Abstract
In the first of a series providing comprehensive descriptions of the sons of Samuel-II Gentry, his oldest son David, is described together with virtually all known references to David. A summary is provided of his children along with a sampling of pertinent references to these family members.

Introduction
We begin here a series of journal articles that will eventually provide a listing of all references known to the author for each of the sons of Samuel-II Gentry. Each son in turn will be described and we will give comments and our interpretation of those references. In this and the succeeding articles, the opinions expressed are those of the author and his responsibility alone. Conclusions have been based upon reasonable and "informed" probabilities in interpreting the limited original data especially in the case of census data.

David Gentry

	-   born abt.1712, Hanover County, Virginia; died abt 1765 perhaps in Lunenburg County, Virginia.
	-   married abt.1733, probably in Louisa County, Virginia, to Sarah Brooks Children (order uncertain and birthdates approximate - see discussion later in article):
i.	Hezekiah Gentry, born abt.1736, Louisa County, Virginia; married abt.1754 Lunenburg County Virginia to Catherine Reynolds; died Apr 1824, Edgefield District, South Carolina.
ii.	David Gentry, born abt.1739, Louisa County, Virginia; died possibly 1790-1800 (speculation).
iii.	John Gentry; born abt.1741, Louisa County, Virginia; died bef.1820 (speculation), probably in Edgefield District, South Carolina.
iv.	Nicholas Gentry, born abt.1743, Louisa County, Virginia; married to Elizabeth Gibson; killed by Indians probably in 1783, Washington County, North Carolina (later Davidson County, Tennessee).
v.	Allen Cain Gentry, born abt.1745, Louisa County, Virginia; married (1) [Unknown]; married (2) Lydia ("Liddie") Youngblood; died bef.1810 in South Carolina (speculation).
vi.	Simon Gentry, born abt.1748, probably in Lunenburg County, Virginia; married (1) [Unknown]; married (2) Rebecca Cobb; died bef.1800 (speculation), Edgefield District, South Carolina.
vii.	Elisha Gentry, born abt.1751, Lunenburg County, Virginia; married Naomi/Neomy [Unknown] (possibly Martin); died 1803, Clarke County, Georgia.
viii	Elijah Gentry, born abt.1753, Lunenburg County, Virginia; married Hannah [Unknown]; died abt.1817, Monroe County, Mississippi Territory.

David - Introduction
David Gentry is one of two early Gentrys (the other being James Gentry), who was born in an interval that makes it impossible to positively say he was a son of Nicholas-I Gentry or of one of Nicholas' sons. This has been discussed in Vol. 1, Issue #7 (July 2001) of this Journal and will not be repeated here. Briefly, there are arguments that persuade this author that David was a son of Samuel-II, but he cannot state that those that have the opposite view are wrong.

If we assume David was a son of Samuel, he was probably born about 1714 in Hanover County, Virginia, in the vicinity of Totopotomoy Creek (if a son of Nicholas, his date of birth must have been some five or more years earlier). At some time before 1731, he must have moved from the east end of St. Paul's Parish to the west end, eventually to the vicinity of Beech Creek, either with his parents as a child (if he was a son of Samuel), or joining Samuel later as a youth (if a son of Nicholas).

David Gentry in Louisa County

	Chronological Summary of references pertaining to David Gentry
	1733-5	[David and Sarah Brooks presumed to have married].
	1743	Deed for 100 acres on Dirty Swamp, Louisa Co., to David and wife Sarah from father-in-law Richard Brooks. Indenture acknowledged and recorded in court.
	1743	Paid as court witness for Thomas Anderson.
	1743	Paid as court witness for Richard Brooks.
	1745	Paid as court witness for James Nuckolds.
	1748	Deed for 100 acres on Dirty Swamp, Louisa Co., from David and wife Sarah, to John Brooks.

Samuel and the rest of his family remained in St. Paul's Parish until 1742 when Samuel received a grant of 700 acres of land on Dirty Swamp, part of which was from an original grant of land to Richard Brooks which he received in August 1731. This was a part of the land that was split from Hanover County in 1742 and organized as Louisa County. We have concluded in the July 2001 issue of this Journal that David must have been married to his wife Sarah Brooks about 1734 (to account for the age of his son Hezekiah). To do this, we must speculate that David became acquainted with Sarah while the Brooks family was living in St. Paul's Parish, and that he then followed them, either immediately or within a year or two, to Dirty Swamp where the two married. We can further speculate that David and Sarah lived on a portion of her father's land, as was common in those days, without benefit of any transfer of title.

Finally in 1743, when David's brother Nicholas and Sarah's sister, Mary Brooks were married, Richard Brooks formally made a gift of 100 acres of his land to each of his sons-in-law. We can assume that the two gifts were on the occasion of the second wedding. The 1743 deed of gift is the first documentary evidence that exists for David, and the brief court references pertaining to David and 1743 and 1745 add nothing to our knowledge of his activities. David's stay in Louisa County ended in 1748 when he sold the land his father-in-law had given him and moved to Lunenburg County.

David in Lunenburg County - I

	1749	In tithable list by Hugh Lawson for district between Hounds Creek and Meherrin River, Robert Brooks a tithable in his household.
	1750	In tithable list by Richd. Witton; Wm Gentry in his household.
	1751	[Missing from tithable list].
	1751	Witness with Allen Gentry and John Brooks, deed for 100 acres on Dirty Swamp, Louisa Co., conveyed to Thomas Lane by Nicholas Gentry in 1746 and now sold to John Starke.
	1752	In tithable list by Richd. Witton
	1752	Sued for debt by Henry Embry - suit dismissed.
	1752	Sued for debt by Henry Embry - judgment against deft.
	1754	Sued for debt by Robert Wade Jr. - settled.
	1755	Surety with Robert Brooks for Susannah Brooks, adm for estate of Richard Brooks Jr. Samuel Gentry among appraisers.
	1756	Assigned with Simon Gentry and John Bacon to view a road from Reedy Creek Church to forks of Witton's Road.
	1756	Reported with Simon Gentry and John Bacon on road assignment.
	1757	Adjoins 200 acres on both sides of Reedy Creek, sold by Richard Brooks to Elisha Brooks; Joseph Gentry and Wm Embry also adjoining.
	1759	Adjoins land on both sides of Ready [Reedy] Creek, sold by Richard Brooks and wife Elizabeth, and Elisha Brooks and wife Frances to Everard Dowsing; also adjoining, Joseph Gentry, Richard Brooks Junr (dec'd); witnessed by Joseph Gentry, Nicholas Gentry, Robert Brooks.

David's move to Lunenburg County was by no means an isolated move. His brother Nicholas had already sold his land in Louisa County and moved to Lunenburg County shortly before David, and the Brooks family moved also. This included Sarah's father Richard, and her brothers Elisha, Robert and Richard Jr.

There is no record of David buying land during his first years in Lunenburg County, despite the documented evidence of his presence there in tithables lists. However, he is mentioned in two deeds in 1757 and 1759 as occupying land in the vicinity of Reedy Creek adjoining that being sold by Richard Brooks. Again we can speculate that David and Sarah were sharing land owned by Sarah's father, a situation which probably went into effect when David and Sarah first moved to Lunenburg County. This was land which adjoined or was very close to that of his brother Joseph, also on Reedy Creek, and not far from the property of David's brother Nicholas who owned land on the Meherrin River.

The tithables list references to David (and to his brothers Nicholas and William) are frustratingly incomplete. From the Lunenburg County tax records accessed by Landon Bell, he chose to publish only those before 1752 when Halifax County was divided from Lunenburg County, and those for 1764 when Mecklenburg and Charlotte Counties were divided from Lunenburg. This has left a gap of missing records extending from 1753 to 1763, which if they were available would likely give much valuable information concerning the various Gentrys present in the county. [There are conflicting stories of what has happened to the missing records. Some say that Bell kept them, while others believe they are stored away in the basement of the Lunenburg County Courthouse with other records that are not available for public inspection. They are not in the Virginia State Archives] The few records that survive establish the presence of David in Lunenburg County beginning in 1748. His absence in 1751 may have been a matter of timing whereby the tax enumerator visited in the period of time when he was in Louisa County, witnessing to the sale of land by his father.

The county court records reflect duties that would be expected of a responsible citizen of the time in the case of laying out a new road, and in serving as surety for his sister-in-law Susannah Brooks for her duties in administering the estate of her husband Richard Brooks Jr. Unfortunately, the court records also, in 1752, began a pattern that was to continue for the remaining dozen years of David's life. This was the fact that David repeatedly incurred debts and was sued for payment of those debts. We will have more to say about this later.

David in Lunenburg County - II

	1757	Deed to David for 112 acres on Flatt [Flat] Rock Creek and Beaver pond branch, from William Embry. Indenture acknowledged in court and recorded.
	1757	Witnessed deed for 108 acres in Louisa Co., from Samuel Gentry of Lunenburg Co. to David Cosby.
	1759	Named in codicil of will of William Embry ack. agreement to sell land on Flatrock Creek to David, French Haggard, William Allin and James Chiswell.
	1759	Sued for debt by John Jennings - debt established.
	1759	Deed from David of Johns[t]on Co., NC for 112 acres on Flat Rock Creek, to William Cross; witnesses, Richard Gentry, Joseph Gentry.

The preceding section has described the few facts we know about David Gentry in the period of time when he can be presumed to have been living adjacent to the Richard Brooks family in the vicinity of Reedy Creek. In 1757, David bought land farther to the east near the junction of Flat Rock Creek and Beaver Pond Creek. We do not know whether he moved to this land with his family or whether he bought it simply for an investment. The latter seems very unlikely considering David's constant money problems, and lack of funds.

David did not keep this land very long. Two years later he sold it, and apparently had left for Johnston County, North Carolina, to perhaps prospect for better land. The sale of this land is dated in October of 1759. He must not have been in North Carolina very long, for in May of that year, William Embry talks of an agreement to sell land to David, and in June of that year, he was in court being sued for a debt. The Johnston County connection is a very strange one that has never been satisfactorily explained, yet there is no question that there were Gentrys in that county even if there is no record (other than this one reference) of David being there. In 1759, we find a record of a John Gentry witnessing a deed in Johnston County, and in 1761 and 1762, Samuel Gentry was serving as a chainbearer for a survey crew.

John Gentry was probably a younger brother of David who returned to Virginia and died in Lunenburg County in about 1761 although he might have been David's son who legally would be able to serve as a witness even though underage. Samuel was surely the brother of David who appeared again later in family records. The combination of records suggest that David was lured to North Carolina by stories of cheap, rich land available from the "Granville Grant", and talked his brothers into going with him to investigate.

Another point of interest, is that there were several members of the Allen family connected with Johnston County, namely, Runnels (or Reynolds), David, and William. There is a very real possibility that these were cousins of David, children of a brother of his mother Ann who is thought by many to have been an Allen. If this connection was true, David was probably talked into going to North Carolina to look for new land by these cousins.

[John Earl Granville, or Lord Granville had been given an enormous stretch of land in North Carolina by the Crown, to do with as he pleased. This included almost a third of the northern territory of the Colony. An applicant could buy as much land as he could afford from the Land Office established by Granville, though limited to 640 acres per purchase. This was generally at the rate of 50 shillings per 100 acres of land, without having to turn in headrights or satisfy other prerequisite conditions. The applicant had only to find a plot of vacant land, pay a deposit and have it surveyed, and return the survey to the Land Office where he would be issued title to the grant on payment of the final fees. This situation lasted until Lord Granville's death in 1763 and included Johnston County in North Carolina, and resulted in a large influx of settlers to the Colony.]

David in Lunenburg County - III

	1759	Witness with Hezekiah Gentry, deed for 200 acres on S. side of Meherrin River, from John McDaniel of Johnston Co. NC to William Allen.
	1760	First party in indenture with William Cross for sale of land, ack and recorded.
	1760	Present with William Gentry at processioning returns for land of Allen Gentry in Cumberland Parish (the church parish serving Lunenburg County).
	1760	Witness with Allen Gentry, and William Allen, deed for 50 acres adj. Andrews Rock, from Francis Ray of Johnston Co. NC to William Gentry.
	1760	Witness with William Gentry and William Allen, deed for 197 acres at mouth of Crooked Creek from Francis Ray of Johnston Co., NC to John Brooks.
	1761	Sued for debt by Theophilus Field - dismissed.
	1761	Sued for debt by Richard Hanson and Michael Hawkins - judgment by default (absence) against Deft and bail William Gentry.
	1761	Sued for debt by Henry Blasgrave(?) - judgment by default (absence) against Deft.
	1762	Sued with David Gentry Jr for debt by Jonathan Patterson and Hebron - judgment by default (absence) against David Gentry Jr, dismissed against David Gentry Sr.
	1762	Sued for debt by Jeffrey Ruffaill (?) - judgment by default (absence) against Deft and bail William Allen.
	1762	Sued for debt by Richard Hanson - judgment by default (absence) against Deft and bail William Allen.
	1762	Witness with William Gentry and John Brooks, deed for land in Lunenburg Co. adjoining French Haggard, from Joseph Simkins to James Cooper.
	1763	Paid as court witness by William Burgamy.
	1764	Sued by John Granger for attachment of effects - dismissed for lack of same.
	1764	Security with David Brooks for Allen Gentry and Joseph Simpkin in suit for debt - judgment against Joseph Simpkin and securities, dismissed as to Allen Gentry.
	1764	Sued with James Denton for debt by George Brown - judgment by default (absence) against Defts and common bail, David Brooks.
	1764	Deft in complaint by Zachariah Bullock who was ordered to pay witness.
	1764	A David Gentry (Jr.?), called "Long David", in tithable list by Henry Blagrave.
	1765	Sued with Hezekiah Gentry and Joseph Gentry for debt by Zachariah Bullock - discontinued, Defts to pay costs.

We have no idea what happened to David Gentry in North Carolina. If this author were to hazard a guess it is that David may have found some suitable land, but probably did not have enough money to complete the process of applying for and receiving a grant. There is no further reference in the Virginia records of David, after the one deed in 1759 in which he is listed as being "of Johnston County", and the many references that continue for him in Lunenburg County argue for the fact that he returned to Virginia rather than moved permanently to North Carolina. During 1759 and 1760, his connections with Johnston County, conveniently allowed him to witness deeds involving Lunenburg County and Johnston County principals.

With the exception of these three references and a couple more, all the rest of the references to David until his presumed death involve court suits for the recovery of debts. It is a sad litany of court judgements against him. We can only speculate as to the reason for these.
»       "Was David a poor money manager who couldn't keep his spending under control?"
»       "Was he borrowing money to use for buying land--either for the land he bought in 1757 or to buy in North Carolina--which he intended to pay back with his next year's crops?"
»       "Was he burdened by catastrophic failures of crops or other situations that put him into a deep financial hole from which he could not recover?"
»       "Was he in poor health and forced to spend excessive amounts of money to stay alive?"

It is curious that for most of his later court cases, David never actually appeared in court, and accepted a default judgment against him.
»       "Was this another sign of infirmity and poor health which prevented him from traveling, or was he still roaming away from home, looking for a fresh place to settle?"

And other questions arise.
»       "Where were Sarah and the younger children while David appeared to be prospecting for new land?"
»       "Where were they after David appeared to give up his quest in North Carolina and returned home to Virginia? Where did the family live after 1759?"

Whatever, the cause of his difficulties, it appears that David was probably still alive in April 1765 as there is no indication in the final suit against him of David having died or left the county. His wife, Sarah, had moved by 1766 to South Carolina along with her brother Elisha Brooks and father Richard Brooks. This leads one to believe David probably died some time during the latter part of 1765, and probably in Lunenburg County.

Before leaving this final period of David's life in Lunenburg County, we need to call attention to the fact that David Gentry Jr., presumably David Sr.'s second oldest son, was included in one of the court suits in 1762. We must assume he was an adult at the time, which meant that he had been born perhaps in the vicinity of 1739 or 1740, certainly no later than 1741. In our last issue of this Gentry, describing the life of the David Gentry who settled in Jackson and Overton Counties, Tennessee, we discussed this situation and came to the conclusion that the David Gentry Jr. referred to here, could not under any circumstance be the same David as served in the Revolutionary War and moved to Tennessee. It is also interesting to note the peculiar designation in the 1764 tithables list for Lunenburg County of "Long David" for the David in the list. It is probable that this referred to David Jr, not the elder David.

Children of David
The task of tying David and Sarah to their children must necessarily be based upon assumptions. Nowhere is there any document that specifically identifies either of them with any one of their children. Fundamentally, these assumptions are based almost entirely on geography--the fact that Sarah moved to South Carolina after the death of David, and all of her proposed children lived the bulk of their lives in South Carolina close to where she settled. The single addition to this is the case of David Jr who is mentioned in the court case cited just above. Regardless of geography, we are led to assume that he was probably the son of David Sr. based on that association alone.

Sarah Gentry received a grant of 450 acres of land in Colleton County, South Carolina in 1766 (in an area that later became Edgefield County). The size of this grant was determined by an allowance of 100 acres for herself, and 50 acres for each of the members of her household, whether minor or adult children (or in some case including an allowance for slaves). This leads us to the conclusion that there were seven children living with her at the time, all of whom were sons. Hezekiah was not a part of this group, but after exploring possible places to settle in North Carolina, he eventually joined the rest of the family in South Carolina and spent the rest of his life there.

It is the fact that Hezekiah spent the entire latter part of his life in South Carolina with his presumed brothers, that is the argument that he was a son of David. And it his record in Lunenburg County, Virginia, that leads us to believe that he must have been the oldest child. It is also this relationship that is the determining factor in estimates of the age of David and the approximate date of the marriage of David and Sarah. As for the other sons, there is a varying amount of information concerning their time in Edgefield County, South Carolina, but the fact that we can identify seven, and only seven, other male Gentrys of the appropriate age there, is persuasively strong evidence that these males were indeed the sons who accompanied Sarah in 1766. As to whether there were more children who did not go to Colleton County with Sarah, we cannot say. There have been suggestions that William Gentry of Surry County, North Carolina, and/or Nathaniel Gentry of Spartanburg District, South Carolina were also sons of David. For various reasons, this author does not think this is likely, but he cannot deny the possibility. At any rate, we will not include them in the present discussion.

The seven brothers of whom we can be reasonably certain were David, John, Nicholas, Allen Cain (commonly called Cain), Simon, Elisha, and Elijah. Other than the fact that the Virginia evidence suggests that David was the oldest of the seven, and that possibly John was the next oldest, we are left with great difficulty in determining the order of birth of the brothers, let alone any estimate of their date of birth. This writer has suggested an order, and approximate years of birth for David's children in the listing at the beginning of this article. We make no claims as to their correctness. The best that we have been able to do is guess their relative ages based entirely on assumptions as to the relative ages of their children.

We are handicapped in developing a hypothesis for the children of David by the lack of records before about 1785. The area of South Carolina in which Sarah Gentry settled was at the far limits of concern by the colonial government which centered around Charleston. Virtually no records were kept of these outlying areas of "Indian country". A judicial district organization was adopted in 1769 that placed Sarah in Ninety-Six District, from which Edgefield County was formed in 1785 after South Carolina became a state. Prior to that time, land or court or other records, if recorded at all, were kept in Charleston. So when we see that Edgefield County Deed Books began in 1786, it is because information prior to that time was not kept. Moreover, with respect to land titles, during the Revolutionary War, South Carolina revoked all individual titles to land, and it was necessary for land owners to reapply to the state after the war ended for grants to the land they were occupying.

Hezekiah Gentry
We will briefly discuss each of the children of David and provide a sampling of the few references that have surfaced relating to each one. The term "few", however, does not apply to Hezekiah. There is an abundance of references to him and to his family, in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. We are showing only a sampling of these references below. They begin with Hezekiah's purchase of land from William Embry in 1757, land on Flat Rock Creek near its junction with the Meherrin River in Lunenburg County (see Fig. 1). This date sets a limit on Hezekiah's date of birth, since he must have been of age to take title to this land. Hezekiah continued to appear in Lunenburg County records until 1765. For a final court case in 1766, he did not appear in person but was represented by an assignee. In that same year, his uncle Joseph and a John Gentry (who presumably was Hezekiah's brother) were charged in court in a case that was dismissed because the defendants were no longer residents of Lunenburg County. It is significant that Hezekiah and Joseph both appear next in a tax list in Rowan County, North Carolina (later split off as Surry County), in 1768. From this it appears that Hezekiah joined Joseph in leaving Lunenburg County and moving to North Carolina at the end of 1765 or the beginning of 1766, at the same time as Sarah Gentry was moving to South Carolina.

There is no further evidence of Hezekiah remaining in North Carolina, other than an apparent brief visit in 1782 to Surry County. This visit, in which he was accompanied by his sons Robert and Runnels ("Reynolds") and by Nathaniel Gentry from Spartanburg County, South Carolina, was probably a "fishing" expedition, looking into the possibility of picking up confiscated land forfeited by North Carolina Tories at the end of the Revolutionary War. We know from the record of land ownership, granted in 1784, Hezekiah settled permanently in South Carolina. We do not know if that was his first land grant and almost surely it was not due to South Carolina's land policies (as mentioned above).

Hezekiah left a will, signed 19 Jun 1820, and received for probate in Edgefield District Court, 17 Apr 1824. He names all of his children in this will, all but three of which were living. His wife had died by the time of the will, but we know from other evidence that her name was Catherine (probably Reynolds). Hezekiah is believed to have been living with a granddaughter, Keziah Gentry at the time of the 1820 census when his will was written.

David Gentry Jr
Of all of David Sr.'s children, we probably know the least about David Jr. We have mentioned above that he was named in a court case, along with his father, in Lunenburg County, Virginia in 1762. In addition, he is probably the David in the Lunenburg tax lists of 1764 who is given the nickname of "Long David". We also know that David owned two tracts of land totaling 151 acres in 1790, probably in the vicinity of Big Horse Creek (directly across the Savannah River from present day Augusta, Georgia). Despite his ownership of land in Edgefield District in 1791, he was listed in Pendleton District for the 1790 census (which incidentally was actually conducted in 1791 in South Carolina). He apparently bought land there, which he sold in 1795, which was the last we know of him.

There is no information as to David Jr's wife, or of his children. We can only speculate that Joel Gentry, who settled in nearby Laurens District, South Carolina, and a David Gentry who moved to Greenville District, were sons. Both appeared in the 1800 census for those districts, Joel remained in Laurens District, but the younger David moved elsewhere. The identity of other children that were included in the 1790 census, apparently two daughters and a son, remain entirely guesswork. The Tyre Gentry who is found in a few Franklin County, Georgia, references between 1800 and 1808, and then presumably moved to Tennessee, may have been the unidentified son who was present in the 1790 Pendleton District census report.

As to other children, one would expect David to have had two or three children born in the 1760's, given his age, but unless one or more of the Spartanburg Gentrys were a part of David's family, we have no clue to these expected children. The Spartanburg Gentrys will be covered in a journal article at a later time, but there is no mention in Spartanburg or neighboring Union County records of David ever having been there. and some at least, of those Gentrys could not have been part of David's family because of age and other considerations.

John Gentry
The John Gentry who appeared in a court case in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in 1766 can best be explained as being a son of David Sr. If this is so, it is probable that he was the third in order of age of David's children. Beyond this brief, inconclusive reference, there is nothing in the land or census records of South Carolina that give us a clue to his age. John has been cited in Revolutionary War records as having served in the militia after the fall of Charleston. His only appearance in land records is as a witness. What little else we know comes from the census records. He was listed in Edgefield District in 1790 and 1810, but in next-door Abbeville District in 1800. He apparently died between 1810 and 1820 without leaving any will.

John's children, other than a daughter Elizabeth who married Andrew Shelnut, are entirely speculative. The census records show the presence of two sons in 1790 and apparently four daughters besides Elizabeth. The addition of another male child in the 1800 and 1810 census may have been a son of John, but if we are right about John's age, he was more likely a grandson since the child appears to have been born about 10 years after the youngest of John's other children. This child has been suggested to be the Wyatt Gentry who shows up initially in census records in the 1820 Elbert County, Georgia records. He was included in later Georgia censuses and in 1850 was listed in Benton County, Alabama, age 59, born in South Carolina. One of the two older sons has been suggested as being the Allen Gentry who was taxed in McMinn County, Tennessee, in 1825, was in that county's census report for 1830, and in Roane County, Tennessee, in 1840. An even more of a "grasping at straws" suggests that the John Gentry family who showed up suddenly in the 1810 Edgefield District census with fourteen children, was the oldest son of our John. If so, he may have been the John Gentry who was taxed in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1790, and who then moved on to parts unknown. If this John Jr. was indeed a son of John Sr., his approximate date of birth of roughly 1765 matches well with the approximate date of birth of John Sr.

Nicholas Gentry
Nicholas is known far more for his brief time in Tennessee than for anything else. He is believed to have moved from South Carolina to eastern Tennessee, during the middle of the Revolutionary War. This move undoubtedly came about in response to contemporary interest in a Transylvania land company founded by Richard Henderson who negotiated a treaty with Cherokee Indians for millions of acres of land in Kentucky and northern Tennessee. This was in conflict with the British Line of Demarcation which restricted settlements to the eastern side of the Appalachian Mountains, and was declared illegal by both Virginia and North Carolina. With the onset of the Revolutionary War, would-be settlers wanting to beat the land rush to new western territories began to flood into eastern Tennessee including a group from South Carolina. Nicholas was apparently among these. He is thought to have settled briefly in what is now Sullivan County, Tennessee, but was then Washington County, North Carolina. Nicholas continued westward, probably in 1780, shortly after the James Robertson trip overland in December 1779 from the Holston River to French Lick on the Cumberland River, where Robertson founded Fort Nashboro.

There have been persistent stories of Nicholas and a hypothetical son William being killed by Indians outside the walls of Fort Nashboro. There is no record of Nicholas being included among the fort inhabitants, but there is no question he died, probably near his home which is believed to have been a few miles south of the fort. A son, William, did not exist, this story apparently arising from the killing of another William on the Tennessee River some years later. The North Carolina legislature passed an act in 1784, stating:

"That the following were killed in the defence and settlement of Davidson County and would be entitled to a grant of 640 acres of land without any payment due except for payment of the surveyor and office fees."

Among the names listed, was Nicholas Gentry. This land was later claimed by Nicholas' son John, in Sullivan County. John, himself, was killed by Indians shortly afterwards, but his brothers, George, Samuel, and Nicholas Jr. and sister Nancy, continued to live in Tennessee for some years afterwards. (George and Nicholas eventually moved to Texas). Nicholas' widow, the former Elizabeth Gibson, remarried after his death.

Cain Gentry
Like his brother John, Cain is credited with serving in the militia in the Revolutionary War. There is a reference to him being an adjoining land owner in a deed of sale in Edgefield County in 1798, location uncertain. There is also a reference to a Cain Gentry owning land in Abbeville County in 1808. This is probably the Cain whom we are discussing. Other references to a Cain Gentry, primarily in the neighboring counties in Georgia, are all believed to refer to his son, Cain Jr, believed to be Cain Allen Gentry as opposed to his father, Allen Cain Gentry. Cain Sr. was listed in the Edgefield District census records for 1790 and 1800 (the printed AIS indexes have him listed as "Jane" Gentry in that year). There is no apparent reference to him after 1808, so he is assumed to have died between then and 1810.

Cain married a Lydia ("Liddy") Youngblood, daughter of Peter Youngblood. She probably was a second wife to judge from her own age (born 1755-1774) and that of some of Cain's older children (e.g. John, David, Cain Jr. and Matthew all born 1755-1774 and two of them married by 1790). There is no information about the proposed first wife. Cain's family has a very unusual census pattern. His oldest son, John, was listed continuously in South Carolina census records from 1790 to 1840 in Edgefield and Anderson districts. For 1810, none of the rest of Cain's children can be found in any census records. Then suddenly, in 1820, all of his sons were represented in Pendleton District--John, David's son Archibald, Cain Jr., Matthew, and Bartlett (only William was missing). This writer has speculated that there may have been a provision in Cain Sr.'s estate settlement that left his property to his widow, Lydia, during her lifetime, and that she may have died in 1820, giving rise to a family reunion to dispose of the property. We will not attempt to sort out Cain's children any further in this article.

Simon Gentry
Simon joined his brothers in receiving credit for militia service in the Revolutionary War. He is cited in Edgefield County Court records three times between 1786 and 1789, and his name is found in a mortgage document in 1792. Other than these few citations, and census records, we have found no other records pertaining to Simon. The 1792 document is significant in that he binds himself to pay his two step-sons, Jeremiah Cobb and Sanders Cobb, for the use of land belonging to them. They were the children of Simon's second wife, a widow Rebecca Cobb (the name of her first husband is uncertain). Considering this document, and census records, it appears probable that this second marriage took place shortly after the 1790 census (as indicated earlier, this census was actually carried out in South Carolina in 1791).

Simon, himself, was not in the census records after 1790, but had two sons born after that date, so probably died shortly before 1800. His widow continued to appear in the 1800 and 1810 census. The former year she was listed in Edgefield District (in printed AIS indexes, her record is under the name "Dukey" Gentry, a misreading of "Becky"). The latter year, Rebecca was in Abbeville District. In identifying Simon's children, we can be fairly confident that the two youngest sons, Daniel and Lewis were sons of Simon and Rebecca. It is also very probable that the Allen Gentry who was living near Rebecca Gentry in Abbeville District in 1810 was also a son of Simon, probably by his first wife. It is possible that Francis Gentry, who was listed in the 1800 and 1810 Edgefield District census records was an older or the oldest son of Simon. A Chestley Gentry who witnessed a deed in the same neighborhood where Francis lived, may have been one of two other unidentified sons of Simon. There appear to have been four daughters, one of whom is believed to have been Elizabeth Gentry who married James Davenport.

Elisha Gentry
This son of David Gentry, named for Sarah's brother, Elisha Brooks, was the subject of an article by Bryant Gentry in this year's March issue of the Gentry Journal. South Carolina references to him are limited to recognition of his Revolutionary War service in the militia, and to serving in 1787 on jury duty.

Beginning in 1790, and continuing until his death in 1803, Elisha's name appeared a number of times in tax lists in Wilkes County, Jackson County, and Clark County, Georgia (these do not represent moves from place to place, but rather the organization of new county boundaries for his property). His will, which was recorded in Clark County, is summarized here in the reference section of this article. Further references to an Elisha Gentry in Georgia after 1803 refer to his son. His widow Neomy (or Naomi) also continued to be listed in Georgia records.

Elijah Gentry
Elijah appears to be the youngest of the sons of David and Sarah Gentry. He joined his brothers in serving in the South Carolina militia during the Revolutionary War, but then the next reference to him comes in Georgia, not South Carolina. Like Elisha, his name appears occasionally in early Georgia records that predate census and other records, continuing until perhaps 1802 (later references to an Elijah Gentry in Georgia probably were to Elisha's son). We have no further knowledge of him until 1818, when Elijah's son, James, was named executor of Elijah's will in Monroe County, in the newly formed state of Mississippi. From this will, and later court and census records, we learn that Elijah had children that included James, Simon and Sarah who were all born in South Carolina, and at least two sons, Elijah Jr., and Josiah who were born in Georgia. In a later divorce proceeding involving Simon, Elijah's widow is identified as being Hannah Gentry.

Conclusion
We have attempted to present to the reader a comprehensive picture of David Gentry and his family. There are many questions that remain to be answered concerning David and particularly the details of his children's descendants. This compilation, however, may be helpful to other researchers by trying to bring together in one place most of what we know of David, Sarah, and their sons. We will continue in succeeding articles, to review the known information relating to the rest of the sons of Samuel-II Gentry, turning next to Samuel's second son, Nicholas Gentry.

References

1. Land Records - David Gentry as Principal
Louisa County Deed Books
(a)	1743	Jun 13	Bk(A-75)
	Richard Brooks of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co., Planter, for paternal affection for my son-in-law, David Gentry and his wife, Sarah Gentry, my daughter...100 acres on Dirty Swamp, Fredericksville Par. Signed: Richard (R) Brooks. Wit: John Venable, John Clark. Ack. 13 Jun 1743 by Richard Brooks.
(b)	1748	Aug 22	Bk(A-323)
	David Gentry of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co., to John Brooks of same place for 30 pounds, sold 100 acres on both sides of Dirty Swamp and was given by deed of gift 13 Jun 1743 by Richard Brooks to said David Gentry ... wit: Abra. Venable, John Richardson, Robt. Wathen. Ack. 28 Aug 1748 by David Gentry & Sarah, his wife, relinq. dower.
(b+)	1755	Nov 24	Bk(B-77)
	John Brooks & Elizabeth, his wife, of Fredericksville Par., Louisa Co., to Samuel Winston of same place, for 35 pounds, sold 100 acres originally given by deed of gift by Richard Brooks to David Gentry 13 Jun 1743.
Lunenburg County Deed Books
(c)	1757	Jul 6	Bk(4-533)
	William Embry to David Gentry, both of Lunenburg Co VA, for 40 pounds, sold 112 acres on upper side of Flatt Rock Creek and Beaver pond branch, adj. James Chiswell, being a part of a larger tract granted 5 Sep 1749 unto Richd. Talliaferro and since conveyed to said Embry in general court...Recorded 6 Jul 1757.
(d)	1759	Oct 4	Bk(5-564)
	David Gentry of Johnson Co NC to William Cross of Amelia Co VA, for 50 pounds, sold 112 acres, adj. James Chiswell on Flat Rock Creek...Wit: Richard Gentry, Joseph Gentry, William Burgamy, Robert Hawkins...Signed: David (mark) Gentry. Recorded 1 Feb 1760.

2. Land Records - David Gentry as Witness or Land Holder
Louisa County Deed Books
(a)	1751	Aug 6	Bk(A-433)
	Thomas Lane of Louisa Co, and Ann, his wife, to John Starke, for 37 pounds, sold 100 acres on Dirty Swamp in Fredericksville Par., conveyed 22 Sep 1746 by Nicholas Gentry, the younger, and Mary, his wife to said Lane. Signed: Thomas Lane, Ann (A) Lane. Wit: John (X) Brooks, David (D) Gentry, Allen (X) Gentry. Ack. by Thomas Lane 27 Aug 1751, Ann, his wife, gave consent.
(b)	1757	Nov 21	Bk(B-184)
	Samuel Gentry of Lunenburg Co VA, Planter, to David Cosby of Louisa Co VA, for 15 pounds, sold 108 acres in Frederickville Par...Signed: Samuel (S) Gentry. Wit: Charles Cosby Junr., David (D) Gentry. 22 Nov 1757 ack. by Samuel Gentry.
Lunenburg County Deed Books
(c)	1757	Dec 3	Bk(5-246)
	Richard Brooks to Elisha Brooks for 20 pounds, sold 200 acres on both sides Reedy Creek adj. Joseph Gentry, Embry, a line to a branch that runs through the plantation wheron the said Richard Brooks lately dwelt; line laid off for Richard Brooks, Junr., deceased, thence to a line laid off for David Gentry, being part of larger tracts (1) of 130 acres granted 16 Sep 1750 to Wm Embry; and (2) 448 acres granted 1 Oct 1747 to Abram Cocke and 200 acres (probably recorded in Brunswick Co) and sold by said Cocke to Richard Brooks. adj lands of Wm Embry, Wm Edwards, Thos Edwards. Signed: Richard (R) Brooks. Recorded 4 Jul 1758.
(d)	1759	Dec 3	Bk(5-528)
	Richard Brooks and Elizabeth, his wife, and Elisha Brooks and Frances, his wife, of Lunenburg Co VA to Everard Dowsing of Yorkhampton Par., York Co for 290 pounds, sold (blank acres), being part of a tract of 448 acres granted to Abraham Cocke 1 Oct 1747 and part of 133 acres granted Sep 1740 to Wm Irby, being on both sides of Ready Creek adj. Joseph Jentry (Gentry), Wm Irby, land where said Richard Brooks lately dwelt, Richard Brooks, Junr, deceased, David Gentry and Cockerham. Wit: Moses Cockerham, Joseph Gentry, Nicholas Gentry, Robert Brooks. Signed: Richard (R) Brooks, Elisha (X) Brooks, Elizabeth Brooks, Frances Brooks. Recorded 4 Dec 1759.
(e)	1759	Dec 12	Bk(5-558)
	John McDaniel of Johnston Co NC to William Allen, 200 acres on south side of Meherrin River in the fork of Little Mountain Creek, adj. James Arnold, James McDaniel, Grainger & Welton. Wit: James East, Hezekiah Gentry, David (D) Gentry, Moses (M) Govea? (Cockerham?).
(f)	1760	Jul 12	Bk(6-343)
	Francis Ray of Johnston Co NC to John Brooks of Lunenburg Co VA for 50 pounds, sold 197 acres, adj. Wm Allen's spring branch down Meherring River...mouth of Crooked Creek...Wit: William (A) Allin, William (W) Gentry, David (D) Gentry. Recorded 3 Feb 1761.
(g)	1760	Jul 12	Bk(6-342)
	Francis Ray of Johnston Co NC to William Gentry of Lunenburg Co VA, for 25 pounds, sold 50 acres, adj. Andrews' Rock...Wit: William (A) Allen, Allen (A) Gentry, David (D) Gentry. Signed: Francis ( ) Ray. Recorded 3 Feb 1761.
(h)	1762	Oct 5	Bk(7-398)
	Joseph Simkins to James Cooper...adj. lands of French Haggard being part of R. Tallafas [Talliaferro] grant of 5 Sep 1749...Wit: William Gentry, John (B) Brooks, David (D) Gentry.

3. Court Records
Ruth and Sam Sparacio, "Louisa County, Virginia Orders 1742-1744", The Antietam Press, McLean, VA, 1999
(a)	1743	Jun 13	p.22 [36]
	Indenture between Richard Brooks on the one part and David Gentry and Sara his wife on the other part. Ack by sd. Richard and ordered to be recorded.
(b)	1743	Aug 8	p.40 [70]
	Richard Brooks to pay David Gentry for one days attendance as a witness.
(c)	1743/4	Mar 13	p.70 [102]
	Thomas Anderson to pay David Gentry for one days attendance as a witness.
Idem, "Louisa County, Virginia Orders 1744-1747"
(d)	1744/5	Feb 27	p.13 [139]
	James Nuckolds to pay David Gentry fifty pounds of tobacco for two days of attendance as a witness.
Lunenburg County Order Book
(e)	1752	Jul Court	Bk(2 1/2A-72)
	Henry Embry Plt vs David Gentry, Deft. Suit dismissed. [Companion suit (p.73) against William Gentry also dismissed).
(f)	1752	Nov Court	Bk(2 1/2A-333)
	Henry Embry Plt vs David Gentry, Deft, suit for debt (£1 16/7). Judgment and costs against the Deft.
(g)	1754	Jul Court	Bk(3-130)
	Robert Wade Junior Plt vs David Gentry - in Case. Plt appeared by his attorney and Deft in his Proper Person. Settlement of a debt.
(h)	1755	Nov Court	Bk(4-64)
	On motion of Susannah Brooks granted letters of administration of the estate of Richard Brooks decd, her late husband, giving her security. David Gentry and Robert Brooks, her security, acknowledged their bond for the due administration of the said estate. Appraisers of Estate: John Williams, Rep Jones, Samuel Gentry & Drury Moore.
(i)	1756	Sep Court	Bk(4-201)
	Petition by John Hobson & others for a road to be laid and cleared the best and most convenient way from Reedy Creek church to the forks of Witton's Road. John Bacon, David Gentry & Simon Gentry to view and examine the way and report to the next court.
(j)	1756	Oct Court	Bk(4-214)
	John Bacon Sr., Simon Gentry and David Gentry report on the road from Reedy Creek to forks of Cal'v Witton's Road. Road ordered to be established.
(k)	1757	Aug Court	Bk(4-348)
	Indenture of bargain and sale between William Embry and David Gentry acknowledged and ordered to be recorded.
(l)	1759	Jun Court	Bk(5-90B)
	John Jennings, Plt vs David Gentry, Deft. Existence of debt by Deft determined by the court and assessed costs.
(m)	1760	Feb Court	Bk(6-51B)
	Indenture between David Gentry and William Cross acknowledged by Gentry and ordered to be recorded.
(n)	1761	Mar Court	Bk(6-240A)
	Theophilus Field, Plt, vs David Gentry, Deft. Suit dismissed and Plt ordered to pay Deft his costs.
(o)	1761	Jun Court	Bk(7-65A)
	Richard Hanson & Michael (?) Hawkins, Plt, vs David Gentry, Deft. Plt came by his attorney, but Deft came not but makes default whereupon conditional judgment by the court against Deft and his bail William Gentry is confirmed. Deft ordered to pay debt plus interest.
(p)	1761	Dec Court	Bk(7-185B)
	Henry Blasgrave(?) vs David Gentry. Deft not coming, although duly summoned, judgment awarded to Plt with his costs.
(q)	1762	Apr Court	Bk(8-15A)
	Joel Thranicks(?) assignee of Samuel Simkin(?) vs David Gentry. Deft not appearing altho duly summoned, judgment is ordered for the Plt for cash payment and fee.
(r)	1762	Jun Court	Bk(8-35A)
	Jonathan Patterson & Hebron vs David Gentry Jr & David Gentry Sr. Defts not appearing altho duly summoned, judgment for the Plt against Deft Gentry Jr for payment and costs. Dismissed against Gentry Sr.
(s)	1762	Jun Court	Bk(8-48B)
	Jeffrey Ruffaill(?) vs David Gentry. Deft not appearing altho duly summoned, but makes default, whereupon the conditional order against the Deft and Wm Allen his bail is confirmed.
(t)	1762	Jun Court	Bk(8-51B)
	Richard Hanson vs David Gentry. Deft comes not altho duly called and acknowledges debt by default, whereupon the conditional order of the court against the Deft and his bail William Allen is confirmed. Judgment for payment with terms of payment.
(u)	1763	Sep Court	Bk(9-245)
	William Burgamy ordered to pay David Gentry for attendance as a witness at a suit by David Garland against Burgamy.
(v)	1764	Jun Court	Bk(10-96)
	John Granger vs David Gentry, upon an attachment. It appearing to the court that there are no effects, suit dismissed.
(w)	1764	Jun Court	Bk(10-116)
	James Thornton vs Joseph Simpkin and Allen Gentry, in Debt. Defts came not. Order that the Plt recover against sd Deft Simpkin and David Gentry and David Brooks, his security. Suit dismissed as to Gentry at his costs.
(x)	1764	Jun Court	Bk(10-118)
	George Potter, assignee of George Brown vs James Denton and David Gentry, in Debt. Defts came not. Ordered that Plt recover against sd Defts and David Gentry [sic] and David Brooks their common bail.
(y)	1764	Aug Court	Bk(10-156)
	Zachariah Bullock ordered to pay Joseph Williams, a witness for him against David Gentry.
(z)	1765	Apr Court	Bk(11-7)
	Thomas Tabb, Plt, vs Hezekiah, David, and Joseph Gentry. In Debt. By agreement suit discontinued and Defts to pay Plt his costs.

4. Lunenburg County Will Book
	1759	May 6	Bk(1-290)
	Will of William Embry. Dated 6 May 1759, Recorded 5 Feb 1760.
		Wife: Elizabeth Embry... Son: William Embry... Son: Henry Embry... Dau: Ermin Embry... Dau: Martha Embry... To Elisha Brooks, that part of 119 acres which lies on south side of south fork of branch that divides our land...
	Executors:... Witnesses:...Signed: Wm Embry.
	Codicil. Dated 7 May 1759
		I left out 3 tracts of land on Flatrock Creek and branch thereof, formerly granted to Richard Talliaferro and since then conveyed to testator; and since that conveyance the testator did covenant with and agree to sell to David Gentry, French Haggard, William Allin & James Chiswell all of this land which they agree to divide.

5. Tax/Tithables List
Landon C. Bell, "Sunlight on the Southside, Lists of Tithes, Lunenburg County, Virginia, 1748-1783", Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1974.
	1749	David Gentry	- Tithable List by Hugh Lawson Between Hounds Creek & Meherrin, with Robert Brooks as a tithable in his household.
	1750	David Gentry	- Tithable List by Richd. Witton, with Wm Gentry in his household.
	1751	[David Gentry	- NOT found on existing Tithable Lists of that year.]
	1752	David Gentry	- Tithable List by Richd. Witton.
	1764	David Gentry	("call him Long David") - Tithable list by David Garland.

6. Cumberland Parish Vestry Records
Landon C. Bell, "Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, Virginia", "Vestry Book 1746-1816", Richmond, VA, 1930, p.505.
	1760	Mar 1	Procession returns, Precinct #14:
	Land of Allen Gentry - present Wm & David Gentry.

7. North Carolina References
Weynette Parks Haun, "Johnston County, North Carolina, Abstracts of Deed Books A-1 to D-1, 1759 thru 1771", Durham, NC, 1981
(a)	1759	Apr 23	Bk(A1-40)
	Tibetha Keeton, Johnston Co., widow, to Runell Allin, Johnston Co., for 20 pounds, 220 acres on Richland Creek, Johnston Co., and upper side of said creek, being part of tract granted to Tibetha in her widowhood...; witnessed by John (X) Gentry, and Wm (X) Manerin; proved at last Tues of Oct Court, 1759, by Cornelius.
Margaret M. Hofmann, "The Granville District of North Carolina, 1748-1763", The Roanoke News Co., Weldon, NC, 1987
(b)	Vol II "Abstracts of Land Grants (covering Granville, Halifax, Hyde, Johnston, Northampton, Orange and Tyrrell Counties)", p.211
	1761	Jul 22	#3308 Patent Book (14-244)
	John Spencer granted 700 ac in Johnston County on the south side of Neuse River joining Brogdens line. Signed: John Spencer; witness: J. Ballard, Robt Rainey. Surveyed 5 May 1761; chainbearers Millington Blaylock, Saml Gentry; Charley Young surveyor. [Copy of plat in Land Office, North Carolina State Archives, see below]
(c)	Vol V "Abstracts of Misc Land Office Records"
	1761	May 5	#4936
	(p.88) Plat for John Spencer, 700 ac in Johnston Co., on the south side of Neuse River joining Brogdens line. Chainbearers: Mickington [?] Blaylock, Samuel Gentry; Charles Young, surveyor.
(d)	1762	Jun 7	#4404
	(p.40), Plat for David Allen, 520 ac in Johnston Co. on both sides of Neuse River, joining Reynold Allen. Chainbearers: Saml Gentry, Robt Cook; Charles Young, surveyor. [Refr #4403, a warrant for survey, refers to Neuse River at the mouth of Cedar Creek].

8. South Carolina References
Brent H. Holcomb, "Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals, Vol VI, 1766-1770", SCMAR, Columbia, SC, 1999, p.39.
(a)	1766	Nov 4	[p.861-867]
	"The following Petitions Praying for Warrants of Survey, to Prolong Warrants and Certifying Platts were presented and read Viz: Elisha Brooks 400 [ac] at (96 [Creek]) South side Saludy River. Sarah "Gently" 450 [ac] between Saludy [Saluda River] and Savannah [River]." [Sarah was entitled to 100 acres on her own behalf and 50 acres apiece for each member of her household, whether children or slaves. This translates to seven children being present with her at the time of her petition for a grant.]
Holcomb, "South Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1773-1778", SCMAR, Columbia, SC, 1993, p.33
(b)	1772/3	Dec 31/Jan 1	Bk(G4, p.440-444)
	Lease and release by Isaac Mitchell of Colleton Co., and Mary his wife, of 296 ac on a branch of Ninety-six Creek, waters of Saludy River, on a small branch ... adj. land of ... Sarah Gentry ... [and others]. Rec. 7 Jan 1774 [Presumably Sarah still living as of this date.] Note. Prior to 1785, all deeds were recorded in Charleston, where the original deed books are still held.

9. Selected References for Hezekiah - Virginia References
Lunenburg County Deed Books
(a)	1757	Jul 6	Bk(4-504)
	William Embry to Hezekiah Gentry, both of Lunenburg Co VA for 20 pounds, sold 147 acres, adj. French Haggard, being part of a larger tract granted 15 Sep 1749 to Richard Talliaferro and was conveyed to said Embry in general court. Recorded 3 Aug 1757. [Indenture of sale recorded Aug Court, p.348]
(b)	1759	(see refr 2(e) above)
(c)	1761	Apr 6	Bk(7-11)
	Hezekiah Gentry to Allen Gentry for 20 pounds, sold 73 acres granted 5 Sep 1749 to Richard Taliaferro, adj. French Haggard and Joseph Simpkin's corner...Recorded 7 Apr 1761. [Indenture of sale recorded Apr Court, p.251B]
(d)	1761	Apr 6	Bk(7-20)
	Hezekiah Gentry to Joseph Simkins, for 8 pounds, sold 73 acres granted 5 Sep 1749 to Richard Taliaferro, adj. to French Haggard. Signed: Hezekiah Gentry. Recorded 7 Apr 1761. [Indenture of sale recorded Apr Court, p.252B]
Lunenburg County Court Order Books
(e)	1755	Nov Court	Bk(4-32)
	Hampton Wade,Plt, vs Hezekiah Gentry & Nicholas Gentry, Defts. Plt came by his attorney, defts in person acknowledging debt. Assessed interest from April 6 last past. By consent of Plt, payment to be made in 2 months.
(f)	1760	Mar Court	Bk(6-81A)
	Hezekiah Gentry, Plt vs James Campbell & Thomas Nobles, Defts. Plt came by his attorneys but Defts came not. Judgment against Thomas Nobles and his bail John Hight for debt and costs. As to the other defendant, James Campbell, the suit is continued to the next court.
(g)	1762	Dec Court	Bk(8-144A)
	Richard Hanson vs Drury Hawkins & Hezekiah Gentry. Deft Gentry not appearing, acknowledging by default his debt, judgment for the Plt, and the Deft is to make payment with interest from 2 Mar 1762 and costs. Suit dismissed as to Deft Hawkins.
(h)	1763	Jul Court	Bk(11-114)
	Richard Hanson vs Hezekiah Gentry et al in Debt. Defts came into Court and confessed judgment.
(i)	1763	Jul Court	Bk(11-133)
	Richard Witton, Sheriff vs Matthew Wells, Joseph Gentry, Henry Mays, and Hezekiah Gentry, Defts in Case.
(j)	1764	Apr Court	Bk(9-337)
	Henry Vandyke vs Hezekiah Gentry, Deft in Debt. This day came the Plt by his atty and the Deft in his proper person. The Deft acknowledges the debt. Arrangements made for settlement.
(k)	1765	Apr Court	Bk(11-7)
	Thomas Tabb, Plt, vs Hezekiah, David, and Joseph Gentry. In Debt. By agreement suit discontinued and Defts to pay Plt his costs.
(l)	1765	Apr Court	Bk(11-11)
	Hezekiah Gentry vs Thomas Hill. Plt came by his atty, Deft came not. Suit decided for the Plt.
(m)	1766	Aug Court	Bk(11-186)
	Jonathan Ratteson Jr, assignee of Allen Gentry who was Assignee of Hezekiah Gentry vs Edward Waller and John Ussery, Defts in Debt. Plt came by his atty. Ussery came in person and acknowledged debt. Waller no longer an inhabitant of this county, suit abates as to him.

10. Surry County, North Carolina, Tax Lists
"North Carolina Genealogy", vol 17, p.2688 (1971) [Tax listings for area of Rowan County separated as Surry County in 1770, date estimated as 1768]
(a)	Capt. Wright district:
		Hezekiah Gentry
		Joseph Gentry
		Nicholas Gentry
Mrs. Robert Taylor, "1782 Tax List of Surry County, North Carolina", Cimarron, Kansas, 1974.
(b)	Capt. Martin district:
		Richard Gentry	200 ac	3 horses, 4 cows	Fox Nob
		Hezekiah Gentry	0	3 horses
		Samuel Gentry	400 ac	3 horses, 6 cows	Fox Nob
		Robert Gentry	0	1 horse
		Runnel Gentry	0	2 horses
		Nathaniel Gentry	0	1 horse

11. South Carolina Miscellaneous References
Leonardo Andrea, "Gentry Family", Manuscript compiled for Mrs. John F. Gannon, Montgomery, AL, and part of Leonardo Andrea collection at Univ. of South Carolina Library, Colombia, SC.
(a)	Andrea #2
	After the Revolution, a man could take as many acres as he could secure, Index II for land grants shows: Hezekiah Gentry, 241 ac on Indian Crk in 96 Dist [Edgefield County], 6 Feb 1784; Hezekiah Gentry, 100 ac, same location, 6 Mar 1784; Hezekiah Gentry, 197 ½ ac on Bogins Crk [Union County], 5 Jan 1784.
(b)	Andrea #3
	Index III shows: Hezekiah Gentry, 77 ac on Indian Creek in 96 Dist, 6 Feb 1796 Hezekiah Gentry, 77 ac in 96 Dist, 6 Feb 1797 [duplicate of above?]; David Gentry, 50 ac in 96 Dist, 4 Oct 1790; David Gentry, 101 ac in 96 Dist, 5 Dec 1791;
(c)	Andrea #7
	Land plats indexed after the Revolution show: Cain Gentry in Abbeville Dist. in 1808; David Gentry, 2 in 96 Dist in 1790; Hezekiah Gentry, 4 in 96 Dist, 1784-1795;
(d)	Andrea #8
	Names indexed in SC Historical Commission for Revolution [LA: may be for service, for supplies, or as witness to some other name]" Cain Gentry, John Gentry, Elijah Gentry, Hezekiah Gentry, Simon Gentry.
(e)	Andrea #18
	Hezekiah Gentry will sg. 19 Jan 1820, pr. 17 Apr 1824 in Edgefield Co.
	Wife:	[None listed--presumed dead];
	Children:	Runnels Gentry...Anna Teer...Gillie Abney...Robert Gentry...Delilah Taiket...Elizabeth Nichols...Thomas Gentry [cf. #17] dead and to his widow Sarah in trust for his children...Mourning Gentry dead and her share to her children;
	Grandson:	Runnels Gentry, son of Hezekiah Gentry;
	Exec: Runnels Gentry, Robert Gentry;
	Wit: Gilson Yarborough, Richard Coleman, & Nathan Trotter.
Bobby Gilmer Moss, "Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution", Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1985, p.350
(f)	Gentry, Cain	Served in militia under Capt. Dawson, 1781 and 1782.
	Gentry, Elijah	Served as private in militia.
	Gentry, John	Served in militia after fall of Charleston.
	Gentry, Simon	Served as sergeant in the militia after the fall of Charleston.
Brent H. Holcomb, "Edgefield County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court 1785-1795", Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1979.
(g)	1787 Jan 6	p.34 (Court Minutes p.60)
	"Ezekial Gentry" [presumed to be Hezekiah Gentry] ordered to serve as Petit Juror.
(h)	1790 Jan 11	p.130 (Court Minutes p.300)
	Hez Gentry ordered to serve as Petit Juror.
(i)	1794 Oct 13	p.152 (Court Minutes p.8)
	On application for Hezekiah Gentry for letters of admn. on Pleasant Burnetts estate. Granted
(j)	1795 Jan 5	p.161 (Court Minutes p.34-35)
	Ordered that all the personal estate of Pleasant Burnett dec'd be sold at the house of Hezekiah Gentry on the fourth Month in January instant.

12. South Carolina Deed References
Ge Le Corley Hendrix, "Edgefield County South Carolina Abstracts of Deed Books 1 - 12, 1786-1796", Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1985.
(a)	1788	Jul 18	Bk(1-244), p.12
	Bartholomew (Bartlett) Corley & Delilah his wife, Yeoman, to Hezekiah Jentry, Yeoman, all of Edgefield Co., SC for 20 pounds, sold 73 ac on Indian Creek of Little Saluda River, granted 3 Apr 1786... /s/ Bartholomew Corley, Delilah Corley. Wit: Sanders (X) Corley, Runnels (X) Gentry, ack 20 Apr 1789.
(b)	1793	Sep 13	Bk(9-9), p.125
	Hezekiah Gentry to John Abney, D.S. both of Edgefield Co., SC for 20 pounds sold 100ac originally granted 6 Mar 1786 unto said Gentry being on head of Indian Creek of Little Saluda River. /s/ Hezekiah Gentry
	Wit: Thomas (X) Gentry, John Bolger ack 14 Sep 1793, rec 4 Nov 1793.
Carol Wells, "Edgefield County South Carolina Deed Books 13, 14, 15", Heritage Books, Bowie, MD 1997.
(c)	1793	Oct 10/11	Bk(13-432) p.33
	Edmund Riggs to Hezekiah Gentry, for 60 pounds, sold 150ac on Bigg Creek branch of Little Saludy, part of original grant to Wm Moulton 1792. /s/ Edmund Riggs Wit: James McKnight, David Pugh, Jesse Griffin, ack 14 Apr 1797, rec 10 May 1797
(d)	1795	Aug 12	Bk(13-621) p.47
	Hezekiah Gentry to Robert Brooks, for $1000, sold 350ac on Indian Creek of Little Saluda Rive; 200ac of which adj Hezekiah Burnett, Starlings branch, Runnel Gentry, James Petty, John Griffin, Robert Gentry, Anthony Lear; the 350ac are part of four surveys; first granted by Gov Bull 21 Apr 1775 to Peter Whitten for 1200ac; second granted by Wm Moultrie for 100ac to Bartholomew Corley 3 Apr 1795, third granted by Gov Wm Moultrie to Hezekiah Gentry for 521ac 6 Feb 1786; fourth not known not being at hand now; all having been sold to Hezekiah Gentry but what was granted to him. /s/ Hezekiah Gentry, Catherin Gentry [A plat shows 150ac on Indian Creek & Martins Branch, land of Robert Brooks, Hezekiah Burnett, Elijah Worthington, James Nichols, Runnel Gentry.] Wit: Thomas Largent, James Sanford, ack 29 Dec 1797, rec 6 Jan 1798.
(e)	1798	Mar 3	Bk(15-196) p.88
	Hezekiah Gentry to Hezekiah Burnett, for $1000 SC money, sold 100ac being part of survey of 1200 ac originally granted by Gov Wm Bull unto Peter Whitten 21 Apr 1775 and sold by Peter Whitten to James Minge Burton and part thereof by sd James Minge Burton conveyed to me 11 Oct 1793; first mentioned hundred acres being part of that part which sd James Minge Burton conveyed to me on both sides of Indian Creek of Little Saluda River bounded by land of Robert Brooks. /s/ Hezekiah Gentry Wit: Anthony Leech, James Corly, ack 9 Mr 1798, rec 18 Mar 1798.
Wells, "Deed Books 30 & 31", 1997
(f)	1813	Jan 23	Bk(31-421) p.159
	Hezekiah Gentry to Robert Brooks for $300, sold 100ac on Indian Creek of Little Saluda River, being part of land originally granted to Peter Abney 21 Apr 1775 by Gov. Wm Bull, conveyed to me and Jacob Pope decd by James Minge Burton. Bound by Stony Ridge, lands of Robert Brooks, Jesse Chandler, Red Lick branch, Thoms Warren, Thomas Smith. /s/ Hezekiah Gentry Wit: Reason Gentry, Absalem Corley, Robert Gentry, ack 28 Oct 1813, rec 3 Nov 1813.
Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., "Some South Carolina County Records, Vol 2", Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1989, p.517
(g)	1786	Aug 8	Union County Deed Book B-14, p.15
	Hezekiah Gentry and Catarine, his wife, of Edgefield Co., to James Hogin [also Hogan] of Union Co., for 100 pounds sterling, [sells] 197 ½ ac in Union Co. on a branch of Tyger River called Bogan's Creek. Granted to sd. Hezekiah Gentry on 5 Jun 1786. Wit: John Jenkins, Robert Leverell, Ridge (X) Hogins. Rec. 25 Dec 1786.

13. References to David Gentry (Jr)
(a)	See also Lunenburg County Virginia County Court Orders Bk 8, p.35A, June 1762 (refr. 3(n) above)
(b)	1793	Nov 15	Bk(11-96) p.169 Mortgage
	Abraham Richardson to Joseph Hightower...sell 890ac part of tract...on Big Horse Creek being land where Richardson's saw mill stands... /s/ Abraham Richardson, Joseph Hightower Wit: David (+) Gentry, Benjamin Hightower, ack 16 Jan 1794, rec 16 Jan 1794.
Betty Willie, "Pendleton District, SC, Deeds, 1790-1806", Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1982, p.92
(c)	1795	Jul 10	Pendleton County Conveyance Book C/D, p.50 (1795-1799)
	"I, David Gentry sell to Major Gentry, horses, hogs, beds, and furniture for 40 dollars." Signed David (his mark) Gentry; wit: Evin Smith, Jas. McBride; Recorded 7 Aug 1795.
(d)	See also Andrea references #3 and #7 above.

14. References to John Gentry
Lunenburg County, Virginia, County Court Orders
(a)	1764	Aug Court	Bk(11-188)
	Paul Carrington vs Joseph Gentry and John Gentry, Defts in Debt. Defts not inhabitants of this county, suit abates.
(b)	1770	Aug 2
	Estate of William Stone: credits include John Gentry. Recorded 9 Aug 1770.
Corley, "Edgefield County South Carolina Deed Books"
(c)	1790	Oct 1	Bk(5-7) p.55
	David Siglar, Sr to George Sigler, both of Edgefield Co., SC for 25 pounds, sold 126ac being part of a grant until said Sigler Sr. /s/ David Siglar Sr Wit: Wm Watson, Sr, John (+) Gentry, ack 4 Dec 1791.
(d)	1792	Dec 26	Bk(8-5) p.101
	George Seglar to John Hardy, both of Edgefield Co. SC for 50 pounds, sold 128ac where said Seglar now lives. /s/ George (X) Seglar Wit: James Baker, Chearls [sic Charles?] Bussey, John (X) Gentry ack 2 Mar 1793, rec 12 Mar 1793.
(e)	See also refr 11(d) and 11(f) above.

15. References to Cain Gentry
Edgefield County, SC Deed Books
Wells, "Deed Books 16, 17, 18", 1997
(a)	1798	Jun 9	Bk(16-152) p.11
	John Hancock to Thomas Hancock, for 100 pounds sterling, sold 221ac bounded on lands of Cain Gentry, John Hancock Jr., Simon Hancock, William Hancock. /s/ John Hancock, Ann Hancock Wit: George Hancock, Peter Hancock, ack 7 Dec 1798, rec 18 Dec 1798.
(b)	See also refr. 11(c), 11(d) and 11(f) above.

16. References to Simon Gentry
Corley, loc. cit.
(a)	1792	Jul 11	Bk(7-245) p.93
	Simon Gentry to my step-sons Jeremiah Cobb & Sanders Cobb property made use of belonging to said step-sons; am bound for 50 pounds provided said 50 pounds is not demanded in less time than 4 yrs & for better securing of payment have sold 147 ac on head of little Creek adj N by William Thomas & the land where said Gentry now lives; also horses, cattle & household furniture. /s/ Simon Gentry Wit: Green Moore, Martin Morgan, ack 11 Jul 1792.
Brent H. Holcomb, "Edgefield County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court 1785-1795", Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1979.
(b)	1786	Apr 12	p.12 (Court Minutes p.22)
	Judgment by Fields Perdiew & Co against Simon Gentry.
(c)	1788	Apr 16	p. 81 (Court Minutes p.168)
	Judgment by Drury Pace against Simon Gentry.
(d)	1789	Jan 12	p.107 (Court Minutes p.226)
	Judgment revived for Fields Pardue Cunnington and Moore vs Simon Gentry.
(e)	See also refr. 11(d) and 11(f) above.

17. References to Elisha Gentry
Holcomb, loc.cit.
(a)	1787	Jul 9	p.47 (Court Minutes p.91)
	Elisha Gentry ordered to serve on next Petit Jury.
Clarke County Georgia Ordinary Court Wills
(b)	1803	Sep 3	Bk(A-9)
	Will of Elisha Gentry bequeathing to wife Neomy, sons Elisha, Elijah, Martin, David, Cain, and Micajah and daughter Patience; names Elisha Gentry and Jacob Martin executors. Rec. 7 Jun 1804 in Ledger B.A. Folio 9.

18. References to Elijah Gentry
William C. Stewart, "Gone to Georgia, Jackson and Gwinnett Counties and their Neighbors in the Western Migration", National Genealogical Society, 1965, p.281
(a)	1799	Aug 4
	Elijah Gentry was appointed a justice of the peace. Elijah's name is found briefly in Wilkes County in 1790.
Marie DeLamar and Elisabeth Rothstein, "The Reconstructed 1790 Census of Georgia", Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1985.
(b)	p.170		Elijah Gentry, juror, Wilkes Co.
Teresa W. Dunn & Vivian Walls, "Jackson County Georgia - Superior Court Records 1796-1803"
(c)	Oct 1796 - Oct 1802		p.48 (p.2-3 of original)
	Grand Jurors drawn for next term listed: Elijah Gentry and Cain Gentry
(d)	pg. 74 Petit Jurors for next term listed: Elijah Gentry
(e)	See also refr. 11(d) and 11(f) above.

19. Census Listings for South Carolina Gentrys
1790 CENSUS		M(>16)	M(0-16)	F
Edgefield District
	Jentrey, Hez'h Jentrey, John Jentrey, Simon Gentrey, Cane	4 1 2 4	1 2 3 2	3 6 5 7
Pendleton District
	Gentry, David	3	1	4
1800 CENSUS		Born: Sex	1790-  1800	1784-  1790	1774-  1784	1755-  1774	Bef. 1755
Abbeville District
p.24	Hezekiah Jentry	M F	0 0	0 0	0 0	0 0	1 1
p.25	John Jentry	M F	1 0	0 2	2 1	0 0	1 1
Edgefield District
p.169	Becky Jentry (widow of Simon)	M F	2 0	1 2	2 2	0 1	0 0
p.149	Cane Jentry	M F	0 0	1 3	1 2	1 1	1 0
1810 CENSUS		Born: Sex	1800-  1810	1794-  1800	1784-  1794	1765-  1784	Bef. 1765
Abbeville District
p.41	Rebecker Jentry (widow of Simon)	M F	1 0	1 0	1 1	0 0	0 1
Edgefield District
p.71	Hezekiah Gentry	M F	0 0	0 0	1 0	0 0	1 1
p.79	John Gentry	M F	0 0	0 0	1 2	0 0	1 1

20. Miscellaneous Georgia References, 1790-1805
Date	Name	County	Citation	Refr.
1790	Elijah	Wilkes	tax	(1)
1790	Elisha	Wilkes	tax, 200 ac + 1 slave	(1)
1790	John	Wilkes	tax	(1)
1799	Elijah	Jackson	tax
1799	Elisha	Jackson	tax
1799	Cain	Jackson	jury list
1799	William	Jackson	jury list
1800	Elisha	Columbia	grant	(2)
1800	Tyrey	Franklin	tax	(5)
1801	Cain	Jackson	tax
1801	Elijah	Jackson	tax
1801	Elisha	Jackson	tax
1801	Elijah	Clark	tax
1801	Elisha	Clark	tax
1801	Elisha	Clark	tax
1801	James	Lincoln
1801	Tyce (Tyre?)	Franklin	tax	(5)
1802	Elijah	Clark	tax, 150 ac	(4)
1802	Elisha	Clark	tax, 1 slave	(4)
1803	Elijah	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1803	James	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1803	Elisha	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1803	Elisha	Clark	tax, 1 slave	(4)
1804	Elijah [Jr.?]	Jackson	tax, poll	(4)
1804	Naomy	Jackson	tax, 325 ac, 1 slave	(4)
1804	Elisha [Jr.]	Jackson	tax, poll	(4)
1804	Elijah	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1804	James	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1805	Elijah	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1805	Naomi	Jackson	tax, 325 ac	(4)
1805	Naomi	Clark	1 slave	(4)
1805	Elisha	Clark	tax, poll	(4)
1805	Elijah	Clark	tax	(4)
1805	Cain	Jackson	grant	(3)
1805	Tyre	Franklin	land lottery	(7)
1805	William	Oglethorpe	land lottery	(7)

Sources
1. Frank Parker Hudson, "A 1790 Census for Wilkes County Georgia", The Reprint Co., Spartanburg, SC, 1988, p.87.
2. Rev. Silas Lucas Jr., "Index to the Headright and Bounty Grants of Georgia, 1756-1909, Southern Historical Press, 1982, p.223.
3. Ibid., p.326.
4. Larry W. Parr, "Clark County Georgia Tax Digest", "Gentry Family Gazette & Genealogy Exchange", vol 2, p.54 (#10, Dec 1981), published by Richard H. Gentry, McLean, VA.
5. Ronald Vern Jackson, "Early Georgia, 1733-1819", Accelerated Indexing Systems, Bountiful, UT, p.173.
6. Ibid., p.251.
7. Virginia S. Wood and Ralph V. Wood, "1805 Georgia Land Lottery", The Greenwood Press, Cambridge, MA, 1964.
[A married man was entitled to two draws, a bachelor over 21 to one; blank = unsuccessful draw.]

© 2002, W.M. Gentry - All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes provided that proper attribution (including author and journal name) is included.