Call Number:

RG5.211

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

0.5 linear ft. (1 box (17 folders))

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], RG5/211, Jenkins Family Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Date:

1741-1877 (inclusive)

Creator:

Jenkins, Jabez, 1792-1858, Warner, Mary J., -1858, and Hume, Sophia, 1701-1774

Abstract:

The Jenkins family papers include journals, a letterbook, other miscellaneous correspondence and a variety of other material. Of particular note are the journals and copybook kept by Jabez Jenkins, a Quaker merchant. The documents from Canton were apparently assembled for his children after the death of their mother and contain parental advice on a variety of subjects. Another letter, written in 1741 from Sophia Hume to Madam Shettele, provides information about her attitude towards rationalism and other topics.

Jabez Jenkins (1792-1858) was a Quaker merchant. He was born in Little Creek, Delaware, and was a birthright member of Duck Creek Monthly Meeting. Jabez was received on certificate in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in 1810, and transferred his membership to Chester in 1813, the year of his marriage to Ann. P. Newlin, the daughter of Nathaniel and Martha (Parker) Newlin. They had four children, the youngest of whom died in 1824, three months after her mother passed away.

Jabez was in business with his brother, Jonathan, and this endeavor failed; Chester Monthly Meeting disowned the young men in 1818 for extending business beyond their ability to manage and making only a partial assignment of debts. The former acknowledged this transgression in 1837 and was given a certificate of removal to Uwchlan Monthly Meeting. Uwchlan also accepted the certificate of his second wife, Mary S. (Newlin) Jenkins (1895-1864), daughter of Cyrus and Ann (Shipley) Newlin, from Wilmington Monthly Meeting; Mary S. had previously acknowledged her marriage "out of unity." The couple also requested membership for their only daughter from Uwchlan Meeting since she was not a birthright member. From that point on, until he moved back to Philadelphia in 1845, Jabez was involved in meeting affairs and was appointed a representative to quarterly meeting. Jabez Jenkins died in 1858, in his 66th year, a member of Western District Monthly Meeting.

John Guest, his wife Elizabeth, son George, and daughters Elizabeth and Anna transferred their membership to Southern District Monthly Meeting from Philadelphia in 1788. John died in 1793 at the age of 80, and Elizabeth a year later, aged 69. George died in 1802 at the age of 56. In 1809, Elizabeth and Anna returned to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. John's sister, Anne, married Thomas Clifford in 1743. Anna Guest, along with relatives Ann and Amelia Guest, moved from Philadelphia to Western District in 1816, and removed to Green Street Monthly Meeting in 1826.

The Jenkins family papers include journals, a letterbook, other miscellaneous correspondence and a variety of other material.

Of particular note in Series 1 are the journals and copybook kept by Jabez Jenkins, a Quaker merchant. The documents from Canton were apparently assembled for his children after the death of their mother and contain parental advice on a variety of subjects. In another file is an abstract of the Jabez Jenkins journals, apparently made by Mary J. Warner, his granddaughter.

The Guest material includes family correspondence and other miscellanies. In Series 3, a letter, written in 1741 from Sophia Hume to Madam Shettele, provides information about her attitude towards rationalism and other topics. Alson included is a journal (anonymous) kept aboard the Schooner Jonathan Middleton Jr.

The collection is divided into three series:

1. Jabez Jenkins Jr.
2. Guest Family Papers
3. Miscellaneous