Front Matter
THE JENNINGS of HADDONFIELD
JAMES R. JENNINGS
“Tis an ungrateful generation that neglects the memory of its fathers.”
Anon
For
“The roots of the present lie deep in the past, and nothing in the past is dead to the man who would learn how the present came to be what it, is.”
Prof W. Stubbs
Phoenix, Arizona
May 196
Acknowledgments
The material in this book could never have
been assembled except for the interest and
assistance so generously given by so many
unselfish people. To name everyone would
leave us no place to stop.
To all a sincere appreciation.
James R. Jennings
2222 East Earll Drive
Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Forward
Who are my family? Where did they come from? What did they do? What were they like?
The compilation of this report is a result of such questions by members of the immediate family. No claim is made for the completeness nor the accuracy of the contents. An attempt has been made to research records and document that have been conveniently available. Quotations from various sources include books, manuscripts, historical and genealogical society records and files, and other media useful in an effort to trace and record the history of the Jennings family, going back to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Much of the material submitted here Is presented as received from the various sources, as stated above. If there are spelling and or printing mistakes in the manuscripts or quotes, they will carry on into the book. There Is no pretense that the work Is professional.
But the tracing of family lineage is only a part. The most intriguing interest seems to be the character, habits, customs, social and moral attitudes, occupations, and financial ingenuity, or lack of it, among those from whom we are in descent. To gain an insight into their activities and lives is the purpose and motivating force in this undertaking.
Why and what way is it possible to trace a family history back several hundred years? A number of things make this possible with a measure of accuracy. Many of the laws of our country and customs of our people have been greatly Influenced by our English heritage. This seems to hold true in the matter of family records and genealogy.
The Ancient Parish Register of England and Wales
THE ANCIENT PARISH REGISTER OF ENGLAND AND WALES BY ARTHUR M. BURKE gives an insight into the keeping of records of births, deaths and marriages. While not complete the records offer valuable assistance In historical research. Because many Irreplaceable records were carelessly kept, lost, burned, stolen, or even auctioned off, in 1535 Henry the VIII appointed Cromwell Vicar-General. Cromwell required every Parish in England and Wales to keep a book and coffer, with two locks, and required the parson of each Parish to enter records each Sunday in the presence of church wardens.
In 1547 (Edward VI) an Injunction directed that fines for failure to keep records go to the poor-box of the Parish. And in 1559 (I Elizabeth) it was enjoined that fines be divided equally between the poor-box and the church repair fund.
In 1563 Parliament intervened to require an office or “registership”, but the move was defeated with the help of Clergy. A mandate was issued in the first year of the reign of James 1st, providing that every parish and “Church and Chapel” in the Relm be provided one Parchment Book in charge of the Parish. Ali entries were eventually taxed for revenue purposes.
Answer to the Why and How
Another answer to the WHY AND HOW question is the inherent interest or instinct found in some individuals, groups and organizations to research the past, be it the Roman Empire, past civilization, or the origin of the Jennings family. It is an interesting experience, for example, to visit the Pennsylvania Historical Society in Philadelphia Society. The subject matter found is as great and varied as the thousands of people who come there each year to search, read and copy. It is possible that some family history could be found covering every surname in the telephone directory, as well as geographical locations and numerous other items of historical interest.
The Eastern Seaboard appears to be favored with many historical societies large and small, some smaller ones concerned more with people and locations such as districts.
Much more early family history (Jennings) has been found available in New Jersey than in Ohio, where many members of the family moved west and settled.
One or the foremost contributing factors to the availability of Jennings family records and history was the vast JENNENS ESTATE in London. This will be referred to in detail later. It may be said with certainty, however, that one of the strongest motivating forces in human nature is the eternal quest for the dollar. If the search of family lineage lead to wealth, the search of family lineage it will be. The Jennings family searched with great zeal.
In America, and perhaps other countries, the Family Bible is a common and usually reliable source of lineage. Family record books are, also, used to some extent, and are generally reliable and in agreement, on family structure.
Unfortunately, this does not always hold true with researchers, and historians. The variance is sometimes quite confusing and disconcerting. One member of the Jennings family has been assigned to three different sets of parents by different historians. The researching of a family back several hundred years is a tremendous undertaking, fraught with many frustrations. It is probably a temptation for a researcher to guess at times. His conclusions may or may not be correct. This is probably true when a complicated inheritance is involved.
To provide family background quotations from a number of books, manuscripts and historical sketches will follow. Several versions of the origin of the name will be found, including time and place of origin. Also listed will be the earliest available records of those bearing the name. The confusion in these records may leave the reader utterly bewildered. They are presented here, not to confuse, but to point to difficulty encountered by historians in finding accurate data. Which report is correct? Perhaps none. More likely all of them bear elements of truth. However, they do provide interesting speculation.