Call Number:

15

Repository:

Historical Society of Montgomery County

Extent:

2.5 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1800-1890 (bulk) and 1800-1920 (inclusive)

Creator:

Jenkins family

Abstract:

Edward Jenkins (1758-1829) owned and operated a store in Gwynedd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. After his death, the business was taken over by one of his sons, Charles Foulke Jenkins (1793-1867). Charles F. Jenkins' son, Algernon Sidney Jenkins (1816-1890), was a long-serving Justice of the Peace in Gwynedd. The Jenkins family papers, 1800-1920 [bulk 1800-1890] consist of records from Edward Jenkins' store, Jenkins family correspondence, Algernon S. Jenkins court records, estate-related materials, and other family papers.

"Edward Jenkins [1758-1829], had purchased in 1794 the property on what was then called the New Wales road ([later] the Spring House and Sumneytown turnpike road), just above the Gwynedd Friends' meeting. This had originally been the property of Jacob Wentz, of Worcester, and had been used as a tavern during the Revolution, General Lacey's brigade of militia having its headquarters there at times. Edward Jenkins used it as a store, and after his death in 1829 his son Charles F. continued the same business therein until his death in 1867." (Auge 557)

"Charles [Foulke] Jenkins [1793-1867] was engaged in mercantile business in Philadelphia for several years previous to his father's death, and then (1830) returned to Gwynedd, taking his father's place, and there continuing during his life-time, as has been stated. He was a public-spirited citizen, active in all public affairs, an officer for many years of the Philadelphia and Bethlehem Turnpike Road Company; instrumental in the construction of the turnpike road from Spring House to Sumneytown, and President of the corporation for many years; a director of the Bank of Montgomery County; and officer for years of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montgomery County; active as a school director, and in other public capacities, while he was repeatedly a candidate of his party (Whig, and then Republican) for positions of honor and responsibility, though sharing the defeat of the party ticket in Montgomery county. With Philip Super and John Thompson he acted as a commissioner to lay out the extension of the borough of Norristown...and was one of those well known and well respected citizens of the county habitually selected for similar duties." (Auge 558)

Charles F. Jenkins and his wife Mary had only two children who lived to maturity: Algernon Sidney Jenkins and William H. Jenkins. Algernon S. Jenkins (1816-1890) was a long-serving Justice of the Peace in Gwynedd. He had two sons: Howard M. Jenkins and George Herbert Jenkins. Howard M. Jenkins (1842-1902) was a journalist, genealogist, historian, and author. (Quinn)

Another of Edward Jenkins' six children was Jesse Jenkins, born in 1796. He married Mary R. Ambler in 1828 and moved to Peoria, Illinois, in 1840. Jesse died in Illinois in 1890. (Quinn)

Bibliography:

Auge, Moses. Lives of the Eminent Dead: and Biographical Notices of Prominent Living Citizens of Montgomery County, Pa.. Norristown, Pa.: 1879.

Quinn, James A. "Descendants of Jenkin Jenkins." October 2009. Accessed March 8, 2012. http://www.gwyneddmeeting.org/history/jenkins.htm

The Jenkins family papers consist of records from Edward Jenkins' store, Jenkins family correspondence, Algernon S. Jenkins court records, estate-related materials, and other family papers. Parts of the collection have been processed and parts are unprocessed.

From Edward Jenkins's lifetime, there are eight daybooks, 1800-1819, and debts and receipts, circa 1800-1830. There is also a small amount of Charles Foulke Jenkins personal and business correspondence from the 1850s.

From the time of Edward Jenkins' death, this collection includes two vendue books for a public estate sale held 1829 by his sons (and estate administrators) Charles F. Jenkins and Jesse Jenkins.

The processed portion of the Jenkins family papers contains 41 letters to Charles Jenkins (1824-1880), three letters from Charles Jenkins (1848-1849), 11 letters between Jenkins family members (1840-1862), two letters from others to members of the Jenkins family (1849), 38 items relating to Jenkins family accounts and loans (1826-1857), 53 miscellaneous items (1832-1920), 6 J.W. Baily letters (1880-1881), and 11 other letters. There are also some unprocessed materials including financial records, correspondence, and local history manuscripts by Howard Jenkins; records relating to various turnpike companies; estate records of C.F. Jenkins; and legal records.

There are also three volumes of dockets from Algernon S. Jenkins' term as Justice of the Peace in Gwynedd: 1850-1856, 1856-1877, and 1877-1890.