An American Family History

Joseph Denton

Joseph Denton was born on February 14, 1729 in New York. He was the son of Abraham Denton and Mary Odell.

He married Ann Hogg about 1750 in North Carolina.

Ann and Joseph's children included:
Martha Denton (1751, married Robert Moore), and
Jeremiah Denton (1770, married Sarah Carr daughter of John Carr).

Joseph Denton was a member of a militia company commanded by Captain John Tipton in 1775. A Jonas and Thomas Denton were also on the roll. The roll indicated that he deserted.

The Denton family were early settlers on the Cumberland River. On May 13, 1780, Joseph signed the Cumberland Compact which established a provisional government for the colony. The Compact provided for the election of twelve representatives from the eight stations, provided for a sheriff, a clerk, a militia, and for a justice system.

In 1787 Joseph Denton bought 550 acres in Washington County for 50 shillings per 100 acres The land was next to Tipton, William Watson, Robert Young, and David Jobe.