Notes for Nicolas GENTRY

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Notes for Nicolas GENTRY

Both Nicholas and his son John were killed by Indians in 1782, during the Cumberland Land Settlement, while building the fort just outside Fort Nashboro, Tn (it was a part of North Carolina at that time) Some publications say it was his son William, rather than John. Col. James Robertson who founded Nashville, Tennessee, was in charge at the time. Listed in Robert McGraws Compilation, he being a former Secretary of Vanderbilt Universit;y and President of the Tennessee National Historical Society.

He was in the War of 1776 in South Carolina.

It is questionable if he was born in Va or Lunnebury, NC, however the History of Rover and the 10th District of Bedford County gives birth date as 1736. W.E. Gentry gives date as 1751. Another researcher gives the date as 1749.

Nicholas came to the Cumberland Settlement in about 1778. At the time of his death he owned a bible, a spelling book, and a weaving loom. His heirs received 640 acres on Brown's Creek five miles south of Nashville on French Lick. The Gentry heirs sold 637 acres in Davidson County, Tn, 21 Feb 1800 for eight thousand dollars.

The Cumberland settlement was considered to be on the Western Front of the Revolution, therefoe those who died during the time of turmoil were considered Revolutionary Patriots.

He resided from 1778 to 1782 in what was Washington County which was later divided and the section which contained Nashville became Davidson County, Tn, in 1783. He moved to Davidson County, Tennessee with his family in 1782 and was living in forts near where Nashville now stands. Hayward's History of Tennessee, page 219, mentions the names of seventy persons still living in Davidson County in 1782, and it also gives the names of sixty three persons who had been killed in defence of Daavidson County, among them was mentioned Nicholas Gentry. The legislature of North Carolina passed an act in 1784, granting to the heirs of each person so killed 640 acres of land without price.

He has a large number of decendents in Texas to day and his grandsons took part with Texas in her war with Mexico.

In 1784, the records of Davidson County, show an inventory of the property of Nicholas Gentry filed by Mayfield, his administrator. In 1797, a grant or deed reflecting the title to the 640 acres of land to his children was put on record, showing that the land they received was situated on Brown's Creek, adjoining the City of Nashville on the south and east. This grant mentions his heir sons George, Nicholas, and Samuel, as well as John Gentry and James Boyd, probably his grandchildren.(John probably being the son of Nancy Gentry, RIN 2371, who married James Boyd, RIN 2370)

Soon after 1800 Samuel, George and Nicholas Gentry bought several hundred acres of land where Eagleville is located. Three enlisted in the army 12 June 1812 under David Mason. Samuel was discharged 1 June 1813.
**Gordon Price

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