From The Kent Family History, a manuscript genealogy compiled and written by the late Margery Norris of Austin, TX:

Dan Kent moved with his family from Suffield, CT to Dorset, in what is now the State of Vermont in 1773. He was eighteen in June, 1776 when the War for American Independence was imminent, and he entered the service as a volunteer soldier.

On 10 Aug 1832, Dan applied for a pension pursuant to an Act of Congress passed on 7 June 1832 to grant pensions to those who participated in the Revolutionary War. His petition was granted, and he received $20 a year until his death. On 26 July, 1787, while Vermont was a free republic, Gov. Chittendon commissioned Dan Kent a quartermaster of the Vermont militia.

After the (Revolutionary) war, Dan Kent was faced with the decision of what occupation he would prepare himself for. He thought he might like to be a lawyer, but after considerable time and effort, he decided against it. He tried merchandising briefly, but then discovered that this, too, was a profession unsuited to his nature and liking. He finally came to the conclusion that his calling in life was to assist in bringing the power of the gospel to his fellow man. He studied for awhile at Pawlet, VT; then obtained a set of Latin and Greek books and studied for a year under the instruction of the Rev. Sill. According to the record, he was so proficient in Greek and Latin that the examination for his license was conducted in these two languages. During the time of his preparation for the ministry, he made brief stays at nearby communities in need of religious guidance and filled the pulpit of the church at Dorset for thirteen months after the Rev. Sill left in 1791. When the Ecclesiastical Council convened in Dorset on 22 Aug 1792, Dan Kent was licensed to preach as a minister of the gospel. He was asked to stay on permanently at Dorset but refused, because he felt the church would be better served by someone with whom the congregation was not so familiar. In 1792, the Rev. William Jackson was installed as pastor at Dorset, and Dan accepted a call by the Congregational church in Benson to be the minister of the church there.

Dan Kent was married on 11 January, 1780 to Abigail Sykes. They had six children. The sixth was born on 14 August, 1792 and Abigail died four days later. Thus, Dan entered into his new life in Benson with the heavy responsibility of providing for his six small children and of establishing a new church in an unfamiliar place. These two jobs left him with little time for self-pity or to realize the depth of his grief over the loss of his wife.

Dan was married for the second time on 10 June, 1793 to Betsey Griswold, daughter of Daniel Griswold, MD (Yale, 1747) and Joanna Hurlbut Griswold of Sharon, CT. The Griswolds and the Hurlbuts were early emigrants to New England.

Dan died on 22 July, 1835 and is buried in what is called the 'Old Cemetery' in Benson. Betsey continued to live in the family home until her death on 30 March, 1854 and is buried in the Old Cemetery next to Dan. The inscription on his tombstone reads:

Rev. Dan Kent
Born at Suffield, Conn, April
10, 1758, died July 22, 1835 in
the 75th Year of his age.

"He was the first settled minister in Ben-
son, ordained in Sept. 1792 and continued
for 36 yrs. pastor of the church having
his labors crowned with much success. In
life and in death he was distinguished by a
cheerful and unwavering confidence in God
the Redeemer."

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From the DAR membership application of Dan's granddaughter, Eliza Kent:

"Enlisted 1776; served 1-1/2 months as Corporal under Capt. Allen and Col. Seth Warren. In Oct., 1776 served 1-1/2 months as Corporal under Capt. Underhill and Col. Seth Warren. In 1777, served 1 month as Sgt. under Capt. Ormsby and Col. Walbridge. In 1779, served 1 month as Corporal, served as guard at Castelson, VT; served at alarms, at Battle of Bennington."

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The children of Rev. Dan Kent:

By Abigail Sykes (1760-1792):

1. Clarissa Kent (1781-1819, married Joseph BARBER, six children)
2. Dan Monsieur Kent (1783-1830, married Mehitable GOODRICH, eight children)
3. Abigail Madame Kent (1785-1845, married Gordon Bibbins SOUTHWORTH, four children)
4. Horatio Kent (1787-before 1811, nfi)
5. Eudosia Sykes Kent (1790-1871, married Ira HARMON, no known children)
6. Theodore Kent (1792-1884, married Lucinda "Lucy" ARNOLD) NOTE: Emigrated to Michigan by 1860.

By Betsey Griswold (c1773-1854):

1. Augustus Kent (1795-1823, nfi)
2. Betsey Mariah Kent (1798-1882, married Philetus GOODRICH, one daughter)
3. Joanna Kent (1800-1878, married 1. Rev. Daniel Starr SOUTHMAYD, three children, married 2. Rev. John Bliss WARREN)
4. Rev. Cephas Henry Kent (1802-1885, married Mary Abigail CLARK, seven children)
5. Catherine Griswold Kent (1805-1851, married Rev. Willard CHILD, six children)
6. Frederick Augustus Kent (1806-1858, married Harriet Elizabeth GEER, three children)
7. Emma Adeline Kent (1809-1898, married James O'DOWD)
8. Horatio Kent (circa 1811-1833)
9. Juliette Kent (1812-1892, never married)

NOTE: Rev. Dan Kent's stone is about 6 feet tall and is located in front to the right, as you enter the cemetery.