Daniel Bentley Sr. (abt. 1675 - bef. 1721)

Born about 1675 in Virginia [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 2 Aug 1721 before about age 46 in Richmond County, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Russell Johnson [send private message]

There is an unknown Bentley progenitor of this well established 1600s Virginia family that includes the following four identifiable (proved by DNA) branches:

1. Daniel Sr born c1675 with a 1721 will in Richmond Co. and married to Elizabeth
2. The other Daniel born c1685 Richmond Co. and died there c1723 married to Ann with three children baptized in North Farnham Parish
3. John born c1705 who married Mary Ellis 1727 in Christ Church Middlesex Co. and was living in Amelia Co. by c1735
4. Samuel born c1710 (NOT 1719) and living in Amelia Co. by c1734 with a 1784 will and a son Efford

One of the two Daniels is 1704 "Dan of Glouster" and the two remaining patriarchs may be brothers. I know of no proved ancestor of any of these four. Regards, George F. Bentley

Biography

Daniel died between March 19, 1720 (OS) and August 2, 1721, when his will was probated in Richmond County. He was married to Elizabeth, his executrix. He had a son James, born no earlier than 1705. He also had a son Daniel who was old enough to take care of James in 1721.

Will of Daniel Bentley Sr.

Daniel's will dated 19th day of March 1720 (OS) contains a provision, "to my son James Bentley one cow and calf to be paid him at the age of 16."

Patricia-Gibson Tree on Genealogy.com cites the following

Name: BENTLEY, Daniel

Date: 1721

The Library Of Virginia Index to Wills and Administrations

CATALOG CARD

Will Book No. 4, 1717-1725 (Reel 23)

p. 190-191. Will pro. 2 Aug. 1721

p. 195-196. Inv. & appr. rec. 6 Sept. 1721

NOTE: Part of index to Richmond County Wills and Administrations (1692-1800)

PLACE: Richmond County (Va.)

FORM: Wills. aat.

COLLECTION: Virginia Wills and Administrations

WILL OF DANIEL BENTLEY

Richmond County, Virginia

In the name of God, amen, I Daniel Bentley being sick and weak do make this my last will and testament. First, I commend my soul to Jesus Christ in hopes of the resurrection to eternal life and my body to be buried in descent sort.

• Item. I give to my son Daniel BENTLEY a good feather bed...
• Item. I give to my son James BENTLEY one cow and calf to be paid him at the age of 16 to be paid by my executors.
• Item. I leave my son James to the care of my son Daniel to be brought up till he comes to the age of eighteen.
• And as for my land, I leave to my loving wife during her life and after to my son Daniel and his heirs.
• And all the remaining part of my estate I give to my beloved wife and I do make her the sole executor of this my last will.

Witness my hand and seal this 19th day of March, 1720

• Daniel Bentley Seal

Witness:

• Wm. Gupton
• Margot M. Smith (her mark)
• Thos. _______

At court held for Richmond County the 2nd day of August 1721 said will was proved in open court by the oaths of William Gupton and Margot Smith, two of the witnesses thereto, and admitted to record.

• 1721 (Richmond, County, Virginia) August 2. Richmond County Order Book, 1721-32, page 10 (Sparacio).

The last Will and Testament of Daniel BENTLEY, deceased, was presented in Court by ELIZABETH BENTLEY, his Executrix, who made Oath thereto, and being proved by the Oaths of William GUPTON and Margaret SMITH, two of the witnesses thereto, is admitted to Record and on motion of the Executrix and her performing what is usual in such, Certificate is granted her for obtaining a Probate thereof in due form.

James Spicer

RootsWeb.com re John Bentley, Person Id: I2579

• Updated 10-18-2019, Owner: Allan Bentley
• Reformatted here with minor edits by J. Russell Johnson

Indentured Servant: James Spicer

• Servant's place of origin: St. Mary, Aldermarry, London
• Servant's occupation: Tayler [ (sic) Tailor ]
• Servant's destination: Virginia
• Servant's date of indenture: November 24, 1727
• Servant's gender: Male
• Agent's name: Captain Joseph Boasley

Research Notes

Dan of Gloucester

Question: Who was "Dan of Gloucester" ?

Answer: From David Bentley @ Genealogy.com

I have a copy of a land purchase by Daniel Bentley of Gloster [Gloucester] County, Virginia. The purchase was made for land along Farnham Creek in Richmond County, Virginia. It appears that the land is situated on, or very near the dividing line of Washington and Farnham Parishes in Richmond County.

The date on the papers is July 31, 1704. Richard King signed as the seller. Several parcels of land appear to have been purchased on the same day. One of these is signed by Elizabeth Sanford.

There is no mention of a wife for Daniel only his hiers.

From George Bentley

Regarding the question posed above: Who was Dan of Gloucester?

I have studied that document for twenty plus years along with my fellow VA Bentley researchers. There are two different Daniel Bentleys in Richmond County circa 1704 as cited above, either of which could be "Dan of Gloucester".

David Bentley's answer proves nothing as to identifying the correct "Daniel" unless Daniel "Sr" 's 1721 will proves that it is the same land in the 1704 document. Also note that the other Daniel who was married to Ann LNU m2 Spicer and died intestate in Richmond Co c1723 could be the father of the Daniel "Sr" (will 1721) from a previous marriage.

Regards, George F. Bentley

PS: The two Daniels are proved a Bentley DNA match.

Legacy Information or Lack Thereof

• Source: S-1526354146 Repository: #R-1673975464 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Page: Ancestry Family Tree Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=54207083&pid=357
• Repository: R-1673975464 Name: Ancestry.com

Sources

See also:

• http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/richmond/wills/b5340001.txt

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Lori Gordon for creating WikiTree profile Bentley-778 through the import of Jameson Family Tree(1).ged on April 5, 2013.