Child Dennie1

Family
Father*Albert Dennie2 b. 4 Mar 1716
Mother*Abigail Colman2 b. 14 Jan 1714/15, d. 17 May 1745
Birth*There was a third child born to Abigail Dennie1 
Death* who did not survive his mother, however no sex or age at death was identified.1 

Citations

  1. [S934] Ebenezer Turell, The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman, D.D. Late Pastor of a Church in Boston, New England, who Deceased August 29th 1747, downloaded from the Open Library Project at www.openlibrary.org. (Boston, Massachusetts: printed and sold by Rogers and Fowle and by J. Edwards, 1749), Chapter IX, pages 207-223. Hereinafter cited as The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman.
  2. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page 161. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.

Child Dennie1

Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 1717, d. 1 Aug 1777
Mother*Sarah Wendell1 b. 20 Jan 1721, d. 13 Mar 1785

Citations

  1. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."

Christopher Lynch Dennie1

b. 14 October 1789, d. 26 December 1797
Family
Father*Thomas Dennie1 b. 12 Oct 1756, d. 2 Aug 1842
Mother*Sarah Bryant b. c 1761, d. 18 Jul 1827
Birth*14 October 1789Christopher Lynch Dennie was born on 14 October 1789 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,2 
Baptism18 October 1789 and was baptized on 18 October 1789 at West Church, Boston.3 
Death*26 December 1797He died on Tuesday evening 26 December 1797 at age 8, after a short but very painful illness, in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.4,2 
ObituaryNotices of his death appeared in several newspapers in Boston. Christopher was reported to have been 9 years old, and the second son of Captain Thomas Dennie, merchant. One short obituary said, "A youth whose sweetness of disposition, joined to a peculiar civility of manners, made him beloved by all who knew him". Another wrote, "A child of innocence will never die.1,4" 

Citations

  1. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Boston Price-Current, published as The Boston Current and Marine Intelligencer, 28 Dec 1797, Volume III, Issue 33, page 3. Hereinafter cited as America's Historical Newspapers.
  2. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."
  3. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 121. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  4. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Massachusetts Mercury, 29 Dec 1797, Volume X, Issue 52, page 3.

Christopher Lynch Dennie1

b. 22 July 1798, d. 27 July 1803
Family
Father*Thomas Dennie1 b. 12 Oct 1756, d. 2 Aug 1842
Mother*Sarah Bryant b. c 1761, d. 18 Jul 1827
Baptism*22 July 1798Christopher Lynch Dennie was baptized in 22 July 1798 at West Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.2 
Death*27 July 1803He died on Wednesday evening 27 July 1803 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. A notation of his death date was made next to his baptismal record and the notice of his death appeared in at least one Boston newspaper which described him as 5 years of age, and the son of Mr. Thomas Dennie.2,3 

Citations

  1. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Boston Price-Current, published as The Boston Current and Marine Intelligencer, 28 Dec 1797, Volume III, Issue 33, page 3. Hereinafter cited as America's Historical Newspapers.
  2. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 125. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  3. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, New-England Palladium, 29 Jul 1803, Volume 22, Issue 8, page 3.

David Sohier Dennie1

b. 27 May 1795
Family
Mother*Elizabeth "Betsy" Dennie1 b. 18 Jun 1769, d. 19 Feb 1846
Birth*27 May 1795David Sohier Dennie was born on 27 May 1795, probably in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,1 
Baptism26 July 1795 and was baptized on 26 July 1795 in King's Chapel, Boston. At David's baptism, his parents were recorded as Ebenezer Osgood and Elizabeth Turell Dennie. Ebenezer Osgood was also with Elizabeth and one of her children when she was discharged from the Boston Almshouse in 1797. It should be noted however, for future reference regarding the child David, that on 29 Feb 1795, one month before his birth, a man named David Sohier was married in Boston to Mary Olden (or Holden, per their intention of marriage) by the Reverend John Murray, a Universalist minister.1,2 
(Son) Almshouse6 September 1796David's mother, her name recorded as Elizabeth Dana, and the man who had attended David's baptism, Ebenezer Osgood, were admitted to the Almshouse in Boston on 6 September 1796. With them, and also admitted at the same time, was a child recorded as having been born to Elizabeth. The child was not identified further by name, sex or age, and it's possible that David, the child she had baptized with Ebenezer Osgood in 1795, may have been the child.3 
(Son) Almshouse29 March 1797David's mother, Elizabeth Dana, and Ebenezer Osgood were discharged from the Almshouse in Boston on 29 March 1797. With them, and also discharged at the same time, was the child born to Elizabeth who had been admitted with them on 6 Sep 1796.3 

Citations

  1. [S494] Boston MA: Church Records, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, King's Chapel, page 137. Hereinafter cited as Boston MA: Church Records.
  2. [S746] Boston, Massachusetts Marriages, 1700-1809, online at www.americanancestors.org, Volume 2, page 140. Hereinafter cited as Boston Marriages, 1700-1809.
  3. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, editors, The eighteenth-century records of the Boston overseers of the poor (Boston, Massachusetts: Colonial Society of Massachusetts, 2007), Almshouse Admissions, September 8, 1775 - December 31, 1800, page 561. Hereinafter cited as Boston overseers of the poor.

Ebenezer Turell Dennie1

b. 6 March 1768, d. 2 July 1848
Family
Father*John Dennie2 b. 30 Dec 1738
Mother*Elizabeth Jackson2 b. 21 Oct 1731, d. 23 Nov 1811
Baptism*6 March 1768Ebenezer Turell Dennie was baptized on 6 March 1768 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).1 
(Heir) Will9 November 1776Ebenezer Turell Dennie was eight years old when he was named as a beneficiary of the Reverend Ebenezer Turell in his will dated 9 November 1776 in Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (Continental Congress). The will described young Ebenezer as the great-grandson of Turell's father-in-law, his revered and honored father, Benjamin Colman, who had been "cast upon" Turell by providence due to the Revolutionary War. He gave Ebenezer 40 pounds sterling to be put into the hands of his Executor, "and to be used and improved for Ebenezer being taught and instructed in some trade, art or business, whereby he may get a comfortable living and be serviceable to his fellow creatures."3 
(Son) Deathbefore 22 September 1778Ebenezer's father may have been the John Dennie who died before 22 September 1778. He would have been 40 years of age. An estate advertisement appeared in the Independent Chronicle newspaper in Boston on 22 Sep 1778 regarding the estate of John Dennie. John's son, Ebenezer, was identified as "an orphan" by 16 Dec 1779 and his nine-year-old daughter, Betsy, was admitted to the Boston Almshouse by herself on 21 Aug 1778.4,5 
Probate*16 December 1779 On 16 December 1779, Simon Tufts Esq., as Executor for the estate of the Reverend Ebenezer Turell, traveled to Boston and removed Ebenezer, who was 11 years old, from his family because he was an orphan.3 
Research Notes*1779When Ebenezer Turell Dennie was described as an orphan in 1779, his mother Elizabeth (Jackson) Dennie was still alive. It is believed at this point, although we have no direct evidence, that his father John Dennie was likely deceased.3 
Marriage*8 May 1800He married first Sarah Moreton on 8 May 1800 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.6,7 
Occupation*1805Ebenezer Dennie was listed in the 1805 Boston City Directory as a tailor on Cambridge Street, Boston.8 
Occupation1806Ebenezer Dennie was listed in the 1806 Boston City Directory as a tailor of men's clothing on Elliot Street, Boston.9 
Marriage*14 March 1812He married second Maria Sophia Mann on 14 March 1812. Their marriage was recorded in the Boston city records on 12 Nov 1812, and they were married by Thomas Baldwin, pastor of the of the Second Baptist Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.5 
Occupation*1816Turell Dennie was listed in the 1816 Boston City Directory as a tailor of men's clothing on Butolph, Boston. Whether the listing is a mistake for "Ebenezer Turell" or an as yet unidentified son of Ebenezer's named "Turell" is not known.10 
Occupation1823Ebenezer T. Dennie was listed in the 1823 Boston City Directory as a tailor on Carver Street, Boston.11 
Occupation*1831Ebenezer T. Dennie was listed in the 1831 Boston City Directory as a tailor in the rear at 56 Pleasant, Boston.12 
Death*2 July 1848He died one of Boston's poor of apoplexy on 2 July 1848 in Boston at age 80, although his death record noted his age as 83.13 
Burial*3 July 1848He was buried the next day on 3 July 1848 in Brick Tomb 32 in the South Burying Ground, Boston.13 

Family 1

 Sarah Moreton

Family 2

 Maria Sophia Mann

Citations

  1. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Church records, baptisms, marriages, administrations, 1699-1804. Includes Index. FHL Film" 837129, Item# 3 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970), page 135. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804.
  2. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804, page 126.
  3. [S485] Probate Records 1648-1924, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (886 microfilm reels of original records in the Middlesex County Courthouse, Cambridge, Massachusetts), LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Ebenezer Turell 1778 probate packet# 23046, FHL Film# 421543. Hereinafter cited as Probate Records 1648-1924, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
  4. [S948] Boston Deaths, 1700-1799, online at www.americanancestors.org. Hereinafter cited as Boston Deaths, 1700-1799.
  5. [S979] Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, online at www.ancestry.com. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988.
  6. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804, page 295.
  7. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page 268. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.
  8. [S959] Boston, Massachusetts Directory, 1805, online at www.ancestry.com. Hereinafter cited as Boston City Directory, 1805.
  9. [S319] U.K. and U.S. Directories, 1680-1830, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1806. Hereinafter cited as U.K. and U.S. Directories, 1680-1830.
  10. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1831, page 131. Hereinafter cited as U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
  11. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1823, page 81.
  12. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1831, page 131, listed as "Ebenezer P. Dennie."
  13. [S979] Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston Deaths 1801-1848.

Edward Martin Dennie1

b. 25 June 1828, d. 25 February 1904
Family
Father*James Dennie1 b. 12 Feb 1785, d. 11 May 1857
Mother*Eliza Tweedy Martin1 b. c 1790, d. 10 May 1856
Birth*25 June 1828Edward Martin Dennie was born on 25 June 1828 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.1 
Occupation*Edward Martin Dennie was a trader in Boston.2 
Marriage*20 April 1854He married first Julia Elizabeth Sullivan, daughter of Thomas Russell Sullivan and Charlotte E. __?__, on 20 April 1854 at South Congregational Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. They were both 25, and were married by Reverend Frederick D. Huntington.1,2 
(Husband) Death6 March 1867Edward became a widower when Julia Elizabeth (Sullivan) Dennie died on 6 March 1867.1,3 
Marriage*15 June 1868He married second Emma Martha Frost, daughter of Ethan C. Frost and Maria Warner, on 15 June 1868 at St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo, Erie County, New York. They were married by Reverend A.C. Cox.1 
OccupationEdward Martin Dennie was an insurance agent.1,4 
Death*25 February 1904He died from the "accidental inhalation of illuminating gas" on 25 February 1904 at 322 Savin Hill Avenue, Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, at age 75, although he was reported to have been age 73 years, 7 months, and 10 days.1,4 
Burial*He was buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.1,4 

Family 1

 Julia Elizabeth Sullivan b. 1829, d. 6 Mar 1867
Child 1.Charlotte Sullivan Dennie1 b. 17 May 1863

Family 2

 Emma Martha Frost b. 1846, d. 4 May 1909

Citations

  1. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."
  2. [S363] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, Volume 80, page 44. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910.
  3. [S363] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, Volume 204, page 33.
  4. [S363] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, Volume 8, page 262.

Eliza Martin Dennie1

b. 17 October 1819
Family
Father*James Dennie2 b. 12 Feb 1785, d. 11 May 1857
Mother*Eliza Tweedy Martin2 b. c 1790, d. 10 May 1856
Birth*17 October 1819Eliza Martin Dennie was born on 17 October 1819 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,3,1 
Baptism5 December 1819 and was baptized on 5 December 1819 at West Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.1 
Marriage27 October 1846She married Frederic V. Tracy, son of Henry Tracy and Alice __?__, on 27 October 1846 in West Church, Boston. Their marriage was performed by the Reverend Dr. Lowell.3,1 

Citations

  1. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 353. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  2. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston", Volume 92, page 343.
  3. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."

Elizabeth Dennie1

Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 7 Oct 1694, d. b 3 Feb 1747
Mother*Mary Edwards1 b. 7 Jul 1695, d. 1722
Birth*Elizabeth Dennie was the third daughter named in her father's will, and land records prove she was the daughter of Mary (Edwards) Dennie. Her birth was not recorded in Fairfield, and her birth date is not known. Because she married in 1743, and earlier researchers have surmised she would have been about 20 years old at that time, they also believe she was the youngest child of John and Mary. Their educated speculation is that Elizabeth was born shortly before the time of her mother's death.1 
Marriage*10 May 1743She married William Fletcher after recording an Intention of Marriage dated 10 May 1743.2 
(Daughter) Will25 December 1744Elizabeth was named in the will of her father John Dennie dated 25 December 1744. He bequeathed to his loving wife Sarah forever one third part of all his estate both real and personal whether in this province, the colony of Connecticut, or elsewhere at her own disposal, his three Negro servants together with all household stuff. His will directed that 500 pounds lawful money of the province be lodged with his executors to be put to interest and improved for any of his children who were under age at the time of his death. He bequeathed to his son Albert Dennie 25 pounds lawful money which, with what he had already received, was his full portion and share. All the remainder of his estate, whether real or personal, he gave to his four other sons: John, William, Thomas and Joseph, and to his five daughters Mary, Grizzel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Abigail to be equally divided among them.

The biggest surprise in the will, published by researchers in 2002, was learning about Joseph, the fourth son of John Dennie. Joseph had not been mentioned in earlier research published in 1930-1932.

Mr. Dennie's will named his children in groups of men and then of women. The order of the naming by gender by their father in his will corresponds to the known dates from records in Fairfield Church. His will was not challenged in court.1 
(Daughter) Land Records The distribution of John Dennie's Connecticut real estate as bequeathed in his will of 1744 was not known to researchers until 2002 and presented many questions. He left his real estate in two parts: two-thirds of his Connecticut property directly to his nine named children, and one-third of all his estate forever "both real and personal whether in this province the colony of Connecticut or elsewhere" to his widow Sarah. This bequest created an estate in real property in Connecticut for Sarah (Webb) Dennie, his widow. Because Sarah died without leaving a will, it was left to the courts to identify and name Sarah's children and heirs.

Land records in Fairfield and in Ridgefield, both in Fairfield County, Connecticut, gave researchers information on the identity of Sarah's heirs. The land records also clarified John Dennie's two wives and clearly identified their two sets of children. Sarah (Webb) Dennie's children were named, and those of Mary (Edwards) Dennie were identified as the other children. Joseph Dennie appeared with Sarah's children as her heir, but not as her son.

The Dennie children all eventually, after they attained their majority, or for the girls, married, sold their Fairfield and Ridgefield real estate. Researchers noted in their report, as an aside, that the real estate was of small value compared to the other property they inherited from their father.

Determined researchers explained their strategy by stating that complete land research for a parcel of property required that deeds be located for all the land sales of the heirs of John Dennie, which they called "the two thirds of the property" and of the heirs of Sarah Dennie, or "the one third of the property". They believed these transactions would identify all the interested parties in the entire package of real estate under review. They knew they were looking for a minimum of two deeds: one for the nine children of John Dennie and one for the court determined heirs of John's widow, Sarah (Webb) Dennie. Unfortunately, they did not know the maximum number of deeds they were looking for, since each of the children could have sold separately, one at a time.

Extensive research of the Dennie family land records in both Fairfield and Ridgefield was said by the researchers to have been "revealing, surprising and astonishing." They took special note in the first two land sales in the grouping and the unity of eight of the heirs. Eight of the nine children named in John Dennie's will joined together to sell all their two thirds interest at one time in one transaction. The deed named each of the eight stating "which said [children] are eight of the children and heirs of John Dennie late... Whereas the same John Dennie by his last will and testament duly proved gave and bequeathed unto his said eight children and his other son Joseph two full third parts of all the real estate... nine acres in Fairfield..." The deed was dated 24 Jan 1758 and recorded 8 Jun 1762. All of the parties named except Joseph signed at one time.

The second deed they found recorded in Fairfield was the sale by the Sarah Dennie heirs, again excepting Joseph. Sarah's four children were named and described as "children and heirs of Sarah Dennie late of Boston deceased intestate... whereas Mr. John Dennie late... by his last will duly proved approved and allowed gave and bequeathed to his widow the said Sarah Dennie one full third part of all his real estate in fee simple... The same Sarah soon after dyed intestate leaving the said William Thomas Sarah and Abigail and one Joseph Dennie her children and heirs". The deed was dated and recorded on the same dates as the first deed, 24 Jan 1758 and 8 Jun 1758, respectively.

The researchers also noted that William Dennie had received a double portion as the eldest son of the intestate Sarah, not the eldest son of John, and sold both parts. Sarah's other three children each received and sold one part. Joseph Dennie had received one portion which he would sell separately, later. John Dennie's son John had received two portions of his father's estate, and each of his siblings had received one. All, except Joseph, sold in full in the first deed described.1 
Occupation*1763William Fletcher was a respectable West India trader, and in 1763 was living in Jamaica. Whether or not his wife, Elizabeth, was with him there is not known.2 

Family

 William Fletcher

Citations

  1. [S928] Robert W. Hull, "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family: Mary (Edwards) Dennie and her children, Sarah (Webb) Dennie and her children, and John Dennie's other son, one Joseph Dennie", viewed and downloaded from www.americanancestors.org. The Connecticut Nutmegger, Volume 35, pages 434-440 (December 2002). Hereinafter cited as "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family."
  2. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."

Elizabeth "Betsy" Dennie1

b. 18 June 1769, d. 19 February 1846
Family
Father*John Dennie2,1 b. 30 Dec 1738
Mother*Elizabeth Jackson2,1 b. 21 Oct 1731, d. 23 Nov 1811
Baptism*18 June 1769Elizabeth Dennie was baptized on 18 June 1769 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). The proof of her identity was obtained through a process of data collection. The church records noted that she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth "Dennie". A Packard Family Bible record, made after the marriage of Betsey's daughter to Josiah Packard some years later, stated that Betsey was born in Boston, the daughter of John "Dana" (Tuel) and Elizabeth. John Dennie and his family were members of the Brattle Street Church which is the same church where Betsy married our John Bolton ancestor as his first wife. This researcher has consistently seen the spellings "Dana", "Dennie" and "Denny" all used to identify members of this family. John and Elizabeth Dennie's son Ebenezer's middle name was Turell, another spelling we have seen for the name "Tuel", and when she baptized one of her illegitimate children, Betsy's name was recorded as "Elizabeth Turell Dennie."1,3 
Almshouse21 August 1778Nine-year-old Elizabeth Dennie, and described only as a child, was received into the almshouse in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts (Continental Congress), on 21 August 1778 by order of Isaac Smith Esq., Overseer. No date of her discharge was found.4 
(Daughter) Deathbefore 22 September 1778Elizabeth's father may have been the John Dennie who died before 22 September 1778. He would have been 40 years of age. An estate advertisement appeared in the Independent Chronicle newspaper in Boston on 22 Sep 1778 regarding the estate of John Dennie. John's son, Ebenezer, was identified as "an orphan" by 16 Dec 1779 and his nine-year-old daughter, Betsy, was admitted to the Boston Almshouse by herself on 21 Aug 1778.5,6 
Almshouse4 August 1789Elizabeth Dennie, pregnant with a child, was admitted into the almshouse by the town of Boston on 4 August 1789 by order of John White Esq., one of the overseers of the poor7 
Almshouse26 April 1790 Recorded as Betsy Dennie, she and her child were discharged on 26 April 1790. The name of the child was not provided and the father was not identified.8 
Almshouse28 July 1792Elizabeth Dennie gave birth to another child in the almshouse in Boston on 28 July 1792 as reported by William Scollay, a Selectman. Their date of discharge was not found, the child's name was not provided nor was the father identified.9 
Almshouse5 September 1794Elizabeth Denney was admitted into the almshouse by the town of Boston on 5 September 1794 by order of John White, an overseer of the poor10 
Almshouse27 September 1794 She was discharged on 27 September 1794.11 
Almshouse2 October 1794Betsy, her name written as "Betey Denney", was admitted again 2 weeks later into the almshouse by the town of Boston on 2 October 1794 by order of L. Austin, an overseer of the poor12 
Almshouse8 October 1794 She was discharged as Elizabeth Betsey Dennie six days later on 8 October 1794.12 
Almshouse7 December 1794Elizabeth Denney was admitted again into the almshouse on 7 December 1794 by the town of Boston by order of Ed Proctor, an overseer of the poor. The date of her discharge was not found.13 
(Mother) Baptism26 July 1795When David Sohier Dennie was baptized on 26 July 1795 in King's Chapel, Boston, his record of baptism listed his parents as Elizabeth Turell Dennie and Ebenezer Osgood. The record didn't include a surname for David, and in the index, his surname was shown as DENNIE. It should be noted, for future reference regarding the child David, that on 29 Feb 1795, one month before his birth, a man named David Sohier was married in Boston to Mary Ogden (or Holden, per their intention of marriage) by the Reverend John Murray, a Universalist minister.14,15 
Name-SpellingsOther spellings of the TURELL surname found in our research included TRUELL and TUEL. 
Almshouse6 September 1796Elizabeth Dana and Ebenezer Osgood were admitted to the Almshouse in Boston on 6 September 1796. With them, and also admitted at the same time, was a child recorded as having been born to Elizabeth. The child was not identified further by name, sex or age, and it's possible that David, the child she had baptized with Ebenezer Osgood in 1795, may have been the child.16 
Research Notes*In just three months, Elizabeth "Betsy" Dennie and John Bolton would marry. It is suspected that John was a seaman and left Boston almost immediately after his marriage, since he was very likely the seaman John Bolton who was captured and held in Mill Prison, Plymouth, England in 1797. John's absence from Boston would explain how Betsy could accomplish all that she did.16,17 
Marriage4 December 1796Betsy Dennie married John Bolton, son of John Bolton and Elizabeth Hayward, on 4 December 1796 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Members of Betsy's family attended the church and they were married by Reverend Peter Thacher D.D., who received 6 shillings for his services. The city record noted that Betsy's surname was written as "[Dana]" on their Intention of Marriage.18,17,19 
Almshouse29 March 1797Elizabeth Dana and Ebenezer Osgood were discharged from the Almshouse in Boston on 29 March 1797. With them, and also discharged at the same time, was the child born to Elizabeth who had been admitted with them on 6 Sep 1796.16 
Divorce Filing*14 June 1797John Bolton signed a notification against Betsy Bolton dated on 14 June 1797 that appeared in the Boston Centinel and was re-published in The Western Star of Stockbridge, Massachusetts on 17 Jul 1797. In what may well have been a method of obtaining a divorce in 1797, the Western Star article read: The following extraordinary advertisement is copied from the Boston Centinel. "Whereas, my wife Betsy, has eloped from my bed and board, and has behaved in an unbecoming and indecent manner, by propagating the human species in a way other than the one prescribed by law: this is to caution all kinds of people, black, white, or pie-balled, against trusting her on my account, (harbour they may if they can) as I will not pay one mille of her contracting after this date. JOHN BOLTON. Bridgewater, June 14". A PDF copy of the article is attached.20
Almshouse*6 July 1797Elizabeth Bolton was admitted to the Almshouse in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, on 6 July 1797. While there, she gave birth to another child who was not named or identified by sex. The record stated that the child was born on the 24th of January 1798 of Betsy Bolton and that they belonged to the town of Boston.21 
Almshouse4 September 1798 Both mother and child appear to have been discharged as the responsibility of the town of Boston on 4 Sep 1798. It seems unlikely that this child was her daughter Betsey Denny Bolton, who noted as an adult in her family's Bible that she was born or baptized on 17 Dec 1802. It is more probable that this was another illegitimate child of Betsy's and the reason for her former husband's anger and subsequent divorce. Research indicates that John Bolton and Betsy Denny Bolton had no children together and that Betsy had at least three illegitimate children before her marriage and one or two more illegitimate children using the name Bolton after the couple divorced and parted in 1797.22 
Almshouse4 September 1798Elizabeth Bolton and her child were re-admitted on the same date of 4 September 1798 to the Almshouse in Boston. Their re-admittance, likely just an administrative change in financial responsibility, noted that they belonged to the town of Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.23 
Almshouse22 August 1799The town of Bridgewater was notified on 22 August 1799 by the Almshouse in Boston that the price for Elizabeth Bolton and her child for the period between 22 May 1799 and 22 Aug 1799 was being charged at the rate of $3 per week.24 
Almshouse7 September 1799Elizabeth Bolton and her child, belonging to the town of Bridgewater, were discharged on 7 September 1799, one year after their 4 Sep 1798 re-admittance into the Boston Almshouse.23 
Almshouse7 September 1799 On 7 September 1799, the town of Bridgewater was billed by the Boston Almshouse for the board and care of Elizabeth Bolton and her child in the amount of $53.28 which was paid by cash on 24 Feb 1800.25 
Death*19 February 1846Betsy Bolton died of pleurisy (pain in her chest with each breath) at age 76 on 19 February 1846 in West Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The information recorded about her death also noted that she was "74 years", 8 months, a housekeeper, born in Boston, "widow" of John, daughter of John Dana Tuel and Elizabeth.3 

Family
Children 1.Child Dennie9 b. bt 4 Aug 1789 - 26 Apr 1790
 2.Child Dennie9 b. 28 Jul 1792
 3.David Sohier Dennie14 b. 27 May 1795
 4.Child Bolton26 b. 24 Jan 1798
 5.Betsey Denny Bolton+27 b. 17 Dec 1802

Citations

  1. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Church records, baptisms, marriages, administrations, 1699-1804. Includes Index. FHL Film" 837129, Item# 3 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970), page 138. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804.
  2. [S451] Massachusetts Vital Records to the Year 1850 - NEHGS, online at www.newenglandancestors.org. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 - NEHGS.
  3. [S48] New England Historic Genealogical Society, Massachusetts Vital Records to the Year 1850. CD-ROM (101 Newbury, Boston, Massachusetts: NEHGS), Births - Marriages - Deaths. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850.
  4. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, editors, The eighteenth-century records of the Boston overseers of the poor (Boston, Massachusetts: Colonial Society of Massachusetts, 2007), Almshouse Admissions, January 1, 1775 - September 30, 1788, page 290. Hereinafter cited as Boston overseers of the poor.
  5. [S948] Boston Deaths, 1700-1799, online at www.americanancestors.org. Hereinafter cited as Boston Deaths, 1700-1799.
  6. [S979] Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, online at www.ancestry.com. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988.
  7. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 421.
  8. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 433.
  9. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 474.
  10. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 515.
  11. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 516.
  12. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 517.
  13. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, October 1, 1778 - August 30, 1795, page 519.
  14. [S494] Boston MA: Church Records, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, King's Chapel, page 137. Hereinafter cited as Boston MA: Church Records.
  15. [S746] Boston, Massachusetts Marriages, 1700-1809, online at www.americanancestors.org, Volume 2, page 140. Hereinafter cited as Boston Marriages, 1700-1809.
  16. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, September 8, 1775 - December 31, 1800, page 561.
  17. [S180] Boston, Massachusetts Marriages, 1700-1809, online at www.Ancestry.com. Hereinafter cited as Boston Marriages, 1700-1809.
  18. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page 264. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.
  19. [S471] Anna Chesebrough Wildey, Genealogy of the Descendants of William Chesebrough of Boston, Rehoboth, Massachusetts (New York, New York: Press of T.A. Wright, 1903), Part I, Descendants of Samuel, pages 18-301, surname spelled "Dana". Hereinafter cited as Descendants of William Chesebrough of Boston, Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
  20. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Copied from the Boston Centinel; Paper: Western Star, published as The Western Star; Date: 07-17-1797; Volume: VIII; Issue: 35; Page: [4]; Location: Stockbridge, Massachusetts; downloaded 3 Oct 2007. Hereinafter cited as America's Historical Newspapers.
  21. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, January 1, 1775 - September 30, 1788, page 549.
  22. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, September 8, 1795 - December 31, 1800, page 550.
  23. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Almshouse Admissions, September 8, 1795 - December 31, 1800, page 551.
  24. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Miscellaneous Financial Documents, 1795-1800, page 882.
  25. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, Miscellaneous Financial Documents, 1795-1800, page 865.
  26. [S534] Eric Nellis and Anne Decker Cecere, Boston overseers of the poor, pages 550 and 551.
  27. [S48] Births - Marriages - Deaths, Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850, from an entry made in a Packard Family Bible after her marriage 1824.

Eunice Dennie1

b. circa 1732, d. 14 August 1805
Family
Father*James Dennie1 b. 14 Feb 1702/3, d. 1759
Mother*Eunice Sturges1 b. 4 Jan 1708/9, d. 16 Oct 1740
Birth*circa 1732Eunice Dennie was born circa 1732.2 
Marriage*22 March 1759She married Thaddeus Burr on 22 March 1759.2 
(Wife) Death19 February 1801Eunice became a widow when Thaddeus Burr died on 19 February 1801.2 
Death*14 August 1805She died in her 76th year, according to her gravestone, on 14 August 1805 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.2 
Will*17 August 1805Eunice (Dennie) Burr's will, dated 6 Mar, was proved on 17 August 1805.2 

Family

 Thaddeus Burr b. 22 Aug 1735, d. 19 Feb 1801

Citations

  1. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), Volume 2, page 287. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.
  2. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, Volume 2, pages 197-198 and 287.

George Dennie1

b. 7 August 1803, d. 1896
Family
Father*Thomas Dennie2 b. 12 Oct 1756, d. 2 Aug 1842
Mother*Sarah Bryant b. c 1761, d. 18 Jul 1827
Baptism*7 August 1803George Dennie was baptized on 7 August 1803 at West Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.3 
Occupation*1831George Dennie and William Clark were listed in the leather business together in the 1831 Boston City Directory. "Dennie and Clark" was located at 23 N. Market, Boston, and George's house was listed separately at 49 Poplar.4 
Death*1896He died in 1896.5 

Citations

  1. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 129. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  2. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Boston Price-Current, published as The Boston Current and Marine Intelligencer, 28 Dec 1797, Volume III, Issue 33, page 3. Hereinafter cited as America's Historical Newspapers.
  3. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston", Volume 92, page 27.
  4. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1831, page 131. Hereinafter cited as U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
  5. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."

Grizzel Dennie1

b. 18 September 1720
Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 7 Oct 1694, d. b 3 Feb 1747
Mother*Mary Edwards1 b. 7 Jul 1695, d. 1722
Baptism*18 September 1720Grizzel Dennie was baptized on 18 September 1720 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
(Daughter) Will25 December 1744Grizzel was named in the will of her father John Dennie dated 25 December 1744. He bequeathed to his loving wife Sarah forever one third part of all his estate both real and personal whether in this province, the colony of Connecticut, or elsewhere at her own disposal, his three Negro servants together with all household stuff. His will directed that 500 pounds lawful money of the province be lodged with his executors to be put to interest and improved for any of his children who were under age at the time of his death. He bequeathed to his son Albert Dennie 25 pounds lawful money which, with what he had already received, was his full portion and share. All the remainder of his estate, whether real or personal, he gave to his four other sons: John, William, Thomas and Joseph, and to his five daughters Mary, Grizzel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Abigail to be equally divided among them.

The biggest surprise in the will, published by researchers in 2002, was learning about Joseph, the fourth son of John Dennie. Joseph had not been mentioned in earlier research published in 1930-1932.

Mr. Dennie's will named his children in groups of men and then of women. The order of the naming by gender by their father in his will corresponds to the known dates from records in Fairfield Church. His will was not challenged in court.1 
Marriage30 November 1747She married first Nathaniel Martin on 30 November 1747.1,2 
Marriage5 April 1753She married second Dr. Simpson Jones of Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts on 5 April 1753.2,1 
(Daughter) Land Records The distribution of John Dennie's Connecticut real estate as bequeathed in his will of 1744 was not known to researchers until 2002 and presented many questions. He left his real estate in two parts: two-thirds of his Connecticut property directly to his nine named children, and one-third of all his estate forever "both real and personal whether in this province the colony of Connecticut or elsewhere" to his widow Sarah. This bequest created an estate in real property in Connecticut for Sarah (Webb) Dennie, his widow. Because Sarah died without leaving a will, it was left to the courts to identify and name Sarah's children and heirs.

Land records in Fairfield and in Ridgefield, both in Fairfield County, Connecticut, gave researchers information on the identity of Sarah's heirs. The land records also clarified John Dennie's two wives and clearly identified their two sets of children. Sarah (Webb) Dennie's children were named, and those of Mary (Edwards) Dennie were identified as the other children. Joseph Dennie appeared with Sarah's children as her heir, but not as her son.

The Dennie children all eventually, after they attained their majority, or for the girls, married, sold their Fairfield and Ridgefield real estate. Researchers noted in their report, as an aside, that the real estate was of small value compared to the other property they inherited from their father.

Determined researchers explained their strategy by stating that complete land research for a parcel of property required that deeds be located for all the land sales of the heirs of John Dennie, which they called "the two thirds of the property" and of the heirs of Sarah Dennie, or "the one third of the property". They believed these transactions would identify all the interested parties in the entire package of real estate under review. They knew they were looking for a minimum of two deeds: one for the nine children of John Dennie and one for the court determined heirs of John's widow, Sarah (Webb) Dennie. Unfortunately, they did not know the maximum number of deeds they were looking for, since each of the children could have sold separately, one at a time.

Extensive research of the Dennie family land records in both Fairfield and Ridgefield was said by the researchers to have been "revealing, surprising and astonishing." They took special note in the first two land sales in the grouping and the unity of eight of the heirs. Eight of the nine children named in John Dennie's will joined together to sell all their two thirds interest at one time in one transaction. The deed named each of the eight stating "which said [children] are eight of the children and heirs of John Dennie late... Whereas the same John Dennie by his last will and testament duly proved gave and bequeathed unto his said eight children and his other son Joseph two full third parts of all the real estate... nine acres in Fairfield..." The deed was dated 24 Jan 1758 and recorded 8 Jun 1762. All of the parties named except Joseph signed at one time.

The second deed they found recorded in Fairfield was the sale by the Sarah Dennie heirs, again excepting Joseph. Sarah's four children were named and described as "children and heirs of Sarah Dennie late of Boston deceased intestate... whereas Mr. John Dennie late... by his last will duly proved approved and allowed gave and bequeathed to his widow the said Sarah Dennie one full third part of all his real estate in fee simple... The same Sarah soon after dyed intestate leaving the said William Thomas Sarah and Abigail and one Joseph Dennie her children and heirs". The deed was dated and recorded on the same dates as the first deed, 24 Jan 1758 and 8 Jun 1758, respectively.

The researchers also noted that William Dennie had received a double portion as the eldest son of the intestate Sarah, not the eldest son of John, and sold both parts. Sarah's other three children each received and sold one part. Joseph Dennie had received one portion which he would sell separately, later. John Dennie's son John had received two portions of his father's estate, and each of his siblings had received one. All, except Joseph, sold in full in the first deed described.1 

Citations

  1. [S928] Robert W. Hull, "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family: Mary (Edwards) Dennie and her children, Sarah (Webb) Dennie and her children, and John Dennie's other son, one Joseph Dennie", viewed and downloaded from www.americanancestors.org. The Connecticut Nutmegger, Volume 35, pages 434-440 (December 2002). Hereinafter cited as "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family."
  2. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."

Grizzel Dennie1

b. 28 February 1696/97, d. 10 June 1754
Family
Father*Albert Dennie1 d. b 13 May 1708
Mother*Elizabeth Wakeman1
Baptism*28 February 1696/97Grizzel Dennie was baptized on 28 February 1696/97 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
(Daughter) Administration7 June 1708Grizzel's father died before 13 May 1708 when administration for his estate was granted in New York, and on 7 June 1708 Captain John Wakeman and Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman were named administrators. His two older children, John and Grizzel, chose their uncle, Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman, as their guardian, and he was also appointed guardian of the youngest child, James.1 
Marriage*She married Reverend Daniel Chapman.1 
Death*10 June 1754She died on 10 June 1754 in Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 

Family

 Reverend Daniel Chapman

Citations

  1. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), Volume I, page 182. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.

Henry Dennie1

b. 24 January 1796, d. 29 November 1841
Family
Father*Thomas Dennie2 b. 12 Oct 1756, d. 2 Aug 1842
Mother*Sarah Bryant b. c 1761, d. 18 Jul 1827
Baptism*24 January 1796Henry Dennie was baptized on 24 January 1796 at West Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.1 
Occupation*1831Father and Son Thomas Dennie and Henry Dennie were listed in the 1831 Boston City Directory as wine merchants at 105 State, Boston. Thomas' house was at 1 Allen, and Henry was listed separately at 57 Leveret.3 
Death*29 November 1841The Old Cemeteries source reported his obituary stating he died on 29 November 1841 at age 46, and a notation made next to his baptismal record said he died in 1842.1,4 
Burial*He was buried in T5, the Thomas Dennie Tomb, on the west side of Kings Chapel Burying Ground, Boston.4 

Citations

  1. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 124. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  2. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Boston Price-Current, published as The Boston Current and Marine Intelligencer, 28 Dec 1797, Volume III, Issue 33, page 3. Hereinafter cited as America's Historical Newspapers.
  3. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1831, page 131. Hereinafter cited as U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
  4. [S946] Boston, MA: Old Cemeteries of Boston, online at www.americanancestors.org, page 743. Hereinafter cited as Old Cemeteries of Boston.

Jacob Dennie1

b. 27 July 1746
Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 1717, d. 1 Aug 1777
Mother*Sarah Wendell1 b. 20 Jan 1721, d. 13 Mar 1785
Baptism*27 July 1746Jacob Dennie was baptized on 27 July 1746 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).1 

Citations

  1. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page169. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.

James Dennie1

b. 14 February 1702/3, d. 1759
Family
Father*Albert Dennie1 d. b 13 May 1708
Mother*Elizabeth Wakeman1
Baptism*14 February 1702/3James Dennie was baptized on 14 February 1702/3 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
(Son) Administration7 June 1708James's father died before 13 May 1708 when administration for his estate was granted in New York, and on 7 June 1708 Captain John Wakeman and Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman were named administrators. His two older children, John and Grizzel, chose their uncle, Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman, as their guardian, and he was also appointed guardian of the youngest child, James.1 
Marriage*13 April 1731He married Eunice Sturges, daughter of Jonathan Sturges, on 13 April 1731 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
(Husband) Death16 October 1740James became a widower when Eunice Dennie died on 16 October 1740.1,2 
Marriage*He married Sarah Thompson, daughter of David Thompson, in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
Death*1759He died in 1759 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
Administration*23 February 1759 And administration of his estate was granted on 23 February 1759 at Fairfield.1 

Family 1

 Eunice Sturges b. 4 Jan 1708/9, d. 16 Oct 1740
Child 1.Eunice Dennie2 b. c 1732, d. 14 Aug 1805

Family 2

 Sarah Thompson b. 24 May 1724, d. 24 Jan 1796
Child 1.Sarah Dennie2 b. 14 Aug 1757, d. 15 Dec 1797

Citations

  1. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), Volume I, page 182. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.
  2. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, Volume 2, page 287.

James Dennie1

b. 12 February 1785, d. 11 May 1857
Family
Father*Thomas Dennie2 b. 12 Oct 1756, d. 2 Aug 1842
Mother*Sarah Bryant b. c 1761, d. 18 Jul 1827
Birth*12 February 1785James Dennie was born on 12 February 1785 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts (Continental Congress),3 
Baptism20 February 1785 and was baptized on 20 February 1785 at West Church, Boston.1 
Occupation*James Dennie was a merchant, like his father.3 
Marriage*15 January 1811He married Eliza Tweedy Martin, daughter of Honorable Simeon Martin and Amy __?__, on 15 January 1811 in Trinity Church, Newport, Providence County, Rhode Island. Sisters Eliza and Abigail Martin were married in a double ceremony performed by the Reverend Mr. Wheaton.3,4,5 
Occupation1823James Dennie was listed in the 1823 Boston City Directory as a deputy sheriff, at the Old Court House, Boston. His house was at 43 Hancock.6 
Occupation1831James Dennie was listed in the 1831 Boston City Directory as a deputy sheriff at the Boston. His house was at 1 Hancock.7 
(Husband) Death10 May 1856James became a widower when Eliza Tweedy Dennie died on 10 May 1856.5,3 
Death*11 May 1857He died on 11 May 1857 at age 72.3 

Family

 Eliza Tweedy Martin b. c 1790, d. 10 May 1856
Children 1.Sarah Bryant Dennie4 b. 23 Mar 1813, d. 26 Oct 1888
 2.Thomas Dennie4 b. 18 Jan 1815, d. 28 Aug 1831
 3.Joseph Dennie4 b. 31 Jul 1816, d. 28 Dec 1839
 4.Charles Tracy Dennie4 b. 27 Nov 1817, d. 15 Jan 1841
 5.Eliza Martin Dennie4 b. 17 Oct 1819
 6.James Dennie Jr.4 b. 6 Dec 1822, d. 14 Feb 1905
 7.John Dennie3 b. 23 Jun 1825, d. 26 Apr 1882
 8.Edward Martin Dennie+3 b. 25 Jun 1828, d. 25 Feb 1904

Citations

  1. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 118. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  2. [S318] America's Historical Newspapers, accessed online at NEHGS www.americanancestors.org which links to "HistArchive" at http://infoweb.newsbank.com, Boston Price-Current, published as The Boston Current and Marine Intelligencer, 28 Dec 1797, Volume III, Issue 33, page 3. Hereinafter cited as America's Historical Newspapers.
  3. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."
  4. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston", Volume 92, page 343.
  5. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston", Volume 92, page 257.
  6. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1823, page 81. Hereinafter cited as U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989.
  7. [S963] U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, online at www.ancestry.com, Boston, 1831, page 131.

James Dennie Jr.1,2

b. 6 December 1822, d. 14 February 1905
Family
Father*James Dennie3 b. 12 Feb 1785, d. 11 May 1857
Mother*Eliza Tweedy Martin3 b. c 1790, d. 10 May 1856
Birth*6 December 1822James Dennie Jr. was born on 6 December 1822 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,2 
Baptism2 March 1823 and was baptized on 2 March 1823 at West Church, Boston.1 
Marriage*5 May 1848He married Mary Sangor Crane, daughter of Joshua Crane and Lucy Sanger, on 5 May 1848 at First Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. They were married by Dr. Lowell and Dr. Frothingham.2 
(Husband) Death9 February 1893James became a widower when Mary Sangor (Crane) Dennie died on 9 February 1893.2,4 
Death*14 February 1905He died of bronchitis and asthenia on 14 February 1905 in 79 Pinckney Street, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. He was reported to have been age 82 years, 1 month and 8 days.2,5 
Burial*He was buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.2,5 

Family

 Mary Sangor Crane b. 1826, d. 9 Feb 1893

Citations

  1. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 357. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  2. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."
  3. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston", Volume 92, page 343.
  4. [S363] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, Volume 438, page 60. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910.
  5. [S363] Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910, online at www.newenglandancestors.org, Volume 5, page 447, death date noted incorrectly as 14 Jan.

Jane Dennie1

b. 6 June 1742
Family
Father*Albert Dennie2 b. 4 Mar 1716
Mother*Abigail Colman2 b. 14 Jan 1714/15, d. 17 May 1745
Baptism*6 June 1742Jane Dennie was baptized on 6 June 1742 at Brattle Square Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). Her mother was recorded as the parent/sponsor.1 
Death*She died in infancy.3 

Citations

  1. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page 165. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.
  2. [S929] Brattle Square Church, Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872, page 161.
  3. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."

John Dennie

b. 14 October 1744
Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 1717, d. 1 Aug 1777
Mother*Sarah Wendell1 b. 20 Jan 1721, d. 13 Mar 1785
Baptism*14 October 1744John Dennie was baptized on 14 October 1744 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).1 

Citations

  1. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page167. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.

John Dennie1

b. 7 October 1694, d. before 3 February 1747
Family
Father*Albert Dennie1,2 d. b 13 May 1708
Mother*Elizabeth Wakeman1
Baptism*7 October 1694John Dennie was baptized on 7 October 1694 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1,2,3 
(Son) Administration7 June 1708John's father died before 13 May 1708 when administration for his estate was granted in New York, and on 7 June 1708 Captain John Wakeman and Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman were named administrators. His two older children, John and Grizzel, chose their uncle, Lieutenant Joseph Wakeman, as their guardian, and he was also appointed guardian of the youngest child, James.2 
Marriage*He married first Mary Edwards, daughter of John Edwards and Mary Hanford.1,2 
Coroner Inquest*1716A Negro man, reputed to be John Dennie's, was hanged with a rope around his neck fastened to a limb of an apple tree in 1716. He was clear from the ground, in an orchard formerly belonging to Jonathan Morehouse and now to John Denny.4 
Occupation11 August 1719 The Dennie family belonged to the merchant aristocracy which became dominant in the New England capital with the decline of the theocratic system soon after the beginning of the 18th century. John Dennie, probably Albert's oldest son, was the founder of the family in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). He was engaged in business in that town as early as 11 August 1719 when a sale to him of "one dozen verses", rhymes like those of Mother Goose, was recorded by Thomas Fleet, printer. His home however was probably at Fairfield for some time, since most of his children were baptized there, though the absence of two names from the Fairfield church register may denote an occasional residence at Boston. By the 1730s, at any rate, he was established in Boston and from then until his death his name appears frequently in deeds and other records there.3 
(Husband) Death1722John became a widower when Mary Dennie died in 1722.1 
Marriage*circa 1724He married second Sarah Webb, daughter of Reverend Joseph Webb and Elizabeth Nichols, circa 1724.3,1,2 
(Son-in-Law) Estate1732John and Sarah (Webb) Dennie were named in an agreement about the division of her father's estate in 1732. They were living in Fairfield, Connecticut, at that time.1 
Relocation*1733John and Sarah (Webb) Dennie moved to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England), in or after 1733.1 
Name VariationIn Boston, after his son John also became active in business, he was often identified as John Dennie Sr.5,6 
Religion*7 June 1741John Dennie was admitted as a member to Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England), on 7 June 1741.7 
Residence*1743John Dennie's house was described in Price's view of Boston in 1743. It was "a magnificent house of great size and height and quaint architecture with terraces and gardens called Captain Cunningham's Seat."8 
Religion5 August 1744 Cezar, servant to John Dennie Sr., was admitted as a member to Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England), on 5 August 1744.7 
Will*25 December 1744John Dennie wrote a will dated 25 December 1744. He bequeathed to his loving wife Sarah forever one third part of all his estate both real and personal whether in this province, the colony of Connecticut, or elsewhere at her own disposal, his three Negro servants together with all household stuff. His will directed that 500 pounds lawful money of the province be lodged with his executors to be put to interest and improved for any of his children who were under age at the time of his death. He bequeathed to his son Albert Dennie 25 pounds lawful money which, with what he had already received, was his full portion and share. All the remainder of his estate, whether real or personal, he gave to his four other sons: John, William, Thomas and Joseph, and to his five daughters Mary, Grizzel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Abigail to be equally divided among them.

The biggest surprise in the will, published by researchers in 2002, was learning about Joseph, the fourth son of John Dennie. Joseph had not been mentioned in earlier research published in 1930-1932.

Mr. Dennie's will named his children in groups of men and then of women. The order of the naming by gender by their father in his will corresponds to the known dates from records in Fairfield Church. His will was not challenged in court.1 
Research Opinion*Many researchers have found his will both interesting and revealing in its articles and language. It should be noted however that the Nutmegger researchers in 2002 came to the conclusion that sons Albert and John were the same person, stating that Albert, who was usually known as John, was also called John later in the will. This researcher in 2012 found additional evidence indicating that both an Albert Dennie and a John Dennie were sons of John Dennie Sr. Our research continues as we study land records and probate documents for a definitive conclusion.5,3,1 
OccupationThe five sons of John Dennie, Albert, John, William, Thomas and Joseph Dennie, all became merchants in Boston, dealing for the most part in West India commodities, such as molasses, sugar, rum and hemp.3 
Church Bells*24 July 1745The names of John Dennie Sr. and his two older sons, Albert Dennie and John Dennie Jr., appeared on a petition signed by subscribers obtained in New England and presented on 24 July 1745 to Christ Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). The large group of subscribers was promising to contribute in a variety of amounts for the commission and payment of a ring of eight bells for the church's new brick tower. John Dennie Sr. pledged £5, John Dennie Jr. and Albert Dennie each pledged £10.5 
Occupation*between 1743 and 1747 Between 1743 and 1747, John Dennie Sr. managed the town warehouse in Boston.3 
Death*before 3 February 1747He died before 3 February 1747 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).1 
Probate*3 February 1747His estate was probated on 3 February 1747 at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).1 
InventoryThe Inventory of the deceased John Dennie identified a large estate. The document is an eight-page inventory of items valued at 22,000 pounds old tenor (apparently converting to about 5,000 pounds in "new" money of that time). The inventory is full of costly mercantile items and is a descriptive document, in itself, of social history. He had been a successful merchant, and one half of the inventory was cash: 12,200 pounds in notes.

John Dennie had bought and inherited Connecticut real estate in both Fairfield and Ridgefield. Although he had mentioned his Connecticut real estate in his will, bequeathing it to his wife and children, in his inventory no Connecticut real estate was named.

The three Negro servants mentioned in his will appear on the inventory as "Negro man Caesar with one foot aged about 40, Negro man Ned, and Negro woman Flora". The servants with both feet are valued more highly than Caesar with one. There were two, not three, sets of Negro bedding listed.1 
Estate* No records were found of payments to John's minor children over the years, nor was any distribution found of his estate.1 
Land Records* The distribution of John Dennie's Connecticut real estate as bequeathed in his will of 1744 was not known to researchers until 2002 and presented many questions. He left his real estate in two parts: two-thirds of his Connecticut property directly to his nine named children, and one-third of all his estate forever "both real and personal whether in this province the colony of Connecticut or elsewhere" to his widow Sarah. This bequest created an estate in real property in Connecticut for Sarah (Webb) Dennie, his widow. Because Sarah died without leaving a will, it was left to the courts to identify and name Sarah's children and heirs.

Land records in Fairfield and in Ridgefield, both in Fairfield County, Connecticut, gave researchers information on the identity of Sarah's heirs. The land records also clarified John Dennie's two wives and clearly identified their two sets of children. Sarah (Webb) Dennie's children were named, and those of Mary (Edwards) Dennie were identified as the other children. Joseph Dennie appeared with Sarah's children as her heir, but not as her son.

The Dennie children all eventually, after they attained their majority, or for the girls, married, sold their Fairfield and Ridgefield real estate. Researchers noted in their report, as an aside, that the real estate was of small value compared to the other property they inherited from their father.

Determined researchers explained their strategy by stating that complete land research for a parcel of property required that deeds be located for all the land sales of the heirs of John Dennie, which they called "the two thirds of the property" and of the heirs of Sarah Dennie, or "the one third of the property". They believed these transactions would identify all the interested parties in the entire package of real estate under review. They knew they were looking for a minimum of two deeds: one for the nine children of John Dennie and one for the court determined heirs of John's widow, Sarah (Webb) Dennie. Unfortunately, they did not know the maximum number of deeds they were looking for, since each of the children could have sold separately, one at a time.

Extensive research of the Dennie family land records in both Fairfield and Ridgefield was said by the researchers to have been "revealing, surprising and astonishing." They took special note in the first two land sales in the grouping and the unity of eight of the heirs. Eight of the nine children named in John Dennie's will joined together to sell all their two thirds interest at one time in one transaction. The deed named each of the eight stating "which said [children] are eight of the children and heirs of John Dennie late... Whereas the same John Dennie by his last will and testament duly proved gave and bequeathed unto his said eight children and his other son Joseph two full third parts of all the real estate... nine acres in Fairfield..." The deed was dated 24 Jan 1758 and recorded 8 Jun 1762. All of the parties named except Joseph signed at one time.

The second deed they found recorded in Fairfield was the sale by the Sarah Dennie heirs, again excepting Joseph. Sarah's four children were named and described as "children and heirs of Sarah Dennie late of Boston deceased intestate... whereas Mr. John Dennie late... by his last will duly proved approved and allowed gave and bequeathed to his widow the said Sarah Dennie one full third part of all his real estate in fee simple... The same Sarah soon after dyed intestate leaving the said William Thomas Sarah and Abigail and one Joseph Dennie her children and heirs". The deed was dated and recorded on the same dates as the first deed, 24 Jan 1758 and 8 Jun 1758, respectively.

The researchers also noted that William Dennie had received a double portion as the eldest son of the intestate Sarah, not the eldest son of John, and sold both parts. Sarah's other three children each received and sold one part. Joseph Dennie had received one portion which he would sell separately, later. John Dennie's son John had received two portions of his father's estate, and each of his siblings had received one. All, except Joseph, sold in full in the first deed described.1 

Family 1

 Mary Edwards b. 7 Jul 1695, d. 1722
Children 1.Albert Dennie+1 b. 4 Mar 1716
 2.John Dennie+1 b. 1717, d. 1 Aug 1777
 3.Mary Dennie+1 b. 11 Dec 1717
 4.Grizzel Dennie1 b. 18 Sep 1720
 5.Elizabeth Dennie1

Family 2

 Sarah Webb b. 30 Jan 1702/3, d. b 17 Feb 1749
Children 1.Sarah Dennie1 b. 2 May 1725, d. b 1783
 2.William Dennie1 b. 23 Oct 1726, d. 3 Jul 1783
 3.Thomas Dennie3 b. 5 May 1728
 4.Thomas Dennie1 b. 11 Oct 1730
 5.Abigail Dennie1 b. 10 Apr 1733, d. 31 Oct 1774
 6.Joseph Dennie+1 b. c 1743, d. 11 Sep 1811

Citations

  1. [S928] Robert W. Hull, "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family: Mary (Edwards) Dennie and her children, Sarah (Webb) Dennie and her children, and John Dennie's other son, one Joseph Dennie", viewed and downloaded from www.americanancestors.org. The Connecticut Nutmegger, Volume 35, pages 434-440 (December 2002). Hereinafter cited as "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family."
  2. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), Volume I, page 182. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.
  3. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."
  4. [S949] Compiled records, "Fairfield County Inquests", New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 144 (Jan 1990): page 40. Hereinafter cited as "Fairfield County Inquests."
  5. [S931] Arthur H. Nichols M.D., "Christ Church Bells, Boston Mass.", New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Volume 58, page 67 (1904). The entire article spans multiple volumes and pages. Hereinafter cited as "Christ Church Bells - NEHGR."
  6. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page101. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.
  7. [S929] Brattle Square Church, Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872, page 101.
  8. [S941] Hooper Document II: Excerpted from "Genealogy of James Hooper Jr. of Baltimore, 1804-1898"; uploaded by Joanne Mullowney, online at www.scribd.com. Hereinafter cited as Hooper Document II.

John Dennie1

b. 1717, d. 1 August 1777
Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 7 Oct 1694, d. b 3 Feb 1747
Mother*Mary Edwards1 b. 7 Jul 1695, d. 1722
Relationship Note*John Dennie and Mary Dennie may have been twins, as stated (with certainty) in the Hooper source. The Families of Old Fairfield publication in 1930-1932 stated that John and Mary's brother Albert's "name was apparently changed to John" but offers no evidence. The Nutmegger researchers in 2002, after seeing the will left by the Senior John Dennie, supported the theory, which this researcher does not believe is correct. After finding multiple pieces of evidence proving that Albert and John were both in Boston at the same time, and merchants like their father, we seriously question the previous conclusions. A second reading of Nutmegger's John Dennie of Fairfield, as it relates to John's will and subsequent land deeds of his heirs, appears to confirm our need to view the will itself and the land deeds, and to also search for land that may have been given to Albert before the will was written.2,3,4,5,6,1 
Birth*1717John Dennie, if he was indeed Mary's twin, was born in 1717 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.2 
Baptism4 March 1716John Dennie was probably not yet born, and therefore not baptized on 4 March 1716 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut. It should be noted here that the Joseph Dennie source provided no birth or baptismal date for Albert, the son he recorded as the first born, and provided the date of baptism for John Dennie as 4 Mar 1716 and placed him second in the birth order. Both Jacobus in his Families of Old Fairfield, and the Nutmegger source, who took their information from Jacobus, provided a baptismal date for John of 4 Nov 1716. They also thought Albert and John were the same person. This researcher will need to review the original records to determine our own conclusion. His age at death, recorded in the Old Cemeteries source, would make his birth year around 1721 and still the second son.5,6,1 
Name VariationIn Boston, after he became active in business with his father, John was often identified as John Dennie Jr.7,3 
(Son) Residence1743 In 1743, John's father's house was described in Price's view of Boston. It was "a magnificent house of great size and height and quaint architecture with terraces and gardens called Captain Cunningham's Seat."2 
Marriage*8 September 1743He married Sarah Wendell, daughter of Abraham Wendell and Katarina De Key, on 8 September 1743 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). The Joseph Dennie source noted that John and Sarah had five children, however we have found records, to date, of only four of them.5,1,8 
(Son) Will25 December 1744John Dennie was named in the will of his father John Dennie dated 25 December 1744. He bequeathed to his loving wife Sarah forever one third part of all his estate both real and personal whether in this province, the colony of Connecticut, or elsewhere at her own disposal, his three Negro servants together with all household stuff. His will directed that 500 pounds lawful money of the province be lodged with his executors to be put to interest and improved for any of his children who were under age at the time of his death. He bequeathed to his son Albert Dennie 25 pounds lawful money which, with what he had already received, was his full portion and share. All the remainder of his estate, whether real or personal, he gave to his four other sons: John, William, Thomas and Joseph, and to his five daughters Mary, Grizzel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Abigail to be equally divided among them.

The biggest surprise in the will, published by researchers in 2002, was learning about Joseph, the fourth son of John Dennie. Joseph had not been mentioned in earlier research published in 1930-1932.

Mr. Dennie's will named his children in groups of men and then of women. The order of the naming by gender by their father in his will corresponds to the known dates from records in Fairfield Church. His will was not challenged in court.1 
(Son) Research OpinionMany researchers have found the will of John Dennie both interesting and revealing in its articles and language. It should be noted however that the Nutmegger researchers in 2002 came to the conclusion that sons Albert and John were the same person, stating that Albert, who was usually known as John, was also called John later in the will. This researcher in 2012 found additional evidence indicating that both an Albert Dennie and a John Dennie were sons of John Dennie Sr. Our research continues as we study land records and probate documents for a definitive conclusion.3,5,1 
(2nd Son) OccupationJohn and his four brothers, Albert, William, Thomas and Joseph Dennie, all became merchants in Boston like their father John Dennie, dealing for the most part in West India commodities, such as molasses, sugar, rum and hemp.5 
(Son) Church Bells24 July 1745The names of John Dennie Sr. and his two older sons, Albert Dennie and John Dennie Jr., appeared on a petition signed by subscribers obtained in New England and presented on 24 July 1745 to Christ Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). The large group of subscribers was promising to contribute in a variety of amounts for the commission and payment of a ring of eight bells for the church's new brick tower. John Dennie Sr. pledged £5, John Dennie Jr. and Albert Dennie each pledged £10.3 
(Son) Land Records The distribution of John Dennie's Connecticut real estate as bequeathed in his will of 1744 was not known to researchers until 2002 and presented many questions. He left his real estate in two parts: two-thirds of his Connecticut property directly to his nine named children, and one-third of all his estate forever "both real and personal whether in this province the colony of Connecticut or elsewhere" to his widow Sarah. This bequest created an estate in real property in Connecticut for Sarah (Webb) Dennie, his widow. Because Sarah died without leaving a will, it was left to the courts to identify and name Sarah's children and heirs.

Land records in Fairfield and in Ridgefield, both in Fairfield County, Connecticut, gave researchers information on the identity of Sarah's heirs. The land records also clarified John Dennie's two wives and clearly identified their two sets of children. Sarah (Webb) Dennie's children were named, and those of Mary (Edwards) Dennie were identified as the other children. Joseph Dennie appeared with Sarah's children as her heir, but not as her son.

The Dennie children all eventually, after they attained their majority, or for the girls, married, sold their Fairfield and Ridgefield real estate. Researchers noted in their report, as an aside, that the real estate was of small value compared to the other property they inherited from their father.

Determined researchers explained their strategy by stating that complete land research for a parcel of property required that deeds be located for all the land sales of the heirs of John Dennie, which they called "the two thirds of the property" and of the heirs of Sarah Dennie, or "the one third of the property". They believed these transactions would identify all the interested parties in the entire package of real estate under review. They knew they were looking for a minimum of two deeds: one for the nine children of John Dennie and one for the court determined heirs of John's widow, Sarah (Webb) Dennie. Unfortunately, they did not know the maximum number of deeds they were looking for, since each of the children could have sold separately, one at a time.

Extensive research of the Dennie family land records in both Fairfield and Ridgefield was said by the researchers to have been "revealing, surprising and astonishing." They took special note in the first two land sales in the grouping and the unity of eight of the heirs. Eight of the nine children named in John Dennie's will joined together to sell all their two thirds interest at one time in one transaction. The deed named each of the eight stating "which said [children] are eight of the children and heirs of John Dennie late... Whereas the same John Dennie by his last will and testament duly proved gave and bequeathed unto his said eight children and his other son Joseph two full third parts of all the real estate... nine acres in Fairfield..." The deed was dated 24 Jan 1758 and recorded 8 Jun 1762. All of the parties named except Joseph signed at one time.

The second deed they found recorded in Fairfield was the sale by the Sarah Dennie heirs, again excepting Joseph. Sarah's four children were named and described as "children and heirs of Sarah Dennie late of Boston deceased intestate... whereas Mr. John Dennie late... by his last will duly proved approved and allowed gave and bequeathed to his widow the said Sarah Dennie one full third part of all his real estate in fee simple... The same Sarah soon after dyed intestate leaving the said William Thomas Sarah and Abigail and one Joseph Dennie her children and heirs". The deed was dated and recorded on the same dates as the first deed, 24 Jan 1758 and 8 Jun 1758, respectively.

The researchers also noted that William Dennie had received a double portion as the eldest son of the intestate Sarah, not the eldest son of John, and sold both parts. Sarah's other three children each received and sold one part. Joseph Dennie had received one portion which he would sell separately, later. John Dennie's son John had received two portions of his father's estate, and each of his siblings had received one. All, except Joseph, sold in full in the first deed described.1 
Occupation*Brothers John and William Dennie were among the most important merchants at Boston during the 1750s, 60s and 70s. Both were among the gentlemen occasionally invited to accompany the governor's train on formal tours of the Boston schools, and their names appeared frequently, in different capacities, in the records of the period.5 
Residence*22 December 1769 On 22 December 1769, the large elegant mansion house of Sarah and John Dennie Esq., a prominent Loyalist, was burned down. The home had been John's father's in Brighton, then a part of Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). His friends, mostly Tories, generously contributed to his relief, and the home was quickly rebuilt.9,5,2 
Loyalist*Like many men of wealth and rank, John Dennie was loyal to the King's cause, and may have escaped expatriation as a Loyalist by dying early in the Revolutionary War.5 
Death*1 August 1777He died on 1 August 1777, according to Boyle's Journal, or on 7 Aug 1777, according to the Joseph Dennie source, in Boston.5,10 
Burial*He was buried in T5, in the Thomas Dennie Tomb, on the west side of Kings Chapel Burying Ground, Boston. His age was recorded as 57 although, if his baptismal date has been reported correctly, he would have been 61.11 

Family

 Sarah Wendell b. 20 Jan 1721, d. 13 Mar 1785
Children 1.John Dennie12 b. 14 Oct 1744
 2.Jacob Dennie13 b. 27 Jul 1746
 3.Sarah Dennie13 b. 10 Apr 1748
 4.Child Dennie5
 5.Thomas Dennie+5 b. 12 Oct 1756, d. 2 Aug 1842

Citations

  1. [S928] Robert W. Hull, "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family: Mary (Edwards) Dennie and her children, Sarah (Webb) Dennie and her children, and John Dennie's other son, one Joseph Dennie", viewed and downloaded from www.americanancestors.org. The Connecticut Nutmegger, Volume 35, pages 434-440 (December 2002). Hereinafter cited as "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family."
  2. [S941] Hooper Document II: Excerpted from "Genealogy of James Hooper Jr. of Baltimore, 1804-1898"; uploaded by Joanne Mullowney, online at www.scribd.com. Hereinafter cited as Hooper Document II.
  3. [S931] Arthur H. Nichols M.D., "Christ Church Bells, Boston Mass.", New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Volume 58, page 67 (1904). The entire article spans multiple volumes and pages. Hereinafter cited as "Christ Church Bells - NEHGR."
  4. [S934] Ebenezer Turell, The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman, D.D. Late Pastor of a Church in Boston, New England, who Deceased August 29th 1747, downloaded from the Open Library Project at www.openlibrary.org. (Boston, Massachusetts: printed and sold by Rogers and Fowle and by J. Edwards, 1749), Chapter IX, pages 207-223. Hereinafter cited as The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman.
  5. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."
  6. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), page 287. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.
  7. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), pages 167 and 169. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.
  8. [S929] Brattle Square Church, Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872, page 245.
  9. [S951] John Boyle, "Boyle's Journal of Occurrences in Boston", New England Historic and Genealogical Register; Volume 85 (Apr 1931): Jul 1930, Volume 84, page 261. Hereinafter cited as "Boyle's Journal."
  10. [S951] John Boyle, "Boyle's Journal", page 130.
  11. [S946] Boston, MA: Old Cemeteries of Boston, online at www.americanancestors.org, page 743. Hereinafter cited as Old Cemeteries of Boston.
  12. [S929] Brattle Square Church, Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872, page167.
  13. [S929] Brattle Square Church, Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872, page169.

John Dennie1

b. 30 December 1738
Family
Father*Albert Dennie1 b. 4 Mar 1716
Mother*Abigail Colman1 b. 14 Jan 1714/15, d. 17 May 1745
Birth1737 Based upon the parental disappointment and town scandal caused by the marriage of John's parents, it is very likely that he was born much earlier than the date recorded for his baptism, and possibly as early as late 1737.2,3 
Baptism*30 December 1738John Dennie was baptized by his grandfather, Reverend Benjamin Colman, on 30 December 1738 at Brattle Square Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England). His mother was recorded as the parent/sponsor.1 
(Son) Death17 May 1745John's mother died after a long languishment on 17 May 1745 in Boston. John was just about 6 years old, and was left in the care of his grandfather, Reverend Benjamin Colman.2 
(Grandson) Will25 March 1747Nine-year-old John Dennie was named as the primary beneficiary in the will of his grandfather and guardian, the Reverend Benjamin Colman, dated 25 March 1747 in Boston. Reverend Colman gave John the sum of £3,000, old tenor, in Bills of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, to be put into the hands of his Executors for John's use and benefit. The funds were to be put out to lawful interest to pay for his good education and support until he reached the full age of 22 years, at which time John was to be paid the Principal. His grandfather's will included many conditions of behavior in order for John to receive his inheritance, and identified alternative heirs should John die before he reached age 22. He also asked his Executors to deliver a collection of his favorite religious books, which he listed by author and title, to his nephew Benjamin Colman to be carefully kept for his grandson. His will referenced a plain wooden chest in his Study where he had already put some copies of his grandson's mother, his daughter Abigail Dennie's writings and poetry, her name written on most if not all of them, and directed that they, together with all the other copies of his own printed works found in his Study, also be preserved for his grandson or for his nephew Benjamin Colman himself and his son Benjamin.4 
(Grandson) Codicil28 August 1747John's grandfather, the Reverend Benjamin Colman, wrote a codicil to his will on 28 August 1747 in Boston. Reverend Colman died the next day before he could give it, as he had planned, to one of his Executors, John Phillips Esq. of Boston, described as a worthy Deacon of the Church in Brattle Street. The codicil first confirmed his will and testament in its entirety, except for the addition written in the codicil which stated that if either his honored friend John Phillips, Esq. or his beloved nephew Benjamin Colman of Boston, merchant, were to take upon them the trust and trouble of Executor to his will with the necessary care of the education of his grandson John Dennie, that £200 out of his estate should be allowed to him for the care and his great kindness. The codicil was not witnessed.

From a letter written on 7 Sep 1747 by Benjamin's widow Mary Colman and included in the probate packet, we learned that Benjamin had completed writing his codicil in the evening, and put it in his desk drawer for the night. Mary wrote in her letter to Judge Edward Hutchinson that Benjamin had told her he was thinking possibly of adding something more, and would complete it in the morning and then deliver it to Deacon John Phillips. Her letter stated that, between the hours of three and five in the morning of the 29th August, her dear husband, Dr. Benjamin Colman, told her that if he didn't have the opportunity to finish it, she should submit it to the court and that the court would be able to tell it was written in Benjamin's own hand and signed with his signature.4 
(Grandson) Death29 August 1747When John was about 8 years old his grandfather, who had cared for him since his mother's death two years earlier, died on 29 August 1747 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).2 
(Grandson) TrustThe will of the Reverend Benjamin Colman directed that a Trust for his grandson John Dennie be created. He ordered that the residue of his library be sold and the proceeds, together with his little silver plate and household goods, be added to the bonds, mortgages and monies he left, and that after the just payment of debts and legacies, the yearly income of the remaining personal estate, together with his house in Brattle Street, Boston, his only real property, be used to fund the Trust. He appointed his beloved nephew Benjamin Colman and honored friends Jacob Wendell Esq., John Phillips Esq. and Thomas Hancock as Executors of both his estate and the Trust, relying on their love and goodness to accept the appointment for the sake of his poor, helpless grandson, for his custodial and desired, both worldly and spiritual good. It described, in some detail and with conditions, his instructions on how his grandson was to be raised to manhood.

In order that they might achieve that end, Colman empowered his Executors and Trustees, according to their best judgment, to rent, demand and receive rent, defend his title and property, to let out monies upon bond and to demand, receive, sue for, and recover monies due upon bond or mortgage, to also make necessary repairs and defray every arising charge. Most especially, though, he entrusted them to care for the board, schooling and education of his beloved grandson; to bring him up to learning or to put him to trade or merchandise, as they shall judge most fitting and convenient. And adding that if his nephew Benjamin Colman, or other of his honored Executors could board him and see to his profitable and pious instruction, or take him as their apprentice, it would be his wish.

The will informed his Executors and Trustees that, as a result of Articles of Indenture, or legal contract, agreed upon between himself and his son-in-law Albert Dennie, the natural father of his only branch and grandson, the boy's father had committed to Colman's care and ordering, all that concerned the education and support of his grandson John Dennie. The agreement gave Colman the right and responsibility to do for his grandson as a father for his child and empowered him to provide for him by will and testament as he was now doing. The will then committed John Dennie to the care and ordering of his worthy Trustees and Executors throughout his whole education in non age, requiring him to be respectful and subject to them as to his natural parent and guardian. If John should prove disrespectful, the will empowered his Trustees and Executors to withhold and deny to John, when he came of age, the £3,000 legacy bequeathed to him, and also to deny him from coming into possession of his dwelling house in Brattle Street. If John were to prove to be impolite or disrespectful, immoral or impious in the sober judgment and conscience of his Trustees and Executors, the will then ordered that his beloved nephew Benjamin Colman, who was also a Trustee, be put immediately into possession of Colman's house and land in Brattle Street, to remain unto him and the heirs of his body, and their heirs also lawfully begotten, forever. The will added that if John were to become or remain impolite or disrespectful, immoral or impious when he reached the age of 22 years, then the £3,000 bequeathed to him, together with all that should remain of his personal estate in the hands of his Executors and Trustees be equally divided among the surviving grandchildren, or their heirs, of his brother John Colman.

If, on the other hand, his grandson John Dennie, by the Grace of God, for which he fervently prayed for him, prove himself a sober and virtuous youth, in a judgment of charity, with his parental blessing on him, he confirmed to him the £3,000 legacy at the age of 22 years, and with great pleasure he bequeathed to John his dwelling house and land in Brattle Street, to remain unto him and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten, forever. However, if John were to die without heirs, then the house and land should remain with his nephew Benjamin Colman of Boston, merchant, and to his son Benjamin and the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, forever.

The will ordered his Executors and Trustees, within the year following his death, to make the tender of his house in Brattle Street to his beloved nephew Benjamin Colman for him to occupy and dwell in, instructing him to keep it in good repair until the day of his grandson John reaching the full age of 22 years. His nephew Benjamin was ordered to pay rent of no more than £70 per annum, and that he then surrender it up to John Dennie, or legal heir of his body, or rent it of him or his as may be agreeable to him and them.4 
Marriage*10 February 1761He is most likely the John Dennie who married Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of Thomas Jackson and Sarah Phillips, on 10 February 1761 in Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).5 
(Heir) Will9 November 1776John Dennie was named as a beneficiary in the will of the Reverend Ebenezer Turell dated 9 November 1776 in Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (Continental Congress). The will described John as the grandson of his father-in-law, Reverend Father Benjamin Colman, and he gave John his large Preaching Bible in which there was a record of the Family of Colman. Turell also gave John a collection of coats, jackets and other articles of clothing.6 
Deathbefore 22 September 1778He may have been the John Dennie who died before 22 September 1778. He would have been 40 years of age. An estate advertisement appeared in the Independent Chronicle newspaper in Boston on 22 Sep 1778 regarding the estate of John Dennie. John's son, Ebenezer, was identified as "an orphan" by 16 Dec 1779 and his nine-year-old daughter, Betsy, was admitted to the Boston Almshouse by herself on 21 Aug 1778.7,8 
Research Notes*1779When Ebenezer Turell Dennie was described as an orphan in 1779, his mother Elizabeth (Jackson) Dennie was still alive. It is believed at this point, although we have no direct evidence, that his father John Dennie was likely deceased.6 

Family

 Elizabeth Jackson b. 21 Oct 1731, d. 23 Nov 1811
Children 1.Sarah Dennie9 b. 13 Dec 1761, d. b 1771
 2.Benjamin Colman Dennie10 b. 12 May 1765
 3.Ebenezer Turell Dennie9 b. 6 Mar 1768, d. 2 Jul 1848
 4.Elizabeth "Betsy" Dennie+11,12 b. 18 Jun 1769, d. 19 Feb 1846
 5.Sarah Dennie9 b. 25 Aug 1771

Citations

  1. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page 161. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.
  2. [S934] Ebenezer Turell, The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman, D.D. Late Pastor of a Church in Boston, New England, who Deceased August 29th 1747, downloaded from the Open Library Project at www.openlibrary.org. (Boston, Massachusetts: printed and sold by Rogers and Fowle and by J. Edwards, 1749), Chapter IX, pages 207-223. Hereinafter cited as The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman.
  3. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."
  4. [S510] Suffolk County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, 1636-1899. Microreproduction of original records in the Suffolk County courthouse on 439 reels. Dates listed are approximate only. Miscellaneous docket lists estates not appearing in files, appointments of officers, and other miscellaneous records. LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Benjamin Colman 1747 probate packet# 8827, FHL Film# 493868. Hereinafter cited as Suffolk County Probate Records, 1636-1899.
  5. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Church records, baptisms, marriages, administrations, 1699-1804. Includes Index. FHL Film" 837129, Item# 3 (Salt Lake City, Utah: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1970), page 252. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804.
  6. [S485] Probate Records 1648-1924, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (886 microfilm reels of original records in the Middlesex County Courthouse, Cambridge, Massachusetts), LDS Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah, Ebenezer Turell 1778 probate packet# 23046, FHL Film# 421543. Hereinafter cited as Probate Records 1648-1924, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
  7. [S948] Boston Deaths, 1700-1799, online at www.americanancestors.org. Hereinafter cited as Boston Deaths, 1700-1799.
  8. [S979] Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988, online at www.ancestry.com. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988.
  9. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804, page 126.
  10. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804, page 182.
  11. [S451] Massachusetts Vital Records to the Year 1850 - NEHGS, online at www.newenglandancestors.org. Hereinafter cited as Massachusetts Vital Records to 1850 - NEHGS.
  12. [S533] Brattle Street Church (Boston), Brattle Street Church Records (Boston) 1699-1804, page 138.

John Dennie1

b. 23 June 1825, d. 26 April 1882
Family
Father*James Dennie1 b. 12 Feb 1785, d. 11 May 1857
Mother*Eliza Tweedy Martin1 b. c 1790, d. 10 May 1856
Birth*23 June 1825John Dennie was born on 23 June 1825 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.1 
Marriage*3 December 1850He married Cynthia Eunice Dennis on 3 December 1850 at Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.1 
Death*26 April 1882He died on 26 April 1882 at Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas, at age 561 
Burial* and was buried in Gainesville.1 

Family

 Cynthia Eunice Dennis d. 30 Apr 1883

Citations

  1. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."

Joseph Dennie1

b. circa 1743, d. 11 September 1811
Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 7 Oct 1694, d. b 3 Feb 1747
Mother-Possible*Sarah Webb b. 30 Jan 1702/3, d. b 17 Feb 1749;

Joseph's father, John Dennie, was married to Sarah Webb at the time Joseph was conceived and born, and Joseph was raised by Sarah. In the source Joseph Dennie and his Circle, the author states, unequivocally and without explanation, that Joseph was the son of John Dennie and Sarah Webb. In the Nutmegger source, however, Sarah as Joseph's mother is, from probate and land records, doubted and considered untrue. This researcher plans to review the records identified by the Nutmegger source, and other records we may find, and present our own conclusion2,1
Birth*circa 1743Joseph Dennie was probably born circa 1743. He was named in his father's will, written 25 Dec 1744, and described as John Dennie's fourth (and youngest) son. Researchers have speculated that Joseph was probably born sometime after 1730 and before the will was written in 1744, and probably closer to 1744 since he married in the 1760s and sold his real estate as an adult in 1765.

He was clearly a son of John Dennie, and possibly the son of his second wife, Sarah Webb. Sarah and John Dennie were both listed as his parents on Joseph's baptismal record in 1744.

In his will, Mr. Dennie left the sum of 500 pounds for the care of his minor children. In 1744, Sarah and William were nearing their majority, and the only minor children of John Dennie were Abigail, who was eleven or twelve years of age, and Joseph. These two youngest children were very carefully provided for until they came of age. The special legacy was very possibly designed to provide specifically for Joseph, probably much younger than Abigail.

John's second wife Sarah (Webb) Dennie had apparently accepted Joseph as her husband's son, even if he was not her own, and allowed Joseph to live with her and her husband's other children in her household at least until John Dennie's death. She may well have kept Joseph with her until her own death.1,2,3 
Baptism11 March 1744Joseph Dennie was baptized on 11 March 1744 at West Church, Boston.3 
(Son) Will25 December 1744Joseph Dennie was named in the will of his father John Dennie dated 25 December 1744. He bequeathed to his loving wife Sarah forever one third part of all his estate both real and personal whether in this province, the colony of Connecticut, or elsewhere at her own disposal, his three Negro servants together with all household stuff. His will directed that 500 pounds lawful money of the province be lodged with his executors to be put to interest and improved for any of his children who were under age at the time of his death. He bequeathed to his son Albert Dennie 25 pounds lawful money which, with what he had already received, was his full portion and share. All the remainder of his estate, whether real or personal, he gave to his four other sons: John, William, Thomas and Joseph, and to his five daughters Mary, Grizzel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Abigail to be equally divided among them.

The biggest surprise in the will, published by researchers in 2002, was learning about Joseph, the fourth son of John Dennie. Joseph had not been mentioned in earlier research published in 1930-1932.

Mr. Dennie's will named his children in groups of men and then of women. The order of the naming by gender by their father in his will corresponds to the known dates from records in Fairfield Church. His will was not challenged in court.1 
(5th Son) OccupationJoseph and his four brothers, Albert, John, William and Thomas Dennie, all became merchants in Boston like their father John Dennie, dealing for the most part in West India commodities, such as molasses, sugar, rum and hemp.2 
(Son) Guardianship17 February 1749Following their mother's death, William Dennie was appointed guardian on 17 February 1749 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England), for Joseph and his two siblings, Thomas and Abigail, who were also still minors.2 
(Son) Land Records The distribution of John Dennie's Connecticut real estate as bequeathed in his will of 1744 was not known to researchers until 2002 and presented many questions. He left his real estate in two parts: two-thirds of his Connecticut property directly to his nine named children, and one-third of all his estate forever "both real and personal whether in this province the colony of Connecticut or elsewhere" to his widow Sarah. This bequest created an estate in real property in Connecticut for Sarah (Webb) Dennie, his widow. Because Sarah died without leaving a will, it was left to the courts to identify and name Sarah's children and heirs.

Land records in Fairfield and in Ridgefield, both in Fairfield County, Connecticut, gave researchers information on the identity of Sarah's heirs. The land records also clarified John Dennie's two wives and clearly identified their two sets of children. Sarah (Webb) Dennie's children were named, and those of Mary (Edwards) Dennie were identified as the other children. Joseph Dennie appeared with Sarah's children as her heir, but not as her son.

The Dennie children all eventually, after they attained their majority, or for the girls, married, sold their Fairfield and Ridgefield real estate. Researchers noted in their report, as an aside, that the real estate was of small value compared to the other property they inherited from their father.

Determined researchers explained their strategy by stating that complete land research for a parcel of property required that deeds be located for all the land sales of the heirs of John Dennie, which they called "the two thirds of the property" and of the heirs of Sarah Dennie, or "the one third of the property". They believed these transactions would identify all the interested parties in the entire package of real estate under review. They knew they were looking for a minimum of two deeds: one for the nine children of John Dennie and one for the court determined heirs of John's widow, Sarah (Webb) Dennie. Unfortunately, they did not know the maximum number of deeds they were looking for, since each of the children could have sold separately, one at a time.

Extensive research of the Dennie family land records in both Fairfield and Ridgefield was said by the researchers to have been "revealing, surprising and astonishing." They took special note in the first two land sales in the grouping and the unity of eight of the heirs. Eight of the nine children named in John Dennie's will joined together to sell all their two thirds interest at one time in one transaction. The deed named each of the eight stating "which said [children] are eight of the children and heirs of John Dennie late... Whereas the same John Dennie by his last will and testament duly proved gave and bequeathed unto his said eight children and his other son Joseph two full third parts of all the real estate... nine acres in Fairfield..." The deed was dated 24 Jan 1758 and recorded 8 Jun 1762. All of the parties named except Joseph signed at one time.

The second deed they found recorded in Fairfield was the sale by the Sarah Dennie heirs, again excepting Joseph. Sarah's four children were named and described as "children and heirs of Sarah Dennie late of Boston deceased intestate... whereas Mr. John Dennie late... by his last will duly proved approved and allowed gave and bequeathed to his widow the said Sarah Dennie one full third part of all his real estate in fee simple... The same Sarah soon after dyed intestate leaving the said William Thomas Sarah and Abigail and one Joseph Dennie her children and heirs". The deed was dated and recorded on the same dates as the first deed, 24 Jan 1758 and 8 Jun 1758, respectively.

The researchers also noted that William Dennie had received a double portion as the eldest son of the intestate Sarah, not the eldest son of John, and sold both parts. Sarah's other three children each received and sold one part. Joseph Dennie had received one portion which he would sell separately, later. John Dennie's son John had received two portions of his father's estate, and each of his siblings had received one. All, except Joseph, sold in full in the first deed described.1 
Marriage*He married Mary Green, daughter of Bartholomew Green Jr. and Hannah Hammond.2 
Illness*19 April 1775Like his brothers, Joseph Dennie was a merchant, and might have shared their wealth and prominence had his business career not been hampered by mental disease. Shortly after the siege of Boston began on 19 April 1775, he left that beleaguered town for Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (Continental Congress), where he remained, often subjected to periods of insanity of increasing duration. During lucid intervals, he attended for a time to his business in Boston, and took an active interest in his only son.2 
IllnessDuring the many years of Joseph's mental illness, his wife Mary and her kinsman, Harriett Green, tenderly cared for him.2 
Death*11 September 1811He died on 11 September 1811 in Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His obituary, appearing in several Boston newspapers, stated "Died: In Lexington, where his remains were respectfully entombed on Monday last, Mr. Joseph Dennie, age 68, formerly a merchant of this town. For nearly 40 years preceding his death he was subject to great sufferings arising from bodily indisposition and mental derangement. The last 20 years he was confined to his house, principally to his bed. During the small portion of his life in which he was able to transact business, he maintained the character of strict integrity, and was justly regarded by those who knew him, as possessing an enlightened mind and a benevolent heart."2 
Inheritance*Harriett Green inherited most of Joseph's property following the deaths of his son and widow.2 

Family

 Mary Green b. 1742, d. 6 Sep 1819
Child 1.Joseph Dennie2 b. 30 Aug 1768, d. 1812

Citations

  1. [S928] Robert W. Hull, "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family: Mary (Edwards) Dennie and her children, Sarah (Webb) Dennie and her children, and John Dennie's other son, one Joseph Dennie", viewed and downloaded from www.americanancestors.org. The Connecticut Nutmegger, Volume 35, pages 434-440 (December 2002). Hereinafter cited as "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family."
  2. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."
  3. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 91, page 349. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."

Joseph Dennie1

b. 30 August 1768, d. 1812
Family
Father*Joseph Dennie1 b. c 1743, d. 11 Sep 1811
Mother*Mary Green1 b. 1742, d. 6 Sep 1819
Birth*30 August 1768Joseph Dennie was born on 30 August 1768 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Province (New England).1 
Baptism4 September 1768He was baptized on 4 September 1768 at Brattle Street Church, Boston.2 
(Son) Illness19 April 1775Joseph's father, Joseph Dennie, like his brothers, was a merchant, and might have shared their wealth and prominence had his business career not been hampered by mental disease. Shortly after the siege of Boston began on 19 April 1775, he left that beleaguered town for Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts (Continental Congress), where he remained, often subjected to periods of insanity of increasing duration. During lucid intervals, he attended for a time to his business in Boston, and took an active interest in his only son.1 
Death*1812He died in 1812.1 
(Son) InheritanceHarriett Green inherited most of Joseph Dennie's property following the deaths of his son and widow.1 

Citations

  1. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."
  2. [S929] Brattle Square Church, The Manifesto Church, records of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, with lists of communicants, baptisms, marriages, and funerals, 1699-1872, downloaded from the Family History Library at www.familysearch.org. Microreproduction of original published in Boston by The Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 1902. (Salt Lake City, Utah: filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1968), page 185. Hereinafter cited as Brattle Square (Boston) Church records, 1699-1872.

Joseph Dennie1

b. 31 July 1816, d. 28 December 1839
Family
Father*James Dennie2 b. 12 Feb 1785, d. 11 May 1857
Mother*Eliza Tweedy Martin2 b. c 1790, d. 10 May 1856
Birth*31 July 1816Joseph Dennie was born on 31 July 1816 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts,3 
Baptism and was baptized on the same day in private, owing to peculiar circumstances, by the minister of West Church, Boston.1 
Death*28 December 1839He died at age 23 from being washed overboard from the bark sailing ship "Norfolk" at 8 o'clock in the morning of 28 December 1839 in Boston Bay, Boston. He had been the ship's second officer.3 

Citations

  1. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Baptisms 1737-1854", New England Historic & Genealogical Register; Volumes 91 and 92 (1937-1938): Volume 92, page 347. Hereinafter cited as "Records of the West Church, Boston."
  2. [S950] Compiled records, "Records of the West Church, Boston", Volume 92, page 343.
  3. [S954] John J. Dennie and Helen Schatvet Ullmann CG FASG, "The Bible of Thomas Dennie of Boston, Massachusetts", MASSOG. Includes thoroughly researched, and written, informative footnotes. Volume 31, No. 2, pages 53-57 (Summer 2007). Hereinafter cited as "Thomas Dennie of Boston Bible."

Margaret Dennie1

b. 30 April 1699, d. 1759
Family
Father*Albert Dennie1 d. b 13 May 1708
Mother*Elizabeth Wakeman1
Baptism*30 April 1699Margaret Dennie was baptized on 30 April 1699 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.1 
Death*1759 And died young.1 

Citations

  1. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), Volume I, page 182. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.

Mary Dennie1

b. 11 December 1717
Family
Father*John Dennie1 b. 7 Oct 1694, d. b 3 Feb 1747
Mother*Mary Edwards1 b. 7 Jul 1695, d. 1722
Relationship Note*Mary Dennie and John Dennie may have been twins, as stated (with certainty) in the Hooper source. The Families of Old Fairfield publication in 1930-1932 stated that John and Mary's brother Albert's "name was apparently changed to John" but offers no evidence. The Nutmegger researchers in 2002, after seeing the will left by the Senior John Dennie, supported the theory, which this researcher does not believe is correct. After finding multiple pieces of evidence proving that Albert and John were both in Boston at the same time, and merchants like their father, we seriously question the previous conclusions. A second reading of Nutmegger's John Dennie of Fairfield, as it relates to John's will and subsequent land deeds of his heirs, appears to confirm our need to view the will itself and the land deeds, and to also search for land that may have been given to Albert before the will was written.2,3,4,5,6,1 
Baptism*11 December 1717Mary Dennie was baptized on either 1 May or 11 December 1717 in Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The date of 1 Dec was noted in the Nutmegger source and 11 Dec in the Joseph Dennie and his Circle.5,1 
Marriage*18 October 1739She married Reverend William Hooper on 18 October 1739.1,5 
(Daughter) Will25 December 1744Mary was named in the will of her father John Dennie dated 25 December 1744. He bequeathed to his loving wife Sarah forever one third part of all his estate both real and personal whether in this province, the colony of Connecticut, or elsewhere at her own disposal, his three Negro servants together with all household stuff. His will directed that 500 pounds lawful money of the province be lodged with his executors to be put to interest and improved for any of his children who were under age at the time of his death. He bequeathed to his son Albert Dennie 25 pounds lawful money which, with what he had already received, was his full portion and share. All the remainder of his estate, whether real or personal, he gave to his four other sons: John, William, Thomas and Joseph, and to his five daughters Mary, Grizzel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Abigail to be equally divided among them.

The biggest surprise in the will, published by researchers in 2002, was learning about Joseph, the fourth son of John Dennie. Joseph had not been mentioned in earlier research published in 1930-1932.

Mr. Dennie's will named his children in groups of men and then of women. The order of the naming by gender by their father in his will corresponds to the known dates from records in Fairfield Church. His will was not challenged in court.1 
(Daughter) Land Records The distribution of John Dennie's Connecticut real estate as bequeathed in his will of 1744 was not known to researchers until 2002 and presented many questions. He left his real estate in two parts: two-thirds of his Connecticut property directly to his nine named children, and one-third of all his estate forever "both real and personal whether in this province the colony of Connecticut or elsewhere" to his widow Sarah. This bequest created an estate in real property in Connecticut for Sarah (Webb) Dennie, his widow. Because Sarah died without leaving a will, it was left to the courts to identify and name Sarah's children and heirs.

Land records in Fairfield and in Ridgefield, both in Fairfield County, Connecticut, gave researchers information on the identity of Sarah's heirs. The land records also clarified John Dennie's two wives and clearly identified their two sets of children. Sarah (Webb) Dennie's children were named, and those of Mary (Edwards) Dennie were identified as the other children. Joseph Dennie appeared with Sarah's children as her heir, but not as her son.

The Dennie children all eventually, after they attained their majority, or for the girls, married, sold their Fairfield and Ridgefield real estate. Researchers noted in their report, as an aside, that the real estate was of small value compared to the other property they inherited from their father.

Determined researchers explained their strategy by stating that complete land research for a parcel of property required that deeds be located for all the land sales of the heirs of John Dennie, which they called "the two thirds of the property" and of the heirs of Sarah Dennie, or "the one third of the property". They believed these transactions would identify all the interested parties in the entire package of real estate under review. They knew they were looking for a minimum of two deeds: one for the nine children of John Dennie and one for the court determined heirs of John's widow, Sarah (Webb) Dennie. Unfortunately, they did not know the maximum number of deeds they were looking for, since each of the children could have sold separately, one at a time.

Extensive research of the Dennie family land records in both Fairfield and Ridgefield was said by the researchers to have been "revealing, surprising and astonishing." They took special note in the first two land sales in the grouping and the unity of eight of the heirs. Eight of the nine children named in John Dennie's will joined together to sell all their two thirds interest at one time in one transaction. The deed named each of the eight stating "which said [children] are eight of the children and heirs of John Dennie late... Whereas the same John Dennie by his last will and testament duly proved gave and bequeathed unto his said eight children and his other son Joseph two full third parts of all the real estate... nine acres in Fairfield..." The deed was dated 24 Jan 1758 and recorded 8 Jun 1762. All of the parties named except Joseph signed at one time.

The second deed they found recorded in Fairfield was the sale by the Sarah Dennie heirs, again excepting Joseph. Sarah's four children were named and described as "children and heirs of Sarah Dennie late of Boston deceased intestate... whereas Mr. John Dennie late... by his last will duly proved approved and allowed gave and bequeathed to his widow the said Sarah Dennie one full third part of all his real estate in fee simple... The same Sarah soon after dyed intestate leaving the said William Thomas Sarah and Abigail and one Joseph Dennie her children and heirs". The deed was dated and recorded on the same dates as the first deed, 24 Jan 1758 and 8 Jun 1758, respectively.

The researchers also noted that William Dennie had received a double portion as the eldest son of the intestate Sarah, not the eldest son of John, and sold both parts. Sarah's other three children each received and sold one part. Joseph Dennie had received one portion which he would sell separately, later. John Dennie's son John had received two portions of his father's estate, and each of his siblings had received one. All, except Joseph, sold in full in the first deed described.1 
Burial*22 November 1779She probably died at age 61, although the church recorded her age as 65, and was buried on 22 November 1779 at Trinity Church, Boston.7 

Family

 Reverend William Hooper b. 1704, d. 14 Apr 1767
Children 1.Mary Hooper7 b. 17 May 1741
 2.William Hooper7 b. 21 Jun 1742
 3.John Hooper7 b. 12 Aug 1744
 4.George Hooper7 b. 15 Mar 1747
 5.Mary Hooper7 b. 15 May 1748
 6.Thomas Hooper7 b. 7 Mar 1751

Citations

  1. [S928] Robert W. Hull, "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family: Mary (Edwards) Dennie and her children, Sarah (Webb) Dennie and her children, and John Dennie's other son, one Joseph Dennie", viewed and downloaded from www.americanancestors.org. The Connecticut Nutmegger, Volume 35, pages 434-440 (December 2002). Hereinafter cited as "John Dennie of Fairfield, later of Boston, and his family."
  2. [S941] Hooper Document II: Excerpted from "Genealogy of James Hooper Jr. of Baltimore, 1804-1898"; uploaded by Joanne Mullowney, online at www.scribd.com. Hereinafter cited as Hooper Document II.
  3. [S931] Arthur H. Nichols M.D., "Christ Church Bells, Boston Mass.", New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Volume 58, page 67 (1904). The entire article spans multiple volumes and pages. Hereinafter cited as "Christ Church Bells - NEHGR."
  4. [S934] Ebenezer Turell, The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman, D.D. Late Pastor of a Church in Boston, New England, who Deceased August 29th 1747, downloaded from the Open Library Project at www.openlibrary.org. (Boston, Massachusetts: printed and sold by Rogers and Fowle and by J. Edwards, 1749), Chapter IX, pages 207-223. Hereinafter cited as The Life and Character of the Reverend Benjamin Colman.
  5. [S932] Harold Milton Ellis Ph. D., "Joseph Dennie and His Circle: a Study in American Literature from 1792 to 1812", Bulletin of the University of Texas 40 (15 Jul 1915): Chapter I, pages 9-16. Hereinafter cited as "Joseph Dennie and His Circle."
  6. [S930] Donald Lines Jacobus, compiler and editor, Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut, online database viewed and downloaded from the New England Historic and Genealogical Society at www.AmericanAncestors.org. Originally published in 2 Volumes, New Haven, Connecticut, by The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company, 1930-1932. (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic and Genealogical Society, 2008), page 287. Hereinafter cited as Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut.
  7. [S494] Boston MA: Church Records, online at www.newenglandancestors.org. Hereinafter cited as Boston MA: Church Records.