Francis Jenkins (ca. 1650-1710)
MSA SC 3520-729
Biography:
BORN: Ca. 1650, probably in England.
IMMIGRATED: in 1670, as a free adult.
RESIDED: in Coventry Parish, Somerset County.
MARRIED first, in 1672, Lucy, widow of James Weedon (?-ca. 1670/71).
MARRIED second, Rozanna (last name unknown).
MARRIED third, Ca. 1696, Mary (1674-1744), daughter of Robert King
(?-1697). Her brother was Robert King (1689-1755). Her sister was Eleanor,
who married Charles Ballard (ca. 1670- ca. 1724/25). Mary subsequently
married Rev. John Henry (?-1717) and by 1719 Rev. John Hampton (?-1721/22).
CHILDREN.
SON: Francis (1688-by 1710).
PRIVATE CAREER.
EDUCATION: literate.
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Protestant, probably a convert to Presbyteriamsm;
a close friend and supporter of Rev. Francis Makemie.
SOCIAL STATUS AND ACTIVITIES: Mr., on arrival; Gent., by 1678; called
“a man of best sence and Estate in Somerset County, 1697."
OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE: planter; merchant.
PUBLIC CAREER.
LEGISLATIVE SERVICE: Associators’ Convention, Somerset County,
1689-1692; Lower House, Somerset County, 1696-1697 (elected to the 5th
session of the 1694-1697 Assembly), 1697/ 98-1698 (Laws 2; appointed to
the Council by the 3rd session of the 1697(98-1700 Assembly); Upper House,
1699-1700 (appointed before the 3rd session of the 1697/98-1700 Assembly),
1701-1704, 1704-1707, 1708A, 1708B-1709 (died before the 3rd session
of the 1708B-1711 Assembly)
OTHER PROVINCIAL OFFICES: justice, Provincial Court, 1697-1698;
Council, 1699-1710.
LOCAL OFFICES justice, Worcester County, appointed 1672; deputy surveyor,
Somerset County, 1676-1682; justice, Somerset County, 1676-1683, 1689-1697 (quorum, 1679/80-1683, 1689-1697; chief justice, 1692-1697); sheriff,
Somerset County, 1683-1689; deputy commissary, Somerset County, 1692; Coventry
Parish Vestry, Somerset County, 1693-1697.
MILITARY SERVICE: captain of horse under Col. Stevens, Somerset County,
1687-1688; colonel, 1699-1710.
STANDS ON PUBLIC/PRIVATE ISSUES: supported Revolution of Protestant
Associators in 1689 and was called leader of the Somerset delegation
to the rebel Assembly; in 1709, at the time of Gov. John Seymour’s death,
Jenkins was denied the office of president of the Council, despite his
seniority, for his “not taking any notice of the Government.”
WEALTH DURING LIFETIME.
LAND AT FIRST ELECTION: 1,800 acres, 1680.
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN LAND BETWEEN FIRST ELECTION AND DEATH:
3,500 acres, 1706.
WEALTH AT DEATH.
DIED: will probated June 7, 1710.
PERSONAL PROPERTY: TEV, at least £4,006.14.11 (including 22 slaves).
LAND over 4,500 acres.
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