Special Collections, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College
Special Collections© 2011 By Wytheville Community College. All rights reserved.
Processed by: Cathy Carlson Reynolds
Collection is open to research.
There are no restrictions.
James Randal Kent Letter, Mss. Collection 2001.14, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA
Donated by Ruth Ann Chitwood in 2001 as part of the W. Randolph Chitwood Collection.
James Randal Kent, son of Colonel Joseph Kent and Margaret McGavock, was born 23 October 1792. He married Mary Cloyd (1800-1858) and had six children. He owned a large farm at Buchanan's Bottom in Montgomery County where he died 29 May 1867. His daughter Cynthia was born 16 July 1820 and married Dr. Henry Moss Bentley on 14 March 1837. Before his death on 19 December 1846, the couple had four children including William Weldon Bentley (b. 1839), James R. Kent Bentley (b. 1841), Mary Cloyd Bentley (b. 1843)(married Wilbur F. Nicholson), and Lucy Gaines (b. 1846) (married William T. Hart). Cynthia and her husband lived at Weldon in Pulaski County, Virginia.
In this two page letter dated 12 October 1862, James Randal Kent writes his daughter Cynthia Kent Bentley, the widow of Dr. henry Moss Bentley, about spread of diphtheria and his dismay that her son James R. Kent Bentley (Kent) has rejoined the Confederate Army considering his eligibility for a deferral as an overseer. He also advises her about shipping salt, provisions for her livestock, crops and family matters.