Thomas BENTLEY

                   Historical information included in notes.


Notes for Thomas Bentley (Internet Source, credit unknown --all below):Thomas Bentley, Jr., a planter, first appeared on Rowan Co., NC, tax lists in 1768. His wife was named Hannah, whom he married in 1746. From these dates, we assume he was born about 1725. On Dec. 17, 1769, he wrote a note saying his son, Benjamin, could sign a bond for daughter, Mary, to marry Aaron Freeman. In Rowan County, on Aug 9, 1771, records show that Thomas Bentley's mark for his livestock was registered as a crop and a hole in the right ear and a crop in the left ear.In Dec. of 1780, Thomas and his son, Benjamin, being considered as "Patriots' sold to the State of NC 35 bushels of corn respectively at the price of 75 cents per bushel.Jan. 1, 1780, Thomas purchased a 100-acre tract of land in Lincoln Co. from Francis Beatty: and a 120-acre tract from Thomas Welch. This same land was transferred to his sons, Benjamin and Daniel, after he died without a will some time after May 1789, and mentioned his daughter, Margaret, in the deed. His wife, Hannah, died prior to 1800, as she doesn't appear on the 1800 census records.Sources: State Archives information collected by D. Carlos Smith, and the Rowan County Library.Notes from the work of Jenifer Lynette Ray.The earliest record of Thomas Bentley, and early settler of Rowan (now Davie) County, NC is found in the 1768 Rowan Co., NC List of Taxables of Morgan Bryan's District. Here, he and his son, Benjamin, are listed separately at one poll each. Thoas was born about 1725. In the 1778 Rowan Co Tax List he is listed as "Thomas Bentley Junr" indicating that his father may have been named Thomas Bentley. According to family tradition these Bentley's or their ancestor had migrated to NC from VA, but it's not known where Thomas Jr. was born.Although Thomas' political affiliation is unknown, it is found that on 4 Nov 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 NC.By 1783, Thomas and his family began moving from Rowan County. Thomas and his wife Hannah, and some of the children moved to Lincoln Co., NC. His son, Benjamin, sold the land he owned in Rowan and moved to Cedar Run-South Yadkin River area of Iredell (now Alexander) Co., while the other son, Daniel, moved to Lincoln Co., NC. Daniel Bentley married Nancy Lewis by bond in Rowan Co., NC 8 Feb, 1782. As he and his parents were moving to Lincoln Co., it appears he could not bear to leave his sweetheart behind.On 1 Jan 1783, Thomas Bentley, Thomas Bentley bought 100 acres for 30 pounds on both sides of Indian Creek in Lincoln Co., from Robert Armstrong and Hugh Beaty, executors of Frances 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 wife, Hannah, for the natural love and affection "which I bear and have unto Hannah Bentley, by beloved wife" all his goods, chattels, leases, plate jewels, working tools and one negro man named Saul.In the Lincoln Co., 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 date of 4 May 1789 and the census of 1790. Hannah sold to her "daughter," Margaret Bentley, all her goods Chattels, and the plantation for "natural love and affection" on 1 Ap[r 1793. Margaret Bentley married by bond in Lincoln Co., on 25 Sep 1794 to William Younce (Yonts). Christian Eaker was the bondsman for the marriage..Notes from the work of Larry Bradshaw.