Thomas Dennis (ca 1645 – 6 Jun 1720)

Thomas Dennis was likely born in England and emigrated to Ireland in about 1673 (874). His parents have not been identified. Before 1676, Thomas Dennis married before 1676, possibly to Jane Tatnell at Edenberry in County Offaly, Ireland. In about 1677, a son John was born to Thomas and his wife in Ireland. On 5 Mar 1679, a second son, Samuel, was born in County West Meath, Ireland. The Thomas Dennis family were members of the Society of Friends, the Quakers.

On 16 Mar 1682, the Moat Meeting of Friends near Athlone, Ireland in County West Meath, Ireland issued a Certificate of Removal to Thomas Dennis, noting that he “Dwelt Amongst us about nine years” (874). Thomas Dennis and two sons immigrated to the West Jersey in the Province of New Jersey, where Thomas was admitted to the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting of Friends in Gloucester County (845).

On 1 Apr 1684, Thomas Dennis purchased 40 acres of land on Newton Creek from Thomas Carelton of Ballincarrick County of Wicklowe, Ireland (1034). The deed described the land as 40 acres northeast of Newton Creek; southeast of the grantor; and southwest and northwest of land held by William Alberson.

On 1 Nov 1686 at Newton in Gloucester County, West Jersey, Thomas Dennis witnessed the marriage of Walter Forrest and Ann Alberson (1266), and on 9 Jun 1687 at Newton, Thomas witnessed the marriage of Joshua Hearne and Abigall Bate (1268).

Thomas acquired land in Philadelphia, presumably to establish his business as a shoe maker. On 12 Mar 1687, Thomas Dennis acquired a lot on Walnut Street east of 5th Street in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania from John Laeis (872). On 11 Dec 1689 and 6 Sep 1692, Thomas Dennis received patents to city lots in Philadelphia based on warrants received on 23 Mar 1688 and 26 Sep 1691 (1265). On 21 Jul 1691, Thomas Dennis was issued a warrant to survey an additional city in Philadelphia (1264). On 6 Sep 1692, Thomas Dennis received a patent for a lot on Walnut Street, east of his prior purchase (1265).

On 2 Nov 1696, Thomas Dennis sold a lot in Philadelphia to John Coombe and a second lot to Patrick E. Whelan (1193).

Between 17 Oct 1700 and 21 Apr 1720, Thomas witnessed a number of marriages at Newton in Gloucester County, New Jersey:

17 Oct 1700, Thomas Sharp and Kathrine Hollingam (1263);
6 Oct 1703, Stephen Nowby and Elizabeth Wood (1272);
8 Nov 1703, John Mirblo and Hannah Cooper (1273);
27 Apr 1709, Simon Broach and Mary Dennis (910);
27 Mar 1711, Daniel Mickle and Hannah Dennis (1274);
23 Sep 1714, John Hugg and Elizabeth Newby (1275); and
21 Apr 1720, Joseph Gibson and Elizabeth Tindall (1277).

Thomas’s wife, Jane (Tatnell) Dennis also witnessed many of these marriages. Mary Dennis and Hannah Dennis were daughters of Thomas and Jane Dennis.

On 5 Jan 1719, Thomas Dennis, Sr. and Thomas Dennis, Jr. witnessed the Will of William Alberson in Newton Township of Gloucester County, New Jersey (851). William Alberson named his wife, Ester Alberson, and children, William, John, Jane, and Mary. At least two of these children were less than 21 years old. He also named his wife’s daughter, Hester. Heirs would inherit William Alberson’s home farm on fork Creek, opposite to John Mickle’s land and adjoining Thomas Dennis, brother Abraham, Joseph Lowe, and heirs of John Dennis; 300 acres on Egg harbor Road; and personal property. Ester Alberson, William Alberson’s wife, was the sole executrix of the estate. Thomas Dennis, Thomas Dennis, Jr., and Thomas Sharp witnessed the will. The Will of William Alberson was proved on 19 Apr 1720.

On 1 Jun 1720, Thomas Dennis, Sr. made a will in the Newton Township of Gloucester County, New Jersey (866). He named his wife and children: Thomas Dennis (married), William Dennis, Mary Dennis, and Hannah Dennis as heirs of his real and personal estates. He named his son Thomas Dennis as executor. John Williams, Thomas Sharp, and Abraham Alberson witnessed the will.

Thomas Dennis died on 6 Jun 1720 at Newton in Gloucester County, New Jersey.

John Mickle and Thomas Sharp made an inventory of the £38 personal estate of Thomas Dennis on 12 Dec 1720. The Will of Thomas Dennis, Sr. was proved on 20 May 1721 (866).