An American Family History

Samuel Denton

Samuel Denton was born about 1758 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the son of John Denton and Sarah Odell.

He married Martha Moore. Martha was the daughter of James Moore and Martha Denton.

Thomas Denton (1781, married Frances Boring),
Jonas Denton (1782),
Louisa Denton (1782),
Martha Denton (1789, married Charles Davis)
John Denton (1790, marred Abigail Denton),
Levina Denton (1791, married James Lilard)
Jonathan Denton (1792, married Sarah Paxton),
Abigail Denton (1796)
David Denton (1797, married Mary Fox)
Samuel Denton (youngest)
Tabitha Denton (1797, married James Fuller)
Anne Denton (1803).

In 1787, a return of the taxables of Captain Fain's Company in Washington County, Tennessee, included Samuel Denton with 250 acre, 1 white poll, 1 feme covert and 3 male infants.

In 1795 he was listed in Captain Morrison's Company on Knob Creek with 402 acres.

He sold this 402 acres and acquired 196 acres on Cherokee Creek and also bought land on Cosby's Creek in Cocke County.

Samuel wrote his will in 1814 in Washington County, Tennessee. The will was witnessed by Henry King, John Carr, and John Miller.

Samuel Denton
Date: January 11, 1814
Source: Will book No. 1, pg. 100
Wife - Martha
Children - Jonas, Thomas, John, Jonathan, David, Samuel, Laura, Lavinia, Tabitha, Abigail, Martha, Anna Executors - Martha Denton (wife)
Witnesses - Henry King, John Carr, John Miller

Notes: He leaves his wife land on Cherokee Creek.

In the Name of God Amen,
I Samuel Denton of Washington County and state of Tennessee,....

Secondly I give and Devise to my Beloved Wife Martha a tract of Land Lying on the watters of Cherokee Creek in the County of Washington Containing One Hundred and Ninety Eight acres during her Natural life, and after her Decease to be Sold and Divided share and share alike Between my Jonas, Thomas, John Jonathan, David & Samuel Denton, to them or their survivors & Heirs forever

Thirdly, I give and Devise ? my Land Lying in Cocke county on Causbys [Cosby] Creek be divided among my sons Jonas, Thomas, John, Jonathan, David & Samuel Denton share and share alike to Inure to them and their Heirs forever, or my sons aforesaid may Dispose of Said Land when the Youngest ? the ? and Divide the amount of Sd Land Between them share & Share alike, and the Said Land to be rented until my youngest Son Samuel Comes of age

Fourthly, and I Give and Devise to my Beloved wife Martha, all my Household and Kitchen furniture & farming utensials and three Horse Cretures that is one, Gray mare, and two Sorrel Geldings,--five (?) head of cattle her Choice of my Stock, and all my Stock of Sheep & Hogs with fifty Dollars (?) in Cash

Fifthly, it is my will that the Remainder of my Moveable property to be Sold at public Sale and my just Debts all paid out of the amount--and the Residue of the money issuing (?) from the Sale to be Divided Between all my Daughters namely, Livisa, Livina, Tabitha, Abigail, Martha & Anna giving Tabitha, Abigail Martha & Anna thirty Dollars each apiece more than Livisa & Livinia and the three Hundred Dollars that is now owing to me by John Miller to be Equally Divided among my afforesaid Six Daughters share and share alike

And Lastly I, Nominate, Constitute and appoint my afforesaid Wife Martha to be my Executrix of this my Last will, hereby Revoking all other wills, Legacies and Bequests by me heretofore made, and Declaring this, and no other to be my Last will and Testament In Witness

Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my this Eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred & Fourteen----. 1814
Signed Samuel Denton
pronounced Declared by the Sd Testator, as his Last will and Testament, in the presence of us, who in his presence and at his request have subscribed as witnesses
Henry King x
John Carr x
John Miller x