louisa Caiy of Bale
Verte, N. B., where she is still living. Five cliildren : 1.
Harold Cary-> b. 1866 ; d. 1867. 2. Amy Caroline, b. 1868;
d. 1878. 3. Albert William, b. 1869; d. 1869. 4. Tillie
Tressa, b. Sept. 12, 1870; m. June, 1895, Vincent Patton, a
lawyer in Bridgewater, N. S. 5. Mary Elizabeth, b. 1872 ;
d. 1876.
ii. Eunice Elizabeth, b. April 9, 1831 ; m. July 25, 1852, Wil-
liam White'' Bent {q. v.).
iii. Eebecca Ann, b. 1833 ; d. 1835.
iv. Mariner Wood, b. Dec. 23, 1834 ; moved in November, 1859,
to Australia, where he still resides, at Quantong, Victoria ;
m. first, at Bendigo, Australia, Dec. 24, 1868, Jane Thornton,
who d. at Bendigo, Get. 17, 1881 ; he m. second, Aug. 16,
1883, at Castlemaine, Victoria, Elizabeth Holm, who d. in
South Melbourne, Victoria, May 17, 1890. Four children by
the first marriage, all born in Bendigo : 1 . John Thornton,^
b. Jan. 30, 1870. 2. Amy Duraxa, b. 1872; d. 1876. 3.
Cecilia Sarah, b. Feb. 27, 1875. 4. George, b. and d. 1881.
One chUd by the second marriage, Mildred Victoria May, b.
1886 ; d. 1887 at Bendigo.
V. George Botsford, b. Oct. 11, 1836 ; went to sea when he
was sixteen and has never been heard from since ; probably
lost in Dec. 1852.
438. vi. James Martin, b. Aug. 28, 1838.
vii. Amy Duraxa, b. April 20, 1840 ; d. num. Oct. 25, 1867, £e. 27.
viii. John Anderson, b. 1842 ; d. 1843.
439. ix. Arthur Wellslet, b. Dec. 20, 1843.
X. Charles Tupper, b. Dec. 16, 1845; living unm. with his
brother in New Glasgow, N. S.
440. xi. Calvin Trueman, b. Aug. 6, 1848.
303
Sarah'' Bent {E. Vose,^ Jesse,^ John,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,"^
Johfi^) was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1800. She married
Hobert Embree of Amherst, N. S., who owned a mill for getting
out ship-building material.
180 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i. Eunice* Embree, m. Aaron Alexander Cliurcli, grandson of
Arethusa (Bent) Church, and had two children : 1. Dr. Jesse
E? 2. Sarah, m. Fred Black of Amherst.
ii. RuFUS Embree, m. Ella Baird ; three children.
iii. Ann Embree, m. Trueman Phalan ; four children.
iv. Lucy Embree, m. Charles Smith of Amherst, N. S. ; one son.
V. George Embree, m. Jane Smith of Wallace, N. S. ; ten chil-
dren.
vi. John Embree, m. Emma Trueman ; four children.
304
Amy'' Bent (^E. Vose,^ Jesse,^ Johii,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1804, and died in Nova
Scotia in 1874, ae. 69. She married Joshua Black, who died in
1879, se. 76.
Children :
i. Hiram* Black, d. Oct. 1897 ; was a Legislative Councillor for
many years ; m. Elizabeth Smith of Maitland, N. S. ; five
children.
ii. Emma Black, living in Moncton, N. B. ; m. Alfred E. Chap-
man ; no children.
iii. Eliza Black, m. first, Harvey Black of Amherst, and second,
John Church, a grandson of Arethusa (Bent) Church ; no
children.
iv. Fanny Black, m. George DouU of Amherst, N. S. (his second
wife) ; no children.
305
Almira'' Bent (2^. Vose,^ Jesse,^ Johi,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1806. She married
John Embree, a farmer, of Amherst, N. S.
Children :
i. Lewis* Embree, took his maternal grandfather's farm at Fort
Lawrence ; m. Miss Bliss of Amherst Point. Three children :
1. Edmund.^ 2. Douglas. 3. Ella, m. Benjamin Chandler
of Fort Lawrence.
ii. Jesse Embree, m. Sarah Lawrence ; four children,
iii. Hazen Embree, m. Louise Coates of Nappan, N. S. ; six cliildren.
iv. Araminta Embree, m. 1874, Joseph Freeman* Bent of Fort
Lawrence, son of Torrey Bent {q. v.).
306
Cynthia^ Bent {E. Vose,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1809, and died in
Nova Scotia in 1891. She married George FuUerton of Half-way
Kiver, N. S.
BENT FAMILY. 181
Children :
i. James^ Fullerton, m. Rebecca Barnes of Maccan, N. S., and
lives at Half-way River. Five sons : 1. Ford.^ 2. Graham.
3. Charles D. 4. Main. 5. Berton.
ii. Andrew Kerr Fullerton, d. in 1857, fe. 22, while studying
for the Presbyterian ministry at Mount Allison College, Sack-
ville, N. B. A young man of great promise.
iii. Burgess M. Fullerton, lives at Half-way River, N. S. ; m.
Rosamund Lawrence. Four children : I.Laura C.^ 2. An-
nie. 3. Walter. 4. Georffe.
iv. Sarah J. Fullerton, m. Albert T, Fullerton of Half-way
River. Seven children : \. Harvey? 2. William. 3. Morton.
4. Minnie. 5. Alice. 6. Clinton. 7. Bessie.
V. Ruth L. Fullerton, d. in 1859, ae. 17.
vi. VosE B. Fullerton, d. in 1880, aa. 35 ; m. Ella Fullerton.
Three children : 1. Varley B.^ 2. Mary E. 3. Jessie B.
vii. Douglass G. Fullerton, m. Ella A. Logan of Amherst, N. S.,
and settled at Point de Bute, N. B. Six children : 1 . Lot-
tie M.^ 2. Myrtle L. 3. Kate S. 4. Helen D. 5. Roy de
Mille. 6. Carl Walter.
viii. Alice C. Fullerton, d. in 1876, ?e. 25 ; m. Rev. Murdock
McKinnon, a Presbyterian clergyman living in Ottawa, Ont.
Three children : 1. Eva.^ 2. George. 3. Forrester.
307
William Freeman^ Bent (Jesse,^ Jesse,^ Joht,'^ Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ Johv}^ was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1799; lived
for some time at Pugwash, N. S. He married Abigail, daughter
of Adjutant Thomas Chapman.
Children :
i. Pamelia,* m. James Ferguson"of Pugwash, N. S. ; six children.
ii. Charlotte Lusby, d. April 19, 1891, se. 67; m. June, 1857,
Rev. John Shaw Smith, a clergyman of the Church of Eng-
land. Two children : 1. Montague Albert Blowers Smith^
M.D. in Dartmouth, N. S., b. in Milton, P. E. L, Aug. 10,
1860. 2. Mary Rachel, unm.
441. iii. RuFus Freeman, b. Dec. 26, 1825.
iv. Eliza, m. Alexander Dewar of Pugwash, N. S. ; both dead.
V. Eunice Amelia, d. 1868 ; m. Henry Black of Pugwash, N. S.
Two daughters : Emma^ and Ella, both married and living
near Boston.
vi. George Chapman, living unm. in Nicola, B. C.
vii. Barry, d. young.
308
Samuel'' Bent (Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John,'^ Josejjh,^ JosejjJi,^ Joh^i^),
farmer, was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1801, and moved to
River Philip, N. S., where he died in 1881. He married, first,
182 BENT FAMILY.
Mary Duncan, sister of Robert Duncan, M. P. ; married second,
in 1844, Sarah Gray, who died at River Philip in 1867.
Child, by first marriage :
i. Charles,* farmer, living in Oxford, N. S. ; has been twice mar-
ried.
Children by second marriage, all born at River Philip :
i. Jane Augusta,* b. 1845 ; living in Biddeford, Me. ; m. June
27, 1870, Capt. Henry P. Atkinson of Sackville, N. B. Seven
children: 1. Gertrude Mary Bent,^ b. May 16, 1871. 2.
Milton Stanley, b. March 15, 1873. 3. Harry Livingstone, b.
Nov. 2, 1876. 4. Carlyle Peterselia, b. April 30, 1878. 5.
Emily Clifford, b. June 26, 1880. 6. Violet Anna, b. Jan. 7,
1883. 7. Beatrice Clarinda, b. April 29, 1886.
ii. Earl Gray, b. 1847 ; living at Eiver Philip, N. S. ; m. 1876,
Jane, dau. of Hugh McClennon. One child, Fred,^ b. 1878.
iii. Lemuel, b. 1850 ; living in Oxford, N. S. ; m, in 1881, Sarah
Atkinson. Two children : 1. Frank? 2. Fkned.
809
Matilda' Bent {Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., in 1804. She mar-
ried John William Smith of Amherst, N. S., a native of England.
Children :
i. Mart Ajstn* Smith, m. Atchison Moffatt of Amherst, N. S.
Five children : 1. Jarnes^ living in Amherst, N. S. 2. Mary,
living unm. 3. Eliza, m. Mr. Moran. 4. Charles. 5. Arthur.
ii. Harriet Smith, living unm.
iii. Caroline Smith, m. Samuel Lusby.
iv. Charles Smith, m. Miss Embree ; one son.
V. BoTSFORD Smith, m. Mary, dau. of Torrey Bent (g-. v.).
310
Ann'' Bent (Jesse,^ Jesse,' John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John})
was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., 1806. She married James
Smith of Fort Lawrence.
Children :
i. Elizabeth^ Smith, m. Martin Chapman of Fort Lawrence.
Six children : 1. Sarah,^ m. Martin Trenholn of Fort Law-
rence. 2. Bliss, living unm. 3. Benjamin. 4. 3fatilda, m.
Alonzo Dobson of Jolicure, N. B. 5. Stewart. 6. Alice,
living unm.
ii. Jane Smith, m. Oscar Black of Amherst Shore, N. S. Four
children : 1. Arminella,,^ m. Adam Trueman of Point de Bute,
N. B., and moved to Colorado. 2. Benson. 3. Lalia. 4.
Annabell.
BENT FAMILY. 183
iii. Eliza Smith, m. Thomas Roach of Amherst, N. S. Two chil-
dren : 1. James? 2. Annie, m. Lorenzo Wood.
iv. Edward Smith, m. first, Miss Lowther of Mount Whatley,
N. S. Five children. He m. second, Eliza Chapman of Point
de Bute.
V. Benson Smith, living in California. Six children : 1. Josephine?
2. James. 3. John. 4. Alice. 5. Jemiie. 6. Edward.
vi. Harvey Smith, living in California. Seven children ; 1. Mar-
guerite.^ 2. Frances. 3. Mary. 4. Annie. 5. Clarence.
6. . 7. .
311
Susan'' Bent (Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was bom at Fort Lawrence, N. S., 1809. She married first, George
Chapman of Fort Lawrence ; married second, Bradley Etter of
Point de Bute, N. B.
Child by first marriage :
i. Albert^ Chapman, living in Boston, Mass.
Children by second marriage :
i. Rupert^ Etter, m. Lottie Carter of "Westmoreland Point, N. B.
Nine children : 1. Walter.^ 2. Arabella. 3. Mary. 4. Alice.
5. Ada. 6. Hazen. 7. Carrie. 8. Dora. 9. Nellie.
ii. Annie Etter, m. Frank Siddall of Woodpoint, N. B. Four
children.
iii. Thomas Etter, m. Miss McFarlane. Four children,
iv. Hiram Etter, killed when about 20 years old.
812
Toerey'' Bent {Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)
was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., 1811; d. at Fort Lawrence,
Nov. 25, 1897, se. 86; lived on the old place settled by his grand-
father in 1764. He married, Jan. 21, 1840, Pamelia Lusby of
Amherst, N. S., born Feb. 12, 1814, died April 26, 1882, daugh-
ter of Luther Lusby, a native of England.
Children, all born at Fort Lawrence, N. S. :
i. Joseph Freeman,^ d. Dec. 20, 1880 ; m. March 24, 1874,
Araminta Embree, who d. about two years after marriage.
She was a dau. of John and Almira (Bent) Embree {q.v.).
One child, d. in infancy.
442. ii. Blair Botsford.
iii. Mary, b. April 11, 1847 ; living in Amherst, N. S. ; m. Feb. 7,
1876, her cousin, G. Botsford Smith, a retired merchant,
b. Oct. 5, 1844, son of J. W. and Matilda (Bent) Smith. No
children,
iv. Jane, d. young.
12
184 BENT FAMILY.
313
Jane^ Bent (Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John^* JosepJi^^ Joseph,^ JoJiri^)
was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., Dec. 4, 1813 ; died in Point de
Bute, N. B., November, 1878. She married, in 1840, Andrew
Eeed Chapman, a farmer of Cloverdale, N. B., where they lived
until 1869, when they moved to Point de Bute, where he died
November, 1874.
Children :
i. Annie Amelia^ Chapman, m. Capt. Alfred Taylor of Dor-
chester, N. B. Eight children : 1. Evelyn Alberta,^ m. Elton
Cochrane of Petitcodiac, N. B. 2. Minnie Jane, m. Clifford
Chapman of Rockland, N. B. 3. Roslyn. 4. Stephen. 5.
Blair. 6. Edith. 7. Alfred. 8. Alvin.
ii, Mary Mdlvena Chapman, m. Samuel Bishop of Rockland,
N, B. Seven children : 1. Clinton.^ 2. Charles. 3. Wal-
ter. 4. Chester. 5. Leslie. 6. Alberta Jane. 7. Clarence
Nelson.
iii. Roslyn Olivia Chapman, d. about 1876 or '77 ; m. October,
1864, Capt. David Taylor. Three children : 1. Ada,^ d. 1874.
2. Wesley IT. 3. Hoberf.
iv. LuciNDA LuCRETiA Chapman, m. Hiram Trenholm of Point
de Bute, N. B. Eight children: 1. Mary Isabel,^ m. Ales.
Clark Chapman. 2. Alma Eliza, d. • — . 3. Ada Aletha,
m. Mr. Whitney of Maiden, Mass. 4. Roslyn Laura. 5.
William Aldrich. 6. Arthur Lemuel. 7. Louise Ardell. 8.
Meta Adenda, A. ■ — .
V. William Chapman, d. unm.
vi. Isabel Pamelia Chapman, m. Bedford A. Culton of JoHcure,
N. B. Six children: 1. Berton.^ 2. Minnie. 3. Myrtle.
4. Dora. 5. Annie. 6. Aubrey:
314
Jesse'' Bent (Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John,'^ Joseph,^ Jose-pli,^ John^^
was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., 1816; settled in Leicester,
N. S. ; d. September, 1891. He married first, Susanna Black of
Amherst, N. S., who died in 1864; married second, Elizabeth
Donkin of Pugwash, N. S., who died August, 1867 ; married third,
Mary King of River Philip, N. S., who died in 1889. No issue by
last marriage.
Children by first marriage :
i. Bedford,* living in Halifax, N. S.
ii. William.
Child by second marriage :
i. Mart Amelia,* b. July 24, 1867; brought up by her uncle
Lemuel ; m. June 25, 1889, Samuel Freeman of Amherst,
N. S., grandson of Eunice® (Bent) Freeman {q.v.). Three
BENT FAMILY. 185
children: 1. Fretia Marie^ b. Nov. 5, 1891. 2. Ina Loneta,
b. July 14, 1893. 3. Samuel Bent Be Monts, b. March 23,
1896.
315
Albeet^ Bent {Lemuel,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^), farmer, was iDornin Amherst, N. S. ; died in Amherst Head,
N,. S. He married Mary Ann Bockwell.
Children :
i. Feank,^ d. young.
ii. Ethan Albert, living unm. at East Amherst, N. S.
iii. Mart Cynthia, living at East Amherst; m. RoUand McLellan.
One dau., Laura Vera.
316
Vose'' Bent {Lemuel,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^'),
school teacher, was born in Amherst, N. S. ; died in East Amherst.
He married Jane Rockwell, who died .
Children :
i. Florence,^ d. young.
ii. Silas Miner, m. ; living in P. E. Island. Five children.
iii. James Edward, d. unm.
iv. Lemuel Endicott, lived in Auburn, Me., but a few years ago
moved to Massachusetts.
V. Bertha Elizabeth, m. Fred Hansen.
vi. Lalia Ellen, d. unm.
317
Benjamin Page'' Bent {Lemuel,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^^, stone mason, was born in Amherst, N. S. ; living
at Amherst Head, N. S. He married Harriet O'Neil.
Children :
i. Charles,^ living in Amherst, N. S. ; m. Margaret O'Tule. Five
children,
ii. Nellie, living in New York ; m. James Johnson,
iii. Mat, living in Boston, Mass. ; m. Herbert Newcomb. Two
children,
iv. "WILLIA3I, living in Port Elgin, N. B. ; m. and has one daughter.
V. Walter, m. and has two children,
vi. Frank, living unm. in Amherst.
vii. Bessie, d. young.
318
Edwakd^ Bent { John, ^ John, ^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^)^
miller, was born in Amherst, N. S., Dec. 28, 1815 ; lived about
two and one half miles from Amherst, where he died July, 1891,
96. 75.
186 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i. Erastus,^ living in Spring Hill, N. S.
ii. Daughter, m. Lowe.
iii. Augusta, m. W. H. McDonald of Amherst, N. S., who d. Feb.
18, 1899.
319
John'' Bent {John,^ JoTin^^ John,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^),
carpenter, was born in Amherst, N. S., Oct. 3, 1819 ; died in
Brookdale, N. S., Jan. 22, 1899, ae. 79. He married first,
; married second, Ann Black.
Children :
i. Charles,^ living,
ii. Alebinia, d.
iii. Clifford, d. of consumption, leaving two daughters,
iv. Arthur, living.
V. John, living.
320
Charles' Bent {John,^ John,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
Jolin^ ) was born in Amherst, N. S., Jan. 10, 1826 ; living in Truro,
N. S. After preparation at Sackville Academy, N. B., he entered
the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadel-
phia, Pa.), from which he received the degree of M.D. in 1847.
His first years of practice were in Cumberland County, N. S., but
in 1853 he located in Truro, where he has remained in steady prac-
tice ever since. He has been surgeon of a volunteer company,
coroner of the county, trustee of the schools, town councillor for
two years and mayor two years. He married first, in 1855, Mary
R. Goudy of Truro, who died in 1868; married second, in 1871,
Elizabeth Metzler of Truro.
Children of Charles and Mary R. :
i. Mart.^
ii. Charles.
And two others who died.
321
"William White' Bent {John,^ John,^ John,* Joseph,"^ Joseph,^
John^^, farmer, was born in Amherst, N. S., Aug. 24, 1831;
living in Brookdale, formerly a part of Amherst, on the farm where
he was born. He married, July 25, 1852, Eunice Elizabeth,
born April 9, 1831, daughter of John' Bent of Port Elgin, N. B.
{q.v.).
Children, all born in Brookdale, N. S. :
443i i. George Hibbard,® b. May 11, 1853.
BENT FAMILY. 187
ii. Mary Emma, b. March 4, 1855; d. May 17, 1876; m. April
29, 1875, Smith Chapman.
iii. Alice Demill, b. May 9, 1857; living in Sackville, N. B. ;
m. Feb. 13, 1883, Thomas Patterson, b. April, 1853. Five
children : 1. Oressa Madge,^ b. Nov. 1 1, 1883. 2. John Harold,
b. April 21, 1887. 3. Allan Steele, b. Jan. 1, 1889. 4.
William Bent, b. 1891 ; d. 1895. 5. Oscar S., b. 1894, d.
1895.
444. iv. Mariner Samuel, b. Sept. 27, 1859.
V. Enslet Miles, b. Aug. 26, 1861 ; contractor and builder in
Chicago; m. Nov. 15, 1897, Laura E. Booge. One child:
Unsley M.,^ b. Feb. 22, 1899.
vi. Martha Cecilia, b. April 25, 1866 ; professional nurse ; liv-
ing in Brookdale, N. S. ; m. Dec. 21, 1886, SamuelJ. Coates.
Two children : 1. Emma Ethel Maude,^ b. March 14, 1887.
2. Holaiid Dunhar, b. Nov. 30, 1888.
vii. Jessie Edna Blanche, b. June 11, 1874; music teacher in
Spring Hill, N. S.
322
Frederic W.^ Bent ( William Wkite,^ John,^ John," Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Johii}), lawyer, was born in Amherst, N. S., Feb. 20,
1840 ; living in Hartwell, near Cincinnati, Ohio ; practised some
years in Amherst. He married, Sept. 9, 1867, Emma Elizabeth
McLeod, grand-daughter of Cynthia (Bent) Trueman.
ChUd:
i. Mat Stanwood,^ b. Dec. 8, 1868 ; m. Nov. 23, 1896, Frederic
J. Christie of Amherst, N. S. One child : Dorothy McLeod
Christie.
323
John Hugh^ Bent {Ezra,^ John,^ John,* Joseph,^ Joseph,"^
John^), carpenter, was born in Amherst, N. S., April 12, 1830;
died in Watertown, Mass., April 19, 1898, se. 68; moved from his
ancestral home in Nova Scotia to Boston, Mass., in 1872. He
married, June 8, 1857, Sophia Augusta Ferguson, born Sept. 14,
1833.
Children, all born in Amherst, N. S.
i. Mary Eliza,^ b. April 12, 1861 ; living unm. in Watertown,
Mass.
ii. George Edgar, b. Jan. 8, 1866; a house and sign painter;
residence Dorchester, Boston, Mass. ; m. Aug. 23, 1890,
Anna Belle Townsend, b. in Maine, June 20, 1866. One
child : Harold Townsend,^ b. Feb. 4, 1892, in Roxbury, Mass.
iii. Charles Franklin, b. June 6, 1868; hardware dealer; resi-
dence Watertown.
iv. Eleanor, b. May 28, 1872 ; living unm. in Watertown.
188 BENT FAMILY.
324
Samuel Glover^ Bent {Shepherd,^ Ehenezer,^ JEhenezer,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Jokn^ ) wa.s born in Milton, Mass., Jan. 21,
1799, and about 1823 moved to Marshfield, a small but beautiful
mountain town in central Vermont, where lie died Sept. 18, 1880,
ae. 81. When a young man he learned the trade of making spinning
wheels. In Marshfield, he cleared the farm where the railroad
station now stands, but twelve years later moved to west part of the
town. He was a class leader in the M. E. church for several years.
He married, Jan. 6, 1826, Sally Bartlett Dwinell, who was born
in Marshfield, Jan. 23, 1806, and died in Marshfield, Jan. 27,
1894, ^. 88.
Children, all born in Marshfield :
i. Lewis,^ b. Nov. 22, 1826; d. unm. in Marshfield, June 22,
1886.
ii. Eunice, b. July 15, 1829 ; d. unm. in Marshfield, Oct. 4, 1891.
iii. Mart, b. March 23, 1834; d. in North Calais, Vt., July 6,
1881 ; m. September, 1861, Dexter Stejahen Goodell, who saw
service in the Mexican and Civil wars, and d. July 19, 1878.
One child, 3Iary Ann^ b. May 25, 1862, lives unm. with her
uncle Charles C.
iv. Martha, b. May 29, 1836 ; d. unm. in Marshfield, July 31, 1885,
V. Charles Clark, b. Aug. 9, 1838; farmer and dairyman in
Marshfield ; unm.
vi. David Packer, b. Aug. 20, 1841; enlisted Sept. 1, 1861, in
4th Vermont Vols., and d. in the hospital at Washington, D. C.,
May 19, 1862.
vii. Sally Emma, b. Oct. 12, 1848 ; d. in Marshfield, Jan. 7, 1863.
325
Albeet Adam'' Bent (Adam,^ Ebenezer,^ Ehenezer,'^ Josephy^
Joseph,^ John}) was born in South Boston, Mass., June 5, 1809,
and died in South Boston, Nov. 1, 1876, se, 67. He was a salt
dealer on Long Wharf, Boston, first with his uncle Samuel Blake,
and then with the latter's son George Pynson Blake. He married,
Feb. 21, 1833, Sarah Glover, who was born in Dorchester, Mass.,
Sept. 3, 1809, and died in San Francisco, Cal., Oct. 31, 1885,
9e. 76, daughter of Alexander and Jemima (Tolman) Glover.
Children, all born in South Boston :
i. George A.,^ b. 1834 ; d. 1840.
ii. James, b. 1836; d. 1842.
Mi. Edward Francis, b. Oct. 23, 1838 ; living in San Francisco,
Cal., his home since Nov. 1, 1862; m. first, Aug. 9, 1860,
Frances Amelia Thornton, b. in Boston, Feb. 1, 1840, d. Sept.
11, 1861, dau. of John and Elizabeth B. (Perry) Thornton;
BENT FAMILY. 189
m. second, May 23, 1866, Frances Caroline Hubbard. One
child by first marriage d. in infancy.
445. iv. Herbert, b. Sept. 14, 1840.
V. John Trowbridge, living in Los Angeles, Cal. ; employed by
the L, W. Blinn Lumber Co. Saw three months service in
the civil war. Went to the Pacific Coast in 1867. He m.
Sept. 28, 1883, Mary Jane, dau. of William and Martha
Stevens. One child : Herbert M? Bent, b. in San Francisco,
Cal., March 2, 1886.
vi. Agnes Blake, living in San Francisco ; m. Franklin Heywood.
vii. Sarah Ella, living in San Francisco ; m. Joseph Hewett, who
d. . One child : Josie^ Hewitt.
§26
Geoegb Elbridge' Bent (Adam,^ Ebenezer,^ Ebenezer,'^ Jo-
se/ph,^ Joseph,'^ John^^ was born in South Boston, Mass., July
28, 1811, and died in Thurlow, Pa., June 18, 1898, £e. nearly 87.
For several years he was a commigsion merchant on State Street,
Boston, but in 1861 moved to Pennsylvania, where he was asso-
ciated with the management of the Phila. Wil. & Bait. R. P., and
subsequently became purchasing agent of the Pennsylvania Steel
Company's store at Steelton, Pa. He married, Aug. 31, 1843,
Martha Conway Felton, who was born Oct. 12, 1815, sister of
Cornelius Conway Felton, Jr. (1807-1862), President of Harvard
University, and Samuel Morse Felton, referred to below.
Children, all born in South Boston :
446. i. George Conway,^ b. July 11, 1844.
ii. Clara Felton, b. Nov. 12, 1846 ; living unm. in Chester, Pa.
447. iii. Cornelius Conway Felton, b. July 3, 1849.
iv. Annie Morse, b. April 6, 1851 ; living unm. in Chester, Pa.
V. Mary Blake, b. Dec. 2, 1855 ; living unm. in Chester, Pa.
827
Henry Blake'' Bent (Adam,^ Ehenezer^^ Ebenezer,^ Josejyh,^
Joseph,^ John^^ was born in South Boston, Mass., Feb. 1, 1826,
and died in Steelton, Pa., June 26, 1894, ge. 68. He was em-
ployed in the Boston store of Bent & Bush, hatters, until about
1860 ; lived in Elizabeth, N. J., and Washington, D. C, and sub-
sequently became connected with the Pennsylvania Steel Co. at
Steelton, Pa.
He married in Boston, Aug. 14, 1856, Emeline Perry Thornton,
who was born at Nantucket, Mass., May 26, 1837, and died in
Steelton, Pa., Oct. 2, 1897, daughter of John and Elizabeth B.
(Perry) Thornton.
190 BENT FAMILY.
Children, i. to iii. born in South Boston, iv. to vi. in Elizabeth,
N. J.:
i. Emma Thornton,^ b. May 6, 1858 ; living in Philadelphia ; nx*
in Steelton, April 26, 1893, William Elwood Taylor,
ii. Fanny Elizabeth, b. Feb. 9, 1860 ; d. 1861.
iii. Francis Henry, b. Oct. 23, 1861 ; d. 1862.
iv. Charles Pynson, b. Aug. 19, 1864; living in Philadelphia.
V. Henry Blake, b. July 6, 1868 ; living in Steelton, Pa.
vi. Mabel Virginia, b. Nov. 5, 1872 ; living in Steelton, Pa.
328
Nathaniel Bowman'' Bent (Ubenezer,^ Ebenezer,^ Ebenezer^*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Johv}^ vv^as born April 15, 1809, in Quincy,
Mass., where he died March 18, 1851, 9e. 42. He married in
Annisquam (Gloucester), Mass., Feb. 17, 1833, Elizabeth A.
Sargent, who was born March 23, 1814, and died in Quincy, Feb.
14, 1892.
Children, all born in Annisquam, except ii. b. in Quincy :
i. Helen Frances,^ b. March 8, 1834 ; d. in Quincy, Jan. 24,
1889 ; m. Sept. 14, 1881, Henry Bailey, who d. in Boston,
Sept. 6, 1888 ; no children.
ii. Warren Adelbert, b. March 4, 1836 ; living in Boston ; m.
Jan. 1, 1881, Nancy Maria Munroe, b. Sept. 1838 ; no children.
iii. Charles Morris, b. April 5, 1838 ; living unm. in Quincy,
Mass.
iv. FiTZ Edward, b. March 1, 1840 ; living in Elizabeth, N. J. ;
was capt. of Co. B, 60fch Mass. Inf'y in Civil War ; m. Sept.
11, 1873, Laura A. Browne, b. in Newark, N. J., Nov. 4,
1851 ; no children.
V. George (twin), b. July 20, 1844; m. Oct. 14, 1875, Anna
Spaulding of Port Hudson, Mich., b. there March 10, 1852 ;
no children,
vi. Georgiana (twin), b. July 20, 1844 ; living in Quincy, Mass. ;
m. in Chicago, 111., Aug. 25, 1881, John Winslow Russell, b.
in Medford, Mass., April 26, 1846. One child, Arihar Ed-
mund^ b. in Chicago, Feb. 24, 1883.
vii. Mary Elizabeth, b. June 12, 1846 ; living in Washington,
D. C. ; m. Oct. 17, 1867, Lowell Augustus Chamberlin, b.
in Maiden, Mass., Dec. 18, 1838, capt. Co. C, 1st Artillery,
U. S. A., d. at San Francisco, Cal., Aug. 9, 1889. Five chil-
dren : 1. Helen Mary^ b. at Fort Trumbull, Conn., Aug. 8,
1868. 2. Isabella Silvey, b. at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., July
30, 1869. 3. Lowell, b. at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island,
N. Y., Jan. 27, 1871. 4. Grace, b. and d. in Quincy, 1874.
5. Ann Bent, b. at Fortress Monroe, Va., May 29, 1879.
BENT FAMILY. 191
329
Ebenezer'' Bent {JEhenezer ^^ Ebenezer,^ Ehenezer,^ Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Johii}^ was born in Quincj, Mass., Dec. 18, 1820, and
died in Steelton, Pa., Jan. 21, 1890. He married at Quincy, Nov.
3, 1869, Mrs. Elvira (Crane) Smith, who was born in Dorchester,
Mass., Sept. 15, 1839, and died in Baltimore, Md., Dec. 11, 1895,
daughter of Capt. Friend and Harriet Crane. Mrs. Bent rendered
valuable assistance in gathering material for this branch of the
family.
Child, born in Quincy :
i. Harriet Stedman,^ b. Nov. 12, 1871 ; living in Baltimore,
Md.
380
WiNSLOW Brigham' Bent {Ehenezer^^ Ebenezer,^ Ebenezer,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born in Quincy, Mass., Nov. 15,
1825, and is living in Steelton, Pa. He married in St. Louis,
Mo., March 10, 1859, Mrs. Jane Elizabeth (Tomlinson) Wilcox,
who was born in Stonington, Conn., Nov. 17, 1829, and died in
Steelton, Pa., June 29, 1890, «. 60.
Children, i. and ii. born in San Francisco, Cal., iii. and iv. in
Ann Arbor, Mich. :
i. Sheldon Tomlinson,* b. July 25, 1860 ; has lived in Cuba,
but is now in Mexico, where he has been Supt. of the Railroad
between Mexico and Yera Cruz ; at present engineer of a new
road being built ; m. in Gardiner, Me., Sept. 7, 1893, Grace
Bartlett Cooke.
ii. Alice, b. June 2, 1862 ; living in Steelton, Pa.; m. in Steelton,
June 2, 1884, Edgar Conway Felton,=* b. April 13, 1858,
graduated from Harvard in 1879; president of the Pennsyl-
vania Steel Company, of which his father, Samuel M. Felton
(1809-1889), was the first president. Mr. Felton has been
much interested in the Bent genealogy. Six children, all born
in Steelton : 1. Margaret^ b. July 15, 1885. 2. Eleanor, b.
Jan. 29, 1887. 3. Samuel Morse, b. June 12, 1889. 4. Cor-
nelius Conway, b. April 18, 1893. 5. Edgar Conway, b. May
15, 1894. |. Winslow Bent, b. Nov. 9, 1896.
iii. Jeanie, b. Aug. 28, 1866 ; d. Nov. 21, 1866.
iv. Edith, b. Oct. 18, 1873.
331
Luther Stedman^ Bent {Ehenezer,^ Ebenezer,^ Ebenezer^*
Joseph^^ Joseph,^ Joh'n}') was born in Quincy, Mass., Dec. 6,
* A descendant in the eighth generation from Nathaniel Felton, one of the early
settlers of Salem, Mass.
192 BENT FAMXY^
1829, and is living in Overbrook, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa.
He has a summer home at Annisquam, Mass. Like Major-General
Nelson A. Miles~ he was educated in a Boston crockery store. After
three years spent on a farm he went to Boston at the age of fifteen
and entered the employ of the New England Glass Company, whose
manufacturing establishment at East Cambridge was then one of
the most extensive in the United States. There he remained five
years, acquiring an excellent mercantile education, as well as a
thorough knowledge of the glassware and crockery business. Upon
coming of age he embarked in this business with the firm of Atkins,
Stedman & Co., which about 1855 became D. B. Stedman & Co.,
and was thus engaged when the Civil War broke out. As speedily
as possible he arranged his business affairs and. May 22, 1861, en-
listed as a private in Co. H, 4th Mass. Infantry. The regiment
proceeded at once to Fortress Monroe, thence to Newport News and
finally to Big Bethel, where a fierce battle was waged. Upon the
expiration of his term of service, three months, he re-enlisted, Aug.
24, 1861, as 1st Sergt. of Co. K, 18th Mass. Infantry, and par-
ticipated in all of the battles in which that regiment, attached to the
Army of the Potomac,, was engaged, including Gaines Mills, second
Bull Run (in which he was wounded in the hand) , Shepardston and
Fredericksburg in 1862, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahan-
nock Station and Mine Creek in 1863. He became 2d lieut. July
30, 1862, 1st lieut. Dec. 25, 1862, capt. Dec. 24, 1863, and major
July 29, 1864. In the operations along the Weldon Railroad during
the latter part of August (1864) he led his battalion, capturing, on
the 21st of the month, fifty prisoners and a battle flag belonging to
the 27th South Carolina Regiment. In the advance of the Fifth Corps
upon the enemy's works at Peeble's Farm, Sept. 30, 1864, which re-
sulted in the capture of a line of the enemy's works, his command
did good service, reflecting great credit upon its members, both rank
and file. Shortly afterwards, on the recommendation of General
Griffin, he was commissioned by President Lincoln as major in the
U. S. Army, and at the same time by the State of Massachusetts
a lieut. -colonel ; but the term of service of the officers having ex-
pired and the battalion being greatly reduced in numbers, it was
consolidated with the 32d Mass. Regiment, and Major Bent, at his
own request, was mustered out as a supernumerary officer.
"Peace hath her victories no less renowned than War." Since the
rebellion the gaUant major has distinguished himself in the manage-
ment of another kind of steel. Although he went West immediately
and filled various positions in the employ of the Union Pacific R. R.
during the construction of that road, and was for a time engaged in
cattle raising on the plains in Nebraska, where he was one of the
pioneers, in 1874 he became superintendent of the Pennsylvania
MAJOR LUTHER S. BENT, OF PENNSYLVANIA.
-tub:
-BENT FAMILY. 193
Steel Company at Steelton (Baldwin's Station it was then), Pa.,
and after the death in 1889 of his father-in-law S. M. Felton,
president, from which position he retired in 1896 in favor of Edgar
C. Felton. The plant of this company, which is located on the
Susquehanna, three miles below Harrisburg, is one of the largest
in the country. The company, organized in 1865 (the buildings
were erected in 1866 and 1867) ^ made for the Pennsylvania R. K.
the first steel rails ever produced in America on an order in the
regular course of business. To this company Major Bent gave the
full force and strength of his life. Starting in with an operation
employing eight hundred men, he left it with an army of nearly
eight thousand. At the outset steel rails were its only product ; at
the close of his active career the company was turning out at its
various plants everything known to the art of steel manufacture,
including ships, engines and bridges. Even now, as chairman of
its executive committee, he still takes an active interest in the com-
pany's affairs.
In 1875 Major Bent was keenly interested in the incorporation
of the borough of Steelton, and one of the most perplexing ques-
tions which arose was how to provide school facilities for the rapidly
increasing population. As president of the school board he suc-
ceeded in securing from the Pennsylvania Steel Company a large
appropriation, which was ample enough to build and equip one of
the largest, and finest school houses in the State. During his re-
sidence in Steelton his interest in the borough was unflagging. To
the young and old, to their health, welfare and education, he paid
strict attention, and every reasonable means were employed to make
the borough a model settlement. He always took an active interest
in its business enterprises and was foremost in the establishment of its
bank and flour mills, as well as its electric railway systems. When
he was elected president of the Pennsylvania Steel Company the
duties of his new office called him to Philadelphia, and in 1890 it
was with much reluctance he left the town he had so long and so
well served.
In 1890 he was elected chairman of the Jurugua Iron Co., Ltd.,
controlling extensive iron ore mines in eastern Cuba. Since his
connection with the Jurugua Company he has been active in many
business operations in Cuba, having been more recently chosen
vice-president of the Cuban Steel Ore Co. During his life-time he
has also turned his attention to railway enterprises, and is at the
present time president of the Baltimore & Sparrow's Point R. R. and
a director of several of the allied roads of the Pennsylvania system.
At this time he is on the followino; boards : Steelton National
Bank, Harrisburg National Bank, Harrisburg Trust Co., Penna.
Steel Co., Maryland Steel Co., Jurugua Iron Co. Ltd., Cuban
194 BENT FAMILY.
Steel Ore Co., Edison Portland Cement Co., Solid Steel Casting
Co., Earn line Steam Ship Co. and several other boards of lesser
importance.
Major Bent married in Thurlow, Pa., Jan. 12, 1871, Mary
Stearns Felton, who was born Jan. 11, 1842, half-sister of Edgar
Conway Felton and daughter of Samuel Morse Felton, who was
president of the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore R. R. be-
fore and during the Civil War, and, from its organization until his
death, president of Pennsylvania Steel Co.
Children, i. born in Annisquam, Mass., ii. in Thurlow, and iii.
in Steelton :
i. Felton,^ b. June 26, 1872 ; living with his father ; graduated
from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1891 and from Williams
College in 1895 ; entered the railway and manufacturing busi-
ness and is at present Supt. and Treas. of the Solid Steel Castr
ing Co.
ii. Stedman, b. June 10, 1876 ; living with his father ; entered
the employ of Penna. Steel Co. at the age of nineteen and is
now purchasing agent of the Penna. and Maryland Steel Co's.
iii. QuiNCY, b. July 28, 1879 ; a student in Williams College, class
of 1901.
Lawrence^ Bent (Samuel,^ Samuel,^ JEbenezer,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John}) was born in Wilmot, N. S., Sept. 15, 1798;
moved about 1822 to Queensborough, York County, N. B., and
thence after his marriage to Maugerville (twelve miles below Fred-
ericton), N. B., where he died March 20, 1882, ee. 84. He mar-
ried Huldah White of Grand Lake, N. B., who died March 6, 1892,
se. 92.
Children :
i. Samuel Leonard,^ m. Fannie Miles. One child, Ambrose,^ d.
ii. Susannah, living in Kingsclear, N. B. ; m. Joseph Holyoke ;
one child,
iii. Mary Elizabeth, m. Frederick Miles.
iv. William Henry, living in Maugerville, N. B., where he is post
master ; m. Maria Avery. Two children : 1. Mary Alberta,^
unm. 2. Charles Leonard, unm.
333
Samuel'' Bent {Nedabiah,^ Samuel,'' Ebenezer,* Joseph,"^
Joseph,^ JoJiJi^) was born in Wilmot, N. S., in 1791. He mar-
ried, in 1815, Theodosia Crabb.
Children :
448. i. William,^ b. 1815 ; m. first, Mary Durland ; m. second, Kezia
Whitney.
BENT FAMILY. 195
ii. Sarah, b. 1817 ; d. unm.
iii. Eleanor, b. 1821 ; m. Silas Grant(?).
iv. Ann, b. 1823 ; d. unm.
V. James, b. ] 825 ; m. Lydia Charlton. One daughter, Rachel,^
who m. Albert Hall.
449. vi. Nedabiah, b. 1827 ; m. first Ann Longdate, and second Mary
McEarly.
334
Jesse^ Bent {JSfedabiah,^ Samuel^^ Ebenezer,* Joseph^^ Jo-
seph,^ Johii^), farmer, was born in Wilmot, N. S., in 1801, and
died April 16, 1868 ; lived in Aylesford, N. S. He married, Jan.
1, 1826, Mahala Kniffen, who was born in 1806 and died Jan. 5,
1874.
Children :
i. Israel W.,^ b. Dec. 30, 1829 ; d. Aug. 11, 1838.
ii. Angelina, b. Dec. 17, 1830 ; m. Nov. 2, 1860 (his 2d mar-
riage), Samuel Tufts (1810-1876), farmer, of Albany, N. S.
iii. Mercy E., b. Jan. 31, 1832 ; m. Nov. 25, 1855, Alfred Phin-
ney of Lawrencetown, N. S.
iv. George Edward, b. 1834 ; d. young.
V. Lydia Maria, Oct. 23, 1836 ; d. Jan. 29, 1861 ; m. John
Murray Bolsor of Salem, N. S.
450. vi. Henry Farin, b. March 26, 1839.
vii. Harriet S., b. Oct. 16, 1842 ; d. unm. April 23, 1871.
viii. Ellen A., b. Jan. 16, 1845 ; d. March 20, 1858.
ix. Emma Jane, b. Dec. 6, 1846 ; d. unm. Aug. 23, 1875.
X. Charles W., b. Sept. 9, 1849 ; d. Feb. 4, 1870.
xi. Jessie E., b. April 4, 1853 ; m. April 11, 1880, Jonathan
Woodbury of Albany, N. S. One child, Louisa, b. 1881.
Ezekiel'^ Bent {Nedahiah^^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Joh'n}), farmer, was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in
1803, and died July 10, 1883, m. 80. He married first, in 1828,
Fannie Bolsor, who died in 1850; married second, in 1854, Betsey
Barteaux, who died in 1891.
Children of Ezekiel and Fannie, all b. at Mount Handly, N. S. :
i. Nedabiah,* d. young.
ii. Edward, b. 1834; d. unm. in New York State in 1852.
iii. Eachel, b. 1834; m. 1860, Isaac Langley. Six children: 1.
Rosella.^ 2. Adelia. 3. Caroline. 4. Margaret. 5. Emma.
6. David.
451. iv. Joseph, b. 1838.
V. David, b. 1841 ; farmer ; living in North Kingston, Aylesford,
N. S. ; m. in 1865, Margaret Nixon.
196 -BENT FAMILY.
vi. Martin, b. 1843 ; living in Aylesford ; m. 1893, Mary Levindet.
One child, Davids
vii. Caroline, b. 1846; living in Aylesford ; m. 1889, Isaac Cloury.
380
John' Bent (^Seth^^ Samuel ^^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) vv^as born in Annapolis County, N. S. He married Phebe
Miller.
Children :
i. Margaret,* d. unm.
ii. Sarah Elinor, m. Abraham Slocomb.
iii. Jane.
337
Chaeles Grandison' Bent (Sefh,^ Samuel,^ Ubenezer,* Jo-
seph,^ JosepJi,^ John^) M^as born in Annapolis County, N. S., and
was one of the first settlers of Springfield in that county, w^here he
died about 1869. He married, in 1842, Mary, daughter of Obadiah
and Eliza Saunders, who died March 4, 1890, se. about 71.
Children, all born in Springfield, N. S. :
i. SoPHRONiA J.,* b. 1843 ; living at Kingston Station, King's
Co., N. S. ; m. John Walker,
ii. Susanna M., b. 1845; living at Kingston Station; m. Carlton
Neily.
iii. Charles "W., b. 1847 ; d. unm. at Kingston Station in 1882.
452. iv. James E., b. 1849 ; m. Mary Gates.
453i V. Joseph F., b. about 1850; m. Emma Gates.
vi. Ltdia M., b. about 1852 ; living at Kingston Station ; m. Holmes
Cassidy.
vii. Ada M., b. about 1853 ; living in Truro, N. S. ; m. Isaac
Barron(?).
viii. Lavinia C, b. about 1856; living in Springfield, N. S. ; m.
Jacob Roop.
ix. John ¥., b. about 1860 ; living at Kingston Station ; m. Louisa
Curtis ; five children.
X. Norman, b. about 1862 ; living in North Conway, N. H. ; m.
Mary Drew ; two children.
si. Fenwick W., b. 1865 ; bicycle dealer ; formerly of Bethlehem,
N. H. ; now living in "West Quincy, Mass. ; m. Edith Griggs,
xii. En A May, b. 1867 ; living in Portsmouth, N. H. ; m. Arthur
Richardson.
338
George' Bent (Jesse,^ Samuel,^ Ubenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph^^
John^) was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1813. He mar-
ried Ellen MacSweeney.
BENT TAMELY. 197
Children :
i. Charles E.^
ii. Mart E.
iii. William G., m. in Australia.
339
Ambrose'' Bent (Jesse,^ Samuel,^ Ubenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in 1817 in Annapolis County, N. S., where he
still lives at Paradise, a hamlet in Wilmot, the largest town in the
county. For more than half a century, he has been one of the
largest apple growers in a county which exports annually an average
of 40,000 barrels. He was one of the first to ship apples to Eng-
land (1849), and the first to send them to Boston in any quantity
(1856). He married first, Amoret Morse ; married second, Eunice
Ross ; married third, Clara Foster.
Child of Ambrose and Eunice,:
i. "William Malcolm.^
340
Edmund^ Bent (Jesse,* Samuel,^ Ehenezer,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^
Johii^) was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1822, and is living
in Bridgetown, N. S., where he has been Register of Deeds for
several years. He married first, Amanda Starratt ; married sec-
ond, Sarah Freeman; married third, Mrs. Elizabeth (Albee)
Chesley.
Children :
i. George.^
ii. Frances, m. Charles S. Alley.
iii. Frederick.
341
John Harris'' Bent {John,^ Samuel,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,"^
Joseph,^ John^^ was born in Granville, N. S., in 1815, and is
living in Belleisle, Granville, N. S. He married Eunice, daughter
of Jesse and Deborah (Bent) Dodge.
Children :
454:. i. John Albert,^ b. 1862.
ii. Henry Harris, b. 1866 ; living unm. in Granville Centre, N. S.
342
William Henry^ Bent {John,^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer,'^ Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Joh'n}) was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1817.
He married Caroline Gesner.
198 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i, Elizabeth Caroline.^
ii. Catherine.
iii. Sneden, d. unm. •
iv. Henry Harris, d. unm.
V. Jacob, living unm. in Granville Centre, N. S.
Vi. AlLSIE.
vii. Famitcha.
viii. Horatio Cunningham, d. unm.
343
Robekt'' Bent {Ehenezei\^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer," Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ John^) was born in Annapolis County, N. 8.5 in 1810. He
married, 1839, Theresa Hicks.
Children :
i. LuCY,^ b. 1840 ; d. unm.
ii. Emily, b. 1842; d. unm. 1865.
iii. Margaret, b. 1844; m. Stephen Young,
iv. Caroline, b. 1845 ; m. Henry Murch.
v. Ellen Maud, b. 1847 ; m. Hiram Longmire.
vi. Annie M., b. 1849 ; m. Daniel Young.
vii. John Russell, b. 1852 ; m. Elizabeth Milbury. Three chil-
dren : 1. Howard Newton.^ 2. Justina. 3. Ermina.
viii. William Dench, b. 1855.
344
Henry'' Bent (^Ehenezer,^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer,'^ Joseph^^ Jo-
seph,^ John^) w^as born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1812. He
married Olivia Miller.
Children :
i. Aaron,^ d. unm.
ii. Abel, m. Sarah Morrison.
iii. Hiram, d. unm.
iv. Sarah Jane, m. John McCormick.
V. MosES, d. unm.
vi. Arthur, d. unm.
vii. Alton, an Episcopalian clergyman ; living in Pugwash, N. S. ;
m. Laura Calnek. Two children: 1. Lewis Rowland.^ 2.
Alton Aubrey.
viii. LuvosE.
345
Ezra'' Bent {Ehenezei^^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^) was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1819. He mar-
ried Ann, daughter of Calvin Phinney.
Children :
i. Jacob F.,^ m. Eunice Milbury. One child, Janet.^
ii. Irene, m. Goddard.
BENT FAMILY. 199
346
Abeaham'' Bent {Ebenezer,^ Samuel,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph^^
Joseph,^ Joh^i^), farmer, was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in
1824, and is living in Belleisle, Annapolis County, N. S. He mar-
ried Mary Young.
Children :
i. Ebenezek,^ living in Belleisle, N. S. ; m. Frances Milbury.
One child, Ernest.^
ii. Augusta.
iii. Sylvester, farmer ; living in Belleisle ; m. ArminUla Gesner.
One child, Archibald?
iv. Ezra, living unm. in Upper Granville, N. S.
V. Ardenia, unm.
vi. Ada, unm.
vii. Margaret, m. Horatio Gesner.
viii. Emily, m. John Hayden.
ix. George, living unm. in Belleisle.
X. Abram, unm.
xi. Ella Maude.
347
Jacob Fritz'' Bent {Ehenezer,^ Samuel,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Johv}), master mariner, vras born in Annapolis County,
N. S., in 1827, and is living at Granville Ferry, N. S. He mar-
ried first, Elizabeth Witherspoon ; married second, Caroline® Bent.
Children :
i. Jacob.*
ii. Dora.
iii. Ermina, m. John Albert^ Bent.
348
Joseph'' Bent (JEllias,^ /Samuel,^ JSbenezer^* Joseph,^ Joseph,''
John}) yv2iB born in Granville, N. S., in 1816. He married Eliza-
beth Stedman.
Children :
i. Walter Owen,^ farmer in Granville Centre, N. S.
ii. Mary Gertrude, m. Witham Parker,
iii. John Henry, living unm. in Granville Centre.
349
Samuel' Bent (Charles,^ Samuel,^ JEbenezer,* Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ Joh7i^), farmer, v^as born in 1822, in GranviUe, N. S., vrhere
he still lives. He married Mary Abraham.
13
200 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i. John Edward,^ living unm. in Granville Centre, N. S.
ii. Ellen St. Claire, unm.
iii. Andrew, farmer ; living in Granville Centre,
iv. Janet.
V. ESTELLA.
850
Benjamin'' Bent (Charles,^ Samuel,^ JEbenezei^* Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ John}) was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1824. He
married Kezia Young.
Children :
i. Alice.^
ii. Samuel, d. nnm.
iii, Maud.
iv. Mary.
851
Daniel^ Bent {Charles,^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer^^ Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ John}) was born in Annapolis County, N. S., in 1826. He
married Elizabeth Oliver.
Children :
i. Mart,* m. James Blair.
ii. Charles, m. .
iii. Cynthia.
iv. Robert.
George'' Bent {Lemuel,^ Nedahiah^'^ Ehenezer^'^ Joseph^^
Joseph,^ John}), stone cutter, was born April 21, 1803, in Quincy,
Mass., where he died Aug. 6, 1876, ae. 73. He married first,
Hannah , who died Nov. 4, 1837 ; married second, March
15, 1838, Harriet Leonard of Dedham, Mass. ; married third,
April 17, 1845, Sarah Bartlett, born at Mount Vernon, Me., Sept.
5, 1812, died in Quincy, July 18, 1896, ^. 83.
Children of George and Hannah, born in Quincy :
i. Ann,« b. about 1829 ; d. Jan. 22, 1898 ; m. May 24, 1847,
Frederick Souther.
ii. Mary Elizabeth, living in Boston ; m. Whittemore.
455. iii- George Appleton, b. 1834.
Children of George and Harriet, born in Quincy :
i. James M.,^ b. Oct. 31, 1838; d. unm. in Weymouth, Mass.,
April 6, 1869.
456i ii. William Harrison, b. Jan, 28, 1840.
457 1 iii- John Quincy, b. Jan. 16, 1842.
iv. Luther M., b. January, 1844; d. at Georgetown, D. C, Oct.
1, 1862, of wounds received ia the civU war.
BENT FAMILY. 201
Children of George and Sarah, born in Quincy :
458t i. Samuel Bartlett,^ b. Sept. 15, 1846.
ii, Sarah Adelaide, b. Dec. 16, 1847 ; living unm. in Quincy.
iii. Lemuel Frederick, b. Aug. 2, 1850; d. in Quincy, A^^g. 5,
1871 ; m. July 31, 1870, Georgiana Lingham, who m. again
Dec. 25, 1872, Albert H. Deally. One son, Frederick L.^
Bent, b. Aug. 8, 1871 ; living iu Wollaston; m. and has one
child,
iv. Isaac Porter, b. May 12, 1852 ; living m Quincy, Mass. ; m.
May 12, 1878, Dora G. Eiag of Braintree ; no children.
353
ISAAC^ Bent {Lemuel,^ JSfedahiah,^ Ehenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,'^
John^^ vras born in Quincy, Mass., June 3, 1805, and died in
Quincy, April 4, 1837. He married in Dorchester, Mass., Dec. 2,
1830, Sarah C. Webb, born in Deer Isle, Me., Jan. 17, 1808.
She married second, Walter Herrick of Brooklin, Me., and died
Sept. 26, 1872.
Children, all born in Quincy, Mass. :
i. IsAAC,«b. 1831; d. 1832.
ii. Elizabeth Sarah, b. Oct. 18, 1832 ; m. Sept. 8, 1857, Capt.
Prentiss Orlando Hooper, a seafaring man of Brooklin, Me. ;
has lived since 1861 in Providence, R. I. Two children : 1.
Alice Maud,^ living unm. in Providence. 2. Ralph Burnsidey
b. Sept. 3, 1862 ; m. Dec. 8, 1887, May Louise Leeds, and
lives in San Francisco, Cal.
459f iii. Isaac James, b. Oct. 23, 1834 ; writes his name James I.
iv. Mart Ann, b. Dec. 31, 1836; living in Providence, E. L; m.
Jan. 10, 1863, Capt. John W. Tibbetts of Brooklin, Me., who
d. in Providence, May 15, 1863.
354
Samuel'' Bent (^Lemuel,^ Nedahiali,^ Ebeyiezer,* Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ John^), stonecutter, vras born June 30, 1812, in Quincy,
Mass., w^here he died Aug. 23, 1845, as. 33. He married first,
June 23, 1831, Nancy B. Colburn, who died in Braintree, Mass.,
March 27, 1842 ; married second, in 1842, Mary Littlefield, who
married again, Oct. 18, 1849, Eliakim Turner (1805-1867) of
Quincy.
Children by the first marriage, all born in Quincy :
i. Mary Frances,^ b. June 10, 1832; living in Melrose, Mass.;
m. Nov. 22, 1855, Edward Kent Norcross, who d. Nov. 24,
1881. Six children ; only two living ; one the wife of Albert
O. Parlin of West Somerville, Mass.
ii. Henry Franklin, b. Sept. 17, 1833; living in Melrose; m.
Melinda Sheffield of Dixfield, Me. One child, a daughter,
living in Reddington Mills, Me.
202 BENT FAMILY.
iii. James "VVaeren, b. June 14, 1835; farmer; has lived in Bos-
caw en, N. H., since 1845 ; saw service in the civil war in 2(i
U. S. Sharpshooters ; m. July 5, 1869, Eliza J. Pritchard of
Boscawen ; no children.
iv. Eliza Ann, living in Lewiston, Me ; m. first, Edwin Webber of
Peru, Me ; four children. She m. second, Dickens of
Lewiston ; no children.
V. "William Harrison, b. 1840; living in Peru, Me; na. Mary-
Elizabeth Barrows of Peru ; no children.
Child by second marriage :
i. Nancy Jane, b. 1844; d. ; m. Oct. 9, 1862, Robert
. Josselyn of Quincy, Mass. One child, d. young.
355
Samuel Brown' Bent {Isaac,^ JSfedahiah,'' Ebenezer,^ Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Joh7i^), farmer, w^as born in New Sharon, Me., July 24,
1801 ; moved, in 1851, to western part of Vienna, Me., where he
died May 6, 1882, ». 80. He married, May 11, 1828, Susannah
Graves of Vienna, who was born June 8, 1800, and died April
28, 1863, daughter of Jacob Graves.
Children, all born in New Sharon :
i. Sarah Graves,' b. May 1, 1829 ; d. July 4, 1887 ; m. March,
1859, Joseph Daniels of Vienna, Me. ; no children.
460. ii. John Mard en, b. Sept. 1, 1830.
461. iii. Elbridge Graves, b. Feb. 11, 1832.
iv. Joanna M., b. July 29, 1835 ; living at Farmington Falls, Me. ;
m. Nov. 15, 1856, Merrill Brown of Vienna, Me. Four chil-
dren: 1. Viola S.^ Brown, b. Oct. 30, 1857; m. March 4,
1881, Loren M. Chapman of Madrid, Me. 2. Elmer A. Brown,
b. Feb. 28, 1861 ; m. April 10, 1889, Ethel L. Jones of Pug-
wash, N. S. 3. Nora M. Brown, m. June 6, 1890, Frank L.
Childs of Farmington Falls. 4. Bertha Brown.
462. V. Isaac Appleton, b. Nov. 20, 1836.
vi. Jacob G., b. Feb. 3, 1840 ; d. unm. in Vienna, March, 1875.
356
Hiram' Bent {Isaac, ^ JSTedabiah,^ Ebenezer,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^
John^), farmer, was born in New Sharon, Me., Aug. 26, 1806;
moved to Mt. Vernon, Me., where he died in Sept. 1884, se. 78.
He married Betsey McGafFy of Mt. Vernon, who died .
Children :
i. Angeline B.,' b. August, 1832 ; d. several years ago.
ii. David M., b. August, 1840 ; living in Massachusetts ; m. Miss
"Wells of Mt. Vernon, Me. One son, Ernest?
BENT FAMILY. 203
357
Josiah'' Bent (Josiah,^ John,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,'^ Joseph,'^
John}), clergyman, was born in Milton, Mass., Oct. 1, 1797,
and died in Amherst, Mass., Nov. 19, 1839. After graduating
from Harvard College in 1822 he studied theology at Princeton,
N. J., a year, and, Oct. 13, 1824, was ordained pastor of the First
Congregational Church of Weymouth at North Weymouth, Mass.,
where he remained until Oct. 10, 1833. Feb. 5, 1834, he was
installed at the Orthodox Church in Falmouth, Mass., where he
was the spiritual adviser for three years. In 1837 he became pastor
of the First Church of Amherst, remaining until his death. He
delivered a Fourth of July oration at Braintree in 1826, and, Nov.
28, 1832, an historical address of Weymouth, both of which were
published.
He married, in Albany, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1824, Paulina Rice,
who was born in Sudbury, Mass., Feb. 24, 1800, and died in
Springfield, Mass., July 11, 1889, daughter of Ithamar and Sarah
(Dunn) Bice.
Children, all born in Weymouth, except vi. born in Amherst :
463. i. JosiAH,8 b. Aug. 2, 1825.
ii. Pauline Rice, b. April 15, 1828; living in West Springfield,
Mass.; m. in South Hadley, Mass., Aug. 14, 1849, Edwin L.
Dickinson. Four children : 1. Julia Pauline^ Dickinson, b.
May 27, 1850; living in Oneida, N. Y. ; m. Sept. 21, 1870,
Theodore F. Hand, Jr. 2. Edwin Henry Dickinson, b. Oct.
16, 1855 ; graduated from Amherst College in 1879, Auburn
Theological Seminary in 1882 ; now pastor of the North
Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, N. Y. ; m. June 29, 1882,
Emma S. Carter of Brooklyn, N. Y. 3. Marion Dickinson,
b. Dec. 2, 1863 ; living unm. in West Springfield, Mass. 4.
Bertha Dickinson, b. July 16, 1870; educated at Wellesley
College ; m. Sept. 8, 1897, Robert Day White of West Spring-
field,
iii. Samuel Adams, b. July 4, 1829; d. February, 1854, in New
Orleans, La., where he was principal of the Jackson Grammar
School.
464. iv. Henry Kirk White, b. Oct. 29, 1831.
465. V. Thatcher Tucker, b. Sept. 4, 1833.
vi. Susan Dunn, b. June, 1840 ; d. young.
358 ■
Samuel Tucker^ Bent {Josiah,^ John,^ Ehenezer,^ Joseph,'^
Joseph,^ John}) was born Feb. 22, 1804, in Milton, and died in
Dorchester, Nov. 2, 1885. From 1830 until 1837 he was associated
with his brother-in-law, Samuel Adams, in the manufacture of Bent's
204 BENT TAMILTf .
water crackers, the business established by his father at the begin-
ning of the century. In the latter year he disposed of his interest
and a year or two later joined his brother, H. Nelson Bent, in the
West. About 1842 he returned to Milton, and during the rest
of his life was superintendent of the cracker bakery. He was for
many years superintendent of the Orthodox Sunday School in
Milton and in his later days a member of the New-England Historic
Genealogical Society. He married first, Nov. 4, 1830, Frances
Bent Ashton, who was born in Boston, March 4, 1804, and died in
Milton, Feb. 18, 1872, daughter of John and Sarah (Vinton) Ash-
ton. He married second, June 5, 1873, Caroline E. Fuller, who
died in Boston, May 11, 1895.
Children of Samuel T. and Frances, all born in Milton :
i. Samuel Tucker,^ b. Sept. 2, 1831 ; living with his brother in
Milton; m. Dec. 10, 1863, Harriet Davenport Houghton of
Milton, dau. of Jason W. and sister of George D.
ii. Frances Maria, b. March 4, 1835 ; d. in Danvers, Mass., Sept.
1, 1899, S8. 64; m. Nov. 29, 1863, Jaazaniah Clark Pierce,
who was born in "Weymouth, Mass., March 21, 1823. One
child, Ayma,^ b. in Boston, Aug. 20, 1873 ; m. Sept. 19, 1894,
Leland Johnson Ross.
iii. Eliza Taylor, b. Aug, 17, 1837 ; living in Dorchester, Boston,
Mass. ; m. Jan. 1, 1863, George Davenport Houghton of
Milton. Two children: 1. Ashton,^ d. . 2. Fletcher.
466. iv. George Henry, b. Aug. 21, 1843,
V. Sarah Ashton, b. Oct. 29, 1846 ; d, young.
Horatio Nelson^ Bent (Josiah,^ John,^ ^benezer,'^ Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^) was born in Milton, Mass., July 21, 1807, and
died in the adjoining town of Hyde Park, Dec. 18, 1869, ae. 62.
He began his career in a dry-goods store in Boston and in 1831 and
1832 was in business himself, the firm being Bliss & Bent. In the
latter year he moved to Cohasset, where he was proprietor of the
Black Rock House, an old-time hostelry, still in existence (though
much enlarged) on the rocky shore of Massachusetts Bay. A few
years later he went West, but subsequently returned and embarked
in the dry-goods business in New York City. Two or three years
before his death, with his health shattered, he transferred his home
to Hyde Park. He married first, Josephine . He married
second, June 8, 1853, Emma L. Birdsal, who afterwards married
again.
Children, both by the second marriage :
i. Emma Nelson,^ b. 1855; d, in New York City in 1862 ; buried
in Milton.
ii. Florence, m. .
BENT FAMILY. 205
360
Nathaniel Tucker^ Bent (Josiah,^ John,^ Ubenezer,* Jo-
seph,^ Joseph,'^ John^), clergyman, was born in Milton, Mass.,
July 30, 1810, and died in Worcester, Mass., Nov. 4, 1856, ae.
46. After studying with his brother, Rev. Josiah Bent, he entered
Harvard College and graduated with honors in 1831 in a class that
included such men as Wendell Phillips, John Lothrop Motley and
Thomas Gold Appleton. He prepared for the ministry at the
General Theological Seminary in New York City and finished his
course of study with Bishop Griswold. His principal parishes were
in New Bedford, Mass., St. John's in Charlestown, Mass., St.
Paul's in Philadelphia, Pa., St. Thomas's in Taunton, Mass., and
All Saints in Worcester 1849 to 1852. In the latter year he estab-
lished an educational institution for girls, the Salisbury Mansion
School, in Worcester, where his remaining years were spent. Sev-
eral of his sermons and addresses have been published.
He married, June 18, 1834, Catherine Eliza Donaldson Metcalf,
eldest daughter of Col. Eliab W. and Lydia Metcalf of Cambridge,
Mass. She died in Taunton, Feb. 28, 1892.
Children :
467t i. Charles McIlvaine,* b. Oct. 5, 1835.
468. ii. William Henry, b. Jan. 2, 1839.
iii. Thomas Corubi, b. 1844 ; d. 1845.
iv. Frank Albert, b. 1852 ; d. young.
V. Florence B., b. 1852 ; d. 1863.
361
Edward Dexter^ Bent (John,^ John,^ JEJbenezer,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^) was born in Dedham, Mass., Feb. 7, 1817, and
died at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., Jan. 21, 1899, ae. 82. He learned
his trade, carriage and ornamental painting, in his native town and
worked at it in Walpole, Boston (two years), Worcester (six
years), Dedham and Northboro', Mass., Fitzwilliam, N. H. (1848
to 1854), and Providence, R. I. He went to Sheboygan Falls in
June, 1858, but after living there two years removed to Waupun,
Wis., where he made his home for fourteen years, two of which
he was an official in the State prison there. Gifted by nature with
a fine voice, he taught vocal music many years, besides giving con-
certs with his brothers and sister from 1845 to 1850 and later with
his daughters Jennie and Julia.
He married first, Jan. 1, 1841, Mary Jane Hawes of Walpole,
who died Aug. 10, 1853, and he married second, in July, 1856,
Alice Whipple of Solon, Me., who died at Sheboygan Falls in Dec.
1860; he married third, Nov. 9, 1861, Mrs. Jennie Botsford.
206 BENT FAMILY.
Children of Edward Dexter and Mary J., i. born in Dedham,
Mass., ii. in Worcester, Mass., iii. in Fitzwilliam, N. H. :
i. Jennie,^ b. March 8, 1842; d. in Sheboygan, Wis., Aug. 10,
1882 ; m. March 5, 1862, John J. Hanchett of Sheboygan
Falls, Wis. Two children: i. Fannie,^ b. Feb. 12, 1863 ; m.
March 31, 1886, William Davis of Chicago, lU. 2. Frank, b.
1866; d. 1877.
ii. Julia, b. Feb. 7, 1844; d. May 30, 1884; m. in Waupun, Wis.,
July 15, 1864, Warren S. Cotes.
469. iii. Edward Clarence, b. Aug. 5, 1852.
Children of Edward Dexter and Alice, i. born in Fitzwilliam,
N. H., ii. in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. :
i. Mae,8 b. July 28, 1857 ; m. Sept. 20, 1883, Henry C. Day of
Northampton, Mass., where they still reside. One child,
Harold,^ b. May 22, 1885.
ii. Maud, b. March 1, 1859 ; m. Oct. 19, 1887, Leslie W. Mclntire,
a druggist in Solon, Me. ; three children.
Child of Edward Dexter and Jennie, born in Waupun, Wis. :
i. Minnie Edith,^ b. Nov. 15, 1863 ; m. June 18, 1884, William
R. Simmons of South Evanston, 111. He is in business in
Chicago, 111. Two children : 1. Newell Lamont^ b. March
9, 1885. 2. Ethel M., b. Feb. 16, 1893.
John Quincy^ Bent {John,^ John,^ Ehenezer^* Joseph,^ Jo-
seph,^ John^) was born in Dedham, Mass., Feb. 7, 1817, and died
in Worcester, Mass., May 15, 1893, se. 76. He was a blacksmith
by trade, but like his brothers had a fine voice and taught vocal
music for many years besides leading the singing in church. He
married, in Attleboro', Mass., July 16, 1841, Elizabeth Bowen
Parmenter, who was born July 11, 1819, and died in Worcester,
Dec. 25, 1898, daughter of Dexter and Susan (Alger) Parmenter.
Children of John Q. and Elizabeth, i. and ii. born in Providence,
R. I., iv. to vi. in Grafton, Mass., vii. in Worcester:
i. John Edward,* b. May 4, 1842 ; a jeweller in East Provi-
dence, R. I. ; m. Aug. 14, 1861, Mary M. Clapp.
ii. Frank Henry, b. Nov. 28, 1843 ; d. in Providence, Nov. 14,
1883; m. July, 1881, Annie L. King of Somerset, Mass.
One child, Harry Dexter,^ b. Dec. 22, 1881.
iii. Emma Josephine, b. April 3, 1845; m. April 6, 1866, Charles
Bruso.
iv. Charles Eugene, b. July 11, 1846; enlisted as a musician
Sept. 30, 1862, though only 16 years old, and served nine
months in Co. E, 42d Mass. Infantry. Dec. 9, 1863, he re-
enlisted for three years in 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery, was
taken prisoner at the battle of Ball's Bluff, and died of starv-
ation July 15, 1864, in Andersonville Prison, Ga.
BENT FAMILY. 207
V. Ltlla M., b. 1850 ; d. 1853.
vi. LiLLA Maria, b. Nov. 18, 1855 ; m. April 17, 1879, William
C. Pierce of Worcester, b. Feb. 6, 1855. One child, Alice
Lena,^h. Sept. 11, 1880.
vii. Lena Medora, b. Nov. 21, 1857; m. Dec. 16, 1880, Gideon
Bradford of Providence, R. I., where they still live. Two
children, both born in Providence : 1. Thomas Garr^ b. Dec.
22, 1882. 2. Lillian Medora, b. Dec. 9^1885.
363
Elijah'' Bent {John,^ John^^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^
Johri^) was born in Dedham, Mass., May 27, 1823, and is living
in Providence, R. I. He left his native town at sixteen and learned
the baker's trade in Medfield, Mass., with Wesley P. Balch. Find-
ing that his health would not allow him to follow this trade, he gave
it up and in 1848 located in Providence, which, with the exception
of a year and a half spent in Taunton, Mass., has been his home
ever since. For twenty-four and a half years he was book-keeper
for the Franklin Foundry and Machine Co., but since May, 1879,
has been in the office of secretary of the State Board of Charities
and Corrections. Since 1855 he has been a deacon in the Fourth
Baptist Church. In addition he has been chorister, Sunday School
superintendent, treasurer of the church, etc.
He married, Aug. 15, 1850, Mary Cooke Hull, who was born in
Providence, Dec. 10, 1822, daughter of Thomas C. and Charlotte
(Cooke) Hull.
Children, all born in Providence, E. I., except ii. born in Taun-
ton, Mass. :
i. Herbert Elijah,^ b. May 23, 1852 ; d. March 21, 1857.
ii. John Stillman, b. Oct. 23, 1853; d. March 11, 1857.
iii. Maria Louise, b. Feb. 8, 1856 ; living unm. in Providence, R. I.
iv. Francis Smith, b. Aug. 9, 1860 ; travelling salesman for a
New York wall-paper house ; m. Mary L. K. Watrous. One
child, Kenneth Clarke^ Bent, b. Sept. 11, 1894.
364
Sally Ann' Bent {Nathaniel,^ John,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph^^
Joseph,^ Joh'n}) was born May 31, 1814, in Milton, Mass., where
she died Aug. 18, 1857, ^. 43. She married. May 12, 1842,
Thomas Hews Hinckley, who was born in Milton, Nov. 4, 1814,
and died in Milton, Feb. 15, 1897, son of Capt. Robert Hinckley.
Mr. Hinckley was well known as an artist in Massachusetts and had
exhibited in London at the Royal Academy. He had a studio in
Milton from 1845 until his death, and made a specialty of animals.
After the death of his first wife, he married second, Elizabeth Bass
Esty.
208 BENT FAMILY.
Children of Thomas H. and Sally A. (Bent) Hinckley :
i. Nathaniel Bent^ Hinckley, b. Feb. 21, 1843 ; went to sea
at 18, left it at 23, having been for eighteen months master's
mate in U. S. Navy in the civil war ; was in business nearly
fourteen years in China; since 1879 has been in the West,
and is at present in St. Paul, Minn., where he is Auditor and
Asst. Treas. of the C. B. & N. R. R. Co.
ii. Mary Hewes Hinckley, b. April 6, 1845 ; has always lived
in Milton.
iii. Thomas Lesley Hinckley, b. Jan. 13, 1849 ; d. Nov. 1, 1875.
iv. William Messinger Hinckley, b. July 18, 1857 ; living in
Colorado.
EIGHTH GENERATION.
365
William Heney^ Bent {Newell^'' Thomas,^ Jason,^ Thomasy*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Johv}^ w^as born in Sudbury, Mass., Aug. 10,
1838; moved in 1866 to Waltham, Mass., where he died June 8,
1893, £6. 54. He married, Dec. 27, 1865, Caroline, daughter of
John Taylor.
Children, all born in Waltham :
i. Frederick Henry,^ b. April 6, 1867 ; living in Waltham ; em-
ployed in the National Exchange Bank, Boston ; m. Sept. 7,
1892, Florence May, dau. of Levi Bowers.
ii. William Edward, b. Aug. 20, 1873 ; living in Waltham ; con-
nected with the Bay State Lumber Co., Boston ; m. Oct. 9,
1895, Blanche, dau. of Atwood Jackson of Waltham.
iii. Harold Leslie, b, Sept. 1, 1885.
366
John Hastings® Bent {Rufus H.,^ Thomas,'^ Jason,^ Thomas,*
Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^) was born in Brighton, now part of
Boston, Mass., May 25, 1851, and died unmarried at the home of
his sister in Denver, Col., Jan. 18, 1896, ae. 44, and was buried in
Edgell Grove Cemetery, Framingham, Mass. Most of his life was
spent in North Cambridge, Mass., where he was first in the furni-
ture business in partnership with Milton Gage and later alone in the
hardware business. In the summer of 1892 a lung trouble com-
pelled him to seek the drier ak of Colorado. The writer for many
years enjoyed a close acquaintance with him, and takes this oppor-
tunity to testify to his genial disposition and genuine worth. He
was, in the truest sense of the word, a man.
BENT FAMILY. 209
367
Francis Fairbanks* Bent {Daniel F.,'' Jason,^ Jason,^ Thomas*
Hopestill,^ Peter,' John^^ was born in Sudbury, Mass., July 17,
1845. He married, May 2, 1872, Mary M. Sheen, who was born
in St. John, N. B., daughter of Joseph and Mary Sheen.
Children, all born in Newton, Mass. :
i. Sarah M.,^ b. July, 1875 ; d. Dec. 31, 1887.
ii. Daniel J., b. March 4, 1877.
iii. William F., b. Sept. 21, 1878.
368
James Edward® Bent {Daniel F.,'' Jason,^ Jason,^ Thomas*
Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^) was born in 1848 in Sudbury, Mass.,
where he still lives. He married first, Jan. 28, 1871, Georgia
Etta Garfield, who died Dec. 21, 1871, ae. 21, daughter of Calvin
and Lydia Garfield. He married second, Sept. 7, 1875, Kezia,
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Carr of Sudbury.
Children, all born in Sudbury :
i. Fred Ed war V b. Nov. 2, 1876.
ii. Henry Alfred, b. Sept. 8, 1880.
iii. Angie May, b. Oct. 17, 1882.
iv. Newton Meriam, b. Feb. 24, 1888.
369
Charles Leslie* Bent {Samuel,'' Hyman,^ Samuel,^ Thomas*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born Oct. 23, 1860, in Gardner,
Mass., where he is still living. He early went to work for the firm
of S. Bent & Bros., chair manufacturers, and after the death of his
father, in 1883, became a member of the firm. He married, Jan.
5, 1888, Emma Fisk Eaton, daughter of Franklin and Maria (Fisk)
Eaton of Gardner.
Children, all born in Gardner :
i. Samuel Harold " o. AprU 18, 1889.
ii. Marion, b. Feb. 16, 1891.
iii. Roderick Leslie, b. Jan. 9, 1895.
370
Allen Herbert® Bent {A. Allen,'' Hyman,^ Samuel,^
TJiomas,* Hojyestill ,^ Peter, ^ John^^ was born in the south village
of Gardner, Mass., June 5, 1867, but since April, 1869, has re-
sided in Boston, the part formerly the city of Roxbury. He was
educated in the Boston public schools, graduating from the English
High School in 1884, a Franklin medal scholar. From 1884 to
1892 he was employed in the wholesale crockery store of the late
210 BENT FAMILY.
firm of Norcross, Mellen & Co., but since Sept., 1894, hais been "' ^^
in the office of Edward Hatch, auctioneer. He has written, besides
the present history of the Bent family, an account of the Comee-
Comey Family in America (50 pp., 1896), the Descendants of
Walter Allen of Newbury, Mass., 1640 {^^ pp., 1896), Col. Jabez
Hatch of Boston, his Ancestry and Descendants (5 pp., 1897),
and an account of the early generations of the Fenno Family in
America (11 pp., 1898), the latter two, as well as the first nine
pages of the Comee-Comey Family and a preliminary account of
the early Bents (1894), being reprinted from the New-England
Historical and Genealogical Register. An enthusiastic lover of
the woods and hills, he has also written a few fugitive newspaper
articles on snow-shoeing in the White Mountains and other out-door
subjects.
He married, March 3, 1898, Cora L. Maynard, of Attleboro',
Mass., born in the part of Smithfield, R. I., added to Woonsocket, in
1871, daughter of Daniel Harrison and Elizabeth (Banister) May-
nard, and a descendant in the eighth generation from John Maynard,
who settled in Sudbury, Mass., in 1639, near John^ Bent. The
line of descent is : Daniel H.,' Daniel® of Hawley, Mass., DanieP
of Hawley, Ebenezer'* of Westboro', Mass., David^ of Westboro',
John* of Marlboro', Mass., John' of Sudbury.
371
George Henry* Bent {N'ewell,'' JSTewell,^ Jonathan,^ Thomas,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^^, insurance agent, was born June 19,
1836, in Cambridge, Mass., where he is still living. He married,
Nov. 2, 1871, Georgiana, daughter of Edward Hixon of Cam-
bridge.
Children, all born in Cambridge :
i. Newell,^ b. June 20, 1873 ; graduated from Harvard College
in 1895 ; now an instructor in the Fay School at Southboro',
Mass.
ii. Elizabeth Hixon, born Aug. 30, 1874 ; teacher in a private
school in Boston.
iii. George Edward, b. May 29, 1877.
iv. Sarah Chaplin, b. March 26, 1887.
Walter Trowbridge® Bent {Newell,'' Newell,^ Jonathan,^
Thomas,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^'), stock broker, was born in
Cambridge, Mass., May 5, 1851, and is living in Framingham,
Mass. He is a member of the firm of Joseph B. Ames & Co.,
Boston. He married, May 20, 1880, Emily F. Newton of Cam-
bridge, born in Salem, Mass., Aug. 16, 1856, daughter of John
H. and Emily M. ( Jepson) Newton.
BENT FAMILY. 211
Children, i. and ii. born in Cambridge, the others in Framing-
ham :
i. Mary Emilt,» b. June 8, 1881.
ii. Walter Gregory, b. July 20, 1884.
iii, Leavitt Newell, b. Nov. 16, 1886.
iv. Harold Trowbridge, b. April 11, 1891.
V. Franklin Augustus, b. Dec. 24, 1892.
373
Alfred* Bent (^Oharles,'' Silas,^ Silas,^ Elijah,* Hopestill,^
JPeter,^ John^) was born in Taos, N. M., Feb. 2, 1837; educated
in St. Louis, Mo. He was murdered at Taos, Dec. 9, 1865, by
a Spaniard who was known as Greek George. He married, Aug.
13, 1857, Guadaloupe Long, born Oct. 28, 1843, who married
second, in 1867, George W. Thompson and lives in Sopris, a coal
mining town in Colorado.
Children, all born in Taos :
i. Charles,^ b. April 26, 1860 ; living in Trinidad (four miles
vivt^-jz-js-fc from Sopris), Col., where he is engaged in stock raising; m.
^ AprU 23, 1885, Fannie Sayre, b. in Cimarron, N. M., March
/ y 4^ ^rV ^^' 1^^'^* Four children, all b. in Colorado: 1. Gladys
^ ^ / U y Juanita,^'' b. AprH 9, 1889. 2. Frances Beatrice, b. Sept. 27,
»»~tiii«immii. r:- -]891. 3. Lupie Bearing, b. Sept. 17, 1894. 4. Nannie
Marie, b. Jan. 12, 1897.
ii. "William, b. May 31, 1862 ; farmer ; living near Sopris, Col. ;
m. Oct. 24, 1884, Yeroniz Wilkins. Four children : 1. Delia.
2. Eva. 3. Lucy. 4. Thomas.
iii. Silas Alfred, b. Oct. 20, 1864 ; living unm. in Sopris.
374
James McClelland^ Bent {John,'' 8ilas,^ 8ilas,^ Elijah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John^), clergyman, was born in St. Louis, Mo.,
in April, 1841, and died in Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 27, 1893,
the result of injuries received in a runaway accident eighteen months
previous. When twelve years old he was taken by his mother to
Kentucky, where the rest of his life, with the exception of a few
years, was spent. He was educated at Transylvania University,
Lexington, Ky., and prepared for the ministry (Baptist) at George-
town College (Ky.), from which he graduated with first honors in
1860. He was considered the finest Latin and Greek scholar that
had graduated from Georgetown up to that time. He held pastorates
in Augusta, Bowling Green, Covington and Millersburg, Ky., and
Springfield, Mo. At the time of his fatal accident he was president
of Liberty Female College at Glasgow, Ky. He was a man of
culture and refinement and eminently successful as a pastor and as
an educator. He married, Jan. 5, 1871, at Bowling Green, where
she is still living, Sallie, daughter of Judge John Burnam.
212 BENT FAMILY.
Children :
i. Olive M.,^ b. April 3, 1873.
ii. John Burn am, b. Oct. 1, 1874.
iii. Seddie, b. Jan. 4, 1880.
iv. Silas, b. May 9, 1882.
V. Nannie C, b. Nov. 19, 1883.
Joel Woodbury* Bent ( William X./ Joel,^ Joel,^ Elijah,'^
Hopestill,^ Peter, "^ John^) was born in Wendell, Mass., July 24,
1846 ; living in Brighton, Boston, Mass. When three years old
he went to Wisconsin with his parents, but returned to Massachu-
setts seven years later with his mother and made his home in Lev-
erett until he was seventeen, when he started out for himself. After
three years spent in New York State he came East again and in
1871 located in Boston. Since 1873 he has been foreman in the
Brighton abattoir. He married, Aug. 29, 1872, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of John and Eliza (Dougall) Huston of St. John, N. B.
Children, all born in Boston :
i. Gertrude May,^ b. March 19, 1874 ; a graduate of the Normal
School in Boston ; a teacher in the Auburn School, Brighton,
ii. LuciNDA Mariah, b. Aug. 16, 1875.
iii. William Dougall, b. May 30, 1877.
iv. Ella Florence, b. Feb. 13, 1879.
V. Annabell, b. Sept. 29, 1880.
vi. Jessie Huston, b. Jan. 17, 1884.
vii. Justin Woodbury, b. May 13, 1885.
376
William Osgood* Bent ( William L.,^ Joel,^ Joel,^ Elijah,*
Hoi^estill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in Wendell, Mass., July 17,
1848 ; living in Hadley, Mass. He married first, in Shutesbury,
Mass., Jan. 29, 1874, Harriet Celestia Barrows, who was born in
Wilmington, Vt., June 25, 1844, and died in Charlemont, Mass.,
Feb. 11, 1888, daughter of Zerah and Mary (Alden) Barrows.
He married second, in Hadley, Jan. 1, 1896, Ida May Whitman,
who was born at Windsor Locks, Conn., June 7, 1856, daughter
of Still man Ford and Cynthia Steadman (Lathrop) Whitman.
Child, by first marriage, born in Heath, Mass. :
i. May Emily,« b. Sept. 24, 1879.
377
Horatio Grimes^ Bent {Horatio G.,'' Samuel,^ Joel,^ Elijah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^^ was born in New Orleans, La., Nov.
22, 1857, but was taken two years later to Bloomington, 111.,
HORATIO G. BENT, OF ILLINOIS.
BENT FAMILY. 213
where he still resides. He graduated from the Illinois Wesleyan
University of Bloomington in 1879, and from the Law School con-
nected with the same institution in 1882. With the exception of
about nine months spent in St. Paul, Minn., he has since lived in
Bloomington, where he is in active practice as a lawyer. For sev-
eral years he has been a member of the board of education. He
married, Aug. 25, 1880, Adah Crist of Bloomington, who was
born April 23, 1859.
Children :
i. Horatio Crist,^ b. June 23, 1881.
ii. Lewis G-rimes, b. Sept. 25, 1885.
iii. Julian, b. Jan. and d. April, 1889.
378
George^ Bent (^Joseph K.^^ Samuel,^ Joel^^ Elijah,'^ Hope-
sfill,^ JPeter,^ John^) was born in St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 25, 1840;
moved, July 28, 1881, to Chicago, 111., where he still resides. lie
is a travelling salesman for the largest lumber company in the
world, the Edw. Hines Lumber Company. He married, March
16, 1864, at riorisant. Mo., Julia A. Taylor, who was born Oct.
18, 1844.
Children, all born in St. Louis :
i. Lelia S.,« b. Jan. 22, 1865 ; d. Nov. 27, 1865.
ii. Cora Lee, b. Oct. 16, 1866 ; m. Nov. 10, 1886, in Chicago, 111.,
Willis E. Keeler of Belvidere, 111. ; no children,
iii. Marie Marguerite, b. Aug. 16, 1869.
iv. Birdie B., b. March 26, 1872 ; d. Oct. 2, 1897 ; m. Jan. 11,
1892, Trueman L. Parkhurst of San Diego, Cal. ; no children.
V. JuANiTA, b. Jan. 1, 1877.
379
William McDowell^ Bent {Gyrus H.,'' David J., ^ Rufiis,^
Elijah,'^ Hopestill,^ Peter ^^ Johv}^ was born in Louisville, Ky.,
June 1, 1855; living in Covington, Ky. He graduated from
Centre College, Danville, Ky., in 1875. November 15, 1879, he
married Katie Paull Harrison of Louisville, who died March 3,
1881. Their only child, Paull, died Feb. 24, 1881. After the
death of his wife and child he spent considerable time in travel, and
then for a short time was in business in Kentucky. In Dec, 1885,
he assumed the management of the Atlanta, Ga., house of the
Chess Carley Co., which was soon merged into the Standard Oil Co.,
with whom he still remains. He was transferred in Nov., 1887,
to the branch at Savannah, Ga., and recently to Cincinnati, O.
214 BENT FAMILY.
380
George Starratt® Bent (liufus,'' David,^ David, ^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John}) was born in Granville, N. S., Nov. 1,
1822, and died March 30, 1884. He married, Jan. 18, 1855,
Mary Ann Inglis.
Children, all born in Granville :
i. Ann Elizabeth,^ b. Feb. 1, 1856.
ii. Frank Fenwick, b. Sept. 26, 1858 ; lives with his brother on
farm in Belleisle, in the township of Granville, N. S.,, where
his great-grandfather settled ; m. Dec. 30, 1891, Amelia
Goodwin.
iii. Amanda Starratt, b. Sept. 8, 1861 ; m. Dec. 31, 1890, Albert
Goodwin ; three children,
iv. Laura Jean, b. April 20, 1864 ; m. Dec. 18, 1889, Lemuel
Elliott ; three children.
V. Minnie De Wolf, b. April 27, 1867 ; m. July 12, 1892, Fred-
erick Bent,
vi. Clara Belle, b. Feb. 2, 1870.
vii. Archie Clifford, b. June 16, 1873.
381
David Parker* Bent {Bufus,' David,^ David,^ Micah,* Hope-
still,^ Peter,'' John') was born in Granville, N. S., Sept. 23, 1824,
and died May 29, 1879 ; lived in Forest Glen, Annapolis County,
N. S. He married Susan Stronach.
Children :
i. George.^
ii. David.
iii. Susan, m. George Stronach.
iv. Ruth, m. Hoyt Foster.
382
Edwin* Bent ( William Lovett,'' William,^ David,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John') was born in Nova Scotia in 1830, and
died in Digby, N. S., in 1871. He was postmaster of Digby. He
married, in 1861, Clara W. Barnaby.
Children :
i. Herbert H.,^ druggist, has lived in Fitchburg, Mass.
ii. Stanley, living in Centreville, N. S.
iii. Florence, d. in 1891 ; m. Henry Snow of Annapolis, N. S.
383
Thomas D.* Bent {Phineas L.,^ William,^ David,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, '^ John') was born in Annapolis, N. S., Oct. 13,
BENT FAMILY. 215
1842. He moved to Massachusetts when a young man, and, Sept.
24, 1862, enlisted from Needham, for nine months, in Co. C,
43d Mass. Infantry. August 22, 1863, he re-enlisted as 1st sergt.
in Co. D, 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery ; promoted to 2d lieut. April
10, 1865. He married, Nov. 22, 1865, Elizabeth Henderson of
Needham.
Children :
i. Erwin.^
ii. Mary.
, iii. William.
iv. George.
384
William Henry® Bent ( War^^en,'' Joseph,^ David, ^ llicah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, '^ Jokn^) was born in the Annapolis Valley, N. S.,
in 1817 ; living in Morristown, N. S. He married first, Elizabeth
Oakes ; married second, Olivia Oakes.
Children :
i. Mart Olivia,^ m. Frederick Webster,
ii. Emma, m. Robert Nichols,
iii. Nancy, m. Lindley Nichols.
iv. Frances, m. Dunn.
385
Gilbert Ray^ Bent ( Warren,'' Joseph,^ David,^' Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in the Annapolis Valley,
N. S., Jan. 22, 1825, and is living in North Eeading, Mass. He
left Nova Scotia in 1847 and was educated for the ministry at Con-
cord, N. H., graduating in 1854. His first charge was at North
Grafton, Mass., since which he has been pastor of several Methodist
parishes, mostly in New England. During the war he was at the
front with the U. S. Christian Commission. For the past few years
he has had no regular charge, preaching only occasionally.
He married first, at Chelsea, Mass., Jan. 1, 1859, Crusa A.
Cook, who was born in Mendon^ Mass., in 1839, daughter of Clark
and Louisa M. Cook. She died at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md.,
March 4, 1864. He married second, Feb. 21, 1866, Mary Caro-
line Grout of Pelham, Mass.
Child of Rev. Gilbert R. and Crusa :
i. Frances Louisa,® b. Sept. 1859 ; living in Boston, Mass. ; m.
WUliam T. Blake.
Children of Rev. Gilbert R. and Mary, i. born in Southampton,
Mass., ii. in South Walpole, Mass. :
i. Gilbert Wesley Warren,® b. Nov. 10, 1867 ; graduated from
14
216 BENT FAMILY.
Boston University School of Medicine in 1892 and located in
Walpole, Mass. ; d. in Dorchester, Boston, Mass., Oct. 7, 1896.
ii. Rose Standish, b. Aug. 20, 1872 ; living in North Reading,
Mass. ; m. Dec. 1892, Warren H. Simonds.
386
Israel* Bent ( Warren,'' Joseph,^ David,^ MicaJi,'^ HopestiU,^
Peter, ^ John^) vv^as born in Paradise, N. S., April 27, 1827, and
is living in Lowell, Mass., where he is a dealer in belting, leather
and shoe findings. He married first, March 30, 1850, Ella Griffin
of Newburyport, Mass., who was born Nov. 21, 1829, and died
June 3, 1880. He married second, May 1, 1884, Elvira Hamlin
Chick of Lowell.
Children of Israel and Ellen, i. born in Newburyport, ii. in
Boston :
i. Ella Gertrude,^ b. March 15, 1854; m, Nov. 11, 1874,
Charles H. Damon of Lowell.
ii. Carrie Etta, b. Nov. 9, 1859 ; m. Jan. 11, 1881, at Lowell,
Irving Locke of Lexington, Mass., where they still reside.
Three children : 1. Alice Griffin,^^ b. Sept. 18, 1882. 2.
Ellen Gorinne, b. March 4, 1885. 3. Beulah Bent, b. Feb.
17, 1888.
iii. "Warren, b. and d. 1862.
387
Warren Edgar® Bent {Warren,'' Joseph,^ David, ^ Micah,'^
Hopestill,^ JPeter,^ John^^ was born in 1841 in the Annapolis
Valley, N. S., where he still lives, at Paradise. He married Lydia
L. Balcom.
Children :
i. Frances.®
ii. Harry.
iii. Charles.
iv. Clara.
V. Ralph.
388
John Fletcher® Bent {Israel L.,'' Joseph,^ David,^ Micah,^
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in Granville, N. S., Sept. 30,
1829, and died in Granville, Nov. 14, 1882, ge. 53. He married,
in 1858, Fanny RufFee.
Children, all born in Granville :
i. Alice A.,« b. 1859 ; d. 1864.
ii. Henry R., b. 1862 ; d. May 4, 1877.
iii. Owen P., b. 1866 ; d. in Granville, Jan. 15, 1895 ; in. Oct, 29,
1884, Annie M. Bath.
iv. Vennie De Wolf, b. June 22, 1873.
BENT TAMELY. 217
389
Jacob Valentine^ Bent {Israel i./ Joseph,^ David, ^ Micah^^
Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ Johv}), farmer, was born in Granville, N. S.,
Oct. 10, 1840, He moved, in 1889, to Stow, Mass., and thence,
in April, 1896, to Hudson, Mass., where he still resides. He
married, in 1871, Rose H, Balcom, who died in Stow, March 16,
1896.
Children :
i. EuoENE P.,^ b. May 23, 1873 ; living unm. in Allston, Boston,
Mass.
ii. Aubrey W., b. Nov. 23, 1874 ; farmer ; living unm. in South
Acton, Mass.
iii. Burpee B., b. Oct. 31, 1877 ; living unm. in Boston,
iv. Joseph V., b. July 31, 1879 ; living with his father.
390
Israel Archibald® Bent {Israel L.,'' Joseph,'^ David, ^ Micah,^
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^), contractor and builder, was born in
Oranville, N. S., Oct. 2, 1849, and is living in (South) Lincoln,
Mass. He moved to Massachusetts in 1880, and, after living two
years in Weston, bought his present place in Lincoln. He mar-
ried, Dec. 4, 1872, Sarah Sjbella Coldwell of Berwick, N. S.
Children, i. to iv. born in Berwick, N. S., v. in Weston, vi. to
viii. in Lincoln :
i. Nellie Amelia Rat,^ b. April 21, 1874.
ii. Hyland Fairbanks, b. Nov. 17, 1875 ; a carpenter in Lincoln,
iii. Edwin Stearns, b. June 17, 1877.
iv. Jennie Beatrice, b. Dec. 1, 1878.
V. Lalia Estella, b. Sept. 18, 1881.
vi. Ralph Waldo, b. May 29, 1883.
vii. Bertha Woodworth, b. April 27, 1885.
viii. Ethel Foster, b. Jan. 12, 1893.
Joseph Benson® Bent {J. Fletcher,'' Joseph,^ David,^ Micah,^
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in St. Davids, N. B., Nov.
25, 1838, and is living in Somerville, Mass. He came to Massa-
chusetts in 1862, and since 1888 has been book-keeper for Gr. W.
Bent & Co., Boston. He married, Sept. 6, 1865, Matilda Wilson
Coffin, who was born in Barrington, N. S., April 12, 1840, daugh-
ter of Peter Coffin of Halifax, N. S., and a descendant of Tristram
Coffin early of Nantucket, Mass.
Children, all born in East Boston, Mass. :
i. (Francis) Albert Berry,^ b. Jan. 8, 1867 ; living in Somer.
ville ; is ia the employ of G. W. Bent & Co. of Boston ; m.
in Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1889, Hattie Hamilton. Two
218 BENT FAMILY.
diildxen : 1. Winifred Hamilton^^ b. in Springfield, N. Y.,
Nov. 13, 1890. 2. Florence Esther, b. in Somerville, Sept.
17, 1894.
ii. Helen Hay Hamilton, b. Feb. 27, 1869 ; d. March 22, 1878.
iii. George Frederick Coffin, b. Nov. 28, 1870 ; living in
Montana.
iv. Leon Giraed Loring-, b. May 23, 1872 ; living in Reading,
Mass. ; is in the employ of G. W. Bent & Co., Boston ; m.
Oct. 14, 1896, Marion Edna Parker.
V. Joseph Fletcher, b. March 7, 1880.
392
William Bennett* Bent ( William,'' Joseph,^ David,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,'^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in Nova Scotia. He married
first, Abigail Higgins ; second, Lavinia — ,
Children (all dead) :
i. William B.^
ii. Lizzie.
lU.
iv. William,
393
James Henniger* Bent {James 8.,'' Stephen,^ David, ^ Micah,^
Hopestill,^ Peter,^ Johri^) was born in Annapolis, N. S., Oct. 2,
1840. He came to Massachusetts with his father in 1848, and since
1854 has lived in Boston, where he is a clothing salesman. He
married Kate, daughter of Morton Bradford of East Boston, and a
descendant of Gov. Bradford of the Plymouth colony.
Children, all born in (East) Boston.
i. Hattie May,^ living with her father in Roslindale, Boston 5
m. in 1890, George E. Elliott of Lisbon, N. H. One child,.
Ethel B}° Elliott.
ii. George Bradford, d. ae. 3.
iii. Fannie Rice, living in Providence, E,. L ; m. June 3, 1897y
Percy J. Callowhill.
394
Rupeet George* Bent {James,'' Silas,^ David,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Johv}), blacksmith and machinist, was born
at Nictaux Falls, Annapolis County, N. S., in 1836, and died in
Goldenville, N. S., in 1888, ^. 52. He lived in Bath, Me., a
short time in the early sixties, but returned to Nictaux Falls, and a
few years later went to Londonderry, N. S., and finally to Golden-
ville, N. S., where with others he operated the Dominion gold
mines with success. He married, in 1856, Margaret Emma, daugh-
ter of Eben Beattie of Londonderry, N. S., who married again
Angus Cameron of Slierbrooke, N. S.
BENT FAMILY. 219
Children, i. born in Londonderry, ii. in Bath, Me., iii. and iv. at
Nictaux Falls, v. to vii. in Goldenville :
i. Gardiner Lonsdale,^ b. 1858 ; a mining engineer in Mexico,
ii. George Eben, b. 1861 ; mining engineer ; m. Florence Smith.
iii. Georgianna Frances, b. 1863 ; scliool teacher,
iv. James Rupert, b. 1865 ; mining engineer; at present interested
in Alaska.
V. Laura Fairfield, b. 1871 ; school teacher in Wine Harbor,
N. S.
vi. Carrie Elswood, b. 1874 ; m. Alex. Nichols.
vii. Gardiena Elvira, b. 1878.
395
Horatio Nelson^ Bent {James,'' Silas, ^ David,'" Micah/'
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Joh'n}), carpenter, was born at Nictaux, N. S.,
where he died. He married Mary Stronach.
Children : v
i. Fred 0.^
ii. Margaret.
iii. Rupert. -
iv. Frank.
V. Jessie. ^
896
William Henry* Bent {De7i7iis,'' 8ilas,^ David,'" Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ Johyi^), lawyer, was born in Nictaux, Annapolis
County, N. S., Dec. 6, 1841, and is living in Lowell, Mass. In
1850 the family home was transferred to Newburyport, Mass., where
he lived until 1859. After a year spent in Haverhill, Mass., he
located permanently in Lowell, where he was employed as a printer
in the office of one of the daily newspapers, at the same time study-
ing law. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 35th
Reg. Mass. Infantry, and became 1st lieut. in Sept. 1864, and
captain in Nov. 1864; transferred to the 29th Reg. in May, 1865,
and mustered out Auff. 1865. He was eng-ag-ed in the battles of
South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Siege of Vicksburg,
Siege of Knoxville, Blue Springs, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, North
Anna, Shady Grove, Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg and the
mine explosion at Appomattox. In Dec. 1867, he was admitted to
the Middlesex bar and has been in active practice ever since ; was
admitted to the United States Court at Boston in Sept. 1898. He
married, at Lowell, Aug. 9, 1871, Georgia H., daughter of George
H. and Anna B. Tarr.
Children :
i. Bertram Dennis,^ b. April 5, 1879.
ii. Amy Gladys, b. Sept. 13, 1884.
220 BENT FAMILY.
William Harrison® Bent {James M.,'' William,^ William ^^
Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born in 1840 in Cochituate
Village, Wayland, Mass., where he died June 22, 1896. He was
a member of the firm of W. & J. M. Bent, shoe manufacturers, in
Cochituate village (the firm went of business about 1893), and had
been selectman, representative to the Legislature (1875), treasurer
of the water commissioners and treasurer of the Natick & Cochituate
Street Railway, and was prominent among the local Masons and
Knights I'emplar. He married, Nov. 27, 1861, Teresa H. Loker
of Wayland, who is still living in Cochituate.
Children, all born in Wayland :
i. Elmer Myrick,^ b. Feb. 5, 1863 ; living in Cochituate ; m.
Feb. 20_, 1883, .Julia M. Eiley of Wayland. Three children :
1. William. 2. Alvin. 3. Mildred.
ii. Mildred, b. June 29, 1867 ; m. Oct. 7, 1885, Edwin Farwell
of Natick, son of Royal E. and Sarah W. Farwell. Four
children : 1. Roger. 2. John. 3. Frank. 4. Rachel.
iii. William Harrison, b. Jan. 17, 1876 ; living in Cochituate.
398
James Alvin* Bent (Jocmesilf.,' William,^ William,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^), box manufacturer, was born in 1843
in Cochituate Village, Wayland, Mass., where he still lives. He
married first, April 7, 1864, Anna Matilda Dudley, who was born
March 26, 1845, in Wayland, where she died July 31, 1890,
daughter of Nathaniel C. and Anna (Maynard) Dudley, and a
descendant of Francis Dudley who settled in Concord, Mass., about
1663. For twenty-five years she led the choir in Cochituate and
often presided at the organ ; at the time of her death she was chair-
man of the school committee. J. Alvin married second, July 11,
1893, Anna Brown of Watertown.
Children :
i. William,^ b. Nov. 17, 1865 ; d. Nov. 30, 1876.
ii. James Alvin, b. July 7, 1870 ; d. Sept. 3, 1876.
3981*
Thomas Dexter* Bent {James M.,'' William,^ William,^
Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^), box manufacturer, was born
Nov. 14, 1844, in Cochituate Village, Wayland, Mass., where he
still resides. He married, Jan. 20, 1885, Elizabeth Campbell,
daughter of John and Catherine Currie Campbell of Sydney, Cape
Breton.
* Received too late to be properly numbered. See page 146.
BENT FAMILY, 221
Children, all born in Cochituate :
i. Martha Trowbridge,^ b. Aug. 18, 1886.
ii. Mary Catherine, b. Jan. 29, 1891.
iii. Anna Elizabeth, b. Dec. 21, 1898.
399
Myron Wallace® Bent {James M.,^ William,^ William,^
Micah,*^ Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^) was born Sept. 19, 1849, in
Cochituate Village, Wayland, Mass., and is living in Rochester,
N. H., where he is superintendent of Linscott & Co.'s shoe manu-
factory. He represented Wayland in the Massachusetts Legislature
in 1878. He married first, Rosanna Tilings worth of Waltham,
from whom he was divorced. He married second, March 16, 1872,
Cornelia J., daughter of William Loker of Wayland.
Child, by the first marriage :
i. Bertha Maria,^ b. Aug. 2, 1868 ; living in Rhode Island; m.
George Lawrence.
400
Ralph^ Bent {James ilf".,' William,^ William,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter,^ John"^ Avas born Nov. 6, 1854, in Cochituate
Village, Wayland, Mass., and is living in Joliet, 111., where he is
superintendent of the shoe manufacturing department of the State
penitentiary. He married, Jan. 1, 1872, Isabel Damon Bond of
Wayland.
Children, both born in Wayland :
i. Susan Roby,^ b. July 27, 1872 ; m. Edward Marvin, a lawyer,
of Portsmouth, N. H., firm of Frink & Marvin. Two chil-
dren : 1. William. 2. Sara.
ii. James Madison, b. April 16, 1880.
401
George Oberlin* Bent {Archibald,'' Micah, ^ William,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ John^^ was born in South Framingham, Mass.,
Nov. 3, 1842 ; living in South Framingham. He enlisted June 30,
1861, as private in Co. B, 29th Mass. Infantry; became 1st lieu-
tenant March 25, 1865. He married first, in Boston, Feb. 23, 1836,
Eliza Georgietta Talbot, a native of Colchester, England, who died
in Framingham, Nov. 9, 1866, se. 17; married second, in Woon-
socket, R. L, January 24, 1868, Wilma Delina, born Oct. 3, 1852,
daughter of George® Bent. (See page 71.)
Children, i. to iii. born in Franklin, Mass., iv. in Framingham:
i. Harry Archibald,^ b. Nov. 12, 1868; living in So. Framing-
ham, Mass.; m. Dec. 2, 1896, Edith E. Brown. One child,
Ethel Mae^'' b. Sept. 28, 1897.
222 BENT FAMILY.
ii. George Morton, b. May 1, 1870 ; living in So. Framingham ;
m. Aug. 19, 1898, Gertrude M. Fleming of Sherborn, Mass.
One child, Evelyn Fleming,^'^ b. Sept. 4,^1899.
iii. Arthur Edgar, b. Dec. 20, 1871 ; living in So. Framingliam ;
book-keeper for Fales & Co. ; treasurer of First Universalist
Church of Framingham ; has served in the militia, and been
captain of Sons of Veterans ; m. Dec. 29, 1897, Ethel Sharp,
only dau. of Samuel and Martha S. Currier of Natick, Mass.
iv. Ada Florence, b. Sept. 25, 1873; living in So. Framingham;
m. June 6, 1894, James Foster Flagg. Two children: 1.
Wilma Morton}'^ Flagg, b. Feb. 14, 1895. 2. Hattie Florence
Flagg, b. May 30, 1898.
402
Herbert Alphonso* Bent (Mellen G.,^ Micah,^ William,^
Micah,* Hopestill,^ Peter, ^ JoJiii^) was born in Webster, Mass.,
Jan. 22, 1855 ; was brought up by his paternal grandmother in
Bellingham, Mass. ; living in Franklin, Mass. He married, March
5, 1876, Mary Emma Gilford of Wrentham, Mass., daughter of
Stephen T. Gilford.
Children, i. born in Bellingham, ii. in Franklin :
i. Charles Herbert,® b. Sept. 23, 1877.
ii. Winifred Abbie, b.June 11, 1881.
403
LawsonGreen^ Bent (^Mellen G.,'' Micah,^ William,^ Micah,*
Hopestill,^ Peter,"^ John^) was born at Valley Falls(?), E,. I.,
Sept. 19, 1857; is a railroad man, and lives in the South; was
brought up in Lebanon, Me. He married Lucy Prescott.
Two of their five children are living :
i. Ernest.®
ii. Ida.
404
Peter^ Bent {Peter,'' Peter, '^ David,^ David,* David,^ John,^
Joh7i^) was born in Denmark, N. Y., July 17, 1836; living in
Chicago, 111. He married, Nov. 13, 1855, Nancy M. Cottrell, and
afterwards moved to Clarence, Iowa, where she died July 23, 1883.
Child, born in Denmark :
i. Byron D.,® b. May 24, 1856; living in San Francisco, Cal.
405
Warren G.^ Bent {Major JE.,'' Peter, ^ David," David,*
David,^ John,^ John^) was born in New York, June 26, 1839;
living in Whiteside County, 111. He lived in Lewis County, N. Y.,
BENT FAMILY. 223
until 1865, when he moved to Carroll County, 111., remainin,^ until
1872, when he removed to Whiteside County. In 1878, he trans-
ferred his home to Osborne County, Kansas, and there resided until
1890, when he returned to Whiteside County. He married first,
Sept. 2, 1860, at Barnes Corners, N. Y., Theresa Douglas, born
in Lewis County, April 20, 1843, died in Illinois, Oct. 12, 1876;
married second, Dec. 26, 1876, Mary Remer of Morrison, 111. ;
no children by latter.
Children of Warren G. and Theresa, i. and ii. born in Lewis
County, N. Y., iii. and iv. in Carroll County, 111., and v. in White-
side County, 111. :
i. Hattie,^ b. Sept. 18, 1861; living in Whiteside Co., 111.; m.
1879, R. D. Phillips,
ii. Myra, b. June 4, 1864; living in Dixon, 111. ; m. Oct. 13, 1887,
at Morrison, 111., Charles F. North,
iii. Jay M., b. Aug. 25, 1867 ; farmer, in Whiteside Co.; m. Feb.
6, 1890, at Morrison, Clara B. Harrison,
iv. John, b. March 10, 1871 ; living in Whiteside Co.
V. Fred, b. May 1, 1874.
406
Z. Major* Bent {Major E.,'' Peter, ^ David, ^ David,* David,^
Jolin,^ Johv}^, farmer, was born in Lewis County, N. Y., March
29, 1850; died Nov. 19, 1874, in Washington County, Kansas,
whither he had removed from Illinois in 1870. He had gone from
New York State to Illinois with his father in 1864. The Z in his
name, as well as in the name of his son, has no significance. He
married, Jan. 29, 1873, Salina Smith of Greenleaf, Kansas.
Child, born in Kansas :
i. Warren Z.,^ b. Nov. 19, 1874; farmer, in Greenleaf, Kan.
407
Curtis Rinaldo* Bent {Dalmanutha,'' David,^ David,^ David,*
David,^ Jolin,^ John^) was born in Westminster, Vt., Aug. 23,
1820 ; died in West Union, Iowa, March 18, 1884, ge. 63. When
a small boy, he moved with his parents to Antwerp, N. Y. About
1840 emigrated with an uncle to Rock County, Wis. After a few
years spent in farming, he opened a store in Evansville, Wis. This
he disposed of in the spring of 1852, and moved to Fayette County,
Iowa, where he operated a saw mill for four years. Meanwhile, in
the spring of 1855, he had transferred his home to a large farm in
West Union, where the rest of his days were spent, his last years
being devoted to the insurance business. In 1868 and 1869, he was
a member of the Legislature of Iowa, besides holding many minor
oflSces. Was trustee for many years of the Upper Iowa University,
224 BENT FAMILY.
to which he made many donations. Was also steward and class
leader in the Methodist church. He married first, May 25, 1851,
Eleanora Robinson, born in Clark County, Ohio, June 5, 1831,
died Feb. 4, 1857, daughter of Thomas and Anna Robinson ; mar-
ried second, Feb. 7, 1861, Mrs. Sarah J. (Robinson) Atwood, born
Feb. 8, 1827, died April 5, 1894, sister of his first wife.
Children, by first marriage, born in West Union, Iowa :
i. M. Emma,^ b. Sept. 13, 1853 ; living in Monona, Iowa ; m. Nov.
13, 1878,, J. Elbert Robertson, -Ir. One child, Belle Eleanora}'^
Robertson, b. in West Union, Iowa, April 12, 1880.
ii. Carrie A., b. July 18, 1855; living in West Union; m. May
24, 1882, Sidney B. Carter. Six children, all b. in West
Union : 1. Bruce Bent?^ 2. Eleanora J. 3. Anna G. 4.
Laura M. 5. Garlotta F. 6. Helen R.
Child, by second marriage :
i. Iowa B., b. July 8, 1863 ; d. March 30, 1879.
408
Haetwell H.^ Bent {Dalmanutha,'' David,^ David,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John}^, farmer and cheese maker, was born in
Philadelphia, N. Y., May 9, 1837 ; died in Antwerp, N. Y., Feb.
29, 1884, ae. 46 ; was supervisor of the town of Antwerp for many
years, and chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Jefferson County
for two years. He married, July, 1858, Jane Baldwin.
Children, born in Antwerp, N. Y. :
i. Rot Hartwell,^ b. May 17, 1866; living in Antwerp, N. Y. ;
m. Lola May Oelbert. One child, Lynn Rot/^° Bent.
ii. Wtnn C, b. March 31, 1871.
409
Melvina'^ Bent {HartwelW David,^ David,^ David,* David ^^
John,^ John^) was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., May 19, 1881 ; was
taken a few years afterwards to Randolph, N. Y., and is living in
Ellington, N. Y., her home since marriage. She married, May 29,
1848, James Brooks, M.D.
Children :
i. Jambs Casper^ Brooks, b. April 25, 1849; a civil engineer;
was killed in a railroad accident Sept. 26, 1883, se. 34 ; m.
Sept. 9, 1874, Delora, dau. of Capt. Julius B. and Caroline
A. Maltbie of Gowanda, N. Y. One child, Harry Bird&ey^^
Brooks.
ii. Melvin Main Brooks, b. July 14, 1851 ; civil engineer; was
sup't. of the construction of several railroads, and had charge
of several natural gas plants ; d. in Ellington, N. Y., Jan. 11,
1895, ge. 44; m. in September, 1876, Kate Josephine Morgan
BENT FAMILY. 225
of Fort Edward, N. Y. Three children : 1. MaMle Morgan}'^
Brooks, b. June 10, 1877. 2. Kale Melvina Brooks, b. June
13, 1880. 3. James Arthur Brooks, b. Aug. 26, 1885.
iii. John Marvin Brooks, b. Dec. 19, 1856 ; a physician ; educated
at Wooster University, Cleveland, O. Since 1895, has lived
in Jamestown, N. Y. ; m. March 12, 1884, Bessie Cook, dau.
of Merritt and Mary J. (Hooper) Cook of Ellington, N. Y.
One child, Mary Kate^" Brooks, b. July 29, 1897.
HoEACE Aldrich^ Bent {Hartwell,'' David, ^ David, ^ David,*
David,^ John,^ JoJiti^) was born in Mt. Holly, Yt., June 14, 1834,
but was taken by his parents to Randolph, N. Y., soon after; died
May 21, 1862, from injuries received in a railroad accident at
Salamanca, N. Y. He married, about 1854, Helen M. Brown,
who died at Verona, Alleghany County, Pa., Jan. 23, 1891, daugh-
ter of Jonathan and Roena (Scudder) Brown of Randolph.
Children, both born in Randolph :
i. Nettie M.,® b. April 17, 1855; living in Oil City, Pa.; m. in
Randolph, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1877, to Frank E. Glass of Brad-
ford, Pa., who is a Presiding Elder in the Free Methodist
Church. One child, Bessie E}^ Glass, b. in Bradford, Dec. 3,
1878, now a short hand teacher in the Oil City Business
College.
ii. Hartwell J., b. April 29, 1858 ; d. at Luna Creek, Pa., Sept.
21, 1883.
410
Walker Martin® Bent {S. Walher,'' David,^ David,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John^) was born in Ludlow, Vt., in 1845, and died
in Cavendish, Vt., in 1880 ; managed a general store in the village
of Duttonsville in Cavendish, was a printer, and for a time was ex-
press messenger between Burlington and Boston, He married,
April 13, 1869, Cordelia Esther Wallis, who is living in Cavendish.
Children :
i. Esther.^
ii. Georgia Ada.
iii. Mary Stiles.
411
George Carlos* Bent {8. Walher,'' David, ^ David, ^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John^), lawyer, was born in Ludlow, Vt., July 17,
1848 ; living in Boston ; grew up on his father's farm in Cavendish,
Vt. ; graduated from Dean Academy in Franklin, Mass., in 1871,
* Received too late to be properly numbered. See page 151.
226 BENT FAMILY.
and passed entrance examination to Tufts College ; taught in the
high school at Machias, Me., for four years; studied law in the
office of Heman W. Chaplin, Boston ; admitted to Suffolk bar
March 20, 1876, and still continues to practice there; from 1876
until 1892 lived in Cambridge, which he represented four years in
the Common Council and two years, 1884—1885, in the Legislature.
He is a prominent Mason. He married, 1875, Mattie A., daughter
of Rev. Norris C. Hodgdon, a Universalist clergyman. No children.
Stiles Gideon^ Bent (8. Walker,^ David,^ David,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ Joliv}) was born in Cavendish, Vt., and is living
in Bethel, Vt. Has lived in Boston and Philadelphia. He married
first, Marion P. Furber, born in Stockbridge, Vt., from whom he was
divorced; married second, Mary G. Adams, born March 21, 1858,
daughter of Daniel S. and Harriet (Crocker) Adams of Charles-
town, Mass.
Child :
i. Ruth Furber,^ b. in Newton, Mass., July 21, 1889.
413
Overton Walker^ Bent (Silas W.,'' Silas P.,® David,^
JDavid,'^ David,^ John/ John^) was born in Henderson, Jefferson
County, N. Y., March 29, 1846; living in Boulder, Col. In the
summer of 1868, he went to Nebraska and took up a farm in Cass
County, fifteen miles east of Lincoln; in 1884, he removed to the
city of Lincoln, where he remained until 1898. He married, Oct.
10, 1871, Belle Lewis of Cass County, born June 1, 1853, died
Oct. 9, 1892, daughter of John and Gillie Lewis.
Children, all born in Nebraska :
i. Etta L.,^ b. Feb. 27, 1873 ; d. May 16, 1878.
ii. Albert Wells, b. Sept. 21, 1874; d. Feb. 20, 1877.
iii. Edna Centennial, b. Aug. 18, 1876; is connected with the
Sanitarium at Boulder, Col.
iv. Evelina Belle, b. Dec. 1, 1877 ; employed in the Colorado
Sanitarium,
v. Lucy Olive, b. Aug. 3, 1879; has been ass't. book-keeper in
the Sanitarium at Boulder since September, 1897.
vi. Myrtle Mary, b. Jan. 4, 1885; d. April 26, 1898.
414
Earl Silas® Bent (John Jay,'' Silas P.,® David,^ David,*
David,^ John,^ John^) was born Aug. 15, 1860, near De Kalb, 111.,
and is living near Boulder, Col.
BENT FAMILY. 227
Children :
i. Jay Eael,» b. Sept. 7, 1884.
ii. Charles Wesley, b. Sept. 22, 1886.
iii. Hazel Alice, b. Nov. 5, 1888.
iv. Olive, b. May 8, 1890.
V. Fred Ellsworth, b. Jan. 6, 1892.
And. others.
415
HoEACE Edwaed^ Bent {George R.,'' Alphonso,^ Thaddeus,^
David," Uavid,^ John,^ John^) was born in Clinton, Iowa, July
14, 1864, and for several years has lived in Chicago, 111., where he is
engaged in the meat and provision business. He married, in Chicago,
Dec. 1, 1886, Mary Mullin.
Children, all born in Chicago :
i. Horace Dyer,» b. Dec. 16, 1887.
ii. Russell, b. July 29, 1890; d. Aug. 3, 1890.
iii. Earl Edward, b. Sept. 30, 1891.
iv. Beulah Bartlett, b. April 1, 1894.
V. Sidney Alphonso, b. July 11, 1898.
416
John® Bent {John,'' Francis,^ John,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^
Joseph,^ John^) was born in Middleboro', Mass., June 5, 1831;
living in the adjoining town of Carver, which has always been his
home except for two or three years ; was engaged in sawing box
boards and shingles for several years, but of late has devoted his
time to the extensive cultivation of cranberries ; has been a justice
of the peace for many years, and has settled a large number of
estates. He married, Dec. 3, 1873, Irena A. Smith of Middleboro'.
One child, died in infancy.
417
Maetin Feancis* Bent {Isaac,'' Francis,^ JoJin,^ Joseph,*
Fxperience,^ Joseph,^ John^^ was born in Wareham, Mass., March
17, 1835 ; living in Norwich, Conn. ; learned the blacksmith's trade
of his father at Wareham, where he worked eleven years ; moved
July 11, 1863, to Norwich, where for twenty years he was em-
ployed in the Thames Iron Works ; since then has been superin-
tendent for Ansel Clark, manufacturer of the Avery steam boiler,
and for Hopkins & Allen manufacturing company. He married,
Nov. 21, 1866, Harriet Peckham Woodworth of Norwich, daugh-
ter of Ebenezer W. and Emily Ann (Peckham) Woodworth, for-
merly of Montville, Conn.
228 BENT FAMILY.
Children, all born in Norwich :
i. Helen SophiV b. Sept. 9, 1867 ; d. Jan. 1, 1873.
ii, Francis Peckham, b. March 13, 1874 ; postal clerk in Nor-
wich P. O.
iii. William Woodworth, b. April 17, 1883.
418
Wilson Dexter^ Bent ( Wilson D.,'' Francis^^ John^^ Joseph,*
Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^), blacksmith, was born in North
Sandwich (now Bournedale), Mass., Aug. 13, 1835; died in Fair-
haven, Mass., Jan. 3, 1897. He married, Dec. 26, 1861, Sarah
J. Spooner of Rochester, Mass., daughter of Edward Pope Spooner,
Children, both born in North Sandwich :
i. Wilson Dexter,^ b. Sept. 29, 1852 ; living in San Francisco,
Cal.; m. Oct. 14, 1891, Olive E. Poor. Two children, b. in
Sausilito, Marm Co., Cal. : 1. Ruth Esther,^^ b. and d. 1892.
2. Ralph Richards, b. Jan. 20, 1895.
ii. Walter Eliot, b. May 26, 1866 ; living in Plymouth, Mass. ;
m. June 27, 1894, Charhanna A. Jones. One child, Richard
Harvey,^^ b. in Plymouth, March 1, 1895.
419
Francis® Bent {Wilson Z>.,^ Francis,^ John,^ Joseph,* Ex-
perience,^ Joseph,"^ John^^, blacksmith, was born in North Sand-
wich (now Bournedale) , Mass., Aug. 28, 1841 ; living in Plymouth,
Mass. He married, May 8, 1869, Josephine F. Sherman of Sand-
wich.
Children :
i. Francis W.,» b. May 26, 1873.
ii. Henry Allen, b. and d. 1885.
420
Bartlett^ Bent {Bartlett,'' John,^ John,^ Joseph,* Expe-
rience,^ Joseph,'^ Johii^^ was born in Wareham, Mass., Sept. 11,
1829 ; brought up in New York City, and died in Middletown, Conn.,
where he had made his home since April, 1858. He had a natural
fondness for politics, and for forty years was prominent in the Re-
publican party in Connecticut, for many years being chairman of
the Republican State Committee, where even the other party recog-
nized his strength and ability. He was a man of fine personal
appearance, extensive information and of pleasing address. In 1862,
he represented Middletown in the legislature. Soon after, he was
appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue, which office he held
until it was abolished. In 1863 he was in the city council, in
BENT FAMILY. 229
1866 and 1867 mayor of the city, and from 1869 to 1885 post-
master. When Marshall Jewell became Postmaster-General of the
United States during President Grant's first term, he offered the
position of First Assistant Postmaster-General to Bartlett Bent, but
the latter declined. He married, Aug. 8, 1854, in Brookljni, N. Y.,
Sarah, daughter of Ralph and Eliza Ann (Betts) Peacock of Pea-
cock's Point, Long Island. Mrs. Bent is living in Flushing, Long
Island.
Children, i. born in Glen Cove, Long Island, the others in Middle-
town, Conn. :
i. Charles E,,® b. Aug. 26, 1855 ; d. July 2, 1873.
ii. Gertrude J., b. Aug. 15, 1858 ; m. Sept. 25, 1878, Albert J.
Wright of Buffalo, N. Y., where she still resides. Four chil-
dren : 1. AlbeH Benf° Wright. 2. Alfred Farke Wright. 3.
Gertrude Wright. 4. Anne Louise Wright.
iii. Thomas Bartlett, b. July 2, 1861 ; living in Hartford, Conn. ;
m. Nov. 22, 1891, Harriette M. Johnson. One child, Bartlett
Thomas,
iv. Anne A., b. June 12, 1864; living in Flushing, L, I.; m. Jan.
8, 1890, Walter J. Travis, the well known golf expert, a native
of Adelaide, Australia. Two children : 1. Adelaide Anne^^
Travis, b. July 3, 1891. 2. Bartlett H. S. Travis, b. Feb. 26,
1893.
V. Frank Ralph, b. Sept. 17, 1866 ; living unm. in Flushing.
He is a real estate broker in New York City, firm of Eeid &
Bent.
vi. Ealph William, b, Oct. 6, 1869 ; living unm. in Flushing.
421
Samuel Shaw® Bent {Thomas,^ John,^ John,^ Joseph,* .Expe-
rience,^ Joseph,^ Joh'n}^, iron founder, was born in Albany, N. Y.,
July 15, 1830 ; brought up in New York City, where he lived until
1862, when he moved to Port Chester, N. Y., where he died Dec. 31,
1898, 86. Q%. The firm was first Thomas Bent & Son, and in
later years Samuel S. Bent & Son. The foundry was moved from
New York City to Port Chester in 1896. He married, in New
York City, Dec. 27, 1852, Sarah Elizabeth Adams, born Jan. 23,
1831, living in Port Chester, daughter of Rufos and Sarah (Doug-
las) Adams of Connecticut.
Children :
L Thomas A.,» b. March 21, 1854; d. Sept. 10, 1887 ; m. Corinne
Hartzell, who d. two years later. Slae was a dau. of Rev.
Hazard Hartzell, an Episcopal clergyman of Buffalo, N. Y.
ii. Clatjdin Douglas, b. May 28, 1857 ; d. unm. Feb. 22, 1898.
iii. Samuel Shaw, b. Oct. 5, 1862; d. May 12, 1875.
iv. Irving Douglas, b. March 8, 1864; d. May 6, 1875.
230 BENT FAMILY.
V. Walter Douglas, b. June 24, 1867 ; continues his father's
business; m. Florence M. Wetmore, b. Feb. 18, 1868, dau. of
"William and Maria Wetmore of Port Chester, N. Y. One
child, Samuel Douglas^^ b. Jan. 19, 1891.
422
Samuel Adams* Bent {John,'^ Experiences^ John,^ Joseph,*
Experience,^ Josejjh,'^ John^) was born in Middleboro', Mass.,
May 11, 1828, and is living in Chicago, 111. He is travelling pas-
senger agent for the Canadian Pacific Railway. He married first,
June 8, 1859, Ann Eliza Page of Newtonville, Mass., daughter of
Edward and Susan Page. She died in Chicago, June 1, 1894, ae.
67. He married second, July 28, 1896, at Pigeon Cove, Mass.,
Mrs. Susan P. Bowles of Elmira, N. Y.
Children of Samuel A. and Ann E. :
i. EuLALiA,® living in Ironwood, Mich. ; m, Frank L. Barrows ;
three children.
ii. Edward Page, d. in Gloversville, N. Y., December, 1892 ;
married,
iii. George Henry, d. unm. hi St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 30, 1894.
423
Charles Henry Wheelwright® Bent {Ehenezer,'' Expe-
rience,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^) was bom
in Middleboro', Mass., Feb. 2, 1835, and died in Nashville, Tenn.,
Oct. 22, 1866. Previous to his removal, in 1860, to Nashville, he
was employed in the office of Phillips, Sampson & Co., book pub-
lishers, in Boston. He married, in Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 20,
1856, Eliza Ann Canney, born in Dover, N. H., Nov. 4, 1838, died
in Boston, Jan. 15, 1882.
Children :
i. Alice E.,^ b. May 28, 1857 ; living in Englewood, 111. ; m.
Coyle.
ii. Susie, b. Feb. 12, 1862 ; living in Englewood ; m. Hall.
424
JuDSON Luther^ Bent {Lnther,'' Experience,^ John, ^ Joseph,*'
Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^^ was born in Watertown, Mass., Dec.
13, 1843. He enlisted Sept. 19, 1862, for nine months in Co. K,
5th Mass. Infantry. He has been in the carpet business in Waltham,
Mass., the dry goods business in Colorado Springs, Col., and at
present is mining in Oregon. He married, Nov. 15, 1876, Alice
Webster Eoberts, born Nov. 9, 1852, daughter of John and Mehi-
table Eoberts of Waltham.
BENT FAMILY. 231
Children, i. born in Waltham, ii. in Colorado Springs :
i. Roberts Judson,^ b. Aug. 14, 1877.
ii. Alsa Edith, b. April 1, 1881.
425
Herbert Francis^ Bent {Luther,'' Experience,^ John,^ Jo-
seph,* Experience,'^ Joseph,^ Johyi^) was born in 1846 in Water-
town, Mass., where he owns and manages the furniture business es-
tablished by his father in 1836. He has been Sunday School super-
intendent in the Baptist church for many years. He married first,
Sept. 3, 1873, Laura, daughter of Nathaniel and Sarah (Cum-
mings) Monroe of Newton, Mass. She died Sept. 15, 1884, as. 35
years, 3 months, without issue. He married second, Nov. 14, 1888,
Mary Luella Woodburn, born in Windham, Vt., daughter of Samuel
C. and Mary Woodburn.
Children of Herbert F. and Mary, both born in Watertown :
i. WiNTHROP Herbert,^ b. July 29, 1892.
ii. Laurence Woodburn, b. Aug. 16, 1894.
Daniel Chandler® Bent (Otis,'' William,^ John,' Joseph,*
Exjjerience,^ Joseph,^ John^^ was born in Paris, Me., Nov. 18,
1821, and is living in Oshkosh, Wis,, where his sign reads "Land
and Loans." He married first, Harriet Hamlet of Pembroke, N. H. ;
married second, Nov. 13, 1851, Arabella Rawson Holmes of South
Paris, Me.
Children, i. and ii. born in Manchester, N. H., iii., iv. and v. in
Oshkosh, Wis. :
i. Virgil Chandler,^ b. 1852; d. 1854.
ii. Frances Eugenia, b. Feb. 16, 1854; m. Dr. Hiram Keyes
Jillson of New London, Wis. ; six children,
iii. Stella Louise, b. Nov. 4, 1857 ; d. Sept. 7, 1881.
iv. Arabella Chandler, b. April 26, 1859 ; living in Seattle,
Wash. ; m. Fred W. Stroud of Oshkosh, Wis. ; four children.
V. George Chandler, b. May 16, 1860; living in Ogden, Utah,
where he is in the wholesale paint, oil and glass business ; m.
. March 7, 1891, Myrtle Wylie of Merrill, Wis. Two children,
b. in Ogden: 1. Winifred,''^ b. Nov. 1, 1893. 2. Wylie
■ Chandler, b. May 17, 1896.
427
Orren Webster* Bent (Otis,'' William,^ John,^ Joseph,*
Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^^, merchant, was born in Paris, Me.,
Jan. 31, 1824, and is living in Minneapolis, Minn., where he located
15
232 BENT FAMILY.
in 1890. He married first, Mary Morse of South Paris, Me., who
died April 19, 1883 ; married second, Edna O. Brooks of Peters-
burg, N. Y.
Children, i. born in (South) Paris, Me., ii. in Chelsea, Mass.,
iii. to vi. in Portland, Me. :
i. Louisa M.,^ b. Jan. 21, 1848 ; living in Minneapolis, Minn. ; m-
June 27, 1866, Charles E. Richardson of Paris, Me., b. Sept.
26, 1845.
ii. Otis Morse, b. May 26, 1850; merchant; d. in So. Paris, Me.,
June 16, 1881.
iii. Mary Ella, b. Oct. 13, 1853; living in Minneapolis; m.
George F. Wescott.
iv. Sarah Lizzie, b. 1855 ; d. 1856.
V. Lillian H., b. May 6, 1858 ; living unm. in Minneapolis,
vi. Anna Chandler, b. March 5, 1860; living in Chelsea, Mass.^;
m. Freeman G. Crommett, a Boston lawyer.
John A.^ Bent {Oren,'' William,^ John,^ JosepJi,'^ Expe-
rience,^ Joseph,^ John}) was born in Harrison, Maine, Sept. 8,
1839, and is living in Mapleton, Utah. Most of his life up to
the breaking out of the Civil War was spent on a farm. May 1,
1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 5th Maine Vols., and served in this
regiment and in the 4th U. S. Cavalry for six years. For the first
sixteen months he was under McClellan in the Army of the Potomac
and afterwards under Gen. Thomas in the southwest. He took
part in the battles of Bull Run, Seven Days Battle on the Potomac,
Stone Piver, C^hattanooga, Chicamauga and Nashville. He was
captured at Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864, and confined in differ-
ent prisons — Andersonville, Okalona and Meridian — until the close
of the war, after which he was in service in Texas subduing the Co-
manche Indians, until May, 1867. After a few years in Philadelphia
and Boston, he moved in 1874 to Colorado, where he remained,
stock-raising until 1893, when he removed to Utah, where he is still
engaged in farming and stock-raising. He married Jan. 18, 1876,
in Denver, Col., Helen T., dau. of Andrew and Phoda Burnette
Hevener of Piver Bend, Col.
Children, i. born in Denver, Col., ii. to iv. in Hugo, Col, :
i. Blanche M.,^ b. March 23, 1879.
ii. Joseph Rose, b. Dec. 3, 1880.
iii. Caroline A., b. Oct. 17, 1882.
iv. John A^ A, b. Aug. 20, 1889.
* Eeceived too late to be properly numbered. See page 166.
BENT FAMILY. 233
428
William Edwin® Bent ( William,^ William,'^ John,^ Joseph,*
Sxperience,^ Joseph,^ Johv}^ was born in (West) Paris, Me.,
July 10, 1838, and is living in Abrams, Wis. In April, 1865, he
moved to Wisconsin, where he cleared the farm he now occupies
near Green Bay. His winters have been spent lumbering in the
extensive forests in the northern part of his adopted State. He
married. May 29, 1856, Lucy Ann, daughter of William Knowles
of Lowell, Mass.
Children, i. to iii. born in West Paris, Me., and the others in
Abrams, Wis. :
470t i. Charles Augustus,^ b. Aug. 18, 1857.
ii. Ella Susan, b. April 12, 1859 ; living in Waukegan, 111. ; m.
Aug. 13, 1886, Dr. Arthur Radcliffe, formerly of Portland,
Me. One son, Arthur Edward,^'^ b. in Bushnell, 111., Aug. 7,
1889.
471. iii. George Henry, b. Feb. 20, 1862.
iv. William E., b. and d. 1868.
V. Horace Waldron, b. May 12, 1870 ; living unm. at State Line,
Wis. Is associated with his brother Charles in the manage-
ment of an extensive hunting and fishing resort,
vi. Edwin Lester, b. .Jan. 9, 1874 ; living unm. at Abrams, Wis.,
where he carries on his father's farm,
vii. Walter Herbert, b. Aug. 31, 1878 ; living at State Line,
Wis.
429
Ira Cook® Bent (Asahel,'' Zenas,^ John,^ Joseph,* Experience,^
Joseph,'^ John^), iron moulder, was born in Middleboro', Mass.,
Aug. 19, 1820, and died in Carver, Mass., Dec. 27, 1889. He
married, May 16, 1847, Sally Murdock Shaw, born in Carver, Aug.
9, 1826, still living.
Children, both born in Carver :
i. Ellen Frances,^ b. April 6, 1849 ; living in Carver, Mass. ;
m. Nov. 15, 1869, Philander J. Holmes. Two children: 1,
Mabel Warrev}'^ Holmes, b. July 28, 1872. 2. Jesse Allen
Holmes, b. Dec. 30, 1886.
ii. Nathaniel Warren, b. Oct. 29, 1850; d. June 13, 1857.
480
Norman Hammond® Bent (^Alexander,'' Elhanah,^ Joseph,^
Joseph,* Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^), master mariner, was born
in Sandford, N. S., in April, 1843, and died in Yarmouth, N. S.,
Nov. 14, 1895, on his silver wedding day, je. 52. He sailed for
his father-in-law for many years, then for Hon. L. E. Baker, and
234 BENT FAMILY.
last for G. M. Steeves of Liverpool, Eng. He was part owner of
the steel ship " Sofala." He married, Nov. 14, 1870, Lalia F.,
daughter of Captain Aaron Goudey. ^
Children, all born in Yarmouth, N. S. :
i. Aknold Clinton,^ b. June 15, 1874.
ii. Eva Mildred, b. March 11, 1877.
iii. Rot Kenneth, b. Sept. 10, 1881.
431
Elkanah* Bent {Charles,'' Ulkanah,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ Ex-
perience,^ Joseph,^ Johri^), electrical engineer, was born at Long
Island, Digby County, N. S., Jan. 3, 1855, and is living at Bear
Kiver, N. S. He married, April 2, 1879, Lizzie B. Terry of
Gloucester, Mass.
Children :
i. Mabel L.,^ b. June 7, 1880.
ii. Bertie, b. March 13, 1882.
iii. Edith N., b. April 12, 1884.
iv. Charles S., b. June 9, 1886.
V. Percy C, b. Feb. 12, 1888.
vi. Eva J., b. Nov. 29, 1890. '
vii. Dykeman a., b. April 4, 1892.
viii. Marion H., b. June 1, 1894.
432
Joseph Almon* Bent {Joseph,'' William,^ William,^ Joseph,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^), travelling salesman for the Watertown
Wagon Company, was born June 28, 1852, in Thompsonville, Conn.,
where he still makes his home. He married, Nov. 1, 1875, Ellen
E. Duncan of Thompsonville, who died Aug. 15, 1889.
Children, all born in Thompsonville :
i. Josephine E.,^ b. Aug. 15, 1876; m. September, 1896, her
father's cousin, Merrill N. Bent [q.v.).
ii. Warren D., b. June 5, 1879.
iii. Fannie E., b. 1882 ; d. 1883.
iv. C. Almon, b. Dec. 25, 1885.
433
Charles Henry* Bent {Charles G.,'' William,^ William,^
Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,' John^) was born in Dorchester, Boston,
Mass., March 28, 1858; living in Graceland, N. J. (Westfield
P. O.) ; a diamond cutter in New York City. He married, June
20, 1883, Alice Borden Vanderveer of Jersey City, N. J., born Oct.
24, 1861.
BENT FAMILY. 235
Children :
i. Laura Estelle,® b. Aug. 2, 1885.
ii. Charles, b. Feb. 1, 1889.
iii. Annie Haight, b. Feb. 25, 1891.
484
James Stuaet* Bent {Nathaniel^'' James,^ William,^ Joseph,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John}) was born in Canton, Mass., Jan. 27,
1857 ; living in Allston, Boston, Mass. While still in his teens,
he went to work in his uncle's oil store, Bent & Hawkes, Broad
Street, Boston; in 1880, he moved to Boston, and five years later
became a member of the firm. Since the death of his uncle, in
1893, he has carried on the business alone ; the firm, estabhshed in
1870, was originally Bent, Crane & Co. He married, Nov. 25,
1880, Lydia Ella, daughter of David and Ellen Frances (Hendrick-
8on) Connery of Boston.
Children, all born in Boston :
i. James Stuart,^ b. Sept. 25, 1881 ; was a major in the Boston
School Cadets, 1898-99 ; prepared for college at Boston Latin
School, and entered Harvard in September, 1899.
ii. Amelia Guild, b. May 11, 1883.
iii. Paul Stanley, b. May 17, 1886; d. Aug. 4, 1886.
iv. Gertrude, b. July 31, 1887.
435
John® Bent {Calvin G.,'' Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,^ Joseph,^
Joseph,^ Johm}) died in October, 1895; lived at Jacquet River,
N. B., until 1892, when he moved to Moncton, N. B. He mar-
ried Sarah Barnes of Woodpoint, N. B., granddaughter of Jacobina®
(Bent) Ayer (§'. v.).
Children :
i. Calvin,® d. in infancy.
ii. Augusta, m. John S. Rayworth of the Customs Office, Moncton,
N. B. Two children : 1. Ruhy}'' 2. Hazel. -'
436
Maetes[^ Bent {Calvin G.,"^ Martin,^ Jesse,^ Johi,* Joseph,^
Joseph,'' John^), farmer, was born in Salem, N. S., where he still
lives. He married Margaret Black, granddaughter of Cynthia*
(Bent) Oxley (q.v.).
Children :
i. Byron A.,® living in Bridgewater, N. S.
ii. Calvin Gay, machinist ; living in Lynn, Mass, ; m. Miss Doyle ;
one child.
236 BENT FAMILY.
iii. Fred N., farmer ; living in Salem, N. S.
iv. John Frazer, living in California ; m. Miss Bulmer ; one child.
V. Martin Seaman.
437
George Robinson^ Bent {James F./ Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,'^
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Jolit^^ was born in King's County, N. S., Jan.
28, 1831 ; living in San Jose, Cal. He was a house builder in
Boston for a few years ; retui-ning to the Provinces, he located in
St. John, N. B., and began the manufacture of the Bent pianos and
organs, which he continued until 1886, when he removed to San
Jose, where he is now a dealer in pianos and organs. He married,
May 31, 1860, Mary Lorrilliard of Cornwallis, N. S., born May
28, 1841.
Children, i. and ii. born in Nova Scotia, iii. to ix. born in St. John,
N. B. :
i. Edith Maude,® b. April 22, 1861 ; has lived in San Jose, Cal.5
since 1888; m. in St. John, N. B., Vincent Hunt, grocer.
Three children : 1. George Walter}^ 2. Harold Gilbert. 3.
Edith Maude.
ii. Elinor May, b. May 2, 1863; living in San Jose ; m. June,
1888, Frank L. Argall, dentist. Five children : 1. Gladys
Mary.^^ 2. Frances George. 3. Charles James Gladstone. 4.
Clarence Byron. 5. Claude Romaine.
iii. Mary Theresa, b. July 12, 1865 ; living in San Jose ; m. June
1, 1889, George Howard Anderson. One child, George
Howard.^'^
iv. Alice Lorrilliard, b. April 21, 1867; living in San Jose;
m. 1890, James E. Trueman, M.D. Two children: 1. Aleta
Dorothy}^ 2. Marjorie Alice Amelia.
V. Eva Bertha (twin), b. June 2, 1872 ; d. Dec. 15, 1872.
vi. Lena Blanche (twin), b. June 2, 1872; d. Dec. 15, 1872.
vii. Annie Lillian, b. Dec. 5, 1874.
viii. Lena Louise, b. March 12, 1877.
ix. George Robinson Lorne, b. Aug. 12, 1879.
James Martin® Bent {John,'' MmHin,^ Jesse,^ John,* Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^) was born on the old Bent homestead in the town
of Fort Lawrence, Cumberland County, N. S., Aug. 28, 1838, and
is living at Salina, in central Kansas. In 1852 the family home was
transferred to Port Elgin, Westmoreland County, N. B., where a
few years later he succeeded his father in business. There he re-
mained until February, 1871, when he left for Kansas, locating first
in Crawford County, at a little station on the Fort Scott & Gulf
BENT FAMILY. 237
R. R. called Farlington, about seven miles north of Girard, the
county-seat. Two years and a half later he sold his stock and
mercantile lines and moved to Girard, where he was secretary of a
milling company for two years and a half. After this, he engaged
in the grocery business at Girard for a short time, but his health
failing, he travelled as book agent for a year, at the end of which
time he located at Anthony, in Harper County, Kansas, where he
was engaged about two years in running the City Hotel. When
the Farmers Loan and Trust Company of Anthony was organized,
he became secretary, and acted in that capacity as long as the com-
pany existed, six years, at the expiration of which time he took
charge of the Hotel Montezuma in Anthony. This he managed
successfully for three years or more, then sold his interests and
moved in October, 1892, to Salina, Kansas, where he took the
National Hotel, the management of which still engages his atten-
tion. He married first, Feb. 23, 1857, Elizabeth Barnes, who died
in Port Elgin, N. B., Feb. 24, 1869; married second, June 21,
1870, Cynthia Bertha Barnes, a younger sister of his first wife.
Children of James M. and Elizabeth, i, born in Westcock, N. B.,
the others in Port Elgin, N. B. :
i. George Botsford,^ b. May 4, 1858 ; m. in the fall of 1886,
Mrs. Alice Payton of Ash Fork, Arizona, where he had lived
for several years ; since 1894, he has resided at Cripple Creek,
CoL, where he is interested in mines, and is street commis-
sioner of the city ; no children.
ii. Alfred Ernest, b. Aug. 12, 1862; living in Lamar, Col.,
where he is manager of the Lamar Electric Light Co., besides
being in the irrigation and land brokerage business ; has been
mayor of the city ; m. first, Dec. 19, 1888, Alice Maude Black,
who d. Sept. 24, 1893; m. second, March 16, 1895, in Den-
ver, Col., Edith Isabel Stanley. One child by the first mar-
riage, l)o7iald Earl,^'^ b. Nov. 23, 1890.
iii. John William, b. Nov. 23, 1864; living in Lamar; is serving
his second term as county treasurer of Bent County, Col. ; m.
Dec. 19, 1894, at Trinidad, Col., Grace Allen Thompson.
One child, Dorothy Lois,'^^ b. Sept. 25, 1895, at Lamar.
iv. Victoria May, b. May 24, 1868; living in Salina, Kansas;
m. June 28, 1899, Julius Carl Fritchie, a commercial traveller
for the Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis, Mo.
Children of James M. and Cynthia B., i. born in Farlington,
Kansas, ii. in Girard, Kansas :
i. Elizabeth Cecilia,^ b. Oct. 31, 1871 ; living in Anthony,
Kansas ; m. Nov. 24, 1897, Philip Gordon Walton, banker, a
native of Massachusetts.
ii. Laura Josephine, b. Sept. 22, 1874; living in Kansas City,
Mo. ; m. Sept. 26, 1894, Alexander Massey, of the firm of
Bonniwell, Calvin & Massey, wholesale hardware merchants.
238 BENT FAMILY.
439
Arthur Wellsley^ Bent {John,'' Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^), light-house keeper, born at Fort Law-
rence, N. S., Dec. 20, 1843; Hving in Bayfield, N. S. He mar-
ried first. May 18,1868, Mary Noonan of Bayfield, who died May
8, 1888 ; married second, June 17, 1890, Mrs. Charlotte Ann
(Baker) Allen.
Children by the first marriage :
i. Arthur Perc^ b. Feb. 25, 1869.
ii. Charles Mariner, b. Feb. 14, 1871 ; d. March 20, 1894, se. 23.
iii. Kate Mary, b. May 1, 1876.
iv. Amy Cecilia, b. Aug. 16, 1880.
Calvin Trueman^ Bent (John,'' Martin,^ Jesse,^ John,* Jo-
seph,^ Joseph,^ John^^ was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S., Aug.
6, 1848 ; living in New Glasgow, N. S. He married, Dec. 4, 1872,
Lucy Morrison Hamilton of Port Elgin, N. B.
Children :
i. Adelaide Cecilia,^ b. Sept. 23, 1874.
ii. Fredericka Hallett, b. May 14, 1877.
iii. Alice Maud, b. April 6, 1879.
iv. Harold Ullathorne, b. May 24, 1890.
V. Charles Claudius, b. June 30, 1892.
441
EuFUS Freeman* Bent (William I^.,'' Jesse,^ Jesse, ^ John*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born in Amherst, N. S., Dec. 26,
1825 ; died in Pugwash, N. S., Oct. 6, 1878, ae. 52. He married,
June 20, 1852, Margaret Garnett Ellen, eldest daughter of Peter
Stubs, barrister-at-law, of St. John, N. B.
Children, born in Pugwash, N. S. :
i. Mary Garnett,^ b. and d. 1853.
ii. Walter Stubs, b. 1854; d. 1857.
472. iii. Barry Dickey, b. April 20, 1857.
iv. John Inglis, b. Jan. 20, 1860; of the firm of Moran & Bent,
merchants, Amherst, N. S. ; m. at Dorchester, N. B., Oct. 29,
1885, Amanda, dau. of Benjamin Moran ; one son, b. Oct. 8,
1893.
442
Blair Botsford* Bent (Torrey,'' Jesse,^ Jesse,^ John,* Jo-
seph,^ Joseph,^ John^), farmer, was born at Fort Lawrence, N. S.,
BENT FAMILY. 239
where he still lives on the old Bent farm. He married, Jan. 4,
1876, Emma, daughter of George Trenholm.
Children, all born at Fort Lawrence, N. S. :
i. Arthur Allen,^ b. Jan. 28, 1877.
ii. Ethel Jean, b. March 28. 1880.
iii. Gksner Torrey, b. Nov. 16, 1882.
iv. George B., b. March 21, 1885.
V. Bessie M. A., b. Aug. 4, 1890.
443
George Hibbard* Bent (William TF.,^ John,^ John,^ John,'^
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ JoJui^^, farmer, was born in Brookdale, N. S.,
May 11, 1853 ; living in Delta, British Columbia. He married,
June 9, 1887, Helen Jane Forrest.
Children :
i. Vesta Vaughn.^
ii. Elwood Steele.
iii. Raymond.
iv. Lloyd Forrest.
444
Mariner Samuel^ Bent ( William White,'' Jolm,° John,^
John,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ Johv}), farmer, born Sept. 27, 1859, in
Brookdale, N. S., where he is still living. He married first, Jan.
4, 1888, Ada D. Hills, who died June 27, 1890. He married
second, Sept. 26, 1894, Sarah D. Coates.
Child by first marriage, born in Nappan, N. S. :
i. Sidney William A. D.,^ b. Jmie 22, 1890.
445
Herbert® Bent {Albert A.,'' Adam,^ Ehenezer,^ EhenezeVy*
Josepli,^ Joseph,^ John}) was born in South Boston, Mass., Sept.
14, 1840, and is living in Dorchester, Boston, Mass. He enlisted
July 16, 1861, in the 13th Mass. Volunteers and served three years ;
was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness. For several years
has been transportation agent of the Merchants Despatch Trans-
portation Company in Boston. He married first, Georgie A., daugh-
ter of Oliver H. and Charlotte Downing. She died July 23, 1878,
8e. 34, and he married second, in October, 1878, Mattie E. Downing
of Boston.
Children, all born in Boston :
i. Edward Francis,^ b. Aug. 3, 1879 ; clerk for James S.^ Bent,
Boston.
ii. John Albert, b. June 5, 1881.
' iii. Marjorie Hood, b. May 8, 1891.
240 BENT FAMILY.
446
George Conway* Bent {George U.,''Adam,^ Ebenezer,^ Ehen-
ezer,^ Joseph,^ Josejjh,^ John^) was born in South Boston, Mass.,
July 11, 1844, and is living in Harrisburg, Pa., where he is con-
nected with the Pennsylvania R. P. He prepared for college at
Boston Latin School, and graduated from Harvard in 1866. He
married, Dec. 12, 1872, Ellen Rutherford Forster of Harrisburg,
daughter of Gen. John Forster.
Child :
i. Elizabeth Conway,^ b. May 21, 1874.
Cornelius Conway Felton** Bent ( George E.,'' Adam,^ Ehen-
ezer,^ Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ John^) was born in South
Boston, Mass., July 3, 1849, and is living in Philadelphia, Pa.
He moved to Philadelphia in 1861 with his parents and prepared for
college, but on account of poor health did not go. After studying
engineering, he was employed surveying railroads in Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Massachusetts for some years, but in
June, 1875, entered the service of the Pennsylvania R. P., holding
various positions in the operating department until 1882, when he
took service with the New York & New England R. R. in Boston,
remaining until January, 1884. Since then, he has been superin-
tendent of various western lines, with head quarters first at Cincin-
nati, but now in Philadelphia, where he is superintendent of the
Philadelphia Division and general agent of the Baltimore & Ohio
R. R. He married, March 29, 1894, Nettie L. Johnston of Louis-
ville, Ky., daughter of Robei't Andrew and Emma Lewis Johnston.
Child, born in Philadelphia, Pa. :
i. Maktha Felton,^ b. Aug. 11, 1895.
448
William* Bent {Samuel,'^ JSTedabiah,^ Samuel,' Ebenezer,*
Josep)h,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born in Nova Scotia in 1815. He
married first, Mary Durland ; married second, Kezia Whitney.
Children :
i. Joseph,^ m. Emma .
ii. Amelia, m. Rowland Hines.
4ii. Samuel, m. Mary E. Marshall.
iv. Aakon, d. unm.
V. Phebe, m. John O'Neil.
vi. Sarah Eleanor, m. John Foster.
vii. Margaret, m. Edward C. Banks.
BENT FAMILY. 241
449
Nedabiah^ Bent (^8amuel,'' Nedabiali,^ Samuel,^ JSbenezer,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Johit^) was born in Nova Scotia in 1827, and is
living in Bridgewater, N. S. He married first, Ann Longdale ;
married second, Mrs. Mary (Early) Leadbetter.
Children of Nedabiah and Ann :
i. Samuel,^ m. Lavinia O'Neil.
ii. Josephine, m. Nelson Morrill.
ill. Elizabeth, m. Andi^ew B. Swinson.
Child of Nedabiah and Mary :
i. Grace Makch.^
450
Henry Farin^ Bent (Jesse,'^ JSTedabiah,^ Samuel,^ Ehenezei\^
Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ Jo/ui^), farmer, was born in Aylesford, N. S.,
March 26, 1839, and died in Aylesford in 1885. He married, Jan.
1, 1872, Rebecca Robinson.
Children :
i. Henry Ross,^ b. and d. 1875.
ii. Edward Ernest, b. Feb. 11, 1877.
iii. George Upham, b. Dec. 11, 1878.
iv. Samuel S., d. young.
451
Joseph^ Bent (^Ezehiel,'^ Nedabiah,^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer,'^ Jo-
seph,^ Joseph,^ John^^, farmer, was born in 1838, in Mt. Hanley,
Annapolis County, N. S. He married, in 1863, Jane .
Children :
i.
Henrt.^
ii.
William.
iii.
Gilbert.
iv.
George.
V.
John.
vi.
Sarah.
vii.
Edward.
452
James E.^ Bent {Charles Grandison,"^ Seth,^ Saymiel,^ Ehen-
ezer,'*' Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^), farmer, was born in Springfield,
N. S., in 1849, and is living in Bridgeton, Me. He married Mary-
Gates.
Children :
i. Melbourne,^ d. .
242 BENT FAMILY.
ii. Freeman, d.
iii. Hattie.
And others.
453
Joseph F.® Bent (^Charles Grandison,'' Setk,^ Samuel,^ Eben^
ezer,* Joseph,'^ Joseph,^ John^) was born about 1850, in Spring-
field, N. S., where he still resides. He married Emma Gates.
Children :
i. Ralph.®
ii. Adelbeet R., d. .
iii. Fred, d.
iv. Harriet L., d. .
V. WiLBERT E.., d. :
vi. William Allison.
454
John Ahbeet^ Bent (J". Harris^'' John,^ Samuel,^ Ehenezer,'^
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^^, farmer, was born in 1862, in Granville,
N. S., where he still lives. He married his second cousin, Ermina,
daughter of Captain Jacob Fritz^ Bent of Granville. (See p. 199.)
Children :
i. Hazel,® b. 1890.
ii. Harold, b. 1891.
iii. Harris, b. 1894.
455
George Appleton^ Bent {George,"^ Lemuel,^ JSFedahiah,^
Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,"^ Joh'n}) was born in 1834 in Quincy,
Mass., where he still lives. He enlisted June 13, 1861, for three
years in Co. E, 7th Mass. Infantry, and was transferred Sept. 12,
1^63, to Veteran Reserve Corps. He married, Feb. 21, 1856,
Susan M., daughter of Nathaniel Prouty.
Children , all born in Quincy :
i. Hannah Elizabeth,® b. March. 4, 1857 ; living in Wollaston,
Quincy, Mass. ; m. April 2, 1874, Frank LaForrest Merrill,
son of William T. Five children.-
ii. James C. E. H., b. May 28, 1858 ; living in WoUaston. He
m. Rebecca Clark White. One child, Carrie Bradford^" Bent.
iii. Sarah Hall, b. May 9, 1860.
456
William Harrison* Bent {George,'' Lemuel,^ JSfedahiah,^
Ebenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born in Quincy, Mass.,
Jan. 28, 1840, and died in Boston, Mass., June 9, 1885, as. 45. He
BENT FAMILY. 243
enlisted, May 1, 1861, in Co. K, 5th Mass. Infantry, Col. Samuel C.
Lawrence ; re-enlisted, Oct. 1, 1861, for three years in Co. B, 24th
Mass. Infantry, and served throughout the war; became corporal
Dec. 19, 1863. After the close of the war he located in Boston as
a manufacturer of parlor furniture; from 1869 to 1877 the sign
read Bent & Peasley ; during most of this time he lived in Charles-
town. He married Emma B. Josselyn, daughter of Elisha and
Abby (Standish) Josselyn of Pembroke, Mass. Mrs. Bent and
her daughters are living in Boston.
Children, i. born in Pembroke, ii. in Charlestown, iii. in Quincy :
i. Addie Harrison.^
ii. Etta Standish.
iii. LuRA Marion.
457
John QumcT^ Bent (^George,'' Lemuel,^ JSFedahiah,^ Ebeneze7',*
Joseph,'^ Joseph,'^ Johyi^) was born in Quincy, Mass., Jan. 16,
1842, and is living in Quincy. He enlisted, June 13, 1861, for
three years in Co. H, 11th Mass. Infantry. He married, in Boston,
Lucretia Sherman.
Children, all born in Quincy :
i. George Sherman,^ b. Jan. 15, 1867; living in Avon, Mass.
Two children,
ii. Harriet M., b. 1869 ; d. 1870.
iii. Nellie M., b. Oct. 16, 1871; living in Middleboro', Mass.;
m. Nichols. Two children.
458
Samuel Bartlett^ Bent ( George,'' Lemuel,^ JSTedabiah,^ Ehen-
ezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,"^ John^) was born Sept. 15, 1846, in
Quincy, Mass., where he died March 20, 1875. He married, March
26, 1865, Eunice B. Hall, who is still living in Quincy, daughter
of John and Sarah Ann (Blanchard) Hall :
Children, both born in Quincy :
i. John Hall,^ b. Aug. 26, 1866 ; living unm. in Quincy ; clerk
in the Roxbury post office ; has been connected with the
Boston post office since 1890.
ii. Winifred G., b. 1869; d. 1871.
459
James I.^ Bent {Isaac,'' Lemuel,^ JSFedahiah,^ Ebenezer,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born Oct. 23, 1834, in Braintree,
Mass., and is living in Brooklin, Me., which has been his home
aince he was seven years old; served a brief term in the U. S.
244 BENT FAMILY.
Navy during the Civil War. He married, Sept. 26, 1858, Doro-
thy Cunningham.
Child, born in Brooklin :
i. Ralph E.,^ b. Aug. 7, 18-66.
John Marden^ Bent {Samuel B.,^ Isaac, ^ Nedahiali,^ Eben,
eser,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^^ was born in New Sharon, Me.-
Sept. 1, 1830, and died in Vienna, Me., April 4, 1894; moved
from Monmouth, Me. to Vienna, in June, 1867. He married first,
Oct. 26, 1856, Susanna Towle of Monmouth, who died in June,
1860. He married second, April 2, 1862, Louisa M. Sanborn of
Vienna, who is living at Mt. Vernon, Me.
Children, i. born in Monmouth, ii. and iii. in Vienna :
i. Nellie A.,® b. June 10, 1864; m. June, 1884, Hermon Heally
of Mt. Vernon, Me. Four children,
ii. George M., b. July 10, 1870; farmer; living at Mt. Vernon,
Me. ; m. May, 1895, Blanche White of Vienna, Me.
iii. John W., b. July 18, 1875 ; living uum. at Mt. Vernon, Me.
461
Elbridge Graves^ Bent {Samuel B.,'' Isaac,^ Nedabiah,^
Bhenezer,^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^^, farmer, was born in New
Sharon, Me., Feb. 11, 1832; moved 1868 from Vienna, Me.,
where he had resided since 1851, to North Monmouth, Me., where
he is still living. He married, Nov. 4, 1856, Nancy Sanborn of
Vienna.
Child, born in Vienna :
i. Horace S.,^ b. Aug. 30, 1857 ; living in Monmouth Centre,
Me., where he is station agent for the Maine Central R. R. ;
m. in 1880, Ehona M. Foss of North Monmouth, Me. One
child, Carroll W."^"
462
Isaac Appleton^ Bent {Samuel B.,'' Isaac,^ Nedabiah,^ Ehen-
ezer,'^ Joseph,^ Joseph,'^ John^^ was born in New Sharon, Me.,
Nov. 20, 1836, and is living in Bowler, Carbon Co., Montana ; saw
service in the Civil War ; lived in Vienna, Monmouth and Abbot,
Me., until August, 1876, when he removed to Nebraska. He mar-
ried. May, 1859, Mary Brown of Vienna.
Children :
i. Fred L.,® b. September, 1860; blacksmith; living in Lincoln,
Neb. ; m. and has two children,
ii. Emma M., b. March, 1865 ; living in Kearney, Neb. ; m. Rollin
Orcutt.
BENT FAMILY. 245
iii. WiLBERT S., b. December, 1869.
iv. Clarence D., b. December, 1869.
V. Wallace A., b. March, 1874.
463
JosiAH^ Bent (Josiah,'' Josiah,^ John,^ Ebenezer,^ Joseph,^
Joseph,^ John^) was born in Weymouth, Mass., Aug. 2, 1825,
and died Nov. 9, 1863, in Kenosha, Wis., where he had been princi-
pal of the high school. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861,
he enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, and became a lieutenant ;
while stationed at Helena, Ark., he was attacked with malarial
dysentery, which caused his death ; his remains were brought East
and now lie in the family tomb at Milton, Mass. " His blameless
character and wonderful fitness for a cavalry officer would have
placed him high in rank had he lived," says the historian of Milton.
He married, Sept. 10, 1855, Elizabeth D. Bacon of Newton, Mass.,
who was born in Washington, N. H., 1832, daughter of Hezekiah
P. Bacon. She lived only a few years after her marriage.
464
Henry Kirk White ^ Bent {Josiah,'' Josiah,^ John,^ Ubetieze?-*,
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born in Weymouth, Mass., Oct. 29,
1831, and is living in Southern California, which has been his home
since 1868 ; moved to California in 1858. He is President of Board
of Trustees of Pomona College, Claremont, Cal. He married first,
in 1852, Jennie A. Crawford, who was born in Oakham, Mass.,
Dec. 7, 1834, and died in Los Angeles, Cal., Dec. 30, 1876. He
married second, in 1878, Martha Stevens Fairman, who was born
in Plattsburg, N. Y., April 28, 1853.
Children of Henry K. W. and Jennie, i. born in Kenosha, Wis.,
ii. in Downieville, Cal., iii. in Los Angeles, Cal. :
i. Florence Pauline,^ b. Jan. 17, 1855 ; living in Smartville,
Yuba Co., Cal.; m. Nov. 6, 1877, Willard G. Halstead of
Rome, N. Yw One child, Pauline,^'' d. fe. 5.
ii. Arthur Samuel, b. April 25, 1863 ; living in Los Angeles,
Cal.
iii. Henry Stanley, b. Jan. 15, 1873 ; living in Claremont, Cal.
Children of Henry K. W. and Martha, both born in Los Ange-
les, Cal. :
i. Charles Ed wiN,^ b. Sept. 15, 1879; a student in Pomona
College (1899).
ii. Ernest Fairman, b. Nov. 1, 1882.
246 BENT FAMILY.
465
Thacher Tucker^ Rent {Josiah,'' Josiah,^ Jolin^^ Ehenezer,*
Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Johti^^ was born in Weymouth, Mass., Sept. 4,
1833, and is living in Oglesby, 111. He left Massachusetts for the
West in 1854 and for five years v^^as engaged in railroad surveying
in Southeastern Wisconsin. In 1859 he settled in Kenosha, Wis.,
and engaged in different manufacturing enterprises until October,
1867, when he removed to Oglesby, 111., to engage in the coal min-
ing business. The Oglesby Coal Co., of which he is president and
general manager, is now owned by him and his sons exclusively.
He married first, Sept. 12, 1861, at Stirling, 111., Florence Gene-
vieve Dana, who was born in West Wheeling, 111., Sept. 12, 1842,
and died in Oglesby, April 16, 1873. He married second, Oct. 1,
1874, at La Salle, 111., Mrs. Alice Sisson (Blish) Yeats, who was
born at Griswold's Landing, Mo., Jan. 8, 1842.
Children of Thacher T. and Florence G., i. and ii. born in
Kenosha, Wis., iii. in Oglesby :
i. Edward Thacher,® Jan. 20, 1863; 'living unm. in Oglesby,
111. ; superintendent of the Oglesby Coal Co.
ii. Henry Albert, b. July 2, 1866 ; living in Oglesby, III. ; secre-
tary of the Oglesby Coal Co. ; m. Sept. 20, 1895, at Jackson-
ville, 111., Josephine Louise Roberts, who was b. at Tremont,
111., Sept. 3, 1869. One child, George Roherts,'^^ b. at Oglesby,
Jan. 4, 1898.
iii. Florence Dana, b. Sept. 15, 1871 : hving unm. in Oglesby, 111.
Children of Thacher T., by second marriage, both born in
Oglesby :
i. JosiAH Raymond,® b. Jan. 3, 1877 ; is connected with Oglesby
Coal Co.
ii. Alice Pauline, b. June 6,^1878.
466
George Henry^ Bent {Samuel T.,^ Josiah,^ John,^ Ehen-
ezer,"^ Joseph,^ Joseph,^ John}) was born Aug. 21, 1843, in Milton,
Mass., where he still lives in the town that has been the home of his
ancestors for two hundred years ; his family is the only one of the
name now left there. For many years he worked for the old cracker
firm of Bent & Co., the management of which had gone out of the
Bent family. June 6, 1892, he and two other gentlemen, John F.
Merrill of Quincy, and Charles A. Griggs of Milton, formed the
firm of G. H. Bent & Co., and their cold-water crackers are already
well and favorably known. He married, June 20, 1871, Edna S.,
daughter of James M. and Adelaide (Wilde) Hayden of Quincy.
She died in Milton, Dec. 17, 1895, £e. 44.
WILLIAM H, BENT, OF TAUNTON, MASS. ( PUSLiC
BENT FAMILY. 247
Children, all born in Milton :
i. Frances Ashton,^ b. Feb. 29, 1872 ; living in Milton ; m. June
30, 1892, John Leslie Carter. One child, Frances Madeline^^
Oarter.
ii. Anna Mabel, b. July 5, 1873 ; burned to death in Milton, Jan-
uary, 1898; m. Nov. 22, 1893, Charles Bradlee of Milton.
One child, Edna Louisa}'^ Bradlee.
iii. Arthur Preston, b. July 24, 1876; d. May 16, 1886.
iv. Gertrude Milton, b. Aug. 2, 1880,
V. Emeline Herset, b. July 15, 1882.
vi. Jesse Pierce, b. Dec. 2, 1883.
vii. Harvet, b. and d. June, 1885.
viii. George Franklin, b. May 7, 1886.
ix. Rot, b. Aug. 17, 1891.
Chaeles McIlyaine^ Bent {Nathaniel T.,'' Josiah,^ John,^
JiJhenezer,'^ Joseioh,^ Joseph,'^ John^) was born in New Bedford,
Mass., Oct. 5, 1835, and is living in Worcester, Mass., where he
has made his home since May, 1849, He has been for many years
treasurer of the Peoples Savings Bank, and one of the directors of
the Worcester County Musical Association. Since 1896 he has
been president of the latter. He is warden of All Saints' Epis-
copal church (of which his father was rector from 1849 to 1852)
and has been delegate to diocesan conventions many times. He
married, in 1867, Helen Maria, daughter of James L. and Helen
M, Kennedy of Milton :
Children, both born in Worcester :
i. Egbert Metcalf,^ b, July 21, 1870; d. young,
ii. Catherine Metcalp, b. Feb. 6, 1875.
468
William Henry^ Bent {Nathaniel T.,'' Josiah,^ John,^ Ehen-
eser,* Josejyh^^ Josejjh,^ John^) was born in Cambridge, Mass.,
Jan. 2, 1839, and is living in Taunton, Mass., where he has been
for many years treasurer of the Mason Machine Works, which
employs a thousand men in the manufacture of locomotives, machin-
ery, etc. In 1888, he was a delegate to the Republican National
Convention in Chicago; and in 1893 and 1894, president of the
Home Market Club of Massachusetts ; in February, 1899, he was
one of the committee of the latter organization delegated to me'fet
President McKinley and party on the occasion of their visit to Bos-
ton, Mr. Bent is warden of St. Thomas's Church and a frequent
member of diocesan conventions. He married first, June 14, 1865,
Harriet Fellows, daughter of Charles J. Hendee of Roxbury, Mass.
16
248 BENT FAMILY.
She died in Taunton, Feb. 21, 1873, ge. 27. He married second,
Jan, 30, 1885, Sarah E, Chesborough.
Children , all born in Taunton :
i. Arthur Cleveland,^ b. JSTov. 25, 1866; gradimted from Har-
vard College in 1889,
ii. Frederick Hendee, b. Feb. 16, 1869 ; graduated from Har-
vard College in 1889 ; d. in Taunton, Jan. 14, 1897.
iii. Charles, b. and d. 1873.
469
Edwaed Clarence^ Bent {Edivard Dexter, "^ John,^ John,^
Ehenezer,* Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Jokn^) w^as born in Fitzwilliam,,
N. H., Aug. 5, 1852, and is living in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.
He is a druggist, and secretary of the South Dakota State Phar-
maceutical Association ; has lived in Chicago, 111., Deadvvood, S. D.,
Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Sioux Falls, S. D. He married, May
8, 1878, Hannah Stillwell.
Children, both born in Deadwood, S. D. :
i. Lester Havves,® b. July 12, 1884.
ii. Mildred Ruth, b. Aug. 8, 1885.
NINTH GENERATION.
Charles Augustus^ Bent ( William E.,^ William,'' William,^
John,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^) was born in West
Paris, Me., Aug. 18, 1857; vv^ent to Wisconsin with his father in
1865 and now manages, with his brother Horace, a hunting and
fishing resort at Lake Mamie, twelve miles west of State Line post
office, in the heart of the forest in Northern Wisconsin, in an
exceedingly picturesque lake region, where big game still abounds.
He married, April 30, 1884, Elizabeth B. Twombly of Somerville,
Mass., daughter of Joseph and Susan.
Children, all born in Abrams, Wis. :
i. Austin Twombly,^° b. April, 1885.
ii. Elsie Fat, b. 1891.
iii. Mamie Oderon, b. 1894.
•
471
George Henry^ Bent {William E.,^ William,'' William,^
John,^ Joseph,'^ Experience,^ Joseph,^ John^^, farmer, was born
BENT FAMILY. 249
in West Paris, Me., Feb. 20, 1862 ; while yet in infancy went to
Wisconsin with his parents; since December, 1894, he has hved in
Santa x4.na, Cal. He married, July 1, 1885, Carrie M., daughter
of William Lee Stroud of Oshkosh, Wis.
Children, i. born in Abramsj Wis., ii. in Cucamonga, Cal. :
i. Cornelia Orissa,^° b. April 15, 1886.
ii. Amy Hermosa, b. July 9, 1889.
Baeet Dickey' Bent {Rufus F.,^ William F.,^ Jesse,^ Jesse,^
John,* Joseph,^ Josejjh,'^ John^) was born in Pugwash, N. S.,
April 20, 1857 ; living in Amherst, N. S., where he is in the whole-
sale and retail grocery business. He married, June 5, 1883, Sarah
Agnes Mowbray, youngest daughter of W. P. MoiFat, barrister, of
Amherst, N. S.
Children, all born in Amherst :
i. Ethel Mowbrat,i° b. Nov. 12, 1884.
ii. Barry Ernest, b. June 26, 1886.
iii. Flora Hazel, b. 1888 ; d. 1889.
iv. Mabel Winifred, b. June 21, 189-.
raCLASSlFIED MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
AveeyBent (1787-1830). Sept. 15, 1806, William Cutter,
ropemaker, of Boston, is appointed guardian of Avery Bent, minor,
son of Eiwin Bent, late of Boston, ship carpenter. July 2, 1813,
he married Eliza Hamson of Charlestown, a native of Salem. He
first appears in the Boston Directory in 1816 (none printed in 1814
and 1815) as a ropemaker on Pleasant Street. He died in Charles-
town, Mass., Sept. 13, 1830, te. 43, leaving a son —
Avery P. Bent (1812-1870), who was born in Charlestown,
but lived some years in Truro, Mass., where he had a son, Henry
H. Bradley Bent, born May 4, 1841, who probably died young.
Avery P. died in Boston, Aug. 25, 1870, ae. 57-10-15 (^. e. born
Oct. 10, 1812) and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dor-
chester. Occupation given as fish dealer. Only heirs seem to be
widow Sarah C. and daughter(?) Elizabeth H., wife of Ezra B.
Leonard.
Buckley Bent kept a dry goods store on Lindall Street (now
Exchange Place), Boston, in 1822 and 1823. He appears in the
directories of New York City from 1827 to 1833, and perhaps others.
Christopher Bent, grocer, New York City, 1827.
David Bent, Jr., merchant, Philadelphia, 1830.
Everett W. Bent, who is living in Winchester, N. H., Jonah
F. Bent who died there about 1887, and Lemuel Bent Jr., who
died in Northfield, Mass., Jan. 22, 1869, are all descendants, pre-
sumably, of Nathan* Bent, who settled in Winchester, N. H., in
1797.
George Whitfield Bent, son of Lewis and Sarah (Spinney)
Bent, and brother of Frances Emma Bent, wife of Nathan Web-
ster of Melrose, Mass., was born in Nova Scotia in 1845, and is
living in Hyde Park, Mass., which has been his home since 1872.
When six or seven years old he accompanied his mother to Marble-
head, Mass. At the age of seventeen, Sept. 15, 1862, he enlisted
in the 8th Mass. Infantry and for the succeeding nine months was
in service in North Carolina and Virginia. July 9, 1864, he re-en-
listed in Co. D, 5th Mass. Infantry, and served until Nov. 16,
1864. After the war he learned the upholstery trade in Salem and
Boston and for some years was in the employ of Haley, Morse &
Co., Boston. In the fall of 1881 he began the manufacture of
church cushions and mattresses in a small way, and gradually added
spring beds, folding beds, iron beds, etc., until now he is the largest
BENT FAMILY. 251
bed and bedding manufacturer in New England, with mills at Ossi-
pee and Moultonboro', N. H., a foundry at Everett, Mass., and
commodious warerooms on Causeway Street, Boston, opposite the
North Union Station. He married first, Jan. 20, 1870, Cath-
erine D. Tilley of Charlestown, who died Dec. 27, 1894. He
married second, Jan. 30, 1896, Elizabeth Wilson of Reading,
Mass., formerly of Nova Scotia.
Children by the first marriage, i. born in Charlestown, the others
in Hyde Park, Mass. :
i. Mart Stella, b. Oct. 23, 1870.
ii. Harry Lincoln, b. Nov. 29, 1872 ; living in Hyde Park,
Mass.; in business with his father; m. Oct. 20, 1897, Ida
Luella, dau. of I. Wallace White of Dedham.
iii. George Lincoln, b. July 8, 1874; d. July 4, 1883.
iv. Arthur Fletcher, b. Feb. 28, 1882.
V. Florence Eliza, b. Oct. 19, 1885.
GiLBEET Bent, machinist, son of Alpheus and Fanny (Smith)
Bent, was born in Port George, Annapolis Co., N. S., Sept. 17,
1851 ; lived in Hopedale, Mass. and Woonsocket, R. I. He mar-
ried, Oct. 16, 1878, Jennie Louise Darling, who was bom in Mil-
ford, Mass., Aug. 8, 1853, daughter of Rodney L. and Pamelia
(Darling) Darling.
Child of Gilbert and Jennie :
i. George William, b. Nov. 23, 1879.
John Bent, carriage- wright, a native of Charlestown, Mass.,
died in Wayland, Mass., March 27, 1852, te. 65.
John Bent, a lawyer, came from the West early in the nine-
teenth century and settled at Gloucester, Mass. He married there,
but both he and his wife died soon after leaving an only son —
John Bent, mariner, who was born Dec. 24, 1809, in Glouces-
ter, where he died Aug. 5, 1875, as. 65. He married Emeline E.
Children of John and Emeline, all born in Gloucester :
i. Edward F., m. and has a daughter, Gertrude G.
ii. Emeline Elizabeth, b. Dec. 7, 1830.
iii. Mary Eliza, b. 1832 ; d. 1836.
iv. Rachel, b. 1834; d. 1836.
V. Mary Eliza, b. 1836; d. 1839.
vi. John Hiram, b. Nov. 27, 1838; mariner of Rockport; d. in
Worcester, of sunstroke, June 28, 1866.
vii. LoiSA, b. Jan. 9, 1841.
Samuel Laweence Bent was bound out to work when a young
man, and afterwards ran away to sea. On the ship he met a Swed-
ish girl, Mary Sodderbergen, and later he went to her home on the
Baltic and was married to her. He was lost at sea and soon after
252 BENT FAMILY.
his wife died. They had two children, Samuel and Charles Frank-
lin, the latter of whom died in infancy.
Samuel, Bent, born in Sweden, Aug. 25, 1814, son of the pre-
ceding, was sent when eight years old (after the death of his parents)
to America in search of his American relatives, but they were not
found and he was brought up by the sea captain that took him from
Sweden. Jan. 7, 1843, he was married in Lowell, Mass., to
Elizabeth Ann Piper, a native of Newfield, Me., daughter of Nath-
aniel and Hetty Ann (Varuey) Piper, by whom he had two sons,
Samuel A. and Charles F., the latter of whom died in infancy.
Samuel died in Lowell, May 6, 1849, a3. 34. In 1861 his widow
went South with General JButler to care for the sick at Fortress
Monroe. After the war she married William A. Cooper, who
lived only a few months, and settled in Yorktown (Va.)-, where she
has kept a hotel.
Samuel A. Bent (son of the preceding) was born in Lowell,
Mass., Jan. 25, 1844, and died in Yorktown, Va., Dec. 8, 1880.
He married Mary Etta Cluverius, and had three children :
i. Samtjel a. Bent, b. Aug. 16, 1875; is foreman on the Old
Dominion S. S. Wharf, at Newport News, Va. ; m. Sept. 27,
1893, at Newport News, Mary Johnson. One child, Elinor,
b. May, 1895.
ii. Pearley Cranstone Bent, b. Feb. 5, 1878.
iii. Jessie Etta, b. Oct. 3, 1880.
Sidney Bent, son of James, was born May 9, 1836, in Gran-
ville, N. S., where he still lives. He married Mary Jane, born
Feb. 4, 1842, daughter of Thomas and Mary Hudson. Children:
i. Mary Ann, b. Dec. 27, 1863; d. April 10, 1887; m. Fred
Amos Taylor, and lived in Lynn, Mass.
ii. Howard James, b. March 20, 1865 ; living in Keene, N. H.,
where he is in ice business ; m. Susan McCouch ; three chil.
iii. Eliza Jane, b. Nov. 8, 1867; living in Beaconsfield, N. S. ;
m. July 3, 1884, Smith Lovemore, a farmer.
iv. Gertrude Agnes, b. 1872 ; d. 1881.
V. George Watson, b. 1874; d. 1881.
vi. Archibald Parker, b. June 1, 1879.
vii. Hazel Gertrude, b. March 18, 1883.
viii. Bessie Josephine, b. March 24, 1886.
William Bent, a trunk maker in Boston, in 1844, '45, '46, died
Nov. 22, 1878, as. 70, in Ehode Island. He was born in Boston,
son of William and Jane Bent. He married, April 16, 1843,
Hannah Scammon, a native of Saco, Me., who went to Boston
young, and died soon after marriage, leaving two children, Ellen
B., who married W. P. Osborne and lives in Portland, Me., and
Eva H. Bent, manager of the New England Telephone and Tele-
graph Co., Biddeford, Me.
BEKTS n^ AMERICA, :N'0T DESCENDED FROM
JOHN BENT OF SUDBURY, 1638.
John Bent and Sarah Smith were married at South Kingston,
R. I., Nov. 13, 1737, and died in Hopkinton, E,. I., in the summer
of 1784. It has not been ascertained, where this John Bent came
from. He was still in South Kingston in 1767, but was in Hop-
kinton by 1778, when one of his slaves, Prince Bent, valued at
£120, enlisted for the rest of the war in the First Battalion, Rhode
Island forces. There are probably no descendants of his by the
name of Bent now living, for in his will the legatees are the widow
Mary (evidently a second wife), and five daughters, Mary Bent
Jun'^, Sarah Helrae, Elizabeth Douglas, Catherine wife of Thomas
Potter Gardner, Jane Bent (who died unmarried in Hopkinton in
1820) and a grand-daughter Hannah Bent. The latter, Hannah,
born July 10, 1771 (married Jan. 24, 1799, WiUiam Chapman Jr.)
was a daughter of John Bent Jr., who married Oct. 10, 1770,
Hannah Saunders of Westerly, R. I.
Prince Bent, the slave of John Bent, died in Hopkinton, R. I.,
April 24, 1833, leaving a widow Betsey, who died July 28, 1833.
They had two children : Martha Bent, who died in Westerly, R. I.,
and Prince Bent, who died in Charlestown, R. I., April 21, 1864,
ae. about 80. The latter married Nancy Stanton, an Indian doctor
of the once powerful Narragansett tribe. She died May 25, 1853,
leaving seven children: 1. Joseph, living in Charlestown, R. I.
2. Jacob P., living in Charlestown, R. I. 3. William Henry, liv-
ing in Bristol, R. I. 4. Edward, died young. 5. Betsey, living
in Bristol, R. I. 6. Abby J., died May 23, 1874. 7. Annie S.,
married Isaac Jones and lives in Westerly, R. I. Joseph has five
children: Jane, Melissa, Nancy, John and Edward.
Benjamin C. Bent, musician, from England, located in New
York City about 1872, followed two years later by his brother
Feedeeick W. Bent, and in 1879 by another brother Arthue
Bent, who died in 1884, at which time he was cornet soloist in
Gilmore's Band, a position afterwards held by Benjamin C. Bent.
John Bent, who died in Boston, May 14, 1849, sd. 40, came
from the "old country" a few years before. By his wife Bridget,
who died in Boston, Dec. 30, 1872, as. 62, he had three children :
i. Peter, b. 1834; cl. in Boston, March 31, 1871,- 3d. 36 yrs. ami 9
mos.
ii. James, b. 1837 ; cl. in Boston, Feb. 13, 1889, aged 52 ; well known
in North End sporting circles for many years. By wife Mary
254 BENT FAMILY.
lie had three children : 1. Mary Ellen, m. John Smith of Chelsea.
2. Julia, m. Frank J. McCarty of Boston. 3. John J., living in
Boston,
iii. John, b. 1840; d. in Boston, July 15, 1876, £e. 36; m. Frances
Johnson, who d. in City Hospital, Boston, Feb. 20, 1878, £e. 29.
Joseph Bent, who was born in 1812, and died in 1888, came
from Bristol, England, about 1844, and settled in Boston, Mass.,
where his wife Jane, a native of Wales, daughter of Robert Roberts,
died Dec. 16, 1863, ae. 44, leaving a son —
Chaeles R. Bent, who saw service in the 44th Mass. Infantry
in 1862, and has since been a printer in Cambridge, Mass. He
married, Nov. 12, 1869, Antoinette Spare of Cambridge, who died
Aug. 4, 1874, £6. 26, leaving a son —
Charles Lyman Bent, who graduated from the United States
Military Academy at West Point in 1894, and became second
lieutenant in the U. S. Army. In 1898 he was appointed first
lieutenant in the 7th U. S. Infantry, and saw active service in the
Cuban campaign. Now stationed at Fort Barry, Michigan. He
married in California.
Richard Bent, from near Liverpool, England, settled in New
York City about 1820. He married a Scotch lady, and died in
New York City in 1852, leaving two daughters and a son —
Richard M. Bent, who has been a piano manufacturer in New
York City since about 1870.
Robert Bent of Boston, Mass., son of George and Sarah (Grif-
fith) Bent, is a native of Manchester, England, which he left for
Montreal, Canada, about 1889. Six years later he removed to
Boston. He married Christina Mace of Berwick-on-Tweed, Scot-
land. Three children: 1. Robert, born in England. 2. Clara
Mace. 3. Frank Noel.
William G. Bent of Boston, who was killed Nov. 23, 1891,
by an accidental explosion in his business (calcium light), was a
native of England. He has relatives in Chicago.
James Allen Bent (son of George), attorney-at-law, Elkins,
West Virginia, has published a " Digest of the Supreme Court of
Appeals of West Virginia from 1863 to 1887." His grandfather,
a soldier of the War of 1812, changed his name from Broadbelt to
Bent.
Stephen C. Bent of Boston, who died in Newton, Mass., June
16, 1882, £6. 73, and was buried in Weston, was born a Chase and
had his name legally changed. He married Julia C. Johnson, who
died in Watertown, Mass., Feb. 17, 1884, je. 75.
MEMORIALS QUAINT AND OLDEN.
*WILL OF JOHN BENT OF ENGLAND, 1588.
In the name of god Amen the xix'*" dale of June 1588 in the thirtieth
yeare of the Raigne of o'^' Soveraigne Ladie Elizabeth &c I John Bent of
Pemton Grafton in the p'ishe of waiehill beinge sicke in bodie but of p'fect
remembrance thanks be gene' to Almightie god doe make and ordaine this
my last will and Testament in manner and forme foUowinge Imp'mis I
geue and yeeld my soule into the hands of Almightie god my onelie maker
and redeemer &c Itm I geue and bequeath vnto the pishe church of Waie-
hill aforesaid xij"^ Itm I geue & bequeath vnto the poor mans box vj^ viij'^
Itm I geue and bequeath vnto my sonne Robt Bent xP Itm I geue and
bequeath vnto David Bent my Sonne xP Itm I geue vnto Richard Bent
my Sonne xP Itm I geue vnto Ede Bent my daughter iij'^ Itm I geue
vnto Marie Bent my daughter xP Itm I geue vnto Joane Bent my daugh-
ter xP Itm I geue vnto Als Bent my daughter xP Itm I geue vnto
Annis Bent my daughter xP Itm I give vnto my sonne David aforesaid
my blacke Calf e Itm yf anie of these my children dye before they receaue
their legacies I will that his or her part deceased shalbe by euen portions
divided amongst the rest surviving Item I geue vnto everie of my god-
cliildren vj'^^ a piece, All the rest of my goods and Cattels moueable or
vnmoueable not geuen nor bequeathed I geue wholelie vnto my wife Ede
Bent whome I make & ordaine my whole executrix of this my last will and
testament j)aieing my debts and legacies And I appoint to be my overseers
my loveing ffriends John Grace and Richard Cole, And I geue vnto each
of them for their paines ij^ a peece Witnesse waiter waight Robt mans-
field Henrie ffan Proved 18 September 1588 in the Consistory Court
of Win ton
Inventory amounts to xiij^' vj*^
WILL OF EDITH BENT OF ENGLAND, 1601.
In the name of God Amen the xv**^ daye of June in the three and fortethe
yere of the Reigne of oue'^ Sou'aigne Ladye Elizabeth By the grace of god
Queen of England fraunce and Irelande defende'' of the faith &c I Edythe
Bente of Calne in the Countye of Wiltes widowe. Beinge sicke in bodye
but of good and p'fecte memorye I thanke god therefore doe make my
Laste Will and Testament in manner and forme followinge. (that is to
saye) firste I bequeathe my soule ynto the handes of almightie god, my
* For these three English wills the writer is indebted to Mr. E. C. Felton of Steelton,
Pa. An abstract of them, with the Penton-Grafton records, was published in the
Neio-Eiiffland Historical and Genealogical Register for .January, 1895. The first and
second are the wills of the grand-parents, and the third that of the father of John'
Bent, who settled in Sudbury in 1638.
256 BENT FAMILY.
heauenlye father. Who hatli made me and all the worlde, and in Jesus
Christe my onelye Savyoure and Redeeme"^ and the holye ghoste. Whoe
sanctyfyed me, Itm. I. giue and bequeathe to the p'ishe Churche of Calne,
iiij'^ and to the poor mans boxe there iiij^ Itm. I. giue and bequeathe to
my Sonne Richarde Bent f ower sheepe and one hayfer boUocke one brasse
pott. Itm I giue and bequeathe to my Cozen Richarde Bent, the sonne of
Robert Bent one Lambe, Itm I giue to my sonne in lawe John "Wyllyams.
half my haue of wheate at Wayehill. and my haue of barley, at Wiggmore
hill and my greateste brasse pott, three pewter platte's one Joyned bedsted
withoute. a. Tester, and one flockebed thereunto belonginge withe, a. feather
bolster and one newe Whyte Cou'ledd one payre of canvas sheetes and
one Canvas bourde clothe, and one good blankett. Twooe sheepe Syxe
bushells of wheate and three bushells of maulte, with one new brasse ket-
tell of the myddell sorte & one newe barrell and my best broche, and one
Lyttyll Kyne and the best of my Tooe pygges, and the other half of my
bacon, Itm I — and bequeathe to my davighter Ann Streete one Joyned
bedsted. withe, a. Joyned Tester withe A flockebedd and all things belong-
ing thereunto Three pewter platte's and one great Kettell and my other
pigge. Itm I giue to my daughter Joane nashe(?) one brasse kettell. and
one Rugge cou'ledd and one pott skylett & one cowe in consideracon of her
fathe's legacye towards hir The Reste of my goods not bequeathed moue-
able vnmoueable I giue and bequeathe to my sonne Davye Bent, whome.
I. doe make my whole and sole executo' And. I. doe nomynate and
appoynte to be my over seers of truste Robert Tarrant of Clanfylde and
Richard Coole of Pennyngton grafton Before Phillipp Roche Vicar there,
Richarde fowler. Clarke.
Henrye Peares Nicholas Gowen and Richarde pester withe othe's
Proved September 30, 1601, in the Consistory Court of Winton.
The Inventory is dated 19 June 43 Elizabeth. In it the testatrix is
described as of Pynton Grafton. Total amount not stated.
WILL OF ROBERT BENT OF ENGLAND, 1631.
In the name of God Amen I Robert Bent of Penton Grafton in the
parish of Waybill being sick of body but of perfect memry doe make my
last will and Testament and thereby I doe commend my spirit vnto God,
and doe bequeath vnto the Church a noble, and vnto the poore tenne groats*
and I do bequeath vnto my Sonne Robert Bent fortie shillings, and to my
Sonne John Bent fortie shillings, and to his sonne Robert I giue a young
cowe, and to William Bent the sonne of the said John Bent two yewes
and to Peter Bent the sonne of the said John Bent two yewes and to Anis
Bent the daughter of the said John, I giue two yewes, I giue to William
Baker my sonn in lawe & my Daughter Dennys his wife twenty pounds of
good & lawfull money of England and to Elizabeth Baker the Daughter of
the said William I giue nine pounds ; and to Obadiah Baker the sonne of
the said William Baker I giue nine pounds of good & lawfull money of Eng-
land, and if either of them die I leave it to the disposing of their mother
my Daughter Dennys. And vnto my Daughter Annis Barnes I giue fortie
pounds of good and lawfull money of England and to her sonne young
* A noble was 6s. 8d., and a groat 4d.
BENT FAMILY. 257
Richard Barnes I give tenne pounds of good & lawfull money of England.
And I giue vnto my Daughter Jane the wife of Robert Plimpton tenne
pounds of good & lawfull money of England ; and to Robert Plimpton
their sonne I giue two yewes ; and to Thomas Plimpton their Sonne I
giue two yewes. and to "William Plimpton their sonne two yewes And to
Jane Plimpton their Daughter I giue two yewes And to Elizabeth Plimp-
ton the Daughter of the said Robert Plimpton I giue fine pounds of good
& lawfull money of England And to my Aimte Drew I give one bush ell of
wheate And to my sister Annis Streete I giue one bushell of wheate
And vnto Joanne Noyse my sister the wife of William Noyse I give one
bushell of wheate And the rest of my goods I bequeathe vnto my wife
whome I make my exequetor of this my last will & Testament, my will is
that the legaceases giuen vnto my sonne William Baker and his wife to be
paid vnto them twelfe months after my deses. and the tenn pound giuen
vnto my daughter Joanne to be paid vnto hir the 23 day of march nixt :
and y® fife poimd I have giuen vnto my Cussen Elezabeth Plemton to be
paid vnto hir hir day of maridge. And I desier my newbores Peter ISToyes
and Henry Tuncks to be overseers of this my will : and I giue them for
their paines xij*^ a peece. I giue unto Annes Bent y® daughter of Richard ;
2 ewes and I do giue unto Mary Bent y^ daughter of Richard Bent 2 ewes
In witnesse whereof wee have set to our hands George Tarrant minister
of weyhill Peter Noyes Henry Timcks his mark K
No Probate Acct. Consistory Court of Winton.
Inventory dated Aug. 30, 1631. Sorne is 107^^ f ij"*.
Beginning at " my will is " the remainder is in different hand-writing.
WILL OF JOHN! BENT OF SUDBURY, MASS., 1672.
The fourtenth of September in the yeare of the lord god one thousand six
hundred seventy two I John Bent senior of Sudbury in the Coimty of
midlsex in new England, being weake in body, yet in pfect memory blessed
be the lord for it, Revoaking all other wills, doe make this my last will and
testament, And doe dispose of my worldly estate as foUoweth, Imprimis I
doe make martha my beloued wife, and my oldest sonne Peter Bent my
lawfull executors to this my will, Item I give and bequeath unto martha
my beloved wife, my new dwelling house after my decease, with all my
Barnes and other out houseing thereunto Belonging, with all my lands both
meadow and upland, and two thirds my right in Commonage, excejDting
that pt of my lands which I have given formerly to my sonne Joseph Bent
as will appeare in a deed made and signed to the sayd Joseph Bent, also
excepting apcell of land being my right in the new grant, which I shall dis-
pose of as will further appeare. To have and to hold quietly to enjoy and
possese during her naturall life, or soe long as she remaynes awiddow, also
my will is that after the decease of martha my beloved wife, or in case she
shall marry that then my houseing and lands which I have left to her shall
returne unto my sonne Peter Bent and his heyres forever, also I give and
bequeath unto martha my beloved wife all my stock of chattells and move-
ables, household goods with all other utensells upon the premises, & debts
& dues, she the sayd martha paying all such legasies as I shall dispose of in
this my will, Item I give and bequeath unto John Bent my sonne Twenty
258 BENT FAMILY.
pounds to be payd the one third pt therof within ayeare after my decease
the other two thirds after the decease of martha my beloved wife or at her
marriage, Item I give and bequeath unto Agnis Rice my daughter the
summe of ten pounds to be paid within a yeare after my decease that is to
say the one third pt of it and the other two thirds after the decease of martha
my beloved wife or at her marriage Item I give my daughter martha How,
ten pounds to be payd within ayeare the one third pt and the other two
thirds after the decease of martha my beloved wife or at her marriage,
Item I give and bequeath unto Hannah Bent the daughter of my sonne
John Bent the one half of my land lying in the new grant to remayne in the
posession of her father untill she comes of age, also I give unto John How
the oldest sonne of my daughter martha How the other halfe of my new
grant, and to reinayne in the possesion of Samuel How his father untUl he
comes of age. Item I give and bequeath unto Peter Bent the oldest sonne
of Peter Bent my sonne foure pounds to be payd within ayeare after my
decease. Item I give to John Rice the sonne of my daughter agnis Rice
foure pounds to be payd within ayeare after my decease. Item I give to
Joseph Bent my sonne one third pt of my right in Commonage after my de-
cease, also my will is that whereas I have made a deed to Joseph Bent my
sonne of apt of my land, that he the sayd Joseph Bent shall quietly enjoy
the same without molestation, & have it owned according according to law,
also whereas I formerly gave to peter Bent my sonne foure acres of meadow
upon condition that it should remayne to his then dwelling house at laniham
for ever wthout any allination from the premises, my will is that it shall soe
remayn Also my will is that Henery Rice and John Stone shall be over-
seers to this my will In witnes whereof I have hereunto put my hand and
seale. .
witnes Hereunto John Bent.
John Stone.
John Rice.
sworn in courte 8- 2- 1672
by ye witnesses 'subscribed
T. D. R.
Note. — The initials at the end of the above are for Thomas Danforth, Re-
corder. Henry Rice was the eldest brother of Edward Rice who married
John Bent's daughter. Both came with their father Edmund Rice, who
was among the first settlers of Sudbury. John Stone was one of the first
settlers of Sudbury, a son of Deacon Gregory Stone of Cambridge. Lanham,
or laniham as it is written in the will, was, and still is, a school district in
the sovith part of the town. The word senior is interlined in the original.
Perhaps it should be added that as March was at this time called the first
month the eighth month was October. The original will is in the Middlesex
Registry of Probate at East Cambridge, Mass.
John Bent's Inventory, 1672.
An Inuetory of the estate of John Bent sen"" of Sudbury in the County of
midlsex in the macachusets Colony in new England deceased this life the
twenty seuenth of Septembe one thousand six hundrd seventy two. Taken
by us whose names are underwritten.
BENT FAMILY.
259
Imprimis
The dwelling houses Barnes and other
houseing & lands adioning to the house
prisd at 60—00—00
The meadow 14—00—00
six kowes & a steer 25 — 00 — 00
four oxen & two calues 17 — 00 — 00
ten sheep 05—00-00
swine 07—00—00
horses 07—00—00
Corne in the Barne 20—00—00
Clouer in the Barne 06-00-00
Cart plows & other vtensels 03 — 00 — 00
his land called the new grant 30 — 00 — 00
In the bed Chamber
His wearing clothes 10 — 00 — 00
His armour 02—00—00
one flocke bed with blanckts boulster and
pfllows 03-00-00
six payer of sheets pillow Tecks & Table
linnen 04—00-00
two chests' & two boxes 00 — 15 — 00
one feather bed & boulster one Couerlit
one payer of blanckts one pillow 04 — 00 — 00
one bed Three blanckets and Two pillows 01 — 00 — 00
Two brasse kettles Two brasse skellets
one morter one warming pan 02 — 12 — 00
one iron pot two trammells one spit one
Gridiron one pott one andiron one payer
of tongs one flesh forcke 01 — 00 — 00
one frying pan one hammer one payer of
pincers, Sheers 00 — 10 — 00
Six peuter dishes two basens Two saucers
one plate Sj)Oones Two tinn panns &
candlsticke a chamber pot two smooth-
ing irons one knife 02 — 13 — 00
His Bookes 01—10- -00
a sadle one pillion & cloth one pannell
and bridle 01—10—00
Prouision in y® house 02 — 10 — 00
wooU one Hatchall sacks 01 — 03 — 00
One cloth Thre barrells one tub a churn
Two payles four bottles Two kettles (?)
one pondering tub milke vessells & other
wooden vessells 02 — 10 — 00
fourr Tables Chayres & Chushins one
forme selves a meale trough & other
lumber 02—16—00
spinning wheels cards one cheese press
and a Cannoe 01 — 00 — 00
The land at the river side 80—00—00
260 BEISTT FAMILY.
a brasse pot 00—10 — 00
WoUen yarne 02—10—00
A Bond from Joseph Bent 16—00—00
In mony 02—00—00
for Rent 05-00-00
Rent clue from my
brother Joseph
Henery Rice
John Stone
Peter Bent appearing before the Hon^ Cap* Dan^^ Gookin & y*^ Record*^
of y® Couny 31 - 11 - 1672 and being sworne do say that this is a true In-
ventory of the estate whereof his father Jn° Bent dec'ed, was seized : and
that if any more appeare he will ad the same hereunto
as attest
Thomas Danforth Record^"^
The original inventory is in two columns, the second and narrower column
beginning with the words " His Bookes." It is not as easily read as the wiU,
with which it is preserved. " Rent due from my brother " refers to Henry
Rice's brother Joseph Rice. The whole amount of the inventory is
£344-19-00.
PETITION OF ELIZABETH BENT, 1679.
The Massachusetts Archives (Vol. 69, p. 229) contain the following peti-
tion, embellished with many scrolls :
To the Hono'^i^ Gov. and Councill Sitting in Boston the 29''^ May, 1679.
The Petition of Elizabeth Bent, relict, widdow of Peter Bent, of Marl-
boi'rough, decea*.
Humbly sheweth that your Petion''^ Habitation and almost all that shee
had was consumed by the Indians in the Last warr and her husband went
for England and there dyed and Lost all that he carryed with him and Left
your petitio"" a very poore Widdow with Seven Children and in the Time of
the Late Warr Shee billeted severale Souldiers so Long as that her bill did
Amount to six pounds and Capt. Hull gave her a Note to the Constable for
the payment of the Same, who will pay her onely Thre pounds in mony
So that shee is an Extrordinary Looser thereby : Also she had Two Horses
Imprest (viz.) one from watertowne and another from Charlestowne wh were
out many months and at Last dyed never being returned home to her againe
and being a poore Ignorant widdow. She never Looked after any Tickett
or pay for them to this day.
Yo'^ Poore petition*" therefore humbly Intreats the favor of yo' bono® to
Impute this Neglect of Duty onely to her Ignorance and that the Law which
doth exclude all persons from makeing further claime to debts due from the
Country after the time therein Limited may nott debarr your Petitio"^ from
that wh is justly due, so Shall your Petitio*^ and her poore fatherless ones
Ever i^ray for Yo"" hono^® ct. Elizabeth Bent.
BENT FAMILY. 261
GOY. CHAELES BEl^T'S APPOmTMENT.
The following is copied from a printed notice preserved by a grandson
of Governor Bent. The original is in both English and Spanish.
Notice.
Being duly authorized by the President of the United States of America,
I hereby make the following appointments for the Government of New
Mexico, a territory of the United States.
The officers thus appointed will be obeyed and respected accordingly,
Charles Bent to be Governor.
Donaciano Vigil " Sec. of Territory.
Eichard Dallam " Marshall.
Francis P. Blair " U. S. Dist. Att'y.
Charles Blummer " Treasurer.
Eugene Leitensdorfer " Aud. of Pub. Ace.
Joal Houghton, Antonio Jose Otero, Charles Beaubien to be Judges of
"the Superior Court."
Given at Santa Fe, the Capital of the Territory of New Mexico, this 22d
day of September, 1846, and in the 71st year of the Independence of the
United States. S. W. Kearny,
Brig. General
U. S. Army.
GOV. CHARLES BENT'S EPITAPH.
In memory of Gov. Charles Bent. Born Nov. 11, 1799, in St. Louis,
Mo. Died Jan. 19, 1847, in Taos, New Mexico. He was the first Ameri-
can Governor of New Mexico and was killed by the Indians in the Massacre
of Taos, in 1847. He was a man of kind and gentle manners ; of true
benevolence of heart ; of untarnished probity and lofty carriage ; he laid
down his life to save those dearer to him than life itself.
THE FAMILY IN WAR.
COLONIAL WARS.
John^ Bent of Sudbury was one of Major Simon Willard's troopers
in the expedition against Ninigret in November, 1654.
Jolin^ Bent of Framingham is called Corporal Bent in 1682.
HopestilP Bent of Sudbury took part in the Canadian campaign
of 1690, and on his tombstone is called Ensign.
John^ Bent of Framingham was in service three weeks in August
and Sept., 1725, in Capt. Isaac Clark's troop of horse in one of the
lesser Indian wars — Father Ralle's war.
John* Bent of Southboro' was in Capt. Timothy Brigliam's militia
company in 1735, and sergeant in 1757.
Elijah'* Bent of Sudbury was in Capt. Josiah Brown's company of
horse in 1739 and in Capt. Moses Maynard's alarm company in 1757.
Capt. LemueP Bent of Milton was 2d Lieut, of Capt. Nathaniel
Perry's Co. in 1754, 1st Lieut, under Col. John Winslow in Nova
Scotia in 1755, Capt. in 1759 at Crown Point, and in 1760 and
1761 in Nova Scotia under Colonel Euo-o-les.
Capt. Joseph" Bent of Milton enlisted as 1st Lieut, in Col. Josiah
Brown's Reg. in the expedition against Crown Point in 1755, was
promoted to rank of Captain, and died at Albany, N. Y., Dec. 7,
1755.
Jonathan^ Bent of Sudbury died in the Crown Point expedition of
1755.
Peter* Bent of Marlboro' was in Capt. Abraham Williams's militia
company in 1757.
Peter* Bent Sr. and Peter" Bent Jr. of Sudbury were in Capt.
Moses Maynard's alarm company in 1757.
Hopestill* Bent of Sudbury was in preceding company.
David^ Bent of Sudbury was in Col. Joseph Buckminster's regi-
ment that marched as far as Springfield in August, 1757, on an
alarm for the relief of Fort William Henry.
David* Bent of Rutland was Sergt. in Capt. John Phelps's Co.,
Col. Ruo-ales's reo-iment, that marched as far as Kinderhook, N. Y.,
at the time of the alarm from Fort William Henry. In 1771 he was
1st Lieut, in Capt. Zacheus Gates's Co. in 3d Worcester County
Reg. of militia. Col. John Murray. Afterwards Capt. in the Revo-
lution.
BENT FAMILY. ^^^
Jesse^ Bent of Milton appears as corporal in a list of men in Col.
Samuel Miller's regiment (date not given) .
Thomas* Bent of Sudbury was in Capt. Moses Maynard's alarm
company in 1757. From June to Dec, 1760, he was corporal in
Capt. Nathan Brigham's Co.
Joseph* Bent Jr. of Middleboro' served three months in 1758 in
Capt. Benj. Pratt's Co., Col. Thomas Doty's Reg., recruited for
the reduction of Canada.
Nedabiah* Bent of Milton enlisted in Capt. Aaron Willard's Co.,
Col. Oliver Partridge's Reg., for the reduction of Canada, in 1758.
The records say that he had served in a former expedition to Lake
George. In April, 1759, he enlisted in Col. Samuel Miller's Reg.
for service under Gen. Amherst, but was transferred to Col. Timothy
Ruggles's Reg- From Jan. 1 to May 13, 1760, he was in the Nova
Scotia campaign in Capt. Moses Curtis's Co., Col. Frye's Reg.
William* Bent of Milton (afterwards of Canton) was in Col.
Samuel Miller's Reg. for the reduction of Canada in 1758, Sergt. in
Capt. Moses Cm^tis's Co., Col. Frye's Reg., from April, 1759, to
July, 1760, Ensign in Capt. John Dunlap's Co., April 18, 1761, to
Jan. 2 following, and Lieut, in 1762. In the early part of the Revo-
lutionary war he was a Capt. in the Continental army.
Samuel* Bent, according to family tradition (his name has not been
found in the Massachusetts archives), was in the Quebec campaio-n
of 1759, in Capt. John Wade's Co.
Silas* Bent ot Sudbury, afterwards of Rutland, was in service
from April 16, 1760, to Dec. 3, 1760, in Capt. Ephraim Jackson's
Co., raised for the reduction of Canada. In the Revolutionary war
he was a Lieut, in the Continental Infantry and subsequently Lieut.-
Colonel of a militia regiment.
John* Bent of Framingham was cornet in Capt. Benj. Pepper's
troop of horse in Col. John Noyes's Reg. , the 3d Middlesex, in 1771,
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.*
Capt. David* Bent, of Rutland, started for Cambridge at the head
of his company, with Col. Nathaniel Sparhawk's Reg., as soon as the
news of the battle of Lexington was received. The early part of the
following year (Feb. 5, 1776) he was commissioned 1st Lieut, in
Capt. John Bowker's Co., attached to Colonel Whitney's Reo-.
April 6, 1776, he became Capt. of the fifth company in the 7th
* This list is made from the printed record of " Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of
the Eevolutionary War," prepared and published by the Secretary of the Common-
wealth. The names Benj. Bent, Jacob Bent and Gideon Bent appeai-ing there should
be Kent, and David Bent, who saw service in 1781, Walter Bent and William Bent of
Falmouth should probably be some other name, perhaps Kent or Burt, both of which
look like Bent when written and have been confused with it.
17
ZK)-± BENT FAMILY.
Worcester County E.eg., Col. Sparhawk's. He marched to Benning-
ton, Vt., in August, 1777, when he was out eleven days, and from
August 31, 1777, was with his regiment, then commanded by Col.
Job Cushing, in the northern department. His resignation bears
the date of March 13, 17^0, at which time Col. Jonathan Grout was
the regimental commander.
Ebenezer^ Bent, of Milton, was in Capt. Josiah Vose's Co. that
guarded the seashore in April, 1776, after Boston had been evacu-
ated by the British.
Francis^ Bent, of Middleboro', was fifer in Capt. Joshua Benson's
Co., in Col. Theophilus Cotton's Reg., in service around Boston
from May to December, 1775, including the battle of Bunker Hill.
He was out five days on an alarm to Rhode Island in Lieut. Jonah
Washburn's Co., Col. Ebenezer Sprout's Reg., in December, 1776,
and out thirty-one days in a secret expedition to the same State in
Sept. and Oct., 1777, as a private in Capt. Nehemiah Allen's Co.,
Col. Cotton's Reg. In May and Sept. he was fifer of Capt. Na-
thaniel Wood's Co., Col. Ebenezer Sprout's Reg., in two alarms
to South Dartmouth, and from Aug. 1 to 9, 1780, was fifer of Capt.
Jonah Washburn's Co. on still another alarm to Rhode Island.
Jabez* Bent, of Marlboro', was out six days in Capt. William
Brigham's C'o. that marched April 19, 1775.
Jason* Bent, of Sudbury,* marched to Concord, April 19, 1775,
in Capt. Isaac Loker's Co., and was out three days.
JoeP Bent, of Hutchinson, now Barre, marched in Capt. John
Black's Co. upon receipt of the news of the battle of Lexington, and
was out eleven days, marching one hundred and eighty miles. He
became captain of a militia company in 1781.
Lieut. John'' Bent, of Framingham, was a private in Capt. Simon
Edgell's Co., afterwards Capt. Jesse Eames's Co., on duty in Rox-
bury in 1776, Sergt. in Capt. Daniel Eames's Co. that was out
thii'ty-three days from Sept. 29, 1777, and 1st Lieut, in Capt.
Nathan Drury's Co. in 5th Middlesex Reg., July 22, 1779. He was
also in service fourteen days on an alarm to Rhode Island in July
and August, 1780.
John" Bent, of Milton, was in Capt. Oliver Vose's Co. that rendez-
voused at Roxbury fifteen days after the Concord fight, and in Capt.
John Bradley's Co., Col. Benjamin Gill's Reg., that marched, March
4, 1776, to Dorchester Heights (now South Boston) when the forts
were being erected that drove the British from Boston ; also in Capt.
Josiah Vose's Co. that guarded the seacoast in the month following.
* All three of Jason Bent's brothers were in the Concord fight, as well as their father,
though the latter was not attached to any company. Sudbury joins Concord, and the
news that the British had started reached Sudbury at four o'clock in the morning, so
well had Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty performed their task to arouse " the
country folk to be up and to arm."
BENT FAMILY. 265
John® Bent, of Middleboro', was in Capt. Washburn's Co., in Col.
Ebenezer White's Keg., in Rhode Island service, Aug. 1 to 9, 1780.
Jonathan* Bent, of Sudbury, was in Capt. Joseph Smith's Co.,
April 19, 1775, and in service in 1776 in Capt. Asahel Wheeler's
Co., in Col. John Robinson's Reg., at Roxbury.
Sergt. Josiah*^ Bent, of Framingham,* was a private in Capt. Simon
Edgell's Co., April 19, 1775, in Capt. Thomas Drury's Co. during
the siege of Boston the rest of that year, corporal in Capt. Aaron
Gardner's Co. in 1776, and in 1780 Sergt. in Capt. Nathan Drury's
Co. in service fourteen days on an alarm to Rhode Island.
Sergt. Matthias* Bent, of Framingham, was in Capt. Simon
Edgell's Co. that hurried to Concord April 19, 1775, and was
afterwards during the siege of Boston quartered in Roxbury. In
July and August, 1780, he was in Capt. Nathan Drury's Co., Col.
Abner Perry's Reg., in service fourteen days on an alarm to Rhode
Island.
Nathan^ Bent, of Sudbury, was fifer of Capt. Thaddeus Russell's
Co., in Col. Jonathan Brewer's Reg., in service around Boston
from May to Dec, 1775; in Capt. Daniel Whitney's Co., in Col.
Asa Whitcomb's Reg., in the Ticonderoga campaign the following
year, and in Capt. Thomas Brintnall's Co., Col. Cyprian How's
Reg., in Rhode Island from Aug. 1 to Oct. 14, 1780.
Peter" Bent, of Marlboro', marched to Concord, April 19, 1775,
in Capt. Daniel Barnes's Co., and was in the same company during
the siege of Boston.
Peter Bent, of Needham(?), was out four days in Capt. Aaron
Smith's Co. that marched from West Needham to Dorchester Heights
when the forts were erected in March, 177(5.
Peter* Bent, of Rutland, enlisted Feb. 14, 1777, in the 6th Reg.,
Continental Army, Col. Thomas Nixon, for the remainder of the
war, but died or was killed after serving two years, ten months and
seventeen days.
Prince Bent, a negro slave of John Bent of Hopldnton, R. I.,
valued at £120, enlisted March 12, 1778, for the remainder of the
war in Capt. Elijah Lewis's Co. in the First Battalion R. I. forces,
commanded by Christopher Greene, Esq. In July, 1778, he was
marked prisoner of war ; Jan. 1, 1779, on furlough ; Feb. and April
on guard, and March sick in quarters.
Rufus* Bent, of Sudbury, was in Capt. Isaac Loker's Co. at Con-
cord, April 19, 1775. He was perhaps the Rufus Bent employed
later in the war — Feb. 18, 1778 to Sept. 23, 1780, as conductor or
wagon master in the Depuiy Quartermaster General's department.
Samuel* Bent, of Sudbury, was one of the many that hurried from
*The. Framingham companies readied Concord about noon and joined in the jiursuit
of the British.
266 BENT FAMILY.
" every Middlesex village and farm " to Concord on the nineteenth
of April in '75. He was in Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth's Co. at
that time, and in Capt. Asahel Wheeler's Co., Col. John Robinson's
Reg., out twenty-six days from Feb. 4, 1776.
Lieut. Silas*^ Bent, of Rutland, afterwards Lieut, -Col. of the 7th
Massachusetts Militia Reg., marched to Cambridge on receipt of the
news of the battle of Lexington as a private in Capt. Thomas Eus-
tis's Co., and was out twelve days. From May to Dec, 1775, he
was Ensign of Capt. Adam Wheeler's Co. in Col. Ephraim Doolittle's
Reg., in service around Boston. Jan. 1, 1776, he became Ist Lieu-
tenant in Capt. Thomas Barnes's Co. in the 4th Reg. Continental
Lifantry, Col. Thomas Nixon.
Stephen^ Bent, of Sudbury, saw service in the Ticonderoga cam-
paign (1776) in Capt. Aaron Haynes's Co., Col. Asa Whitcomb's
Reg., and served three months in New Jersey in 1777 in Capt. John
Oliver's Co., Col. Nathaniel Sparhawk's Reg. At the Bennington
alarm he was in Capt. Benj. Nye's Co., and July 1, 1778, he
enlisted for six months in Capt. Jacob Haskins's Co., in Col. John
Jacobs's Reg., for service in Rhode Island.
Thomas* Bent Jr., of Framingham, was out nine days from April
19, 1775, as corporal in Capt. Jesse Eames's Co., in which com-
pany he saw further service the following year.
Timothy^ Bent, of Sudbury, gave up his life in the cause of liberty.
He was at Concord April 19, 1775, in Capt. Joseph Smith's Co.,
and during; the eight months' siege of Boston followino;, including
the battle of Bunker Hill, was in Capt. Thaddeus Russell's Co. The
following year he enlisted in Capt. Aaron Haynes's Co., in Col. Asa
Whitcomb's Reg., for service at Ticonderoga, etc. He afterwards
enlisted for three years in the 5th Continental Infantry, Col. Rufus
Putnam's Reg., but at the end of eight months' service, Dec. 1, 1777,
was reported dead.
Capt. William* Bent, of Stoughton, the part now Canton, marched
to the front April 19, 1775, as a private in Capt. Asahel Smith's
Co., remained at Cambridge a few days, returned to his home and
recruited a company, at the head of which he marched April 27, being
ordered to Roxbury and attached to Col. Wm. Heath's Reg., Conti-
nental army. This was stationed at Squantum at one time, but soon
after ordered to Cambridge. At the end of the year he re-enlisted.
Lieut. William Bent, of Sudbury, marched as Sergt. in Capt.
Joseph Smith's Co. April 19, 1775, and was out three days. In
July, 1776, he was commissioned Ist Lieut, in Capt. Caleb Moul-
ton's Co. (afterwards commanded by Capt. Robert Cutting), in
the 4th Middlesex Reg., commanded by Col. Ezekiel HoAvofthe
Red Horse Tavern. He seems to have continued in service as late
as 1778 certainly.
BENT FAMILY. 267
MILITIA OFFICERS SINCE THE REVOLUTION.
Silas* Bent, of Rutland, commissioned Lieut. -Colonel of 7tliReg.
Massachusetts Militia, July 1, 1781.
JoeP Bent, of Barre, brother of preceding, commissioned Capt. in
same regiment at same time.
Jonathan" Bent, of Sudbury, commissioned Sept. 6, 1791, Capt.
in the 1st Reg., 2d Brigade, 3d Division, Massachusetts Militia.
David Jackson® Bent, of Bangor, Me., was Major of a militia
regiment called out to defend the seacoast during the war of 1812.
William® Bent, of East Sudbury, now Wayland, commissioned
Ensign May 8, 1809, Lieut. Dec. 1, 1809, Captain Jan. 13, 1812,
in Ist Reg., 2d Brigade, 3d Division, Massachusetts Militia. Re-
ceived his discharge May 18, 1813.
James® Bent, of Canton, commissioned Quartermaster of the 2d
Reg., 2d Brigade, 1st Division, Massachusetts Militia, April 1, 1816,
Adjutant May 26, 1819. Received his discharge March 8, 1824.
James Valentine* Bent, of Nova Scotia, Captain in Militia.
THE CIVIL WAR.*
Major Luther S.'^ Bent enlisted from Quincy, May 22, 1861, for
three months as private in Co. H, 4th Reg. Infantry, Mass. Vols.
Re-enlisted August 24, 1861, as 1st Sergt. in Co. K, 18th Reg.,
for three years ; promoted to 2d Lieut. July 30, 1862, 1st Lieut.
Dec. 25, 1862, Capt. Dec. 24, 1863, Major July 29, 1864.
Capt. Fitz Edward^ Bent enlisted from Quincy, May 22, 1861,
for three months as a private in Co. H, 4th Reg. Infantry, Mass.
Vols. Re-enlisted July 16, 1864, for one hundred days as Capt. of
Co. B, 60th Reg. Again re-enlisted Feb. 28, 1865, for one year
as 2d Lieut, in 62d Reg. ; promoted to 1st Lieut. April 17, 1865,
but never mustered as such owing to the close of the war.
Capt. Wm. H.^ Bent enlisted from Newburyport, Aug. 9, 1862,
for three years as 1st Sergt. of Co. A, 35th Reg. ; promoted to 1st
Lieut. Sept. 6, 1864; transferred to 29th Reg. and promoted to
Capt. Nov. 29, 1864, serving to the expiration of the war.
Lieut. George O.® Bent, of Framingham, enlisted June 30, 1861,
as private in Co. B, 29th Reg. Mass. Infantry. Re-enlisted in
the field in same Co. and served as sergeant, sergeant-major and
first lieutenant until the close of the war. Promoted to 1st Lieut.
March 25, 1865.
Lieut. Samuel A. Bent, of Boston, enlisted April 19, 1861, at
Fortress Monroe, as Ist Lieut, in a Mass. Battalion of Infantry,
afterwards 29th Reg. Mass. Vols. Resigned July 18, 1861.
* As far as Massachusetts is concerned the list is complete, but the rest of it probably
is not.
268 BENT FAMILY.
Lieut. Thomas D.® Bent, of Needham, enlisted Sept. 24, 1862,
for nine months as private in Co. C, 43d Mass. Infantry. Re-
enlisted Aug. 22, 1863, as 1st Sergt. in Co. D, 2d Reg. Heavy-
Artillery ; promoted to 2d Lieut. April 10, 1865.
Amos R.® Bent enlisted from Bellingham, July 12, 1861, for
three years in Co. E, 16th Mass. Infantry. Service terminated
Sept. 27, 1862, cause disability.
Charles E.^ Bent, musician, of Worcester, enlisted Sept. 30, 1862,
for nine months in Co. E, 42d Mass. Infantry. Re-enlisted Dec.
9, 1863, for three years in Co. G, 2d Mass. Heavy Artillery ; trans-
ferred to Co. H, and died of starvation July 15, 1864, at Anderson-
ville Prison, Ga.
Charles M.® Bent enlisted from Boston, Sept. 9, 1861, for three
years in the band of the 20th Mass. Infantry. Service terminated
Aug. 8, 1862, by order of the War Dept.
Charles R. Bent, of Boston, enlisted Sept. 12, 1862, for nine
months in Co. H, 44th Mass. Infantry. ^
Edward M.® Bent enlisted from Springfield, Nov. 7, 1864, for-
one year in Co. F, 61st Mass. Infantry, and died at Washington,
D. C, July 2, 1865.
Ferdinand A. ^ Bent, ofMendon, enlisted June 10, 1862, for six
months in 8th Battery Light Artillery, Mass. Vols.
Francis® Bent enlisted from Colrain, Mass., Jan. 2, 1865, in Co.
B, 3d Mass. Heavy Artillery.
George A." Bent, of Quincy, enlisted June 13, 1861, for three
years in Co. H, 11th Mass. Infantry. Transferred Sept. 12, 1863,
to Veteran Reserve corps.
George F." Bent enlisted from Milton, June 15, 1861, for three
years in Co. E, 7th Mass. Infantry, aad died at Brightvvood, D. C,
March 9, 1862.
George W. Bent enlisted from Lynn, Sept. 15, 1862, for nine
months in Co. I, 8th Mass. Infantry. Re-enlisted from Charles-
town, July 18, 1864, for one hundred days in Co. D, 5th Mass.
Infantry.
Henry Bent, of Stoneham, is among the unassigned recruits of 2d
Mass. Cavalry, Nov. 16, 1864, Died at Cumberland, Me., June
3, 1865.
Herbert* Bent, of Boston, enlisted July 16, 1861, for three years
in Co. B, 13th Mass. Infantry.
John E.* Bent enlisted from Worcester, Aug. 9, 1862, for three
years in Co. F, 34th Mass. Infantry, and served to end of war.
John Q.* Bent, of Quincy, enlisted June 13, 1861, for three years
in Co. H, 11th Mass. Infantry.
John S.* Bent enlisted from Boston, Sept. 19, 1862, for nine
months in Co. E, 50th Mass. Infantry.
BENT FAMILY. 269
John T.* Bent enlisted from Boston, April 29, 1864, for ninety
days in 1st Unattached Co. Mass. Infantry.
Joseph (F. ?) Bent, of Carver, enlisted May 6, 1861, for three
months in Co. K, 3d Mass. Infantry.
Judson L.* Bent, of Watertown, enlisted Sept. 19, 1862, for nine
months in Co. K, 5th Mass. Infantry.
Marshall A.'' Bent from Medway, was in the Veteran Reserve
Corps, April 30, 1864, and was mustered out Nov. 14, 1864.
Milford Tedford* Bent, of Danvers, enlisted July 5, 1861, in Co.
I, 14th Mass. Infantry, and died Feb. 25, 1862, at Anderson ville,
Ga.
Thomas H. Bent, of Plymouth, is among the unassigned recruits
(three years' men) in the 29th Reg., March 10, 1862.
William H.* Bent, of Quincy, enlisted May 1, 1861, for three
months in Co. K, 5th Mass. Infantry; re-enlisted Oct. 1, 1861,
for three years in Co. B, 24th Mass. Infantry ; became corporal Dec.
19, 1863; transferred April 17, 1865, to Veteran Reserve Corps.
William Q.^ Bent, of Quincy, enlisted Sept. 26, 1862, for nine
months in Co. G, 45th Mass. Infantry.
Luther M.^ Bent, of Quincy, was a boatman, and died of wounds
at Georgetown, D. C, Oct. 1, 1862.
Rev. Gilbert R.* Bent, Methodist clergyman, was a member of
P^. S. Christian Commission and at the front during the entire war,
nis first wife dying at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Md., March 4, 1864.
Lieut. Josiah"* Bent enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry in
1861, and died of malarial dysentery Nov. 9, 18l>3.
Alphonso® Bent, of Morrison, III., enlisted in 1862 in Co. H,
5th Missouri Cavalry, and died in hospital at Waynesville, Mo.,
June 11, 1863.
Lieut. Charles^ Bent, son of preceding, enlisted June, 1864, as a
private in 140th 111. Infantry, and served until Oct. 29, 1864.
Feb. 2, 1865, he re-enlisted in 147th 111. Infantry, and served as
Sergeant, First Sergeant and Second Lieut, until close of the war.
George R.'' Bent, half-brother of the preceding, saw service in Co.
F, 93d 111. Infantry.
John A.* Bent enlisted May 4, 1861, in Co. I, 5th Maine
Infantry and afterwards in 4th Reg. Cavalry, Regular Army.
Orrin** Bent, brother of the preceding, served as private in 1st and
17th Maine Infantry.
James W.^ Bent, of Boscawen, N. H., enlisted Oct. 4, 1861, in
2d Reg., Berdan's U. S. Sharpshooters, and served until the close
of the war.
David P." Bent, of Marshfield, Vt., enlisted Sept. 1, 1861, in the
4th Vermont Vols., and died at Washington, D. C., May 19, 1862.
THE FAMILY IN PEACE.
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
Josiah" Bent, Harvard, 1822 ; clergyman.
Nathaniel Tucker'' Bent, Harvard, 1831 ; clergyman.
Joseph Avery® Bent, Middlebury (Vt.), 1845; clergyman.
George® Bent, Knox (111.)) 1849 ; clergyman and judge.
James McClelland^ Bent, Georgetown (Ky.), 1860; clergyman.
Samuel Arthur'^ Bent, Yale, 1861 ; Harvard Law School, 1865.
Joseph ApiDleton'^ Bent, Yale, 1865 ; died in 1869.
George Conway^ Bent, Harvard, 1866; business.
Thomas Armstrong'' Bent, Yale, 1874; died in 1876.
Rufas Howard'' Bent, University of Pennsylvania, 1878 ; clergyman.
Horatio Grimes'' Bent, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1879; lawyer.
Emma Cutting^ Bent, Smith, 1881.
Arthur Cleveland^ Bent, Harvard, 1889 ; business.
Frederick Hendee^ Bent, Harvard, 1889 ; business.
Felton^ Bent, Williams, 1895 ; business.
NewelP Bent, Harvard, 1895 ; teacher.
Quincy^ Bent, entered Williams in 1897.
James S.^ Bent Jr., entered Harvard in 1899.
CLERGYMEN.
Josiah^ Bent (1797-1839), Massachusetts; Orthodox.
Nathaniel Tucker'' Bent (1810-1856), Massachusetts and Pennsylvania;
Episcopal.
Joseph Avery® Bent (living), Vermont and Illinois; Orthodox.
George® Bent (living), Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska; Orthodox.
James McClelland^ Bent (1841-1893), Kentucky; Baptist.
Rufus Howard' Bent (living), Pennsylvania and New Jersey, (now mis-
sionary to China) ; Presbyterian.
Joseph Fletcher^ Bsnt (1806-1893), Nova Scotia and New Brunswick ;
Methodist.
George Washington'' Bent (living), New York ; Methodist.
Oren' Bent (1796-1848), Mame ; Methodist.
Gilbert Ray* Bent (living), New England ; Methodist.
Alton* Bent (living), Nova Scotia; Episcopal.
BENT FAMILY. 271
PHYSICIANS.
Stephen^ Bent (1783-1822), New York.
Luke« Bent (1801- ), Canada.
Hiram^ Bent (1812-1891), Pennsylvania and New York.
Luther'^ Bent (1819-1878), Missouri.
Charles'' Bent (living), Nova Scotia.
William Lovett^ Bent (1798- ), Nova Scotia.
William H.^ Bent (living). Nova Scotia.
Gilbert W. W.^ Bent (1867-1896), Massachusetts.
James T.^ Bent (1838-1895), Newfoundland.
LAWYERS.
Silas^ Bent (1768-1827), St. Louis, Mo.
John'' Bent (1803-1845), St. Louis, Mo.
S. Arthur'' Bent (living, but not practising), Boston, Mass.
William H.* Bent (living), Lowell, Mass.
George C* Bent (living), Boston, Mass.
Horatio G.* Bent (living), Bloomington, 111.
Frederic W.'' Bent (living, but not practising), Cincinnati, 0.
Charles H.^ Bent (1838-1896), Oswego, Kan.
POLITICAL STATISTICS.
Membees of State Legislatures, Etc.
Charles'' Bent, first Governor of New Mexico.
SUas^ Bent, judge of Supreme Court of Missouri Territory, 1813-1821.
George® Bent, judge of Sherman County, Neb., 1892-1896.
Horatio Nelson'' Bent, judge of probate, Burlington, Kansas, 1862-1868.
Peter^ Bent, of Marlboro', member of all three Provincial Congresses of
Massachusetts, in 1774 and 1775.
Charles^ Bent, Illinois State Senate, 1879-1883.
Capt. Joseph* Bent of Milton, Massachusetts Legislature, 1753
Peter* Bent of Marlboro', " " 1771-1775
Capt. JoeP Bent of Barre, " « 1801-1804
NewelP Bent of Cambridge, " " 1824-1826
Adam« Bent of Boston, " " 1828-1831
Charles® Bent of Chelmsford, « « 1832-1834
Josiah® Bent of Milton, " « 1833
John^ Bent of Carver, " « 1835-1836
272 BENT FAMILY.
Ebenezer® Bent of Qnincy, Massachusetts Legislature, 1840
James M.^ Bent of Wayland, " " 1857
John^ Bent of Chelsea, " " 1858-1859
A. Allen' Bent of Gardner, « " 1866
William H^ Bent of Wayland, " " 1875
Myron W.« Bent of Wavland, " " 1878
George C.» Bent of Cambridge, " " 1884-1886
Roderic LJ Bent of Gardner, " " 1884-1885
Maj. David J' Bent, Maine " 1826-1827
(afterwards in Pennsylvania Legislature).
John' Bent, " Missouri " 1828
Bartlett^ Bent, Connecticut Legislature, 1862
(afterwards mayor and postmaster of IMiddletown, Conn.).
Charles D.^ Bent, Connecticut Legislature. 1899
Curtis R.« Bent, Iowa " 1868-1869
Charles H.' Bent, Kansas, 1867 ; Colorado, 1893-1894
NONOGENARIANS.
Peter^ Bent, d. in Marlboro', Mass., in 1708, £e. 91.
Mrs. Mary Bent, widow of preceding, d. in 1803, se. 93.
Mrs. Abigail (Stone) Bent, d. in Framingliam, Mass., in 1814, jb. 90.
Mrs. Sarah* (lient) Vose, d. in Milton, Mass., in 1802, sn. 92.
Mrs. MaryS (15ent) Fay, d. , in 1831, as. 94.
Mrs. Patience^ (Bent) Newton, d. in Southboro,' Mass., in 1837, as. 96.
Sarah^ Bent, d. in Milton, Mass., in 1846, as. 95.
Mrs. Abigail (Bruce) Bent, d. in Wa;^land, Mass., 1845, as. 90.
Mrs. Phebe ( Yf hittemore) Bent, d. in , 1848, se. 91.
Mrs. Euth (Pratt) Bent, d. in Fitzwilliara, N. H., in 1872, se. 90.
Mrs. Susan*^ (Bent) Oakes, d. in Little Hocking, 0., in 1865, ae. 94.
Mrs. Polly (Coolidge) Bent, d. in Wayland, Mass., in 1878, se. 90.
John" l>ent, d. in Middleboro', Mass., in 1853, se. 90.
William^ Bent, brother of preceding, d. in Paris, Me., in 1858, se. 91.
Mrs. Hannah" (Bent) McAllan, d. in River Philip, N. S., in 1869, ss. 91.
Mrs. Elizabeth" (Bent) Farrington, d. in Dedham, Mass., in 1857, ae. 90.
John" Bent, d. in Dedham, Mass., in 1873, as. 94.
Mrs. llona' (Bent) Van Vechten, d. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1S96, se. 90.
Mrs. Betsey (Phippen) lient, d. in Antwerp, N. Y., in 1894, se. 92.
Mrs. Mercy (McFarlin) Bent, d. in Carver, Mass., in 1887. as. 90.
Mrs. Hannah P. (Savery) F>ent, d. in Flushing, L. I., in 1892, se. 93.
Mrs. Abigail (Shaw) Bent, d. in Port Chester^ N. Y., in 1897, se. 90.
James V> Bent, d. in Wolfville, N. S., in 18')3, se. 92.
Mrs. Eunice' (Bent) Ruggles, d. in Dorchester, Mass., in 1893, as. 91.
Mrs. Huldah (White) lient, d. in Maugerville, N. S., in 1872, jb. 92.
Mrs. Mary A.' (Bent) Adams, d. in IVIilton. Mass., in 1885, x. 90.
The above list is doubtless incomplete. Of the twenty-six names it will
be noticed that only five were men, and that only one in the entire list was
unmarried. The oldest liviiif/ member of the family is probably Miss Sarah
Ashton' Bent of Quincy, se. 89.
BENT FAMILY.
273
MIDDLE NAMES BEFORE 1800.
Ebenezer Vose® Bent,
Elizabeth Clongh® Bent,
Hannah Waldo" Bent,
Daniel Wyman" Bent,
Samuel Browning^ Bent,
William Hunt^ lient,
David Jackson® Bent,
George Washington® Bent,
Calvin Gay^ Bent,
Earl Francis® Bent,
Silas Proctor® Bent,
Mary Ann'' Bent,
Eunice Conviss'' Bent,
Eliza Lewis'' Bent,
Joel Hayward® Bent,
Thomas W.® Bent,
William Lovett'' Bent,
Elizabeth Sprague^ Bent,
Horatio Gates® Bent,
Samuel Glover'' Bent,
Catherine Amelia^ Bent,
William Freeman'' Bent,
Israel Longley'' Bent,
b. Nova Scotia, 1771.
b.
Mass.,
1774.
b.
u
1779.
b.
a
1781.
b.
a
17.S4.
b.
N. IL,
1785.
b.
Mass.,
1787.
b.
Vt.,
1790.
b.
N. S.,
1791.
b. vt.,
1794.
b. Vt.,
1794.
b. Mass.,
1795.
b. N. S.,
1796.
b. Va.,
1797.
b. IMass.,
1797.
b. Vt.,
1798.
b. N. S.,
1798.
b. "
1798.
b. Mass.,
1799.
b. "
1799.
b. "
1799.
b. N. S.,
1799.
b. "
1799.
After whom named.
Mother's brother.
Maternal grandmother.
Maternal grandfather.
Mother's brother.
Maternal grandfathei'.
Mother's brother-in-law.
National hero.
Neighbor of parents,
r Earl for maternal grand-
J mother, and Francis
] for mother's brother-
[ in-law, Francis Flagg.
Neighbor of parents.
Friend of the family.
Mother's sister.
Mother's brother.
Maternal grandmother.
National heio.
Mother's brother.
Mother's brother.
Maternal grandfather.
PETER BENT BRIGHAM.
Petee Bent Brigham was born at Bakersfield, Vt., on the 4th
of February, 1807. His father was Uriah Brigham (1757-1818)
and his mother was Elizabeth, daughter of JosiahFay.* His father
died leaving several children wholly dependent upon their mother
and their own exertions for their support. At that time the subject
of this memoir was in his early youth. Like many of our foremost
citizens the boy set forth from his home without money, friends, or
influence to seek his fortune.
Experience teaches us that, with few exceptions, men retain their
general characteristics throughout life. It is often said that the child
is father to the man, and we watch the beginning as prophetic of the
future career. But the converse is no less true, for the developed
character of mature manhood throws a light upon the acts and efforts
of childhood and youth. And so in this case. The fortitude, the
indomitable self-reliance, the patience, vigor, and integrity of the
prominent and successful citizen of Boston were the same which
guided the young country lad as he set out from his home through a
comparative wilderness for a distant city, that he might relieve his
widowed mother from the care and expense of his support and gain
for himself a name and a fortune.
The first part of his journey was on the back of an old broken-down
horse, with saddle-bags containing his food and scant apparel. Long
before he reached his destination the horse became useless and he
made his way on foot, and by working on a Middlesex Canal boat, to
Boston. By assiduous and persevering labor in various occupations,
chiefly in the fish and oyster business, he accumulated a little money,
and by judicious use of what he had gained he acquired enough to
lease the prominent restaurant known as Concert Hall, in Court
street, with which for many years he was identified. But his chief
success was in the careful purchase of real estate, and in these trans-
actions it is believed that never, in a single instance, did his judg-
ment fail him. At the time of his death his fortune, after deducting
all liabilities, was estimated at about $1,000,000.
* Elizabeth Fay was the daughter of Josiah Fay and Mary Bent, who were married
in Southboro', March 22, 1758. (See p. 23).
BENT FAMILY. 275
Mr. Brigham never sought public office, but was deeply interested
in his adopted home, and in a quiet and unostentatious way did much
to promote the welfare of the city of Boston. He might easily have
had an office in any branch of the municipal government, for which
in many respects he was peculiarly fitted, but he preferred to help in
his private capacity. As an experienced dealer in real estate his
judgment was often sought by the city officers, and especially on im-
portant questions of street widening and similar improvements it was
found to be of great value. He was one of the original directors of
the Fitchburg Railroad Company, and continued in office up to the
time of his death. To that corporation he gave very much of his
valuable time and thought, always ready to labor for its interests
without favor or reward.
His habits of life were most regular. Careful as to food, and a
total abstainer from spirituous liquors and tobacco, he was enabled
to preserve a robust health, so necessary in the arduous labors upon
which he had entered. His great success in business was, in a
measure, owing to his cordial manners proceeding from a genuine
kindness of heairt. It was not his method to scatter money here and
there and thus to relieve his conscience, but he sought out those who
were not only in need, but ready to help themselves, and with his
advice and assistance, and perhaps a small expenditure where abso-
lutely necessary, there were many who owed their relief from poverty
to him. His sympathy for his fellowmen was especially illustrated
in his anti-slavery sentiments and the gentle kindness which he ever
showed to the negro race. He v^as constant in his endeavors to aid
them in obtaining employment and to relieve the distress of those as
to whom it was clear to him that relief Was necessary. Among his
papers after his death were found two cancelled wills, of dates prior
to 1862, by which he gave the bulk of his estate for the emancipa-
tion of slaves.
He often lamented his want of a liberal education , which he could
not have obtained on account of the necessities of his situation. Ap-
preciating fully its importance he provided by his will a large endow-
ment for the erection and maintenance of an academy in his native
town of Bakersfield. This academy is now a most prosperous insti-
tution, and has been a great blessing to the town and its neighbor-
hood. The number of its students at present is over one hundred,
and bids fair to considerably increase. Liberal provision was also
made by his will for the care and improvement of tlie cemetery in his
native town.
Mr. Brigham has no issue, having never married, and the careful
thought which he gave to the disposition of his estate was charac-
teristic. It was his firm belief that it was far better for any man with
health and strength to earn his own living, and that inherited money
276 BENT FAMILY.
would be a hindrance rather than a benefit. He therefore was not
willing to make provision in his will for the males among his kindred
who were able to earn their own support. But for two of them who
were disabled, and for his nieces, he made liberal provision, and also
for his sister, Mrs. Sarah B. Jacobs, who still survives him, to
whose industry and frugal care and affectionate solicitude for his
welfare he was much indebted, who was his companion in his home,
and to whom he was tenderly attached. The bulk of his large
fortune, however, was devoted by his will to the establishment, after
the expiration of twenty-five years from his death, of a hospital for
the sick poor of his adopted city. Fourteen years have now elapsed
and the estate in the hands of his executor has increased to a valua-
tion of more than $2,000,000, and it is expected that in the remain-
ing eleven years much more than another million will be added by
accumulations, after payment of all annuities with which it is charged.
A most noble and well directed charity indeed, and it will remain
as a perpetual monument to its generous founder in the relief of what
seems to be the sum of human suffering — poverty and sickness
combined. And when we consider this beneficent disposition of his
property at the last, and the testamentary provision which at different
times he had made for suffering slaves, may we not well think and
believe that in those long years of patient toil in gathering his for-
tune this benevolent donor had, all the while, a fixed purpose known
only to himself, of using his life and strength for the welfare of his
fellowmen ?
After a well-rounded life of remarkable energy and activity, guided
by rules of strict integrity, on the 24th day of May, 1877, Peter
Bent Brigham calmly and bravely laid himself down to die in his own
home in Boston, at the allotted age of three score years and ten.
The monument over his grave in Mt. Auburn well says "An honest
man here lies at rest."
The above memoir (originally printed in 1891) was kindly fur-
nished by Mr. Robert Codman, executor of the estate.
THE NAME I:N^ STOEY.
" Miss Bent or at His Footstool," an Episcopalian book " on
the Litany and the Occasional Prayers and Thanksgivings," by
Mrs. F. Burge Smith, was published in 1881, in New York (256
pages).
In the Thanksgiving number of the Youth's Companion, Nov.
24, 1892, was an illustrated Thanksgiving story by Majorie Rich-
ardson. The principal characters are Tommy Bent, his Aunt
Eunice and Peter Bent, and the scene is in Middlesex county, all
of which point to the author's knowing something of the Bents.
A short story, "A Valedictory," by "M. E. W.,"in the Boston
Sunday Herald of June 23, 1895, has, for its scene. Bent Hall in a
college endowed by Peter Bent.
BENTS m ENGLAND AND ELSEWHERE.
The Bents are widely scattered. In England there seem to be
three distinct families, originating, says Rev. Frederick Chas. Bent
of London, in Lancashire, Shropshire and Devonshire, and the
Burkes give three coats-of-arms. The motto of one of these ia
worth remembering : " Nee temere nee timide" (neither rashly nor
timidly) .
Perhaps the best known of the modern English Bents is James
Theodore Bent, F. S. A., of London, the distinguished archaeolo-
gist, who died May 5, 1897, just after his return from Arabia. He
was the author of several interesting and valuable books upon his
travels in Genoa, San Marino, the Islands of the Mediterranean,
Persia, the interior of Southern Africa and Abyssina. Born in
1852, he graduated with honors from Wadham College, Oxford
University in 1875, and soon after went to live in the little republic
of San Marino. This resulted in his first book, published in 1879.
The Illustrated London News of May 15, 1897, said of him:
"Though he was only forty-five years of age, he had made himself
famous as an intrepid traveller and as an archaaologist of great
278 BENT FAMILY.
taste and resource. * * * * In 1877 he married Mabel,
daughter of the late Mr. Eobert Westlej Hall-Dare, D.L. With
her he began at once his long course of travels, on which he was
assisted by his proficiency as a linguist. * * * Last Novem-
ber they visited the Island of Sokotra. On their return they visited
portions of the surrounding country quite unknown to Europeans,
and unfortunately caught malarial fever. Recovering, they stopped
on the way home a few days at Marseilles, where he caught a cold
which brought a return of the fever, complicated with pneumonia,
from which he could not rally. A wanderer for twenty years, he
came home at last only to die."
A list of his publications follows :
A Freak of Freedom on the Republic of San Marino. Illus.
271 pages, 1879.
Genoa : How the Republic Rose and Fell. Illus. 420 pages.
1881.
Life of Giuseppe Garibaldi. 313 pages. 1881.
The Cyclades or Life among the Insular Greeks. 501 pages.
1885.
A Scholastic Island, a six-page article in MacMillan's Magazine
for October, 1889, treats of Chalki, one of Princes Islands in the
Sea of Marmora.
The Ruined Cities of Mashonaland, a record of excavation and
exploration in the interior of Southern Africa in 1891. Illus. 376
pages. 1892. Portraits of the author and his wife.
The Sacred City of the Ethiopians : a record of a visit to Aksum
in Abyssinia in 1893. 309 pages.
Early Voyages and Travels in the Levant, being the Diaries of
Master Thomas Dallam and Dr. John Covel. Edited by J. T.
Bent, 1893. 305 pages.
Arabia ; the Hadramut Valley : in the Nineteenth Century for
September, 1894.
Muscat: in the Living Age, January 18, 1896.
Italians in Abyssinia : in Fortnightly Review for September, 1896.
Northern Sudan : in the Geographical Journal for October, 1896.
The Dervish Frontier : in the Nineteenth Century for October,
1896.
Travels among the Armenians : Contemporary Review for No-
vember, 1896.
J . Theodore Bent's father, James Bent, was a magistrate in York-
shire, while his uncle. Sir John Bent, who died in 1857, was mayor
of Liverpool in 1850. They are descended from Hamlet Bent
(1642-1728), son of Lawrence Bent (died 1670, aged 96), of
Bentlanes, near Eccles, some four miles west of Manchester.
In Manchester Cathedral is the tomb of Edward Bent of Korsall,
BENT FAMILY. 279
Gentleman, who died 1719. In Manchester in 1890 was a James
Bent, Superintendent of County Constabulary, besides several others
of the name.
John Bent of Wrexham, Buckinghamshire, born in 1782, son of
Eev. Geo. Bent, by his wife Mary, daughter of John Milton of
Bristol, entered the British army as an ensign and retired as major
in 1831.
Among the gentry of Sussex in 1855 was Gibbs Francis Bent of
Oat Hall, Lindfield. Near by was a Hotel Bent Arms, " delight-
fully situated on the summit of a hill."
Rev. Frederick Chas. Bent, in 1889, speaks of a Col. Bent of the
Royal Engineers ; of a Bent, Chief Constable of Exeter ; a Bent,
Inspector of Police, and Rev. J. A. Bent of Woolwich.
Lieut. -Gen. George Bent, C. B., R. E., died at his residence at
Sydenham, Eng., Dec. 27, 3 897, aged 77. He was a son of the
late Colonel Bent, R. A., and entered the Royal Engineers in 1838,
was with the Turkish army on the Danube from June to December,
1854, and from January, 1855, served at the siege and fall of Se-
vastopol, being for the last six months of the time director of the
left attack.
The will of Anne Parris of Islington, Eng., wife of Thomas Par-
ris of the Island of Barbadoes, bequeaths £50 in 1665 to her " loving
cousin Thomas Bent, citizen and merchant taylor of London." This
Thomas Parris appears to be the father of Rev. Samuel Parris of
witchcraft fame. The latter's daughter married Peter Bent of Sud-
bury.
In Amsterdam, in the 17th century, lived a John van der Bent
(1650-1690), who attained some celebrity as a landscape painter,
and the name van der Bent is still found in Holland. There are
even two in Amsterdam with the " van der " left off.
In Paris (1899) is an L. I. Bent, while in southern France, at
Toulouse, Henry Bent, with his brothers and sisters, are engaged in
the manufacture of church ornaments, vestments and jewelry, an
industry carried on by their father and grandfather. The story is
told by a brother. Rev. Charles Bent, honorary canon, curate of
the parish of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Algiers, Africa, who writes
(November, 1893) : "Our father died eight years ago, aged 75.
He was the last of a numerous family. Our grandfather died in
1833, aged about 75. The grandfather was saved while very young
from a fire, and adopted into a family named Barateau, of Toulouse,
manufacturers of church ornaments. He was brought up by this
family and married the daughter of the house."
R. M. Bent, of New York, whose father came from near Liver-
pool, says three of his father's brothers entered the English army,
two dying in the Indies and one becoming paymaster-general in the
East India service.
18
280 BENT FAMILY.
The 1893 Melbourne (Australia) directory gives seven Bents,
including an Hon. Thomas Bent.
Ellis Bent (son of Robert Bent of England) was Judge Advocate
and sole judicial officer of New South Wales early in the 19th cen-
tury, and gave the colony its first legal constitution. In 1814 his
brother, JefFery Hart Bent, was sent out as Chief Justice. Upon
the former's death the latter returned to England in 1817. About
1820 he was appointed Chief Justice of Grenada, where he remained
most of the time, until 1836, when he was transferred to British
Guiana (South America), where he was still located at the time of
his death in 1852. Chief Justice Bent was uncle to the Right Rev.
Robert Bent Knox, D. D., bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore.
Samuel Bent, who was born in Sweden in 1814 and died in Low-
ell, Mass., in 1843, was without doubt a descendant of John
Bent of Sudbury, Mass., 1638 (see page 252).
COATS-OF-AEMS.
The three coats-of-arms described in Sir Bernard Burke's " Gen-
eral Armory of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales" (1884),
are as follows :
Bent of Basford House, Staffordshire, formerly from Lancashire:
coat-of-arms, — azure on fesse or, between six besants three torteux.
Crest — a demi-lion azure holding between his paws a bezant.
Motto — nee temere nee timide.
Bent of Wrexham Lodge, Buckinghamshire, originally from Dev-
onshire : coat-of-arms — per pale azure and gules on a fesse en-
grailed or, between six besants, a lion's head erased of the second
between two annulets of the first. Crest — a demi-lion rampant per
fesse azure and gules gorged with a collar indented and holding
between the paws a bull's head cabossed or. Motto — Tutamen
Deus. This coat-of-arms is the result of a combination of some
other with the preceding.
Of the third coat-of-arms no details are given. The description
is short and simple — gules, a fret or. Perhaps this belonged to the
Shropshire family referred to by Rev. F. C. Bent of London.
It is almost needless to add that none of the American Bents are
entitled to coat armor, which is entirely foreign to American ideas
and institutions-
ADDITIOl^S AJSTD COEKECTIOJS^S.
Sarah* Bent, dau. of John* Bent (see bottom of page 30), d. in
Canton, Mass., Jan. 18, 1829, se. 85; she m. Nov. 21, 1770,
Henry Bailey Withington, who was born in Stoughton, Aug. 4,
1743, son of Edward and Hannah. They had six children:
1. Noah, b. 1771. 2. Elijah, b. 1775. 3. Henry, b. 1777.
4. Mary, b. 1779. 5. Samuel, b. 1783. 6. Sarah, b. 1785.
Sarah^ Bent, dau. of Ebenezer* Bent (see middle of page 31),
d. unm. in Milton, Mass., Oct. 23, 1846, ae. 95.
Mary* Bent, sister of Sarah preceding, and widow of Samuel
Newcomb, d. in what is now Quincy, at great age.
David* Bent (page 39). Omit what is given about his Revolu-
tionary service.
Thomas^ Bent (page 66), b. April, 1845. Add middle name,
Armstrong.
Silas' Bent (page 69), d. Sept. 1849.
Capt. William® Bent (page 70), was the first of the family to
live in Cochituate village.
Charles Hammond' Bent (Thomas W.,® David,* David,* David, ^
John,^ John') [see page 76] was born in Croghan, N. Y., Sept.
18, 1838, and died in hospital at Denver, Colo., Dec. 28, 1896,
£6. 58. He was educated in Lowville Academy and Antwerp Insti-
tute, where he studied law. After teaching school in Tazewell Co.,
111., in the winter of 1862-63, he moved to Colorado, but after two
years returned to New York. In 1865 he located in what is now
Labette County (Kansas), which he represented in the state legis-
lature in 1867. The same year he was admitted to the bar. In
the succeeding years he was county attorney, and for five successive
years police judge in Oswego, Kan. In 1877 he moved to Hins-
dale County, Colorado, where he was engaged in mining for the
rest of his life, except when attending to his duties as county com-
missioner (four years) and representative to the legislature (in
1893-94).
BENT FAMILY. 283
He m. in Oswego, Kan., Dec. 23, 1868, Jennie, dau. of William
H. and Sarah M. Carr. Mrs. Bent is living with her children at
Antelope Springs, near Lake City, in the mountains of Colorado.
Children, i. to iv. b. in Oswego, Kan. ; v. in Sherman, Colo. :
i. May, b. May 12, 1870 ; d. July 31, 1872.
ii. Ernest C, b. March 2, 1872 ;"d. Jan. 2, 1873.
tf itLiftrt- iii. Herbert Carr, b. Aug. 16, 1873; living at Antelope Springs,
^ ' Colo. ; m. Oct. 30, 1898, Eva M. Morgan. - |<i.H «^ S -
iv. Earl H., b. Aug. 20, 1876. ^ m . r, -« -* ^ p
V. Edith M., b. Feb. 24, 1882. - ' V"^ ' " " •■ ^ r " '' '" '" ^ ^ " ' ' '"
Gov. Charles^ Bent of New Mexico (see pages 121 to 123) mar-
ried Maria Ignacia Jaramilla, who was born April 15, 1815, and
died April 13, 1883. They had two children who died in infancy.
Their son Alfred® was born in 1837, not 1836. Their daughter
Estefina®, or Estefana, was born Aug. 3, 1839, and is living at St.
Mary's, Colo., with her son Alfred Bent^ Hicklen. She m. Oct.
15, 1856, Alexander Hicklen. The governor's younger daughter,
Terisina,® was born Oct. 15, 1841, and is living in Taos, N. M.
She mar. second in 1865, Aloys Scheurich, and had five children:
1. Charles Adolph^ Scheurich, living in Santa Fe, N. M., where
he is at present (1899) City Treasurer. 2. Lena Agnes Scheurich.
3. Albert Bent Scheurich, superintendent of a copper mine in Han-
over, N. M. 4. Celestina Dora Scheurich. 5. Josephine Mercedes
Scheurich.
Mary Catherine Bean (page 128) was born Dec. 23, 1846, at
Rock Point, now a part of St. Louis.
Edward^ Bent's wife, Harriet Amanda (page 130), was born in
Tunbridge, Vt., Feb. 5, 1819.
Lincoln Goodale'^ Bent (see page 132) m. about 1841 Mary A.
Kirts, a native of Maryland, who d. in Wabash, Ind., Dec. 1895.
She was a dau. of Michael and Elizabeth Kirts of Marion County,
Ohio.
Children :
i. Sarah J.,^ d. young.
ii. Emma A., b. May 4, 1844; living in Wabash, Ind. ; m. John B.
Ridenour, who d. about 1894; tliree children: 1. Margaret.
2. Amos. 3. Ira.
iii. George K., b. Dec. 9, 1845 ; d. May 17, 1898 ; m. Mary E.
Burns, who is living in San Angelo, Texas ; five children :
1. 7?ose,^ m. James Langdon. 2. Hugh. d. Albert. 4. George.
5. Margaret.
iv. Mary Ellen, d. about 1889 ; m. George Ridenour, who is living
in Texas ; six children.
V. William H., b. Sept. 5, 1849 ; living in Wabash, Ind. ; m. Aug.
28, 1873, Augusta Pearson ; seven children : 1. Walter S.,^
284 BENT FAMILY.
b. Aug. 24, 1874. 2. Wilber E., b. Dec. 19, 1875. 3. Lucy
M., b. Aug. 10, 1877. 4. Franlc K, saw service in Co. D,
160th Indiana Infantry, in war with Spain. 5. Ethel A.,};).
April 25, 1885. 6. Ruth A., b. May 28, 1888. 7. Hazel F.,
b. Jan. 15, 1890.
vi. Lucy A., living in Sabetha, Kan. ; m. Walter Brown ; three chil-
dren.
vii. Albert D., living in Peru, Ind. ; m. Rebecca "Weesner ; two chil-
dren : 1. Effie. 2. .
viii. Amos R., m. Luella Sullivan ; three children : 1. Clarence.
2. Edith. 3, Florence.
ix. RoENA C, living at Choctaw, Oklahoma Territory ; m. Emmett
McErvin ; two children : 1. Paul. 2. Marie.
X. Martha E., living in Wabash, Ind. ; m. Daniel Cooper ; three
children: 1. Clinton. 2. Hazel. 3. Howard.
xi. Anna L., living in Rich Valley, Ind. ; m. Henry Davis ; four
children : 1. Murel. 2. Lola. 3. Harry. 4. Harley.
xii. Phebe M., d. in 1864.
David* Bent, son of Asaph'' (see page 137), died at Forest Glen,
N. S., in the summer of 1895. His v^ridow is living at Stronach
Mountain, N. S. They had five children: 1. Ruth, m. Lamont
Stronach. 2. George Leason, b. May 13, 1872 ; has lived in
Philadelphia since October, 1897 ; m. Oct. 31, 1899, Elizabeth J.,
daughter of William J. and Catherine (Logan) Lowery of Boston.
3. Lillian. 4. Parker. 5. Sarah.
Susan® Bent, daughter of Asaph'', died in 1897, but her husband
is living at Stronach Mountain, Annapolis County, N. S. Three
children.
Ruth* Bent, daughter of Asaph,'' is living at Nobscot, Framing-
ham, Mass.
David Parker* Bent, son of Rufus' Bent (see page 137), was
never married.
Mary Amelia* Bent (see top of page 138) died May 11, 1895.
William (S.)* Bent, son of Phineas L.'' (p. 139), has two sons,
William Golding (b. Jan. 1, 1876) and George Moulton (b. Oct.
29, 1877) ; both born in Chelsea.
Thomas^ Bent (see page 163) established his business, the Globe
Iron Foundry, in 1843, and retired, a rheumatic invalid, ten years
before his death. His widow, a native of Carver, Mass., d. in
Port Chester, N. Y., April 16, 1897, jb. 90.
Children, ii. b. in Albany, N. Y. ; iii. b. in Jersey City, N. J. ;
iv. in New York City :
i. Charles Henry,* b. 1829 ; d. 1830.
ii. Samuel Shaw, b. 1830.
BENT FAMILY. 285
iii. . Elizabeth Mdrdock, b. June 19, 1838; living in Port Ches-
ter, N. Y. ; m. March 29, 1865, Lewis Tours of Port Chester,
N. Y., who d. about 1878. Only two of their five children
survived infancy : 1. Jessie May^ Tours. 2. Florence Adele
Tours, m. Oct. 1898, Clarence Scott of Greenwich, Conn.
iv. Abby Shaw, b. April 9, 1846 ; d. June 9, 1876 ; m. April 24,
1867, James W. Finley. One child, A. Delgardo^ Finley^
b. March, 1868, living in Glenville, Conn.
George (F.)* Bent, b. 1853, son of Edmund'' and Sarah (see
page 197), is living in Lynn, Mass., vi^here he m. Dec. 5, 1877,
Addie E. Varney, a native of Berwick, Me., dau. of Cyrus and
Hannah Varney. Children, b. in Lynn: 1. Ralph Milton, b.
March 26, 1880. 2. George Harold, b. May 27, 1887 ; and others.
Charles (E.)^ Bent, son of DanieF (page 200), d. in Chelsea,
Mass., March 22, 1892, ae. 35 yrs., 5 mos., 16 days.
George' Bent (page 200), m. first, Nov. 27, 1823, Hannah
Colburn.
The widow of George Starratt* Bent (see top of page 214) died
Oct. 3, 1898. Their eldest daughter is living on the old farm at
Belleisle, N. S. The second daughter, Amanda S., is living at
Belleisle and has four children : Wilder, Ralph, Mary and Elson.
The third daughter, Laura J., is living at Mt. Hanley, Annapolis
County, N. S. The fourth daughter is living in Upper Granville,
N. S., and has no children. The youngest daughter, Clara B.,
married John McCormick of Granville Centre, N. S.
David Parker^ Bent (page 214), omit everything.
LAST SCENE OF ALL.
AROUSEMENT.
So many years the ripples of the bay
Had kissed the shore-set homes of old Pompeii,
So many morns the slow, sure-rising sun
Had brought the trivial tasks and seen them done,
So many level days and years so long
And still for patient toil or lilting song ;
What if Vesuvius' shadow they forgot.
His fierce, hoarse threatenings heard nor heeded not ?
Until his watchful, vengeful strength awoke
And o'er their helpless life his thunders broke.
As in Pompeiian time our years slip past.
Each sunlit day so like unto the last.
Each placid hour with small engrossing care
For food or raiment, moments full and fair ;
Are we so short of sight as not to see
How broodeth o'er us a great mystery ?
Till Death's gray shadow fall athwart our light
Or Love's quick voice speak through the tranquil night,
Till in some sudden, breathless, judgment hour
'Tis Life o'erwhelms us with resistless power.
Frances Bent Dillingham.
INDEX OF BEKTS.
THE NAME MAY APPEAR MORE THAN ONCE ON A PAGE.
Aaron, 198, 240
Abbie or Abbv (see also
Abigail), "163
Abbie A., Ill
B., 146, 168
E., 171
J., 253
L., 118
S., 285
v., 106
Abel, 198
D., 72, 149
Abiali, 44
Abigail (see Abbie) 18,
24, 25, 27, 36-38, 41,
67, 68, 70, 82, 102,
137, 168
Abigail, Mrs., 20, 27, 37,
38, 41, 67, 163, 181,
218
Abigail A., 105
D., 81
S., 137
Abner, 35, 62
Abraham, 103, 199
N., 69. 144
Acla(h), 139, 199, 213
D., 239
F., 222
M., 178, 196
Adaliue C, 83
Adam, 48, 98, 99
Addie H., 243
Adelaide, 112
L., 150
Adelbert K., 242
Adeline E., 72
Agnes, 10, 13, 14
B., 189
M., 118
Ailsie, 198
Albenia, 69
Albert, 96, 185, 283
A., 100, 188
B., 217
D , 132, 284
E., 143
Aldnia, 74
Alebinia, 186
Alexander, 86, 169
Alfaretta M., 150
Alfred, 103, 123, 211, 283
E., 237
M., 173
Alice, 10, 20, 30, 101, 176,
191, 200, 205, 237
Alice A., 148
B., 234
D., 187
E., 121, 230
L., 116, 236
M., 114, 155, 237,
238
O., 135
P., 246
S., 246
Allen (A.), 55, 112-114,
117
Allen H., 114, 209
Almira, 65, 84, 94, 180
Almon (C), 234
Alpheus, 102, 251
Alphonso, 41, 76, 269
Alsa E., 231
Alton, 198
Alvan, 32
Alvin, 220
F., 76, 151, 154
Amanda, 145, 197
S., 214, 285
Ambrose, 69, 102, 194,
197
Amelia, 68, 132, 176, 214,
240
Amelia G., 235
M., 173
R., 142
Amoret, 145, 197
Amos, 86
R., 132, 147, 284
Amy, 68, 69, 92, 94, 145,
180
Amy A., 176
C, 179, 238
AmyD., 179
G.,219
H., 249
Andrew, 200
Andrew J., 66
Angelia A., 72
Angelina, 195
Angelina, 116, 166
B., 202
Angle M., 209
Ann 1 23, 25, 27, 32, 36,
Anne ! 46, 69, 88, 90, 95,
Anna 1 97. 103, 104, 195,
Annie J 200
Ann, etc., iHfrs., 26, 31, 32,
46, 68-70, 83, 135,
137, 147, 175, 186,
190, 195, 198, 220,
241
Anna A., 144, 229
B., 187
C, 143, 144, 165,
282
E., 129, 178, 214,
221, 230
G., 51
I., 136
L., 110, 284
M., 80, 141, 146,
153, 220, 247
S., 110
Annabel, 212
Annie A., 172, 174
H., 235
I., 11!)
L., 206, 236
M., 142, 189, 198,
216
S., 253
Antoinette, 254
Arabella G., 231
K., 231
Araminta, 180, 183
Arcliibald, 70, 146, 199
r.. 252
Archie C., 214
Ardenia, 199
288
BENT FAMILY.
Arethusa, 47, 67, 91, 97
Arminilla, 199
Arnold A., 118
C, 234
Arthur, 186, 198, 253
A., 239
C, 248
E., 222
r., 251
P., 238, 247
S., 81, 159, 245
W., 179, 238
A(rnnal]) Allen, 55, 112-
114, 117
Asahel, 85, 167
W., 51, 110
Asaph, 37, 67, 69, 137,
284
Asenath, 51
Aubrey W., 217
Augusta, 62, 186, 199,
235, 283
A., 97
Augustus C., 65
S., 145
Austin T., 248
Avery, 250
B., 158
P., 250
Avis, 147
Barbara A.. 139
Barry D., 238, 249
E., 249
Bartlett, 82, 162, 228
T., 229
Beatrice, 178
Bedford, ls4
Belina, 144
Belle, 167, 226
Benjamin, 104, 200
C, 253
P., 96, 185
Beriah, 67, 136
Bertha E., 185
M., 221
W., 217
Bertie, 234
Bertram 1)., 219
Bessie, 185
J., 252
M. A., 239
Bethia, 48, 84, 85, 169
Betsev, 32-84, 39. 40, 47,
54, 55, 73, 88, 97,
15
Betsev. 3frs., 53, 70, 87,
150, 195. 202
Betsev C, .S4, 85 ■
Betty, 28
Beulah, 18. 26
A . 77
B., 227
Bina (see also Jacobina) ,
47, 97
Birdie B., 213
Blair B., 183, 238
Blanche, 208, 244
M., 232
Britta, 135
Buckley, 250
Burpee B,, 217
E., 178
Busby, 69, 143
Byron A., 235
D.,222
C. Almon, 234
Calvin G., 92, 175, 235,
273
Calvin M., 178
T., 179
Caroline, 66, 68, 138, 165,
196-199, 208
Caroline A., 138, 232
E., 204
H., HI
J., 165
L., 164
M., 166
S., 139
Carrie A., 154, 224
B., 242
E., 216, 219
F., 120
J., 120
M., 249
Carroll W., 244
Catalina S., 153
Catherine, 25, 42, 43, 198
A., 106
3)., 251
J., 155
M.,80, 154, 247
II., 145
Cecilia, 179
S., 179
Charhanna A., 228
Charity, 44
M., 159
Charles, Gov. of N. M.,
59, 121, 125, 127, 261,
283
Charles, Hon. of 111., 77,
156, 157. 269, 271
Charles of Col., 211
Charles of Lowell, 48,
101
Charles of N. S., 49, 86,
96, 104. 170, 181, 185,
186, 200, 216
Charle.s of S. I., 98
Charles (I). 1889), 235
Charles of Aiii-iers, 279
Charles A., 81, 159, 167,
170, 233, 248
Charles C, 88, 172, 188,
238
D., 172
E., 58, 71, 96,
120, 197, 206,
229, 245, 285
E., 187
G., 196
H., 76, 97, 153,
159, 173, 222,
234, 282
H. W., 164, 230
I., 77
L., 194, 209, 254
M., 159, 176, 190,
238, 247
O., 55, 112, 116
P.. 100. 190
R., 144, 254, 268
S., 77, 138, 234
T., 179
T. A., 143
W., 77, 141, 169,
195, 196, 227
Charlotte, 61, 77, 130,
137, 141
A., 66, 141, 238
L., 181
M., 96
Chloe, 46, 88
Christiana, 84
Christina, 254
Christopher, 250
Clara, 197, 216
A., 158, 159
B., 144, 214, 285
E., 189
M., 254
W., 158, 214
Clarence, 284
D.,245
Clarinda, 74
Clarissa, 40, 74, 100
A., 108
S., 165
Claris, C, 188
E., 75, 153
Claudin D., 229
Clementina, 47
Clifford, 186
Clinton A., 154
D., 65, 134
CoraE., 172
L., 210, 213
M.,210
Cordelia E., 225
Corinne, 229
Corliss, 73
Cornelia, 145
J., 221
O., 249
Cornelius C. F., 189, 240
Crusa A., 215
INDEX.
289
Curtis E., 150, 223
Cynthia, 47, 92-94, 104,
166, 174, 180, 200,
235
Cyntliia A., 80, 166
B., 237
M., 176
Cyrus A., 58, 120
H., 66, 136
Daisy S., 155
Dalmanutha, 73, 150, 154
Dauiel, 35, 47, 63, 96,
104, 200
Daniel C, 165, 231
F., 51, 110
J., 209
W., 36, 273
Darius, 29, 41
E., 42
G., 148, 154 ■
S., 75
David of Ens., 10
of Framingham,
16, 19
of Rutland, 20, 28,
262, 263 ,
of N. S.,27, 37, 67,
69,70, 137, 138,
195, 196, 214,
284
of Philadelphia,
250
of Vt., 29, 39,40,
41, 73, 282
(1799-1819), 38
A., 145
E., 138
J., 36, 65, 267,
273
M., 142, 202
P., 137, 188, 269,
284, 285
Deborah, 31, 103, 149,
197
Decinia, 156
Delia, 169
Delinda, 41
Delia, 211
Dennis, 10, 70, 145
Dexter (Edvv.), 205
Dexter (Thos.), 220
Diana H., 151
Dolly, 167
Donald E., 237
Dora, 199, 201
Dorcas, 26, 35, 37,59,62,
68, 124, 168
Dorothy, 25, 95, 244
A., 159
L., 237
Dykemau A., 234
EarlD., 153
E., 227
P., 1S2, 273
G.. 182
H., 283
S., 154, 226
Ebenezerof Milton, 22,
31,47,264
of Quincy, 48,
100
of Middleboro',
84, i64
of N. S.,-t9, 103,
199
of Steelton, Pa.,
100, 191
Ebenezer Vose, 8, 47, 94,
273
Edith, 9, 10,191,193,255,
284
E., 221
P., 144
I., 237
M., 147, 236, 283
N., 234
Edmund, 102, 141, 197
Edna C, 226
O., 232
S., 246
Edward, 9, 101, 102, 129,
139, 185, 195,
241, 278,283
C, 248
D., 106, 173, 205
E., 143, 241
P., 188, 239, 251
M., 147
P., 230
T., 130, 246
Edwin, 138, 214
B., 144
C, 166
J., 66. 77, 135
L., 233
M., 178
S., 217
Effie, 284
A., 158
Elbridge G., 202, 244
Eleanor, 31, 187, 195
J., 96
Eleanora, 224
Elfear, 85
Eliakim, 69, 143
Elias, 49, 69, 103
Elihu, 169
Elinor, 252
Elinor M., 236
Eliona M., 244
Elijah, 26. 5u, 66,90, 131,
173, 207
Elijah K., 64
Elisha, 33, 35
M., .53, 55, 118
Eliza, 34, 55, 65, 102, 104,
112, 168. 181, 250
A., 42,56, 166, 178,
202, 230
C, 82
P., 167
G., 221
J., 202, 2.52
L., 87, 273
M., 108
S.,67
T., 204
W., 65, 109
Elizabeth, 14, 17-20, 22,
26, 27, 30, 31, 37, 48,
61, 68,71,82,85, 103,
157, 169, 241
Elizabeth, 3Irs., 14, 28,
30, 36, 44, 62, 63, 77,
82, 96, 98, 102, 104,
169,179,184,186,197-
200,206.212,215,220,
237, 251
Elizabeth A., 70, 71, 110,
138, 140, 142, 190,252
Elizabeth B., 248
C, 32, 51, 137,
198,237,240,
273
D., 135, 245
E., 112
H., 107, 210
J., 284
M., 163, 285
P., 100
R., 43
S., 68, 201, 273
Elkanah, 44. 86, 170,234
Ella E., 145
P., 212
G., 216
L., 144
M., 120, 199
S., 233
Ellen, 97, 102, 133, 139,
169, 196
A., 195
B.,252
E.,234
P., 233
J., 153
M., 198
R., 240
S., 200
Ellis, 280
Elmer M., 220
Elmina, 55, 115
Elsie P., 248
Elvira, 73, 145, 191
Elwiu, 250
290
BENT FAMILY.
Elwood S., 239
Emeline, 65, 82, 116, 147
A., 66, 75
B.,76
E., 251
H., 136, 247
M., 65
P., 189
Emily, 71, 83, 178, 198,
199
A., 100,172
E., 183, 172
F., 210
J., 169
Emma, 108, 143,170,215,
239, 240, 242
A., 110, 283
B., 243
C, 109
E., 187
F., 209
J., 166, 195, 206
L., 204
M.. 224, 244
N., 204
O., 141
T., 190
Ena M., 196
Eusley M., 187
Erastus, 186
Ermiua, 198, 199, 242
Ernest, 147, 182, 199, 202,
222
E., 245
Ersula L., 75
Erva A., 151
Erwin, 215
Esteflna, 123, 283
Estella, 200
Esther, 64, 71,85,86, 169,
225
Esther A., 166
C, 151
Ethan A . , 185
Ethel, 178
A., 284
F., 217
J. 239
M., 146, 221,249
S., 222
Etta S., 243
Eugene A., 71
P., 217
Eulalia, 230
Eunice, 25, 26, 30, 45, 47,
85-87,94,97,98,103,
188
Eunice, 3£rs., 84, 86, 197,
198
Eunice A., 181
B., 243
C, 92, 176, 273
Eunice E., 155, 179, 186
H., 168
Euphemia, 103, 138
E., 138, 141
Eustace, 71
Eva, 211
E., 153, 178
H., 252
J., 234
M., 234, 283
Evelvn F., 222
Everett, 84, 85
W., 250
EverlinaB., 226
Everline A., 164
E., 164
Evie, 120
Experience, 17, 20,33,34,
44, 83, 84, 102
Ezekiel, 102, 195
J., 41
Ezra, 47, 97, 103, 198, 199
Famitcha, 198
Fannie or Fanny, 49, 105,
146,172,194,195,211,
216, 251
Fannie A., 155, 165
E., 119,175, 234
Fanny L., 57
Fannie R., 218
Faustina, 153
Fear, 85
Fearing W.,159
Felton, 194
Fenvi'ick W., 196
Ferdinand A., 71, 148
Fitz Edward, 190, 267
Flora J.. 118
Florence, 204, 214, 284
A., 144, 147
B., 205
D., 246
E., 218, 251
G., 246
L., Ill
M., 208, 230
P., 245
Frances, 97, 136, 139, 149,
197,199,215,216,254
Frances A., 66, 135, 188,
247
B., 204, 211
C, 189
E., 121, 138, 231,
250
F., 55, 116
H., 66
L., 215
M., 204
W., 110
Francis, 81, 228, 264, 268
A., 166
A. B., 217
E., 58, 121
F., 110, 209
H., 173
P., 228
S., 207
W., 228
Frank, 182, 185, 219
F., 214
G., 142
H., 206, 284
N., 254
R., 229
Franklin A., 211
Frazer (J.), 236
Fred, 182, 223, 242
B., Ill
E., 209, 227
F., 77
J., 154
L., 244
N., 236
O., 219
V. D., 144
Frederick, 197, 214
Chas., 277, 279
H., 208, 248
L., 201
W., 97, 187, 253
Fredericka H., 238
Freeman, 242
Gardiena E., 219
Gardiner L., 219
George of E. Sudbury and
Natick, 38,
71, 221
of Montreal, 41,
76
Rev., 43, 80, 279
of Col., 59
ofN. S., 102,196,
197,199,214,
215,241
of Qnincy, 104,
200, 285
of Chicago, 134,
213
of I. T., 126
of Mich., 190
Lt. Gen. of Eng.,
279
George A., 159, 200, 242
B., 116, 143, 179,
237, 239
C., 130, 152, 181,
189, 225, 231,
240
D., 76
INDEX.
291
George E., 100, 146, 155,
187, 189, 210,
219
r., Ul, 247, 285
F. C, 218
H., 77, 106, 120,
158, 210, 230,
233, 239, 246,
248, 285
K., 132, 283
L., 120, 251, 284
M., 157, 222, 244,
284 [267
O., 71, 146, 221,
P., 81, 158
E., 77, 155, 176,
236, 246, 269
E. L., 246
S., Ill, 137, 147,
214, 243, 285
T., 103
U.,241
W.,40, 74, 76, 83,
155, 167, 250,
251, 268, 273
Geo. W. & Co., 217, 250
Georgia A., 225
E., 209
H., 219
Georgiana, 190, 201, 210
Georgiauna F., 219
Georgie A., 239
Georgiua, 103
Gertrude, 178, 235
C, 251
J., 229
L., 158
M., 212, 222, 247
GesnerT., 239
GibbsF., 279
Gideon S., 152 [251
Gilbert, 68, 141, 170, 241,
0., 142
E., 139, 141, 215,
269
W. W., 215
Gladys, 178
J., 211
Grace, 27
A., 237
B., 191
E., 120
M., 241
Grandisou, 102, 196
Guadaloupe, 211
Hamilton, 131
Hamlet, 278
Hannah, 16,19,44, 47,48,
50, 6G, 72, 85, 86, 90,
94, 95, 103, 104, 140,
149, 170, 252
Hannah, Mrs., 16, 19, 42,
47-49, 72, 106,
144, 151, 160,
162, 165, 169,
200, 248, 252
A.,
A. H., 101
C, 90
E., 242
M,, 51, 162
P., 160, 162
S.. 139, 140
W., 36,43, 273
Harmon, 176
Harold, 242
B., 119
L., 208
(S.), 209
T., 187, 211
U., 238
Harriet, 47, 49, G6, 74,
105, 110, 137,
149, 185, 200,
231
A., 118, 130, 144
C, 171, 212
D., 204
F., 247
J., 142
L., 111,242
M., 71, 229
P., 153
S., 51, 191, 195
Harriette M., 229
Harris, 242
Harry, 157, 216
A., 221
D., 206
L., 251
S., 158
Hartwell, 73, 151
F., 76, 151
H., 151, 224
J., 225
Harvey G., 130
Hattie, 217, 223, 242
G., 174
M., 81, 111, 218
Hazel, 242
A., 227
F., 284
G., 252
Helen, 104
F., 190
H. H., 218
J., 239
M., 108, 130, 146,
225
T., 232
Henrietta, 148, 160, 170
F., 147
Henry, 34, 66, 198, 241,
268, 279
A., 209, 246
B.,189, 190
F., 201, 241
H., 197, 198
H. B., 250
K. W., 245
E., 108, 216
S., 245
W., 66, 153
Hephzibah, 110
Herbert, 189, 239
A., 147, 222
C, 283
F., 164, 231
H.,214
M., 189
N., 120
W., 143
Hezekiah, 34, 57
Hiram, 70, 105, 146, 198,
202
K., 146
Hopestill, 14, 18, 19, 25,
96
Horace A., 151, 225
D.,227
E., 155, 227
S., 244
W., 233
Horatio C, 198, 213
G., 65, 133, 134,
212, 273
Nelson, 88, 106,
145, 204, 219
Howard, 143
J., 252
N., 198
Hubert L., 169
Hugh, 283
Huldah, 194
Hyland F., 217
Hyman, 33, 54, 114, 115
Ida, 149, 222
J., 143
L., 251
M., 212
IdellaF., 71
Ignacia, 123
Ilona, 72
A., 74
Inglis, J., 238
Iowa B., 224
IraC, 167, 233
Irena A., 227
Irene, 173, 198
Irving D., 229
P., Ul
Isaac, 49, 67, 81, 82, 105,
137, 160, 201
292
BENT FAMILY.
Isaac A., 202, 244
Bartlett, 160
J., 201
P., 201
Isabel, 41, 221
Isabella, 38, 41
A., 38
J., 60, 58
Isabelle S., 108
Israel, 139, 216
A., 140, 217
L., 68, 140, 278
W.. 195
Ivan A., 159
C, 169
Jabez, 18, 24, 31, 264
Jacob, 139, 198, 199
F., 103, 198, 199,
242
G., 202
P., 253
v., 140, 217
Jacobina (see also Biua),
47,92, 97, 235
James, 49,82, 86,89,105,
145, 169, 195,
252, 253, 267,
278
A., 146, 220, 254
B., 42, 77
C, 169
C. E. H., 242
E., 110, 145, 185,
196, 209, 241
H., 142, 218
1., 201, 243
M., 70, 124, 146,
200, 211, 221,
236
E., 108, 176, 219
S., 68, 142, 235,
239
T., 178
Theodore, 277
v., 92, 177, 267
W.,202, 269
Jane, 27, 67, 74, 95, 143,
148, 179, 182,
184, 185, 196,
224, 241, 253,
254
A., 182
D. B., 82
E., 53, 55, 191
H., 138
W., 82
Janet, 77, 163, 198, 200
Jason, 26, 32, 38, 51, 71,
148, 264
Jay E., 227
M., 223
Jean M., 178
Jeanette, 144
Jeffery H., 280
Jemima, 29
Jennie, 178, 205, 206, 283
B., 108, 217
E„63, 143
L., 251
Jerusba, 32, 48, 64
P., 68
Jesse, 30, 47, 49, 95, 102,
184, 195, 263
L.,94
P., 247
Jessie, 104, 147, 219
D., 143
E., 195, 252
E. B., 187
H.,212
M., 148
Joan, 10
Joanna, 49, 104
B., 105
M., 202
Joel, 27, 35, 36, 64, 264
H., 41
W., 133, 212
John of England, 9, 255,
278
of Sudbury, 8, 10,
11, 257, 262
of Eramingham, 15,
19, 27, 28, 39,
262-264
of Marlboro', 14
of Southboro', 24,
262
of Milton, 22, 30, 49,
264
of Middleboro', 30,
43, 44, 263, 265
of Nova Scotia, 47,
68, 86, 92, 96,
102, 103, 141,168,
179, 186, 196,
235, 241
of Dedham, 106
of Missouri, 123
of Carver, 82, 160,
227
of Chelsea, 166
of Penn., 163
of Littleton, N. H.,
108
of 111., 223
of Gloucester, 251
of R. I., 253
of Boston, 253
John A., 166, 168, 197,
199, 232, 239,
242, 269
B., 76, 155, 212
John C, 65
E., 200, 206, 268
F., 140, 196, 216,
236
H., 50, 109, 187,
197, 199, 208,
243, 251
Inglis, 238
J., 76, 153, 254
K., 138
M., 244
O., 178
P., 61, 109, 110
Q., 206. 243, 268
R., 155, 198
S., 143, 167, 268
T., 179, 189, 269
van der, 279
W., 163, 237, 244
Z., 69
Jonah F., 250
Jonathan, 26, 33, 265, 267
P., 50, 108
Joseph of Sudbury and
Marshfield,
13, 16, 268
of Milton, 21, 30,
46, 50, 87,
262
Middleboro',
29
N. S., 44, 68,
85, 140, 168,
195,199,240,
241
Wis., 107
Wareham, 159
Conn., 172
R. I., 253
Boston, 254
JosephA., 78,80, 158,172,
234
B., 141, 176,217
F., 139, 140, 160,
180,183,218,
242, 269
K., 65, 134
N., 169
R., 232
v., 217
Josephine, 204, 241
E., 172, 234
F.,228
L., 246
Josiah, 39, 106, 203, 205,
246,265,269
J., 51
R., 246
Juanita, 213
Judith S., 88
Judson L., 230, 269
Julia, 127, 206, 254
A., 213
INDEX.
293
Julia C, 254
M., 148, 220
R., 118
Julian, 213
Juliannah, 59, 123
Justin W., 212
Justina, 198
Kate, 218
B., 144, 218
E., loo
M., 238
Katie P., 213
Kennetli C, 207
Kezia, 58, 81, 194, 200,
209, 240
Kimball, 168
Lalia, 169
E., 185, 217
r.,234
Laura, 76, 156, 198
A., 64, 190
E., 187, 235
r.,219
J., 214,237,285
Lauretta, 119
E., 150
J., 119
S., 120
Lavilla M., 151
Lavinia, 138, 145, 218, 241
C, 196
(S.), 145
Lawrence, 101, 194, 278
Lawrence W., 231
Lawson G., 147, 222
Leander R., 144
LeavittN., 211
Lelia S., 213
Lemuel, 44, 48, 88, 95, 96,
104, 182, 250,
262
E., 185
F., 201
M., 72, 149
LenaL., 236
M., 207
Leon G. L., 218
Leonora M., 153
Lephe (see also Relief),
40, 72
L., 74
Leslie, 194
(C.J, 112, 209
Lester H., 248
Letitia, 84, 135, 178
Levantea, 75
LeviB., 53, 111
Levinah J., 55
Lewis, 82, 98, 188, 250
A. B., 120
G., 213
Lewis R., 198
Lida E., 159
LillaM.,207
Lillian E., 154
H., 232
M., 155
Lincoln G., 62, 132, 283
Livonia 0., 75
Lizzie (see Elizabeth) ,
141
B., 234
D., 139
Lloyd E., 239
Lois, 26, 45, 69, 86, 104,
168
E., 143
Loisa, 251
LolaM., 224
Loretta, 103
A., 154
Lottie E., 150
Louis C, 166
Louisa, 71, 112, 147, 165,
179,196
B., 69
J., 137
M., 112, 232, 244
Lovefrey, 137
Lovina, 149
Lucetta W., 133
Lucinda, 134, 142
A., 132
C, 142
M.,212
Lucius E., 119
P., 58, 119
Lucretia, 34, 77, 107, 243
Lucy, 25, 28, 29, 40, 59,
68, 73, 82, 83,
85, 94, 97, 102,
104, 124, 129,
161, 198, 211,
222
A.,94, 107, 111,166,
233, 284
C, 38, 84 .
J., 50
L., 169
M., 85, 105, 238
O., 226
P., 153
Luella, 284
M., 154
Luke, 41
Lupie D., 211
LuraM., 243
Lui'ene, 55, 113
Lurenia, 110
Lutlier, 61, 84, 130, 164
M., 200
S., 101, 191,267
Luvose, 102, 198
Lydia, 20, 26, 30, 50, 73,
83, 167, 195
A., 120
E., 235
L., 76, 216
M., 64, 133, 152,
195, 196
Lynn R., 224
Mabel, 157
E.,143
L.,234
v., 190
W., 249
Mae, 206
Mahala, 195
Major E., 72, 149
Mamie 0., 248
Marcus M., 71
Mardula D., 75
Margaret, 102, 140-142,
169, 185, 195,
196, 198, 199,
219, 235, 240,
283
A., 142, 146
E., 218
G. E., 238
M., 173
v., 135
Margery, 10
Maria, 55, 68, 103, 115,
131, 168, 194
A., 43, 166
C, 139
H., 132, 136
L., 138, 207
M., 141
Marie M., 213
Marietta, 130
Mariette S., 135
Mariners., 187,239
W., 179
Marion, 209
C, 105
E.,218
H., 234
P., 226
Marjorie H., 239
Mark, 73
Marsliall A., 67
Martlia, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17,
19, 25-30, 33,
39, 46, 51, 52,
59, 75, 87, 96,
97, 124, 188
A., 71, 96, 135
C, 187, 189
D., 171
E., 284
E., 146, 240
H., 109
294
BENT FAMILY.
Martha J., 119, 150
M., 43
S., 245
T., 221
Martin, 47, 81, 91-93,101
176, 196, 235
F., 160, 227
S., 236
Mary, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26
28, 31, 33, 36-38, 46
47, 52. 59, 61, 65, 68
70, 74,81, 96,97, 103
104, 126, 128, 139
169, 183, 186, 188
200, 215
Mary, Mrs., 19,22,24,25
35-39, 47, 64
69, 71, 95, 103
104, 147, 159
163, 178, 182
184, 194-196
199, 201, 219
223, 227, 232
236, 238, 240
241, 244, 252
Mary A., 43, 51, 55, 57
78, 83, 87, 94,
102, 103, 106
132, 138, 144
163, 168-170
184, 185, 194
201, 214, 252
284
B., 189
C.,57, 133,138, 185
207,215,221
E.,75, 108, 109,118
119, 137-143
146, 151, 154
157, 163, 164
187, 190, 194
197, 200, 202
211, 222, 232
240, 252, 283
F., 147, 150, 201
G., 199, 226
J., 107, 141, 166,
189, 205, 252
K., 135
L., 56, 97, 112, 118,
129, 130, 158
L. K.,207
M., 64, 100, 145,
206, 209
N., 78, 109
O., 215
P., 80
R., 66, 186
S., 101, 165, 194,
225,251
T.,236
Matilda, 95, 131, 141, 182
Matilda E., 151
L., 108
W., 207
Matthias, 19, 27, 38, 265
Mattie A.,226
B., 119
D., 155
E.,239
Mand, 200, 206
Maurice H., 159
May, 185
E., 212
G., 154
S., 187
Mehitable, 45
Melbourne, 241
Melinda, 108, 201
Melissa, 253
Mellen G., 71, 147
Melvina, 151, 224
Mercy, 44, 160
A., 163
E., 195
Merrill N., 172, 234
Micah, 19, 27, 37, 38, 67,
70
Milatiah, 44
Mildred, 158, 220
R.,248
Milford T., 170,269
MiloG., 72, 150
Milton, 87
Minerva, 152
Minetta, 140
Minnie D., 214
E., 206
R., 141
Minot A., 107
Miriam, 49, 67, 137, 159
Mollie or Molly, 27, 33,
40, 101
Morton, G., 222
Moses, 102, 198
Muriel, 159
Myra, 223
Myron H., 154
W., 146, 221
Myrtle, 231
M.,226
Nahum, 35, 61, 131
W., 62
Nancy, 32, 34, 37, 38, 49,
55, 70, 83, 84,
87, 100, 104,
105,215,244
B.,201
E., 159
J., 202
M., 55, 190,222
O., 57
Nannie C, 212
M.,211
Naomi G., 143
Nathalia, 174
Nathan, 27, 36, 250, 265
P., 162
Nathaniel, 46, 50, 87, 90,
107, 173
A., 167
B., 100, 190
T., 106, 205
Nedabiah-, 49, 101, 102,
104, 195, 241, 263
Nellie, 134, 152, 185
A., 244
A. R.,217
M,, 243
Nettie L., 240
M.,225
Newell, 33, 50, 56, 107,
118, 210
Newton M., 209
Noah, 31
Norman, 196
H., 169, 233
Olive, 74,75, 84, 227
C., 84
E., 166, 228
M.,212
Olivia, 66, 124, 198
Oren, 84, 165
Orianua, 71
OrphaB., 77
Orren W., 165, 231
Orrin, 166, 269
M., 150
Orythea, 75
Otis, 84, 165
C, 147
M., 232
W., 165
Overton W., 153, 226
Owen P., 216
W., 178
Pamelia, 145, 181, 183
Parker, 284
Patience, 8, 14, 23
Patty, 39, 40, 41
Paul A., 156
Paulina, 203
Pauline, 108
R.,203
Pearley C, 252
PercivalE., 178
Percy C, 234
Peter of Boston, 253
Peter of Chicago, 222
Peter of Marlboro', 10
note, 13, 16, 18, 22,
31, 257, 260, 265
Peter of New York, 72,
148
Peter of Sudbury, 24
INDEX.
295
Petei-s (b. 1741), 25, 26
Peter of Rutland, 29, 265
Phebe, 29, 39, 40, 87, 102,
162, 196, 240
A., 162, 172
C.,76
E., 173
M., 140
Phlclelia, 76
Phineas, 29, 42
L., 68, 139
Pliny S., 133
Polly, 32, 33, 35, 37, 39,
42, 49, 59, 70, 82
Prince, 253, 265
Priscilla, 85, 86, 168
Prudence, 30, 46, 90, 104
Quincy, 194
Rachel, 20-22, 31, 49, 101,
102, 195
H., 108
M., 104
Ralpli, 69, 144, 146, 216,
221, 242
E.,244
P., 144
M., 285
R.,228
W., 217, 229
Raymond, 239
Rebecca, 30, 65, 67, 86,
241, 284
C, 242
H., 120
L., 169
R., 107
Reginald W. , 144
Relief, 40, 72
Richard, 10, 97, 254-256
H., 228
M.,254, 279
Robert, 10, 13, 59, 103,
126, 169, 198,
200, 254-256,
280
M., 247
T., 178
W., 118
Roberta M., 159
Roberts J., 231
Robinson, 73
Roderic L, 55, 112, 117,
209
Roena, 62
C, 284
Rosier K., 168
Rolland A., 118
Rosanna, 71, 221
Rose, 283
H., 217
S., 216
19
Roswell, 70, 147
Roxanna D., 87
Roy, 247
H., 224
R., 234
Rufus, 27, 29, 30, 36, 46,
67,88,137,169,
172, 265
P., 181, 238
H.,50, 66, 109, 136
Rupert, 143, 219
P., 97
G., 145, 218
Russell, 71
Ruth, 33, 45, 48, 51, 67,
94, 103, ]37, 145,
157,159,214,284
A., 178, 284
B., 119
C, 110
E., 66, 228
P., 226
I., 118
Sabina, 134
Sadie M., 159
Salina, 223
Sallie, 211
Sally, 33, 39, 40, 87, 149
A., 107, 207
B., 188
E., 188
M., 148, 158, 233
Salome, 83, 84
M., 165
Samantha, 142
Samuel of Boston, 38
of California, 134
of Fitzwilliam, N.
H., 32
of Pramingham,
28, 71
of Gardner, 111
of Lowell, 252,280
of Milton, 50
of N. S., 48, 101,
168, 181, 194,
199,200,240,
241, 263
of Quincy, 201
of Rochester, N.
Y., 83
of Sudbury, 25, 57
of Vermont, 51,64
of Virginia, 96
of Wendell, 64
Samuel A., 157, 158, 203,
230, 252, 267
B., 42, 81, 202,
243, 273
D., 230
E., 120
Samuel P., 96
G., 98, 106, 188,
273
H., 209
L., 194, 251
M., 139
S., 139, 178, 229,
241
T., 106, 203, 204
W., 73, 77, 152
Sara, 135
Sarah, 19, 20, 22, 23, 27,
80, 31, 36, 37, 46, 48,
55, 62, 86, 88, 94, 97,
99, 102, 103, 131, 149,
160,179,195,241,252,
282
Sarah, Mrs., 39, 50, 87,96,
101,102,105,111,114,
137, 139, 140, 142, 169,
170,176,182,188,197,
200, 229, 235, 250, 284
Sarah Adelaide, 201
Ann, 50, 137, 140,
144, 168, 176
Ashton, 104, 204
A., Mrs., 136, 144,
164, 249
C, 107, 119, 201,
210, 250
D., 239
E.,66, 100, 110,120,
121, 172, 189, 196,
229, 240, 248
G., 202
H., 110, 242
I., 170
J., 101, 198,224,228
M., 209
P., Ill
R., 57
S., 217
W., 108, 110
Seddie, 212
SelinaL., 68
Seraphina, 92, 177
Seth, 49, 102
Sewell, 32, 50
Sheldon T., 191
Shepherd, 48, 98
Sidney, 252
A., 227
E., 154
W. A. D., 239
Silas,* Lt.-Col., 27, 34,
263, 266
Silas, « Judge, 35. 58
Silas,^ Lieut. U.S.N., 59,
128
Silas^ of Kentucky, 212
Silas of N. S., 37, 69, 96,
138, 282
296
BENT FAMILY.
Silas A., 211
E., 176
H., 146
M., 185
P., 40, 75, 273
W., 75, 153
Silva, 81, 169
Slave, 8
Sneden, 198
Sophia, 139, 148, 149, 160,
168
A., 187
Sophronia, 169
F., 75
J., 196
Stanley, 214
Stedman, 194
Stella L., 77, 231
(M.), 251
Stephen, 36, 65, 68, 104,
139, 169, 266
A., 65
C, 254
E., 69, 142, 143
Stiles G., 152, 226
Submit, 32
Sukey, 50
F., 99
Susan, 35, 55, 60-62, 68,
95, 103, 115, 137,
140, 148,169,214,
252
A., 140
B., 141
E., 62
F., 100
L., HI
M., 56, 69,143,242
P., 230
E., 221
T., 106
W., 164
Susannah, 25, 27. 30, 37,
98, 106, 184,
194, 202, 244
M., 196
Susie, 230
Sylva, 81
Sylvester, 199
S. &Bros., 112, 116, 117,
209
Tamar, 40, 72
A., 76
Teresa H., 220
Terisina, 123, 283
ThacherT., 246
Thaddeus, 29, 41
Thankful, 22
ThedaE., 87
Theodore, J., 277
Theodosia, 194
Theresa, 149, 198, 223
H. (see Teresa
H.j.
Thomas of Australia, 280
of Colorado, 211
of England, 279
of Framingham,
32, 266
of N.Y.,163,284
of Sudbury, 25,
60, 57, 58,
263
Thomas A., 58, 66, 120,
229, 282
B., 120, 229
D., 139,146,214,
220, 268
Elbridge, 50,108
Gilbert, 70
H.,96, 110, 269
S., 162
W., 40, 76
Tillie T., 179
Timothy, 26, 266
Tinson B., 179
Tirzah, 82
Torrey, 96, 182, 183
Truman P., 77
Tryphenia, 47, 93, 147
Velzora, 71
Venule D., 216
Veroniz, 211
Vesta v., 239
Victoria A., 176
M., 237
Virginia, 124
Vose, 94, 96, 186
(E.), 47, 94
Waittie, 131
Waldo A., 147
H., 118
Walker M., 152, 225
(S.), 152
Wallace A. , 245
Walter, 185
D., 230
E., 228
G., 211
H., 232
0., 199
S., 283
T., 119, 210
Warren, 68, 139
A., 190
D., 234
Edgar, 139, 216
G., 149, 222
W., 72
Z., 223
Waterman, 85, 168
Wealthy, 86
Wetherhead, 97
White (see William W.\
Whitney J., 108
Wilber E., 284
Wilbert R., 242
S., 245
WillardL., 146
William, 2 13
William of Boston, 98 , 252
of Canton, 45, 88,
263, 266
of Chelsea, 139
of Cochituate
(Wayland),
36, 38, 70,
220,266,267,
282
of Colorado, 121,
125, 211
of Maine, 84
ofMiddleboro',30
of N. H., Ill
of N. S., 67, 87,
102, 103,141,
169, 184, 185,
194,216,240,
241
of Quincy, 105
William A., 42, 242
B., 137, 141, 218
D., 198, 212
E.,133, 134, 164,
208, 233
F., 95, 181, 209,
273
G., 107,197,254,
284
H., 132, 138,283
Harrison, 202,
220, 242, 269
Henry, 69, 136,
155, 169, 171,
194, 197, 208,
215, 219, 247,
253, 267
Hunt, 33,53,273
J. 77
L.', 64, 68, 87,
132, 138, 273
M,, 136, 142, 197,
213
O., 133, 212
Q., 106, 269
S., 146, 284
W., 94, 97, 179,
186, 228
WilmaD., 71, 221
Wilson D., 82, 162, 228 .
Winifred, 231
A., 222
H., 218
R., 143
INDEX. 297
"Winslow, 84 Wynn C, 224 Zenas, 44, 84, 85
B., 100, 191 W. & J. M., 146, 220 E., 137
Wintlirop H., 231 Zilpah, 86, 169
Wylie C, 231 Zacheus, 13, 14 Z. Major, 149, 223
INDEX TO N^AMES OTHER THA:N^ BE:N^T,
AND TO PLACES.
THE NAME MAY APPEAR MOKE THAN ONCE ON A PAGE.
Abbe, John, 39
Mary, 39
Abercrombie, Wyman, 100
Aborn, Mary, 199
Abrabam, Mary, 199
Adams, Daniel S., 226
Dominick, 169
John, 16
Lucy Ann, 107
Mary, 42 note, 163
Mary G., 226
Mary L., 118
Minot, 50
Rufus, 229
Samuel, 42, 106,
118, 203, 204
Sarah E., 229
Silas, 118
Thomas, 163
Tryphenia, 146
AcMns, Franls, 63
Alabama, 78
Albee, Elizabeth, 197
Alden, Mary, 212
Aldrich, Abner, 151
Hannah, 151
Al^er, Susan, 206
Algiers, 279
Allen, Ann, 90
Aruuah, 55
Bethuel, 46
Caroline, 53
Charlotte A., 238
Ellen M., 56
James, 42 note
John J., 56
Levinah J. , 55
Mary, 42 note
Oratio P., 52
"Walter, 55
William H., 90
Alley, Charles S., 197
Ames, Ezra (see also
Eames), 28
Joseph B. & Co.,
210
Amherst, Mass., 132,203
N. S., 47, 96, 97,
185-187, 249
Anderson, Alex. D., 43
Cecilia, 179
Charles F., 132
Ered. E., 75
George H., 236
James H., 131
James T., 132
Andrews, "William, 108
Annan, Martha, 87
Annapolis, N. S., 37, 67-
69, 136-145,
195-200
Anthony, Susan, 103
Antwerp, N. Y., 150, 151,
154, 224
Appleton, Mary, 78
Argall, Frank L., 236
Arizona, 237
Arlow, Thomas, 151
Armstrong, Elizabeth, 77
Emeline E.,
65
Lucinda, 132
Martin, 64
Thomas, 65
Ashton, Frances B., 204
John, 204
Atchison, Louisa A., 125
Atkinson, Henry P., 182
John C, 175
Miss, 177
Robert, 175 •
Sarah, 182
William, 91
Attleboro', Mass., 206, 210
Atwood, John 0., 142
Rachel H. , 108
Sarah J., 224
Auburndale, Mass., 167
Aud, Susaima R., 123
Austin, Cornelius, 135
Australia, 179, 280 '
Avery, Catherine, 42
Avery, Joseph, 42
Maria, 194
Avon, Mass., 243
Ayer, Amy, 92
Family, 92
Mariner, 92
Nehemiah, 92
Babb. Sarah P., Ill
William, 111
Babcock, Isabella, 38
Bacon, Elizabeth D., 245
Emma, 143
Hezekiah P., 245
Martha, 27
Badcock, Elizabeth, 30
Bagly, Eliza, 168
Bailey, Henry, 190
Mary, 112
Baird, Ella, 180
Patrick, 96
Baker, Aaron, 86
Albert, 86
Charlotte A., 238
Esther, 86
Molly, 87
Rebecca R., 107
Samuel, 86
William, 10, 256
Balcom, Lydia L., 216
Rose H., 217
Sarah, 69
William H., 106
Baldwin, Dorcas, 26
Jane, 224
Bangor, Me., 65, 66, 109
Banister, Elizabeth, 210
Banks, Edward C, 240
Barker, Susan L., Ill
Barnaby, Clara W., 214
Barnard, Charles, 46
Chas. F., 46
Barnes, Abigail, 10, 18
Amos Botsford,
91,92
Cynthia B., 237
INDEX.
299
Barnes, Edward, 91
Elizabeth, 10,237
James, 92
John, 18
Oliver, 92
Rebecca, 181
Eicliard, 10, 18,
257
Sarah, 235
Thomas, 17
Barney, Angeline, 116
Barnhill, Emeliue, 116
John, 116
Barre, Mass., 26,34,35, 64
Barrett, Joseph, 78
Mary N., 78
Samuel, 99
Barron, Isaac, 196
Barrows, Frank L., 230
Harriet C, 212
Mary E. , 202
Samuel B., 165
Zerah, 212
Barteaux, Betsey, 195
Charles, 67
Edwin, 145
Bartlett, Beulah A., 77
James, 82
John, 69
Orrin, 166
Ruth, 82
Sarah, 200
Sophia, 160
Spencer, 82
Batcheller, Ida L., 53
Philip S., 53
Bates, Abigail D., 81
Bath, Annie M., 216
Hannah S., 140
Mary E., 141
Battles, Lydia A., 120
Thomas, 120
Baxter, Josiah, 104
Samuel, 49
Baylies, VVm., 85
Beach, Wm. H., 150
Beal, Wm., 20
Beals, Amy, 145
Joshua, 145
Bean Eamily, 128
Jonathan L., 128
Mary C, 128, 283
Beattie, Eben, 218
Margaret E., 218
Bechler, Casimir, 58
Maria T., 58
Bedell, Sally, 149
Belcher, Freeman, 82
MerrittB., 82
Belding, Hiram, 170
Belknap, Jeremiah, 19
Bell, Ernest P., 125
Belpre, O., 34, 35, 61-63
Bemis, Sally, 52
Bent County, Col., 121,
126-128, 237
Bent, Crane & Co., 235
Bent, Griffith & Co., 83
Bent's Crackers, 105, 204,
246
Bent's Fort, 59, 121, 125-
127
Bent's P. O., 61
Bent & Bush, 101, 189
Bent & Hawkes, 235
Bent & Peasley, 243
Benton, Elijah, 88
George, 88
Walter, 88
Bentville, N. S., 37, 143
Benzeville, Mabel, 157
Berry, Sarah, 140
Besbidge, Alice, 16
Bessev, Olive C, 84
Bethel, Me., 18
Betts, Eliza A., 229
Beveridge, Bethiah, 169
David W., 169
Robert, 86
Bickford, Mary J., 115
Billings, Frederick A., 38
Billington, Jemima, 29
Birdsal, Emma L., 204
Bishop, Samuel, 184
Bissell, George, 56
Bixby, Eliza,^113
Black, Alfred, 96
Alice M., 237
Ann, 186
Eliza, 91, 178, 180
Family, 180
Fred, 180
Geo. M., 94
Henry, 181
Hibbert C, 175
Hiram, 180
Jane C., 177
Joshua, 91, 180
Margaret, 93, 235
Oscar, 182
Richard, 93
RufusF., 175
Susanna, 184
Thomas R., 97
Wm., 49
Blackman, Chloe, 46
George, 46
Blacksmiths, 21, 27, 2S,
30, 38, 44, 45, 47, 69,
81, 141, 142, 144, 145,
159,160,206,218,227,
228
Blair, James, 200
Ralph, 60
Blake, Emily, 94
Family, 99
Blake, Francis E. , 99 note
Geo. P., 188
James, 99
Samuel, 188
Sukey F., 99
Wm. T., 215
Blanchard Family, 78, 79
Jonathan, 78,
80
Sarah A., 243
Thomas, 10
Blish, Alice S., 246
Bloomington, 111., 134, 213
BoehnerrEli, 138
Eugene H., 138
Maria C, 139
Bogart, Abraham, 101
Cornelius, 101
Boggs Family, 123
LilburnW., 123
Bogle, John, 37
Boice, Isabel, 41
John, 41
Bolsor, Christopher, 102
Fannie, 195
John M., 195
Bond, Daniel, 101
Isabel D.. 221
Jane, 101
Sarah, 101
Bonney, Wm., 165
Booge, Laura E., 187
Boole, Margaret, 142
Mary E., 142
Wm. A., 139
Boss, Eliza A., 99
Eunice, 93
Hannah, 93
Bostwick, Jane, 93
Botsford, Jennie, 205
Boughton, Newell, 65
Boulder, Col., 226
Bourne, Alice, 21
Elizabeth, 16
John, 16
Nathan E., 168
Bowers, Florence M., 208
Geo. P., 169
Levi, 208
Bowles, Susan P., 230
Thomas, 69
Bowser, Joseph, 94
Bowyer, Horace A., 60
Boynton, Darius, 75
Bradford, Austin A., 52
Gideon, 207
Kate, 218
Lillian M., 207
Morton, 218
Thomas C, 207
Bradlee, Charles, 247
Breck, Elijah, 114
Sarah, 114
300
-- ^BEJTT -r AMILY .
Breeze, Matilda, 141
Brewer, Samuel, 19
Bridge, Mary, 38
Nathaniel, 38
Briggs, Cebra, 84
Elmer C, 168
Brigham, Benajah, 24
Benjamin, 24
Lydia, 114
Peter Bent, 23,
274
KebeccaH.,120
Uriali, 23, 274
Brighton, Mass., 109, 208,
212
Britishi Columbia, 144,
181, 239
British Guiana, 280
Broadbelt, 254
Brockway, Hannah, 77
Brookdale, N. S., 186, 239
Brooks, Edna O., 232
Family, 224
James, 224
Jonas, 52
Margaret, 53
Brown, Anna, 220
Cyrus, 72
Edith E., 221
Elizabeth, 19, 71
Elmer A., 202
E. Janette, 113
Francis, 71
Helen M., 225
Jonathan, 225
Joseph, 102
Mary, 244
Merrill, 202
Moses, 113
Naomi G., 143
Sarah, 105
Thomas, 19
Walter, 284
William, 41
m. Sam'l
Bent, 101
Browne, Laura A., 190
Samuel, 32
Brownell, Anna, 91
Lavinia, 91
Browning, James, 29
Martha, 29
Samuel, 42
Bruce, Abigail, 38
Bruso, Charles, 206
Bryden, James A., 144
John R., 144
Buchanan, Janet, 163
Buffalo, N. Y., 28
Bug bee, Thomas L., 57
BuUard, Cynthia A., 80
Bulmer, Miss, 236
Bump, Henry, 83
Mark, 82
Bumpus, Mary, 159
Burford, George, 172
Burnam, John, 211
Sallie, 211
Burnell, Louisa C, 60
Burnham, John W., 91
Burns, Ezekiel, 103
Mary B., 283
Burrows, Anna A., 135
George H., 135
Busby, Ann, 69
Bush, Corydon I., 61
Francis, 101
Bussey, John W., 48
Butterworth, Frank H.,
163
James T.,
163
Cahoon, Phebe, 162
Cain, Hannah, 169
California, 64, 65, 75, 78,
116, 123, 129, 139, 162,
176, 188, 189, 222, 228,
236, 245, 249
Caligan, Charles, 152
Calkins, Geo. F.,91
Callowhill, Percy J., 218
Calnek, Laura, 198
Cambridge, Mass., 14, 56,
118, 172, 210
Camden, N. J., 113
Cameron, Angus, 218
Henry, 142
Camp, Geo. W., 130
Harriett A., 130
Campbell, Elizabeth, 220
Sarah, 142
Canney, Eliza A., 230
Canton, Mass., 45, 88-90,
173
Capwell, Henrietta, 147
Carothers, A. Jennie, 79
Frances, 79
Carpenter, Frank B., 75
T. B., 82
Carr, Ezra, 58
Family, 124, 125
Hamilton, 131
Jennie, 283
Kezia, 58, 209
Maria, 131
Samuel, 209
Sarah, 170
Wm. C.,124
Wm. H., 288
Carson, Kit, 122, 127
Carter, Adonirara J., 43
Albert C, 175
Edward, 91
Carter, Emma S., 203
JohnL., 247
Jonathan, 35
Lottie, 183
Mary, 35
Sidney B., 224
Carver, Mass., 81, 82, 160,
167, 233
Cary, Louisa, 179
Cassidy, Holmes, 196
Castle, , 42
Cavendish, Vt., 73, 152,
225
ChaflSn, Jones, 57
Chamberlain, Harriet E.,
89
Chamberlin, Ann B., 190
Helen M., 190
Isabella S., 190
Lowell A., 190
Chambers, Mary L., 129
Chandler, Benjamin, 180
Chapin, Chester, 60
Chaplin, Elisha, 53, 111
Family, 52, 53
Julia E., 53, 118
Moses, 53, 118
Chapman, Abigail, 181
Albert, 183
Alfred E., 180
Amelia, 176
Andrew R., 184
Douglas, 174
Eliza, 183
Family, 184
George, 183
Henry, 176
Loren M., 202
Martin, 172
Sarah, 176
Smith, 187
Thomas, 181
Wm., 47, 253
Charlton, Lydia, 195
Sophia, 139
Chase, Elizabeth, 92
Julia A. C, 88
Stephen, 254
Chelmsford, Mass., 38,
101
Chelsea, Mass., 139, 166,
167, 284, 285
Chesborough, Sarah E.,
248
Chesley, Elizabeth, 197
Chicago, 155, 158, 159,
163, 164, 213, 222, 227,
280, 248
Chick, Elvira H., 216
Childs, Frank L., 202
Christie, Frederic J., 187
James, 93
INDEX.
301
Church, Aaron A., 91, 180
Arethusa B., 91,
92, 177, 180
Clementina, 91,
177
Ephraim, 91
Family, 91
Jeremiah, 94
John, 91, 180
Melvin D., 67
Clapp, Earl, 60
Mary M. , 206
Melincla, 60
Sarah, 3Irs., 17
Clark, Beaman B., 41
Electa, 60
Ichabod G., 74
James W., 94
Joseph D., 63
Lephe L., 74
Lester, 60
Martha, 111
Melvin, 63
Morris, 43
Olive, 75
Phebe, 40
Clement, Ethel J., 161
Clifford, Virginia, 89
Clough, Elizabeth, 32
Cloury, Isaac, 196
Cloutier, Julia, 117
Cluverius, Mary E., 252
Coates, Louise, 180
Samuel J., 187
Sarah D., 239
Cobb, George, 83
John, 82
Coburn, Eliza W., 109
Cochituate, Mass., 146,
220
Cochrane, Elton, 184
Coffin, Lucy A., 100
Matilda W., 217
Peter, 217
Cohasset, Mass., 204
Colburn, Asa, 104
Hannah, 285
Nancy B., 201
Polly, 57
Coldwell, Sarahs., 217
CoUer, Hannah, 49
Joseph, 49
Colon, Lurissa A., 150
Colorado, 109, 121, 125-
128, 135, 158, 166, 208,
211, 226, 230, 232, 237,
282, 283
Comee, Sarah, 114
Conant, Luman E., 121
Concord, Mass., 50
Connecticut, 88, 162, 171,
172, 227-229, 234
Connery, David, 235
Lydia E., 174,
235
Walter J., 174
Cook, Bessie, 225
Clark, 215
Crusa, 215
David C, 158
Ezra A., 79
Merritt, 225
Cooke, Charlotte, 207
Grace B., 191
Coolidge, Mary, 38
Polly, 70
Thomas, 70
William, 38
Cooper, Daniel, 284
William A., 252
Copeland, David, 22
Cornwallis, N. S., 178
Cotes, Warren S., 206
Cottrell, Charlotte, 60
Myron B., 148
Nancy M., 222
W. D. G., 148
Court, James, 41
Cove, Henry, 93
Covert, George, 104
Cox, Caleb G., 55
Coyle, Alice E., 230
Crabb, Theodosia, 194
Crane, Amaziah, 30
Elvira, 190
Friend, 191
Hannah, 90
Judith S., 88
Seth, 30
Crawford, Jennie A., 245
Crehore, John, 45
Mehitable, 45
Crist, Adah, 213
Crocker, Harriet, 226
Crommett, Freeman G.,
232
Cromwell, Sara, 135
Crosby, Alice A., 148
Charles, 86
John, 170
William, 85
Cross, Andrew J., 151
Grossman, Benj., 82
Crouch, Ruth, 48
William, 48
Crowell, Hannah, 162
Culton, Bedford A., 184
Cummings, Sarah, 231
Simeon, 84
Cunningham, Dorothy,
244
Currier, Ethel S., 222
Samuel, 222
Curtis, Albion, 150
Almira, 65
Curtis, Benjamin F., 104
David, 27
Herbert, 108
John, 150
Louisa, 196
Thaddeus, 65
Gushing, Salome, 83
Cushman, Hannah, 44
Cutler, Fannie, 172
Cutten, Rufus F., 174
Cutting, George F., 119
Dakin, Archibald, 138
E. Arthur, 138
Edward, 138
Jonathan C, 51
Damon, Charles, 146
Charles H., 216
Martha F., 146
Dana Family, 63
Florence G., 246
Lydia, 99
William, 63
Daniels, Joseph, 202
Danley, Philip R., 64
Danville, Ky., 136
Darby, Elizabeth, 36
Tarbox, 36
D'Arcy, James, 68
Darling, Jennie L., 251
Pamelia, 251
Rodney L., 251
Davenport, Hannah C, 90
Jesse, 90
John, 22
Nathaniel, 89
Stephen, 22
Davis, Edith L., 116
Elizabeth, 96
Henry, 284
Jonah, 55
Jonathan, 116
William, 42, 206
Davison, Charles H., 140
Dawson, Samuel E., 142
Day, Eldrid, 69
Henry C, 206
Deally, Albert H., 201
Dean, Catalina S., 153
Dedham, Mass., 21, 106
Deeth, Lyman, 53
Martin S., 53, 55
Delaware, 100
Demery, Tamar, 40
Dench, Isaac, 39
Loretta, 103
Denmark, N. Y., 72, MS-
ISO
Denver, Col., 109,135,146,
158, 282
Dewar, Alexander, 181
Guy R., 76
302
BENT FAMILY.
Dewey, John C, 148
DeWolfe, Thomas, 94
Dickee, Martha, 41
Dickens, Eliza A., 202
Dickerman, Issachar, 24
Dickinson, Edwin H., 203
Edwin L. , 203
Marion, 203
Digby, N. S., 170, 214
Dilley, Elizabeth, 62
Susan, 61
Dillingham, FrancesBent,
167, 286
Isaac S., 167
Dix, Deborah, 10
Dixon, James D., 94
Mary, 95
Doane, Dimock, 86
Thomas K.S., 169
Dobson, Alonzo, 182
Dodge, Charlotte A., 66
Eunice, 197
Jesse, 103, 197
Sarah, 101
Donaldson,Wellington, 88
Donkin, Elizabeth, 184
Robert, 93
Rupert, 93
Dougall, Eliza, 212
Dougherty, Effle A., 158
Douglas, Elizabeth, 253
Sarah, 229
Theresa, 223
Doull, George, 180
Dow, Annie, 94
Dowley, John, 168
Downing, Georgia A., 239
Mattie E., 239
Oliver H., 239
Doyle, Miss, 235
Draper, J. H., 41
Drayton, Henry PI., 100
Sarah E., 100
Drew, Charles, 106
Mary, 196
Samuel, 106
Drury, Mary, 19
Thomas, 19
Dublin, N. H., 36, 65
Dudley, Anna M., 220
John H., 165
Josiah W., 165
Nathaniel C, 220
Wellington, 165
Dunbar Family, 88, 89
Thomas, 88, 89
Duncan, Ellen B., 234
Mary, 182
Robert, 182
Dunham, Alanson M., 84
Dunn, Frances, 215
J. P., 122
Maria, 103
Dunn, Sarah, 203
Dunning, Edward 0., 43
Durell, Samuel J., 84
Durland, Major, 141
Mary, 240
Dustin, Charles W., 63
Mighill, 63
Duxbury, Mass., 20
Dwinell, Sally B., 188
Dyer, Eunice E., 155
John, 155
Lillian M., 155
Mary E., 125
Eager, Daniel W. , 76
Laura, 76
Fames, Jesse, 27, 28
John, 27
Earl, Faustina P., 153
John B., 75
William D., 75
Earle, Elizabeth, 39
Early, Mary, 241
Eastport, Me., 47, 167, 168
Eaton, Aaron, 68
Alonzo B., 133
Caroline, 165
Emma F.,209
Franklin, 112, 209
Eau Clair, Wis., 42
Eddy, Charles, 165
Edgell, Susan, 115
Edson, , 85
Edwards, Anna M., 64
Benj., 26
Ella L., 64
Flora L., 64
Joseph S., 63
Mary P., 63
Eisenhauer, Zenas, 138
Elderkin, , 94
Eldridge, Susan, 169
Elgin, "Sarah C, 123
Elliot, Charles, 68
Elliott, Ethel B., 218
George E., 218
John, 49
Lemuel, 214
Ellis, Daniel, 86
Elwell, Eunice, 86
Nathaniel, 86
Embree, Araminta, 180,
183
Family, 179, 180
Hannah, 176
John, 180, 183
Robert, 179
William, 176
Emery, M. Louisa, 112
Samuel, 112
Ennis, Catherine J., 155
Esteb, James H., 143
Esterbrooks, Amy, 92
E. C, 95
, 92
Esty, Elizabeth B., 207
Etter, Bradley, 183
Family, 183
Evans, Isabella, 63
Eveleth, Gilman, 52
Everett, Fanny A., 155
Ewart, Thomas, 63
Thomas D., 63
William B., 63
Ewell, Joseph, 50
Ewers, John, 51
Martha, 51
Fairbank, Deborah, 31
George, 71
George W., 146
Henry, 71
Fairbanks, Asenath, 51
Lurenia, 110
Fairman, Martha S., 245
Pales, Daniel, 137
Sarah, 137
Farin, Eliza, 102
Farrar, George, 17
Parrington, Ebenezer, 48
Farwell, Edwin, 220
Royal E., 220
Pay, Elizabeth, 23, 274
Josiah, 23, 274
Pelch, Daniel, 27
Ebenezer, 37
Mary, 37
Walter L., 119
Fellows, George, 68
Pelton, Alvin S., 113
Catherine, 24
Charles H., 113
Cornelius C, 189,
191
Edgar C, 191,193,
194, 255 note
Edith L., 113
Eleanor, 191
Ernest B., 113
Family, 113, 191
George G., 113
Margaret, 191
Martha C, 189
Mary S., 194
Matthias B., 113
Samuel M., 189,
191,'193, 194
WinslowB., 191
Ferguson, James, 95, 181
Sophia A., 187
Finch, Ruth A., 178
Finegau, Herbert P., Ill
John D., Ill
Finley, A. Delgardo, 285
James W., 285
INDEX.
303
Fischer, Herman A., 79
William H., 79
Fisher, Amelia, 173
Fisk, Maria, 209
Fiske, Anna, 26
Fitzwilliam, N. H., 24, 28,
51-56, 111, 114, 115,
118, 205, 248
Flagg, James F., 222
Fleming, Gertrude M. , 222
Fletcher, Emily, 71
George A., 106
Lucy, 73
Florida, 166, 167
Flushing, L. I., N.Y., 229
Forbush, Francis W., 166
George, 146
Ford, Alexander, 174
Forest Glen, N. S., 284
Forrest, Helen J. , 239
John, 68
Forster, Ellen E,., 240
John, 240
Fort Lawrence, N. S.,47,
91-96, 174-184, 239
Fort William, 121, 125
Foss, ElishaM., 244
Foster, Archibald M., 140
Clara, 197
George W., 108
Hannah, 144
Hopestill, 19
Hoyt, 137
John, 240
Joseph, 144
Patience, 19
Peregrine, 63
Polly P., 63
Sally, 115
Susan, 140
Thomson, 145
Fowler, Bessie A., 131
Finley F., 131
Framingham, Mass., 15,
19, 27, 28, 38, 39, 71,
146-148,210,221,222,
284
France, 279
Franklin, Augusta, 144
Franklin, Mass., 222
Frazer, Allen B., 148
Charles, 148
Freeman, Allen T., 137
Dorothy, 95
Family, 94
Jacobina, 94,97
Samuel, 94, 95,
184
Sarah, 197
Simeon, 137
Freemyer, Hattie I., 152
Freeze, David, 93
French, Hannah H., 89
20
Frink, Polly, 42
Fritchie, Julius C, 237
Fritz, John, 49
Fuller, Ansel, 165
Caroline E., 204
Jonathan, 21
Martha A. , 71
Eachel, 21
Eobert H., 56
Samuel, 82
Fullerton Family, 181 ■
George, 180
Samuel C, 65
Furber, Marion P., 226
Gaines, Frank H., 171
Gammons, Susan W., 164
Thomas, 164
Gardner, Catherine, 253
Smith, 72
Thomas P., 253
Gardner, Mass., 111-118,
209
Garfield, Calvin, 209
Georgia Etta,209
Thaddeus, 51
Gates, Emma, 242
Harriet, 110
Mary, 241
Georgia, 133, 213
Gesner, Arminilla, 199
Caroline, 197
Henrv, 103
Horatia, 103, 199
Lucv, 69
Gibbs, Wari'en, 159
Winslow, 160
Gifford, Mary E., 222
Stephen T., 222
Gift, Mary L., 130
Gillingham, Joel, 56
Gilmore's Band, 253
Gilnought, Leander, 139
Glass, Bessie E., 225
Frank E., 225
Gleason, Charles S., 60
Edwin D., 60
Jason, 25
Maud, 60
Glendenning, George, 97_
Gloucester, Mass., 251
Glover, Alexander, 188
Anne, 26, 32
James, 26
Sarah, 188
Susanna, 98
Thomas, 26, 98;
Goddard, Charles W..„ 75
Irene, 195-:
Robert E., 75
Godfrey, George, 82
Goodell, Dexter S., 188
Mary A., 188
Goodenow, Abigail, 87
David, 20
Isaac, 33, 54
Luther, 107
Mary, 20
Micah, 37
Sarah C, 107
Goodloe, Bent, 136
Clay, 136
Hart, 136
Ward, 136
William O., 136
Goodspeed, Caroline, 111
Goodwin, Albert, 214
Amelia, 214
Hannah, 176
Gorrie, Jessie F., 110
Gosling, Agnes, 10
Goudy, Aaron, 234
Lalia F., 234
Mary E., 186
Goward, Watson, 163
Grant, Silas, 195
Granville, N. S., 48, 67,
101-104,197-200,214,
216, 242
Graves, Jacob, 202
Joseph F., 76
Susannah, 202
Gray, Emma C, 109
Harrie F., 161
John, 85
Marshall E., 109
Nelson, 85
Sarah, 182
Green, Allen A., IIG
Betsey M. , 70
Charles M., 74
Darius, 40, 73, 74
Family, 40, 73, 115
George B., 74
Joseph, 40, 115
Lemuel, 70
Lester N., 116
Montraville, 73,74
William H., 115,
Gregory, Arthur W.,.119
Elisha, &2f
Ernest T., 119
Eve\yaW., 119
Franklin E., 119
John M., 56
Marion H., 119
EussellE., 119
William F., 119
©renada, 280
Grey, James H. , 175
Griffin, Ella, 216
Griffith, Ellis, 83
John, 20
Sarah, 254
Thomas B., 83
Griggs, Edith, 196
304
BENT FAMILY.
Grimes, Lucincla, 134
Grism, Ann, 147
Grout, Mary C, 215
Guernsey Family, 73
Oliver, 72
Sarah L., 73, 74
Guild, Amelia M., 173
Horace, 173
Guirrits, George E., 75
Guitteau, Benjamin, 63
Gulick, Margaret V., 135
Guptill, Dennis D., 145
George W., 145
Stephen H., 145
Gurrier, Edward, 127
Guthrie, Edwin, 61
James H.. 61
Hackleton, Lucy, 102
Sarah, 102
Hadley, Mass., 212
Haldermann, Jacob H.,
132
Hale, Julius, 53
Stephens., 66
Haley, C. P., 95
Hall, Albert, 195
Eunice B., 243
John, 243
Ruth, 159
Samuel R., 150
Susie, 230
Hall-Dare, Mabel, 278
Robt. W., 278
Hallo well, George W., 75
Halstead, Willard G., 245
Hamilton, Hattie, 217
Lucy M., 238
William, 168
Hamlet, Harriet, 231
Hammond, Jedediah, 40
Phidelia, 76
Hamson, Eliza, 250
Hanchett, John J., 206
Hand, Theodore F., 203
Handy, Callephina, 52
Hannau, James M., 61
Hanson, Fred, 185
Joseph M., 134
Harding, Jesse G., 97
Hardwick, Charlotte, 141
Elizabeth, 69
Harlow, Lewis, 81
Sylvanus, 81
Harper, W. C, 95
, 92
Harriman, Olivia, 66
Harrington, Abigail, 67
Herbert, 176
Jonas, 27, 67
Joshua, 28
Solomon, 37
Harris, Benjamin, 85
David, 168
Ezra, 85
John, 103
Jonathan, 169
Maria, 168
Mary, 103
Reuben, 169
Samuel, 85
Sophia, 168
Harrisburg, Pa., 135, 240
Harrison, Clara B., 223
Family, 93
Hanson, 95
Katie P., 213
Luke, 93
Hart, Susan, 63
Hartwell, Benjamin, 149
Hannah, 72
Hartzell, Corinne, 229
Hazard, 229
Harvey, Annie A., 172
Frank J., 95
Haseltine, Frank, 66
Ward, 66
Haskell, Ann M., 52
Belle, 167
Hatch, Edward, 210
Hathaway, Rosalie A., 168
Solomon W.,
168
Hawes, Mary J. , 205
Hawkes, Adam, 68
Hayden, Edna S., 246
james M.^ 246
John, 199
Richard S. S.,
100
Wiuslow B. B.,
100
Haynes, Anna, 57
Daniel, 34
Harriet E., 57
Hiram, 120
Israel, 33
Ruth, 33
Hay ward, Arnold, 48
Charles H., 48
George, 48
Healy, Herman, 244
John, 104
Helme, Sarah, 253
Hemeaway, John, 39
Hendee, Charles J., 247
Harriet F., 247
Henderson, Elizabeth, 215
Hendrickson, Ellen F.,
235
Herrick, Walter, 201
Heslop, LidaE., 159
Hevener, Andrew, 232
Helen T., 232
Hewett, Joseph, 189
Hewson Family, 177
Richard, 177
Rufus, 91
Trueman H., 178
Heywood, Franklin, 189
Mary, 112
Hicklen or Hicklin2:,Alex.
or Zan., 123, 283
Alfred B. 283
Hicks, Theresa, 198
Higgins, Abigail, 218
Highfleld, Mary, 131
Hildreth, Charles W., 54
Hill, Emily A., 172
James, 172
Hillis, John, 139
Hills, Ada D., 239
Hilly er, Samuel L., 64
Hinckley, Mary H., 208
Nathl. B., 208
Thomas H., 207
Wm. M., 208
Hinds, Ellen, 73
Hines, Corliss, 40
(Edw.) Lumber
Co., 213
Rowland, 240
Hixon, Edward, 210
Georgianna, 210
Hobbs, James, 122
Hodgdon, Mattie A., 226
Norris C, 226
Hodge, (Rev.) A. A., 87
Elizabeth H., 87
Sarah B., 87
Hogan, Michael, 96
Hoicomb, Emily E. , 172
Holdeu, Mass., 25, 57
Holdworth, Ansel, 141
Holland, 279
HoUiday, Alexander, 87
Elizabeth B., 87
HoUister, Wm. A., 72
Holm, Elizabeth, 179
Holmes, Arabella R., 231
Jesse A., 233
Mabel W., 233
Martha, 88
Philander J., 233
Wm. M., 161
Holway, Seth W., 162
Holyoke, Joseph, 194
Home Market Club, 247
Hooper, Alice M., 201
Mary J., 225
Prentiss 0., 201
Ralph B., 201
Hopkinton, R. I., 253
Horr, Charles, 149
Horton, Alvah, 75
Hoseason, Robt., 104
INDEX.
305
Hosmer, Lois, 119
Houghton, Geo. D., 204
Harriet D., 204
Jason W., 204
Joseph, 30
Martha, 30
Silas, 30
Honse, Jacob, 76
Howard, Augusta, 91
How or) Charles, 166
Howe, J Ezekiel, 17,
118, 266
Family, 17
Sally, 118
Samuel, 17, 258
Hoyt, Charles C, 99
Hubbard, Frances C, 189
Rebecca, 65
Thomas, 65
Hudson, Fanny, 146
Mary J., 252
Nathan, 146
Thomas, 252
Hudson, Mass., 217
HuU, Mary C, 207
Thomas C, 207
Humphrey, Sarah, 48
Humphreys, D. C, 170
W. F., 170
Hunt, Aaron, 119
Charles, 119
Haman, 54
H«#(n T., 119
Lauretta, 119
Lowell, 119
Molly, 33
Vincent, 236
Wm., 33
Hunting, Roxa, 118
Huntoon, Louisa, 147
Hurd, Esther A., 166
Huston, Elizabeth, 212
John, 212
Hutchins, Albion H., 155
Hutchinson, John, 104
Thomas H.,
131
Hyde Park, Mass., 204,
250
Illingsworth, Rosanna,
221
Illinois, 75, 77, 81, 133,
149, 155, 156, 158,
159, 213, 221-223,
230, 246
Indiana, 72, 283
Indians, 13, 19,20,21,121,
125, 127
Ingalls, Benj., 168
Ingiis, Jaraes, 26
Mary A., 214
Inman, Col. Henry, 127
Iowa, 80, 130, 131, 134,
148, 222-224
Jackson, Atwood, 208
Blanche, 208
Lewis D., 38
Jacobs, Avis, 147
Jaquith, Ella, 88
Jaramilla, Iguacia, 123,
^"283
Pablo, 122
Jenkiuson, Thomas, 33
Jennings, Sarah, 37
Jepson, Emily M., 210
Jewett, Isabel, 50
Mary B., 175
Jillson, Hiram K., 231
Johns, Ella, 141
Johnson, Caleb, 14
Frances, 254
Harriette M.,
229
James, 185
Julia C, 254
Mary, 252
Nettie L., 240
Robert A., 240
Solomon, 14
Susan, 128
Jonathan, S. S., 10
Jones, Annie, 175
Charhanna A., 228
Ethel L., 202
Frank H., 151
George, 138
George S., 151
George W., 77
Glenn, 151
Hartwell, 151
Isaac, 253
J. Edward, 80
Stella L., 77
Jordan, Hannah, 106
Josselyn, Elisha, 243
EiumaB., 243
Robert, 202
Joyce, Thomas, 17
Kane, Sally M., 158
Kansas, 88, 223, 236, 282
Kearney, Col. Stephen
W., 122, 261
Keeler, Willis E., 213
Keith, Hattie M., 115
Henry, 115
Keithley, George, 162
Kelley, Thomas, 105
Kellogg, Henry L., 79
Kendall, Almira, 60
Polly, 40
Kennedy, Helen M., 247
James L., 247
Thomas E., 79
Kent, Anna, 68
Kentucky, 80, 124, 128,
129, 136, 211, 213
Kerr, Martha, 59
Keyes, Dolly, 167
Jonas T., 167
Kidder, Gardner, 164
Kilborn, Clarissa, 74
Kilburn, Joseph, 36
Mary, 64
Kimball, Mary, 71
King, Albert H., 164
Annie L., 206
DoraG., 201
Elizabeth, 177
Henry L., 164
Isaac B., 161
John, 163
Mary, 184
RufusH., 161
Wm. R., 62
Kingston, N. S., 196
Kinney Family, 161, 162
Kinsley Family, 90
Rufus Bent, 90
Silas, 90
Kirts, MaryA., 132,283
Klinkworth, Henry, 145
Kniffen, Mahala, 195
Knowles, Augustus, 166
Lucy A., 233
Wm., 233
Knowlton, Emeline, 147
Knox, Robt. B.,280
Lake Mamie, Wis., 248
Landers, John, 169
Sarah, 169
Langdon, James, 283
Laugley, Isaac, 195
Lariie, Elizabeth, 137
Lathan, Frank B., 150
Nicholas, 150
Lathrop, Cynthia S., 212
Lawrence, Charles, 93
Esther, 64
George, 221
Rosamund,
181
Sarah, 111,180
Lawsou, Henry T., 163
Lawtou, Wm. B., 164
Leach, Martin, 84
Leadbetter, Mary, 241
Leary, Charles H., 43
Leavitt, David F., 118
Edward A. , 143
Franklin, 118
306
BENT FAMILY.
Leavitt, Sarah, 17
Sherman, 118
Leeds, MaryL., 201
Leek, Selina, 91
Leicester, N. S., 184
Leonard, Elizabeth H,,
250
EzraB., 250
Harriet, 200
Jonathan, 101
MoUie, 101
Lettenney, James, 137
Leverett, Mass., 132, 133
Levindet, Mary, 196
Lewis, Belle, 226
Betsey, 87
Frank W., 171
John, 226
Joseph, 87
W. W., 171
Libbey, Alex., 166
Frederick, 166
Lincoln, Andrew J., 169
Laura E., 169
Lucretia, 77
Morris, 36
Lincoln, Mass. , 217
Neb., 153
Lindley, Francis B., 161
Henry C, 83,
161
Joab, 83
Lucy B., 161
Lingham, Georgianna,
201
Little, Helen M., 146
Martha, 87
Littlefield, Margaret A.,
146
Mary, 201
Livermore, Albert, 166
Nathan, 25
Liverpool, Eng., 254, 278,
279
Locke, Alice G., 216
Beulah B., 216
Ellen C, 216
Irving, 216
Jonathan, 33
Joseph, 64
Wm. B., 32
Lockhart, Enth, 145
Logan, Catherine, 284
Ella A., 181
Isaac, 94
Thomas, 47
Loker, Cornelia J., 221
JohnL., 70
Teresa H., 220
Wm., 70, 221
Long, Andrew, 167
David T., 113
Long, Esther M., 113
Guadaloupe, 211
Kuth, 167
Longdale, Ann, 241
Longley, Anna, 68
David B., 37
Isaac, 37, 68
Israel, 68
Longmire, Hiram, 198
Longmuir, Euphemia E.,
138
Richard, 138
Lord, Benj. F., 88
Lorrilliard, Mary, 236
Lorrin, Euphemie, 41
Lothrop, Fannie, 177
Lovejoy, Wm., 146
Lovelace, Eleanor, 62
Lovell, Sarah, 93
Lovemore, Smith, 252
Lovett, Abigail, 67
Phineas, 67
Low, Edmund C, 80
Lowe, Judge, 130
Martha, 97
Moses, 96
, 186
Lowell, Mass., 101, 146,
216, 219, 252
Lowery, Elizabeth J., 284
Wm. J., 284
Lowther, , 183
Lucas, Caleb, 85
Ludlum, Dr., 63
Luke, Wm. L., 99
Lunt, James, 108
Mary, 47
Melinda, 108
Lusby, Luther, 183
Pamelia, 183
Samuel, 182
Lux, Terisina, 123
Lynde, Lincoln D., 151
Lynn, Mass., Ill, 252,285
Lynnfleld, Mass., 142
Lyon, Eunice, 84
McAUan Family, 95
McAllaster, Geo. D., 151
McBride, Wm. R., 175
McCallin (see McAUan).
McCarty, Frank J., 254
McClelan, John, 91
McClelland, Olivia, 124
McClenathan, John, 29
McClennon, Hugh, 182
Jane, 182
McCormick, John, 198,
285
McCready, Charles F.,
174
McCully, , 94
McCutch, Susan, 252
McDonald, W. H., 186
McDowell, Anne I., 136
Wm. A., 136
McEarly, Mary, 195
McElwain, Jane, 59
McErvin, Emmett, 284
McFarland Family, 170,
171
Francis, 170,
171
J. Stanley, 135
Miss, 183
McFarlin, Hervit, 160
Mercy, 160
McGafiy, Betsey, 202
Macintosh, Peter, 41
Mclntyre, Edward, 57
Leslie W., 206
McKenzie, Andrew, 46
Ann, 46
McKibben, Catherine, 72
McKinley, Crittenden, 129
Silas B., 129
McKinnon, Murdock, 181
McLatchie, Edward, 68
McLellan, Martha, 96
RoUand, 185
McLeod, Albert D., 175
Alex. H., 174
Alex. W., 174
Elizabeth C.,174
EmmaE., 174,
187
Howard D., 177
John W., 174,
177
Margaret A., 175
Robert A., 175
Robert T., 177
Wm., 174
McManus, Cora B., 152
Edwin, 152
McMonagle, Henry C,
177
Mary, 97
McNish, Rev , 143
McSweeney, Ellen, 196
Mace, Christina, 254
Main, Sidney U., 152
Maine, 65, 66, 105, 108,
109,165-167,185,202,
218,222,226,232,241,
243,244,252
Malin, Phebe A., 172
Randall, 172
Maltbie, Delora, 224
Julius B., 224
Man, John, 21
Manchester, Eng., 254,
278
INDEX.
307
Manington, Alfred, 156
Decima, 156
Manning, Abigail G., 74
Manuix, Katherine, 161
Marclen, John, 105
Marietta, 0., 34, 35, 46,
58
Marlboro', Mass., 13, 14,
18, 22-24, 31
Marshall, Abbie, 53, 118
Abel, 52
Caleb, 68
Esther, 71
Erank H., 153
Mary E., 240
Sarah R., 53
Wm.,68
Marshfield, Mass., 16, 17,
20, 21
Vt., 188
Martin, Amoret, 145
Martinez, Cal., 129
Marville, James E., 168
Marvin, Edwin, 221
Maryland, 81, 191
Mason Machine Works,
247
Mary, 35
Massey, Alex., 237
Matoon, Ruth E., 66
Matthews, Louise H., 161
Wm.R.,130
Mauer, Wm. 154
Maynard, Abigail, 109
Anna, 220
Cora L., 210
Daniel H., 210
Jabez, 32
John, 210
Moses, 32, 262,
263
Maynard, Mass., 108
Meikle, Ernest G., 158
Melrose, Mass., 167, 201,
250
Merriam, John, 112
Merrill, Alvah M., 115
Amos, 145
Anna M., 115
Frank L., 242
Ida, 145
Merritt, Sarah I., 170
Messenger, David, 102
Thomas, 102
Messinger, Jerome, 83
Virgil J., 89
Metcalf , Catherine E. D.,
204
Eliab W., 204
Timothy, 52
Metzler, Elizabeth, 186
Mexico, 191
Michigan, 64, 160, 230
Middleboro', Mass., 20,
29, 43, 44,82-84, 164,
165, 167, 243
Middlebury, Vt., 42, 78,
80
Middieton, Alex., 46
Ann, 46
Middletown, Conn., 162,
228
Milbury, David, 102
Elizabeth, 198
Eunice, 198
Frances, 199
Stephen, 103
Miles, Fannie, 194
Frederick, 194
Isaac, 34
Mary, 65
Miller, David, 131
Family, 131, 132
Johns., 67
Olivia, 198
Phebe, 196
Robert, 131
Susan M., 143
Milligan, Ellen M., 79
Mills, Ann, 112
Richard, 25
Wm., 149
Milton, Mary, 279
Milton, Mass., 21, 30, 31,
44-49,87,98,105,204,
207, 246
Miner, Lucy, 94
Sylvanus, 91
Minnesota, 110, 208, 231
Missouri, 58, 61, 64, 123,
124, 129, 134, 135
Mitchell, Anne, 83
Moffat, Atchison, 182
Sarah A. M., 249
W. P., 249
Monroe (see also Mun-
roe).
Laura, 231
Natlii, 231
Montana, 218, 244
Montreal, Canada, 41, 76,
254
Moore, Eben^ 25
Geo., 107
Hugh, 123
JohnB., 57
J. E., 62
Lucy, 29
R. M., 126
Thomas B., 175
Moran, Amanda, 238
Benj., 238
&Bent, 238
,182
More, James, 137
Morehouse, Chas. R.. 75
Morgan, EvaM., 283
Kate J., 224
Morrill, Jessie, 147
John C, 147
Nelson, 241
Morrison, Elizabeth, 103
Sarah, 198
Morrison, 111., 77, 149,
156, 157
Morrisy, Mary, 116
Morse, Amoret, 197
Bethia, 43
Calvin, 51
Eunice, 100
Frank E., 164
Hannah S., 139
Joseph, 44
Luciuda, 142
Mary, 232
Morton, Isaac, 144
James A., 145
Mount Holly, Vt., 39, 40,
73, 74, 152, 153
Mount Vernon, Me., 202,
244
Muchin, Christopher, 14
MuUin, Mary, 227
Munro, Charles, 86
Munroe (see also Mon-
roe) .
Daniel, 100
Elizabeth, 100
Nancy M., 190
Munson, Levi L., 75
Murch, Henry, 198
Murdock, Bartlett, 82
Eliza A., 83
Elizabeth, 82
Jesse, 83
John, 82, 145
Parlor Grate
Co., 83
Myers, Sukey, 50
Wm. J., 62
Mylecrain, Eliza, 65
Natick, Mass.,19, 71, 146,
148
Nebraska, 80, 132, 153,
159, 226, 244
Nehemiah, Isaac, 19
Neily, Carlton, 196
Neville, Edith, 134
James S., 134
New Albany, N. S., 136,
137
New Brunswick, 140-143,
174-179, 194, 235-237
Newbury, Mass., 10, 13,
146
308
BENT FAMILY.
Newbnryport, Mass., 145,
219
Newcomb, Abraham, 69
Herbert, 185
Mary, 69
Nathaniel, 105
Samuel, 31,
282
Sarah, 105
Newell, Edith, 115
G-nstavus, 115
NewfouDcllancl, 140. 178
New Hampshire, 33, 36,
37, 77, 108, 111, 118,
148, 196, 202, 221, 252
New Ipswich, N. H., 77
New Jersey, 66, 87, 113,
135, 136, 173, 189,
190, 234
Newman, 27
New Mexico, 78, 121, 211,
261, 283
New Orleans, La., 62, 133,
203
New Sharon, Me., 105
New South Wales, 280
Newton, Charles, 53
Emily E., 210
JohnH., 210
Patience, 8, 23
Seth, 23
New York (State), 36, 65,
72, 74, 76, 83, 147-
152, 195, 229
New York Biscuit Co.,
106
New Zealand, 97
Nichols, Ales., 219
Edward, 43
Gertrude, 43
Geo. H., 43
Geo. M., 43
Howard W.,43
Liudley, 215
Nellie M., 243
Eobert, 215
Sophia M., 43
Nictaux, N. S., 69, 145,
218, 219
Nightingale, Jere. T., 168
Nims, Alice, 133
Henry T., 133
Nixon, Margaret, 195
Noonan, Mary, 238
Norcross, Edward K., 201
Joseph W., 110
Mellen & Co.,
210
Sarah W., 110
North, Charles F., 223
Euth, 102
Norton, Minerva, 125
Tristam, 84
Norwich, Conn., 227, 228
Noyes, Dorothy, 25
James, 10
Jennie, 178
Nicolas, 10
Peter, 25
Wm., 10
Nutting, Fanny A., 155
Oakes or Oaks, Eliza-
beth, 215
Family, 61
Joel, 61
Olivia, 215
Silas B., 61
O'Brien, Elizabeth, 102
Oelbert, Lola M., 224
Ogden, Amos, 94
Henry, 92
Oglesby, 111., 246
Ohio, 34, 36, 58-64, 131,
187, 213, 240
Oklahoma, 284
Olderheads, Mary, 178
Oliver, Elizabeth, 200
O'Neil, Harriet, 185
John, 240
Lavinia, 241
Orcutt, Emma, 244
Oregon, 230
Orono, Me., 108
Orton, Edward, 132
Osborn, Joseph, 34
Wm. P., 252
Osgood, Kate, 116
Phineas, 36
O'Tule, Margaret, 185
Ouray, Col., 135
Overton, Albert, 76
Lucy P., 153
Oxley Family, 93
George, 93
Wesley, 177
Packard, Ferdinand G., 67
Page, Ann E., 230
Charlotte M., 146
Edward, 230
Gertrude E., 146
James, 94
Moody, 145
E. E., 95
Wm. M., 145
Paige, L. A., 147
Palmer, Acalus L., 142
Mary, 64
Paradise, N. S., 67, 69,
138, 197, 216
Paris, Me., 84, 165, 166
Parker, Geo., 131
Geo. W., 124
John, 67
Parker, Lovefry, 137 '
Marion E., 218
Martha A., 115
MaryE., 131, 143
Nathaniel, 137
Obadiah, 69
Eobert, 103
Euth, 67
Sarah E., 66
Submit, 32
Witham, 199
Parkhurst, Trueman L.,
213
Parkman, Francis, 127
Parks, Betsey, 150
Clarissa, 108
Edwin, 53
Elizabeth F., 107
Jonathan, 150
Maria, 150
Parlin, Albert 0., 201
Parmenter, Dexter, 206
Elizabeth B.,
206
Elizabeth F.,
107
Evie, 120
Geo. W., 107
Lauretta S.,
120
Parris, Anne, 279
Mary, 24
Samuel, 24, 279
Thomas, 279
Partridge, Chas. F., 71
Paschall, Eugenia L., 125
Patch, E. L., 95
John, 50
Lydia, 50
Olive, 74
Sarah, 50
Patterson, Samson, 145
Thomas, 187
Patton, Vincent, 179
Paul, Isaac F., 53
Sally, 150
Paxton, Mass., 28, 29
Payne, Mary P., 80
Eoswell, 80
Payton, Alice, 237
Peacock, Mary A., 163
Ealph, 229
Sarah, 229
Pearce, Edgar P., 63
Pearson, Augusta, 283
Sarah H., 110
Pease, Lucv, 108
Peckham, Emily A., 227
Pendergast, Wm. W., 123
Penuiman, Susan, 148
Pennsylvania; 65, 78, 98,
135,163,189-194,225,
240
INDEX.
309
Pennsvlvania Steel Co.,
191-194
Penton-Grafton, Eng., 9,
10, 11, 13, 255
Pepper, Aun M., 153
Aslibel H., 75
Theodore M., 75
PerliiDS, Hannah, 160, 162
Perry, Daniel, 73
Elizabeth B., 188,
189
Family, 161
Jonathan, 161
Mary J., 83
Petersham, Mass., 39
Pettengill, Blauchard T.,
43
Moses, 43
Pfeiffer, AnnaE., 152
Phalan, Trueman, 180
Phelps, Matilda L., 108
Sabina, 154
Philadelphia, 98, 135, 189,
193, 226, 232, 240, 284
Phillips, Arthur L., 115
Augustus K., 125
Chester H., 115
Elizabeth, 98
Emily A., 172
Goldie A., 115
Isaac, 69
John, 86
Levi, 56
Marguerite, 115
E. D., 223
Samuel, 98
Silas B., 125
Wilbur H., 115
Winslow, 114,
115
Phinney, Alfred, 195
Ann, 198
Caleb S., 139
Calvin, 198
Lot, 137
Phippen, Betsey, 150
Joseph, 150
Pierce, Alice L., 207
Caroline H., Ill
Esther, 73
Grace A., 152
Jaazaniah C, 204
John C, 152
Joseph, 85
Kezia, 81
Leonard, 111
Molly, 40
OrphaB., 77
Eoswell A., 85
Wm., 30, 77
Wm. C, 207
Zenas B., 85
Pingrey, Aaron, 152
Family, 152
Piper, Elizabeth A., 252
Nathaniel, 252
Plimpton Family, 10, 257
Plummer, Martha D., 171
Plymouth, Mass., 20, 44
Plympton, Ebenezer, 51
Martha, 51
Plympton, Mass., 20, 29
Poindexter, Sarah A., 136
Pond, John, 71
Lewis, 82
Ponkipog, Mass., 45
Poole, Franklin, 100
John, 37
Poore, Olive E., 228
Port Chester, N. Y., 229,
284
Port Elgin, N. B., 179
Porter, James, 88
Joseph, 56
Potter, Ezra, 159
N. G., 143
Power, Elizabeth, 169
Eichard, 169
Powers, John, 93
Pratt, Amos, 51, 52
Ebenezer, 49
Eliza A., 41
Family, 52
Hyman C, 53
Mary, 104
Eeuben, 51,52
Eoxa, 41
Euth, 51
Sarah, 25
ThaddeusB., 41
Prescott, Lucy, 222
Price, Frank, 61
Priest, Jacob, 111
Lucy A., Ill
Prince, John, 176
Pritchard, Eliza J., 202
Proctor, Silas, 75
Prouty, Nathauiel, 242
Susan M., 242
Pugsley, , 93
Pugwash, N. S., 181, 198,
238
Purdy, Bethia, 175
Edwin J., 47
Gilbert, 93
Mary L., 177
Putnam, Gen. Eufus, 34,
35,58
Quackenbush, Laura, 156
Quiucy, Mass., 49, 100,
104, 105, 190, 191,
200, 201, 242, 243
Eadcliffe, Arthur, 233
Eandall, Arthur H., 162
Ira v., 75
Eandolph, N. Y., 151, 152,
224, 225
Eawson, Mark, 84
Eay, Gilbert T., 68
Eachel, 49
Eayraent, Wm., 30
Eay moncl, Barnabas, 20
Samuel, 86
Wm., 80
Eay worth, John S., 235
Eedington, Henry C., 108
Isabelle S.,
108
Eedman, Charles, 46 note
Thankful, 46
Eeed, Abbie F., 53
Abigail, 25
Elizabeth, 28
Fay, 166
John B., 139
Wm. G., 166
Eeeves, George, 62
Eeid & Bent, 229
Eemer, Mary, 223
Eeynolds, Edgar, 139
Eliza, 168
Geo. A., 148
Geo. W., 51
Ehode Island, 206, 207,
251-253
Ehodes, Major, 144
Eice, Albert W., 120
Beuj., 15, 27
Beulah, 26
Bezaleel, 20
Carrie A., 115
David, 19, 27
Ebenezer, 144
Edmund, 15, 109
Edward, 15, 16, 258
Edwin, 115
Family, 15
George A., 70
Grace, 27
Hannah, 19
Ithamar, 203
Jonathan, 26
Martha, 16
Mary N., 109
Matthew, 16
Micah, 26
Olive, 32
Paulina, 203
Eeuben, 33
Eichard, 19
Euth, 33
Sarah A., 144
Sarah E., 120
Eichards, Ephraim, 149
Eufus L., 160
310
INDEX.
Eicliartison, Abijah, 57
Arthur, 196
Charles E.,
232
Edith, 57
Eliab, 84
Harrison H.,
84
Harry B.,
110
Marjorie, 277
Seward P.,
110
Wm. B., 57
Ricketsoti, Walter, 68
Eidenour, Geo., 283
John B., 283
Samuel, 62
Riley, Julia M., 220
Ritchie, James, 85
River Philip, N. S., 177,
181, 182
Roach, Thomas, 183
Robbins, Nancy, 55
Wm., 55
Roberts, Alice W., 230
James, 169
Jane, 254
John, 230
Josephine L.,
246
Mary A., 169
Robert, 254
Sophronia, 169
Robertson, Belle E., 224
J. Elbert, 224
Robinson, Anna, 56
Eleanora, 224
Eliza A., 178
Elizabeth C,
174
Eunice E., 24
George, 178
Rebecca, 241
Sarah J., 224
Thomas, 224
Wm. J., 174
Rockwell, Jane, 185
Mary A., 185
Rodgers, Geo. P., 95
Rodney, Samuel, 85
Rogers, Bessie, 152
Gary B., 152
Charles P., 77
Charlotte, 77
JohnE., 152
Rolls, Archibald, 68
Roney, John, 104
Roop, Jacob, 196
Root, Cynthia A., 80
Ross, Eunice, 197
Leland J., 204
Rowland, Elizabeth, 63
John, 63
Ruby, Martha J., 60
Ruffee, Fanny, 216
Ruggles, Edw. H. R., 98
Henry S., 98
Miriam, 49
Russell, Arthur E., 190
Cynthia, 166
Eamilv, 124
John W., 190
Joseph, 124
Wm., 25
Rutland, Mass., 19, 20, 28,
29, 34, 42
Vt., 41
Sabin, Oliver C, 133
Wm. Bent, 133
St. John, N. B., 141
St. Louis, Mo., 58, 123,
124, 128, 129, 134,
135, 280
St. Vrain, Ceran, 121
Salina, Kan., 236, 237
Sampson, Abigail, 20
Abraham, 20
George, 20
Saraii, 30
Zabdiel, 30
Sanborn, Louisa M., 244
Nancy, 244
Sanderson, Alvin, 113
Betsey, 151
Harold H.,
109
Hephzibah,
110
Horace, 109
MaryE., 113
Sandwich Islands, 85, 98
San Jose, Cal., 236
Santa Ee, N. M., 121, 122
Sarsent, Elizabeth A., 190
Sattley, Robert C, 157
Saunders, Calvin H., 71
Hannah, 253
Lydia, 167
Mary, 196
Obadiah, 196
Savery, Hannah P., 162
Henry, 57
Jane "W., 82
Mary, 57
Mercy, 163
Peleg, 162
Ruth, 167
Samuel, 167
Sawin, Florence E., 72
Hamilton H., 113
IdaM., 113
John, 112, 114
Sawin, Maria S., 115
Mary L., 113
Munning, 17
Sullivan, 112
Theodore L., 72
Sayre, Fannie, 211
Scammon, Hannah, 252
Schafner, Edward, 104
Frances, 139
Schermerhorn, Abram G.,
151
Scheurich, Albert B., 283
Aloys, 123,283
Chas. A., 283
Schultze, Adeline, 99
Schurman, Caleb, 93
James, 91
John W., 93
Mary J., 95
Scott, Clareuce, 285
Daisy M., 128
Sally, 113
Scovil, Alvin, 169
Scudder, Roena, 225
Scurr, Ruth, 94
Seaver, Emma, 115
Sewell W., 115
Selby, Fannie, 125
Sharpe, Bent, 128
James B., 128
Norville W., 128
Shattuck, Betsey K., 56
Isabella J., 50,
58
Jesse, 50
Joshua, 56
Shaw, Abigail, 163
Daniel, 40
Eli, 44
Fred, 95
Harrison, 83
John A., 106
Joseph C., 95
Orythea, 75
Polly, 82
Sally M., 233
Sheen, Joseph, 209
Mary M., 209
Sheffield, Melinda, 201
Shelter Island, L.I., 128
Shepherd, Hannah, 48
Nathaniel, 48
Sherman, Josephine F.,
228
Lucretia, 243
Win slow B.,
160
Shields, Henry C, 171
Shirley Family, 56
Shurtleff, Benj., 83
Flavel, 142
W. F., 83
INDEX.
311
Skeels, Ephraim, 75
Stoughton, Owen, 60
Siddall, Erank, 183
Sill, Matthew D., 120
Simmons, Wm. R., 206
Simonds, Warren H., 216
Simpson, Annie C, 143
Margaret M.,
173
Sims, Helen, 125
Sinclair, Mrs. Elvira, 73
Slocomb, Abraham, 196
Smiley, Letitia, 135
Smith, Abbie E., 121
Botsford, 182, 183
Charles, 166, 180
Clarissa, 108
Edward E., 175
Elisha, 108
Elizabeth, 71, 180
Elvira C, 191
Experience, 33
F. Burge, 277
Family, 59, 60, 182
Fanny, 251
Florence, 219
George, 59, 121
George H., 57
Irena A., 227
James, 182
Jane, 180
John, 94, 141, 254
John S., 181
John W., 182
Joseph W., 101
LucettaW., 133
Mary E. , 163
Mary R., 181
Montague A. B.,
181
Eichard, 93
Sabina, 223
Sarah, 254
Wm., 91
Wm. A., 178
Wm. H., 152
SneU, MaryE., 154
Snow, Henry, 214
Sodderbergen, Mary, 251
Somerby, John, 95
Southboro', Mass., 8, 13,
18, 23, 24, 31
South Boston, Mass., 99,
188
South Dakota, 248
Souther, Frederick, 2.00
Southworth, Jason, 161
Spare, Antoinette, 254
Spaulding, Anna, 190
Spinney, Sarah, 250
VSpoouer, Edward P., 228
\ Sarah J., 228
Spring, Mrs. Letitia, 107
Springfield, N. S., 196,
242
Squires, Emily, 178
Geo. J., 75
Stacy, Molly, 27
Standish, Abby, 243
, 85
Stanley, Edith I., 237
Stanton, Nancy, 253
Starratt, Amanda, 197
Ann, 137
Geoi'ge, 137
Joseph, 67
Mary, 104
Sarah, 139
Simon, 67
Wm.,137
State Line, N. H., 115
Wis., 233,248
Stearns, Josiah, 34
Stedman, Ebenezer, 100
Elizabeth, 199
Nancy, 100
Steelton, Pa., 189-194
Sterling, N. Y., 36
Stevens, Abram, 176
Daniel, 23, 31
Family, 23, 24
Jude, 135
Maria A., 166
Martha A., 135
Mary J., 189
Wm., 189
Stickney, Sarah H., 110
Stiles, Elizabeth, 116
Gideon, 152
James A., 116
JohnE., 164
Lydia, 73
Minerva, 152
Nancy A., 55
Willis A., 53
Stillwell, Hannah, 248
Stockbridge, Vt., 51, 77
Stockton, "Chas., 92
Stoddard, James P., 79
Stone, Abigail, 27
Ann, 70
Arthur J., 112
CoraH., 159
Elizabeth, 27, 112
Geo. F., 138
Hannah, 16
John, 39
Joseph, 112
Lucy, 26, 114
Mary, 25
Samuel, 25, 26
Sarah, 39
Susannah, 26
Wm. B., 114, 159
Storey, G. T., 171
Stow, Mass., 32, 50, 108,
110, 217
Strange, Anna M., 161
Streeter, Almancer J. , 53
Martin, 52
Stronach, Geo., 137
Lamont, 284
Mary, 219
Susan, 137
Stroud, Carrie M., 249
Fred W., 231
Wm. L., 249
Stubbs, Margaret G. E.,
238
Peter, 238
Sturdevant, Silva, 81
Sudbury, Mass., 8-21, 24-
27,50,51,57,107-110,
119-121, 209
Sulis, Laura, 103
Sullivan, Luella, 284
Mary, 100
Sweden, 252
Swift, Rebecca, 167
Swinson, Andrew B., 241
Sylvester, Peter B., 72
Seth, 72
-, 94
Tait
Talbot, Eliza G., 221
Taos, N.M., 121-123, 125,
211
Tarr, Georgia H., 219
Taunton, Mass., 171, 247
Taylor, Alfred, 184
Betsey, 53
Byron, 149
Caroline, 208
David, 184
Fred A., 252
Henry, 176
Isaac, 53
John, 208
Julia A., 213
Maria, 63
Rebecca, 145
Robert N., 13L
Wm., 168
Wm. E., 190
Tedford, Ellen, 169
Milford, 169
Templeton, Mass., 39
Tennessee, 230
Tenney, Moody, 32
Terry, Lizzie B., 234
Texas, 80, 283
Thayer, Abigail, 67
Jobri04
Lewis, 105
Theal, Wiugfleld Y., 96
312
BENT FAMILT.
Thomas, James, 69
Louisa, 165
Mary, 147
Samuel E., 135
Thompson, Geo. W., 211
Grace A., 237
Jacob, 82
Joseph, 148
Mary B., 157
Rufus, 177
Thornton, Emeline P.,
189
Frances A.,
188
Jane, 179
John, 188, 189
Thurston, Wm., 85
Tibbetts, Aejues B. , 63
John W., 201
Tilley, Catherine D., 251
Tilton, Richard Z., 150
Tingley, Grace, 176
Tiukham, Hilldah, 44
Tirrell, Nancy, 105
Toinian, Jemima, 188
Tomlinson, Jane E., 191
Topliff, Calvin H., 62
Lewis, 62
Torrey, Beuj. B., 106
Sukey, 70
Tours, Lewis, 285
Towle, Susanna, 244
Tcwnsend, AnnaB., 187
Tozer, Edward E., 95
Trask, George, 153
Isaac, 166
Travis, James, 91
John, 91
Silas E.,96
Walter J., 229
Trefry, Silas C, 168
Trenholm, Emma, 239
George, 239
Hiram, 184
Martin, 182
Trescott, Ebenezer, 31,
48
Tripp, Mary D., 85
Troop, Eugene P., 140
John B., 140
Joseph, 103
Maria M., 141
Trowbridge, John, 28, 118
Josiah, 28
Mary E., 118
Trueman, Adam, 182
Edward, 176
Emma, 180
Family, 174, 177
Harmon, 174"
James E., 236
Robert K., 177
Truro, N. S., 116, 186
Tucker, Elizabeth, 27
Gerry, 89
Samuel, 106
Susanna, 106
Tufts, Samuel, 195
Tupper, Amy, 68
EliasH., 141
Elisha, 68
Lois, 69
Mary, 69
Nathan, 96
Turner, Eliakim, 201
Ingham B., 144
Turple, Hiram, 145
Tuttle, Emma J., 166
Twesdale, Elizabeth, 102
Twining, Mary E., 150
Twombly, Elizabeth B.,
248
Tyler, Ann Eliza, 129
Robert, 129
Tyner, Silas, 43
Underwood, Elijah, 31
Loammi B.,
53
Utah, 166, 231, 232
Van Blascom, Mary A.,
103
Vanderveer, Alice B., 234
Van Vechten, Gilbert, 72
Giles F.,
72
Varney, Addie E., 285
Cyrus, 285
Hetty A., 252
Vermont, 39-43, 51, 64,
74, 77, 152, 153, 170,
188, 225, 226, 274
Vickery, Matilda, 91
Vienna, Me., 202, 244
Vinton, John, 104
Lois, 104
Sarah, 204
Virginia, 46, 58, 87, 89,
170, 252
Vose, Elijah, 22
Hannah, 47
Joseph, 22
Nathaniel, 22
Wabash, Ind., 283
Wade, Cynthia, 104
Daniel, 104
Edwin, 104
Elizabeth, 104
Elvira, 102
John, 48, 104, 263
Wadley, Sally, 74
Waite, Rufus, 149
Wakefield, Mass., 170
Walcott, Jane, 74
Newton, 60
Waldo, Harriet, 149
Wm., 121
Waldron, Horace, L66
Walker, Anne, 31
Hannah, 165
John, 196
Richard, 165
Sam'l Beach, 40
S. Bent, 40, 73
Thomas, 17
Wallace, Mary E.. 171
Wallis, Cordelia E., 225
Waltham, Mass., 110, 208
Walton, Philip G., 237
Ward, Annie I., 119
Stillman, 83
Wareham, Mass., 81, 159,
160, 167, 168, 227
Warner, Anna, 63
Sarah A., 164
Warren, J. T., 110
Washburn, Lysander, 82
Selden M., 82
Waterman, Elizabeth, 44
John, 44
Watertowm, Mass., 101,
164, 187, 231
Watrous, Mary L. K., 207
Watson, Hannah, 42
Oliver, 42
Watt, D. A., 41
Wayside Inn, 17
Way land, Mass., 12
Webb, Sarah C, 201
Webber, Edwin, 202
Webster, Frederick, 215
George, 110
Geo. A., 106
Horatio, 106
Nathan, 250
Wedge, Colman, 149
Weesner, Rebecca, 284
Weldou, Isabel, 91
Wm. B., 91
Wells, Eliza, 174
Miss , 202
Wendell, Mass., 36, 64,
132
Wentworth, Harriet E.,
89
Wescott, Geo. F., 232
Wesson, Jeremiah, 19
West, Spencer, 62
Weston, Addison P., 132
Bphraim W., 53
Irving E., 53
Wetherbee, Angeline, 116
Melinda, 74
Warren, 71
INDEX.
313
Wetherhead, Sarah, 96
Wetmore, Florence M.,
230
Wm., 230
WeyMU, Eng., 9
Wheaton College, 78, 79
Wheeler, Edward, 34
Everline A., 164
Harvey, 174
Irene, 173
Mary, 33
Samuel, 57
Whidden, Elizabeth D.,
135
Stephen H., 135
Whipple, Alice, 205
Whitcomb, Paul H., 51
White, AlpheusC, 53
Blanche, 244
Gustavus A., 85
Harriet P., 153
Huldah, 194
Ida L., 251
I. Wallace, 251
Letitia, 178
Lovina, 116
Eebecca C.,242
Eobert D., 203
Sally M., 148
Sarah, 87
Whitehouse, Benj., 85
Whitman, IdaM., 212
Salome, 137
StillmanF.,212
Whitmore, Enos, 75
Whitney, Ada A., 184
Artemas, 108
Betsey M., 70
Charles 0., 116
C. Winfred, 117
Ethan, 70
Prank E., 116
Kezia, 240
Luke, 116
Mary E,, 108
Whitney, Eobert L., 117
Whittemore, John, 39
Mary E., 200
Phebe, 39
Whittier, Thomas, 11
Wilbert, Susanna, 27
Wilcox, JaneE., 191
Wilde, Adelaide, 246
Wilkins, Veroniz, 211
Willard, Geo. A., 57
Willett, Geo., 68
Jane, 143
Williams, Caroline C, 56
Elizabeth, 62
Nathan, 62
Seth S., 164
Thomas, 105
Wm. O., 150
Wilmot, N. S., 101, 102,
197
Wilson, Elizabeth, 251
Wm. P. S., 140
Winchester, N. H., 36, 37,
66, 250
Va., 87
Wingate, Clara A., 158
Henry, 158
Winston, Alex., 151
Wisconsin, 64, 73, 107,
109,132,147,205,223,
231, 233,245,246,248
Wisel, Jerusha, 64
Withers, Ephraim T., 144
Witherspoon, Elizabeth,
199
Withington, Henry Bai-
ley, 282
Witter, Fanny, 132
Wood, Abigail, 137
Josiah, 175
Lorenzo, 183
Mariner, 175, 176
Woodburn, Mary L., 231
Samuel C. ,231
Woodbury, Albert, 170
John, 132
Jonathan, 195
Louisa, 195
MariahH.,132
Woodley, Samuel, 54
Woodman, Sarah, 50
Woods, Alpheus, 23
Woodworth, Ebenezer
W., 227
Harriet P.,
227
Worcester, Mass., 205,
206, 247
Wright, Albert J., 229
Elizabeth, 36
Gad, 110
Joseph, 115
Lewis A., 115
Lois Maria, 115
Marcus, 115
Nathaniel, 115
Wry, Joseph C, 175
Wylie, Myrtle, 231
Wyman, Daniel, 36
Lydia, 152
Mary, 36
Wellington, 85
Yarmouth, N. S., 44, 85,
86, 168-170, 233
Yeats, Alice S., 246
Young, Charles, 165
Daniel, 198
David, 102
Granville J., 106
Kezia, 200
Martha J., 123
Mary, 103, 199
Miriam, 137
Stephen, 198
Wm. H., 103
ZoUer, John, 172
§arah E., 172
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