The information concerning the Revolutionary War are the facts known from Peter Kent's petition for a pension March 1833. All of his discharge papers had been burned in a fire in 1791 so dates are not exact. Other facts come from various sources: Census information, testimony when Sarah Ann Kent applied for a widow's pension in 1844, family bibles, etc.

Born in Fairfax Co., Virginia March 5, 1760. While living in Fairfax Co, he entered the service of the United States on the  (left blank) day of March 1777 or 78 as a volunteer in the company commanded by Captain Charles Little. He was not all the time in actual service but was frequently called out to guard the country against the incursion of the British who frequently came up the Potomac River and destroyed such property as was within their reach. Another object of the company to which he belonged was to guard Mount Vernon, the residence of General Washington and to prevent the British from destroying it. At the end of three years, he was discharged by Captain Giles Cooke, - who had obtained the Captaincy. During his three years of  service, he was acquainted with Col. Dennis Ramsy, Major (formerly Capt.) Charles Little and Captain Giles Cooke.

While living in Fairfax, he again volunteered in the service of the United States in that company commanded by Captain Harrison, on the (blank) day of (blank) 1780, 81 or 82. Capt. Harrison's company was in Prince William County and marched from there to Portsmouth, when Peter joined it. Captain Harrison's company joined the regiment commanded by Col. Arnold or Col. Broadwalins. They were stationed at Portsmouth, and toward the close of the six months for which he volunteered, an American vessel loaded with provisions, came up and grounded opposite Portsmouth. Captain Harrison's company (Peter among them) had orders to go on board and assist the vessel in getting off. While engaged in this service a British vessel came up, fired on them, killed some of the men, and the balance prisoners, except four, who escaped by swimming across the river, and Peter among the number. He went home, and was afterward discharged by Capt. Harrison, having on this occasion served six months.

While living in Fairfax, he again volunteered on the (blank) day of (blank) under Capt. Thos. Malloy in Stafford County Virginia. From thence he marched under Capt. Malloy down to Little York, where they were stationed on what was called the Gloucester side on the left of Lafayette's army and continued there until after Cornwallis' surrender, when he was discharged by Captain Mallory and went home. During this period Peter knew Generals Washington and Lafayette, Col. Darnes,  and Major Mark McPhersons.

After the fire that burned down his house, he moved from Fairfax county in 1791 to Wilkes County Georgia, where he resided until 1825. He then moved to Greene County, Tennessee. He married Sarah Ann (last name unknown) May 7, 1779 (presumably in Wilkes Co., Georgia). Peter died December 24th,1843 in Parrotsville, Green Co, TN.

Children of Peter & Sarah Ann: James T, Nancy, William S. Ann Perry Kent (October 27, 1783) Elizabeth (February 11, 1786) John L Kent (about July 4, 1791)

- compiled from research by Ann Kent and Virginia Lapham