Silas Denty

Silas, the second child of Samuel and Nancy Bayliss Denty, was born on 3 Jul 1834. He described himself as a laborer in the 1850 Census, as did his father; but as his father prospered, so did Silas. Samuel accumulated substantial holdings during the 1850s and by the time of his death during the Civil War, was the owner of close to 700 acres. As noted, in two deeds dated 3 Feb 1864 and 1 Aug 1865, Silas and older brother Thomas purchased all interest in Samuel's estate from their younger brother and sister. He and Thomas then farmed and lived together in their widowed mother's house through at least 1870.

Like so many of the Fairfax County Dentys, Silas remained single until relatively late, not marrying Ellen Rebecca Garrison until about 1875. They had two children: Mary Ellen, or "Molly", born on 4 Jul 1876, and Edward, born on 5 Dec 1878. Daughter Molly had married a man named Timberman by 1905, but was also reported to have married John Bresett Vandersluis.[1] She died on 22 Sep 1956.

It was Silas' address that the "commercial traveler" gave to John Ramsey Denty in Memphis, thus resulting in a flurry of letters between the Mississippi and Virginia Denty cousins. And it was Silas who cemented the already strong relationship between the Denty family and Pohick Church when, on 28 Apr 1884, he deed one-half acre to the Vestry in return for $15 and a burial plot in the expanding cemetery that his one-half acre was meant to accommodate. The family was forced to use that plot, doubtless sooner than expected, when their twelve year old son "Eddie" drowned tragically while swimming in Accotinck Run, just below the dam, on 11 Jun 1891.

Despite his arrangement with the church, Silas apparently hadn't actually been a member there, for he wasn't baptized in Pohick until 7 Oct 1905, more than twenty years after his deed to the Vestry. And the baptism was timely, for he was suffering from a lengthy illness, its exact nature undetermined, that caused him to put his spiritual and financial affairs in order that summer and fall.

On 26 Oct 1905, Silas "died at his home near Accotinck . . . a well known and esteemed citizen."[2] In his will, signed the previous August, he bequeathed over 1,000 acres, $8,600 in cash, and $1,600 in outstanding loans owed to him.

I Silas Denty of the County of Fairfax, State of Virginia, being of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding do make, publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament, hereby revoking any and all wills by me at any time heretofore made.

First, I wish all my just debts and funeral expenses paid as soon after my decease as conveniently may be.

Second, I give, devise and bequeath to my wife Ellen R. Denty my home farm and everything on it, as long as she remains unmarried. This farm contains about 300 acres. If my wife remarries, then I give, devise and bequeath the above named farm and everything on it to my daughter Mary A. Timberman.

Third, I give and bequeath to my said wife Ellen R. Denty the sum of Forty Five Hundred Dollars in cash.

Fourth, I give and bequeath to my said wife forty acres of land at Pohick Church absolutely.

Fifth, I give and devise to Annie Trice[3] thirteen and one half acres of land on the Colchester Road and the forty acres above mentioned and adjoining the lands of Ward, Stouts and Beavers, the said 13 ½ acres being cut off of the 40 acres above mentioned and devised to my wife.

Sixth, I give and devise and bequeath to my daughter Mary E. Timberman a tract of land on Pohick Creek, containing five hundred acres more or less (500 acres) and the sum of Four Thousand Dollars in cash.

Seventh, I give and bequeath to Silas Shepherd, John Shepherd, George Denty, Napoleon Denty, Samuel Shepherd, and Nannie Cook[4] one hundred and thirty six acres of land on Pohick Creek and adjoining the five hundred acre tract devised to my daughter Mary E. Timberman, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.

Eighth, I give and devise to Eva Shepherd[5], a tract of land containing thirty two (32) acres, a portion of the land devised to my wife in the Second Item of this will, but not interfering with the 300 acres devised under said Second Item to my said wife.

Ninth, I give and bequeath to Martha Denty, widow of Thomas Denty, the sum of One Hundred Dollars in cash.

Tenth, I give, devise and bequeath to my wife Ellen R. Denty and my daughter Mary E. Timberman, to be equally divided between them, the $1250 due by Louis C. Barley, the $250 due by A.C. Landsheet, and the $100 due by Wallace Deavers.

Eleventh, I nominate and appoint my wife Ellen R. Denty Executrix and Charles H. Callahan as Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Testator Silas Denty have here unto set my hand and seal on this 14^th day of August 1905.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testator Silas Denty as and for his last will and testament in presence of us, who in his presence at his request, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.

Ellen Garrison Denty died in June 1919. Both are buried in the family plot in Pohick Cemetery next to son Edward.

Birth date of Silas: 3 Jul 1834. [Liddle, Families of Pohick Church, Truro Parish, Fairfax County, Virginia , p. 113; tombstone in Pohick Cemetery]

Birth date of Ellen: Mar 1851. [Based upon 1900 census; year supported by Liddle, p. 113]

3 Feb 1864: Along with Thomas Denty, Silas purchased all interest in the estate of Samuel Denty from Elisha and Josephine Denty for $500. Elisha and Josephine signed with their marks. Wits: Thomas Denty, Lewis McK. Bell. [Book E4, p. 67]

1 Aug 1865: Along with Thomas Denty, purchased all interest to the estate of Samuel Denty held by Elias and Martha Grimsley for $500. Elias and Martha signed with their marks. Wits: William P. Troth, John S. Stiles. [Book E4, p. 387]

18 Aug 1870 CENSUS, Fairfax Co, VA (Mt Vernon, Fairfax Courthouse PO): Farmer age 36, residing in household of Thomas Denty. Also living with family is mother Nancy. [Pg 342]

28 Apr 1884: Along with wife Ellen R. Denty, Silas deeded ½ acres for use as burial ground to Pohick Church for $15 and a burial plot. [Book D5, p. 327]

Marie Denty Nesbit, 20 Jul 1885: "I will tell you of some new kin in VA. We recently heard from them, has been several wills and pictures passed. They live 16 miles from Washing City, 10 from Alexandria & some of them on the Potomac. Pa met a commercial traveler in Memphis last fall that told him all about them & gave him the address of Mr Silas Denty. He is the son of Samuel Denty, our grandfather's half brother's son by his second wife. . . ." [Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith, The Descendants of Thomas Jefferson Denty and Elizabeth Abernathy Denty]

16 Nov 1895, Circuit Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, #133: In Denty versus the Martin Dallman, Silas contended that a tugboat had plowed into his schooner, which lay at anchor at the "arsenal" wharf next to the James Creek Canal unloading wood. The Dallman was turning into that much narrower channel when the collision occurred. Although it was night, Silas argued that he was not required to post a light on board because his boat, the William D. Clark, was not projecting into the 200 foot wide channel. The court found the master of the Dallman to to have been negligent.

8 Jun 1900 CENSUS, Fairfax Co, VA (Mt Vernon District): Farmer born Jul 1834, married 25 years; Ellen R. born Mar 1851, mother of 2 children, 1 living; and boarder Lamar Munroe, farm laborer. [ED 21, Sheet 7]

In 1905 Silas deeded 13.15 acres to John Shepherd. [Fairfax Herald, 29 Sep 1905, p. 2]

Death date: 26 Oct 1905. Fairfax Herald, 3 Nov 1905: "Mr. Silas Denty, a well known and esteemed citizen of Mt. Vernon District, who had been ill for some time, died at his home near Accotinck on Thursday." Date verified by tombstone in Pohick Cemetery. Pohick Church records supply date of 27 Oct 1905. [Liddle, p. 113]

Burial service performed by Rev. Everard Meade. [Fairfax Herald, 3 Nov 1905, p. 3]

8 Nov 1907: Treasurer's Report appearing in Fairfax Herald listed Mrs. Ellen R. Denty paid $9.00 by county for "conveying pauper to Poor House and caring for same". [Pg 2]

Ellen's death: Jun 1919. [Alexandria Gazette, 16 Jun 1919, p. 1; Liddle, p. 113]

Silas, Ellen Rebecca, and Edward are buried next to each other in Lot 6, Sec A in Pohick Cemetery. [Pohick Church Cemetery Burials, p. D7]

[1] Their birthdates would hardly seem compatible. Mary Ellen was reportedly born in 1876, John in 1894. Although such an age difference is quite possible, there’s also the possibility that John’s birth date is incorrect.

[2] Fairfax Herald, 3 Nov 1905, p. 3.

[3] Annie Trice is unfamiliar to this researcher. It may be that the name was written incorrectly, that it should actually read Annie Truax, the daughter of James Compton Denty, and therefore Silas' first cousin.

[4] Silas Shepherd and John Shepherd were the sons-in-law of Thomas Denty; "Nannie" Cook was Annie Denty Cook, Thomas' daughter. The precise relationship of Samuel Shepherd is unknown.

[5] Eva Shepherd's exact relationship to Silas is uncertain.