Generation One
1. John1 Jenkins Sr.; born before 1794 at WV; Probably born in Harrison Co, WV; married Nancy Jackson, daughter of S. P. Jackson and M. Childers, circa 1814 at WV; died between 1847 and 1848 at Ritchie Co., WV.
Although the Jenkins surname is most common in Cymru (Wales), their is no "J" in the old Welsh alphabet. The name Jenkins is derived from Flemish, the "J" and "kin" being distinctive to Flemish, and was brought to Wales in 1066, when there was a large Flemish "invasion" (migration) in the Cardiff area of Wales (the same time Wlliam the Conquerer invaded England).*
There was some previous usuage of a similar diminutives of John in England and Wales prior to the Flemish invasion. In England, it took the form of the given name 'Jankin' and in Wales of the name 'Siencyn', which later became patronymic surnames.**
However, the "J' and the "kin" are definately derived from the Flemish and probably corrupted any Welsh or English surnames because of the large Flemish influence after 1066.
(Tune; " battle hymn of the Republic")
The ancient plan of Jenkins raised their standard to the sky:
they held her name in honor and their aims were ever high:
they always did their duty and were not afraid to die.
Chorus: Glory to the Tribe of Jenkins:
Virile, worthy, brave and loyal!
Let us sing " Perge sed Cau-te!"
The clan goes marching on!
Mae-narch, Richard, John and Seth for fathers of our clan;
Posterity of David and Benjamin never ran.
Joseph was quite virile, Thomas was a sturdy man.
The clan goes marching on!
Our fathers dwelt in England, Scotland, Ireland and in Wales;
where English tongue is spoken now the Jenkins name prevails.
How could the nations but advance when Jenkins never fails!
The clan goes marching on!
Richard was in Parliament------ he was among the peers;
Thomas was High Sheriff----- of his foes he had no fears;
Henry Jenkins lived a hundred-nine-and-sixty years.
The clan goes marching on!
John was a guide to Washington and with him at Yorktown;
with famous man of Georgia, Charlie's name is written down;
Albert was in Congress and, in Dixie of renown.
The clan goes marching on!
The Jenkins Clan is mighty with a hundred thousand strong;
In Seventy-six, four-hundred Jenkins fought to right a wrong.
Seven towns bear Jenkins name. Sure, let us sing that song-------
The clan goes marching on!
When danger threatened country for a battle to be won,
Our righteous causes need defenders or work to be done,
Brave Jenkins were right there, and never did a Jenkins run.
The clan goes marching on!
The Jenkins sons have courage any task or foe to face;
The Jenkins girls are lovely with their beauty, charm and grace;
The Jenkins leaven is a blessing to the human race.
The clan goes marching on!
Wood Co. Land Tax records list a Joseph Jenkins from 1817 to 1820. He is the only Jenkins listed during this period. Is Joseph a possibility as the father of John?1 He was a road builder; worked on the Staunton Pike (Rt. 47). He and Nancy Jackson appeared on the census of 1820 at Wood Co., WV; Census lists 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-45, and 1 female 16-26.2 He and Nancy Jackson appeared on the census of 1830 at Wood Co., WV; Listed as Genkins, no other information listed other than the name.3
Nancy Jackson was born in 1800 at WV.4 She was born in 1805 at Harrison Co., WV.5 She married William Bravo, son of John Bravo and Isabel (--?--), on 15 Apr 1855 at Ritchie Co., WV; William and Nancy both listed as widowed.6 She died between 1860 and 1870 at Ritchie Co., WV; was listed in the 1860 Census, but not found in the 1870 (assumed dead). There is a Samuel Jackson listed as a Wood Co. land owner from 1809 to 1820.
The 12 known children of John1 Jenkins Sr. and Nancy Jackson were as follows:
Please send e-mail to: dmjenkins@iolinc.net
Created with The Master Genealogist
for Windows on 17 Apr 2001 at 16:10:35.