Medford Jenkins (abt. 1897 - 1981)

Born about 17 Mar 1897 in Talbot, Maryland, United States

Died 28 May 1981 at about age 84 in Maryland, United States

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Biography

Dennis Jenkins is a part of US Black heritage.

Medford was born about 1897. He was the son of Lloyd Jenkins and Laura Sharp.

In 1900 he lived in St. Michaels, Talbot, Maryland with his parents and three siblings.^[1]

Medford registered for the World War I draft in 1917. At the time he was single and living in Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey. He worked for Calco Chemical Company. The physical description says he was of medium height and build with dark brown eyes and black hair and he was not bald.^[2]

By 1920 he was married and living in Beverly, Burlington, New Jersey with his wife and young daughter and a lodger. He was working in public service.^[3]

City directories from 1926 and 1929 show Medford living in Burlington, New Jersey with his wife May and working in public service.^[4][5]

In 1930 Medford, May, and their daughter lived in Beverly, New Jersey. He worked as a laborer in a pipe foundry.^[6]

By 1940 Medford had moved back to Talbot County, Maryland. He lived with a housekeeper and worked as a farm laborer. The census lists him as married but his wife is not in the household.^[7]

He registered for the World War II draft in 1942. At the time he was living and working in Easton, Maryland. He listed his sister Lola Copper as his nearest relative. The physical description seems to belong to someone else because it says blue eyes and a light complexion.^[8]

In 1943 Medford's name appeared in the Star-Democrat in an article about Easton residents receiving tires and tubes through the rationing board. He received two passenger tires.^[9]

Medford died in 1981 and was buried in the veterans' cemetery in Hurlock, Maryland.^[10]

Research Notes

His birth year appears in different sources as 1896, 1897, and 1900. The March 17 date remains consistent.

It seems that a major life event happened between 1930 and 1940. Either May died or their marriage ended or something similarly significant for which I have not found any record.

Sources

1. ↑ 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 77;
   FamilySearch Record: M32F-G5W (accessed 12 October 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6SXQ-71P
   Medford Jenkins (3), single son, in household of Lloyd Jenkins (27) in Election District 2, St. Michaels (excl. St Michaels town), Precinct 3, Talbot, Maryland, United States. Born in Maryland.
2. ↑ Military: "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918"
   citing Affiliate Publication Title: World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards; Affiliate Publication Number: M1509; FHL microfilm: 1754440;
   FamilySearch Record: KZV9-C8T (accessed 12 October 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9BTZ-9MSH Image number 01750
   Name: Medford Jenkins; Military Draft Registration Date: from 1917 to 1918; Military Draft Registration Place: Somerset, New Jersey, United States; Birth Date: 17 Mar 1896; Birth Place: Eastern Shore, Maryland, United States; Citizenship Place: United States; Race: Negro.
3. ↑ 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Line: 33;
   FamilySearch Record: M4PR-J26 (accessed 12 October 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRNR-C96
   Medford D Jenkins (22), married head of household in Beverly, Burlington, New Jersey, United States. Born in Maryland.
4. ↑ 1926 Directory: "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995"
   Original sources vary according to directory. The title of the specific directory being viewed is listed at the top of the image viewer page. Check the directory title page image for full title and publication information
   Ancestry Record 2469 #715968410 (accessed 12 October 2023)
   Name: Medford D Jenkins; Gender: Male; Residence Year: 1926; Street Address: 124 Broad; Residence Place: Burlington, New Jersey, USA; Occupation: Employee; Spouse: May Jenkins; Publication Title: Burlington, New Jersey, City Directory, 1926.
5. ↑ 1929 Directory: "U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995"
   Original sources vary according to directory. The title of the specific directory being viewed is listed at the top of the image viewer page. Check the directory title page image for full title and publication information
   Ancestry Record 2469 #719953264 (accessed 12 October 2023)
   Name: Medford D Jenkins; Gender: Male; Residence Year: 1929; Street Address: 124; Residence Place: Burlington, New Jersey, USA; Occupation: Employee; Spouse: May Jenkins; Publication Title: Burlington, New Jersey, City Directory, 1929.
6. ↑ 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 70;
   FamilySearch Record: X48L-QGD (accessed 12 October 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RZD-GNN
   Medford Jenkins (33), married head of household in Beverly, Burlington, New Jersey, United States. Born in Maryland.
7. ↑ 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 70;
   FamilySearch Record: K7FG-BBH (accessed 12 October 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9M1-ZZXZ
   Medford Jenkins (40), married head of household in District 4, Talbot, Maryland, United States. Born in Maryland.
8. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942"
   The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the State of Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Series Number: M1939
   Ancestry Record 1002 #3562605 (accessed 12 October 2023)
   Name: Medford Jenkins; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 17 Mar 1895; Birth Place: Talbot, Maryland, USA; Residence Place: Talbot, Maryland, USA; Military Draft Date: 1942; Next of Kin: Lola Copper.
9. ↑ The Star-Democrat, January 1, 1943, Page 7. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-democrat-medford-jenkins-receiv/133342653/ : accessed October 12, 2023), clip page for Medford Jenkins receives 2 tires by user RGSMCouncell
10. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/136886075/medford-dennis-jenkins: accessed 12 October 2023), memorial page for Medford Dennis Jenkins (17 Mar 1897–28 May 1981), Find a Grave Memorial ID 136886075, citing Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Hurlock, Dorchester County, Maryland, USA; Maintained by Corey and Douglas Marshall-Steele (contributor 47477063).

• 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 77;
  FamilySearch Record: M32F-G5W (accessed 12 October 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6SXQ-71P
  Medford Jenkins (3), single son, in household of Lloyd Jenkins (27) in Election District 2, St. Michaels (excl. St Michaels town), Precinct 3, Talbot, Maryland, United States. Born in Maryland.