Thomas Bentley

Thomas married Hannah Bentley 6 May 1828. Hannah (daughter of Esquire Bentley and Sarah Hines, daughter of Benjamin Bentley and William Yonts) was born 8 Dec 1800, Rowan, North Carolina, USA; died 9 Mar 1892, Lincoln, Washington, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Thomas married Hannah Bentley 25 Apr 1824, Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. Hannah (daughter of Esquire Bentley and Sarah Hines, daughter of Benjamin Bentley and William Yonts) was born 8 Dec 1800, Rowan, North Carolina, USA; died 9 Mar 1892, Lincoln, Washington, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Spouse: Thomas Bentley

1. Martha Bentley was born 22 Oct 1824, North Carolina, United States.
2. Benjamin E. Bentley was born 3 Mar 1826, North Carolina, United States; died , North Carolina, United States.
3. James Bentley was born 11 Nov 1828, North Carolina, United States; died 4 May 1908, North Carolina, United States.
4. Washington Bentley was born 1 Jan 1831, North Carolina, United States.
5. Noah Jackson Bentley was born 1833, Lincoln co nc; died 1864, Point lookout, Maryland, United States; was buried , Scotland, St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States.
6. E.C. Bentley was born 1840, North Carolina, United States.
7. Sarah Catherine Bentley was born 1 Aug 1840, North Carolina, United States.

Benjamin married Mary Keeney 11 Feb 1791, Wellsburg, NY, USA. Mary was born 1776, Litchfield County, Connecticut, USA; died 14 Sep 1815, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Spouse: Benjamin Bentley, Jr.

Notes:

 

Benjamin Bentley, in 1795, made a trip to Lincoln County from Iredell County to help his brother, Daniel, settle their father's estate. On April 17, 1795 they sold to Jacob Bullinger (Bollinger) the two tracts of land that Thomas had bought in 1783. However, 25 acres were withheld from the 120 acre tract for the use of Hannah Bentley "widow and relict of Thomas Bentley" (Lincoln County Deed Book 17 page 211). It is this deed that establishes the fact that Benjamin and Daniel are the sons of Thomas Bentley as the deed reads that Thomas Bentley died intestate and by regular course of law (the land) descended to Daniel and Benjamin Bentley "the sons and their heirs of the said Thomas, dec'd." On September 1, 1795 Hannah and Daniel sold to George Savage and Catherine Bolinger the plantation on which Hannah lived. They probably done so Daniel and his family could migrate to Kentucky, as he did so by 1800. Hannah was not listed in the 1800 Lincoln County Census, so it thought that she also went with Daniel to Kentucky, where he has the distinction of being the "first Bentley in Eastern Kentucky."

On July 8, 1795 Hannah Bentley, as administrix of her husband's estate, wrote to the court that Thomas Bentley, in his lifetime, had at differnet times given parts of his property to his children to provide for and advance them and also before his death had made a deed of appointment for the purpose of suporting Hannah in the event that she survived him. This document goes on to say that she considered these articles as her property and not to be divided among the children. She also knew of no debts due from the estate. Hannah then proceded to name the articles that had been deeded to her, consisting of livestock, household articles, a negro boy named Saul, one big Bible, and other farm and clothing items. She signed her mark on the document.

According to family tradition Benjamin's family ancestry came from Virginia to settle in North Carolina. Benjamin Bentley, along with his parents, brother, and sisters lived in old Rowan (now Davie) County on Bear Creek, a few miles south of Mocksville. In the 1768 Rowan County tax list of Morgan Bryan is found that Benjamin Bentley and Thomas Bentley are included at one poll each. Benjamin was most likely married at this time as he was living separately from his father.

Benjamin was a "wheel-deeler" when it came to purchasing land. Early in life he amassed enough property and land (over 1,500 acres) to be considered part of the planter class of society. He was also a slave owner as was his father. On June 30, 1778 Benjamin entered a claim for 640 acres of land on Bear Creek in Rowan County. The state of North Carolina on March 21, 1780 granted him this land by Grant No. 97. It sold for fifty shillings every 100 acres and joined the lands of William Frohock, Anthony Peeler, Thomas Bentley, and Abraham Welty.

The Bentley house still stands in this area in 1985 a few miles south of the town of Mocksville on an unpaved road just of Hwy. 601. Although later land owners added onto the house, the originial portion is a two-story log structure which consists of two 20 X 20 foot square rooms downstairs separated by a 10 foot wide entrance way. The upstairs floor space was the same. This location was one of the first known communities in Davie County and was named "Bentley."

Located behind the main house was a summer house where the children slept in the summer as it was too hot to sleep upstairs in the main house. The 1778 tax list of Capt. Lyon's district in Rowan County shows Benjamin's value to be 336 pounds and that of his father, "Thomas Bentley, junr." to be 609 pounds. Benjamin also served as a constable in Rowan County from Feb 16, 1771 to Feb 1772.

On June 29, 1778, NC Grant No. 329 was made to Benjamin Bentley, assignee of Uriah Davis, for land lying at the head of the South Yadkin River in Rowan County joining Soloman Davis. Also on November 13, 1778 the state by Grant No. 1375 granted Benjamin 100 acres on the North Fork of Rocky Creek, beginning at the mouth of the big branch above the Tumbling Shoals in "Rowan" County. Benjamin transferred this land to George Hinds (Hines). Benjamin Bentley evidently moved his family to Iredell (now Alexander) County about 1784 as this is when he began selling his land on Bear Creek. He had the year before on October 10, 1783 received Grant No. 457 for 150 acres as a branch of the South Yadkin River near the "Cedar Knob" in Rowan County, about five miles north of Taylorsville. As Iredell was formed in 1788, it is here that Benjamin begins to appear in the court records. At the first court session of the newly formed county, Benjamin Bentley, Adam Hall, and others were appointed a jury to lay out the Cove Gap Road.

While Benjamin moved his family to Iredell County, his father and mother, Thomas and Hannah Bentley, moved the rest of their family to Linclon County about 1783.

Benjamin married Jane Holman 1764, Lincoln, North Carolina, United States. Jane (daughter of Phoebe Bentley and Joseph Keller) was born Abt 1750, Rowan, North Carolina, USA; died 1839, Lincoln, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

 

The earliest record of Thomas Bentley, an early settler of Rowan (now Davie) County, North Carolina is found in the 1768 Rowan County, North Carolina List of Taxables of Morgan Bryan's District. Here he and his son, Benjamin, are listed separately at one poll each. Thomas was born about 1725. In the 1778 Rowan County Tax List he is listed as "Thomas Bentley junr" indicating that his father may have been named Thomas Bentley. According to family tradition these Bentleys or their ancestor had migrated to North Carolina from Virginia, but it is not known where Thomas Jr. was born.

On 17 December 1769 Thomas wrote a note that his son, Benjamin, might sign the bond for his daughter, Mary, to marry Aaron Freeman. Benjamin did sign the bond for his sister to marry, along with James Freeman. In Rowan County Court, 9 August 1771 Thomas Bentley registered his livestock brand as a "crop and a hole in the right ear and a crop in the left ear."

Although Thomas' political affiliation is unknown, it is found that on November 4, 1777 he and others, including neighbors, Wm. Frohock and Anthony Peeler, appeared in Rowan County Court and swore an Oath of Fidelity to the State of North Carolina.

By 1783 Thomas and his family began moving from Rowan County. Thomas, his wife Hannah, and some of the children moved to Lincoln County, North Carolina. His son, Benjamin, sold the land he owned in Rowan and moved to Cedar Run - South Yadkin River area of Iredell (now Alexander) County while the other son, Daniel, moved to Lincoln County, North Carolina. Daniel Bentley married Nancy Lewis by bond in Rowan County North Carolina February 8, 1782. As he and his parents were moving to Lincoln County, it appears he could not bear to leave his sweetheart behind.

On January 1, 1783 Thomas Bentley bought 100 acres for 30 pounds on both sides of Indian Creek in Lincoln County from Robert Armstrong and Hugh Beaty, executors of Francis Beaty. On this same day, Thomas also bought 120 acres from Thomas Wilsh (Welch), planter, for 20 pounds. This land also lay on both sides of Indian Creek.

By 1789 Thomas may have begun to experience poor health as on the fourth of May that year he deeded to his wife, Hannah for the natural love and affection "which I bear & have unto Hannah Bentley, my beloved wife" all his goods, chattels, leases, plate jewels, working tools and one negro man named Saul.

In the Lincoln County census, Hannah was listed as the head of household with three other females in her house, which are probably the younger daughters which are not yet married. Thus it seems that Thomas died between the dates of May 4, 1789 and the census of 1790. Hannah sold to her "daughter," Margaret Bentley, all her goods, chattels, and plantation for "natural love and affection" on April 1, 1793. Margaret Bentley married by bond in Lincoln County on September 25, 1794 to William Younce (Yonts). Christian Eaker was the bondsman for the marriage.

December 1780, he was considered as a "Patriot" by selling corn at a price of 75 cents per bushel.

Thomas married Hannah Beasley 1745, Maryland, USA. Hannah (daughter of Robert Francis Beasley and Mary Bentley, daughter of Catherine Bentley and Drucilla Bentley) was born 29 Dec 1714, North Carolina; died 1793, Lincoln County, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

 

1790 Census shows her as head of household.

See Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County, North Carolina-Perquimans Precinct, Births, Marriages, Deaths and Flesh Marks, 1659-1820, (Durham NC: 1980), 55.

Hannah BEASLEY might possibly be the 1st cousin once removed of Thomas BENTLEY, Sr., father of her husband, Thomas BENTLEY, Jr.

Notes for James Beasley brother of Hannah:

James Beasley, son of Francis and wife Mary (BENTLEY) was born Aug 5, 1704 (J.R.B. Hathaway, Ed., North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, 1901 Reprint, Vol 3, No. 3, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979), p. 375.

Abstract of Will: James Beasley, Bertie County, January 2, 1758. Proved January Court 1758. William Bentley (wife, Elizabeth Ashley), son of John Bentley (wife Sarah Farlee) - 3 pewter plates, godson Luke Smithwick - rest of my estate. Friends Jno. Smithwick, of Bertie, and Jno. Ward executors. Test Jno. Smithwick, Edmund Smithwick. (Records of the Secretary of State, North Carolina

Archives, Raleigh, NC)

JOHN BENTLEY, NEPHEW; James and William BENTLEY are also mentioned in the will of Martha Bentley (daughter of William and Elizabeth Ashley?), Bertie County, February Term 1795. (J.R.B. Hathaway, Ed., North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, 1901 Reprint, Vol 2, No. 3, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979), p. 329.

By 1789 Thomas may have begun to experience poor health as on the fourth of May that year he deeded to his

wife, Hannah for the natural love and affection "which I bear & have unto Hannah Bentley, my beloved wife" all

his goods, chattels, leases, plate jewels, working tools and one negro man named Saul.

In the Lincoln County (1790) census, Hannah was listed as the head of household with three other females in her house, which are probably the younger daughters which are not yet married. Thus it seems that Thomas died between the dates of May 4, 1789 and the census of 1790.

Hannah sold to her "daughter," Margaret Bentley, all her goods, chattels, and plantation for "natural love and affection" on April 1, 1793.

Hannah is not on the 1800 Census of Lincoln County, North Carolina.

Southern Historical Familes by Bodie, Vol. XVI, Appendix V, p.174-175

John BENTLEY Jr., probably the second son and born 1703-4, seems likely to have been married by 1728 and the father of the grand-daughter Hannah BENTLEY mentioned in the will of John Sr. This Hannah may have been a Hannah ( KENT) SMETHWICK, who with John SMETHWICK (Husband of Hannah KENT) and James BEASLEY, witnessed a deed of John BENTLEY (Jr.) to Jesse BENTLEY for 125 acres, August 10, 1751 (Bertie Co. Deed Book "G", Page 373). Jesse was probably a son too, though neither he nor Hannah is mentioned in John BENTLEY'S will. The will of John BENTLEY, dated March 12, 1754 and probated in Bertie Co., at the May court, 1754. (Hathway, Vol. I, p. 79) mentions only his sons, William and John, his sister-in-law Ann BENTLEY, and appoints Richard TOMLINSON his executor. James BEASLEY, who witnessed John BEASLEY'S deed with the SMETHWICKS in 1751 must have been a relative, for in his will, dated Jan. 2, 1758 and probated in Bertie County at the January Court, 1758 (Grimes, op. cit., p. 25) he leaves all his property to William BENTLEY, son of John BENTLEY, and to "my godson Luke SMETHWICK" and appoints John SMETHWICK and John WARD his executors. From the above, John BENTLEY Jr., had at least the following children: William (head of a household in Bertie County, in 1757), John, Jesse, and Hannah (probably the wife of John SMETHWICK).

Hannah Beasley's child, Mary Bentley, married Aaron FREEMAN, Sr. son of John FREEMAN, SR. and Sarah Elizabeth "Sally" OUTLAW. Sarah OUTLAW was the daughter of Edward OUTLAW II and Ann IVEY and the brother of George OUTLAW, SR. who married LYDIA BENTLEY the daughter of JOHN BENTLEY, SR. and Sarah FARLEE. John Bentley, Sr. was the son of RICHARD BENTLEY and his second wife, Lydia MANN and the half brother of MARY BENTLEY whose 2nd. husband was ROBERT FRANCIS BEASLEY (Mary BENTLEY was also the 2nd. wife of Robert Francis BEASLEY). MARY BENTLEY and ROBERT FRANCIS BEASLEY had a daughter HANNAH BEASLEY

Notes:

Married:
Spouse: Thomas Bentley, Jr.

Phoebe married Joseph Keller. [Group Sheet]