Robert Dennis

Notes:

He was probably the Robert Dennis who was Town Clerk of Portsmouth in the mid-1700s. He recorded the ear mark of my ancestor Joseph Remington's creatures, 18 June 1754.

The will of Robert Dennis of Portsmouth, dated 24 June 1799 and proved 16 Apr 1811, mentions wife Hannah; sons Gideon, Robert, Jonathan, George, Moses, and Thomas; and dtrs Hannah Hall & Mary Sisson.

Robert married Hannah Coggeshall 21 Jun 1750. Hannah was born 3 May 1731; died 22 Nov 1811. [Group Sheet]

1. Gideon Dennis
2. Robert Dennis
3. George Dennis
4. Moses Dennis
5. Thomas Dennis
6. Hannah Dennis
7. Mary Dennis
8. Jonathan Dennis was born 15 Jan 1767; died 17 Sep 1850.

Notes:

Joseph inherited house and land from his father.

Joseph married Sarah Durfee 20 Apr 1721. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Durfee and Ann Freeborn) was born 1 Mar 1692/93; died 21 Apr 1759. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of RI p 65, Sarah was d/o Thomas & Ann (Freeborn) Durfee.

Notes:

If you use any of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, and/or other sources as noted.

From the Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth, RI:
At a meeting of the town council 16 June 1651 -- "Robert Denis is received inhabitant amongst us and hath given his ingagement." (How old did a man have to be in order to be received as an inhabitant of a community in colonial RI? Would it have been 21, or as young as 18?)

Also from the above source, on 25 Aug 1656 -- Robert Dennis, planter, purchased 20 acres in Portsmouth, RI, from Job Hawkins of Boston and his mother Jane.

No one knows when this particular Robert Dennis was born. I initially assumed he may have been born c1640, based on his wife Sarah's birth year as 1645; but if he did buy land in 1656, I think he probably would have been at least 21 years of age by then, which would make his birth year no later than 1635. I am not sure if there was a strict age requirement for land purchases; there probably was, but there are exceptions to every rule, especially in a time when one's exact age was not always known. For details on this land purchase, see The Early Records of the Town of Portsmouth p 326, at Google Books and elsewhere.

If he was at least 21 in 1651 when he was accepted as an inhibitant, that would place his year of birth as 1630 or earlier. So, based on the entry from 1651 and on the land purchase in 1656, I am tentatively estimating his birth year as 1630 (or before 1630), subject to further research.

He may have been a son of Thomas Dennis who came to Boston in 1630 with Gov. Winthrop's fleet. Unfortunately, no complete list of passengers exists, so we don't know if other Dennis families came then. Research shows that Robert Dennis of Portsmouth is likely related somehow to the family of the aforementioned Thomas Dennis of Boston, later of Woodbridge, NJ; and to the family of Robert Dennis of Yarmouth, MA, who moved to Woodbridge, NJ, around 1668 and died there in 1674/75. That Robert named his children in the distribution of his lands and goods, but did not mention a son named Robert. For this reason, it seems more likely that Robert Dennis of Portsmouth may be a son of Thomas. We do find the name Thomas passed down to several of his descendants.

On 9 July 1672 he deeded land in Portsmouth for use as a Quaker burial ground. This was prior to his marriage to Sarah. Sarah Howland's family were Quakers, subject to criticism and punishment in Massachusetts; so I speculate that Robert and Sarah decided to locate in RI territory because of the freedom of religion here. They were married during a Quaker meeting; see marriage notes.

On 19 Apr 1680 at a town meeting at Portsmouth, Robert Dennis and two others were chosen to serve on the Grand Inquest.

John Osborne Austin says that on 25 May 1691 he bought land in Monmouth, NJ, from Jedediah & Elizabeth Allen of Shrewsbury, NJ.

The will of Robert Dennis of Portsmouth, dated 11 May 1691, proved 2 July 1691, mentions wife Sarah; sons Robert (eldest), Joseph, and John, all under 21; daughters Mary and Sarah; and brother-in-law Jedediah Allen. Land in Monmouth, NJ, went to eldest son Robert.

He was probably buried in Portsmouth but the location of burial is not known. His age at death was not given. See notes for his wife Sarah.

Misc. notes from Otis M. Humphrey and John Osborne Austin, my notes added in brackets: On 25 Aug 1656 a Robert Dennis, planter, purchased 20 acres in Portsmouth from Job and Jane Hawkins of Boston [but if this Robert was born c1640-45, he could not be the same individual who purchased land in 1656 -- too young; so maybe he was born earlier as noted above]. Austin omits a birth year. Robert Dennis was "admitted a freeman there" [where, Portsmouth? probably but not stated] in 1671 (source: Descendants of Robert Dennis of Portsmouth, RI by Otis M. Humphrey, NE Historic and Genealogical Register Vol 49 p 441; also John Osborne Austin's Genealogical Dictionary of RI p 65). [But the above source says he was admitted as an inhabitant in 1651.] Humphrey suggests that Robert might be related to Thomas Dennis, early settler of New Jersey. Jedidiah Allen was a judge in New Jersey, was also Robert Dennis's brother-in-law (they married two sisters); and Thomas Dennis's son Samuel served as a judge with Judge Allen [no source proof given that Samuel is s/o Thomas]. Robert was a member of Rhode Island's legislative House of Deputies 1673 - 1684.

Robert Dennis of Yarmouth, MA, was also involved in land affairs in Woodbridge, NJ. There has been speculation that Robert Dennis of Portsmouth is a son of Robert Dennis of Yarmouth, but this suggestion is dismissed by Humphrey (above source, but no reasons given). Humphrey also says that Robert Dennis of Portsmouth was likely married in middle age; I don't know how he arrived at this thought -- but if so, could he not be the same individual as Robert Dennis of Yarmouth, who perhaps remarried and relocated from Yarmouth, MA, to Portsmouth, RI, after his first wife died? History of Yarmouth info online says Robert died there in 1669 but again, no source or reference given. Maybe he just disappeared from the records there -- that is my guess, as he appears in Woodbridge, NJ, around late 1668 and remains there up until 1674/75, when it may be assumed he died.

There is much contradictory information on the identities of various Robert Dennises, but it seems clear to me that both Robert Dennis of Yarmouth, MA, and Robert Dennis of Portsmouth, RI, must have been at least fairly closely related as they both had family connections and land transactions in Woodbridge, NJ, and Newton, NJ.

One article titled "Dennisania" by Charles E. Stickney appears to be well-researched BUT has this Robert Dennis purchasing land at age 11 -- not likely. So, beware of online articles and family trees.

Robert married Sarah HOWLAND 19 Nov 1672, Portsmouth, RI. Sarah (daughter of Henry HOWLAND and Mary NEWLAND) was born 1645, Duxbury, Plymouth Co., MA; died 2 Oct 1712, Portsmouth, RI; was buried , Portsmouth, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

DENNIS Sarah, widow of Robert, Portsmouth, aged 67 years, Oct 2 1712, maiden name Howland (death recorded at Quaker Monthly Meeting).

The will of Sarah Dennis of Portsmouth, widow, dated 26 Sep 1712, proved 13 8th month (Oct) 1712, mentions sons Robert, John, and Joseph; daughters Mary wife of George Lawton, and Sarah wife of Thomas Fish; also grandchildren Ruth and John Lawton. In addition to possessions, she willed 12 shillings each to son John, son Joseph, daughter Sarah Fish, and two grandchildren -- to buy each of them a Bible. Daughter Mary Lawton received a "great bible."

Notes:

HOWLAND Sarah, Duxbury, to Robert Dennis, Portsmouth, Nov. 19, 1672 (recorded at RI Monthly Meeting of Friends, Portsmouth).

Robert & Sarah were married "att the house of Joshua Coggeshall of Portsmouth before the people of God." (source: Descendants of Robert Dennis of Portsmouth, RI by Otis M. Humphrey, NE Historic and Genealogical Register Vol 49 p 441)

Thomas married Ann Freeborn Abt 1691. Ann (daughter of Gideon Freeborn and Sarah Brownell) was born 28 Mar 1669, Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Henry was in Scrooby, England; in 1608 went to Amsterdam and spent a year there; moved to Leyden; and was at Plymouth, MA, in 1624. He was among the early settlers of Duxbury, where he held many leadership postiions. Purchased land in Dartmouth, Freetown, and Swansea. Will dated 28 Nov 1670 mentions wife, Joseph, John, Zoeth, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, Abigail, and Samuel; probated 8 Mar 1671.

Source: "Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts."

Also see "A Brief Genealogical History of Arthur, Henry and John Howland and Their Descendants."

Henry was a brother of John Howland who came on the Mayflower. He became a Quaker and was fined by leaders of Plymouth. See:
http://www.pilgrimjohnhowlandsociety.org/john_howland_john_elizabeth_howla nd.shtml

The following is excerpted from an article titled "Pilgrim Village Families Sketch: Henry Howland" by Robert Charles Anderson"

"Henry Howland was the son of Henry Howland and Margaret (?) of Fen Stanton, one of six children. His older brother Humphrey was a member of the Drapers

Henry married Mary NEWLAND Abt 1625. Mary died 17 Jun 1674. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The will of Thomas Durfee of Portsmouth, dated 4 Feb 1709/10, proved 17 July 1712, mentions wife Deliverance; sons Richard (eldest), Thomas, William, Richard (dec'd), and Benjamin (youngest); daughters Patience Tallman and Deliverance Durfee (youngest); grandsons, sons of Richard: Richard & Thomas.

"Thomas DURFEE (742) was born in 1643 in England. LDS Family Search Ancestral File indicates that he was born Oct 1643 in Portsmouth, RI, where he was also chistened. (AFN: 9M2P-N5 & film # 1760781) Bonnie Hubbard's material indicates that he was born in England in 1643. He died on 14 Jul 1712 in Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI. He was buried in Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI. (LDS Family Search Ancestral File, AFN: 9M2P-N5) IMMIGRANT - "The Durfee article in Boyer, p. 183, says that there were no Durfees in England before 1628 nor after 1723 and that they were probably French Huguenot. The first in America was Thomas, born in England in 1643. Family tradition (Reed) says he came to Portsmouth in 1660 and 'The recorded evidence of his appearing at the session of the Colonial General Assembly of Rhode Island, in October 1664, carries unmistakable proof of his presence in the Colony many months previous to that session.' The family wasn't admitting it even as late as 1902 but Boyer describes the proof: 'In 1664 the 'insoelent carriadge of Thomas Durfee with the sayd [Peter] Tallmans wife' was brought to the attention of the Rhode Island General Assembly {RCRI, 2:85], and on 3 May 1665 Peter Tallman was given a divorce from his wife as she admitted she had had a child 'begotten by another man' [RCRI, 2:123].' Thomas probably came as a redemptioner. Such a person was one who couldn't pay his passage and was sold at auction for the lowest term of years for which anyone would take him. Thomas was admitted a freeman of Portsmouth in 1673 and served on a petit jury in 1677. He was elected Constable for one year terms in 1687 and 1690. He was chosen one of the Overseers of the Poor in 1691 and made a Deputy that same year and again in 1694. He was elected to the town council in 1692 and again in 1694. It appears that the townspeople had forgiven if not forgotten his sin. I wonder what Peter Tallman was like -- in 1683 he had moved to Guilford, near New Haven, Connecticut, and sold eight acres of Portsmouth land to Thomas Durfee for

Thomas married Ann Hill Abt 1665, Portsmouth, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"Anne HILL (743) was born 1645 ?. LDS Family Search Ancestral File, AFN: B683-00 indicates that she was born in Portsmouth, RI, in 1645. This might not be compatible with Bonnie Hubbard's data that indicated that her family was living in Barbados when she met her first husband. IMMIGRANT - Anne, daughter of Philip and Anne Hill of Barbados, was first married to Peter Tallman, Peter being born in Hamburg, Germany, and who later emigrated to Barbados and then RI. Anne most likely came to RI with Peter shortly after their marriage. Bonnie Hubbard quotes Boyer as follows: "...in 1664 the [Rhode Island] General Assembly took notice of the `insoelent carriadge of Thomas Durfee with the sayd [Peter] Tallmans wife,' and on 3 May 1665 he [Peter] was given a divorce from her on charges of adultery as she admitted she had had a child `begotten by another man,' and she was sentenced to be `whipt at Portsmouth, receiving fifteene stripes; and after a week respite, to be whipt at Newport,' and to pay a fine of

Gideon married Sarah Brownell Abt 1663. Sarah was born Abt 1640; died Abt 1676. [Group Sheet]