Stephen Kent was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, on May 9, 1741, the son of Richard Kent, Jr. (1715-1760) and Ann (Hale) Greenleaf (1717-1794). He was a yeoman (farmer) and married Mary Gerrish (1735-1817) in 1761. They had seven children: Richard (1762-1839); John (1764-1838); Moses (1768-1829); Stephen (1771-1853); Elizabeth (1773-1776); Jacob (1776-1829); and Elizabeth (born 1777). He died on June 29, 1827 in Newburyport.

Joseph Kent was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, on May 9, 1741, the son of Richard Kent, Jr. (1715-1760) and Ann (Hale) Greenleaf (1717-1794), and twin brother of Stephen. He was also a yeoman. He married Jane Moody (1742-1783) and they had nine children. He later had three children by Jane Dole Kent. His children included: Joseph; Paul; Amos Kent, Jr.; Nancy; Moody; and six others. In 1647, the town of Newbury granted Richard Kent, Jr. (1715-1760) 170 acres of land on the island over Little River, subsequently known as Kent’s Island. In his will, Richard gave Kent’s Island to his oldest son, but no one could determine which of the twins, Stephen or Joseph, was the oldest. For several years Joseph and his twin brother, Stephen, engaged in a lawsuit as to ownership of Kent Island. Stephen, advised by his father-in-law, tried to prove himself the older, but failed. The General Court annulled the proceedings and the property was divided between Stephen, Joseph, and their brother, Moses. Because of this suit and other differences the brothers became estranged and were never reconciled. In 1799 Stephen and his family left the Island and moved into the town of Newburyport. Joseph died on July 18, 1802.

Stephen Kent, the son of Stephen and Mary Kent, was born on March 12, 1771, in Newbury, Massachusetts. In 1808 he married Sarah Noyes (1781-1853). They had two sons, John Noyes (1809-1889) and Enos Noyes (1811-1894). He died on December 19, 1852.

Jacob Kent, son of Stephen and Mary Kent, was born on April 24, 1776, in Newbury, Massachusetts. He married twice; in 1804, to Hannah Ordway and in 1812, to Mary Noyes (1780-1847). He died on February 15, 1829. Paul Kent, son of Joseph and Jane Kent, was born on December 6, 1772. He married Alice Thurlow (1778-1835). He died on March 18, 1851, in Newburyport.