John and Susannah Denty

Jonathan's eldest son John was born on 8 Jul 1776 in Fairfax County, Virginia. He first appeared on that county's tax roll in 1800, presumably just after marrying his wife Susannah, but the young family didn't remain in Virginia for long. John and Susannah were part of a larger movement out of Fairfax County during those years, as farming there became less and less profitable due to tobacco-depleted soil. Many went to Ohio and Kentucky, but John chose Georgia. Perhaps he sought to make his fortune in the new boom crop, cotton. Certainly that, combined with cheap land in Georgia, proved irresistible to many, both before and after him. As will become evident, however, one compelling reason may have been the urging of relatives and neighbors who had preceded him there. Whatever his motivations were, he and Susannah began the trek in late 1804 or early 1805, most probably taking the Great Wagon Road, the principle road to and through the back county. Stretching from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania through the Great Valley of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and culminating in Augusta, Georgia, it had been the most heavily traveled road in North America in the late eighteenth century. If they were lucky, John and Susannah traveled by wagon or horseback, neither particularly easy nor comfortable with two young children; but they may well have walked, freeing any horses or mules to carry their worldly goods. Astonishingly, but of necessity, this was the method chosen by most pioneers. (See map, Counties Significant to the Southern Dentys.)

In Georgia John may have first settled in Wilkes County, the most populous in Georgia, but this researcher has been unable to find any evidence of his presence there other than the address on Jonathan's letter. John did purchase two tracts totaling 572 acres in neighboring Oglethorpe County, 490 of which were described as "pine lands".[1] Based upon his adjoining neighbors in the Oglethorpe County Tax Lists, at least one of these tracts was on or very near Big Creek. He eventually acquired an additional 231 acres, 171 of them on Millstone Creek in the northeastern portion of the county. Such acreage was far greater than any he would have been able to obtain in Fairfax County, despite falling land prices there. Nevertheless, John had perhaps not chosen the most opportune moment to settle in Georgia. The Napoleonic Wars had virtually ended all commerce with Europe, and demand for cotton consequently declined. By 1808, the state of Georgia was forced to pass an act for the relief of debtors; indeed, "as poor as a Georgian" became a common descriptive phrase. In addition, malaria was rife in the area. Against this, a newer and rougher frontier beckoned. With the defeat of the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, their lands, almost half of the present state of Alabama, were opened to settlement. This was cotton country par excellence, and highly publicized as such. In 1812 John was one of many who began selling their parcels in Georgia; and by 1814 he no longer appeared in the Oglethorpe County Tax Rolls. In 1815 he obtained a patent at the Huntsville Land Office, Mississippi Territory,[2] Alabama Territory not being formed until 1817. The move from northeastern Georgia to northern Alabama would have required yet another trek, albeit not as lengthy; but with at least five children this time, three of whom were under ten.

For the next thirty years John was granted, bought, and sold land in Madison and Limestone Counties, Alabama, and even in Wayne County, Tennessee; a total of at least eighteen separate land transactions. This is deceptive, however, for his Alabama tracts were all located on or very near the Madison-Limestone County line and either straddling or no more than ten miles south of the Tennessee border. On 6 Jan 1827 the "tract of land where Denty now resides" was described as the NE ¼ of Section 2 and the NW ¼ of Section 1 in Township 2, Range 3 West of Limestone County, a total of 320 acres adjoining Lincoln County, Tennessee on the north and very close to the Madison County line. Only three years later, he owned a tract described as E ½ NE ¼ S12 T2 R3W. Until recently, this parcel was home to a log cabin that may have been lived in or even built by John Denty.[3] In his later years, the family lived just outside Huntsville, the largest town in and county seat of Madison County.

In light of the acreage and livestock described in deeds, John obviously farmed; but we have no idea what plant crop he raised. In the 1820 Census he possessed no bales of cotton, and owned no gins, no saws or mills. In 1832 he owned 60 hogs, 12 cattle and thirteen sheep, and one sorrel mare. Yet there are several hints that he supplemented his farm income – or perhaps the farm income provided the supplement. A promissory note signed by John on 2 Jan 1829 carried a notation that the amount owed had been "credited by $10.00 for whiskey delivered to R. Tillman". On 22 Dec 1830 he bought 100 feet of cherry "scrolling" at an estate sale, a rather eccentric and extravagant purchase unless connected to business or trade. When John took out a mortgage on real and personal property in 1832, listed in the personal property were one wagon and four yoke of oxen, certainly more pulling power than would be needed for farming. In 1833 son John Ramsey Denty mentioned in a letter that his father had just "come home from Kentucky", apparently with no further explanation needed. And finally, in the 1840 Census, in a household consisting of John, wife Susannah, daughter Susan, and one black male aged 24-36, the census taker recorded that one person in the household was engaged in "manufacture or trade".

Whatever his source (or sources) of income, the family's finances were never substantial, for, once again, we have a Denty being sued for debt with unsettling regularity, a total of ten cases from 1820 to 1840. Does that mean the family was actually poor, as described by son Jonathan Milton in a letter written about 1835? Throughout these decades, John was able to purchase property, sue others for debt, offer securities on bond and collateral on mortgages, and act as an appraiser in Orphan's Court. In 1830 he owned or hired two slaves. His spinster daughter was able to live in some comfort after his death with no discernable income except boarders and a few cows and hogs. And during the late 1830s and early 1840s, son John Ramsey Denty was prospering. It's difficult to believe that he would have allowed his parents and sister to live in penury. The explanation may be found in Milton's wording, i.e. "we have become veary poor". Combined with numerous references by both Milton and brother John Ramsey to their parent's poor health, it would seem that John may have been the third generation of Dentys to experience increasing financial troubles in late middle or early old age due to physical problems, problems mentioned in several of his sons' letters. In a laissez-faire economy with no safety net, the economic welfare of the family depended almost entirely on the health of the breadwinner. And such health was liable to decline all too rapidly in light of the unending physical toil most livlehoods required. The description of "veary poor" may have been relative to their previous standard of living. On the other hand, if the problem was solely physical, why didn't one of his sons, particularly Jonathan Milton or William Harrison, take over the labor and management of the farm and/or business? Was the type of business simply not what they wanted for themselves or was there an estrangement?

As with his father and grandfather, we have the bare bones provided by dry court records, deeds, and censuses. Fortunately, however, we also have letters containing the occasional mention of John and Susannah. From such, we know that John was intending to rent a plantation in 1825, that he only occasionally went "into town", that he wrote letters to his children, that he was owed money by a man named James Leath in 1835, and that the family visited each other. In 1836 his son Milton mentioned that a horse owned by John was "thought to be the finest young stallion that has ever been raised in this state, two years old last spring", but that if son Thomas would come down soon he could have him. We know that he'd "not moved to Athens" in 1840 and in fact his own son John Ramsey didn't "know where he is living or what he is doing". Did the latter imply that he was not living with his wife and daughter? Such doesn't seem to have been the case in light of the 1840 Census and an 1845 deed stating that "John Denty and his family are now residing" on 2.18 acres on Triana Road[4] just outside of Huntsville. That property had been purchased by Susan Denty, either mother or daughter but probably the latter, rather than by John. As noted, we know also from letters that John was in poor health in 1831 and again in 1835, and before 1836 son Milton mentioned that "Father & Mother scarcely nowes an hour free from affliction. They are scarcely able to help themselves". In 1835 John was fifty-nine years old.

John was literate and obviously wrote letters to family members, but only one was preserved, and that was evidently never sent. Dated 3 Aug 1834 and written in a fairly clear hand, it begins: "Dear Son, It has been a long time senc I wrote you a letter, though I have frequently thought from weak to weak that I would write but from my incapacity & burthen of business I have not been able to carry into effect my intention." Here it inexplicably ends. The remainder of the paper was used by one or more Dentys, most probably wife and mother Susannah and daughter Susan, as a "scratchpad" for practicing names.

John died on 20 Jul 1848, age seventy-two, and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. In spite of his years and "affliction", he had died without a will. Perhaps there was far too little property, perhaps none, in his own name to leave to his wife and children.[5] Certainly there was no probate.

John and Susannah were the parents of six children: Elizabeth, Thomas Jefferson, John Ramsey, Jonathan Milton, William Harrison, and Susan Kent Denty. Each will be profiled in subsequent chapters in the order of their birth.

But what of wife and mother Susannah? Like so many early nineteenth century pioneer women, she remains a cipher, entering the records only rarely. Her first name is variously given as Susan or Susannah, and was often written as it was no doubt pronounced, i.e. "Susanner".[6] While we have her birth date, 29 Sep 1776, we don't know her surname with any certainty; although there are clues. John and Susannah named their youngest daughter Susan Kent Denty. Jonathan Denty had been associated with the Kent family in Fairfax County[7] as early as 5 Aug 1772 when he witnessed the will of Benoni Kent, who did in fact have a daughter named "Susanner".[8] When John and Susannah Denty moved to Georgia, it followed shortly upon the migration there of the Fairfax Kents; in fact, one tract eventually owned by John and Susannah adjoined Charles and Lewis Kent.[9] It seems probable that either John's mother or his wife was a Kent – and perhaps even both.

The other surname possibility is Thurmond. John purchased property in Oglethorpe County from David Thurmond, had a mortgage witnessed by Robert Thurmond, and a deed witnessed by Harris and David Thurmond. The latter involved the sale of land and was signed by Susannah with her mark, significant because it was customary for the wife to sign any deed that might involve her dower rights. When she did so, her male relatives would witness the transaction to protect those rights, assuring, in theory at least, that she hadn't been coerced by her husband. But the Thurmonds of Oglethorpe County apparently hadn't originated in Fairfax County, whereas, according to the 1850 Census, our Susannah was born in Virginia. Thus, the only way that Susannah could have been a Thurmond was if she was actually John's second wife, coincidentally born in Virginia, who he married in Georgia after the death of his first wife. Although there's a gap between the birth years of second-born Thomas Jefferson in Virginia in 1802 and third-born John Ramsey in Georgia in 1807, there's no hint of a second marriage or that Susannah was only the stepmother of the older children.

We can assume that Susannah was loved by her children, because all three of her sons named daughters after her; and much later in his life, her son John paid a compliment to his third wife by stating that she was "more like his mother than any woman he ever saw". It's perhaps worth noting, therefore, that this third wife was described by a niece's husband as a "one of the neatest old ladies I have met with . . . a pert little chunky woman . . . a fine housekeeper" with the "best table" he had yet encountered.[10]

Either Susannah or her daughter made the actual purchase of the 2.18 acres on Triana Road near Huntsville in 1845, and the two women continued to live together there until Susannah's death on 26 Dec 1858. She is buried next to husband John in Huntsville's Maple Hill Cemetery.

Birth and death dates for both John (8 Jul 1776-20 Jul 1848) and Susannah (29 Sep 1776-26 Dec 1858) inscribed on tombstones in Maple Hill Cemetery. [Robey, Maple Hill Cemetery, Phase One, p. 15; Rebecca Denty Abernathy]

10 Jan 1793: "John Dainty" was chain carrier for survey of Hall patent in suit of R. Chicester verses L. Weston in Fairfax Co. [Josette Baker/Orig: Surveys, p.174]

13 Dec 1799: Witnessed deed from Francis and Mary Keene to Jonathan Denty on Pohick Run. Other wits: Walter Ward and Zebedee Compton. Proved in court 20 Jan 1800. [Book B2, p. 383; Court Records, p. 319]

26 Jun 1800 Fairfax Co Tax List: 1 white male, 0 horses, 0 slaves. (Also listed in District of Thomas Pollard were Jonathan and William Denty.)

11 Apr 1801 Fairfax Co Tax List: 1 white male over 16, 1 horse or mule, tax of $ .12 due. (Enumerated same day as Jonathan Denty.)

18 Jun 1801: "John Dainty" served as juror in Fairfax from 18 Jun to 19 Nov. [Court Record Fiche #6330101/Orig: Pg 235]

23 Jun 1802 Fairfax Co Tax List: 1 white male over 16, 1 horse or mule. (Enumerated same day as Jonathan Denty.)

16 Nov 1802: "John Dainty" served again as juror. "John Denty" also mentioned in this capacity 19 Nov 1802. [Court Record Fiche #6330117/Orig: Pg 10, 19]

19 Apr 1803 Fairfax Co Tax List: 1 white male over 16, 2 horses or mules. (Enumerated same day as Jonathan and William Denty.)

25 Jun 1803: "John Dainty" co-defendant in action brought by Ferdinando Fairfax. Case continued until 18 Aug 1803, then continued once again. No outcome found. [Court Record Fiche #6330117/Orig: Pg 170, 235]

25 Jun 1803: "John Dainty" plaintiff in suit brought against Catherine Browne. Trial continued until 19 Aug. No outcome yet found. [Court Record Fiche #6330117/Orig: Pg 172, 241]

In August 1803 "John Dainty" was security for Mark Evans in amount of $25. [Court Record Fiche #6330117]

18 Apr 1804 Fairfax Co Tax List: 2 white males over 16, 2 horses or mules. (Enumerated same day as Jonathan and William Denty.)

John isn't listed in Fairfax Co Tax Rolls for 1805. (All Kent families except John are also gone in 1805, never to return.)

18 Mar 1807: "John Dainty of Georgia" gave deposition to a Georgia JP in the case of Hancock, Mushett & Company versus "William Dainty".

8 May 1808: Letter written to John by his father on that date was addressed to Washington, Wilkes County, GA. (Washington is county seat of Wilkes.)

1808 Oglethorpe Co Tax List (Capt. John G. Smith's Dist, #79): Listed for two tracts of land: one of 82 acres adj. Paul Patrick and Burwell Acock, and one of 490 acres of "pine lands" adj. James Martin. Assessed 0.8.8 ½. (John Smith's Dist synonymous with Goosepond Dist in the northeastern portion of county. On list were many Kents, Suddeths, Wilsons, 3 McCartys, 7 Wards, John Compton, Pleasant Compton, 2 Southerlins.)

1809 Oglethorpe Co Tax List: Taxed at rate of 0.8.8 ½ for the same two parcels of 82 and 490 acres. [Pg 32]

1810 Oglethorpe Co Tax List: Taxed for three tracts, the two previously mentioned and an additional 60 acres bordering William Fields. Assessment rose to 1.3.4 ¾. [Pg 34]

26 Nov 1810: Purchased 171 acres on Millstone Creek in Oglethorpe Co from David Thurmond for $800. Wits: Hiram Harvard, H. Thurmond, J.A. Bradley. [Book G, p. 206: Copy provided by Larry Ferguson] (Millstone Creek divides Goosepond and Glade Districts.)

25 Nov 1811: Mortgaged the 171 acres to Joseph Ector for $270 with due date of 25 Dec 1812. Wits: Thomas W. Cobb, Robert Thurmond. [Book G, p. 208: Copy provided by Larry Ferguson]

1811 Oglethorpe Co Tax List (Capt. Thos Winston's Dist, #38): Fourth parcel was added = Millstone Creek. In addition, 60 acre tract reduced to 40. Total taxes = 1.1.4 ¼. (Thomas Winston's Dist was Glade Dist, just to the west of Millstone Creek and thus Goosepond.)

10 Mar 1812: John and Susannah Denty sold their 171 acres on Millstone Creek to Peter Hoff for $500. Wits: Harris Thurmond, David Thurmond. Yet deed also indexed as "Susannah Denty et al". [Book G, p. 269]

1812 Oglethorpe Co Tax List (Capt. J. Davenport's Dist, #66): Taxed at a rate of 1.0.4 ½ for same four parcels.

1813 Oglethorpe Co Tax List (Capt. Hubbard's Dist, #49): Now listed holding only his "pine lands" tract of 490 acres, assessed at rate of 0.6.8. (This is once again Glade Dist. Listed on either side are Charles and Lewis Kent.)

1 Dec 1815: "John Denty" took out land patent for S33 T1 R1E from Huntsville Land Office. John Abernathy Smith claims that, at $2.00 per acre, this 640 acre section would've cost $1,280.00, "far in access of his apparent means". This purchase was seemingly not finalized since John never listed as owner in Tract Books of Madison County. [Barefield, Old Huntsville Land Office Records and Military Warrants, p. 140; Abernathy and Smith, The Descendants of Thomas Jefferson Denty and Elizabeth Abernathy Denty] (This may've been the patent listed by Cowart, Old Land Records of Madison County, Alabama, p. 256, taken out by John Denty "of Madison County, MS" between 1815 and 1819. The original can be found in Ledger C, Book 105.)

26 Jan 1816: "John Dentz" rec'd patent for 165.48 acres, SE ¼ S20 T2 R1W. (Parcel described by John Abernathy Smith as lying 10 miles south of the TN border, 4 miles west of US 231-US 431, near intersection of Carter's Gin Road and Pulaski Pike.) [Cowart, p. 14/ Orig: #1391]

24 Dec 1817: Witnessed a deed in Madison Co, AL from Abraham and Susan Miller to John Townes. Other wits: Nicholas Pope and David Moore. [Gandrud, Alabama Records, v. 48, p. 84/Orig: Book E, p. 50]

18 Sep 1818: Purchased 80 acres of public land as assignee of Thomas Ward, E ½ NW ¼ S12 T2 R3W. (This parcel Smith describes as lying just across county line in Limestone, 7 miles south of TN border on south side of McKee Road. [Abernathy and Smith]

In Oct of 1818 was listed as one of the buyers at estate sale (estate of Benjamin Eddins) in Madison Co. [Gandrud, v. 115, p. 9]

In 1819 MS Territorial Census "John Danie" listed in Huntsville Township. Was this our John? [GRS Index]

1820 CENSUS, Limestone Co, AL: 1 white male over 21, 4 under 21; 1 white female over 21, 1 under 21; 0 slaves, 0 bales of cotton, 0 gins, saws, or mills. [Pg 428]

7 Jun 1820: Isaac Sittler, James W. Sittler, and Peter Moyers, "partners in trade under the firm and style of Peter Moyers & Co" vs John Denty for debt of $242.75 + $100 in damages in Limestone Co. (John had borrowed this money on 6 Oct 1819, with loan due 1 Apr 1820.) On 30 Aug 1820 John found liable in the amount of $98.12 ½. [Circuit Court Minutes: Copy provided by Jackie Leonard]

18 Jun 1821: Filed suit against Andrew M. Hargrove and Seaborn Hargrove "for the use of Reuben Tilman of a plea of debt" for $180 plus damages of $50. Bond incurred 28 Apr 1820, due 28 Apr 1821. At March Term in 1822 John dropped suit with defendants assuming cost. [Circuit Court Minutes 1820-1822: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

11 Aug 1821: Henry F. Farley vs John Denty and William Carrell for debt of $5 each in court held at James Mitchell's in Limestone Co. Judgement against John included court costs of $2.06 ¼. John appealed. Suit dropped by Farley in March 1822, plaintiff then being ordered to pay costs to the defendant. [Circuit Court Minutes, p. 546: Copy provided by Jackie Leonard]

13 Sep 1821: Joseph R. Harris sued Andrew M. Hargrove and Seaborn Hargrove for debt of $192 + $100 damages. Joseph described as "assignee of John Denty", John having endorsed and turned over Hargroves' promissory note signed 13 Dec 1820 to him. [Circuit Court Minutes, p. 628: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

24 Sep 1821: Granted 100 acres as assignee of Thomas Betty on Weatherford's Fork of Indian Creek adjoining Darling Cherry in Wayne Co, TN. Surveyed 26 Jun 1824. (According to Smith, Indian Creek located near the Harden County line, near Olive Hill. Weatherford's Fork is further south, abt 6 to 15 miles north of AL border.) [Entry Book A, p. 165; Survey Book A, p. 230: Copies appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

Between 1821 and 1824 John was appraiser in Orphan's Court for William Driver estate in Limestone Co. [Gandrud, v. 237, p. 16]

About 1822 Mark Mayberry acknowledged himself in debt to Gov. Thomas Bibb for $500, and to John Denty and Andrew M. Hargrove for $250 each. (They were apparently securities on bond requiring Mayberry to appear on charge of grand larceny. Mayberry was never convicted.) [Circuit Court Minutes 1821-1823, p. 86: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

In March 1822 John served on jury in Limestone. Also September. [Limestone County Historical Society, Limestone Legacy, v. 16, n. 3, p. 66, Spring 1994/Orig: Pg 237-238; Limestone Legacy, v. 16, n. 4, p. 100, Summer 1994]

17 Apr 1823: Rec'd grant for 100 acres on Weatherford's Fork of Rains Creek adjoining Joshua Ramsey in Wayne Co, TN. (Patent was for 140 acres with John entering 100 and Robert Stout entering 40.) Surveyed 1 Aug 1823 but described therein as lying on Weatherford's Fork of Indian Creek. [Entry Book A, p. 172; Survey Book A, p. 224: Copies appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

26 Dec 1823: Purchased 160 acres in Limestone Co for $310 from Mary, William, and Benjamin Hargrove, Executors of James Hargrove. Parcel described as NE ¼ S2 T2 R3W, currently on south side of Wooley Springs Road. Wits: Joshua and Wm Hargrove, Joseph Adams. [Book 1, p. 318]

14 Jan 1824: Purchased NW ¼ S1 T2 R3W adjoining James Hargrove, dec'd and Reuben Tillman in Limestone Co from David and Catherine Still for $800. [Book 1, p. 322]

On that same date, obtained a mortgage for $400 on that quarter section from Joseph Adams. It fell due in two payments: 25 Dec 1824 and 25 Dec 1825. [Book 1, p. 319]

12 Mar 1824: Billy Brooks sued John Denty in continuance of case first brought on 4 Mar 1821. Jury found for plaintiff for $14 damages + costs. [Circuit Court Minutes 1824-1825, p. 12; Circuit Court Minutes 1821-1823, p. 252: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

16 Jun 1824: John and Joseph Estell filed suit against John for promissory note of latter to Benjamin B. Rogers for $61.00 dated 21 Mar 1823, said note having been endorsed over to Estells. The case, heard 17 Jan 1825, was undefended by John. Court therefore found for plaintiffs for debt + $5.28 damages + costs. [Circuit Court Minutes 1825, p. 47: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

12 Jul 1824: In Limestone Co, John sued James Slaughter for debt, winning judgment for $14 + $2.18 ¾ interest + $2.10 @ 15% damages for delay. [Circuit Court Minutes 1824-1825, p. 134: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

18 Aug 1825: Letter written by son Thomas from Maury Co, TN addressed to "Mr. John Denty, Limestone Cty, Ala".

6 Sep 1825: John McGlornery sued John for $140 debt. Judgment for plaintiff for debt + $18.90 damages + costs. [Circuit Court Minutes 1824-1825, p. 176: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

8 Sep 1825: Bought 50 acres (south end of E ½ NE ¼ S12 T2 R3W) from Joshua and Lucretia Hargrove for $250. This parcel lies along Limestone Creek and is later associated with old house at 28974 McKee Road. This house, original logs now covered with clapboards, was being moved and preserved by its owner in summer of 1995. It's not known at present if John built or even occupied it. (Sold 1 Nov 1827, repurchased 4 Mar 1830.) [Book 2, p. 98; Rebecca Abernathy]

1 Oct 1825: Sold 100 acres adjoining Joshua Ramsey in Wayne Co, TN to John and James Hughs for $400. Wits: Amos Curtis, Grew D. Robins. [Book A, p. 190]

27 Oct 1825: Purchased 40 acres for $100 from John Childress in Limestone Co. Parcel described as SW ¼ S12 T2 R3W, "incl improvements to be laid off in a Triangle Square". [Book 2, p. 112]

30 Sep 1826: Described as "of Limestone County, AL", John sold 100 acres on Weatherford's Fork of Indian Creek in Wayne Co, TN to William Rose for $400. Wits: Joel and Daniel Moser. [Deed Book A, p. 246]

6 Jan 1827: Joshua Hargrove sued for trespass, asking damages of $200, but arbitrators decided on damages of $100. On 13 Jun 1827 Joshua decided not to prosecute further, agreed to assume costs; probably due to mortgage to John Lewis and sale to Hargrove shown below. [Circuit Court Minutes 1826-1828, p. 217: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

6 Jan 1827: John forced to take out a mortgage on "tract of land where Denty now resides", i.e. NE ¼ S2 T2 R3W and NW ¼ S1 T2 R3W totaling approximately 320 acres adjoining Lincoln Co, TN on the north, very close to Madison Co on the east, and fairly close to Giles Co, TN on the northwest. Five debts totaled $411.24. These were mentioned but consolidated into mortgage given to John H. Lewis. With due date on 1 Jan 1828, John "and wife Susan" sold NW ¼ S1 T2 R3W to Joshua Hargrove for $425 on 6 Dec 1827. That should've covered debt, yet no record has been discovered of any Denty later selling NE ¼ S2. Wits: Samuel Pate, J.G. Carriell. [Book 3, p. 37, 162]

14 Nov 1827: John and "Susana" Denty sold 50 acres, south end of E ½ NE ¼ S12 T2 R3W, to W.P. Robertson for $200. (When dower rights relinquished, name was written "Susaner". Date may have been 1 Nov 1827.) Wits: James Boyd and William _______. [Book 3, p. 149]

6 Dec 1827: John and Susan Denty sold NW ¼ S1 T2 R3W to Joshua Hargrove for $425. Wits: William Se_____, James Boyd. [Book 3, p. 162]

4 Mar 1830: Bought 50 acres in Limestone Co (south end of E ½ NE ¼ S12 T2 R3W) from W. P. and Frances Robertson for $275. (This is the tract with the log cabin, first purchased on 8 Sep 1825, sold on 1 Nov 1827. It was again sold on 1 Jun 1832, this time to John R. Denty.). [Book 5, p. 588]

1830 CENSUS, Madison Co, AL: 1 male 15-20, 2 20-30, 1 50-60; 1 female 10-15, 1 50-60; 1 black male 25-55, 1 black female 35-55.

22 Dec 1830: In "Notes Taken for Sale" due 12 months thereafter by Abner Hargrove estate is listed one note on John Denty for $7.25. (He'd bought 1 side undressed bacon for $1.75, 100 feet of cherry scrolling [latter word almost illegible] for $1.50, and 21 head of geese for $4.00.) [Limestone Will Book 4, p. 161, 30]

8 Aug 1831: In Madison Co, Milton Blocker sued for debt plus damages of $500. Promissory note signed by John on 2 Jan 1829 for $350 had been due 25 Dec 1830. It carried notation that amount had been "credited by $10.00 for whiskey delivered to R. Tillman". Jury found for Blocker for $353.32, which may have been solely damages and thus in addition to debt of $350. [Court Record 1829-1831, No. 14, p. 696: Copies appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

On that same day, along with Thomas Y. Beard, John defendant in suit for debt of $77.25 plus damages of $50 brought by Jeremiah Martin, Ex of Zachariah Martin, "for the use of Jane Martin". Bond dated 6 Jan 1830, due 12 months from that date. Court found for plaintiff in amount of debt + $3.60 damages + costs. [Court Record 1829-1831, No. 15, p. 383]

10 Feb 1832: John took out mortgage to Thomas M. Norris and William D. Eddins on SW ¼ S30 T1 R2W + SE ¼ S30 T1 R2W + 1 wagon, 4 yoke of oxen, 12 cattle, 60 hogs, 13 sheep, and 1 sorrel mare. William and Allen Walls acted as securities in associated debts to Milton Bleecher and Jeremiah Martin. [Book N, p. 589]

1 Jun 1832: Sold 50 acres in Limestone Co (south end of E ½ NE ¼ S12 T2 R3W) to John R. Denty for $275. This transaction may've been a strategy to protect property. (Both buyer and seller were described as "of Limestone".) [Book 4, p. 268]

9 Feb 1834: Account of debts due James Fitten estate in Limestone Co, turned in by Mrs. Catherine Fitten and John R. Denty, listed John Denty for $11.71 ¼ due 1 Jan 1834. [Will Book 4, p. 311]

16 Jun 1834: John listed in receipts for collection by Reuben Tillman estate in Limestone. John owed $19.71 due 1 Jan 1834. In other accounts compiled for that estate, apparently filed after 28 Nov 1834, John listed under "Amt due at death with int to 24 Oct 1834" for $30.40. [Will Book 4, p. 341, 560, 618]

7 Jul 1834: Letter written by son Thomas from Giles, TN was addressed to "Mr. John Denty, Huntsville, Ala".

3 Aug 1834: Apparently unfinished letter from John to son Thomas is datelined: "State of Ala, Madison".

22 Apr 1835: Letter written by son Thomas from Giles, TN was addressed to 'Mr John Denty, Huntsville, Ala". In that letter Thomas states that Brother John informed him that: "Farther was quite unwell but was better than he had been".

20 Aug 1835: Eli McClain, assignee of John Barnum, sued for debt of $75.00 that'd come due on 15 Oct 1833. McClain asked $200 damages. (F.C. Dulaney had signed the promissory note along with John but was not sued. Apparently had paid his share of debt.) Decision for plaintiff in amount of $89.15 + costs. [Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

In letter dated 16 Mar 1840 John Ramsey Denty wrote: "Father was down last month and was to have written soon after he returned home but has not done so as yet. He has not moved to Athens. Neither do I expect him to move. I do not know where he is living nor what he is doing." [Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

1840 CENSUS, Madison Co, AL (South Half): 1 male 60-70; 1 female 20-30, 1 60-70; 1 black male 24-36; 1 person "engaged in manufacture or trade". [Pg 165]

17 Aug 1840: Alcuin Eason and William T. Eason, Executors of will of William T. Eason, sued to collect debt of $189.72; promissory note signed 4 Dec 1838, due 4 Dec 1839. Atty Benjamin T. Moore and Clk Richard B. Purdom had also signed promissory note with John, but were not being sued. (Many others were, however, the Easons suing many defendants at this time.) Parties agreed to dismiss case, with John paying costs. [Madison Court Minutes Book 1840-1841, p. 105; Court Record 1840, No. 20, p. 127: Copy provided by John Abernathy Smith]

20 Feb 1843: John Beshires apparently owed John $25.00, due 1 Jan 1842. John sued for debt, but court found in favor of defendant for $22.31 + .59 interest + costs. John and Daniel M. Bradford then signed bond for $42.62 on 4 May 1842, but Beshires had died 30 Apr 1842. Apparently plaintiff later dropped the charges with defendant instructed to recover costs from plaintiff, but case extremely confusing. [Court Record 1842-1843, p. 345: Copy appearing in Abernathy and Smith]

10 Sep 1844: Purchased 40.15 acres in Madison Co described as NE ¼ NW ¼ S8 T5 R1E from Francis Henry for $100.61. [Book V, p. 16]

On 14 Aug 1845 when Susan Denty purchased 2.18 acres on Triana Road near Huntsville, parcel was described as that "on which John Denty and his family are now residing". [Book W, p. 378]

18 Sep 1845: John and Susanner Denty "of Madison County, AL" sold two parcels to Peter Crowder for $300. They were NW ¼ S12 (40 acres) and E ½ NE ¼ S12 (50 acres). Wit: John B. Eldridge. [Book 7, p. 189]

6 Oct 1845: Purchased 80 acres in Madison Co from Peter and Elizabeth Crowder for $300. Parcel described as ½ of NW ¼ S5 T3 R2W. All parties were "of Madison County". (This was apparently part of a land swap, part of deed above.) [Book V, p. 440]

On tombstone in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville: "John Denty, born July 8th, 1776 - Died July 20th, 1848". Grave located in Section 2, Row 16, Lot 11. [Robey, p. 15; Abernathy and Smith]

31 Oct 1850 CENSUS, Madison Co, AL (District 36): "Susan Denty" age 73, born VA, no occupation;

[1] It's doubtful these "pine lands" were intended for farming. Nor seemingly, would the wood have been profitable in such a timber rich area. Perhaps, in what had become a typical Southern practice, John sought to live "high on the hog" by letting his pigs forage in these woodlands.

[2] As John Abernathy Smith has pointed out, at the stated price of $2.00 per acre, the 640 acres would total $1,280, seemingly above John's means; and indeed, according to Smith the purchase was apparently not finalized as John was never listed as the owner in the Tract Books of Madison County.

[3] In 1995 John Abernathy Smith and Rebecca Denty Abernathy came across this cabin in the process of being moved to a new location by its present owner.

[4] Deed Book W, p. 378

[5] This is seen over and over again in the Southern Dentys. Not only was there no will for John, none of his four sons left wills either, at least none that have been discovered.

[6] To avoid confusion, we will refer to her always as Susannah and her daughter as Susan.

[7] They were also associated with the Gladdens and the Barkers in Fairfax County, but those surnames weren't chosen as middle names.

[8] Unfortunately, Benoni died before 28 Nov 1774, whereas our Susannah was born in 1776; but she may well have been his granddaughter.

[9] Many other surnames familiar to the Fairfax researcher can also be found on the Tax Rolls there, names such as McCarty, Southerlin, Ward, Compton, and Suddeth.

[10] Major James Abernathy, 23 Nov 1862: Copy provided by Rebecca Denty Abernathy.