Dent family connections
John and William Dent were glove makers of Worcester trading under the name J & W Dent & Co.
In 1830 they purchased the Sudeley Estate (less the castle and surrounding grounds) from George Pitt "Lord Rivers of Sudeley" under private contract and in 1837 they purchased the castle and 60 acres of land from the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. As only part of the castle was habitable at the time of their purchase John and William undertook the task of restoring the property although they didn't attempt to restore the complete castle - they left some buildings untouched with the apparent intention of retaining them as they were when the property was acquired.
J & W Dent was purchased by Messrs Allcroft, Lord, Lycett and Girvan in March 1846 who retained the trading name of J & W Dent & Co.
Holders of the Manor or castle of Sudeley since the Domesday Book
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John, the eldest son of John Dent and Elizabeth Davis, was born in Worcester in 1777.
He completed his apprenticeship with his father at 26 Sidbury, Worcester. He received his "Freedom" in 1798 and by June 1807 was in business for himself - by 1820 he had been joined by his brother William in partnership.
John was elected to the "48" of the Corporation of Worcester in 1814 and became the Mayor of Worcester in 1825. In 1826 he was High Alderman and he remained an Alderman until 1836. He resigned from the Worcester Council in 1842. Other positions held included - High Sheriff of Worcester County - Magistrate of Worcester City, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire - President of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce.
John took ill on a journey from Worcester to his residence at Sudeley Castle, where he died. His funeral took place in the partly restored Chapel of Sudeley Castle with John R Harvey, Rector officiating.
On his death his nephew John Coucher Dent inherited Sudeley Castle and estate and, with his wife Emma, continued John and William's restoration of Sudeley.
In addition to leaving Sudeley to his nephew John also made several bequests to charities;
Emma Dent has been credited in some records with the establishing of the ten Almshouses in Dents Terrace and the Grammar School, opened in 1868. In view of John's endowment of £6000 for ten Almshouses and £2000 for a day school the credit given to Emma for their establishment would appear to be incorrect.
William, the fifth born and third surviving son of John Dent and Elizabeth Davis, was born in Worcester in 1784.
He completed his apprenticeship with his father at 26 Sidbury, Worcester and received his "Freedom" 28 or 30 June 1806. He eventually joined his brother John who had set up his own glove manufactory and in 1820 he and John were recorded in partnership in High Street, Worcester as J & W Dent).
William and John had retained their Worcester residence at 34 Foregate Street and it is there that William died 11 Oct 1854. His funeral was held 8 days later in the chapel of Sudeley Castle, officiated by John R Harvey, Rector.
"The good qualities of the deceased, both as regards his amenity of disposition and extended benevolence (he on all occassions possessing a hand open as the day to melting charity) are too well known to need eulogy.
He afforded in his own person a gratifying instance of the success attending perservering industry, having been for many years second partner in the firm of J & W Dent & Co.
He filled the honourable office of Mayor of this City in 1833-4 and was one of the City Magistrates. He was also in the Commission of the Peace for the County of Gloucester, in which County he and his brother, Mr John Dent, have extensive estates. He served the office of High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1851. In him the poor have lost a generous friend."