Benjamin was born in 1753 in Granville, North Carolina, the son of Samuel Denton and Margaret Moore. He married Priscilla “Celia” Rebecca Wiggins November 18, 1772 in Granville. Celia was born in 1755 in Granville, North Carolina and died in 1808 at the age of 53, also in Granville, She was the daughter of Thomas Wiggins (1730-1799) and Elizabeth Cooper (1735 - ?). Elizabeth Cooper was the daughter of Benjamin Cooper (1701-1761) and Elizabeth Cannon (1716-1759). Benjamin Denton died in 1810 in White County, Tennessee and is buried Hebbardsville, Henderson County, Kentucky.
Benjamin is listed in the tax records for Granville CO, NC in 1784 and 1786. No township listed. From copies of the deed book in "Kinfolks of Granville CO, NC, 1765-1826" by Zae Hargett Gwynn: "Benjamin Denton and wife, Celia Denton, and their children, John Denton, Reuben Denton and Polly Beckham, wife of John Beckham, sold land willed to said Celia Denton for her lifetime by Thomas Wiggins and then to go to her children. Frederick Denton, Samuel Denton and Elizabeth Denton were also children of Benjamin and Celia Denton. Frederick Wiggins also signed this deed, May 24, 1805." From the 1803-1806 Court minutes of Granville CO, NC: "Deed from Benjamin, Celia, John, Reuben Denton, John Beckham, Frederick Wiggins and Polly Beckham to Stephen Sneed, 197 acres and Celia Denton relinquished her dower right in said land."
They had the following children:
Benjamin Denton; b. 1773; d. 1848; m. Margaret Ann " Peggy" Anderson
Samuel Denton
Reuben Denton
John Denton
Mary "Polly" Denton
Elizabeth Denton
Frederick Denton
William Denton
Dalton (Dallas) Denton
Benjamin Denton, Jr. (April 9, 1773 – 1848)
Margaret Ann " Peggy" Anderson (January 18, 1774 – 1840)
Benjamin was born in April 9, 1773 in Granville County, North Carolina, British Colony. He was the son of Benjamin Denton and Priscilla "Celia" Rebecca Wiggins. He married Margaret Ann “Peggy” Anderson on July 24, 1793 in Botetourt, Virginia. Benjamin died in 1848 in Marshall County, Mississippi. Peggy died in 1840.
Last Will & Testament date 11 Nov 1843 on file Archive Box #559 Holly Springs, Marshall Co., MS Courthouse.
LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF BENJAMIN DENTON In the name of God, Amen. I Benjamin DENTON of the County of Marshall and State of Mississippi, do ordain this to be my last Will and Testament, revoking all others. I first give and request into my wife Jane DENTON two negro slaves, Peter and Selah. Also my land where I now reside to be hers until her death. I also give my son, Shipman DENTON, one negro slave named Robert to be his immediately after my death. I also give Sarah Byrd and Nancy Byrd and Jefferson DENTON one dollar each. I also constitute and appoint my son Shipman DENTON my whole executor to this my last Will and Testament. I also authorize my executor to sell all the balance of my property, including all that is willed to my wife, Jane DENTON, after her death and pay all my just debts and then divide the proceeds between himself, Rebeca HENSLEY, Isaac DENTON, Samuel DENTON, Pheby (Phebe) ROBERSON, Olnsey RICHARDSON, Mary HOMES (HOLMES),Winsey HOMES (Wincey) HOLMES and Betty STONE. This being my last Will and Testament; given under my hand and seal this the 11th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three. Test. L. Kemodle ? Wm. B. DENTON Osbum ARNOLD signed Benjamin DENTON Archive Box # 559 in the Holly Springs, Ms. Courthouse
Article number 2, follows: The STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, Marshall County.....Personally appeared before me, Gordentia Waite, Clerk of the Probate Cort of said County, Shipman Denton executor of the Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Denton, and made oath in due form of law that: Jane Denton, widow of Benjamin Denton ( Who now resides in Arkansas ) ; Sarah Byrd, widow of John Byrd; and the unknown heirs of Nancy Byrd, who was the wife of Thomas Byrd ( Who now resides in the State of Texas; and Jefferson Denton; Issac Denton; Phebe Roberson, wife of John Roberson; Jincey Richardson, wife of Joseph Richardson; Mary Holmes, wife of James Holmes; Wincey Holmes, wife of Benjamin Holmes; Elizabeth Stone, wife of Eli Stone, who resides in the State of Arkansas; Samuel Denton; and Rebecca Hensley, widow of Benjamin Hensley, who resides in the State of Tennessee. All of which are of legal reprenutation and distributees of the estate of Benjamin Denton, except said executor who is also a distributee....SWORN before me November 28, 1850...Signed: Shipman Denton...Signed G. Waite clk **** ________________________________________ **Article number 3 follows
* This notice was posted in the "Jacksonian" newspaper, a copy of which is in the archives Box # 559:....The STATE OF MISSISSIPPI... To: Jane Denton, Sarah Byrd, the unknown heirs of Nancy Byrd (Deceased), Jefferson Denton, Issac Denton, Phebe Roberson and her husband John Roberson, Jincey Richardson, and her husband Joseph Richardson, Mary Holmes and her husband James Holmes, Wincey Holmes and her husband Benjamin Holmes, Elizabeth Stone and husband Eli Stone, Samuel Denton and Rebeca Hensley, Distributees of Benjamin (Deceased) GREETING You are hereby cited to be and to appear before the Probate Court of Marshall County, at the courthouse thereof in the town of Holly Springs, on the fourth Monday in March next, then and there to show cause if any they have or can, why the final account of Shipman Denton, Executor of the Last Will and Testament of said decedent, rendered to our said court for allowance. Should not be allowed and a decree made thereupon accordingly. WITNESS The Honorable Tryon M. Yancey, Judge of the said court, and the seal thereof annexed the 4th Monday of December, AD 1850...Issued Dec. 31, 1850... Gordentia Waite, Clerk.. Jan 2,1851.
Benjamin and Peggy’s children:
Mary Polly Denton; b. January 09, 1810; d. December 08, 1877; m. James Holmes