The  Trents  of  Colonial  Virginia

Trent Family Original Documents

This article provides links to original documents, transcriptions of relevant portions, and other material related to the Trent family. For background information on the family, see the other articles listed below.

Wills, estates, gifts
  1. Wills of the early generations:
     a. Henry the Immigrant's will - 1700
     b. Will of Elizabeth Gee - 1731 (Henry the Immigrant's widow)
     c. Will of Henry Sherman - 1695 (Henry the Immigrant's father-in-law)
         i. Estate inventory of Henry Sherman and other paperwork - 1695 (Henry the Immigrant's father-in-law)
     d. Will of Cicely Sherman - 1703 (Henry the Immigrant's mother-in-law)
     e. Will of Alexander Trent - 1703 (Henry the Immigrant's son)
     f.  Will of Henry Trent 2 - 1725 (Henry the Immigrant's son)
     g. Will of William Trent - 1768 (Henry the Immigrant's non-biological son, husband of Ursula)
     h. Will summary chart
  2. Wills of Henry Sherman's sons - 1686
  3. Will of Thomas Howell - 1697 (possibly the biological father of William/Ursula)
    a. Will Atkins sues for his share of the Thomas Howell estate - 1713 (possible half-brother of William/Ursula)
  4. Cecily Sherman land gift to Trent grandsons - 1702
  5. Will of Samuel Branch - 1700 (probable father of William Trent's wife Ursula)
  6. Estate of John Trent d. 1824 Tazewell VA

Legal and court cases
  1. Henry Sherman and Henry Trent "cattle rustlers" case 1680
  2. Henry Trent & Elizabeth Sherman testify in Brodnax case 1687
  3. Henry Sherman fined for failure to report a tithable 1687
  4. Christopher Branch complains that Henry Trent has not fulfilled the wills of the Sherman sons 1690
  5. Henry Sherman testifies about his age 1690
  6. Henry Trent participates in an inquest 1690
  7. Henry Trent loses a case to John Broadnax 1691
  8. Alexander Trent "bad waggoner" case 1791-1816
  9. Kendrick vs Frederick Trent 1824
 10. The Trents in County Law Order Books

Land
  1. Henry the Immigrant
  2. William/Ursula
  3. The Group 2 Trents:
      a. Frederick Trent
          i.  Humphrey Trent (son of Frederick)
          ii. Eli Trent (son of Humphrey)
      b. John Trent of Tazewell County 1759-1824

Other documents
  1. Henry Sherman's immigration - bef 1673
  2. Henry the Immigrant's debt - 1678
  3. Henry Sherman on a tithables list - 1679
  4. Miscellaneous John Trent records - 1720-1755
  5. Miscellaneous William Trent records - 1736
  6. Unidentified William Trent in Frederick County circa 1750

Wills

Will of Henry the Immigrant - 1700
Source: Henrico County Virginia Deeds Etc. Wills p. 215 (FamilySearch Img 112). His FamilySearch profile has a slightly different transcription. 

In the name of God Amen! I Henry Trent, of ye parish of Virrina in ye County of Henrico being brought to ye Remembrance of my mortality & ye frailty of this temporal life by ye Gracious hand of allmighty God visiting me with a Grevious sickness yet of sound and perfect memory praised be God therefore I make and ordaine this my last will and testament in manner and form following.
First I resign my Soul to God that gave it in hopes of his acceptance through the meritts of his beloved Son my Lord and Savior Christ and my body to ye Earth to be deasently interred in such place and deasent manner as my hereafter names Extr. Shall think fitt.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son Alexander Trent one hundred and Nine Acres of Land in ye parish of Virrina in the County of Henrico to him and his heirs forever
Item - l give and bequeath unto my son Henry Trent one hundred and Nine acres of Land in ye parish of Virina in ye County of Henrico to him and his heirs forever. Also a cow that is at Richd. Cox & her increase forever: Give him a sow and her increase forever & a share of ye crop of tobacco & corn, also the gun that he always Called his.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son John Trent one hundred and Nine Acres of Land in ye parish of Virrina in ye County of Henrico to him and his heirs forever. Also I give him a sow & increase forever. Also the gun that was called his.
Item  - I give and bequeath unto my son William Trent one hundred and Nine Acres of Land in the parish of Virrina in ye County of Henrico to him and his heirs forever, When the Land is divided he is to have his first chois. (choice)
Item  - I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Cox ye wife of Richard Cox one gold ring to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Trent two thousand pounds of Good Sound Merchantable tobacco in Cask,
Item   - I give and bequeath to my daughter Susana Trent two thousand pounds of Good Sound Merchantable tobacco in Cask.
Lastly - I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Trent my three servants William Tonyson and Eliz. Blossom Indian Nicklass Cuttell, during her lifetime or until the day of marrying then the three what is living is to be divided between John Trent and William Trent. All the rest of Goods and Chattels, house hold Good Cattle Hoggs Money debts owing to me whatsoever not named before , Shee only to pay debts and funeral Charges Ordaining & hereby constituting her my last Executrix of this my last Will and Testament I hereunto Set my hand and Seale the Eight day of January in ye year of our Lord According to ye Compact of ye Church of Engld. Seventeen Hundred. Henry HT Trent Published Signed Sealed in presence of John Blackman, P. Legrand, Will Tompsonn, William Blackman. Proved Henrico County April 1, 1701

Source: Henrico County Virginia Record Book No. 5 1688-1697 Deeds Wills Settlements of Estates p. 595 (FamilySearch Img 597 (slightly different version at Genealogy.com; there may be more than one copy in existence)

September the 2nd., 1695 I, Henry Sherman of ye County of Henrico being sick and weak of body but of perfect sence & memory make this my last will and testament. First bequeath my soul to God that gave it me and my body to the ground, and after my soul and body shall be united both in one and enjoy the Eternall bliss where my redeemer liveth. All the world goods that it has pleased god of his mercy to bestow upon me I give and bequeath in manner and form as followeth.
Imprimis. I give & bequeath to my well beloved wife Sisly Sherman all my Negroes and Slaves and the halfe part of all my Estate within doors and without for ever.
Secondly, I give to Ellicksander Trent all my wearing apparrell, and what money he owes me I freely give to teh Said Ellixsander Trent for ever.
Thirdly - I give the other moiety of halfe part of my estate to be equally divided between them my Daughter Elizabeth wife to Henry Trent, my Daughter Ann wife to Christopher Branch and Ellixsander Trent Sone of the sd Elizabeth Trent.
Fourthly, I give to my Grand Children Ellixsander Trent and Henry Trent all the land that is Really mine to be divided between them. Ellixsander to have that upper part of said land. [Genealogy.com says "Ellixsander to have that part whereon I now live and Henry to have the upper part of Said land".] To have hold and Enjoy the Same for them and their heirs for ever after the death of my above said wife.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint my well beloved wife Sisly Sherman to be my Sole and absolute Exectx. of this my last will and testament.
Signed and Sealed in ye presents Henry Sherman his mark Will Burriss his mark Thos. Howell James Fugeeth [Proven in Henrico County on Oct. 1, 1695]

Wills of Henry Sherman's sons - 1686
Source: Henrico County Virginia Record Book No. 1 1677-1692 Page 425-426 (FamilySearch Image 212-213). Harder-to-read copy in the Henrico Court Records Book 2 1677-1692 page numbers 425-426 (FamilySearch Image 81-82)

Henry Sherman's sons Henry Junior and John perished in an epidemic in February-March 1686, and their brother-in-law John Crowley (first husband of Anne Sherman Branch) died a few months before that. The wills for all three are recorded consecutively in the record book. Henry Trent was one of the witnesses to Henry Junior's will. Henry Sherman Junior said "I give & bequeathe unto my kinsman Hen Trent Junr sonn of Hen Trent of Henrico County planter one feather bed with a rugg & pair of blanketts when he shall arrive at ye age of one & twenty years." John Sherman says "I give & bequeath unto John Trent son of Henry Trent of ye aforesaid County planter my two mares" and also leaves some property to his sister Elizabeth Sherman Trent.

Will of Thomas Howell - 1697 (possible biological father of William/Ursula)
Source: Henrico County Virginia Record Book No. 3 1694-1701 Page 130 (FamilySearch Image 185)

May the third 1697 - In the name of god amen. I Thomas Howell of the County of Henrico do make and constitute William Blackman Junior and Alexander Trent executors of this my last will and testament...
Item - I give unto Will Trent eight pounds sterling to have it when he come to seventeen years of age.
Item -  I give and bequeath unto Will Atkins eight pounds sterling when he come to seventeen years of age then he is to have it; and if Either of them die before they come to that age the other to take all.

There was a variety of legal wrangling over the Howell estate. On Feb 1, 1698, Giles Webb won a judgment of 12 pounds 3 shillings against executors William Blackman and Alexander Trent for amounts due to him from the Howell estate (FamilySearch Image 108). Webb was involved in an extraordinary number of lawsuits, and seems to have made a career out of suing people. The Webb case was still ongoing on 4/1/1699 (FamilySearch Image 111) and on 8/1/1699 (FamilySearch Image 115) when the case was dismissed with Webb's consent. Webb was married to Bethania Knowles, who may have been the niece or other close relative of Cecily Sherman (whose maiden name may or may not have been Knowles). In spite of Webb's occasional lawsuits against the Sherman and Trent families, Cecily calls him her "trusty and well beloved friend" in a 1702 gift to her grandsons (see below).

William Trent turned 17 around 1701 but apparently did not find it easy to collect his inheritance. In May 1712, a lawsuit by William Trent against William Blackman was dismissed (FamilySearch Image 602) but it's not clear whether this was related to the Howell inheritance. But a suit in 1713 was definitely related (FamilySearch Image 669-670):

William Trent by his petition prays that William Blackman and Thomas Turpin may be ordered to pay him eight pounds Sterling which was bequeathed to him by Thomas Howell Decd, and is in their hands, the said Turpin appeared and offered to pay the Petitioner eight pounds amount money, which he accepting, it is ordered that the said Turpin do pay him the same.

Cecily Sherman land gift to Trent grandsons - 1702
Source: Henrico County Virginia Deeds Etc 1697-1704 Page 308-309 (FamilySearch Image 158-159)

Know all men by these presents I Cisly Sherman of ye parish of Varina in ye County of Henrico widow do make Ordaine and Constitute my trusty and well beloved friend Capt. Giles Webb of ye aforesaid parish & county my true and lawfull attorney...  a deed of gift signed sealed and del'd to my beloved grandson Henry Trent one hundred and fourteen acres of Land... [signed with a mark] February 1, 1702

Cisly Sherman for and in consideration of ye Love manifested to me by my grandson Allexander Trent of the afordsaid parish and county. I do give grant and alienate [illegible] to him ye sd Allexander Trent his heirs and assignes forever the halfe or moiety of my plantasion lying situate and being in the neighborhood commonly known and called by ye name of Warwick [survey details not transcribed]... one hundred and fourteen acres of Land... [difficult to read, but the text refers to the death of Cisly Sherman; probably reserving the right for her to live there during her lifetime] [signed with a mark]  February 1, 1702

Estate of John Trent d. 1824 Tazewell VA. John never married and died without a will.
Source: Tazewell County Virginia Deed Book No. 3 1818-1825 Page 399-402 (FamilySearch Image 220)
Click here to view the original document (PDF). The transcript below omits excessive legal jargon to make the important points more visible.

We Do hereby Constitute our Brother Williamson Trent our true and lawfull attorney for us and in our name to demand... what Ever Sum or Sums of money property or properties which we do inherit by will or blood of the Estate of our deceased Brother John Trent... and to do act and perform whatsoever act or thing we ourselves Could do... as may appeare to him best or most fit and proper in securing any interest that may be due to us by the death of our said Brother John... in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 13th day of March 1824

[lengthy section dealing with the Kentucky justices who took the oaths of Alexander and Bryant Trent - not transcribed]

This Indenture made this first day of May in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Eight Hundred & twenty four between Williamson Trent for himself & for Briant Trent Alexander Trent & Nancy Trent when he the sd. William Trent is legally empowered to act & do for & Frederick Trent for himself & for William Blankinship & Molly his wife of the one part & John Brown of the other part   Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of three hundred & fifty dollars... Each of us doth bargain & sell unto the Sd. John Brown his heirs or assignes a certain Tract or parcel of land (containing Sixty acres be the same [illegible]) lying and being in the said County of Tazewell and on the North Side of the north fork of Clinch River [the blue font is a clerical error.  The original 1801 survey says "On the waters of the upper north fork of Clinch river, along the north side of Kents Ridge"] & Bounded as followeth to wit  Beginning at a white oak on the South Side of a high ridge thence South 31 E 34 poles Crossing a Spring branch near the head to a large white oak on Kents Ridge and along the same N. 68 E 52 poles to a large poplar of S 45 E 20 poles to a small sugar tree N 79 E to a corner of William Maguires conditional line [the land that John sold to Maguire] with sd Maguires conditional line to the original line S 62 W to the beginning it being part of a Tract granted from this Commonwealth to John Trent which sd John Trent is now Deceased and the above named persons is the legal heirs of said John Trent... in writing whereof the sd Williamson Trent & Frederick Trent have hereunto set their hand seal the day and year first above written.

A related document was filed in Lawrence, Kentucky on 12/17/1823 in which William Blankenship appointed Frederick Trent to act for him in settling the John Trent estate (Lawrence KY Deed Book A 1822-1830 p. 48, FamilySearch Image 36)

Legal and court cases

Henry Sherman and Henry Trent "cattle rustlers" case 1680
Source: Henrico County VA Record Book #1 1677-1692 Deeds, Wills, Settlements of Estates Page 125 FamilySearch Img 51
Henry Sherman, with the collusion of his son-in-law Henry "the Immigrant" Trent, is accused of misappropriating property including several hogs, a cow, a calf, a sheep, a pewter flagon, and a pair of andirons.  Except for the calf, it's stated that all of it belonged to the estate of Capt John Knowles. The outcome of the case is not reported. It's likely that the maiden name of Sherman's wife Cecily was Knowles, and the Shermans have documented connections to the Knowles family, although the exact relationship between Cecily and John Knowles is unknown. Sherman may have been claiming an inheritance for his wife or unofficial debt repayment without legal authorization.

Henry Trent & Elizabeth Sherman testify in Brodnax case 1687
Source: Henrico County VA Record Book #1 1677-1692 Deeds, Wills, Settlement of Estates Page 400-401 FamilySearch Img 228
William Blackman deposeth That sometime in July last Mr Brodnax being at ye house of Henry Trent in company with ye deponent & several others, William Downs did there call ye said Brodnax chinching rogue & sd he would prove it...

Henry Trent aged about 45 years deposeth That at ye time & place aforesaid ye deponent remembers that ye said Downs did grossly abuse ye said Brodnax, calling him cheating rogue, son of a whore, with many other ye like scandalous & vilifying terms, he also remembers that ye said Downs did strike him ye said Brodnax once, & fling his hatt at him, & several times threaten him, but ye particulars of ye said language & threats ye deponent cannot declare, nor ye order of them. And further saith not. [signed with initials HT]

Elizabeth the wife of Henry Trent aged about 31 years deposeth That at ye time & place aforesaid ye said Downs told to ye said Brodnax he had owed him a hatt for five shillings which was not worth eighteen pence & called him chinching rogue, likewise he called ye said Brodnax son of a whore & said that his father was a rogue & his mother was a whore & struck ye said Brodnax twice. And further saith not. [signed with a mark]

Henry Sherman fined for concealing a tithable 1687
Source: Henrico Deeds, Wills, Settlement of Estates Book 1 1677-1692 Page 431 FamilySearch Img 215; Henrico Deeds, Wills, Settlement of Estates Book 2 1678-1693 Page 159 FamilySearch Img 82;  Henrico Deeds, Wills, Settlement of Estates Book 2 1678-1693 Page 164 FamilySearch Img 85;
The accuser was William Giles.

Christopher Branch complaint against Henry Trent 1690
Source: Henrico County VA Record Book #2 1678-1693 Deeds, Wills, Settlement of Estates Page 330 FamilySearch Img 133
Christopher Branch (husband of Ann Sherman and brother-in-law of Henry Trent) says that Henry Trent, executor of the wills of Henry Sherman Junior and John Sherman (also Henry's brothers-in-law) has not satisfied the legacies given by the decease, and petitions the court to make Henry fulfill his obligations.

Henry Sherman testifies about his age 1690
Source: Henrico County VA Court Record Book 2 1688-1697 p. 145 FamilySearch Img 83
He was about 60 years old in 1690, for a birthdate of about 1630.

Henry Trent participates in an inquest 1690
Source: Henrico County Deeds, Wills, Settlements of Estates 1688-1697 p. 170 FamilySearch Img 96
They determined that the death was a suicide

Henry Trent loses a case to John Broadnax 1691
Source: Henrico County Deeds, Wills, Settlements of Estates Book 2 1678-1693  p. 408 FamilySearch Img 172
It's not clear what the case was about, but Henry had to pay Broadnax 288 pounds of tobacco. 

Alexander Trent "bad waggoner" case (case duration 1791-1816)
Source: Library of Virginia chancery records index
Alexander Trent of Prince Edward County is hired as a wagon-driving delivery man by Joseph Fuqua in 1788, but fails to deliver both goods and money. It's stated multiple times that Alexander is the son of Benjamin Trent.

Kendrick vs Frederick Trent 1824-1826
Source: Library of Virginia chancery records index
The chancery records are hard to read due to bad handwriting and faded ink, but they contain direct testimony from the parties involved. Patrick Kendrick was the administrator for the estate of Burgess Brammer, deceased July 2, 1821 in Russell County. The final settlement of the Brammer estate is listed in Russell County Will Book #4A and the second page of the account shows that the estate is owed $13.50 for a judgment on Frederick Trent. Kendrick proceeded to pursue Frederick for payment through the Tazewell courts, which led to some cases being dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.  In the chancery records, Kendrick testifies that he sued Frederick Trent for $15 in Tazewell sometime in 1824 and was awarded $12 (the records suggest that it was actually $13.50). It's not clear whether Frederick ever paid this money; but in any case, Frederick appealed the original judgment and was awarded $29.75 in July 1824. Kendrick did not have any estate assets available to pay Frederick, and could be legally forced to sell his own assets to make the payment.

Kendrick asked the court for relief and asked that they order Frederick into court for questioning. On 10/4/1824 the court ordered the Sheriff to summon Frederick into court on the fourth Tuesday of November “if he be found in your bailiwick”. Frederick was initially not found, but on 11/23/1824 he made a statement to a Tazewell justice of the peace saying

"To the worshipful, the county court of Tazewell in chancery sitting the answer of Frederick Trent to [illegible] of complaint exhibited against in this worshipful court by Patrick Kendrick, for answer thereto of as much as he [illegible] is [illegible] for him to answer and saith that this worshipful has not jurisdiction of this case, it appearing from the bill that he had a fair trial before the county court upon an appeal that court having given judgement against the complainant which [illegible] mind is by law final and cannot be questioned either at law or in chancery. This respondent says that the said Kendrick did not institute the suit as he has stated in his bill as the administrator of the estate of Burgess Brammer, deceased but did sue in his own right as will fully appear by the summons and the judgement of the justice of the peace, whom the same a copy of which marked herewith exhibited and prayed to be taken as part of this answer.

"This respondent says he does not owe the said Kendrick in his own right or as an administrator of the said Brammer anything. This respondent says he does not know whether the said Kendrick has any assets in his hand or not; neither is it necessary that he should have any having brought the suit before the justice in his own name he is bound to pay the cash. This respondent contends if the said Kendrick has brought the suit as administrator yet he is bound to pay the cash. This respondent having fully answered the bill prays to be hence dismissed with his costs. [No signature]"

June 1824 Tazewell Order Book 1820-1825 page 328 Frederick is the plaintiff. This is the case where Frederick got the court to reverse the original judgment against him. Witnesses are sworn and the case is continued until tomorrow.
June 1824 Tazewell Order Book 1820-1825 page 330 (continuing from the previous day) Frederick Trent plaintiff or appellor vs Patrick Kendrick appellee – on an appeal from a judgement of a magistrate.  Agreeable to the continuance of this cause on yesterday the parties appeared and the witnesses again being sworn and examined, and the court having heard the evidence, they are of opinion that the magistrate who tried the warrant and from whose judgement this appeal was taken had no jurisdiction over the case as it appeared to have been once before tried & judgement awarded by Wm Smith a justice of the peace for this County. Therefore it is judgement of the court that the Judgement of the magistrate be reversed and that the appellor recover his cost incurred at this term of this court against the appellee or sd Kindrick. [There is a calculation for $27.75 on the side which is apparently the amount due to Frederick at this point. It is not clear what makes up this sum, but the amount of $13.50 does not appear]

June 1824 Tazewell Order Book 1820-1825 page 331 Patrick Kendrick is the plaintiff. It's not clear what's going on here. Notice the page numbers; either the court cases have been listed out of order in the book, or Patrick Kendrick got a quick reversal of the judgment in Frederick's favor that was made on the previous page. The court cases don't show the hearing dates. Patrick Kendrick appellor vs Frederick Trent appellee - on an appeal from the judgement of a magistrate. This day came the parties, & thereupon moved the Court to have the said appeal docketted which was accordingly done. and thereupon sundry witnesses being called Sworn & examined, and the Court having duly considered the same are of opinion that the said Judgement be reversed and that the appellor recover against the said Frederick Trent the appellee thirteen Dollars and fifty cents in the [illegible] of the said magistrates Judgement and costs according to law

October 1824 Tazewell Order Book 1820-1825 page 360 This case refers to an August judgment that can not be located. The order is a bit unclear, but it might mean that Patrick Kendrick has stopped the potential sale of his property. On motion of Patrick Kindrick by his attorney who presented a petition in Court which was Sworn to before John B George a Justice of the peace in and for this County. It is ordered by the court that William Smith a Justice of the peace in and for this County be summoned to appear here at the next November term of this court on the first day thereof to show cause if any he can why a writ of mandamus shall not issue commanding him the said William Smith to grant unto the said Kindrick an appeal from the Judgement of the said Smith rendered on the 30th of August 1824 in this County for $23.9 Costs in which said suit so tried as aforesaid the said Patrick Kindrick was Plaintiff and the one Frederick Trent was defendant.  

Russell County Law Order Book 2 (1792-1799) (abstract on Rootsweb)
Page 65 April 1793 Patrick Kendrick plaintiff vs John Trent defendant on a petition & summons. Judgment is granted the plaintiff for £1.14.5 [maybe; it's hard to read] with interest. (FamilySearch)  
Page 189 December 1794 Ordered that John Hankins, William McGuire, John Trent, and Isaac Johnson or any three of them being first sworn for that purpose, do view a road from William McGuire's Mill to the line of Wythe County and at the most convenient place of said line, and report of the convenience and inconvenience of the said proposed toad to the next Court.  (FamilySearch)
Page 271 February 1796 An Indenture of Bargain and sale of Land from Abram Millar and wife to William Ratliff was produced in Court, proven by the oaths of John Deskins, Wm. Trent and William Blankenship, witness thereto & ordered to be recorded. (FamilySearch)
Page 360 May 1797 Frederick Trent Plaintiff against Samuel Smith Defendant on a petition and summons. Judgment is granted plaintiff for £2.15.7 and costs. Ordered that Frederick Trent pay William Trent and Charity Vandike 2 dollars and 65 cents each for 5 days attendance each as witnesses for him vs Samuel Smith (FamilySearch)
Page 542 March 1799 Ordered that John Deskins Junior pay John Vandike and Frederick Trent 53 cents each for one days attendance each as witnesses for him at the suit of Abednego White. (FamilySearch) 

Russell County Law Order Book 3 (1799-1808) (abstract on Rootsweb)
Page 22 September 1799 Stephen Deskins and Frederick Trent for fighting by the information of George Kendricks & Smith Deskins farmers two of our own body. And having nothing further to present were discharged. (FamilySearch)  
Page 37 November 1799 An Indenture of bargain and sale of land from Alice Mann to Frederick Trent was produced in court yesterday and proven by the oaths of John Vandike and Harry Smith two of the witnesses thereto and continued for further proof. (FamilySearch)
Page 38 November 1799 Richard Thompson appointee to collect and preserve the estate of William Roman decd Plaintiff vs Smith Deskins Defendant. This day came the parties by their attorneys[?] and thereupon a jury to wit. Samuel Vanhook, Frederick Trent, Reuben Owens, Thomas Collie, William Owens, Christopher Ranes, John Gilbert, George Kendrick, William Dorton, James Osborne, John Vandike and Alexander McFarland who being elected tried and sworn the truth to speak upon the issue joined went out of court to consider of their verdict and after some time returned unto court and declared they could not agree in their verdict by consent of the parties and with the assent of court one of the jurors is witdrawn and the cause is continued to the next court (FamilySearch)
Page 54 April 1800 Commonwealth vs Stephen Deskins & Frederick Trent continued [this is a postponement of the Sep 1799 fighting case]. (FamilySearch)
Page 63 June 1800 Commonwealth vs Frederick Trent Defendant for a breach of the peace. This day came the attorney for the Commonwealth and thereupon came also a Jury to wit Peter McIntosh, Toliver Wright, Simon Stacy, Richard Davis, John Riley, James Crank, James Abbot, Joseph McFarlane, Joseph Davis, Richard Daniel, William Cooper & Robert Tate who being elected and sworn well and truly to assess the fine on the part of the Commonwelath in this suit upon their oaths do assess the fined to ten cents besides the costs. Therefore it is considered by the Court that the attorney for the Court recover against the Defendant the fine or damages aforesaid in form aforesaid assessed & the costs in this prosecution expended [there is a similar case against Stephen Deskins on the same page, with the same outcome] (FamilySearch)
Page 65 June 1800 Ordered that George Kendrick be allowed one dollar and fifty-nine cents for three days attendance as a witness for the Commonwealth vs Stephen Deskins & Frederick Trent. (FamilySearch)
Page 210 July 1802 Ordered that David Fannin, Jacob Francisco, John Brown and Frederick Trent or any three of them being first sworn for that purposes do view the ground proposed for a road from James Browns to the Kentucky road and report of the conveniences and inconveniences of the said proposed road to next court. (FamilySearch)
Page 216 August 1802 Jacob Francisco, John Brown & Frederick Trent being appointed by a former Order to view a road from James Browns to the Kentucky Road this day returned their report the consideration of which is continued till the next Court. (FamilySearch)

Russell County Law Order Book 9 (1828-1833)
Page 43 July 1828 At a court called and held by the Justices of Russell County at the Courthouse on Monday the 23rd day of June, 1828, for the examination of Abner H. Lester, charged with feloniously and unlawfully biting the thumb of the right hand of Frederick Trent in the County of Russell in the year 1826, with intention to maim, disfigure and disable the said Frederick Trent... the prisoner being brought to the bar, and sundry witnesses being sworn and examined as well in behalf of the accused, as of the Commonwealth, the Court proceeded to consider whether from the testimony the said Lester ought to be discharged from further prosecution, or be tried in the Superior Court of Law for the county, and thereupon it is the opinion of the Court, that the said Lester for the felony aforesaid ought to be discharged from further prosecution; and he is accordingly acquitted and discharged. (FamilySearch)  

Tazewell County Court Order Book 1 (1792-1799)
Page 170 December 1804 Isaac Johnson vs James S. Lemmon petition & summons, The debt being called came not judgment is therefore granted to the plaintiff vs the defendants for the sum of four pounds with Int thereon from Dec 1804 till paid and costs.  Same vs Same John Trent and Lydia Trent proved each three days attendance as witnesses for the plaintiff. (FamilySearch).
Page 182 July 1805 Ordered that Isaac Johnson pay Lydia Trent $3.60 cents for her attendance three courts a witness for him against James S. Lemmon and traveling 45 miles coming and the same returning. (FamilySearch).

Tazewell County Court Order Book 1800-1810
Page 109 August 1803 Frederick Trent vs Jas Pemberton on attacht. The sheriff having returned the attachment in this case, Executed on nine head of Hogs a side saddle & briddle, some hemp and some leather and the plaintiff proving his debt for four pounds three shillings and sixpence, judgment is granted the plaintiff for the same and costs and It is ordered that the property be sold by the Sheriff to answer the plaintiff's demand and costs. (FamilySearch).

Page 275 January 1808 An Indenture of Bargain and Sale from Frederick Trent and Leddy his wife to Tryon Gibson the said Ledy being heretofore privily examined according to Law and was ordered to be recorded as to her which is now acknowledged in Court by the said Frederick Trent and ordered to be Recorded [additional paperwork regarding an 1807 land sale] (FamilySearch)

Tazewell County Order Book 1809-1831 [Superior Court]
Page 17 September 1810  A presentment against John Prator and Frederick Trent for a breach of the peace by fighting with each other at the house of Captain William Smith in April last upon the information of David Hanson  who was called on by the Grand Jurors (FamilySearch). A similar charge was made against William Prator Senior and William Griffet for fighting each other at the same time and place, so it seems to have been a brawl.
Page 36 April 1811 Frederick Trent and John Prator fail to show cause in the fighting case (FamilySearch).
Page 46 September 1811 ...we of the Jury find the defendant [Frederick Trent] is guilty [of fighting with John Prator] and assess his fine to Twenty five cents.  (FamilySearch).

Tazewell County Court Order Book 1820-1825
Page 250 July 1823 On motion of William Romine a creditor of the estate of John Trent dec'd who made oath and together with Robert Shortridge his security entered into and acknowledges a bond in the penalty of $300 conditioned according to Law Certificate of Administration is granted the said William Romine of the estate of John Trent dec'd and all former certificates are superseded (FamilySearch).
Page 282 November 1823 A deed of bargain and sale from John Trent to William McGuire was this day presented in court for the conveyance of 40 acres of land, and proved to be the act and deed of John Trent by Willliam Smith, Joseph McGuire and Polly Trent, three subscribing witnesses thereto and the same is ordered to be recorded. [Apparently a late submission of a land sale that was made prior to John's death] (FamilySearch).
Page 311 May 1824 The appraisement Bill of the estate of John Trent decd was this day presented in court by William Smith one of the appraisers and ordered to be recorded (FamilySearch).
Page 313 May 1824 A deed of bargain and sale from Williamson Trent, for himself & for Bryant Trent, Alexander Trent & Nancy Trent whom the said Williamson Trent is legally authorized to act for to John Brown for 60 acres of land lying in Tazewell County on Clinch River was this day proven by the oaths of Robert Young, Ralph Steel, and William Smith the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded (FamilySearch).
Page 315 May 1824 Two powers of attorney was this day presented in court from Alexander Trent Bryant Trent and Nancy Trent to William Trent all of Mercer County State of Kentucky for the purpose of conveying lands in the County of Tazewell & Russell which appearing to be duly certified is ordered to be recorded (FamilySearch).

See separate article for maps and other information on landholdings. This article section deals with the dry legal information on the grants, deeds, and other documents.

Grants to Henry Trent and Henry Sherman  7 November 1673
Source: Virginia Land Office Patents No. 6, 1666-1679 (pt.1 & 2 p.1-692), p. 495 (Reel 6). Library of Virginia.  FamilySearch has a better copy from the same book.   

Henry Trent's grant: Governor William Berkeley... gives and grants unto Henry Trent 200 acres of Land... on the north side of James River in Henrico County lying and bounding as followeth, beginning at Mr. Place's [illegible] halfe a mile from the River being at the head of [Cole-something, probably Colesons] & running into the Woods E two hundred poles, to a small redd oake S 160 poles, W 200 poles, N 160 poles to ye place before mentioned. The said Land being due to the said Henry Trent by & for the transportation of four persons. To have and to hold etc... Charles Tyre, Henry Trent, Margarett Rays, Alice Sleek.

Henry Sherman's grant: Governor William Berkeley… gives and grants unto Henry Shereman 228 acres of land being at a dividend of land formerly known by ye name of Warwick & formerly patented by Capt Matthew Gough & since escheated in ye name of the said Henry Shereman, on ye S. side of James River, lying & bounding as follows. Beginning att ye Swamp next Peter Lee and running into ye woods N: W. 320 poles, to Birds great oake marked by former surveyor[?] N.N.W. [should probably say SSE] on ye old [illegible, possibly creek or brook] run[?] 114 poles to a greate pohickory S.E. 320 poles S.S.W. [should probably say NNE] along the River 130 poles to ye place before mentioned[?]. To have and to hold etc...

Land of William Trent m. Ursula Branch 1684-1769

Purchase of 300 acres from Henry Cary 1 May 1736
Source: Henrico County Deeds and Wills No. 2 1725-1737 p. 549-550 (FamilySearch Image 472)
We don't know what became of this parcel; it may have been one of the properties that William apparently disposed of in 1739.

This Indenture made the first day of May One Thousand Seven hundred and Thirty six between Henry Cary… and William Trent… in consideration of the sum of eighteen pounds... paid by the said William Trent… have bargained, sold and confirmed unto the said William Trent… a certain tract or parcel of land containing three hundred acres… on the South side of James River being part of a large tract of land containing seventeen thousand six hundred and fifth three acres granted by patent to John Tullit and by the said Tullit sold to [a series of owners ending in Henry Cary]… Beginning at a corner white oak then North thirteen degrees East one hundred and thirty poles to a corner black oak then [illegible] Deg. West forty nine poles to a corner black oak then North thirty three deg. East twelve poles to a corner black oak, then South forty five deg. East eight poles to a corner chestnut oak, then North thirteen deg. East three hundred and thirty two[?] poles to a corner persimmon[?] on Meshow[?? legibility is poor] Branch, then up the said Branch according to its meanders to a corner Wt oak, a corner [illegible] and persimmon[?] on the aforesaid Branch then South twelve Degrees West four hundred and sixty poles to a corner pine then North seventy eight degrees West forty three poles to a corner Wt oak then north forty four poles to a corner Wt oak then South seventy two deg. West forty poles to the place it first began.

1739 court orders. These appear to be land sales, but further details are not available.

Source: Henrico County Order Book 1737-1746 page 186 (FamilySearch Image 104) Barely visible, look near the bottom of the left-hand page. Acknowledgements are on consecutive lines
June 1739 William Trent acknowledges a deed to Alexander Trent
June 1739 William Trent acknowledges a deed to Francis Walker

Source: Henrico County Order Book 1737-1746 page 89 (FamilySearch Image 52) Legibility is very poor. William Trent slightly more than halfway down the left-hand page
September 1739. Document reportedly says that there is a deed to William Trent from Francis Flournoy, and that Flournoy's wife relinquishes her dower rights. At the same time, there is a deed to Francis Flournoy from William Trent, and Ursula relinquishes her dower rights.  It sounds like this is an exchange of land. Later documents indicate that William received 400 acres in the Tomahawk Creek area from Flournoy, so it appears that he moved to Tomahawk Creek around 1739.

Source: Henrico County Order Book 1737-1746 page 95 (FamilySearch Image 55) Slightly more than halfway down the left-hand page
November 1739 William Trent acknowledges a deed to Henry Cary  

This Indenture made the first day of July anno dom. one thousand seven hundred and forty five between William Trent... and Stephen Watkins... in consideration of the sum of forty one pounds... doth grant bargain sell enfeoff and confirm unto the said Stephen Watkins... one parcel or tract of land containing two hundred and eighteen acres situate lying and being in Henrico County on the West side of Trabues Branch and joyning to the main branch of Tomahawk being part of a tract of four hundred acres of land granted to Francis Flournoy by a patent bearing date the ninth day of July one thousand seven hundred and twenty four... Beginning at a corner gum on Tomahawk branch thence East one hundred and sixty four poles to a corner white oak on Trabues branch thence along said branch according to its meanders to a corner poplar standing on the said branch thence North fourty five degrees west one hundred and ten poles to a corner white oak on the aforesaid Tomahawk branch thence down the said branch according to its meanders to the place it first began.

Purchase of 150 acres from John Welch  1 September 1746
Source: Henrico County Deed Book Wills Settlements Etc 1744-1748 p. 205 FamilySearch Image 148-149)

This Indenture made the first day of September One Thousand Seven hundred and fourty six between John Welch… and William Trent… for the valuable consideration of Nineteen pounds... doth give grant sell assign enfeof and confirm unto the said William Trent... one certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred & fifty acres... being a part of four hundred acres of land granted to John Welch by Pattent bearing date one thousand seven hundred and twenty three and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a corner poplar standing on the West side of the main branch of Tomahawk thence West one hundred ninety eight poles to a small corner black oak thence South ten degrees West eighty poles to a corner white oak thence South Eighty Two degrees East two hundred & sixty eight poles to two corner white oaks standing on the said branch thence up the meanders of the said branch one hundred & forty two poles to the place begun at.

Sales/gifts to sons (Rootsweb) 

75 acres to William Junior  4 November 1757
Source: Chesterfield County Deed Book #3 p. 242-243 FamilySearch Image 1076)

Land of Frederick Trent

Sale of 110 acres to Tryon Gibson  18 July 1807
Source: Tazewell County Virginia Deed Book No. 1 1800-1809 p. 345-346 (FamilySearch Image 406)
Original grant to Alse Mann is more legible: Virginia Land Office Grants No. 34, 1796, p. 365 (Reel 100) Library of Virginia

This indenture made the eighteenth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & seven between Frederick Trent of the County of Tazewell in State of Virgina and Lydia his wife of the one part and Tryon Gibson of the said County of Tazewell of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Frederick Trent and Lydia his wife for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars... do bargain and sell unto the said Trion Gibson a certain tract or parcel of land containing one hundred and ten acres, lying and being in said County of Tazewell on the waters of the upper north fork of Clinch River known by the name of the Cove. Which said land was granted to Alse Mann assigne of Jonathan Prater from the Commonwealth by virtue of patent bearing date the twenty ninth of June in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and ninety six. Bounded as follows, viz. Beginning at a white oak and two beeches by a small branch thence S 22 degrees E 47 poles to a sugar sapling on a bluff  South 51 West 28 poles to a white oak and sugar sapling on the side of a ridge, South 51 degrees East 31 poles to an Elm on a Rocky point by a hollow North 65 degrees East 204 poles to a poplar and dogwood sapling at the foot of a ridge North 10 West 100 poles to a double Cucumber and Chestnut oak on the north side of a ridge South 60 degrees West 212 poles along said ridge to the beginning. 

Survey of 20 acres on Indian Creek for Lydia Trent  18 Nov 1820
Source: Tazewell County Virginia Surveyors Book No. 1 1800-1824 p. 228 (FamilySearch - personal visit to LDS Library required to view microfilm)
Click here to view a marked-up version of the original document.

This land parcel is rather mysterious. On December 21, 1805, Turner Anderson acquired the right to 1900 acres of land under Treasury Warrant #12469. But a warrant did not become a deed until a fee was paid and a survey completed, and Anderson did not complete the process.  Anderson's original warrant was subsequently exchanged for several smaller warrants, including warrant #1798 for 400 acres. Warrants could be assigned (sold) to someone else. Archable Thompson acquired warrant #1798 at some point in time and signed 20 acres of it to Frederick's wife Lydia, apparently on 8/19/1819. We don't know whether she paid for the warrant or if he gave it to her. Lydia had the land surveyed on 11/18/1820, but there are no records showing that she completed the process and obtained a deed.  The details of the survey are too vague to estimate the location of the land. There are two streams named Indian Creek in the area (one flowing into the Clinch River and one flowing into the Little River). This parcel was probably on the Indian Creek that flows into the Little River because she had family in the area. It is close to Horton Valley, and Lydia's presumed grandfather Patrick Kendrick Senior had a land grant for "230 acres on the head waters of the West Fork of Indian Creek a South Branch of the Maiden Spring Fork of Clinch River" (Library of Virginia).   Maiden Spring Creek becomes the Little River in modern times.  

Land grant 15 acres on Ben Creek of Sandy River  6 November 1834
Source: Virginia Land Office Patents No. 84, 1834-1836, p. 106 (Reel 150) Library of Virginia
Survey: Land Office Surveys Upon Which Grants Issued Book R 1835-1835 p. 266 (FamilySearch Img 277)
Sale of 15 acres on Ben Creek of Sandy River to Joseph Hatfield 27 April 1843
Source: Logan County WV Deed Book No. B2 1836-1879 p. 365 (FamilySearch Image 402)

Other documents

Immigration of Henry Sherman before 1673
Source: Land Patents Book 6, 1666-1679 State of Virginia pg 496 (FamilySearch Image 208)

In 1673, Abell Gower is given a land grant for 501 acres, including 400 acres for the transport of 8 persons. Henry Sherman is one of the transported persons. Headrights never expired and many people waited years before exercising the rights. Sherman's immigration date must have been much earlier than this since the records indicate that he was present in Virginia by 1656.

Article by Group 2 Trent descendant Carolyn H.   2022-2025 All rights reserved