NOTE: To any confirmed surname Kent descendants of the Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Kent who died in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio - please contact [email protected]. Your yDNA is critical in determining family ancestry. 12/1/2016
There is a strong theory that Thomas Kent is the son of Benoni Kent and his wife Jean Cooper. Many Thomas Kent descendants are showing both a DNA match as well as family tree connections to Benoni on Ancestry Thrulines as of 5/2020.
____________________________________________________
U.S. Veterans Gravesites:
Name: Thomas Kent
Service Info.: PVT CONTINENTAL LINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Birth Date: 1746
Death Date: 1849
Cemetery: Fountain Grove Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 33- Townline Rd Bryan, OH 43506
_____________________________________________________
Revolutionary War Vet Buried In Bryan
Mystery Veterans Past Now Finally Unraveled
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
Who really was the Revolutionary War Veteran said to be buried on Halm's Hill in Bryan?
Bryan local historian David Lupien with the help of a Connecticut woman has unraveled the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California converged at Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan to commemorate Revolutionary War Private Thomas Kent.
For years, accounts had Mr. Kent's name wrong, listing him as Benjamin Kent.
The late Paul Van Gundy and his book "Tales of the Fountain City" told the story of the Revolutionary War Veteran buried in the Old Bryan Cemetery on South Portland Street near the Old Halm's Brewery at Center and Portland Streets.
According to Mr. Van Gundy, Bryan undertaker A.C. Dillman wrote in the Bryan Press in 1906 that "when the old cemetery was moved from the Halm's Hill on South Portland Street, there were three bodies left in the old burying ground. One was Benjamin Kent, who died about the year 1846 and was about 103 years of age and a Revolutionary Soldier.
At that time the land served as a pasture. Mr. Dillman hoped a patriotic wave would take hold of the citizens of Bryan and the old soldier's remains would be removed to a more fitting location.
Later, Walter Tomlinson of Williams Center wrote that "I have often heard my father (Giles Tomlinson) speak (that) Benjamin Kent was coming to Williams County to visit Dr. Thomas Kent's father's family and while here he was taken sick and buried."
Mr. Tomlinson wrote that he hoped to Mr. Dillman would have the veterans body removed to Fountain Grove Cemetery, and noted that he would give a pig and ten dollars and get the ball rolling. For some reason the plan did not roll.
Mr. Dillman tried once more. In 1911, he wrote to the Bryan Democrat that "whether the remains of a soldier after the Revolutionary War lies in Bryan's first burying ground is not definitely known. This graveyard was on the east side of South Portland Street (then only a county road) on high ground north of present Center Street. It was abandoned in 1859 when most of the burials were removed to the south cemetery.
However, the Bryan Democrat reported that year that "Mr. Dillman suggested the remains could be located and moved to a regular cemetery, but nothing was done about it, and the land was later build over with residences.
There were two Benjamin Kent's a senior and a junior. The senior Kent according to Goodspeed's History of 1882, came to Pulaski Township in 1840 and died here on December 27, 1860 his widow following August 11, 1866. Theirs was a well-known family.
Mr. Dillman's statement that Benjamin Kent Senior died in 1846 does not reconcile with Goodspeed's History, but there are many known errors by Goodspeed.
And that discrepancy was left unresolved for nearly 100 years - until after Linda Maranis of the New Canaan Connecticut wrote to David Lupe on in 1999.
Over the next four years Mr. Lupien helped Mrs. Maranis identify the Revolutionary War Veteran buried on Bryan's Halm's Hill.
With the basic information provided by Mr. Lupien, Ms. Maranis began checking source records via state archives, the national Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Washington D.C., and various related government records.
Her efforts were successful, and she has presented material indicating that Thomas Kent was the veteran who lies buried on Halm's Hill.
The research concluded that Benjamin Kent was Thomas' son, and Dr. Thomas Kent a prominent Williams County resident was the grandson. Both Benjamin and his wife Sarah are buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery. Their stones are still legible although Sarah's is broken.
The tie of Benjamin being a veteran was accurate and that he served in the War of 1812 in the 56th regiment of the Virginia militia.
The elder Thomas Kent came from Columbiana County to Williams County to visit his family and while in this area he fell ill and died.
Thomas Kent was born in 1746 in Prince William County, Virginia and died around 1846. Local accounts say he was 103 years old when he died in Bryan, so there is some question as to the actual year he died. Ms. Moranis records in the Kent family history his death about 1849.
Veterans pension records from 1832 state that Thomas served as a Private in the Prince Williams County, Virginia, Militia, for seven months and seven days in 1780 and 1781, in the company commanded by Capt. Brent.
Record state Thomas was drafted for nine months. He served from October 17 to November 5, 1780, when he received a furlough home from the Militias Cmdr. Col. Jepe Ewell, because his wife had given birth to a child just three days before he first left for the service.
Pension records state Thomas returned to camp on November 18 that year, and served until the last day of April 1781.
During that service he marched from Prince William County to Williamsburg and then to Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, and returned home. Later he was ordered to Hillsborough, North Carolina, but after the unit had been three days on the road news came that they would be discharged and they returned home.
But in the following spring, Thomas's unit was again called on and marched to Alexandria. They were there for 17 days, as about 500 troops were employed in the guarding of the town. "We were then discharged and returned home" Thomas testified.
After the Revolutionary War Thomas remained for a time in the Prince William County, Virginia, and later moved his family to Loudoun County, Virginia. By 1830 Thomas had moved to Columbiana County, Ohio.
Thomas and his wife Ailey or Ailcey had seven children Ailcey, Anna, Isaac, Violet, Ashford, an unnamed male or female child, and Benjamin Kent who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia February 15, 1782.
Benjamin and his wife, Sarah, moved to Williams County in the 1830s where Benjamin died on December 27, 1860. Benjamin's son Dr. Thomas Kent served for many years as one of the counties earliest doctors.
Benjamin's daughter Betsy Mankin also settled in Williams County in 1838. The elder Thomas Kent's great-grandson Silas W. Mankin was killed during the Civil War. He was captured in Alabama and spent time in Andersonville prison in Georgia.
After his release from prison Silas was returning home on the steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River. The ship exploded and burned and Silas was killed in the tragedy.
A great-great-grandson Homer Mankin was killed in Vicksburg, Mississippi during Civil War combat in 1864.
Although Thomas Kent's remains were apparently never removed from the old burial ground on Halm's Hill at least his life has not been forgotten
(Information for this story was provided by Mr. Lupien)
Veteran Memorialized
Marker Dedicated
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
In spite of the wind and cold, Saturday afternoon's scheduled ceremony took place dedicating a marker for Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Kent.
For years there was a rumor a Revolutionary War Soldier was buried on Halm's Hill, a former cemetery located on South Portland Street in Bryan.
Local Historian David Lupien, with the help of Linda Maranis of New Canaan, Connecticut finally solved the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California gathered at Fountain Grove Cemetery to honor him.
The ceremony started with the Ohio Society of Honor Guards of the American Revolution marching in with the appropriate flags.
Richard Gardner gave the invocation, and the local Cub Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
President David Lupien gave the Sons of the American Revolution Pledge, welcomed everyone and introduced all of the guests.
Larry Perkins of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution gave the keynote address, Andrew Bove Played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, and a biography of Private Thomas Kent was presented.
The marker was then presented and wreaths placed around it.
The Bryan American Legion Post 284 presented military honors. The honor guard was made up of Gerry Meyer, Dave Karacson, Paul Rohrs, Jim Daschbach and Doyle Wines.
Gene Papin can be contacted at editorbryantimes.com
There is a strong theory that Thomas Kent is the son of Benoni Kent and his wife Jean Cooper. Many Thomas Kent descendants are showing both a DNA match as well as family tree connections to Benoni on Ancestry Thrulines as of 5/2020.
____________________________________________________
U.S. Veterans Gravesites:
Name: Thomas Kent
Service Info.: PVT CONTINENTAL LINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Birth Date: 1746
Death Date: 1849
Cemetery: Fountain Grove Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 33- Townline Rd Bryan, OH 43506
_____________________________________________________
Revolutionary War Vet Buried In Bryan
Mystery Veterans Past Now Finally Unraveled
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
Who really was the Revolutionary War Veteran said to be buried on Halm's Hill in Bryan?
Bryan local historian David Lupien with the help of a Connecticut woman has unraveled the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California converged at Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan to commemorate Revolutionary War Private Thomas Kent.
For years, accounts had Mr. Kent's name wrong, listing him as Benjamin Kent.
The late Paul Van Gundy and his book "Tales of the Fountain City" told the story of the Revolutionary War Veteran buried in the Old Bryan Cemetery on South Portland Street near the Old Halm's Brewery at Center and Portland Streets.
According to Mr. Van Gundy, Bryan undertaker A.C. Dillman wrote in the Bryan Press in 1906 that "when the old cemetery was moved from the Halm's Hill on South Portland Street, there were three bodies left in the old burying ground. One was Benjamin Kent, who died about the year 1846 and was about 103 years of age and a Revolutionary Soldier.
At that time the land served as a pasture. Mr. Dillman hoped a patriotic wave would take hold of the citizens of Bryan and the old soldier's remains would be removed to a more fitting location.
Later, Walter Tomlinson of Williams Center wrote that "I have often heard my father (Giles Tomlinson) speak (that) Benjamin Kent was coming to Williams County to visit Dr. Thomas Kent's father's family and while here he was taken sick and buried."
Mr. Tomlinson wrote that he hoped to Mr. Dillman would have the veterans body removed to Fountain Grove Cemetery, and noted that he would give a pig and ten dollars and get the ball rolling. For some reason the plan did not roll.
Mr. Dillman tried once more. In 1911, he wrote to the Bryan Democrat that "whether the remains of a soldier after the Revolutionary War lies in Bryan's first burying ground is not definitely known. This graveyard was on the east side of South Portland Street (then only a county road) on high ground north of present Center Street. It was abandoned in 1859 when most of the burials were removed to the south cemetery.
However, the Bryan Democrat reported that year that "Mr. Dillman suggested the remains could be located and moved to a regular cemetery, but nothing was done about it, and the land was later build over with residences.
There were two Benjamin Kent's a senior and a junior. The senior Kent according to Goodspeed's History of 1882, came to Pulaski Township in 1840 and died here on December 27, 1860 his widow following August 11, 1866. Theirs was a well-known family.
Mr. Dillman's statement that Benjamin Kent Senior died in 1846 does not reconcile with Goodspeed's History, but there are many known errors by Goodspeed.
And that discrepancy was left unresolved for nearly 100 years - until after Linda Maranis of the New Canaan Connecticut wrote to David Lupe on in 1999.
Over the next four years Mr. Lupien helped Mrs. Maranis identify the Revolutionary War Veteran buried on Bryan's Halm's Hill.
With the basic information provided by Mr. Lupien, Ms. Maranis began checking source records via state archives, the national Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Washington D.C., and various related government records.
Her efforts were successful, and she has presented material indicating that Thomas Kent was the veteran who lies buried on Halm's Hill.
The research concluded that Benjamin Kent was Thomas' son, and Dr. Thomas Kent a prominent Williams County resident was the grandson. Both Benjamin and his wife Sarah are buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery. Their stones are still legible although Sarah's is broken.
The tie of Benjamin being a veteran was accurate and that he served in the War of 1812 in the 56th regiment of the Virginia militia.
The elder Thomas Kent came from Columbiana County to Williams County to visit his family and while in this area he fell ill and died.
Thomas Kent was born in 1746 in Prince William County, Virginia and died around 1846. Local accounts say he was 103 years old when he died in Bryan, so there is some question as to the actual year he died. Ms. Moranis records in the Kent family history his death about 1849.
Veterans pension records from 1832 state that Thomas served as a Private in the Prince Williams County, Virginia, Militia, for seven months and seven days in 1780 and 1781, in the company commanded by Capt. Brent.
Record state Thomas was drafted for nine months. He served from October 17 to November 5, 1780, when he received a furlough home from the Militias Cmdr. Col. Jepe Ewell, because his wife had given birth to a child just three days before he first left for the service.
Pension records state Thomas returned to camp on November 18 that year, and served until the last day of April 1781.
During that service he marched from Prince William County to Williamsburg and then to Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, and returned home. Later he was ordered to Hillsborough, North Carolina, but after the unit had been three days on the road news came that they would be discharged and they returned home.
But in the following spring, Thomas's unit was again called on and marched to Alexandria. They were there for 17 days, as about 500 troops were employed in the guarding of the town. "We were then discharged and returned home" Thomas testified.
After the Revolutionary War Thomas remained for a time in the Prince William County, Virginia, and later moved his family to Loudoun County, Virginia. By 1830 Thomas had moved to Columbiana County, Ohio.
Thomas and his wife Ailey or Ailcey had seven children Ailcey, Anna, Isaac, Violet, Ashford, an unnamed male or female child, and Benjamin Kent who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia February 15, 1782.
Benjamin and his wife, Sarah, moved to Williams County in the 1830s where Benjamin died on December 27, 1860. Benjamin's son Dr. Thomas Kent served for many years as one of the counties earliest doctors.
Benjamin's daughter Betsy Mankin also settled in Williams County in 1838. The elder Thomas Kent's great-grandson Silas W. Mankin was killed during the Civil War. He was captured in Alabama and spent time in Andersonville prison in Georgia.
After his release from prison Silas was returning home on the steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River. The ship exploded and burned and Silas was killed in the tragedy.
A great-great-grandson Homer Mankin was killed in Vicksburg, Mississippi during Civil War combat in 1864.
Although Thomas Kent's remains were apparently never removed from the old burial ground on Halm's Hill at least his life has not been forgotten
(Information for this story was provided by Mr. Lupien)
Veteran Memorialized
Marker Dedicated
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
In spite of the wind and cold, Saturday afternoon's scheduled ceremony took place dedicating a marker for Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Kent.
For years there was a rumor a Revolutionary War Soldier was buried on Halm's Hill, a former cemetery located on South Portland Street in Bryan.
Local Historian David Lupien, with the help of Linda Maranis of New Canaan, Connecticut finally solved the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California gathered at Fountain Grove Cemetery to honor him.
The ceremony started with the Ohio Society of Honor Guards of the American Revolution marching in with the appropriate flags.
Richard Gardner gave the invocation, and the local Cub Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
President David Lupien gave the Sons of the American Revolution Pledge, welcomed everyone and introduced all of the guests.
Larry Perkins of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution gave the keynote address, Andrew Bove Played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, and a biography of Private Thomas Kent was presented.
The marker was then presented and wreaths placed around it.
The Bryan American Legion Post 284 presented military honors. The honor guard was made up of Gerry Meyer, Dave Karacson, Paul Rohrs, Jim Daschbach and Doyle Wines.
Gene Papin can be contacted at editorbryantimes.com
NOTE: To any confirmed surname Kent descendants of the Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Kent who died in Bryan, Williams County, Ohio - please contact [email protected]. Your yDNA is critical in determining family ancestry. 12/1/2016
There is a strong theory that Thomas Kent is the son of Benoni Kent and his wife Jean Cooper. Many Thomas Kent descendants are showing both a DNA match as well as family tree connections to Benoni on Ancestry Thrulines as of 5/2020.
____________________________________________________
U.S. Veterans Gravesites:
Name: Thomas Kent
Service Info.: PVT CONTINENTAL LINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Birth Date: 1746
Death Date: 1849
Cemetery: Fountain Grove Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 33- Townline Rd Bryan, OH 43506
_____________________________________________________
Revolutionary War Vet Buried In Bryan
Mystery Veterans Past Now Finally Unraveled
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
Who really was the Revolutionary War Veteran said to be buried on Halm's Hill in Bryan?
Bryan local historian David Lupien with the help of a Connecticut woman has unraveled the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California converged at Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan to commemorate Revolutionary War Private Thomas Kent.
For years, accounts had Mr. Kent's name wrong, listing him as Benjamin Kent.
The late Paul Van Gundy and his book "Tales of the Fountain City" told the story of the Revolutionary War Veteran buried in the Old Bryan Cemetery on South Portland Street near the Old Halm's Brewery at Center and Portland Streets.
According to Mr. Van Gundy, Bryan undertaker A.C. Dillman wrote in the Bryan Press in 1906 that "when the old cemetery was moved from the Halm's Hill on South Portland Street, there were three bodies left in the old burying ground. One was Benjamin Kent, who died about the year 1846 and was about 103 years of age and a Revolutionary Soldier.
At that time the land served as a pasture. Mr. Dillman hoped a patriotic wave would take hold of the citizens of Bryan and the old soldier's remains would be removed to a more fitting location.
Later, Walter Tomlinson of Williams Center wrote that "I have often heard my father (Giles Tomlinson) speak (that) Benjamin Kent was coming to Williams County to visit Dr. Thomas Kent's father's family and while here he was taken sick and buried."
Mr. Tomlinson wrote that he hoped to Mr. Dillman would have the veterans body removed to Fountain Grove Cemetery, and noted that he would give a pig and ten dollars and get the ball rolling. For some reason the plan did not roll.
Mr. Dillman tried once more. In 1911, he wrote to the Bryan Democrat that "whether the remains of a soldier after the Revolutionary War lies in Bryan's first burying ground is not definitely known. This graveyard was on the east side of South Portland Street (then only a county road) on high ground north of present Center Street. It was abandoned in 1859 when most of the burials were removed to the south cemetery.
However, the Bryan Democrat reported that year that "Mr. Dillman suggested the remains could be located and moved to a regular cemetery, but nothing was done about it, and the land was later build over with residences.
There were two Benjamin Kent's a senior and a junior. The senior Kent according to Goodspeed's History of 1882, came to Pulaski Township in 1840 and died here on December 27, 1860 his widow following August 11, 1866. Theirs was a well-known family.
Mr. Dillman's statement that Benjamin Kent Senior died in 1846 does not reconcile with Goodspeed's History, but there are many known errors by Goodspeed.
And that discrepancy was left unresolved for nearly 100 years - until after Linda Maranis of the New Canaan Connecticut wrote to David Lupe on in 1999.
Over the next four years Mr. Lupien helped Mrs. Maranis identify the Revolutionary War Veteran buried on Bryan's Halm's Hill.
With the basic information provided by Mr. Lupien, Ms. Maranis began checking source records via state archives, the national Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Washington D.C., and various related government records.
Her efforts were successful, and she has presented material indicating that Thomas Kent was the veteran who lies buried on Halm's Hill.
The research concluded that Benjamin Kent was Thomas' son, and Dr. Thomas Kent a prominent Williams County resident was the grandson. Both Benjamin and his wife Sarah are buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery. Their stones are still legible although Sarah's is broken.
The tie of Benjamin being a veteran was accurate and that he served in the War of 1812 in the 56th regiment of the Virginia militia.
The elder Thomas Kent came from Columbiana County to Williams County to visit his family and while in this area he fell ill and died.
Thomas Kent was born in 1746 in Prince William County, Virginia and died around 1846. Local accounts say he was 103 years old when he died in Bryan, so there is some question as to the actual year he died. Ms. Moranis records in the Kent family history his death about 1849.
Veterans pension records from 1832 state that Thomas served as a Private in the Prince Williams County, Virginia, Militia, for seven months and seven days in 1780 and 1781, in the company commanded by Capt. Brent.
Record state Thomas was drafted for nine months. He served from October 17 to November 5, 1780, when he received a furlough home from the Militias Cmdr. Col. Jepe Ewell, because his wife had given birth to a child just three days before he first left for the service.
Pension records state Thomas returned to camp on November 18 that year, and served until the last day of April 1781.
During that service he marched from Prince William County to Williamsburg and then to Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, and returned home. Later he was ordered to Hillsborough, North Carolina, but after the unit had been three days on the road news came that they would be discharged and they returned home.
But in the following spring, Thomas's unit was again called on and marched to Alexandria. They were there for 17 days, as about 500 troops were employed in the guarding of the town. "We were then discharged and returned home" Thomas testified.
After the Revolutionary War Thomas remained for a time in the Prince William County, Virginia, and later moved his family to Loudoun County, Virginia. By 1830 Thomas had moved to Columbiana County, Ohio.
Thomas and his wife Ailey or Ailcey had seven children Ailcey, Anna, Isaac, Violet, Ashford, an unnamed male or female child, and Benjamin Kent who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia February 15, 1782.
Benjamin and his wife, Sarah, moved to Williams County in the 1830s where Benjamin died on December 27, 1860. Benjamin's son Dr. Thomas Kent served for many years as one of the counties earliest doctors.
Benjamin's daughter Betsy Mankin also settled in Williams County in 1838. The elder Thomas Kent's great-grandson Silas W. Mankin was killed during the Civil War. He was captured in Alabama and spent time in Andersonville prison in Georgia.
After his release from prison Silas was returning home on the steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River. The ship exploded and burned and Silas was killed in the tragedy.
A great-great-grandson Homer Mankin was killed in Vicksburg, Mississippi during Civil War combat in 1864.
Although Thomas Kent's remains were apparently never removed from the old burial ground on Halm's Hill at least his life has not been forgotten
(Information for this story was provided by Mr. Lupien)
Veteran Memorialized
Marker Dedicated
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
In spite of the wind and cold, Saturday afternoon's scheduled ceremony took place dedicating a marker for Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Kent.
For years there was a rumor a Revolutionary War Soldier was buried on Halm's Hill, a former cemetery located on South Portland Street in Bryan.
Local Historian David Lupien, with the help of Linda Maranis of New Canaan, Connecticut finally solved the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California gathered at Fountain Grove Cemetery to honor him.
The ceremony started with the Ohio Society of Honor Guards of the American Revolution marching in with the appropriate flags.
Richard Gardner gave the invocation, and the local Cub Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
President David Lupien gave the Sons of the American Revolution Pledge, welcomed everyone and introduced all of the guests.
Larry Perkins of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution gave the keynote address, Andrew Bove Played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, and a biography of Private Thomas Kent was presented.
The marker was then presented and wreaths placed around it.
The Bryan American Legion Post 284 presented military honors. The honor guard was made up of Gerry Meyer, Dave Karacson, Paul Rohrs, Jim Daschbach and Doyle Wines.
Gene Papin can be contacted at editorbryantimes.com
There is a strong theory that Thomas Kent is the son of Benoni Kent and his wife Jean Cooper. Many Thomas Kent descendants are showing both a DNA match as well as family tree connections to Benoni on Ancestry Thrulines as of 5/2020.
____________________________________________________
U.S. Veterans Gravesites:
Name: Thomas Kent
Service Info.: PVT CONTINENTAL LINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Birth Date: 1746
Death Date: 1849
Cemetery: Fountain Grove Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 33- Townline Rd Bryan, OH 43506
_____________________________________________________
Revolutionary War Vet Buried In Bryan
Mystery Veterans Past Now Finally Unraveled
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
Who really was the Revolutionary War Veteran said to be buried on Halm's Hill in Bryan?
Bryan local historian David Lupien with the help of a Connecticut woman has unraveled the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California converged at Fountain Grove Cemetery in Bryan to commemorate Revolutionary War Private Thomas Kent.
For years, accounts had Mr. Kent's name wrong, listing him as Benjamin Kent.
The late Paul Van Gundy and his book "Tales of the Fountain City" told the story of the Revolutionary War Veteran buried in the Old Bryan Cemetery on South Portland Street near the Old Halm's Brewery at Center and Portland Streets.
According to Mr. Van Gundy, Bryan undertaker A.C. Dillman wrote in the Bryan Press in 1906 that "when the old cemetery was moved from the Halm's Hill on South Portland Street, there were three bodies left in the old burying ground. One was Benjamin Kent, who died about the year 1846 and was about 103 years of age and a Revolutionary Soldier.
At that time the land served as a pasture. Mr. Dillman hoped a patriotic wave would take hold of the citizens of Bryan and the old soldier's remains would be removed to a more fitting location.
Later, Walter Tomlinson of Williams Center wrote that "I have often heard my father (Giles Tomlinson) speak (that) Benjamin Kent was coming to Williams County to visit Dr. Thomas Kent's father's family and while here he was taken sick and buried."
Mr. Tomlinson wrote that he hoped to Mr. Dillman would have the veterans body removed to Fountain Grove Cemetery, and noted that he would give a pig and ten dollars and get the ball rolling. For some reason the plan did not roll.
Mr. Dillman tried once more. In 1911, he wrote to the Bryan Democrat that "whether the remains of a soldier after the Revolutionary War lies in Bryan's first burying ground is not definitely known. This graveyard was on the east side of South Portland Street (then only a county road) on high ground north of present Center Street. It was abandoned in 1859 when most of the burials were removed to the south cemetery.
However, the Bryan Democrat reported that year that "Mr. Dillman suggested the remains could be located and moved to a regular cemetery, but nothing was done about it, and the land was later build over with residences.
There were two Benjamin Kent's a senior and a junior. The senior Kent according to Goodspeed's History of 1882, came to Pulaski Township in 1840 and died here on December 27, 1860 his widow following August 11, 1866. Theirs was a well-known family.
Mr. Dillman's statement that Benjamin Kent Senior died in 1846 does not reconcile with Goodspeed's History, but there are many known errors by Goodspeed.
And that discrepancy was left unresolved for nearly 100 years - until after Linda Maranis of the New Canaan Connecticut wrote to David Lupe on in 1999.
Over the next four years Mr. Lupien helped Mrs. Maranis identify the Revolutionary War Veteran buried on Bryan's Halm's Hill.
With the basic information provided by Mr. Lupien, Ms. Maranis began checking source records via state archives, the national Daughters of the American Revolution Library in Washington D.C., and various related government records.
Her efforts were successful, and she has presented material indicating that Thomas Kent was the veteran who lies buried on Halm's Hill.
The research concluded that Benjamin Kent was Thomas' son, and Dr. Thomas Kent a prominent Williams County resident was the grandson. Both Benjamin and his wife Sarah are buried in the Fountain Grove Cemetery. Their stones are still legible although Sarah's is broken.
The tie of Benjamin being a veteran was accurate and that he served in the War of 1812 in the 56th regiment of the Virginia militia.
The elder Thomas Kent came from Columbiana County to Williams County to visit his family and while in this area he fell ill and died.
Thomas Kent was born in 1746 in Prince William County, Virginia and died around 1846. Local accounts say he was 103 years old when he died in Bryan, so there is some question as to the actual year he died. Ms. Moranis records in the Kent family history his death about 1849.
Veterans pension records from 1832 state that Thomas served as a Private in the Prince Williams County, Virginia, Militia, for seven months and seven days in 1780 and 1781, in the company commanded by Capt. Brent.
Record state Thomas was drafted for nine months. He served from October 17 to November 5, 1780, when he received a furlough home from the Militias Cmdr. Col. Jepe Ewell, because his wife had given birth to a child just three days before he first left for the service.
Pension records state Thomas returned to camp on November 18 that year, and served until the last day of April 1781.
During that service he marched from Prince William County to Williamsburg and then to Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, and returned home. Later he was ordered to Hillsborough, North Carolina, but after the unit had been three days on the road news came that they would be discharged and they returned home.
But in the following spring, Thomas's unit was again called on and marched to Alexandria. They were there for 17 days, as about 500 troops were employed in the guarding of the town. "We were then discharged and returned home" Thomas testified.
After the Revolutionary War Thomas remained for a time in the Prince William County, Virginia, and later moved his family to Loudoun County, Virginia. By 1830 Thomas had moved to Columbiana County, Ohio.
Thomas and his wife Ailey or Ailcey had seven children Ailcey, Anna, Isaac, Violet, Ashford, an unnamed male or female child, and Benjamin Kent who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia February 15, 1782.
Benjamin and his wife, Sarah, moved to Williams County in the 1830s where Benjamin died on December 27, 1860. Benjamin's son Dr. Thomas Kent served for many years as one of the counties earliest doctors.
Benjamin's daughter Betsy Mankin also settled in Williams County in 1838. The elder Thomas Kent's great-grandson Silas W. Mankin was killed during the Civil War. He was captured in Alabama and spent time in Andersonville prison in Georgia.
After his release from prison Silas was returning home on the steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River. The ship exploded and burned and Silas was killed in the tragedy.
A great-great-grandson Homer Mankin was killed in Vicksburg, Mississippi during Civil War combat in 1864.
Although Thomas Kent's remains were apparently never removed from the old burial ground on Halm's Hill at least his life has not been forgotten
(Information for this story was provided by Mr. Lupien)
Veteran Memorialized
Marker Dedicated
Bryan Times Newspaper – October 18, 2004
In spite of the wind and cold, Saturday afternoon's scheduled ceremony took place dedicating a marker for Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Kent.
For years there was a rumor a Revolutionary War Soldier was buried on Halm's Hill, a former cemetery located on South Portland Street in Bryan.
Local Historian David Lupien, with the help of Linda Maranis of New Canaan, Connecticut finally solved the mystery.
On Saturday the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion and family members from as far away as California gathered at Fountain Grove Cemetery to honor him.
The ceremony started with the Ohio Society of Honor Guards of the American Revolution marching in with the appropriate flags.
Richard Gardner gave the invocation, and the local Cub Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
President David Lupien gave the Sons of the American Revolution Pledge, welcomed everyone and introduced all of the guests.
Larry Perkins of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution gave the keynote address, Andrew Bove Played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, and a biography of Private Thomas Kent was presented.
The marker was then presented and wreaths placed around it.
The Bryan American Legion Post 284 presented military honors. The honor guard was made up of Gerry Meyer, Dave Karacson, Paul Rohrs, Jim Daschbach and Doyle Wines.
Gene Papin can be contacted at editorbryantimes.com
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PVT CAPT BRENT"S CO PRINCE WILLIAM VA MILITIA REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1746 1849
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