Carlton Kent was born about 1791 in New Ashford, Massachusetts to Abel and Diadema Kent. Carlton came to Susquehanna County with his father Abel not long after his birth. Several sources state that Abel and his brother's Carlton, John and Gideon came to Susquehanna County (when it was still part of Luzerne County) between 1790 and 1792. These dates match when these men disappeared from records of New Ashford. A son of Abel named Carlton is mentioned in these references. Carlton married Sally Griggs, daughter of Noah and Polly Griggs.
1820
Carlton shows up for the first time in United States Census records in 1820. His name is the last name on the page which can be viewed here. This record shows a Carlton living in Gibson with 2 boys under the age of 10, 2 girls under the age of 10, 3 girls between the ages of 10 and 15, 3 girls between the ages of 16 through 25, one woman over the age of 45, one woman between the ages of 26-44 for a total of 12 people living in the household.
In 1820 Carlton had 3 children under the age of 10, Mary Elvira born in 1814, Abel born in 1816 and Orpha Amelia born in 1818. Carlton would have been about 29 years old. His other children I have for him were not born yet. This census record is from Gibson. Everything I had for him except this census record is from Herrick (which was carved out of Bradford and Gibson). The older woman may be his widowed mother or perhaps his mother in law. Which leads up to the question, who were the other children? It could be these other children were his younger siblings since the age groups and sexes do match.
1830
The 1830 Census shows Carlton living in Herrick. Many of the same people from the 1820 census appear on the 1830 census so one may assume Carlton is living on the same property. This census shows Carlton's household has a total of 11 people living there. There was one boy between the ages of 10-14 (this should be Abel), two males between the ages of 20 through 29 (possible siblings?), 2 females under the age of 5 (this should be Adeline and Catherine), 2 females aged 5-9 (this should be Sarah Jane and Theresa), 1 female age 10-14 (this should be Orpha Amelia) 1 female 15-19, (Mary Elvira) 1 female age 30-39 (this should be Carlton's wife Sally).
The 1840 census shows Carlton and his family still in Herrick, again with many of the same neighbors. A new name appears on this census directly under Carlton's name - Noah A. Griggs. This was probably Sally's father Noah. This census lists a total of 10 people living in the household that includes 2 males age 5-9 (Silas and Alvin), 1 male 20-29 (Abel), 1 male 40-49 (Carlton), 2 females 10-14 (Adeline and Catherine), 2 females 15-19 (Sarah Jane and Theresa),and 2 females 40-49 (the wife of Carlton, Sarah and probably Harriet Kent who shows up on the 1850 census with the family).
1850
The 1850 census lists Carlton, age 59, Sarah, age 58, Adeline, age 23, Catherine, age 20, Silas, age 17, Alvin, age 15 and Harriet Kent who is listed on the census as "idiotic". Also on the census is Carlton's daughter Orpha who bears the new surname of Harding and her 14 year old son William H. Harding. By this time son Abel was living with his wife and children. His daughters Theresa and Sarah Jane had married grandsons of Asa Dimock who was a good friend of Carlton's father Abel. This is the last census Sally Kent appears in. Sally Griggs Kent died 4 Feb 1855. The 1860 census shows Carlton living with his son Abel and Abel's family at the age of 68. This is the last evidence of his life. Although a search of will and probate records was done by me, I was unable to find any in Carlton's name.
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