Individual Details

Immigration

As a younger son Thomas’s economic opportunities were limited, so while in London he arranged to pay the transportation of five willing emigrants to Maryland in order to acquire head rights to fifty acres for each one.[11] He emigrated to St. Mary’s County, Maryland, as a free adult between 1658 and 1662.[12] With him was his young kinsman, John Dent (ca. 1645-1712). Thomas was styled Gentleman from the time of his arrival, and immediately became active in the established political and social life of the Province. He moved in conservative circles. In contrast, John Dent became active in the Provincial Militia, rising to the rank of Captain, and moved in more liberal circles. The two branches of the family remained quite apart socially, politically, and economically throughout the colonial period.[13]

Thomas established himself as a barrister, and sought quarters on Barristers’ Row in St. Mary’s City. Cecil CALVERT, Lord Baltimore, granted him fifty acres within the town limits, on Aldermansbury Street, which he called “The Lawyer’s Lodging.”[ 14]

Thomas was a merchant and planter, as well as a barrister. Between his arrival and 1676 he entered rights for transporting at least 75 people. By 1669 he owned 850 acres.

Marriage

Thomas and Rebecca lived on one of the creeks of the St. Mary’s River, on the west bank in St. George’s Hundred, where Thomas had his own private landing.[

Event

Thomas’s public career began in 1661 as justice in St. Mary’s County, a position he held the rest of his life. From about 1665 through 1676 he was a member of the quorum. He was appointed sheriff for the County 1664-65, High Sheriff in 1667, and coroner in 1669.[22] An example of Dent’s responsibilities as Sheriff is seen in the case of Elizabeth GREENE. She was accused of giving birth to a bastard and “feloniously” making away with it. There were questions as to whether it was a miscarriage, a full-term birth, stillborn, or killed. She was found guilty and ordered to be “hanged by the neck till you are dead”. Sheriff Dent was ordered to carry out the judgment within two days, “betwixt eight and nine of the clock in the morning.” He did so and returned a writ to the court: “Executed by me, Thomas Dent.” She never revealed the name of her seducer

Death

At the time of his death in 1676 he owned 1,083 acres plus three additional plantations of unspecified size

Dent, Thomas,St. Mary's County, 28th Mch., 1676;
21st Apr., 1676.
To son William and hrs., "Westbury Manor" and part of land at Nanjemy, Chas. Co.
To son Thomas and hrs., residue of sd. land at Nanjemy, Chas. Co.
To sons Peter and George, and hrs., "Gisbrough" and "Brothers' Joint Interest" in Chas. County, equally.
To dau. Margaret and hrs., 1 A. in St. Mary's Co.
To wife Rebecca, execx., and hrs., land on Portobacco Cliffs, Chas. Co.
Test: Wm. Hatton, Wm. Harper. MCW 5. 19.
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Thomas Dent 2.191 I SM #44019 Apr 22 1676 May 19 1676
Deceased at plantation "Nanjamie" in Charles County.
Appraisers: Nicholas Proddy, John Ware.
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Thomas Dent 2.192 I #86110 May 9 1676
Appraisers: William Hatton, William Harper.