Kent Family Lines, US 1645

Generation One: 

JOSEPH KENT- b. about 1637 at England; m. abt 1643 SUSANNAH AUSTIN or GEORGE; d. 1704 at Swansea, Bristol, MA, aged 67 years. 

Their Children:

1. JOSEPH b. 1665 at Block Island, Washington, RI; 

2. Samuel b. 1668 at Block Island, Washington, RI; m. Desire (?Gray); d. 15 May 1737, aged 70 years; buried at Tyler’s Point, Barrington, Bristol, RI. 

3. Joshua b. 1672 at Swansea, Bristol, MA; m. 10 Dec, 1710, Mary Toogood; d. 11-14 Aug. 1725-26, aged 54 years; buried at Tyler’s Point, Barrington, Bristol, RI. 

4. Susannah b.25 Sept, 1687 at Swansea, Bristol, MA; m. Deacon Benjamin Cary of Bristol, RI; d. 10 August 1774, aged 87 years.  

        Joseph first appeared in the United States in Dedham, Norfolk, MA. His brother, Joshua who had already been in Dedham as early at 1643, proven when he was admitted to the church in Dedham in September 1644. In November of 1644, Joshua went to England and returned in 1645 with his two brothers, John and Joseph. Joshua had gone back to England in October 1647 with his wife and again returned.  Joseph’s approximate age, is shown in a law suit in Braintree, Norfolk, MA. The suit was between Widow Wilson and Thomas Faxon, both of Braintree, Norfolk, MA. Joseph testified on 19 March 1653 and stated that his given age was 16 years. So it is determined that Joseph was about 7 years old and John older, when Joshua brought them over from England. The hypothesis from genealogists is that the boys were either motherless or orphans and that Joseph and possibly John were placed in the custody of their aunt, Elizabeth Hardier of Braintree.

Will of Elizabeth Harder, 1 4th, 1664:

  I, Elizabeth Harder of Braintree, doe make this my last will, God having given mee only one Daughter, which is my only Childe. I: doe, give and bequeath my whole estate, moveable & Imooveable unto her, her heirs & assigns forever, excepting such legacyes as are hereafter Specified.; doe Constitute & ordain her my sole executrix of this my Last will & Testament & Doe Intreate my Loving Friends, William Needham ; Samuel Tomson of Braintrye to be my Overseers. I give unto Elizabeth Saunders. My Daughter’s Child £20. With my Bed I lye , with all belonging to it, to bee paid at the age of 18 years, or at the day of marriage, and if Shee Dye, if my Daughter have Farther Issue, I give it unto the next Child & if not then to Remaine unto my Daughter. I Give unto John Kent & Joseph Kent 40s apiece to bee paid within two years after my Decease- I Give unto Joshua Kent’s three Daughters 20s apiece, to bee paid to them when they are 18 years old, or at the Day of Marriage. I Give unto Benjamin Thomson 40s: to bee paid unto him within hafe a year after my Decease I Give unto John Day. £5. To be paid unto him when he is 20 yeares old, upon Constitution he Live with my Sonne or Daughter till hee be twenty year Old Elizabeth Harder. Test: Samuell Bass. John Basse who deposed Oct 6th 1664 (Briggs., 1898, p. 114) 

    Around 1660-61, Joseph is no longer found in Braintree, MA records but begins appearing in Block Island, Washington, RI. Block Island was settled mostly by people from Braintree. Joseph is listed as one of the messengers or deputies from the Block Island, in May of 1664 to the first assembly of Rhode Island. This assembly set the charter and met in Newport, Newport, RI. 

1664 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island: Upon the consideration of the petition presented by Mr. James Sads and Mr. Joseph Kent, inhabitants of Block Island, in the behalfe of themselves and the rest of there assisitates, the Court doe apoynt, Mr. Roger Williams, Mr. Thomas Olnye, and Joseph torrey to draw up there thoughts to committ to the further aproation or correcting as commissionating them in poynt of preservation of his majestyes peace there.  (Records, p. 40) 

1664 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island: Ordered, That Joseph Kent, of Block Island, shall be accepted a feeman, if he desier it. Joseph Kent accepted a freeman of this Colony. (Records., p. 42) 

1664 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island: Affairs of Block Island To James Sands and Thomas Terry of Block Island, in the Collony of Rhode Island and Providence plantations, in New England, &c. Whereas, in answer to serverall petitions or addresses bearing date the 4th of May, 1664, presented to this Court in the name, or by the sayd James Sands, Thomas Terry as alsoe by Joseph Kent in behalfe of the inhabitants of the sayd Block Island, both as respecting admitting the sayd inhabitants, that are house keepers, to be freemen of the Collony aforementioned; as alsoe for the well ordering the saud inhabitants, and such as shall sojourn, dwell, or come to the sayd Iland, &c., until some farther course may be take in the remises, for a more absolute putting the sayd inhabitants into a postner of ordering themselves. The Court have not only taken the first, but alsoe the second addresses aforesayd into consideration and have in answer therto, accepted such as you presented for freeman as in another paper concerning the matter, it doth appeare; but alsoe have taken speciall care for the presant governing of the sayd Island, as by an instrument hear with committed unto you, it doth more playnly appeare: you the saud James Sands and Thomas Terry, are requiered and commissioned to call the sayd inhabitants together as are mentioned in your sayd peitition, and that with all conveniant speed; and being assembled you are to read unto them the orders of this Court for the preseant regulation as above mentioned and before You declare and owne them freeman of the Collony, you are to take under ther hand in writing to this purpose, that they doe owne and declare that they did commissionate and appoynt you two, and Joseph Kent to request this court to admitt them freeman, or that they doe then desier the same as alsoe that they will beare fayth and allenance unto his Majestye Charles the Second, King of England, & c., his heires and successors, and will, according to the lawes in this Collony that be or shall be hear established, be regulated and thereto yeald doe obediancel and none others are you to admit but such as shall observe and doe as aforesayd, in signing such a writing; and the according to the instruations to you given in an other writing, you are to record the names of such as are accepted and admitted freemen of this Collony and you are to bring or send the wrttiing signed by ther hands as aforesayd, to the Generall Recorder of this Collony, with all conveniant speed, to reamayne on file in the sayd office. And when you have soe accepted and declared such inhabitants freemen, you are speedily to desier and requier them to elect a third select man unto yourselves, and him you are to ingage according as is ordered in the foresayd orders of this Court, and are alsoe to inagage such other officers as the freemen elect, as Constable, Clarke., to be faythfull in their respective office and offices, according to the forme of the ingagement to ou delivered as aforesayd: as alsoe you are to ingage or reingage in the Collonyes name unto every such officer that gives his ingagement as afore is sayd, that you will stand by and mayntayne them in the discharge of their sayd places and office or offices accordingly; and this you are in his Majestyes name required faythfully to atend unto and according to the contents hearof, being given under the hand of the Governor, with the Seale of this Collony hearto afixed. Per order of the Court, the Fowerth day of May in the sixteenth yeare of the raygne of our sayd Soceraigne Lord, Charles the Second, King of England, & c., and Anno:Domini: 1664 Joseph Torrey. General Recorder. (Records,) 

Att a General Assembly of the Collony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, assembled Rhode Island, the fowrh of the third month (May), so called, 1664, and in the sixteenth year of the rayne of Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, & c. Whereas it hath please the most high in his mercyfull providence to incline the heart of our Soveraygne lord the King, Charles the Second, King of England, &c., to be gracioues and faverable to all New England, and in especiall manner unto ourselves the Collony of Rhode Island and Providence plantationes by his Majestyes late royall grant under his broad Seale, vouchsafed unto us, in which grant or Charter, his Majestye hath ben pleased, expressly to nominate Block Island as a part of this Collony. And whereas in obedience to his Majestyes royall pleasuer the last Generall Assembly of this Collony took care to signifie his Majestyes pleasuer to our well beloved frends and countrymen, the inhabitants of Block Island have this day by their messengers, James Sands, Thomas Terry, and Joseph Kent delcased unto this Assembly ther professed subjection and obediance unto his Majestyes sayd royall pleasuer. It is therefore thought fitt and nessessary by this Generall Assembly to settle and establish a way and order (untill further order be taken) of presearving the King's Majestyes peace, and of administering his equall justice unto his loyall subjects upon the Island aforesayd, for the honour of his Majesty and the bennifite and comfort of his loving subjects in such a remote condition... (Records., p. 55). 

May 4, 1664 Assembly ...Whereas, Mr. James Sands, of Block Island, being a freeman in this Collony or corporation of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation, &c., together with Joseph Kent of Block Island, hath presented their humble petition to this Court, being the Generall Assembly of this Collony in behalfe of Thomas Terry, Peter George, Simon Raye, William Harris, Samuel Dearing, John Rawsbone, John Davies, Samuel Staple, Hugh Williames, Robert Gutery, William Tosh, Tolman Rose, William Carhoose, Tristrome Dodge, John Clarke, Joseph Kent and William Barker, inhabitants and house keepers at Block Island adore mentioned; desiering that the forementioned inhabitants many be admitted freemen of this Collony adoresayd, and being demanded if they sayd James Sands and Joseph Kent did know that all the foenamed parsones weare men of peaceable and good behaviour, and lyckly to prove worthy and helpfull members of the Collony, they answered yea: whereupon the Court, on caution and instructiones fiven to the sayd petitioners, have accepted and admitted all the sayd inhabitants aforementioned, to be free of this sayd Collony, or soe many of them shall give under ther hands in writing...(Records., page 58). 

His name is listed on the covenant of Swansea, Bristol, MA, in 1669. His name consistently appears on the town’s documents about 1673.On 15 December 1673, he was admitted an inhabitant of Swansea. He is mentioned to be a freeman on 6 June 1682. He was on a committee to regulate the differences in division of Swansea lands on 7 July 1681. 

Covenant of Swansea, Bristol, MA. 

   We whose names are here underwritten do freely upon our admission to be inhabitants of the town of Swansey assent to a written agreement made between the Church of Christ now meeting here at Swansey, and Captain Thomas Willett and his associates; as the said agreement is Specified and declared in the three proposals aforewritten, With the several Conditions and explanations thereof, concerning the present and futures Settlement of this township= In witness, we have hereunto Subscribed (1669) Joseph Kent (Briggs., 1898., p. 115) 

Court Action 1675.  

Joseph Kent of Swansey complaineth against Nicholas Tanner of the same town for detaining and hindering him of his right to attested to in Swansey: and for withholding a copy of the records of his attention notwithstanding authority against it. The jury find for the plaintiff. Samuel Dunkham being one of the jury. (Briggs., 1898., p. 115)      

Court Orders, June 7 1681. 

Joseph Kent was mentioned to be propounded to be a freeman. June 8, 1682. Joseph Kent was made a freeman. July 7 1681: “Forasmuch as there have bine some differences lately amongst the inhabitants of the towne of Swansey, representting the laying out of lands in that township, this Court doth heerby ratify and conferine whatsoever the former comitty have don respecting the promises and have made choise of Capt. John Browne, Lefit William Ingraham, Sergeant Hugh Cole, Samuell Luther, Job Winslow, and Joseph Kent to be a committee in the townes behalf for the regulateing of matters in difference concerning lands alreddy layed out in that township, and what defects doe or shall appeer unto the said committee abouve name shalbe made up of the lands undevided, and for any further devision of lands in the towne, that are to be devided, that it may be don and informed by the propriators. They having liberty by this order to choose a committee for the lawing out of land according to the three fold ranke.“In reference unto sixteen or seaventeen bushels of Indian corne, taken from Joseph Kent, of Swansey and imprived for the releife of some souldiers, int the time  the late Indian wars, this Court have ordered that it, of the value there of, to be repayed by the Treasurer." (Briggs., 1898., p. 115) 

Charles V. Chapin, of the City Registrar's office, City Hall, Providence, R/I/ has the following to say regarding Joseph: 

We know that Joshua went to England in 1644, and returned next year with his two brothers. After that date John Kent is mentioned several times in the records previous to 1673, when he was received into the church at Charlestown, Joseph Kent is mentioned in the tax-rate of 1659. In 1644 Elizabeth Hardier of Braintree left 40 shillings each to John and Joseph Kent, and 20 shillings each to Joshua Kent's three daughters/ From this we may reasonably infer that Joshua, John, and Joseph of Dedham held similar relationship to her. But we have no record of Joseph in Dedham after 1659. The first we hear of Joseph is in Block Island. This island was settled in 1661, largely by Braintree people. When Joseph went to Block Island I do not know. Sheffield, in his history, says,: "Joseph Kent of Swansea joined the settlement in 1661 or 1662." What his authority is I do not know. I have examined the Block Island records, which are in bad condition, and can find nothing. He was certainly in Block Island May 4, 1664, when he petitioned the legislature. The fact that this Joseph named his sons John, Joshua, Joseph, Samuel, and Ebenezer, would be some indication of a relationship to each other and to Joshua. I also find in Plymouth Col. Records that in 1681 Joseph Kent was appointed guardian of Joseph Cahoone, and that in 1690 Hannah, dau. of John Kent of Charlestown, married John Cahoone. Perhaps Hannah became acquainted with him in the house of her uncle Joseph. Baylies gives Joseph Kent as the signer of a covenant in Swansea in 1669, but I doubt if he was there as early as that. The latter names on that document probably came later than the date of drawing it up. The Swansea records say Joseph Kent was admitted and inhabitant 15 December 1673, and his name frequently appears in the records after that, but not before. Arnold in his History of the State of Rhode Island, Vol. 1, p. 306, says: " May 1664. The first regular assembly, as established, met at Newport in May. The affairs of Block Island were definitely settled at this session. Three messengers, James Sands, Thomas Terry, and Joseph Kent, appeared from the Island to signify their obedience to His Majesty's will." (Briggs., 1898., p. 115-116) 

History of Swansea

 In 1669, We find Joseph Kent in Swansea, Bristol, MA. Here in the Swansea records you can see his name among the inhabitants as the first signers of the town on 22 February 1669. (Swansea., page 49) His name consistently appears on the town’s documents about 1673. On 15 December 1673, he was admitted an inhabitant of Swansea. He is mentioned to be a freeman on 6 June 1682. He was on a committee to regulate the differences in division of Swansea lands on 7 July 1681. (Swansea., 1917, p. 49)

Generation Two: 

JOSEPH KENT- b. 1665 at Block Island, Washington. RI; m(1) 11 November 1690 DOROTHY BROWN at Swansea, Bristol, MA; m(2) 4 January 1728 Mary Carpenter at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. 20 March 1734 at East Providence, Providence, RI; buried at Newman Cemetery at east Providence, Providence, RI.

M(1) Children: 

1. Lydia b, 5 March 1691 Swansea, Bristol, MA; m. 30 Aug. 1715 Joseph Bosworth at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA 

2. Joseph b. Aug 9 1693 at Swansea, Bristol, MA; m. 7 Dec. 1721 Bethiah Thurston at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA 

3. Dorothy (Dorothea) b. 13 Aug. 1695 at Swansea, Bristol, MA; m(1). 23 Aug. 1715 James Bosworth at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m(2) 11 March 1721 Noah Newman at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA.

**Dorothy's death does not occur until 1727, but in the Rehoboth Vital Records the children below are listed under Clarissa. There is no marriage record for Clarissa or Joseph in the surrounding towns. Present assumption will be that there is no Clarissa and the children are from the first marriage. The Silver Book entry for Dorothy Brown does not list a Clarissa at all, and m(2) Mary does not have a surname listed. **

4. JOHN b. 9 Aug. 1697, Rehoboth, Bristol, MA 

5. Susannah bapt. 24 April 1698 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. young. 

6. Hezekiah b. 6 Feb. 1699-1700 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; rec’d into the church 20 Dec. 1730; m(1) Lillis Humphrey; m(2) 4 Jan. 1727-28 Ruth Cooper at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. 

7. Susannah b. 1 March 1701-2 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 23 March 1726-7 Peter Bowen at Swansea, Bristol, MA. 

8. Mary b. 3 March 1703-4 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 22 Jan 1729-30 Joseph Barney 

9. James b. 20 Aug. 1707 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 30 Dec 1736 Martha Barstow

      The SIlver Books are the trusted and researched version of genealogy lines. Dorothy's grave sites her death as 1727, so all children are noted under her. There is a verision and other sources naming the wives in  in different orders, which can make identifying the mother of the children difficult. Based on the Silver Book and  the information I agree that Dorothy is the mother of all the children. The first reason would be the gravestone below. The second reason would be the names of the second and third children, Joseph and Dorothy. The most poignant proof comes from Dorothy’s father, James Brown of Swansea, Bristol, MA. His will was written on 25 October 1694, in it he leaves two cows and ten sheep to his daughter, Dorothy Kent. The will however is not probated until 11 January 1711. James passed on 29 October 1710. Which means Dorothy was alive and married to Joseph Kent from at least 1694 to 1710, after the last child was born. Dorothy is also listed as the mother in the Vital Records of Swansea, Massachusetts to 1850. 

      Joseph lived in Swansea, Bristol, MA and later moved to Rehoboth, Bristol, MA (Rumford area). In Swansea he served as an Ensign and Representative to the General Court. In July 1696 he was a grand juryman at Bristol, Bristol, RI. 

 At His Majestied Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at Bristol July 14th in the Eight year of his Majesties Reign Annoque Dom 1696.  Jurors for Tryals: William Kent, Joseph Kent Jun both Swansea.(Briggs., 1898., p.116)Records of the First Church at Dorchester, 1636-1764 [147] page 113 June 7e 5th 1696. . . . . . . . It was Proposed to ye Congregation ; to Mr. Kent Swanzy one of ye afforesd Grandjury particularly yet if they had ought to Object Why ye Church Should not believe & take proceed upon the abovenamed Evidences that they Should Speak. (Briggs., 1898., p. 116) Among A List of The names of the Persons who are the Proprietors of the Gore of Land. That lyeth between Rehoboth & Taunton & Taunton North & South Purchase & the number of Lotts that fell to Each. Person & C. – Joseph Kent. 4; Joseph Kent 5.  July 10 1700.A report of the Committee about Taunton Bridge Signed Josiah Edson. Joseph Kent John Hunt sent up from the House of Representatives Voted upon.       To the great and generall Court now Sitting in Boston October the 17th 1711. An account of the number of the families in the precint prayed for at Palmers River in Rehoboth As also of. The remaining part of the Town (besides the mile & half) of the Precint.      An Account of the number of families In. Rehoboth distant from the prayed for precint mile & half. Joseph Kent. (Briggs., 1898., p. 116)  

Joseph Kent of Rehoboth made his will 12 March 1734/5, proved April 1735 naming his wife Mary; sons Joseph, John, Hezekiah, and James, and daughters Lydia Bosworth, Dorothey Newman, Susanah Bowen, and Mary Kent. On 5 June 1735 Mary Kent of Rehoboth, widow, signed a receipt for money received in "fulfillment of ye Promise by Contract by me and my Said Late husband before marrage.: On 12 March 1735/6 Mary Kent of Rehoboth, spinster, signed a receipt for her legacy paid by her brothers Joseph and Hezekiah. On 19 June 1735 Joseph Bosworth and his wife Lydia, Noah Newman and his wife Dorothey, and Peter Bowen and his wife Susanah signed receipts for their legacies. (Howland, Vol. 23, Part 1, pp. 18-19)

     In March 1735/6 (acknowledged 29 March 1736) Joseph Kent, Hezekiah Kent, and James Kent all of Rehoboth, yeomen, sold to their brother John Kent of Rehoboth, yeoman, 4 acres in common and undivided being part of a 5 acre lot in the 2nd division in the right of heirs of Joseph Kent, deceased. 

     Joseph is found to have been buried at Newman Cemetery at East Providence, Providence, RI. It is located 25 ft west of   Pawtucket Ave at telephone pole # 212 at telephone pole # 212 2000 burials with 1775 inscriptions from 1681 to 1992 800 ft x 400 ft in good condition enclosed with a stone wall; sign not installed yet. This cemetery was originally in Rehoboth, MA which later became East Providence, RI. 10.25 acres. 

Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991, Joseph Kent, images 128-129.

Generation Three:

 JOHN KENT- b. 9 Aug. 1697 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. intention 20 Nov. 1726 RACHEL CARPENTER at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA.; d. 11 Jan 1780. aged 83 years at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA.; buried at Briggs Corner Cemetery at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. (now called Oak Knoll Cemetery

 M1 children: 

1. Elijah b. 30 Dec. 1727 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 3 March 1753 Hannah Perren at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. 22 Sept, 1815, aged 88 years. 

2. Dorothy b. 4 March 1739-30; m. 4 April 1749 Jonathan Titus at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. 

3. John b. 8 April 1732; d.26 May 1736, aged 4 years at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA.   

4. Nathaniel b. 12 Nov. 1734 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. 10 May 1756, aged 22 years at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. 

5. JOSEPH b. 3 Feb. 1736-7 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA 6. John b. 9 May 1739 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 12 October 1759 Rebecca Carpenter at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. 20 Nov. 1780, aged 48 years. He was taken prisoner during the French and Indian War. 

7. Mary b. 18 Aug. 1741; d. 7 Feb 1766, aged 25 years. 

8. Ezekiel b. 22 June 1744 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m(1) 19 March 1768-9 Ruth Garnzey; m(2) Lois Nee Unknown; d. 17 May 1842, aged 98 years at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; buried at Briggs Corner Cemetery at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. 

9. Remember b. 28 July 1746 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. 17 Dec. 1773, aged 28 years; buried at Briggs Corner Cemetery at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. 

M2 Children:

10. Rebeckah b. 18 Aug. 1750 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. 19 Sept. 1750, aged 1 mo. at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA.  

To the Town of Rehoboth, Gentlemen Wee The Subscribers being Informed that there is  a petition Laid before ye General Cort by Mr. William Drier and Mr. Thomas Willmarth that theair may be a precinct taken of upon ye. Northerly Sid of Rehoboth and that it may be annexed to Attelborough. But. wee your Humbel Petitioners pray that wee may not be Satt of for these Reasons firstly because ye precinct which theay pray to be Satt of will be Wight or nine miles in Length and But about four miles wide and many of ye people will be put to as much trobel and dificulty to attend ye town meetings as theay are now which is one Reason as theay say that moved them to petition. Secondly Because wee are ye newest and poorest part of ye town in Generall and so not able to preform ye Duties belonging to a new precent, thirdly because severall of ye men belonging to this part of ye town will have their Lands taken of unto this precinct and houses will be left out and fourthly because the precent is So. Long that it will be Little or no advantage upon ye account of ye publick worship & theire fore we your Humbel petitioners pray your Honours would take this unto your wise Consideration and act accordly as wee in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray.         John Kent and 13 others  (Briggs., 1898, p. 121)  

     On 10 July  1741 Ezekiel Carpenter. Ezra Carpenter, and John Kent and his wife Rachel all children of Nathaniel Carpenter late of Attleborough, sold to their brother  Dan Carpenter of Attleborough their rights in the estate of their father. (Howland, Vol. 23, Part 1,  pp. 78-79)

 On 22 October 1742 John Kent, husbandman, and his wife, Rachel, spinster, of Rehoboth sold to Daniel Chafee of  Attlebrough, husbandman, meadow that "our father Nathaniel Carpenter bought from his brothers Noah and Obediah.

  On 9 July 1754, John Kent of Rehoboth, yeoman, for love and good will gave his eldest son Elijah Kent of Rehoboth, 19 acres.

  On 9 October 1759 John Smith, husbandman, and John Kent and his wife Rebecca all of Rehoboth sold to their brother Samuel Smith of Rehoboth, yeoman, their rights in housing and land of their father Deacon Henry Smith late of Rehoboth.

    On 23 February 1764 Rebecca Kent of Rehoboth sold to Elijah Kent and Joseph Kent of Rehoboth, husbandmen, 19 1/2 acres in Rehoboth which Rebecca Kent had bought of Henry Smith, Samuel Smith, and John Smith when she went by the name of Rebecca Carpenter, widow. (Howland, Vol. 23, Part 1, pp. 79-80)

   On 20 January 1774 Elijah Kent, Jonathan Titus and hiswife Dorothy, and Ezekiel Kent all of Rehoboth and Edmond Carpenter and his wife Mary of Attleborough, sold to their brother Joseph Kent of Rehoboth, yeoman, their rights in part of the estate of their gather John Kent. On the same day Elijah Kent, Joseph Kent, and Jonathan Titus and his wife Dorothy all of Rehoboth, and Edmond Carpenter and his wife Mary of Attleborough, sold to their brother Ezekiel Kent of Rehoboth, yeoman, their rights in land with a dwelling house and barn that their father john Kent died seized of. In the body of each of these deeds, Jonathan Titus wife was listed as Deborah, but in the signatures she signed as Dorothy.

     John was buried at the Briggs Corner Cemetery (now known as Oak Knoll Cemetery) at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. The cemetery is located on is the main road (state highway) from Pawtucket, RI to Attleboro, MA. It contains about three hundred stones beside some field stone markers with no inscriptions. There are four "61-65" markers with no stones to identify the graves: Kent, John Died Nov. 20, 1780 *Aged 84 years. 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63062384/john-kent

Generation Four:

JOSEPH KENT- b.3 Feb. 1736-7 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 24 June 1766 HULDAH BARROWS at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA by Rev. Robert Rogerson; d. 8 Jan. 1804, aged 68 years at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; buried at Briggs Corner Cemetery at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA

Their Children: 

1. JOHN b.23 Dec. 1766 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA.

2. Joseph b. 19 April 1768 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA 

3. Huldah b. 6 April 1770 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 10 Dec 1795 Solomon Peck, Jr.

4. Sarah b. 29 Oct 1771 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 19 March 1789 Nathan Medbury

5. Nathaniel b. 2 June 1774 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA

6. Lydia b. 16 Jan 1777 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA

 7. Belle b. 27 July 1779 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA 

8. James b. 16 Feb. 1783 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA

Rehoboth Decemr 1st 1760. The Coppy of The Subscription for Raising money To be added To what the minestry Land Was Sold for To make a Sufficiant Sum for The Interest There of to Pay The Ministers Sallery in ye Second Princint In Rehoboth yearly The Sum Affixt Against Each Parsons Is as followeth- Vix

                     L. S. D.

Joseph Kent    6. 0. 0. (Briggs., 1898., p. 124)

    Joseph Kent in the Revolutionary Records appears with rank of Private on Muaster and Pay Roll of Capt. Sylvanus Martin's Co., William's Regt. Time of enlistment September 29, 1777. Time of discharge October 30, 1777. Time of Service, 1 month. Service at Tiverton, RI. Roll dated Rehoboth, Jany. 13, 1778.

    Joseph Kent appears with rank of Corporal on Muster and Pay Roll of Captain Jacob Fuller's Co., Col., John Jacobs' Regt., for Service at Rhode Island Time of enlistment May 27, 1778. Time of discharge Jan. 1., 1779. Time of Service 7 months 6 days. He belonged to Rehoboth. Raised for one year from Jan. 1, 1778.

    Joseph Kent appears with rank of Private on Muster an dPay Roll of Capt. Joseph Franklin's Co., Col. John Daggett's Regt/, for service at Rhode Island on the alarm of...Time of enlistment Jany., 7, 1780. Time of discharge March 31 , 1780. Time of Service 2 months 23 days. He belonged to Rehoboth.

     Joseph Kent appears with rank of Private on Muster and Pay Roll of Captain Simeon Cole's Co., Col. Thomas Carpenter's Reg., for Service at Rhode Island on the alarm of... Time of enlistement August 1, 1780. Time of discharge Aug.m 5, 1780. Time of service 5 days. Marched to Tiverton, R.I.. by order of Council of July 22 1780.

     Rhode Island Service, Vol. I., Page 38. Joseph Kent appears with rank of Private on Muster and Pay Roll of Capt. Jabez Bullock's Co., Col. Thomas Carpenter's Regt., for service at Rhode Island on the alarm of August 1, 1780. Time of enlistment August 1, 1780. Time of discharge Aug., 9 1780. Time of Service 9 days. Reported, marched to Tiverton, R. I.

     Page 83. Same as the above with this addition: "Service at Tiverton under Gen. Heath."

     March 20, 1780. In Council. Ordered that the Petition of Joseph Kent with the papers, accompanying, which were taken into Consideration this session of the General Assesmby, be, and hereby are further refered to the second Wednesday in June next, and that all parties Concerned have then a hearing before the two Houses. In the House of Representatives. Read and Concurred. (Briggs., 1898., p. 124)

On 23 February 1764 Rebecca Kent of Rehoboth sold to [her stepsons] Elijiah Kent and Joseph Kent of Rehoboth, husbandmen, 19 1/2 acres in Rehboth that she had bought of [her brothers] Henry Smith, Samuel Smith, and John Smith when she went by the name of Rebecca Carpenter widow (Bristol Co. LR 48:195).

   In  the  1771 Valuation List (p. 602) Joseph Kent was listed in Rehooth with a 4 rateable polls, 1 non rateable poll, 1 house, 2 horse, 2 oxen, 4 cattle, 12 goats and/or sheep, 3 swine, 18 acres of pasture, 6 acres of tillage, 12 acres of upland meadow, and 6 acres of fresh meadow, and he produced 6 barrels of cider.

   On 20 January 1774, Elijiah Kent, Jonathan Titis, and his wife Dorothy, and Ezekiel Kent all of Rehoboth and Edmond Carpenter and his wife of Attleboro, sold to their brother Joseph Kent of Rehoboth, yeoman, their rights in part f the estate of their father John Kent (Bristol Co. LR 56:294:95). ON the same day Elijah Kent, Joseph Kent, Jonathan TItus and his wife Dorothy all of Rehoboth, and Edmond Carpenter his wife Mary of Attleboro sold to their brother Ezekiel Kent of Rehoboth, yeoman, their rights in land with a dwelling house and barn that their gather John Kent died seised of (ibid).

    Joseph Kent of Rehoboth served in the Revolutionawy War (MSSR 9:133-34). first as a private in Capt. Sylvanus Martin's company, Col. Williams' regiment from 29 September to 30 October 1777. He enlisted 7 January 1778 in Capt. Joseph Franklin's company, Col. John Daggett's regitment and was discharged 31 March 1778 with service of 2 months 23 days. He served as a corporal in Capt. Jacob Fuller's company, Col. John Jacob's regiment from 27 May 1778 to 1 January 1779, 7 months, 6 days.

Joseph Kent was listed in Rehoboth in the 1790 Census with a household consisting of two men over 16 and four females. 

Generation Five: 

JOHN KENT- b.23 Dec. 1766 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 10 April 1796 BETSEY LUTHER at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA by Stephen Bullock, Esq 

Their children: 

1. Joanna b. 6 Jan. 1797 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m. 10 December 1882 Thomas Shaw at Attleboro, Bristol, MA.

2. Mahala b. 17 Sept. 1799 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; d. before 1820.

3. LUTHER b. 25 March 1802 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA. 

Generation Six:

LUTHER KENT- b. 25 March 1802 at Rehoboth, Bristol, MA; m(1) 16 Nov 1828 Mary Salisbury at Seekonk, Bristol, MA; m(2) 10 Sept. 1849 PATIENCE BARNEY at Pawtucket, Providence, RI 

M(1) Children: 

The children are found on the 1850 census. Vital Records still need to be checked for children 1, 2, and 4. Child 3 is proven through vital records as well as a death record. 

1. Pamela F. b. abt 1831 at Massachusetts 

2. Kerace (Horace) b. abt 1833 at Massachusetts 

3. LUTHER HORACE b. 5 Jan. 1833 at Attleboro, Bristol, MA; d. 27 June 1906, aged 73 years at Attleboro, Bristol, MA from pernicious anaemia. 

4. Henry N b. 1835 at Rhode Island 

M(2) Children: 

5. CHARLES NEWTON b.12 July 1856 at Attleboro, Bristol, MA

     Luther first married Mary Salisbury in 1828. They were both of Seekonk, Bristol, MA. They were married by the Reverend James O. Barney. Their intent was filed on 23 October 1828. The marriage is also listed under Rumford, Bristol, RI. When Luther married Patience Barney, he was of Attleboro, Bristol, MA. She was of Pawtucket, Providence, RI. There are several dates listed 26 August, 2 Sept, 9 Sept, and 10 Sept, all of 1849.

Generation Seven: 

CHARLES NEWTON KENT- b. 12 July 1856 at Attleboro, Bristol, MA; m. JULIETTA HODGDON at East Providence, Providence, RI

 Their children: 

1. Charles H. b. Dec 1876 at Rhode Island; d. young. 

2. DAVID LUTHER b. Dec. 1877 at Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts 

3. Walter Newton b. about 1882; d. 1953 aged 71 years. 

4. Ada A. b. June 1899 at Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts. 

5. Child.

Generation Eight:

DAVID LUTHER KENT-b. Dec 1877 at Attlebroro , Bristol, MA; m. 29 Aug 1905 ELEANOR M STEVENSON at East Providence, Providence , RI; d. 1966. age 89 at Springfield, Hampden, MA.  

 Their children: 

1. Alice M b. 27 July 1906 at East Providence, Providence, RI; m Edgar Goodwin; d. 11 Feb. 1971 aged 64 years at Quincy, Norfolk, MA. 

2. CHARLES HEBERT b. 30 June 1907 at East Providence, Providence, RI; 

3. Mona b. 1909 at East Providence, Providence, RI; d. 17 Feb. 1910 aged less 1 year at East Providence, Providence, RI.

4. Child 

Generation Nine: 

CHARLES HEBERT KENT-b. 30 June 1907 at East Providence, Providence, RI; m. 30 July 1930 LAURA RAYMOND at Whitman, Plymouth, MA; d. 30 Jul. 1969, aged 62 years at Brockton, Plymouth, MA. 

They had four children: 2 deceased; 2 living.

Their Children:

1. Laura- married, one son, one grandson

2. David b. 1935 at Brockton, Plymouth, MA; d. deceased, one son, one grandson, one granddaughter

3. Joan M b. 1638  at Brockton, Plymouth, MA

4. LIVING SON- divorced, remarried, one daughter, one son, two grandsons, two granddaughters, one great grandson

Sources:

• 1771 Valuation Litst

• Abstracts Bristol Co PR 1:30, 238, 244(Henry Smith) 247.

• Briggs

• Bristol Co LR 26:105 (Joseph Kent, et al); 32:317 Ezekiel Carpenter, et al); 43:559 (john SMith, et al.); 45:160 (john Kent); 48:195(Rebecca Kent); 49:468(John Kent); 55:194-5(Elijah Kent, et al.. 

• Brown Family of Bristol Co, p. 17, 21. 

• Genealogies of the different families bearing the name of Kent in the United States: together with their possible English ancestry, A.D. 1295-1898 

• History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917, Town of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1917.

• Kent Genealogy, 

• Mayflower Familes Through Five Generations, Volume Twenty-Three, Part One, John Howland. The First Four Generaions of his Children Lydiam Hannah, Joseph, Jabez, Ruth, and Isaac.

• Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors in the War of the Revolution.

• Mayflower Families Fifth Generation Descendants, 1700-1880. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2017). From Mayflower Families Through Five Generations: Descendants of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth, Mass., December 1620. Plymouth, MA: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1975-2015. 

• Probate Records 1687-1916; Index, 1687-1926 (Bristol County, Massachusetts); Author: Massachusetts. Probate Court (Bristol County); Probate Place: Bristol, Massachusetts, Ancestry.com 

• Rehoboth VR 1:217 (m), 344 (Rebecca's 1st m.), 468 (int.),  2:659 (b. last 6 ch.), 744(b. Rebecca) 843 (d. Dorothy, Joseph, John, Nathaniel, Rebeca).

• Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, John Russell Bartlett, A.C Green and Brothers. 1856. 

• RIVR 9:510(bp.ch.), 565(2nd m.). 

• Roser, Susan E. Mayflower Deeds and Probates: From the Files of George Ernest Bowman at the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1994. 

• Seekonk VRRI 9. 

• Swansea VR, pp. 3 (b. Dorothy, dau. Dorothy), 11 (b. Joseph), 12 (b. Lydia), 23 (m.).