Alexander Kent

Notes:

Robert Kent Jr Last Will & Testament

The will of Robert Kent (written 10 Oct. 1782, probated 17 July 1783 in Halifax county, Virginia) names his wife Mary.and gives his 400 acre estate (after death of wife) to sons John and Peterfield Kent. He gives 10 pounds each to sons Robert and Obediah Kent and specifies that the remainder of the estate is to be sold and equally diveded among children: Luke, William, John, Peterfield, Alexander Kent, Candace Arnold, Mary Posey, and Caty Hendricks.

The Will of Robert Kent written May 30, 1784 leaves one negro wench called Pat to Obediah Kent. One negro boy named Champ to Alexander Kent. One negro named Sam to John Kent. One negro named Joe to Peterfield Kent. 30 pounds 4 shillings to James Kent. 4 pounds to Mary Kent. 4 pounds to Caty Hendricks. 4 pounds to Candace Arnold. 4 pounds to William Kent. The rest of his property to be divided amongst six brothers Luke, Alexander, Obediah, James, John, and Peterfield. Obviously this is Robert Kent, Jr. who apparently died young without having married as he left his entire estate to his brothers and sisters. He names a brother James who was not mentioned in his father's will - could James have been disowned by his father? Perhaps we will never know, but this will does prove that James was a son of the elder Robert.

PRIMOGENITURE - Althought Robert's Will is pretty specific there could be a logical explanation why James Kent or Smith Kent are omitted from Robert Sr's will....primogeniture refers to the exclusive right of the eldest son, by virture of his seniority, to succeed to the estate of his ancestor - to the exclusion of the younger sons. In other words, the eldest son inherited all real property. If there were no sons, the daughters shared equally in the real property. In cases where the decedent made a will, the eldest son may even have been omitted from that will, as his rights were clearly protected by law. The law of primogeniture affected only real estate, not personal estate; the decedent could pass on the latter in any way he saw fit. Keep in mind that many individuals did not follow the law and by practice distributed their land equally to sons, or even to all their children. Virginia still practiced primogeniture until 1785. (Source: According to "Colonial Estate Distribution Shammas, Carole, et al. Inheritance in America: From Colonial Times to the Present. New Brunswick: Rutgers University, 1987")

Alexander married Mary "Polly" Amy Carter 1783. Mary (daughter of Captain John C. dna Carter and Mary Michaux Cunningham) was born 1764, Cumberland County, Virginia; died 1841. [Group Sheet]

Sarah married Dorman Taylor 21 Mar 1808, Caswell Co., North Carolina. Dorman was born Abt 1784, Caswell Co., North Carolina; died 1860, Big Creek, Craighead Co., Arkansas. [Group Sheet]

Alexander married Margaret H. Mrs. Alexander Smith Taylor 1834, Tennessee. Margaret was born 15 Feb 1813, Tennessee; died 13 Oct 1886, Hunt Co., Texas. [Group Sheet]

Louise married Thomas Jefferson Houston 22 Dec 1853, Marshall Co., Tennessee. Thomas was born 23 May 1833, Lewisberg, Tennessee; died 25 Dec 1881, Hill Co., Texas; was buried , Salem-Irene Cemetery, Hill County, Texas. [Group Sheet]