THE REGISTER, Beckley, W.VA

John T. Kent, one of our most estimable citizens, died last Sunday morning at 9 o'clock of pneumonia. Mr. Kent had only been ill about ten days, and but few of his many friends even know of his illness, which only about thrree days prior to his death assumed a serious nature.

Mr. Kent was a native of Fluvanna county, Virginia, when he was born in the yar 1851, and at the time of his death was 52 years, 6 month and 5 days of age. He was married to Miss Mildred Judson Sadler, to which union three chlidren - two daughters and a son - were born, who, together with their mother, are left to mourn their irreparable loss. Other relatives in this section are his brother S.H. Kent of Johnstown, and niece Mrs. W.L. Foster of Raleigh.

He moved to Raleigh County in the year 1880, and settled in Beckley, where he resided continuously up to the time of his untimely death.

None of our citizens is held in higher esteem by his fellow citizens or neighbors than was John T. Kent, who was strictly honest, and industrious and was ever ready and willing to do anything or go anywhere to accommodate a friend or neighbor.

The funeral services were held in the Baptist Church Tuesday at 11 o'clock and were conducted by Rev. J.P. Campbell, a close friend of the deceased of Hinton, and Rev. G.W. Huddleston, pastor of the church.

The remains were interred in Wildwood cemetery, followed by a large and sorrowing crowd of relatives and friends.

Mr. Kent was a consistent member of the Baptist Church and has always been a liberal contributor to the cause he so nobly espoused. For several yaers he had been a deacon in the congregation and was a most useful man to his church.

The Register extends sympathy to the bereaved relatives and friends.

1880

John T. Kent�s son, John T. Kent, Jr. left Fluvanna Co VA and went to Raleigh Court House, Raleigh County W. Va. Soon after, our grandfather, Samuel Henry Kent, also came to Raleigh County. John Kent Jr. joined Antioch Baptist Church at age 17.

OLD JOHN T. KENT JR HOME PLACE, ANTIOCH, VA

The John T. Kent home near Antioch, VA was burned, sometime before 1950. Some of the Brainard Kent�s are buried in the old cemetery near the house. Mary Woodson Kent, wife of John T. Kent is also buried there. John Thomas Kent was buried in Goochland Co.

I went to see an old man, Mr. John Thomas - 96 years old in Dec. 1951, living with his daughter, Mrs. Bragg in Antioch. The old man remembered John T. Kent Family. He carried the mail from Charlottesville, and one time, John Kent asked him to pick up his daughter and bring her home. This girl had been to a deaf and dumb school. In infancy, she had measles and they settled in her ears, causing her to lose her hearing. He said it was the shortest trip he ever made from Charlottesville. She taught him how to talk on h is fingers on the way home. She was one of "Ham" Sclater�s children. (John Kent�s granddaughter). The old man Thomas called John T. Kent Preacher John. He said Preacher John always said, "he wanted to die in his sleep" (I believe that he did). John Thomas is no relation to Archibald Thomas. His father was Robert Benjamin Thomas and came from Hanover Co. John Thomas would be 97 in Dec. 1952.

From Kent Family Bible

J.T. Kent JR and Mildred J. Sadler were united in marriage at the bride�s father�s home, by the Rev. John T. Kent SR Oct 18, 1874 Fluvanna Co (They were cousins)

John T. Kent, at the age of 17, joined Antioch Baptist Church, of Fluvanna Co, VA In 1880, he moved his family to Raleigh Court House, now Beckley, WVA

October 2, 1883 � He bought from Alfred Beckley and wife, Jane, Deed Book 402, page 400 - for consideration of $50.00 lawful money, two (2) acres of land on the Giles Fayette Kanawha Turnpike.

April 18, 1884- He bought from Alfred Beckley and wife, Jane, for the sum of $286.25, fifty seven and one fourth (57 � ) acres of land, on the Giles, Fayette, Turnpike. There were two springs on the land. The mineral rights were included on these purchases. This is now the lower part of North Kanawha St. and back toward the Beckley property. This property is almost in the middle of the town. He build, what was then, a suitable house, had a barn, horses, cow and chickens, a large garden, in fact, a small farm. The house was build some distance from the road, with a large front yard and one side a large open well, with cover and old oaken bucket. After their decease, Lee Foster, bought most of this land. The old house is still lived in (WA Dempsey) and in good condition (No 504 N. Kanawha )

John T. Kent JR operated an express service between Courthouse and Prince - the nearest railroad station - He hauled all kinds of supplies and passengers. It was about ten miles, over terrible roads, narrow full of great mud holes, right on the side of steep mountains, very dangerous even now. It was a profitable business and with the royalties from his coal lands, which he did not sell, but leased to New River Coal Co, at Sprague W VA, he was able to accumulate enough to keep his family in great comfort, after his death. They were among the first settlers in this section and were a most respected family. I have seen his picture. He was a good looking young man, very stylish in his dress. In his later years, his picture shows him to be medium height and maybe, a little overweight.

Obituary

John T. Kent, one of our most estimable citizens, died last Saturday morning at 9 o�clock of pneumonia, he was confined to his bed, only a few days previous to his death.

He was born in Fluvanna County, VA and the son of Rev. John T. Kent SR. At the age of seventeen, he became a member of Antioch Baptist Church. In 1880, he moved to Raleigh Court House, WVA and united with the Raleigh Baptist Church, he was ordained Deacon of said Church, and served his church with great judgment and faithfulness. He was the Treasurer for many years. perhaps no man has had the respect and confidence of neighbors more fully than he. All was done for him in his last hour of illness, that loving hands and willing hearts could do, by his family and neighbors.

He died age 52 years, 6 months and five days.

He was married to Mildred Judson Sadler, to which union three children were born, who together, with their mother are left to mourn their irreparable loss. Other relatives in this section are his brother, Samuel Henry Kent, Johnston Road and Mrs. Lottie Sclater Foster of Raleigh, WVA, his niece (Lottie Sclater, daughter of John T. Kent�s sister, Sarah Elizabeth Kent who married Hamilton Sclater, both died during middle age and Lottie came to W VA and made her home with her Uncle and wife, Mildred J. Sadler). This niece he raised and loved as his own daughters. This record mentions but does not name them, two of his sisters as surviving him. Mama thinks they were Valera Collier and Mary Hughes. Also mentions two brothers, one was our grandfather, Samuel H. Kent and so the other had to be William J. Kent, there were only three sons.

John T. Kent was ready, on the day before his death, he said to his wife, "I must leave you, I cannot live, but I am ready for death and the grave has no terrors for me."

On the morning of 20th December, 9 o�clock, after a spasm of intense suffering, a look of ineffable peace spread over his countenance and he peacefully passed away.

The church lost a faithful member and the community a true citizen. --Rev. James Sweeney

Another clipping reads --- "No one of our citizens is held in higher esteem by his fellow citizens or neighbors, than was John T. Kent, who was strictly honest and industrious and was every ready and willing to do anything or go anywhere to accommodate a friend or neighbor".

The funeral services were held in the Baptist Church, 22 of December, 11 o�clock and was conducted by Re. J. P. Campbell, Rev. G. W. Huddleston and Rev. James Sweeney, writer of the above obituary. The text was Rev 14:13

"And I head a voice from Heaven saying unto me, blessed are the dead, which died in the Lord form henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

The remains were interred in Wildwood cemetery, followed by a large and sorrowing crowd of relatives and friends.

"Mr. Kent was a charter member of the Baptist church and has always been a liberal contributor to the cause he so nobly espoused".

R. Snead --- I feel that John T. Kent, JR must have been a person very much like his father, John T. Kent, SR. Perhaps, these same eulogies could apply to both. They must have been true Christians, in every way. Verta Sclater, John T. Kent SR�s granddaughter, says he was the best man she every knew. <

John T. Kent, JR hauled all of the supplies and passengers for the "Hull House", then Beckley�s only hotel, it was located where the "Beckley Hotel" now stands.

John T. Kent, like his father, always took guests home from church every Sunday morning, a great company day for Kents.