Sarah Ann Whitman was born on 10 May 1842 in South Williamston, Annapolis Township, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia Colony, British North America. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Rice Whitman and Susanna Beals. *Note: The 1901 Census differs regarding her age. It lists Sarah's date of birth correctly as May 10, 1842 but cites her age as 68 when, in fact, it would calculate to age 58. Variations on her given name include: Sarah Ann, Susan Ann.

Sarah married Ralph Bent, son of Aseph Bent Sr and Aseph's third wife, Ann Busby, on 19 Nov 1862 in Pleasant Valley, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia Colony, British North America. The ceremony was performed by Methodist minister Rev. A. B. Black. *Note: The Bent Family in America incorrectly gives Sarah Ann's maiden surname as Rice, citing her father as Ebenezer Rice when, in fact, his name was Ebenezer Rice Whitman.

Place Note: With the enactment of The County Incorporations Act, 17 April 1879, the township form of governance in Nova Scotia was replaced by a two-tier system: provincial and municipal. Each county became incorporated as the Municipality of ________ (county name). As this applied to Annapolis County, it was incorporated as the Municipality of the County of Annapolis. When a city or town incorporated, the town's governance superseded the county governance and would be designated the Town of ______, such as the Town of Annapolis Royal.

Sarah was widowed, at age 64, on 27 Mar 1907 by the death of Ralph, to whom she had been married for 44 years.

Sarah died, at age 82, on 18 May 1924 in Tupperville, Municipality of the County of Annapolis, Annapolis County, just eight days after celebrating her 82nd birthday. She was laid to rest in Round Hill Cemetery, Round Hill, Municipality of the County of Annapolis, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia, Canada

Of Sarah and Ralph's 13 children, five predeceased their parents. Upon Sarah's death the remaining 8 who were left to mourn their loss were: Charles, Ella, Florence, Ralph, Catherine, Fred, Reginald and Clair.

OBITUARY - Sarah Ann (born Whitman) Bent
The Weekly Monitor, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia - June 4, 1924 - Page 4

Mrs. Sarah Whitman Bent - The death took place Sunday, May 18th at her home in Tupperville, of Sarah Ann, widow of the late Ralph Bent, who predeceased her by seventeen years. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Rice Whitman of Lawrencetown, and is survived by two brothers and three sisters. On the 10th she celebrated her 82nd birthday. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church, a devoted worker in the Women's Missionary Society, being a chartered member of the Bentville Auxilliary, also a life member. The funeral service which was held at her home was conducted by her paster, Rev. J. H. Freestone. Her favorite hymn, "Jesus Lover of My Soul," was sung, also "Some Day the Silver Chord Will Break," "No Night There," and "Sometime We'll Understand." Her long life was spent in deeds of kindness for others, and the loving esteem in which she was held in the community was shown by the beautiful floral tributes. Eight of her twelve children survive her and mourn the loss of a loving mother, Charles, Ralph, Fred, Reginald, Clair, Mrs. N. M. Smith, Mrs. Wm. Calder and Mrs. Kathryn Bent. Interment was in Round Hill Cemetery.

CHILDREN: Ralph and Sarah Ann (born Whitman) Bent had 13 children
Charles Reinforth Bent+ b. 11 Feb 1863, d. 19 May 1951
Ella Laura Bent b. 16 Jul 1864, d. b 23 Mar 1955
Annie Alberta Bent b. 22 Sep 1866, d. 31 Jul 1881
Edith Frances Bent b. 19 Oct 1868, d. 25 Aug 1881
Sarah A. Bent b. 6 Oct 1870, d. 5 May 1898
Florence Albenia Bent+ b. 2 Jul 1872, d. c 22 Feb 1953
Asa Bent b. 15 Jul 1872, d. Deceased
Ralph Stanley Bent b. 10 Jan 1875, d. Mar 1955
Blanche Beatrice Bent b. 15 Jan 1877, d. 28 Sep 1877
Catherine Blanchard Bent+ b. 28 Aug 1878, d. 1926
Frederick Vernon Desbrisay Bent+ b. 16 Jul 1880, d. 24 Dec 1971
Reginald Whitman Bent b. 15 Aug 1882, d. 11 May 1960
Clair Bartlett Bent+ b. 29 Sep 1885, d. 19 Jul 1954

Biography contributed by Christopher Bent (48779627)