(Read Part 1 | Discussion of Facts: Dennis Manuscript by R.A. Dennis)
(Read Part 3 | Timeline of Henry Dennis of Cannon County, Tennessee)

Part 2
Last updated May 5, 2020

My interest in Henry Dennis of Cannon County, Tennessee first began when I received my grandfather’s Ancestry DNA results. My proven Dennis cousins and descendants of Henry showed up in shared matches for each other. I googled Henry for more information and found Rufus Dennis’ manuscript.

Rufus Dennis was generous to share what he knew about his family with future generations. However, what was passed down to Rufus was wrong. (Read Part 1: Discussion of Facts: Dennis Manuscript by R.A. Dennis)

I’m sorry to say that the family tree given for Henry is false: wrong parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Oh, how I wish it were true! Given the DNA results, my fourth great grandfather, Samuel Dennis, likely shares his family tree with Henry in some way, so this was a narrative that I hoped was true. (Not to mention the Mayflower connection I’ve always dreamed of!) Simply put, there are no records of any kind (that I have found so far) that support the manuscript’s genealogy.

We do have a powerful tool here: DNA. The DNA proves a strong connection for my Dennis family to be kin to Henry. My bets are on Henry being the brother of Samuel Dennis, but I am still working to find documentation. DNA is a powerful tool and doesn’t lie. I am confident they were brothers.

In Rufus’ manuscript, he mentions hearing about a large Dennis family from Carroll County in western Tennessee and two brothers who once parted ways, believed to be Henry and an unknown brother. Hmmm…. this could refer to Samuel (of Stewart County in western Tennessee) or an unknown sibling.

I do not know Henry and Samuel’s parents or have any candidates yet. I do believe they descend from Donnock/Dannock Dennis of Worchester, Maryland. As referenced in my Part 1 article, Judge John Dennis, mentioned in the manuscript, was the son of Donnock Dennis of Worchester, Maryland. (Incorrectly, Rufus said Judge John was the son of Calvin Dennis.)

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Who Was Samuel Dennis?
Quick Facts

• He is my fourth great grandfather
• Born about 1786 in Maryland
• Married Sinthy Feland, daughter of Samuel Feland of Sam’s Creek in present-day Cheatham County, Tennessee
• Lived in Davidson County, Tennessee from about 1809 – 1832
• Moved to Stewart County, Tennessee and lived there until his death between 1865 – 1870

For a detailed timeline on Samuel Dennis, please click here.