About 1698-1700, James Tant had married Mary Tattershall and received the plantation "Dry Docking" as a gift from his father John. He later married Mary Heard.
(The story goes that his father John Tant was born John Dant but had his name changed to Tant when another John Dant, brother of Thomas, tried to otherthrow Lord Baltimore. It would not have been practical for John to have the same name of someone that may be considered a traitor.)
Will of James Gant (Tant)
Brittain's Bay, St. Mary's County, Maryland
5/10/1717-8/4/1717.
To Son: John and heirs, 100 ac. on southeast side of Brittain's Bay near William Davis' house and personalty at the age of 21.
To Son: Matthew and heirs, 100 ac. "Drydocking" in the forest of Brittain's Bay, at head of St. Lawrence River and personalty at the age of 21.
To Daughters: Anne, Elizabeth, and Mary, personalty at the age of 20 or marriage.
To Wife: Mary, dwelling plantation being part of "Revell", during her life and then to son Matthew.
Wife: Residuary Legatee. No Exec. named.
Wit: Nicholas Mills, John Medley, Thomas Walker, Henry Spink.
(Maryland Calendar of Wills
). (James Tant is my first cousin 8 times removed. Our common ancestor is Robert Drury. Henry Spinke was cousin to James Tant.)
