[3] Born in Worcester County, Maryland, to Littleton Dennis and Susan (Upshur) Dennis, Dennis inherited Essex Farm in Rehobeth, Somerset County, Maryland, from his father in 1884, and over the next fourteen years had a large frame dwelling constructed there.
[4] Dennis was appointed to the state court of appeals, then the highest court in the state, on October 22, 1801, after William Cooke of Baltimore County declined the appointment.
[5] While other judges were appointed around the same time, only Dennis and Potts took oaths of office, on November 3, 1801.
[7] Dennis married a cousin, Elizabeth Upsher, with whom he had several children, and died at Essex Farm around the age of 68.
[2] The house was later listed on the National Register of Historic Places under the name Caldicott (the original name of the tract of land).