Wills and Additional Documents
Will of Henry Jennings
William Henry Jennings 1899
In the name of God Amen. I, Henry Jennings, of the city of Philadelphia the Province of Taylor, being of a sound mind and disposing memory and judgment, doe make & ordaine this my Last Will and Testament. PrinciplyI Commit my Soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix hereafter named & my worldly estate I Dispose of as followeth Imprs. I will that all my just debts be paid by my Executrix. Next, I will Devise & bequeath to Isaac Jennings, to his heirs & Assigns forever the hundred and fifty Acres of Land that I bought of Thomas Graves. Item, I give Devise & bequeath the house and Lott where I now live to my cozen Margaret Jennings, daughter of Isaac Jennings of London, to her heirs & assigns forever, after the Decease of my wife.
Also, I give Devise & bequeath to my loving wife, Margaret Jennings, to her heirs & assigns forever all the Rest & Residue of my estate, both real & personall, both here and elsewhere not herein before bequeathed: & whome I doe hereby Nominate Constitute & ordaine to be my Sole Executrix of this my Last Will & Testament, Revoking and Expressly-annulling all former Last Wills & Testaments by me heretofore made, Declareing this alone to be my Last Will & Testament. IN WITNESS whereto & whereof I have put my hand & seale this 27 day of June 1705. Henry Jennings (his seal) Signed sealed published and declared in the presence of us William Hudson Theo. B. Beadford Thomas Paschall
Burlington ye 23d. April 1706 Personally appeared before me Thomas Revell Esq. Surrogate, Margaret Jennings Executrix of the within will & took her attestation to bring in a true Inventory & performe the will according to law Jurat Coramme. Thos. Revell Surr.
Edward viscount Cornbury Captain General & Governor in Chief in & over the Province of New Jersey New York & all the Territories & tracts of Land Depending thereon in America & Vice Admirall of the same &c. To all to whome these presents shall come or may concern Greetings Know Yee that at Burlington ye twenty third day of April Anno Dorn 1706 the last will & Testament of Henry Jennings was proved approved and allowed of by me whilst having lived and having at the time of his Death Goods, Chattels & Credits in Divers places within the Province by means whereof the full Disposition of all & Singular the said Goods Chattels &n Credits of the said Deceased & His Last Will & Testament in any manner of ways Concerning was granted unto Margaret Jennings Widdow & Executrix of the said Last Will & Testament names Chiefly of well & truly administering the same & and of making a true & perfect Inventory of all & singular the said Goods, Chattels & Creditts & exhibiting ye same into the Secretarys office of the said Privince at or before the 23d day May next ensueing & of rendering a just and true Acct. Calculation and Reconing when thereunto shee shall be Lawfully Required.
In TESTIMONY whereof I Thomas Revell Esqr Surrogate have hereunto sett hand and seale this 23d day of April Anno RRa Anna Quinto. Annoq Dom. 1706. Tho. Revell Surr. ”recorded in Liber I of Wills page 147 &c.”
Will of Margaret Jennings
William Henry Jennings 1899
P.364 Will of Margaret Jennings, Widow of Henry -Gloucester Files Trenton
Liber No. I, fol 301 Dated 14 Aug. 1708.
Of Philadelphia -To my friend Priscilla Hugg wife of John of the Co. of Gloucester in West N.J. yeoman all my land in town and County of Gloucester providing she pays my friend Thomas Griffith of Philadelphia L10 current money for the use of people called Quakers -also my lot of 10 acres in Cohansey (Salem Co.) West N.J. -also lot of 8 acres in Salem shall be sold for my debts -all the rest unto Isaac and Sarah reputed son and daughter of my deceased husband Henry Jennings to be equally divided between them -She appoints John Hugg Executor -makes her mark.
William Henry Jennings 1899
I have never made any search at Trenton far records of Henry,Margaret or Isaac Jennings. The above memoranda were largely copied from notes made by the late Hon. John Clement of Haddonfield. He told me that neither the Surveyor General’s office at Burlington or the Secretary of State’s office at Trenton bad been systematically searched for data relating to the family, and that doubtless much could be learned from these sources.
Nothing further is known of Sarah Jennings, sister of Isaac and not much is known of him. -(letter of Dr. William S. long of Haddonfield, N .J.
James Riley Jennings 1967
Is it possible to suspect a note of jealousy, spite or resentment by Margaret Jennings in her reference to the “reputed son and daughter of my deceased husband, Henry Jennings”? (ED). Several researchers find Isaac and Sarah to be the children of Henry Jennings by his first wife, Sarah.
William Henry Jennings 1899
WHJ ’99 In 1715 Isaac Jennings bought land of John Hugg (Executor of Margaret Jennings) at the head of Timber Creek. Where this land is situate we know not. Isaac owned land south of Haddonfield and it is believed that he lived a short distance beyond the Phila. & Atlantic City R.R. on the road from Haddonfield to Clements Ridge. His son Jacob, in 1784, bought the farm at Barrington recently sold by Burr Haines, and his father’s we believe was not far to the south of this tract.
Isaac and his wife Judith were members of Friends Meeting in Haddonfield and both we believe are buried in the graveyard belonging to it.
Cushing and Sheppards History of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland Counties
1724 -1727. From Cushing and Sheppard’s History of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland Counties, P. 124, we learn that Isaac Jennings was Justice of Gloucester during these years. Ed Note See page 139
Will of Isaac Jennings
I Isaac Jennings of the Township of Gloucester in the County of Gloucester in the Province of New Jersey Yeoman, Being in Perfect mind and memory Do this twenty Eighth day of the Tenth Month in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Eight made and published this my last Will and Testament Hereby Revoking and making void all other Wills by me heretofore made, Ratifying and Confirming this to be my Last Imprimis
I Do in the first place Recommend my Soul To God my Creator and my Body to be Decently Buryed at the Discretion of my Executrix herein after named. Item I give and Devise unto my son Jacob Jennings all my Lands Tenements & Heriditaments whatsoever & wheresoever with their appurtenances to hold to him his heirs & assigns for Ever To whom I also give And Bequeath one Good Feather Bed and Furniture my negro boy Julius and Two hundred pounds Proclamation money, to be paid him by my Executrix in one Year after my Decease.
Item Bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Flanningham Fifty pounds money aforesaid.
Item I give and Bequeath Unto my Daughter Deborah Burroughs fifty pounds money aforesaid, & my Negro Girl Violett Both which Legacys to be paid by my Executrix in one year after Decease.
Item all the Remainder of my Estate I Give and Bequeath unto Judeth Jennings my Beloved wife whom I appoint & Constitute the Sole Executrix of this my Last will & Testament. In witness whare of I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first above written.
Isaac Jennings (L.S.)
Signed Sealed and published pronounced and Declared by the Said Isaac Jennings as his Last will & testament in The presence of us who have hereunto Subscribed our names In his presence.
Josiah Albertson
John Gill
John Hinchman
Gloucester sct.
Josiah Albertson & John Hinchman Two of the witnesses the within written will who being both of the people called Quakers on their solemn affirmation which they took according to Law did declare am affirm that they saw Isaac Jenings the Testator there in named sign and seal the same and bear him publish pronounce and declare the within Instrument to be his Last will & Testament and at the doing thereof the said Testator was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge & belief and at the same time John Gill the other subscribing Evidence was present and subscribed his name as witness to the said Will together with them and said affirmants in presence of the said Testator.
Josiah Albertson
John Hinchman
Affirmed the twenty ninth day of January ano Dom 1759 Before me. John Ladd Surrogate
Judeth Jennings the Executrix in the within written will named who being one of the people Called Quakers on the Solemn affirmation which shee Took according to Law did declare and affirm that the within written Instrument Contains the True Last will am Testament of Isaac Jennings the Testator therein named so far as she knows and as she verily Believes and that she will well and Truly perform the same by paying first the debts of the said deceased and then the legacys in the said will specified so far as the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased will Thereunto Extend.
Affirmed the twenty ninth day of January ano Dom 1759 Before me.
John Ladd Surrogate
Box of Gloucester Wills 1739. Recorded in Liber 9 of Wills, page 157 &c. office of the Secretary of State, Trenton, N.J.
Will of Judith Jennings – Widow of Isaac
William Henry Jennings 1899
OF Township and County of Gloucester -Dated 25th of 7th Mo. 1782.
To my grand-daughter Judith Jennings my bed, bolsters and pillows with sheets, pillow cases, bed quilts, &c. To my grandson Isaac Jennings my clock reserving the use of it to my son Jacob.
To my grandson John my great Bible ‘c. (Judge Clement has stated that the Old Jennings Bible, he believed the one mentioned in this will is in the possession Flanningans living in Cumberland or Salem County.)
To Rebecca Price all the remainder of my wearing apparel and household furniture and also L 20 current money.
To my son Jacob all the residue and remainder of my estate. He is to be executor.
Witnesses
Keziah Albertson
Judith Scull
Thomas Redman
(From letter of Dr. William S. Long, Haddonfield, N.J.) WHJ ’99 Book.
WILL OF JACOB JENNINGS, SON OF ISAAC.
I, JACOB JENNINGS of the Town and County of Gloucester in the State of New Jersey & a man being in Health & of sound disposing mind and memory Do this eighteenth day of this Tenth Month October in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirteen make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form followeth.-
First I do ‘Will and Order that my Funeral expenses and all my Just Debts be fully paid and satisfied out of my personal Estate by my Executors herein after named.
SECONDLY I give and devise unto my sons Joseph & Job all my lot of Cedar Swamp Situate on Great Egg Harbour River in the Township & County of Gloucester, to be equally divided between them, and to hold to them their heirs & assigns forever. I give and bequeath unto my children (to wit) Isaac, John, Judith, and James, the sum of one Dollar a piece, having provided for my said children before-I give and bequeath unto to Son Mark the sum of one hundred & thirty three Dollars and thirty three
cents, Lawful Money of New Jersey.-. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren (To Wit) John H. Bispham., Thomas Bispham, and Joseph Bispham the sum of one hundred & sixty-Dollars Lawful Money apiece. to be paid them at the end of two years from my decease. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren To wit. Elizabeth Bispham Mary Bispham Sarah Bispham, and Rachel Bispham, the sum of one hundred and Six Dollars Lawful Money apiece to be paid to them two years from my decease. I give and bequeath unto my Son Joseph my Silver Watch.-I give and bequeath unto my Sons Joseph & Job all the residue and remainder of my personal Estate whatsoever to be equally divided between them. And lastly, I nominate Constitute and appoint my said Sons Joseph and Job the Executors of this my last Will and Testament on this special condition with respect to the appointment of my Son Joseph one of my Executors that he Shall take no advantage thereby in regard to any part of the Monies he owes me for Land Sold him.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal the day and year first within written. Signed Sealed Published Pronounced JACOB JENNINGS (L.s.) AND Declared by the said Jacob Jenings as and for his last Will and TestamentIn the presence of us.-Thomas Redman-Joseph Middleton-Thomas Redman Jr. Surrogate’s Court Woodbury, N
John Jennings Will
William Henry Jennings 1899
Be it known, that I, John Jennings of the County of Warren and State of Ohio, do by these presents make my last will and testament as follows:
Item first. I give and bequeath to my five following named children, the sum of Five Hundred dollars cash, Arz; Jacob I. Jennings, Eliza Bispham, Beulah Austin, Hope Craig and Rebecca C. Harris.
Item Second. I give and bequeath to the children, the heirs of my deceased daughters, Mary Heighway and Ann Harlaw, the sum of Two Hundred and Twenty Six dollars each, (namely) John Heighway, Martha Whartow, Edward Heighway, Benjamin Franklin Heighway, Samuel Allen Heighway, Horace Heighway and George Harlaw, Sarah Harlaw, John Harlaw, Phebe Harlaw, Milton Harlaw and Lewis Harlaw -in all Twenty Seven Hundred and Twelve dollars.
Item Third. I give and bequeath to my sons John and Isaac H. Jennings, the residue of my estate share and share alike.
Item Fourth. I hereby exonerate and discharge Isaac H. Jennings and Thomas Bispham from any liability to the Heirs of Mary Heighway, dead, from any further demands upon them under a power of attorney granted to them to sell my mill property and divide the proceeds amongst my children, they, the heirs of said Heighway having received their full portion of the amount distributed in the use of others real estate, yes, the residue of the proceeds of the sale of said property that is for the use of Sarah Jennings her life-time, say Four Thousand dollars, at her decease they are to share with my other children their mother’s share; and it is my intention that the said Four Thousand dollars is to be divided at the decease of said Sarah Jennings, amongst my children and their heirs share and share alike.
Item Fifth. I do hereby constitute and appoint my son John Jennings executor to this my last will and testament, empowering and directing him to sell at private sale or in such manner and upon such terms as he may think proper, all my real estate, personal or mixed, that I may be possessed of: and make deeds to purchasers to execute and deliver in fee simple.
Item Sixth. I do hereby direct and require my executor, as above named, John Jennings, Jr., to take Martha Whartow’s portion of my estate as above granted and devised, and lay it out in land in her name and for the use of her and her heirs.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 28th day of January in the year of our lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Five.
John Jenings Seal
Signed, published and declared by the above named John Jennings, as, and for his last will am testament, in presence of us, who at his request have signed as witnesses to the same.
Joseph B. Chapman
J. M. Hadden
James Jennings Will
William Henry Jennings 1899
Be it known that I, James Jennings of Warren County and State of Ohio, do make this my last will and testament, in manner and form following:
First. I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
Second. I hereby constitute and appoint my friend David Evans, and my son William Jennings, executors of this will; and I authorize and empower them, or the survivor of them, to sell, wither at public or private sale, as they may deem best for the interest of my estate, the farm on which I now reside, being part of Section One, Township Three, Range Five between the Miami River, containing over one hundred acres; and all other real estate that I may own at the time of my death, not herein described; who are hereby authorized to execute to the purchaser a general Warranty Deed of conveyance therefor.
Third. I devise unto my three grandchildren, being children of my daughter Mary Stratton, namely, Slvin, Daniel, and Caroline Stratton, the following described real estate, with the improvements thereon being the South West Quarter of Section Eighteen, in Township twenty-five, and Range Thirteen East, in Wells County and State of Indiana, containing over One Hundred and Sixty acres of land, more or less; to them their heirs and assignees forever.
Fourth. I give unto the children of my wife’s son Samuel Jennings or their legal representatives, the sum of Two Hundred dollars, to be equally divided among them.
Fifth. I devise that my personal property be sold at public sale, and that the proceeds of which, as well as that of my real estate, and collections from all other Sources, after paying costs of settlements, debts and legacies as herein provided, be divided equally among my six children, or their legal representatives, namely, Jacob, Henry, and William Jennings, Sarah Mclean and the children of Mary Stratton, daughter., and Henritta Crispin, provided however, that the claims I hold by note or otherwise, that remain unpaid of my daughters and receipts for advances, shall be added to the aggregate to be divided, and the amount thereof respectively, including interest, Shall be deducted from his or her respective portion or share of such aggregate.
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 12th day of October 1858.
James Jennings Seal
In the presence of
Jacob Randall
J. W. Cartwright
Will of Mark Jennings, son of Jacob and Elizabeth
William Henry Jennings 1899
I MARK JENNINGS of the town of Deptford County of Gloucester and State of New Jersey, being weak in body, yet of sound mind and memory Do make and publish for my Last Will and Testament viz-
First. I order and direct my Executors herein after named to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses.
SECOND. I also Direct my Executors to make public sale of my goods & Chattels as soon as may be convenient after my decease, and also sell my real estate at public or private sale, as they may judge best for the interest of my Estate within the space of two years and to make a good and sufficient Title to the purchaser for the same.
THIRD. I give and bequeath unto Mary my beloved wife one third part of the amount of my whole estate real and personal and also the Interest & profits arising on the other two thirds thereof for the term of five years, in lieu of her right of Dower, she taking upon her the cost & expense of bringing up and Educating our Children out of the same.
FOURTH.-I direct my said Executors to pay to our Daughter Catharine Ann Jenings one Hundred Dollars of the proceeds of my personal Estate as soon as monies sufficient are collected to make it convenient so to do, which sum to be reckoned as so much toward her equal share with our other children.
FIF’IH. I direct my Executors to put the remainder of my estate out at Interest upon good Security and to pay to our Daughter Catharine Ann the remaining part of her equal share with our other children at the expiration of five years from my decease and to our other children as they arrive at age viz. our sons at Twenty one & our Daughters at eighteen Years of age, an equal part to each, share and share alike.
LASTLY. I Constitute and appoint Mary my-beloved wife Executrix and James Saunders & Samuel Webster Executors of this my last will.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my-hand and seal this nineteenth day of the eighth month in the Year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty-three.
Signed Sealed and pronounced by the said MARK JENINGS (L.S.)
MARK JENNINGS to be his last will and Testament in the presence of:
RICHARD L. FLEETWOOD (his mark X)
JOSEPH COOK
AMY COOK
Woodbury Deed
9/29/1743
w3 /228 Ind. 11 August 1774 Between Jacob Jennings of Township and County of Gloucester in Province of New Jersey (Yeoman) and Mary his wife (a party) and Aaron Chew of Township 8, County aforesaid (waterman) (other party) cons. 230 pounds proclamation money. A certain tract piece or parcell of land lying in the Township and County of Gloucester aforesaid, situate on the North Branch of Great Timber Creek and is bounded in manner following viz. Beginning at Black Oak near the creek and runs thence S. 58° E 12 chains & 10 L. by Samuel Wetherill’ s land to a Post by a small hickory for a corner thence s. 50° W. 11 chains and 38 L. to Post for a corner thence N. 58° w. 18 chains and 80 L. to gum tree near the creek thence up the creek. The several courses thereof to the corner first named containing 20 acres strict measure, which said twenty acres of land was taken in Execution by Robert Friend Price Esquire, high Sheriff of the County of Gloucester by virtue of a certain Writ called a fieri facias issued out of the Supreme Court of Judicature of the province aforesaid, at the suit of Aaron Misgrove and Thomas Canby against Abraham Roe, did agreeably to an Act of General Assembly of said Province in such case made and provided, sell and dispose of said twenty acres of land unto Jacob Jennings aforesaid
subject to an Indenture of Mortgage on the same made by said Roe and his wife unto Martha Stackhouse of the City of Philadelphia (widow) as in and by a certain Indenture of Bargain and sale duly executed by said Robert Friend Price bearing date the tenth day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six, recovers thereunto being had will fully and at large appear, which said twenty acres of land was by said Abraham Roe purchased of Samuel Wetherill of the City of Philadelphia aforesaid as by a certain Indenture of Bargain and Sale duly made and executed by said Samuel Wetherill and his wife unto said Abraham Roe bearing date the twenty-sixth day of July, One-Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Two.
s/ Jacob Jennings
s/ Mary Jennings
Witnesses:
s/ John Hinchman
s/ Sam Clement
Acknowledged 13 August 1774 before John Hinchman, Esquire, Judge of County Court for hearing of Pleas in and for County of Gloucester.
Recorded Dec. 21, 1839
Gloucester County (N.J.) Historical Society
Affidavit of Job Jennings Constable
“I, Job Jennings, do solemnly and sincerely promise and affirm that I will well and truly serve the State of New Jersey in the office of a Constable for the Township of Deptford, in the County of Gloucester,
that I will honestly and impartially summon, impanel and return good and lawful men for Juries, able and sufficient and not suspected or procured as is, or shall be directed by law. That I will do the utmost of my power faithfully and without delay execute all writs, precepts, proofs, warrants and Execution to me directed & which shall come to my hands and truly return the same, that in the exercise of my office will do no wrong to any but do right to all and take none but lawful fees, that I will truly, diligently and honestly without fraud, deceit, oppression, favor or partially do execute & perform all services acts and duties of my said office to the best of my knowledge judgment and ability.
Job Jennings
Confirmed & subscribed the 13th day of March, 1815 before me James Matlock JP
Bill or Account – Woodbury November 14, 1806
Mr. Joseph Hinchman
Please pay unto Hezekiah Heppard or order, Twenty dollars on my account and charge same to me & and you will oblige yours etc. $20.00 Samuel Jennings on the back November 15th 1806 Received the Contents of the within order in full for me.
Hezekiah Heppard
James Jennings Certificate – 1792
At Monthly Meeting of Friends held the 11th of 6th Month, 1792, “A certificate was produced for James Jennings, a youth the same Meeting (Chesterfield, N.J.) which was read, approved and signed by the Clerk.” At the Monthly Meeting held the 14th of 9th Mo., 1795, James brought his certificate from the Friends in Chesterfield and was accepted by the Friends in Haddonfield.
Records of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, 12th of 9th Mo./ 1803 indicate that James Jennings was still in Haddonfield at this time.
Historical Society of Haddonfield
Mathias and Elizabeth Kay to James Jennings; Dec. 13, 1804 -deed conveying land in Waterford Township.
James and Elizabeth Jennings to John Woolenhon; Mar. 16, 1805 -deed conveying land in Waterford Township.
James must have left for Ohio soon after this transaction as the record has him in Ohio before 1806.
Charles Boyer, Camden Historical Society
FROM OLD INNS AND TAVERNS IN WEST NEW JERSEY
“Buck Tavern”, where Westville now stands, was owned by James Jennings in 1806, apparently one year only. Peter Jennings owned tavern in Burlington N.J. in 1688, it being the “CHIEFEST TOWN”. His “Lycence” was in good standing with “YE CORT”.
According to map, Governor Samuel Jennings home or Ben Franklin’s printing office was on ”WATER ST. OR DELEWARE AVE”.
Pearl Chew 1956
FROM PEARL CHEW SEARCH IN 1956
Samuel Jennings was elected Governor of N.J. Mar. 11., 1683.
John Chew married Ann Jennings Apr. 3, 1739. Ann was daughter of Isaac. Isaac born 1673, died 1746. Isaac was son of Joshua Jennings who was born in England, 1620.
Henry Jennings bought land in Salem, N.J. in 1702. Henry was possible link to big Wm. Jennings estate. Henry came to America on Ship Kent., landing June 23, 1677.
Phoebe, 2nd wife of Isaac, may be mother of Ann Jennings. (Editor Note: Not the Isaac of Henry Jennings)
Charles Waters Jennings Bible Record.
Nebraska & Midwest. Vol. 13, Ariz. State Library.
“Jonathan Jennings was Governor of Indiana, in 1819”
John Littell First Settlers of Passaic Valley and Vicinity above Chatham with their Ancestors and Descendants.
“First Settlers of Passaic Valley, N.J. 909-3, N54, P. 190
Dr. Jacob Jennings, built “Big Red House”. Had two children, Sarah, baptised Jan. 28, 1770; Samuel Kennedy, Bapt. 29 Sept., 1771.
Jacob mar. Phoebe Ball, had seven children: Keziah, Esther, Mar. 6,Nov. 1788, Nathaniel, Sally, Salome, Jeremiah, Rebecca.
William Jennings in neighborhood in 1768. Married widow Bidell. Children: David, Catherine, Daniel, Henry, Eliza, Mary.
James Riley Jennings became a soldier in the Mexican war under General Scott. He did not return.
Burke’s Encyclopedia of Heraldry
Lists twenty-six different Jennings Coats of Arms, and eleven ways of spelling the name.
James Riley Jennings, 1967
William Henry Jennings, Columbus Ohio 1899 Was born Jan. 4th, 1838, in Washington County, Ohio. It appears that he was not of the line of Isaac Jennings of Haddonfield.