Nat Gould

John Bent 1717-1796

John Bent was born in 1717, the son of Laurence Bent of Bentlanes near Manchester. The Bent family had been resident on their estate there for several centuries.

Laurence Bent was the son of Hamlet Bent 1681-1775 and grandson of Laurence Bent who died in 1670 (1).

John Bent married Anne Hill.

They had the following children:

James Justin Bent 1739-1812.

John Bent.

William Bent. He was born in 1748 and died on 2 November 1761. He was buried in the churchyard of St Mary's church, Eccles near Manchester.

William Bent 1764-1820.

and also a daughter (name unknown).

Their mother Ann Bent nee Hill died in November 1786, and was buried in the churchyard of St Mary's church, Eccles on 3 November 1786.

John Bent died on 17 April 1796, and was buried in the churchyard of St Mary's church, Eccles on 21 April 1796.

The family coat-of-arms was "Azure on a fesse or, between six bezants three torteaux, with as crest a demi-lion azure, holding between his paws a bezant". The motto was "Nec temere nec timide" (2).

(1) A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, enjoying Territorial Possessions or High Official Rank: but uninvested with Heritable Honours J. Burke (1835) volume 2 page 408.
(2) The motto may be translated as "Neither rashly nor timidly".