James M. opened a store on his brother-in-law Jack Johnson's farm. In 1845, he purchased a parcel of land from Langston Mosby, including the old Rice home, where he established his residence. On this land he established Kent Store, which in due time became one of the largest country stores in Virginia, doing a tremendous business. James M. Kent conducted this store until his death in 1885. After his death, his two sons conducted the business until 1903. In 1861, on the death of Langston Mosby, James Kent purchased from his heirs the balance of his farm. His wife, Elizabeth was the sister to Mary, his brother, William's wife. James and Elizabeth had several children who died in infancy.

Son George Henry, and wife Florence were the parents of several other children who died in infancy. Son James, after the closing of Kent's store, located at Louisa, VA, where he was engaged in the drug business and banking, served as treasurer of Louisa County several terms.

James Madison Kent 1819-1883, the fifth son of John Kent and Elizabeth Baskett Kent, on reaching manhood, opened a store on his brother-in-law, Jack Johnson’s farm. In 1845, he purchased a parcel of land from Longston Mosby, including the old Rice Home, where he established his residence. On this land he, also, established Kent Store which, in due time, became one of the largest country stores in Virginia doing a tremendous business. It was always said, that you could buy anything there from a package of pins to a thrashing machine, sell anything to the store for a pound of feathers, to a crop of tobacco. The old Kent Store is gone, but there is a Kent Store across the road from where the original one was. All of the Kents lived in this section. Our ancestor, William Kent’s old home is about 2 miles northeast of Beulah Church and about 1-1/2 miles air line from Ferncliff, VA. Andrew M. Kent’s (writer of this sketch) old home is a large house on a hill on the right hand side of the road, within sight of Guy Kent’s home. It was called "Kentwood". The present Kent Store is on part of Andrew M. Kent’s father’s land. Guy Kent lives in a charming old house on the corner opposite Kent Store. Robert Kent who married Anne Tate lived a short distance on down the road, part of the original house still is used, it has been enlarge.

James Madison Kent conducted this business until he died in 1883. After his death, his two sons conducted the business until 19023. In 1861, when Longston Mosby died, James Madison Kent purchased from his heirs the balance of his farm. Quote from one of Andrew M. Kent’s letters,"Am glad that you visited Uncle Jimmie Kent’s Cemetery (James Madison Kent) which was the original Mosby Cemetery, as they were former owners of the place. I can remember when there were several Mosby tombstones there". The only stone I saw was a large stone at the graves of James Madison Kent and wife Elizabeth Parrish Kent. The cemetery was located on a little hill surrounded by a wire fence and cedars, the graves were laid out in rows, with native stones at the head and foot of each grave, and the ground covered with creeping myrtle. Andrew M. Kent writes, "Did you visit the home of our ancestor, Robert Kent who married Anne Tate? It is about 3 miles from Kent Store on the road en route to Wilmington. The old home is about ½ mile north of the road:" Andrew M. Kent’s grandfather, Martin Luther "Dick" Kent and his brother are buried in Beulah church yard