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American Family Antiquity

Albert Welles, Pennsylvania Historical Society

Among the ancient families of Great Britain, the Jennings Family show remarkable uniformity for a period of several centuries. The first historical account show them to have settled in Yorkshire. Their character indicates that they were of the Saxon race and settled prior to the Noman Conquest. It was a family of peace and plenty, with no ambition for glory of civil or other kind of war. They were industrious and thriving agriculturalists and manufacturers. While some families sought power and wealth as power warriors, and became the nobility of

England, the Jennings were satisfied with dignity and nobility that attains to the loyal, God fearing; were religious but not fanatics, honest and upright, from principle.

There were no English Titles In this family, but there were Instances of female marriages into nobility.

This work by Albert Welles, American Families in Antiquities, Vol. 111, leads us through prominent members of the family in England from 1600 to 1875, and in America, It covers the family in Connecticut from 1645  to 1880. Most of the report, is of a genealogical nature but is interspersed with comment that the family was one of considerable prominence. (Note  by this compiler indicate that another volume cover  the family in New Jersey, but, he has been unable to locate it). The name has been found throughout English histories.

The Name and Family of Jennings

The Media Research Bureau Washington, D.C.

 The  surname of Jennings is said to have been derived from the Celtic name MacEonin,  mac meaning “son  and Eonin meaning “Young Owner John”.  The name is  found in ancient British and early American records in the various spellings of Jennens, Jennins, Jenness, Jenniss, Jennyng, Jennyns, Jenning, Jenynges and Jennings, of the last Is the form most generally used in America today.

The family of Jennings, which is of ancient Welsh origin, was seated at an early date in Camarvonshire, Wales. It later spread to Ireland and to the Counties of Bedford, Chester, Shrops, Devon, York, Middlesex, Bucks, Warwick, Somerset, Surrey, Stafford, Hants, London, and Suffolk.  It appears that eh family were, for the most part, of the landed gentry and yeomanry of Great Britain.

Of the Warwickshire branch, one John Jennens or Jennings was succeeded in the year 1575 by his eldest son William, who had issue by his wife, Joan Elliott, of nine children.  Their son John married twice and had among others, a son Humphrey who married Mary Milward. Their children were Humphrey, Justin, Henry, Charles, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Ann, Esther, Robert, Felicia, and William. The youngest  William, emigrated to America in the early eighteenth century and is further mentioned below.

The Media Research Bureau Washington, D.C.

 The  surname of Jennings is said to have been derived from the Celtic name MacEonin,  mac meaning “son  and Eonin meaning “Young Owner John”.  The name is  found in ancient British and early American records in the various spellings of Jennens, Jennins, Jenness, Jenniss, Jennyng, Jennyns, Jenning, Jenynges and Jennings, of the last Is the form most generally used in America today.

The family of Jennings, which is of ancient Welsh origin, was seated at an early date in Camarvonshire, Wales. It later spread to Ireland and to the Counties of Bedford, Chester, Shrops, Devon, York, Middlesex, Bucks, Warwick, Somerset, Surrey, Stafford, Hants, London, and Suffolk.  It appears that eh family were, for the most part, of the landed gentry and yeomanry of Great Britain.

Of the Warwickshire branch, one John Jennens or Jennings was succeeded in the year 1575 by his eldest son William, who had issue by his wife, Joan Elliott, of nine children.  Their son John married twice and had among others, a son Humphrey who married Mary Milward. Their children were Humphrey, Justin, Henry, Charles, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Ann, Esther, Robert, Felicia, and William. The youngest  William, emigrated to America in the early eighteenth century and is further mentioned below.

Jennings in America

While it is not definitely known in every case from which of the many Illustrious lines of the family in Great Britain the early emigrants of the name to America were descended, It is generally believed that many of them derive from a common ancestor at a remote period.

Nicholas Jennings, probably the first of the name In New England, came from the County of Suffolk, England, to Hartford, Conn., In 1634. He later removed to Saybrook and was the father of a son named John, and probably of others.

One Richard Jennings was living In New England as early as 1635, and at a later date made his home at Bridgewater. He had a daughter Susanna and several other children whose names are not certain.

John Jennings was living at Hartford prior to the year 1639. He is believed to have been the brother of Nicholas of the same place. In the latter part of his life he removed to Southampton. His children were John, William, Sarah, Johannah, and Samuel.

Another early settler of the name of Hartford was Joshua Jennings, possibly a brother of Nicholas and John, who married in 1647 to Mary William, by whom he had Issue of Joshua, Joseph, Michael, John, Samuel, Isaac, and Elizabeth. He resided in later life at Fairfield, Conn., where he died about 1676.

Francis Jenness or Jennings made his home at Hampton sometime before 1671. He married a Miss Coxe and was the father by her of Thorns, Hannah, Hezekiah, John, Elizabeth, Mehitable and Richard.

About 1672 one Samuel Jenings or Jennings married Ann Ollive in Buckinghamshire, and shortly after emigrated to New Jersey. His children were William, Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, and Mercy. Several of them made their homes at Philadelphia.

Another Richard Jennings was at New London in 1676. Records indicate that he was previously of the Barbados Islands. By his wife, Mary Reynolds, whom he married in 1678, he had three children: Samuel, Richard, and Elinor.

In 1677 one Stephen Jennings was married to Hannah Dickinson at Hatfield, Massachusetts They were the parents of Captivity, Stephen, Joseph, Sarah, Benjamin, John, Jonathan, and Ebenezer.

Henry Jennings of Surrey County, England, came to Salem in 1677 with his wife, Margaret Bussie, whom he married in 1666. They went later to Philadelphia, and their children, Isaac Sarah, resided in New Jersey.

Another Stephen Jennings came to America at an early date and was married about 1685 to Hannah Stanhope at Sudbury, their progeny were Eunice, Stephen, Hannah, Martha, and Sarah.

Others of the of the name who emigrated In the seventeenth century to America , but left few records of themselves and their families, were William of Charlestown in 1630; Richard of Ipswich in1636; Samuel and Thomas of Portsmouth, R. I. In 1655; and Jonathan of Norwich in 168L.

There is a family tradition to the effect that seven brothers came to America about the beginning of the eighteenth century and settled for the most part in New Jersey. mse brothers are believed to have been Joseph, Zabulon, Jacob, Benjamin, Jonathan, John, and David. Records of the last three, however, are not available.

Joseph, first of the brothers, was father of at least, two sons, Isaac and Jonathan, and probably of others, although no further records have been found. Their home was at Elizabethtown.

Zabulon, second of the brothers, had issue by his first wife, Sarah of a son Zebulon. There were no children by his later marriage to Rebecca Squire.

Jacob, perhaps third of the brothers (according to the belief of some historians he was the descendant of an older England branch) the father by a wife, whose name is not known of Jacob, Ann, and several others.

Benjamin, fourth of the brothers, married Mary Springer and had issue by her of Jacob, Ruth, and Abigail. By his second wife, Mary Hosmer, he was the father of Benjamin, Hannah and Jeremiah. He had a third wife, Mary Tucker, but no further issue.

The William Jennings before mentioned, of the Warwickshire, England, branch of the family, came to Virginia about the beginning of the eighteenth century He married Mary Pulliam and had issue by her of John, William, Robert, Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah, Agnes, Mary and Ann.

Distinguished Descendants

The descendants of these and other branches of the family in America have spread to practically  every State of the Union, and have aided as much in the growth of the country as their ancestors did in its founding. They have been noted for their piety, industry, energy, ambition, courage, moral and physical strength, amiability, power of will, and resourcefulness. Members of the family have won especial prominence in the fields of science, education and business.

Among those of the name fought as officers in the War of the Revolution, were Surgeon Michael of Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Simeon, of Rhode Island; and Lieutenant William of Rhode Island.

John, Samuel, Richard, Stephen, Jonathan, William, Joseph, Thomas, Jacob and Henry are some of the Christian names most highly favored by the family for its male progeny.

Recent Distinguished Descendants

A few of the many members of the family have distinguished themselves in America in more recent times are following:

• Charles Godwin Jennings (b. 1857) of New York, physician.

• David Jennings (b. 1882) of South Carolina, merchant and busine88 executive.

• Herbert Spencer Jennings (b. 1868) of Illinois, naturalist, educator, and author.

• Louis John Jennings (1836-1893) of London and New York, author, journalist, and politician.

• Otto Emery Jennings (b. 1877) of Ohio, botanist, educator, and author.

• Percy Hall Jennings (b. 1881) of New York, glass manufacturer and business executive.

• Stephen Richard Jennings (b. 1875) of Virginia, coal operator.

• Walter Jennings (b. 1858) of California, business executive, and capitalist.

• Walter Wilson Jennings (b. 1887) of Illinois, economist, educator, and author.

• William Beatty Jennings (b. 1859) of Carolina, Presbyterian clergyman and author.

While it is not definitely known in every case from which of the many Illustrious lines of the family in Great Britain the early emigrants of the name to America were descended, It is generally believed that many of them derive from a common ancestor at a remote period.

Nicholas Jennings, probably the first of the name In New England, came from the County of Suffolk, England, to Hartford, Conn., In 1634. He later removed to Saybrook and was the father of a son named John, and probably of others.

One Richard Jennings was living In New England as early as 1635, and at a later date made his home at Bridgewater. He had a daughter Susanna and several other children whose names are not certain.

John Jennings was living at Hartford prior to the year 1639. He is believed to have been the brother of Nicholas of the same place. In the latter part of his life he removed to Southampton. His children were John, William, Sarah, Johannah, and Samuel.

Another early settler of the name of Hartford was Joshua Jennings, possibly a brother of Nicholas and John, who married in 1647 to Mary William, by whom he had Issue of Joshua, Joseph, Michael, John, Samuel, Isaac, and Elizabeth. He resided in later life at Fairfield, Conn., where he died about 1676.

Francis Jenness or Jennings made his home at Hampton sometime before 1671. He married a Miss Coxe and was the father by her of Thorns, Hannah, Hezekiah, John, Elizabeth, Mehitable and Richard.

About 1672 one Samuel Jenings or Jennings married Ann Ollive in Buckinghamshire, and shortly after emigrated to New Jersey. His children were William, Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, and Mercy. Several of them made their homes at Philadelphia.

Another Richard Jennings was at New London in 1676. Records indicate that he was previously of the Barbados Islands. By his wife, Mary Reynolds, whom he married in 1678, he had three children: Samuel, Richard, and Elinor.

In 1677 one Stephen Jennings was married to Hannah Dickinson at Hatfield, Massachusetts They were the parents of Captivity, Stephen, Joseph, Sarah, Benjamin, John, Jonathan, and Ebenezer.

Henry Jennings of Surrey County, England, came to Salem in 1677 with his wife, Margaret Bussie, whom he married in 1666. They went later to Philadelphia, and their children, Isaac Sarah, resided in New Jersey.

Another Stephen Jennings came to America at an early date and was married about 1685 to Hannah Stanhope at Sudbury, their progeny were Eunice, Stephen, Hannah, Martha, and Sarah.

Others of the of the name who emigrated In the seventeenth century to America , but left few records of themselves and their families, were William of Charlestown in 1630; Richard of Ipswich in1636; Samuel and Thomas of Portsmouth, R. I. In 1655; and Jonathan of Norwich in 168L.

There is a family tradition to the effect that seven brothers came to America about the beginning of the eighteenth century and settled for the most part in New Jersey. mse brothers are believed to have been Joseph, Zabulon, Jacob, Benjamin, Jonathan, John, and David. Records of the last three, however, are not available.

Joseph, first of the brothers, was father of at least, two sons, Isaac and Jonathan, and probably of others, although no further records have been found. Their home was at Elizabethtown.

Zabulon, second of the brothers, had issue by his first wife, Sarah of a son Zebulon. There were no children by his later marriage to Rebecca Squire.

Jacob, perhaps third of the brothers (according to the belief of some historians he was the descendant of an older England branch) the father by a wife, whose name is not known of Jacob, Ann, and several others.

Benjamin, fourth of the brothers, married Mary Springer and had issue by her of Jacob, Ruth, and Abigail. By his second wife, Mary Hosmer, he was the father of Benjamin, Hannah and Jeremiah. He had a third wife, Mary Tucker, but no further issue.

The William Jennings before mentioned, of the Warwickshire, England, branch of the family, came to Virginia about the beginning of the eighteenth century He married Mary Pulliam and had issue by her of John, William, Robert, Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah, Agnes, Mary and Ann.

Distinguished Descendants

The descendants of these and other branches of the family in America have spread to practically  every State of the Union, and have aided as much in the growth of the country as their ancestors did in its founding. They have been noted for their piety, industry, energy, ambition, courage, moral and physical strength, amiability, power of will, and resourcefulness. Members of the family have won especial prominence in the fields of science, education and business.

Among those of the name fought as officers in the War of the Revolution, were Surgeon Michael of Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Simeon, of Rhode Island; and Lieutenant William of Rhode Island.

John, Samuel, Richard, Stephen, Jonathan, William, Joseph, Thomas, Jacob and Henry are some of the Christian names most highly favored by the family for its male progeny.

Recent Distinguished Descendants

A few of the many members of the family have distinguished themselves in America in more recent times are following:

• Charles Godwin Jennings (b. 1857) of New York, physician.

• David Jennings (b. 1882) of South Carolina, merchant and busine88 executive.

• Herbert Spencer Jennings (b. 1868) of Illinois, naturalist, educator, and author.

• Louis John Jennings (1836-1893) of London and New York, author, journalist, and politician.

• Otto Emery Jennings (b. 1877) of Ohio, botanist, educator, and author.

• Percy Hall Jennings (b. 1881) of New York, glass manufacturer and business executive.

• Stephen Richard Jennings (b. 1875) of Virginia, coal operator.

• Walter Jennings (b. 1858) of California, business executive, and capitalist.

• Walter Wilson Jennings (b. 1887) of Illinois, economist, educator, and author.

• William Beatty Jennings (b. 1859) of Carolina, Presbyterian clergyman and author.

 The  surname of Jennings is said to have been derived from the Celtic name MacEonin,  mac meaning “son  and Eonin meaning “Young Owner John”.  The name is  found in ancient British and early American records in the various spellings of Jennens, Jennins, Jenness, Jenniss, Jennyng, Jennyns, Jenning, Jenynges and Jennings, of the last Is the form most generally used in America today.

The family of Jennings, which is of ancient Welsh origin, was seated at an early date in Camarvonshire, Wales. It later spread to Ireland and to the Counties of Bedford, Chester, Shrops, Devon, York, Middlesex, Bucks, Warwick, Somerset, Surrey, Stafford, Hants, London, and Suffolk.  It appears that eh family were, for the most part, of the landed gentry and yeomanry of Great Britain.

Of the Warwickshire branch, one John Jennens or Jennings was succeeded in the year 1575 by his eldest son William, who had issue by his wife, Joan Elliott, of nine children.  Their son John married twice and had among others, a son Humphrey who married Mary Milward. Their children were Humphrey, Justin, Henry, Charles, Mary, Elizabeth, John, Ann, Esther, Robert, Felicia, and William. The youngest  William, emigrated to America in the early eighteenth century and is further mentioned below.

Jennings in America

While it is not definitely known in every case from which of the many Illustrious lines of the family in Great Britain the early emigrants of the name to America were descended, It is generally believed that many of them derive from a common ancestor at a remote period.

Nicholas Jennings, probably the first of the name In New England, came from the County of Suffolk, England, to Hartford, Conn., In 1634. He later removed to Saybrook and was the father of a son named John, and probably of others.

One Richard Jennings was living In New England as early as 1635, and at a later date made his home at Bridgewater. He had a daughter Susanna and several other children whose names are not certain.

John Jennings was living at Hartford prior to the year 1639. He is believed to have been the brother of Nicholas of the same place. In the latter part of his life he removed to Southampton. His children were John, William, Sarah, Johannah, and Samuel.

Another early settler of the name of Hartford was Joshua Jennings, possibly a brother of Nicholas and John, who married in 1647 to Mary William, by whom he had Issue of Joshua, Joseph, Michael, John, Samuel, Isaac, and Elizabeth. He resided in later life at Fairfield, Conn., where he died about 1676.

Francis Jenness or Jennings made his home at Hampton sometime before 1671. He married a Miss Coxe and was the father by her of Thorns, Hannah, Hezekiah, John, Elizabeth, Mehitable and Richard.

About 1672 one Samuel Jenings or Jennings married Ann Ollive in Buckinghamshire, and shortly after emigrated to New Jersey. His children were William, Sarah, Ann, Elizabeth, and Mercy. Several of them made their homes at Philadelphia.

Another Richard Jennings was at New London in 1676. Records indicate that he was previously of the Barbados Islands. By his wife, Mary Reynolds, whom he married in 1678, he had three children: Samuel, Richard, and Elinor.

In 1677 one Stephen Jennings was married to Hannah Dickinson at Hatfield, Massachusetts They were the parents of Captivity, Stephen, Joseph, Sarah, Benjamin, John, Jonathan, and Ebenezer.

Henry Jennings of Surrey County, England, came to Salem in 1677 with his wife, Margaret Bussie, whom he married in 1666. They went later to Philadelphia, and their children, Isaac Sarah, resided in New Jersey.

Another Stephen Jennings came to America at an early date and was married about 1685 to Hannah Stanhope at Sudbury, their progeny were Eunice, Stephen, Hannah, Martha, and Sarah.

Others of the of the name who emigrated In the seventeenth century to America , but left few records of themselves and their families, were William of Charlestown in 1630; Richard of Ipswich in1636; Samuel and Thomas of Portsmouth, R. I. In 1655; and Jonathan of Norwich in 168L.

There is a family tradition to the effect that seven brothers came to America about the beginning of the eighteenth century and settled for the most part in New Jersey. mse brothers are believed to have been Joseph, Zabulon, Jacob, Benjamin, Jonathan, John, and David. Records of the last three, however, are not available.

Joseph, first of the brothers, was father of at least, two sons, Isaac and Jonathan, and probably of others, although no further records have been found. Their home was at Elizabethtown.

Zabulon, second of the brothers, had issue by his first wife, Sarah of a son Zebulon. There were no children by his later marriage to Rebecca Squire.

Jacob, perhaps third of the brothers (according to the belief of some historians he was the descendant of an older England branch) the father by a wife, whose name is not known of Jacob, Ann, and several others.

Benjamin, fourth of the brothers, married Mary Springer and had issue by her of Jacob, Ruth, and Abigail. By his second wife, Mary Hosmer, he was the father of Benjamin, Hannah and Jeremiah. He had a third wife, Mary Tucker, but no further issue.

The William Jennings before mentioned, of the Warwickshire, England, branch of the family, came to Virginia about the beginning of the eighteenth century He married Mary Pulliam and had issue by her of John, William, Robert, Joseph, Elizabeth, Sarah, Agnes, Mary and Ann.

Distinguished Descendants

The descendants of these and other branches of the family in America have spread to practically  every State of the Union, and have aided as much in the growth of the country as their ancestors did in its founding. They have been noted for their piety, industry, energy, ambition, courage, moral and physical strength, amiability, power of will, and resourcefulness. Members of the family have won especial prominence in the fields of science, education and business.

Among those of the name fought as officers in the War of the Revolution, were Surgeon Michael of Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Simeon, of Rhode Island; and Lieutenant William of Rhode Island.

John, Samuel, Richard, Stephen, Jonathan, William, Joseph, Thomas, Jacob and Henry are some of the Christian names most highly favored by the family for its male progeny.

Recent Distinguished Descendants

A few of the many members of the family have distinguished themselves in America in more recent times are following:

• Charles Godwin Jennings (b. 1857) of New York, physician.

• David Jennings (b. 1882) of South Carolina, merchant and busine88 executive.

• Herbert Spencer Jennings (b. 1868) of Illinois, naturalist, educator, and author.

• Louis John Jennings (1836-1893) of London and New York, author, journalist, and politician.

• Otto Emery Jennings (b. 1877) of Ohio, botanist, educator, and author.

• Percy Hall Jennings (b. 1881) of New York, glass manufacturer and business executive.

• Stephen Richard Jennings (b. 1875) of Virginia, coal operator.

• Walter Jennings (b. 1858) of California, business executive, and capitalist.

• Walter Wilson Jennings (b. 1887) of Illinois, economist, educator, and author.

• William Beatty Jennings (b. 1859) of Carolina, Presbyterian clergyman and author.

Heraldry

Probably the best known of the many coats of arms of the Jennings family is that described as follows: (Burke, Encyclopedia of Heraldry, 181L)

• Arms: “Azure, a chevron or, between three bezants of the on a ermine, three cinque-foils gules.”

• Crest: “A Jay proper” or “A redbreast sitting on a wreathed morion” or griffin  passant gules, holding a buckler

Bibliography

• Gentry. Family Names 1892

• Burke. Encyclopedia of Heraldry. 11844

• Savage. Genealogical Dictionary of New England 1860

• Heitman. Officers of the Continental  Army 1914

• W.H. Jennings Association. 1899

• The Americana 1934

• Jennings Family Association 1863

Smith and Curts

John Jennens, (sometimes spelled Jennings) iron munger of Birmingham County Warwick, England, son of William and Johann baptized in 1579 married first to his cousin in 1606 – second to Joice Weaman 1622. His will proved by his son Humphrey, executor, in the Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of Canterbury, on the 10th day of 1653, leaving vast estates as per copy of will in possession of America Heirs in the aforesaid County of Warwick, the major part of which entailed to the following named four children as tenants in common and at their deaths to the oldest male heir.

1st Humphrey, born 1629, died 1689, his heir his grandson William of Acton, Suffolk, England. (Son of Robert). William of Acton died June 19, 1798 a bachelor & intestate. No male heirs surviving in England. The next heir in line, Humphreys, son Henry who had emigrated to in 1777.

2nd Joseph, born 1631 – male issue failing

3rd Sarah, born 1634 – died single

4th Edward, born 1640 – male issue failing

At the death of Joseph, Sarah and Edward their rights in their father’s estate passed also to they nephew, William of Acton.

Library of Congress

 CS71 J545 1912

The Jennings family Is traced back in English and Welsh history to the time of the Crusades. Military expeditions were undertaken by the Christians of Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries for the recovery of Holy lands from the Mohammadans. John Jennings commanded a division of the English Army under Queen Elizabeth, which about A. D. 1560, rendered aid to the Protestants of France. (First coat of arms

The family originated in Carnarvonshire, Wales, from whence It, spread over following the 11th century; thence later to Ireland, France, Germany and in due time, into the colonies In America.

Cope Collection

COPE COLLECTION (Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.) CO 45, P. 131. Newspaper excerpt dated 6-19-1878.

John Jennings b. 1579; will dated 2-25-1651, had  sons.

• Joseph Jennings

• Humphrey Jennings

Humphrey Jennings married Margaret Millwood 1657, by whom he had 12 children, among them Robert, the father or William Jennings of Acton, England.

Joseph Jennings, son of John Jennings, by his first wife, was the father of William who was the father of Henry who came to this country in 1666.  Samuel Jennings was grandson to Joseph Jennings cousin to Henry Jennings and uncle to Henry and Samuel, father of Margaret Jennings who came over between 1666 and 1669 (paper says 1606 and 1609).  William the father of Henry Jennings who was born 7-21-1642 and married Margaret Busse of York City England who was born 1-18-1666 came to this country on 2-5-1667.  Henry Jennings was 36 years old when he came to America and 63 years old when he died.

The Jennings Families of England and America (Vol 1 Excerpt)

William Henry Jennings 1899

From the forward of Volume II

The present volume is the result of no little effort through the many years to place in permanent form the records of the immediate line  of the family of the Compiler, together with what he has collected concerning other American branches of the same family name.  And it seems fitting here to tell the story of the origin and growth of this history of the Jennings family in America.

In the early part of this century, great interest was awakened among those of the Jennings name by reason of the report that the heir to the vast estates of William Jennens of Acton, England, was to be found in some Jennings family in America.  not to discuss the merits of the case, it will be sufficient to say that no little enthusiasm was aroused,  conventions held and a systematic effort made to arrive at a correct lineage for everyone one of the name who joined in the work.  Among those who took part in this effort, were the immediate ancestors of the Compiler, to whose possession finally came a number of records and papers, and these became the basis of the work carried on through a score of years, and resulting in the book now issued.  An extensive correspondence was began with every Jennings whose name could be learned, and through these, other branches of the family were discovered until this correspondence spread throughout America and even England.  Through the kindness of each correspondent (which hereby acknowledged) , original records were supplied, or those in hand verified, until the Compiler is warranted in saying that wherever positive facts are stated that they may be relied on as correct.  Every effort has been made to arrive at the truth and nothing is conjecture except where given as such.

Among the materials received there is found, such as wealth of facts concerning collateral and related families that it has been deemed necessary to add certain appendices.

It is also the purpose of the Compiler to issue a volume of the Jennings Family in England with Chapters on “The Origin of the Name,”  Armorial Evidences,” Early History of the Family,” “Individuals of Note,” “William Jennings of Acton – The Intestate – his estate, attempts to secure it, ” etc. etc., thus giving completeness as near as may be to the work undertaken.

Also, a book of plates, or genealogical charts will form a third voume in the series.  

Hoping that my earnest labor has resulted in a contribution of value, not only to the family but to students of family history in general and with grateful thanks to all who have in any way contributed to the accomplishment of my purpose, this volume is now sent forth.

I remain, sincerely,

W. H. Jennings

Columbus, Ohio, December 9, 1899.

Handwritten transcript

William Henry Jennings 1899

First Volume Ohio Historical Society – Handwritten

The Jennings family is one of great antiquity in England and has always been one of eminent respectability and of such distinction as to to prominently identify its members with the civil and military history of their native country.

The Origin of the Name

Among the first of the name of whom we have any knowledge are the Jennings of Bredfield.  The family came originally from France and assumed their surname from the town of Guisnes (now Guines) near Calais.  It probably came into England with the Conqueror, for Bloomfield states that persons of the name of De Guisenate, De Guisene or Gyney were soon after the conquest in possession of the manor Haverland and that they held it until the time of Henry V.

From that house, it seems that the Bredfield family branches and the name  changes in process of time from Gyney to Jennings. 

Early History of the Family

In the ninth year of the reign of Richard II – 1385,  Thomas, son of Sir Thomas De Gyney enfeoffed his manor of Gislingh in Suffolk called Gynnys which he had then purchased from John De Maryland.  This manor still bears the name of Jennins. 

Another family and one of the most distinguished was the one known as Jennings of Blenheim Hall.  In the year 1563 Sir William (St.) Loe released all his right in the manor of Churchill to Ralph Jennings of Islington in Middlesex, whose descendant, Richard Jennings, solid it to John Churchill, Esqr.  Sir John Jennings, the representative was knighted in 1603.  He married a daughter of Sir William Branker and had a son Sir John Jennings who was made Knight of the Bath at the creation of Charles, Prince of Wales. 

He served for a number of years as Sheriff of Country Hertford and was married to Alice, third daughter of Sir Richard Spencer.  

Richard Jennings of Sandridge Country Hertford, died in 1744, leaving his wife Frances, daughter and co-heir of Sir Gifford Hornhurst, Bar’t, their daughters

First: Frances, who married Richard, Duke of Tyrconnell, and who was the celebrated “White Milliner” appearing the domestic history of George 1.

Second: Barbara, who married Edwin Giffith Esqr.

Third: Sarah, who became the wife of the Duke of Marlborough.

Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough was without doubt, one of the most remarkable women of her time. Extremely beautiful, possessed of a brilliant mind, wedded to the foremost soldier and politician of the day and having Princess Anne complete under her influence. She wielded almost boundless power in the kingdom, til she was finally supplanted by her own cousin, Mrs (Abigail) Masham whom she herself had presented at court. 

Individuals of Note

Prominent also at that time were Henry Constantine Jennings, the possessor of three fortunes but who, notwithstanding, died in poverty in 1813; Soame Jennings (Jenyns) the celebrated Philosopher and William Jennings the miser, who dying a bachelor, intestate in 1798, left a vast estate which as since been a subject of contention in chancery and the ownership of which still remains undecided.  For further particulars of the estate itself, reference is made in the appendix “A”.  Pages 334 and 350.

Armorial Evidences

In Burke’s Encyclopedia of Heraldry appear the Grands of Arms to twenty six families bearing the name of Jennings or Jenyns.  There are eleven different ways of spelling the name.

From one of these families we are descended but from which particular one it seems impossible to determine. 

William Jennens of Acton – The Intestate

There have been many attempts made from time to time by possessors of the name to trace their lineage back to the origins of the family. Those attempts have nearly all been made for the purpose of discovering the connection supposed to exist between their families and that of William Jennings the miser before mentioned.  This object was actively opposed to by persons in England who also claimed an interest in the estate, and about the only result of the active and acrimonious contest which always accompanied these efforts on the part of the American claimant was to envelop the early genealogy in a haze of uncertainty.

The compiler of this book has not intention of furnishing a foundation for anyone to base their claims to the “Estate” upon; but only wishes to provide as complete and accurate a genealogy as may be of that family which he is a member.

There will of course be many inaccuracies which he is powerless to prevent.  He has made every effort to gain reliable information and hopes that any person having knowledge will send it to him so aid in making the work thorough and complete.

In the appendix this volume will be found some information relative t the great Jennings Estate” and also the pedigree of the family to which the intestate belonged.  This information has been gathered from the reports of the representatives of the American claimants and as if they worked with the single purpose of providing the connection of their clients to the before named William Jennings, their statements can be taken with a grain of allowance.  

The writer in giving a place in this book to the information mentioned does not vouch for its accuracy, but merely hopes that it will prove interesting and throw a little light on the ‘Great Expectation” which nearly every Jennings, old or young regards in a vague indefinite way as his birth right.

We will now commence the genealogy of the American Jennings