General Notes

Capt. John Dent (1645-1712) immigrated to Maryland in abt 1661 from Yorkshire, England. He inherited the lands of his uncle, Thomas Dent, b. abt 1630 of Guisborough, Yorkshire, England. Under the will in Charles Co. Maryland, which was executed in 1690 and proved in 1708. He owned other estates besides. In 1690, he acquired considerable estates under will of John Harrision, Charles Co., Maryland.
John was Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, 1679, 1680, and 1685 for St. Mary's Co. Maryland. He served against the Indians at Susquehanna Fort, 1681 and was Appointed Captain of Chaptico Hundred 1689, Captain of the Foot in 1694. Appointed by William and Mary Commission from King Charles II of England and a member of the Kings Council for Maryland. In 1696, became Vestryman of King & Queen Parish.
He was well established as a planter by Sept. 1666, when he entered his cattle marks at court in Charles Co. His early days in the Province were spent in Charles Co. near his kinsman, but he eventually resided in the northern portion of St. Mary's Co. near Charlotte Hall. As early as 1681, he was involved with Josias Fendall, former Governor of the Province, and Capt. John Coode in their attempt to overthrow the rule of Lord Baltimore. They failed at that time but were successful in 1689.
John Dent was one of the earliest settlers of the Province of Maryland in Coolsprings, Charles Co. Maryland. Apparently Capt. Dent discovered the healing qualities of his spring, "Cool Springs", and word soon spread about its powers and the fight was on between the Dents, the Church and the State over the use and ownership of the spring. In November 1, 1698 The Lower House ordered that a committee be formed to purchase 50 acres for the use of Cool Springs and if the owner objected, then to exercise their rights of eminent domain. So it went. (Ref.: Maryland Genealogy, p. 357-360. Maryland Archives, Vol. 13, p. 241, Vol. 15 p. 256-326, Vol. 17, p. 379, Vol. 20, p. 138-206, Vol. 23, p. 18. The Maryland Dents p.107-113.)
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