Son of Jacob Jennings and Mary Norris Smith
Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
Birth Record
No birth record for James Proposed birth 22 October 1774.
Marriage Records
Married Elizabeth Hopkins approximately June 1803
Child Records
George Hopkins
Born 1 Aug 1804, No marriage records or death date.
Jacob
Born in 28 Jun 1806, married Charlotte Cabe 22 March 1835. Died in 1893
James Smith
Born 4 August 1808, No marriage records or death date.
Henrietta
Born on 6 May 1806, married Roland Owen Crispin 21 Apr 1832. Died 1 MAY 1888
Henry
Born 14 November 1816, Married Amanda Ann Braddock 28 August 1845, married Ann Morgan 14 May 1848. Died in 25 September 1876.
william
Born in 1814, married Deborah Mills 5 October 1837 , married Elizabeth about 1842, married Rachel B. Thorne, 5 Feb 1850.
mary elizabeth
Born 1816, married Ezra Stratton 02 Mar 1838. Died 18 February 1848
sarah
Born on 10 March 1819, married James S. Mc Lean on 22 March 1835. No death record
Child Records Family Search
George Hopkins Jennings 1804–Deceased K86G-C2C
Jacob Jennings 1806–1893 LCXZ-Y4P
James Smith Jennings 1808–Deceased KZ39-1L3
Henrietta Jennings 1810–1888 2YBG-HTT
Henry Jennings 1812–1876 KWVH-ZLN
William Jennings 1814–1865 KH9V-Q43
Mary Elizabeth Jennings 1816–1848 KN4X-WK5
Sarah Jennings 1819–Deceased K8K8-M5S
Child Records
A Copy of the Family Register from the Family Bible in the possession of James Jennings
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Ann Jennings, the Daughter of Samuel Jennings and Elizabeth, his wife. Born February 8th 1796 at 8:00 o’ clock AM.
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Isaac Smith Jennings, the son of Samuel Jennings and Elizabeth, his wife. Born October the 20th, 1799. at 8:00 o’clock AM.
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Samuel Jennings, the son of Samuel Jennings and Elizabeth his wife. Born September 1801, at 3 o’clock PM
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George H. Jennings the son of James and Elizabeth Jennings. Born August 1st 1804 at 4 o’clock PM
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Jacob Jennings, son of James and Elizabeth Jennings, Born June 28th 1806 at 12:00 o’clock AM.
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James Smith Jennings, son of James and Elizabeth Jennings, Born August the 4th 1808 at 10 o’clock PM
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Henrietta Jennings, Daughter of James and Elizabeth Jennings. Born, May the 6th 1810 at 12 o’clock AM
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Henry Jennings, son of James and Elizabeth. Born August the 6th 1712 at 3:00 o’clock AM
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William Jennings, Son of James and Elizabeth Jennings, Born June 16th 1814 at 11 o’clock PM
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Mary E. Jennings, Daughter of James and Elizabeth Jennings. Born November, 14 1816 at 12 o’clock AM
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Sarah Jennings, Daughter of James and Elizabeth Jennings. Born March 10, 1819 at 5:00 PM
Death Records and Will
Died 17 Sep 1860
Will of James Jennings
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
Miscellaneous Sources and Records
Record Source
DEPARTMENT OF RECORDS OF PHILADELPHIA YEARLY MEETING OF THE RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS
302 ARCH STREET PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19106
CUSTODIAN Howard H. Brinton SECRETARY Alice P. Allen
At a Monthly Meeting held the 11th of 6th Month 1792 A Certificate was also produc’d for James Jenings a Youth, to the same Meeting (Chesterfield), which was read approved and signed by the Clerk.
At a Monthly Meeting held the 14th of 9th mo. 1795. James Jennings produced a Certificate from the Monthly meeting of friends at Chesterfield dated the 4th of 8th month, which was read and received.
At a Monthly Meeting held the 13th of 6th month 1803. Report in writing was produc’d from the preparative Meeting at Haddonfield, that James Jennings has been dealt with for being guilty of Fornication with his brother’s Widow, and for marrying her, Benjamin Swett & David Arney are appointed to visit him and endeavour as they may be enabled to lay the evil of his Conduct before him and report to next Meeting.
At a Monthly Meeting held the 11th of 7th month 1803.
The friends appointed reported they have had an opportunity with James Jennings agreeable to appointment; it is therefore agreed to Testify against his reproachful conduct, and Thomas Githens and Thomas Redman are appointed to prepare a Testimony against him and produce to next meeting.
Monthly Meeting held at Haddonfield the 8th of 8th Month 1803.
The friends appointed produc’d a Testimony against James Jenings which was read, and with some amendment approv’d, and
sign’d by the Clerk, and Samuel Clement & Thomas Githens are appointed to deliver him a copy, inform him of his priviledgef appeal, and report to next meeting.
At a Monthly Meeting held the 12th Of 9th mo/ 1803
One of the friends appointed , reported they have delivered James Jennings a copy of the Testimony against him, and informed him of his priviledge of appeal, and that he replied he should not appeal
Copied from The Minutes of Haddonfield
Monthly Meeting 1?81-1804.
pp 454, 456, 458, 459.
James Riley Jennings, 1967
When James Jennings, son of Jacob, left Haddonfield for Ohio, he was looking for land and a place to settle. He found it in Waynesville.
The previous year a settler had staked out a claim, cut the timber in preparation for burning and clearing. Before the next season the settler moved on west looking for greener fields. Residents of Waynesville suggested to James that he take over where the other had left off. This was done and James soon had a farm and was in business.
Lawrence E. Brown now (1966) owns the old Jennings farm. He has owned it since 1930. The log cabin, original, that stood by the modern home for so long, was torn down in 1943. The compiler has a picture of it taken in 1923.
Harry Scherwood, Waynesville, with whom the compiler visited in 1923, and who gave him the old James Jennings chest as a souvenir, is now deceased. The chest, languishing in the barn, had, at one time been ornate and expensive. The covering and interior was of a fine grade of leather. On the ends were brass plates with the name James Jennings engraved. The front lock was likewise of brass and engraved. On the ends were gummed shipping labels of the day, indicating that it had been on a number of journeys by rail, and under some circumstances of affluence. Mr. Scherwood stated that he had married into the Jennings family and that this luggage had come down through the family in the course of time.
He also stated that James Jennings had built the first sawmill and the first brick yard in Waynesville in the early 1800’s. This is in contradiction with Beer’s History of Warren County published in 1883.
James Riley Jennings, 1967
While chopping wood in the timber a double-bladed axe of a companion accidentally cut the leg of James so badly that it had to be amputated. He wore a wooden leg and sometimes bragged that he could pitch more hay than anyone with two good legs. At age eighty-six he was on a load of hay arranging the loading when the team started suddenly, throwing him to the ground and breaking his neck.
Friends records in Waynesville, Ohio, note that James Jennings is buried in their cemetery, 9th row, 41st grave, 18th, 9th Mo. 1860.
Beer’s History of Warren County 1883 (John W. Keys)
The history of Wayne township, as it appears in this book, was written by John W. Keys, a prominent citizen of his day, and we quote: “About the year 1806, John Haines, from Virginia, built a mill at Waynesville on the power now owned by Wright. (1882). It was framed timber and stood about where the sawmill now is. (1882). The dam was above the mill and abutted the land owned by Abel Satterthwaite which has since, by a channel on the east side, become an island. Haines failed to secure an abutment on the east side of the river, and the dam causing frequent overflow of the land became obnoxious to the owner . He cut around the dam and destroyed the power, about the year 1809. A 1ong litigation ensued and the case was finally decided by the Supreme Court against Haines.
John Jennings, elder brother of James, came to the township in 1810, bought the mill and secured an abutment on the east side against the rugged bank for $200. He contracted with David Brown to extend the race for $300. Brown lost heavily on the contract. The mill was idle about six years during which time the principal milling was done at Newman’s mill on the Run, and Highway’s mill on the Miami. A sawmill and fulling mill were there at an early date, and carding and fulling there until about 1850.
The brick mill was built in 1825 by John Jennings, and about 1832, was sold by him to St Cook and Jason Evans. 11 Perhaps the above still does not rule the possibility that James Jennings built the first mill and brick yard in the township. It appears that he came to Waynesville several years ahead of his brother John. In the History of Warren County, by Beers, we find the following :
“About the year 1800 James Corey put up a log building in Waynesville for ‘public entertainment’. Previous to 1806, James Jennings, from New Jersey, purchased the premises, erected a frame building and continued the business. It was located on Wabash Square on Main Street. No absolute title could be given for the lots until David Faulkner got a patent for the land in 1807. Faulkner deeded to Jennings in that square, Lots 7, 8,4 and the north half of 6, for $350. (Long since known as Hammel House Stand.) It was probably the first house of public entertainment. It is not known how long Jennings continued the business, but he was succeeded by Samuel Beck, Robert Way, and Richard Cunningham. In 1817 Jennings deeded the stand to John Warrell for $600. The deed included the above mentioned lots.”
”Israel Hopkins Harris, Waynesville banker, was married to Rebecca Clarke Jennings, who was born in New Jersey, and was the daughter of John and Sarah Jennings, two of the pioneers of Waynesville, she being a sister of Samuel Highway’s wife.”