Robert Denton Sr, NJ/Va Abstracts

Re: RER/jp-
Robert Denton Sr, born indicated about 1715, parents/siblings/place of origin unknown. There are no records, or proof, ever found, for answers to said questions. Records do prove he was in area found for at least some time.
During the approx time of his era concerned, and before, and after, there would only be 3 "Denton groups" concerned, and recorded/documented in the area, as possible connected.
Two of these represented one of the 2 NY groups, but only for a fleeting moment. This was Nathaniel and Daniel Denton, who are never recorded as actually setting foot in NJ, but did purchase some land 1664 near present Elizabethtown, and resold it in 1674; said land was a joint land speculation deal, with several others. It would be some approx 75 years later before any of these 2 groups would be recorded in NJ, some early holding in the Jersey Plains.
From 1702-1738 NY and NJ had the same governors, but different Legislatures, thus many miss-reads as to records.
On the 1715 Muster Roll for Colony of NY, Capt Rumseys Company of Malitia of Salem,NJ, down south, was a listed
John Denton. He is never recorded again.
In this approx same area, old Salem,new Cumberland, by approx 1720, there is a William Denton recorded. He is in the middle of the larger Swedish settlement, but classified as not Swedish. He is well settled here, and died here 1752.
He did not seem to have any sons. He leaves no paper trail to discover any vitals, aside from a couple of daughters.
Just north of here, with the Gloncester area of disenchanted Quaker familyJohn Moon Sr in between, we find the only other two recorded Dentons ever recorded in NJ upto late 1750's/60's.
This is the Evesboro/Eversham/Evesham area of Burlington, and here is recorded the elder Thomas Denton, and the younger Robert Denton. The elder Thomas Denton is already of legal age as of the 1714/15 era, thus indicated born 1694, or before. He is not a farmer, or such, but is an indicated businessman or tradesman. Though indicated as a resident, because of multiple records/listings, this could be a business residence. He is here, at least, approx 1714 through 1729, or so, and then disappears from records, died?, or?. This is the only person ever recorded, proved, to be in the same area, and era, of Robert Denton Sr at his indicated birthing time!
Now the last Denton to ever be recorded in the Province of New Jersey during the era of Robert Denton Sr, was Robert Denton Sr himself. Born approx 1715, as stated, there is no record, nor proof, of who his parents were, who his siblings were, or his heritage? Nor is there ever been any record, nor proof, that any of the four or five guessed at sets of parentage were ever within a hundred and fifty miles of his birthing? This matter has been hatched over for more than a hundred years, by "Denton historians" of several different lines, and still no one knows who were the parents of Robert Denton Sr (of Eversham, Burlington NJ 1738 marriage). Several of the earlier researcher/historians gave up in disgust and exaspiration, in trying to unsuccessfully straighten out the two "southern" groups, after a couple of ill informed and bad judgement calls by two of their early/medium professionals made several big mistakes in their bungled attempts to "tie them all in one neat bundle". Two of these expired, but not before making the point that only that smaller part were from their NY parts, which excluded those proved descendents of Robert Denton Sr(of 1738 marriage, Eversham NJ), but allowed the Tenn intermarriages. But they could not repair the damage wrought.
On the 13 Feb 1738, Robert Denton, Yeoman (4 diff meanings), of Evesham/Burlington NJ, marriage license to marry Jane Moon, Spinster (1 meaning), of same residence. (abstract wording)
Even though both seem to have Quaker beliefs, or manners, neither, in this critical era, are recorded in Quaker records, thus leading to indication as they are both, probably, children of disenchanted Quakers?
They will leave soon afterwards for Virginia area, with the many other Burlington residents, going to resettle, or for business reasons, or for land speculation, or to work, or for religeous assignments. There is a regular exodus of Burlington area families, several trades, and they all go to the same original area, later with some spreading out.
By 1744, with indicated earlier arrival, Robert Denton Sr and Jane Moon are settled in the area of down corner of present Frederick Co, near border with Warren Co and Shennadoah Co( old Frederick). Because of all the Fairfax disputes/problems there was no land disposals 1730-48, and only those fragment records exist. It will be because of some of the early works of the NJ and other land surveyors, that Robert Denton Sr will be in on those later Frederick Co lawsuits, but only one of the earlier Augusta Co ones.
It is only by accident, that over a little further west, and a little south, some of the two NY group descendents also end up. Later, because of Robert Denton Sr serving as a guide and pilot, he would have a small association with a couple of these. He is never recorded as having any contact with the others, and in fact only a few years later is entrenched over in area that would be present northwest Rockingham Co Va. He would make a third move to just a little west and north of there, closer to the cut through mountain which he would go through. Here were all of the Robinsons, Claypools, Brocks, States, McBrides, Dunbars, Bares, etc. that he would later lead through the cut into old Hampshire Co (present Hardy Co W.VA). Though he went through earlier, led others through, and even held land there himself, he was not seriously residing there untill about 1754. He was in this area, of before the move, approx 1749-1754, and in the old Frederick Co area at least 1743.
After moving into Lost River area, he would keep adding to his holdings, several resulting from Geo. Washingtons attempts to take over for his brother.
Caution to several incorrect "C" abstracts, especially if one is looking for that one gap so important to our well traveled Robert Denton Sr, when the original says "north Shennandoah" it doesn't say OR MEAN "north mountain"!
Note: aside from the 1750's having to associate with one of the unconnected Dentons, Robert Denton Sr is never recorded as having any association with any other Denton of that area, including with one of the most often guessed at impossible parent of Robert Denton Sr. Yet Robert Denton Sr is continually making jaunts back to that side. And to add to that puzzling situation, none of them ever even "mention" him!
It is for sure, that Robert Denton Sr and wife Jane Moon never "honor" any of them, including that "wild guess"; nor does his early descendents. Except for the common used "John", they use Jacob, and Thomas. For females, they use Margaret, Sarah, and Elizabeth. Jacob Denton Sr doesn't go much beyond that, naming his Robert,Joseph, Margaret, Jacob Jr., Catherine, Jane, and Mary.
Roberts children would marry into the Robinsons,Johnsons, Osborns, Williams, Crows, and one unproved surname.
Jacobs children would marry into the Wintons, Claypools, Baileys, Osborns, Lowrys, and even a Denton "cousin".
Robert Denton Sr died 1778, Hampshire Co Va, and Jane (Moon) Denton died 1787, same place, renamed Hardy Co Va.
Jacob Denton Sr and his family moved into present Jefferson Co Tenn area right after 1793/4 sales, and just before Tenn was made a state in 1796. His brother, Thomas Denton and family came also.
The history and heritage of the Robert Denton Sr/Jane Moon Family, and its descendents, is of such "noble" American birth and character, that it needs no false or inaccurate connections or ties, and stands alone.
Thank you.RER/jp