Samuel Jenings (abt. 1648 - bef. 1709)

Born about 6 Dec 1648 in Coleshill, Buckinghamshire, England

Husband of Ann (Ollive) Jenings — married 7 Jan 1673 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England

Descendants

Died before Oct 1709 before about age 60 in Burlington, New Jersey

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Biography

Samuel Jenings migrated from England to United States.

Samuel Jenings is Notable.

Samuel was a Friend (Quaker)

Samuel Jenings was a Quaker from Buckinghamshire, England who served as Deputy Governor for the American Colony of West Jersey and other important roles.

Samuel Jenings or Jennings was probably born before 1650 in Buckinghamshire, England. Some writers claim he was born in Dec 1648 and was the son of William Jennings of Stone, Buckinghamshire but that seems only to be based on the fact there is a baptism record of a Samuel Jennings at that time without proving it is the same Samuel. Samuel Jennings became a Quaker in the 1660s. He was a senior member of the Monthly Meeting of Upperside Buckinghamshire as early as 1671 and is mentioned many times in the Minute Book of the Monthly Meeting.^[1] He was unlikely to be any younger than 21 at that time and may have been much older as other senior members of the Monthly Meeting were born in the 1630s. Although he was resident at Coleshill before he emigrated to America that was not necessarily his birthplace. His marriage records show he was of Alisbury (Aylesbury).

Marriage and children

The Minute Book of the Monthly Meeting of Upperside notes:^[1]

Att a Meeting at Thos Ellwoods on ye 6t of 9th mo: 72 [6 Nov 1672].

Intention of marriage ... between Samuel Jenings & Ann Olive, both of Alisbury. John Brown & Thomas Sellat appointed to inquire.

Att a Meeting at Thos Ellwood's on ye 4th of 10th mo: 72 [4 Dec 1672].

Samuel Jenings & Ann Olive who at ye last Meeting proposed their intention of Marriage, came now to receive ye advice of friends, and had their consent therin, with advice yt Samuel (before ye consummation of their intended Marriage) should endeavour to give al reasonable satisfaction to Ann Olive's Grandfather & Grandmother, concerning a provision of future maintenance to be made for ye said Ann, in case she should survive ye said Samuel.

Samuel Jenings and Ann Olive married on the 7th day of the 11th month of 1672 (which is 7 Jan 1673 New Style) at Alisbury (Aylesbury). There were 40 witnesses including: Joseph Jenings, Richard Jenings, Sarah Jenings (who might have been related to Samuel), Francis Ollife, Thomas Ollife, Benjamin Ollife (who were probably all related to Ann).^[2] The Sarah Jenings witnessing the marriage is probably the Sarah Jenings who died in 1674 at Alisbury. Some sources list this Sarah as Samuel's mother but no record stating she was his mother has been found.

Samuel and Ann Jenings had five known children. The first two were born in Alisbury (Aylesbury) and the others after they migrated to West Jersey:

1. William Jenings, b. 8 Sep 1675^[3]
2. Sarah Jenings, b. 10 Apr 1679^[4]
3. Joyce Jenings, b. 01 Oct 1681, Burlington, NJ, d. 14 Sep 1694, Race St., Philadelphia, Pa..
4. Ann Jenings, b. 25 Jun 1683, Burlington, NJ, d. Aft. 1731, NJ.
5. Mercy Jenings, b. 27 Jun 1687, Burlington, NJ, d. Bet. 1720 - 1724, Burlington Co. NJ.

America

The Minute Book of the Monthly Meeting of Upperside notes:^[1]

Att a Meeting at Thos Ellwood's on ye 26th: of 3d: mo: 8o:

A Certificate was given to Saml. Jenings, as followeth.

Wheras Samuel Jenings late of Alisbury in ye County of Buck Salesman, hath signified unto us yt he hath an intention (if ye Lord permit) to transport himself wth his Wife & Children unto ye Plantation of West-new-Jersey in America, & hath desired a Testimonial from this Meeting, for ye satisfaction of friends there or elswhere, unto whom he may be outwardly unknown. We therfore whose names are hereunderwritten do hereby certify al whom it may concern, yt ye said Samuel Jenings & Anne his Wife, having lived in these parts for many years, have walked conscienciously & honestly amongst us, agreably to ye profession & testimony of truth according to ye best of our knowledge & observation of them. In witness wherof we have hereunto set our hands, at our monthly Meeting, holden at Coleshill for ye upper side of ye County of Buck, ye 26th: of 3d: mo: in ye year 1680.

Robt. Jones, Thos Olliffe, Edw. Vivers, Hen. Costard, Thos Ellwood, Ralph Trumper, Thos Dell, John Costard, Richd. Clipsham, Robt. White, John Heywood, Nichs Skidmore, Wm. Loddington, John Puddivat, John Archedale, Edw. Hoare, Bray Doyley

Samuel Jenings and his family arrived in West Jersey in September 1680. Governor Edward Byllynge in 1682 appointed Jennings to the position of deputy-governor of West Jersey. At the instigation of William Penn, Jenings allowed himself to be popularly elected as governor, causing a falling-out with Byllynge, who believed this to be an illegal usurpation of his authority. In 1684, Byllynge removed him from his position as deputy.^[5]

By 1701 Samuel Jenings was the Speaker of the West New Jersey General Free Assembly, and was being recommended as a potential member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Western Division; he was appointed by The Crown on July 29, 1703. He remained on the council until his resignation in 1706.^[6] After leaving the council, he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly for the City of Burlington, and served as Speaker during 1707.

Death and Burial

Samuel Jenings died in 1708 or 1709 but definitely before Oct 1709 (when his will was proved) in Burlington, New Jersey. No record of his death or burial place has been found but it is likely he was buried in at Friends' Burial-Ground, Burlington.^[7] A Find a Grave memorial has been created but does not state a death place.^[8]

Will

I, Samuel Jenings of Burlington in the Province of New Jersey, alias New Caesaria, in America, Mercht being weake in body but of sound and well disposing mind and memory, Praises be humbly offered to the Lord for the same with all other his favours, and desirous to settle my affairs and concerns in this life, after the best manner I can, not knowing how it may plelase the Lord to deal with me in this my illness, Doe make my last will and testament in manner following:

First, my will is y't all my just debts and funerall expenses shall be fully paid and satisfied.

Also, I give and bequeath unto my Grandson, Isaac Pennington, son of Edward Pennington, decd, the sum of fifty Pounds. To my grandson Jenings Stevenson, son of William Stevenson, fifty Pounds. To my grandson Thomas Stevenson, son of John Stevenson, fifty Pounds. and to my Granddaughter Elizabeth, daughter of s'd William Stevenson twenty five Pounds, and unto Anna and Sarah, daughters of the s'd Thomas Stevenson each of them twenty five Pounds.

And my will is, and I do hereby appoint, that all ye said legacies soe given unto my grand-children as aforesaid, amounting in all to the sum of two hundred and twenty-five pounds shall be paid by my Executors hereinafter named, into the hands of Samuell Carpenter and Richard Hill, both of Philadelphia, merchants, or the survivor of them within seaven years next after my decease, and by them or either of them to be put out to interest to the use and at the risque and hazard of the s'd legatees respectively, and that all securityes to be taken for the same shall mention whose proper money it is, and my will is, that all s'd legacies and produce thereof respectively shall be paid to my grandsons and granddaughters, at their several ages of one and twenty years, or days of marriage which shall first happen. And if it shall happen y't any of my s'd grandsons or granddaughters shall die under their age aforesaid or before day of marriage, then his or their share or shares soe dying shall goe to the child or children of his or their mother in equall portions, and for want thereof to his or their mother and father respectively. And also my will is, and I doe hereby appoint that the s'd Samuell Carpenter and Richard Hill, shall have and deduct, all ye reasonable charges and disbursements which they shall expend or be put unto touching and concerning their management of the s'd legacies out of the same or interest thereof. Also I do give unto the s'd Samuel Carpenter my great mare called Jill, which I brought from Road Island, and to Richard Hill my young black gelding of four years old, come of the same mare.

Also I give to my sister Eliza Hackney, * the sume of fifty Pounds Sterling money of Great Brittain, to be paid out of my estate there, within twelve months next after my decease, but in case my estate there should be any accident fall short or faile, then my will is that my s'd sister shall have ye sum of one hudred pounds lawful money of this Province of Jersey, to be paid here to her or her assigns as now it passes, within two years next after my decease.

Also I give and bequeath unto my cosin Susannah Fox the sum of one hundred Pounds, to be paid within eighteen months next after my decease.

Also I give unto my cosins John Hackney and Samuel Hackney each of them ten Pounds to be paid within two years next after my death.

Also I give and bequeath unto my long acquainted, worthy and endeared friend Thomas Ellwood of Hungerhill, near Amersham in ye County of Bucks in Great Brittain the sum of twenty Pounds Sterling money, to be paid out of my effects there to buy him a gelding or otherwise as he shall think fit.

And for as much as may be necessary to sell my reall estate in order to the payment of my debts and legacyes I do hereby give full power and authority to my executors hereinafter to be named, or to any two of them, or to the survivors or survivor of them, to grant bargain, sell or convey all or any part of my messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments in Jersey or elsewhere, to any person or persons whatsoever, to his, her or their heirs and assigns forever, for and towards payment of my said debts and legacies.

And all the rest and residue of my estate both reall and personall not otherwise herein disposed of, I give and bequeath unto my said three daughters and to their husbands. viz: Thomas, William and John Stevenson, equally to be divided amongst them, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever.

And of this my last will and testament, I make and appoint my for'sd three sonns-in-law, viz: Thos. Stevenson, Wm. Stevenson and John Stevenson, and my three daughters, Sarah, Anne and Mercy, Executors hereby revoking and making null and void all and every other and former will and wills by me att any time heretofore made or published and appointing this only to be my Last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fourth of ye fift month called July, in ye seventh yeare of ye reine of our Soverigne Lady and Queen of Great Brittain &c., and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred eight.

Also I give my brother Isaac Marriott* my watch.

Signed by Samuel Jenings.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by ye above named Samuel Jenings to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto, in ye presence of the s'd testator. Thos. Gardiner; Thos. Rapier; Daniel Smith Page: 259 Proved 18 Oct 1709. Lib. 1, p. 226

Other information

Samuel Jenings, the First Gov. of West Jersey[sic] was intimately connected with the Stevenson family as the father-in-law of William, Thomas and John Stevenson, the sons of Thomas, brother of our direct descendant Edward. He came from that part of the town of Coleshill, England, that lies in Buckinghamshire. He was a minister of the new sect of Quakers and a member of the first Assembly and one of the original proprietors during the same time period as our Daniel Leeds so it is not a stretch to assume that the Stevensons and Leeds were acquainted with each other over three hundred years before Sade Stevenson married Charles Stewart Leeds. As further proof Daniel Leeds was a favorite of Lord Cornbury who was removed from office due to his unsatisfactory and unpopular rule. Samuel Jenings was an active advocate of Cornbury's removal.

Samuel was married to Ann Olive, sister of Joyce Ollive who was the first wife of Isaac Marriott. Isaac married second Susannah Field, dau of Robert and Susannah Field.

More About Samuel Jenings: Appointment: 1684, the NJ Assembly, early in 1684, passed a Law appointing him and Thos. Budd commissioners to go to Eng. to negotiate for their right to the Government against Byllinge. Jenings nominated his bro-in-law Thos. Olive his Deputy Gov. while he was in E. Elected 1: 1680, selected as First Gov. of NJ, Edward Byllinge being only a nominal Gov. residing in England.. Elected 2: 1683, cont. to act as Gov. of NJ for 3 years from 1680 the Assembly took upon itself to elect him in spring of 1683 for one year; salary 600 acres of land to be above the falls of the Delaware River.. Elected 3: 1707, Member of Assembly of West Jersey. Occupation: Deeds state he was a merchant engaged in commerce. Property 1: 1702, His Plantation called Green Hill bet. Deacon's Sta. and Jacksonville Rd. cont. over 1000 acres was sold by Samuel to son in law William Stevenson. Property 2: 1711, Executor of Samuel Jenings Will, Thomas Stevenson, sold his land and brick house at Pearl and Main Sts. to Hugh Huddy for 100 pounds.. Religion: 1677, epistle issued by the London Monthly Mtg. Samuel's name appears as a minister of this sect called Friends and one of the signers.

A.D. 1708. S. Jening’s death and character. Here also we part with his opponent S. Jenings; his indisposition continued about twelve months, and then finished his life : His many services have occasioned him to be often mentioned : His profession of religion was that of the people called quakers ; he was early an approved minister among them, and so continued until his death ; common opinion, apt to limit this sphere of action, will however allow general rules to have their exceptions, as instances now and then, though perhaps but rarely, occur, where variety of talents have united in the same individual, and yet not interfered ; such, the accounts of those times (stripp’d of the local uncertainties of faction and party) tell us, was the circumstance with regards to Jenings ; that his authority, founded on experienc’d candour, probity, and abilities, enlarged opportunities, rendered him not in one capacity or to one society only, but generally useful : It is mentioned, that he was of an obliging, affectionate disposition, yet of a hasty temper ; that he notwithstanding managed it with circumspection and prudence, so that few occasions escaped to the disadvantage of his character, or of any cause he engaged in ; that he saw the danger to which his natural impetuosity exposed him ; knew his preservation lay in a close attention to his cooler prospects, and diligently guarding in that spot, experienced the benefit of many trying events ; that his integrity and fortitude in all stations were acknowledged ; that his judgment was the rule of his conduct, and by what can now be gathered, this seems to have been but seldom injudiciously founded ; that alive to the more generous emotions of a mind form’d to benevolence and acts of humanity, he was a friend to the widow, the fatherless and the unhappy ; tender, compassionate, disinterested, and with great opportunities in every shape left but a small estate ; that abhorring oppression in every shape, his whole conduct discover’d a will to relieve and befriend mankind, far above the littleness of party or sinister views ; that his sentiments of right and liberty, were formed on the revolution establishment, a plan successfully adapted to the improvement of a new country, or any country ; that he was not withstanding all this sometimes thought stiff and impracticable, but chiefly on account of his political attachments ; yet that there were instances, where better knowledge of his principles, and the sincerity with which he acted, totally effaced those impressions, and left him friends where none were expected : Much of his time, we have seen, was long devoted to the publick, with a will to be useful, occasions were not wanting ; West-Jersey and Pennsylvania, and New Jersey after the surrender, for near twenty eight years successfully, were repeated witnesses of his conduct in various capacities ; he studied peace, and the welfare of mankind ; but in some instances met with ungrateful returns ; and tho’ his endeavors did not altogether succeed to his mind, he survived personal accusation, in a great measure, with respect to himself ; and as to the publick, lived just long enough to see it emerging from an unpromising state of litigation and controversy, to more quiet than had been known for many years : His three daughters, (who were all the children he left) intermarried with three brothers, of the name of Stephenson, whose posterity now reside in New-Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "Minute Book of the Monthly Meeting of Upperside, Buckinghamshire 1669-1690". Available from the Buckinghamshire Record Society. http://www.bucksrecsoc.org.uk/BRS-VOLUMES/brs-vol-01.pdf
2. ↑ "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJZ1-CHN : 10 February 2018), Samuel Jenings and Ann Olive, 07 Jan 1672; citing Alisbury, Bucks, England, reference v 168 p 28, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 583,993. Image https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L964-XDS6?i=138
3. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JSFJ-KQD : 11 February 2018, Samuel Jenings in entry for William Jenings, 08 Nov 1675); citing v 165 p 8, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 583,993. Image https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9964-XZG7?i=12
4. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7TR-23V : 11 February 2018, Samuel Jenings in entry for Sarah Jenings, 10 Apr 1679); citing v 165 p 10, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 583,993. Image https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G964-X8KK?i=15
5. ↑ New Jersey Colonial Documents, Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Vol. III; Daily Advertiser Publishing House, Newark, New Jersey, 1881. p. 159
6. ↑ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, date: various (pre 1950)
7. ↑ Dutton, Rowland J., Sarah Farr, Jno. Rudyard, John Rudyard, Richard Ingoldsby, and J. E. Bass. "Friends' Burial-Ground, Burlington, New Jersey." The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 24, no. 1 (1900): 48-60. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20085896.
8. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #166431534

See also:

• Thomas Stevenson of London, England and his descendants : Stevenson, John R. (John Rudderow), 1834-1917. Chapter II. Samuel Jenings. Pg 23. https://archive.org/details/thomasstevensono00stev
• The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 1890) Vol. 21, Page 45 - Lists marriage and some children.
• http://www.genealogy.com/users/k/i/n/Joyce-A-Kintzel/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0687.html
• Hinshaw, William Wade. Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, vol. II, p. 177. Burlington Monthly Meeting. Lists children of Samuel and Ann "Jening" as Joyce, Ann, Elizabeth and Mercy.
• Wikipedia contributors, "Samuel Jennings," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Jennings (accessed October 27, 2019).
• Wikidata: Item Q7411847, en:Wikipedia
• Smith’s History of New Jersey, originally The History of the Colony or Nova-Cæsaria, or New Jersey Chapter XVIII, 352, 353, 354, Samuel Smith, 1765