Surname List
  Bentley

Descendants of Thomas Bentley

Generation No. 1

1.  THOMAS1 BENTLEY was born Abt. 1695 in Va.  He married MARY BEASLEY, daughter of SAMUEL BEASLEY.  She was born 1695 in Va.
    
Child of THOMAS BENTLEY and MARY BEASLEY is:
2.    i.    THOMAS BENTLEY, b. 1729, Rowan Co., NC; d. 1789, Lincoln Co., NC.

Generation No. 2

  2.  THOMAS2 BENTLEY (THOMAS1) was born 1729 in Rowan Co., NC, and died 1789 in Lincoln Co., NC.  He married HANNAH THOMAS Bet. 1744 - 1746.  She was born 1730, and died 1795 in Lincoln Co., NC.

Notes for THOMAS BENTLEY:
Thomas Bentley, Jr., a planter, first appeared on Rowan Co., N.C.,tax lists in 1768. His wife was named Hannah, whom he married in 1746. From these dates, we asume he was born about 1725. On Dec. 17, 1769, he wrote a note saying his son, Benjamin, could sign a bond for daughter, Mary to marry Aaron Freeman. I n Rowan County, on Aug 9, 1771,records show that Thomas Bentley's mark for his livestock was registered as a crop and a hole in the right ear and a crop in the left ear.
In Dec. of 1780, Thomas and his son, Benjamin, being considered as "Patriots" sold to the State of N.C. 35 bushels and 30 bushes of corn respectively at a price of 75 cents per bushel.
Jan. 1, 1783, Thomas purchased a 100-acre tract of land in Lincoln Co. from Francis Beatty: and a 120-acre tract from Thomas Welch. This same land was transferred to his sons, Benjamin and Daniel, after he died without a will some time after May 1789. However, he deeded the home place to his wife, Hannah, on May 4, 1789, and mentioned his daughter, Margaret, in the deed. His wife, Hannah, died prior to 1800, as she doesn't appear on the 1800 census records.
Sources: State Archives information collected by D. Carlos Smith, and
the Rowan County Library.

Notes from the work of Jenifer Lynette Ray
The earlies record of Thomas Bentley, an early settler of Rowan (now Davie) County, NC is found in the 1768 Rowan Co., NC List of Taxables of Morgan Bryan's District.  Here, he and his son, Benjamin, are listed separtately at one poll each.  Thomas was born about 1725.  In the 1778 Rowan Co Tax List he is listed as "Thomas Bentley Junr" indicating that his father may have been named Thomas Bentley.  According to family tradition these Bentley's or their ancestor had migrated to NC from VA, but it's not known where Thomas Jr. was born.
On 17Dec 1769, Thomas wrote a note to his son, Benjamin, might sign the bond for his daughter, Mary, to marry Aaron Freeman.  Benjamin did sign the bond for his sister to marry, along with James Freeman.  In Rowan Co. Court, 9 Aug 1771, Thomas Bentley registered his lilvestock brand as a "crop and a hole in the right ear and a crop in the left ear."
Although Thomas' political affiliation is unknown, it is found that on 4 Nov 1777 he and others, including neighbors, Wm. Frohock and Anthony Peeler, appeared in Rowan County Court and swore an Oath of Fidelity to the State of NC.
By 1783, Thomas and his family began moving from Rowan County.  Thomas and his wife Hannah, and some of the children moved to Lincoln Co., NC.  His son, Benjamin, sold the land he owned in Rowan and moved to Cedar Run-South Yadkin River area of Iredell (now Alexander) Co., while the other son, Daniel, moved to Lincoln Co., NC.  Daniel Bently married Nancy Lewis by bond in Rowan Co., NC 8 Feb, 1782.  As he and his parents were moving to Lincoln Co., it appears he could not bear to leave his sweetheart behind.
On 1 Jan 1783, Thomas Bentley bought 100 acres for 30 pounds on both sides of Indian Creek in Lincoln Co., from Robert Armstrong and Hugh Beaty, executors of Frances Beaty. On this same day, Thomas also bought 120 acres from Thomas Wilsh (Welch), planter, for 20 pounds.  This land also lay on both sides of Indian Creek.
By 1789, Thomas may have begun to experience poor health as on the fourth of May that year he deeded to wife, Hannah for the natural love and afection "which I bear and have unto Hannah Bentleyj, my beloved wife" all his goods, cahttels, leasses, plate jewels, working tools and one negro man named Saul.
In the Lincoln Co., census, Hannah was listed as the head of household with three other females in her house, which are probably the younger daughters whch are not yet married.  Thus it seems that Thomas died between the dates of 4 May 1789 and the census of 1790.  Hannah sold to her "daughter," Margaret Bentley, all her goods, chattels, and the plantation for "natural love and affection" on 1 Apr 1793.  Margaret Bentley married by bond in Lincoln Co., on 25 Sept 1794 to William Younce (Yonts).  Christian Eaker was the bondsman for the marriage.
Dec 1780, he was considered as a "Patriot" by selling corn at a price of 75 cents per bushel.
Notes from the work of Larry Bradshaw
    
Children of THOMAS BENTLEY and HANNAH THOMAS are:
3.    i.        BENJAMIN BENTLEY, b. 1747; d. March 15, 1839, Wilkes Co., NC.
        ii.    MARY BENTLEY, b. 1749, Rowan Co., NC; d. 1833, Bucombe Co., NC; m. AARON FREEMAN, December 17, 1769, Rowan Co., NC; b. Abt. 1745; d. Bef. 1830.
        iii.    DANIEL BENTLEY, b. 1752, Rowan Co., NC; d. November 15, 1839, Letcher Co., KY; m. (1) BETSY CRESS; m. (2) NANCY JANE LEWIS.
        iv.    LYDIA BENTLEY, b. 1755; d. July 15, 1847; m. MESHACK DAVIS; b. Abt. 1749; d. October 15, 1852.
        v.    MARGARET BENTLEY, b. 1765, Rowan Co., NC; d. 1829, Perry, Letcher Co., KY; m. WILLIAM YONTS.
           vi.    PATIENCE BENTLEY, b. May 15, 1774; m. BURZETTE.

Generation No. 3

  3.  BENJAMIN3 BENTLEY (THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born 1747, and died March 15, 1839 in Wilkes Co., NC.  He married JANE.  She was born Abt. 1750 in NC.

Notes for BENJAMIN BENTLEY:
Benjamin Bentley, in 1795, made a trip to Lincoln Co, from Iredell Co to help his brother, Daniel, settle their father's estate.  On 17 Apr 1795 they sold to Jacob Bullinger (Bollinger) the two tracts of land that Thomas had bought in 1783.  However, 25 acres were withheld from the 120 acre tract for the use of Hannah Bentley "widow and relict of Thomas Bentley" (Lincoln County Deed Book 17 p 211).  It is this deed that establishes he fact that Benjamin and Daniel are the sons of Thomas Bentley as the deed reads that Thomas Benteley died intestate and by regular course of law (the land) descended to Daniel and Benjamin Bentley "the sons and the heirs of said Thomas, dec'd."  On 1 Sept 1795 Hannah and Daniel sold to George Savage and Catherine Bolinger the plantation on which Hannah lived.  They probably done so Daniel and his family could migrate to KY, as he did so by 1800.  Hannah was not listed in the 1800 Lincoln Co Census, so it is thought that she also went with Daniel to KY, where has the distinction of being the "first Bentley in Eastern KY".
On 8 July 1795 Hannah Bentley, as administrix of her husband's estate, wrote to the court that Thomas Bentley, in his lifetime, had at differnt times given parts of his property to his children to provide for and advance them and also before his death had made a deed of appointment for the purpose of supporting Hqnnah in the event that she urvived him.  This document goes on to say that she considered theses articles as her property and not to be divided among the children.  She also knew of no debts due from the estate.  Hannah then proceded to name the articles that had been deeded to her, consisting of livestock, household articles, a negro boy named Saul, one big Bible, and other farm and clothing items.  She signed her mark on the document.
According to family tradition Benjamin's family ancestry came from VA to settle in NC.  Benjamin Bentley, along with his parents, brother and sisiters lived in old Rowan (now Davie) Co, on Bear Creek, a few miles south of Mocksville.  In the 1768 Rowan Co tax list of Morgan Bryan is found that Benjamin Beneley and Thomas Bentley are included in one poll each.  Benjamin was most likely married at this time as he was living separately from his father.
Benjamin was a "wheeler-deeler" when it came to purchasing land.  Early in life he amassed enough property and land (over 1,500 acres) to be considered part of the planter class of society.  He was also a slave owner as was his father.  On 30 Jun 1778, Benjamin entered a claim for 640 acres of land on Bear Creek in Rowan Co.  The state of NC on 21 Mar 1780 granted him this land by Grant No. 97  It sold for fifty shillings every 100 acres and joined the lands of William Frohock, Anthony Peeler, Thomas Bentley and Abraham Welty.
The Bentley house still stands in this area in 1985 a few miles south of the town of Mocksville on an unpaved road just off Hwy 601.  Although later land owners added onto the house, the originaial portion is a two-story log structure which consists of two 20x20 foot square rooms downstairs separated by a 10 foot wide entrance way.  The upstairs floor space was the same.  This location was one of the first known communtities in Davie County and was named "Bentley."
Located behind the main house was a summer house where the children slept in the summer as it was too hot to sleep upstairs in the main house.  The 1778 tax list of Capt. Lyon's district in Rowan Co, shows Benjamin's value to be 336 pounds and that of his father, "Thomas Bentley junr" to be 609 pounds.  Benjamin also served as a constable in Rowan Co, from 16 Feb 1771 to Feb 1772.
On 29 Jun 1778, NC Grant No. 329 was made to Benjamin Bentley, assignee of Uriah Davis, for land lying at the head of the South Yadkin River in Rowan County joining Soloman Davis.  Also on November 13, 1778 the state by Grant No. 1375 granted Benjamin 100 acres on the North Fork of Rocky Creek, beginning at the mo0uth of the big branch above the Tumbling Shoal in "Rowan" Co.  Benjamin transferred this land to George Hinds (Hines).  Benjamin Bentley evidently moved his family to Iredell (now Alexander) Co., about 1784 as this is when he behan selling his land on Bear Creek.  He had the year before on 10 Oct 1783 received Grant No. 457 for 150 acres as a branch of the South Yadkin River near the "Cedar Knob" in Rowan Co., about five miles north of Taylorsville.  As Iredell was formed in 1788, it is here that Benjamin begins to appear in the court records.
At the first court session of the newly formed county, Benjamin Bentley, Adam Hall and others were appointed a jury to lay out the Cove Gap Road.
While Benjamin moved his family to Iredell Co., his father and mother moved the rest of their family to Lincoln Co. about 1783.
Notes taken from the work of Larry Bradshaw.

Children of BENJAMIN BENTLEY and JANE are:
    i.        BENJAMIN BENTLEY.
    ii.    DRUCILLA BENTLEY.
4.    iii.    MOSES BENTLEY, SR.
    iv.    SQUIRE BENTLEY, b. Abt. 1770; d. Abt. 1851, Alexander Co., NC; m. SARAH HINES.
    v.        CATHERINE BENTLEY, b. 1773; m. JOSEPH CAMPBELL; b. 1770.
    vi.    JAMES BENTLEY, b. 1781, Iredell Co., NC; m. ELIZABETH LEWIS, February 25, 1806, Wilkes Co., NC.
More About JAMES BENTLEY:
Divorced: 1841, Wilkes Co., NC


Generation No. 4

  4.  MOSES4 BENTLEY, SR (BENJAMIN3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1)  He married MARY ANN LORANCE.  She was born in NC.

Notes for MOSES BENTLEY, SR:
On May 20, 1794 he bought 100 acres from Abner Baker for 100 pounds, land situated on the waters of the llittle South Fork of the Yadkin River and on the west side of the "Rocky Faced Mountain."
1800 Iredell County records show a land evaluation for direct tax list Moses Bentley as owning a house valued at $7.25, a tub mill and stable at $30.00 and 260 acres of land at $130.00.
After selling the South Yadkin River land, he moved his family to the upper Little River area of Bureke County, now Alexander and Caldwell County.
2 Jan 1801, entereed a claim for 80 acres, joining William Rown, on South Yadin River State granted him above land by Grant No. 313
18 Jan 1801, entered claim for 110 acres, on same river joining Isaac Baker, Grant #345
1803 Began selling his land in the South Yadkin area.  Sold 48 acres on Little South Fork to Richard Wilson for 60 pounds.
2 Aug 1803, sold 200 acres to Matthew Wallace, later sold 40 acres to Thomas Farmer.
1805, Burke County list of taxables shows 200 acres of land two polls.
Apr 1807, probate of will of William Payne, Moses Bentley was a witness
1827, at his death, he had over 800 acres of land.
Was a slave owner.
16 May 1827, wrote his will, offered for probate in Oct 1827, Burke Co.
    
Children of MOSES BENTLEY and MARY LORANCE are:
    i.    BENJAMIN S.5 BENTLEY.
    ii.    DRUCILLA BENTLEY.
    iii.    HUGH BENTLEY.
        iv.    JAMES BENTLEY.
        v.    JOSEPH BENTLEY.
        vi.    MARY BENTLEY.
        vii.    NANCY BENTLEY.
        viii.PHOEBE BENTLEY.
        ix.    SARAH BENTLEY.
        x.    MOSES BENTLEY, b. July 1800, Iredell Co., NC; m. CAROLINE ANNIE SLOOP, Abt. 1833; b. Abt. 1813, Cabarrus Co.
        xi.    MARGARET BENTLEY, b. 1806; m. JOEL KERLEY, May 06, 1828, Wilkes Co., NC.
5.          xii.    LYDIA BENTLEY, b. December 10, 1813, Burke Co., NC; d. June 29, 1886, Caldwell Co., NC.

Generation No. 5

  5.  LYDIA5 BENTLEY (MOSES4, BENJAMIN3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born December 10, 1813 in Burke Co., NC, and died June 29, 1886 in Caldwell Co., NC.  She married (1) RABY.  He was born 1800, and died Bet. 1839 - 1840.  She married (2) JAMES MOORE.  He was born 1768.

More About LYDIA BENTLEY:
Census: 1840, Burke Co., NC

More About JAMES MOORE:
Occupation: Farmer
    
Children of LYDIA BENTLEY and RABY are:
6.    i.        LAWSON RABY, b. 1832, Lincoln or Burke Co., NC; d. 1866.
    ii.    JAMES RABY, b. 1833, Catawba Co., NC.
    iii.    JOSEPH RABY, b. 1835, Catawba Co., NC.
    iv.    GEORGE RABY, b. 1837, Catawba Co., NC.
    v.        JACOB RABY, b. 1839, Catawba Co., NC.


You can see the rest of the decendants of Lawson Raby under the Raby surname.  I made an error early on and completey ommited the generation preceding Lawson Raby on the Raby surname page.