(from Ruth Snead papers)

James Kent, born Jan 18, 1777, died June 23, 1838, the second son of Robert Kent and Anne Tate. Married 1818, Mary Johnson, who was born July 27, 1792, the daughter of Margaret Leake Johnson - Andrew M. Kent (writer of this sketch) mother’s great grandfather - also sister of Jack Johnson, who married James Kent’s niece, Nancy Kent, b. 1800 and died 1838. Their home was north, adjoining James Kent’s father’s place. Notice Robert Kent’s will, "I will James T. Kent one Negro Boy named Sam valued at $650.00 and 20 acres of land, adjoining the land he now lives on, off of my home place, and also, my son Robert is to pay him for 5 acres more at the rate of $5.00 an acre." James Kent died two years before his father, Robert Kent, Sr. Their home was located between Kent Store and Ferncliff, VA. The house still stands.

When James Kent died, his wife, Mary Johnson Kent, married our great grandfather, Archibald F. Thomas. Their marriage bond in Fluvanna Co Court House states that they were married Nov. 25, 1841 by Minister Robert Lilly. Mary Johnson Kent Thomas died in 1846l. She died in Fluvanna Co and is probably buried in James Kent’s home burying ground.

She states that in letter to her from Andrew Kent that James Kent was named for his grandfather, James Kent of Hanover Co, VA

Report of Division of Land and Slaves belonging to the Estate of James T. Kent, deceased, Jan 23, 1843. The plat contains 150 acres lying in Fluvanna Co, VA on the waters of Byrd Creek, laid off for the dower rights of Mary Johnson Kent, late widow of James Kent, dec. in and to the lands of James Kent, dec. and bordered as follows: Beginning at the spring used for the dwellings and on the south side thence N 311/2 W 29 poles crossing the spring at a rock and N 16 ¼ E. 166 feet through the dwelling house, along the partition dividing the East Room from the West Room of the said House, to where the said partition intersects with the Shed Room N 74 W 5 feet along the wall of the said Shed to the outside thereof, thence N 16 ¼ E 14 ½ to the corner of the said Shed, thence N 78 W 148 poles to a Red Oak in the Wills line, then N15 W 172 poles to Pointer, thence N 88 W 106 poles to Pointer, thence a New Line S 32 ½ E 186 poles to a Rock on the Plantation, thence S 27 W 40 poles to a Rock, thence E 32 poles to a Rock, thence E 32 poles to the beginning. Surveyed by Thomas Baker, David White Robert Kent, Jr. appointed by the State. Jan 23, 1843.

We have laid off and assigned to Archibald F. Thomas and Mary Kent the Dower Rights of said Mary Kent of Lands and Slaves.

Other Heirs, John Tate Kent, son of James Kent and Mary Johnson Kent, was assigned 100 Acres of Land. His Land contained the other half of the House, Western Rooms of House below and above stairs, West end of porch, Tobacco Houses, part of Negro Cabins, privilege to use the Spring. His Partition Line divided the east Room from the West Room along partition dividing the Shed Room.

Walter J. Kent, second son of James Kent dec and Mary Johnson Kent, was assigned 115 Acres of Land. His part contained an old Dwelling House, Corn Houses, Stables and Barns, with the privilege of using the Spring. March 27, 1843, Deed Book 13 O.S. Page 434 (The above mentioned John Tate Kent married Mary Caroline Thomas, daughter of Archibald Thomas, his step-father).