BRJennings, Info. From Family.

Grandfather, S.L. Jennings, told me his gggrandfather was Doctor Jennings, and Doctor was his name, not a professional title.  S.L. named one of his sons Doctor Thomas Jennings. SL’s father was John Henry Jennings, son of Hiram Jennings.  Hiram was the son of Doctor. My grandfather said Doctor went out west and died out there,  ( I haven’t been able to confirm this, most info indicates he died in Decatur County).  SL said family came from VA, but originally from England.  He often mentioned that a rich bachelor who was a Jennings died in England and left a large estate.

 

1794

Doctor Jennings is mentioned in the will of Robert Jennings of Prince Edward Co., VA as a son.

 

 Will of Robert Jennings of

Prince Edward Co.

 

Will Book 2, page 237

 

Prince Edward Co., in the State of Virginia, in the name

of God, Amen* I, Robert Jennings, of Prince Edward, Co. be of

a right mind and Disposing will, I will and do ordain this my

last Will and Testament.

I first devise that all my lawful debts to be paid and

my burying be Directed with Decency.

I also lend my loving wife Rachel Jennings the half of

my Personal Estate and the half of my land that I now live on,

containing one hundred and ninety Acres, including the buildings,

during her life.

I order my last springs Bay mare colt to be sold and

equally divided amongst my children whose names is as follows:

Allen Jennings, Betty Boaz, John Jennings, Billy Jennings,

Frankey Arnold, Bob Jennings, Aggie Arnold, Cain Jennings,

Davy Jennings, Clem Jennings.

I order that my loving wife, Rachel Jennings, shall be

maintained during her life with decency. I give to my son

Sam Jennings, the other half of my land that I now live on,

containing one hundred and ninety acres, to his heirs and

assigns forever, the one hundred and ninety acres of land

that I have lent to my loving wife, at her decease I give to

my son Dick Jennings, to his heirs and assigns forever.

The other half that I have not lent my wife of my personal

estate I order it to be sold and equally divided among my

three sons Sam, Dick, and Doctor Jennings. What remains of

my personal estate I have lent to my loving wife, after her

decease I give to my son Doctor Jennings forever and lastly,

I do hereby constitute and appoint Sam Jennings and Robert

Kelso my executors whereunto I have set my hand and seal

this first day of October, 1794.

Robert Jennings

 

Teste--                          

James Faris

              Andrew Porter

              William Hill

This will was presented at Court and ordered to be recorded

on order of minute book page 186.

This copy of the will is from Mary “Mamie” Scott supplied by Margery Peterson.

 

 

 

Reference: Doughtie, Beatrice Mackey 1899-

Pub. 1961 Documented Notes on Jennings and Allied Families, 929.2 J54D, LC cat. 61-17787, Bowen Press, Inc. Decatur,GA. p.562 Doctor Jennings,b in Va. 1774 d Oct.1856,about 82 years of age (Bible record of his son, Hiram Jennings)  Doctor Jennings was brought up in Prince Edward County, Virginia.  He went from Virginia to Tennessee settling in East Tennessee. Later went to Perry County Tennessee, then to middle Tennessee ( Maury County) where his eldest son was born in 1807. Doctor Jennings finally settled in Hickman County Tennessee (when Hickman county was created it bordered on Maury County to the west and comprised the present county of Perry.  Decatur and northern part of Lewis County, Tennessee.  Doctor Jennings appears in 1820, 1830, and 1840 census of Perry County 1820 he had the following in his household 1m 1-10, 2m 10-16, female 26-45, 1 fem. 16-=26, 1 fem 16-45

Doctor Jennings married in Virginia to Rhoda Wiley who was born in Virginia 20 Feb.1776. p. 540 Doctor 1774-1856 m. Rhoda Wiley.Went west d.Utah

 

 

We find Doctor in Smith Co., TN in 1804.

DEEDS 1800-1807 SMITH COUNTY, TENNESSEE   VOL 1 By Barbara Crumpton.

Page 53: 16 July 1804      $175.12              131 Acres

John Gwin of Sumner Co. to Doctor Jennings of Smith Co. On Long Creek, part of a tract granted to Peter Sammons (Simmons) adj. James Gwin, John Jones and David Jennings.

Signed: John Gwin

Wit: James Gwin, William Denny

Proven: Dec. 1804 oath/Gwin.             Rec: 31May 1805.

 

Doctor had moved to Maury Co., TN by 1811 as this deed indicates he was of “Murry” (Maury Co).

Page 30:      30 Sept 1811  $500.00              131 Acres

Doctor Jennings of Murry Co. to Martin Heir (Hire) of Smith Co. on Long Creek part of a grant to Peter Simmons beginning at a buck eye and beech, adjoins James Gwin and Martin Hire.

Signed: Doctor (x) Jennings

Wit: Lewis Turner, Thomas Bandy

Proven Dec 1811 by 2 wit          Rec 13 Dec 1811

DEEDS 1800-1807 SMITH COUNTY, TENNESSEE  VOL 3 By Barbara Crumpton.

 

 

Page 105: Both David Jennings and Doctor Jennings is listed in Maury Co., TN for the years 1811 & 1816.  In 1816 the names of Samuel and Richard Jennings is shown, same page and source.

Same source page 106 gives Clem and Richard Jinnings in Wilson Co., TN for the year 1804.

EARLY TENNESSEE TAX LIST  by Byron & Barbara Sistler

 

 

MAURY COUNTY, TENNESSEE A Genealogical Abstract of Minute Books 2A and 3 June 1813 to November 1816 by Carol Wells.

Page 72: Date at top of page is August 1814. William Hunter is appointed overseer of Shoal creek road from the crossroad from Prewitts lick to Doctor Jennings to pond spring; hands formerly under Isaac Adair work thereon.

Page 120: Thomas Wortham appointed overseer of the road in room of Doctor Jennings and all hands in the following bounds... Beginning at the north edge of Hurricane...to mouth of Pattersons creek, up said creek....work thereon.

Page 132: Thomas Worthan overseer of publick road, to have in addition to present hands all such as reside in the bounds laid off for Doctor Jennings, former overseer, that do not work on any other publick road including the hands of William Dever.

 

WILL BOOKS A, B, C-1 AND E 1807-1832 by Jill Knight Garrett ans Marise Parish Lightfoot

Page 35: Inventory of Lewis Forkner, dec'd, one discharge to a 6 mos. tour of duty in the Militia. One Negro woman and child in the possession of Doctor Jennings. 20-Aug-1816, Jonathan Baily Administrator.

Page 112: Nov Session 1816 Inventory of John Nichols, buyers Doctor Jennings.

 

1820 Census. Perry County

Jinnings, Doctor

1 male under 10 (b. 1810 to 20) Hiram

2 males 10 to 16 (b. 1804 to 10) Wiley & Schuyler

1 male 26 to 45 (b. 1775 to 84) Doctor

1 female 16 to 26 (b. 1784 to 1894)unknown female.

1 female 26 to 45 (b. 1775 to 84) Rhoda?

 

 Hickman Co.  erected Dec. 3, 1807. from part of Dickson Co.

named in honor of Edmund Hickman, a surveyer, who, in 1785, together with James Robertson and Robert Weakley, came to sevey the entered lands on Pine River. on that trip Hickman was killed by Indians. Near mouth of defeated Creek on Duck River, within a mile of the present city of Centerville.

Foster, RR, Counties of Tennessee. Dept Ed Div of History, State of Tennessee,1923. p62.

 

 

Perry Co. Erected Nov. 14, 1821. from a part of Hickman C,.  Co. Seat. est. 1771 Perryville.

Co. seat to 1846.  Ref: TENNESSEE COUNTIES:

Foster, RR, Counties of Tennessee. Dept Ed Div of History, State of Tennessee,1923. p104-105.

 

 

This is supported by the Information to follow by ME Baker

 

BIOGRAPHICAL SOUVENIR OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, Pages 453 & 454, published in 1889 offers up some clues on Doctor Jennings places of residence. Keep in mind this was written in the lifetime of the two sons of Wiley Jennings so can only assume they gave the information.

Pg. 453: W. P. Jennings Biography "The old family seat of the Jennings folk in this country is Albemarle County, Virginia; from this place his paternal grandfather, Dr. Jennings, moved to middle Tennessee at an early day, and died there."  We know that the father of Doctor Jenning lived in Amelia Co., VA and ended up in Prince Edward Co., VA when that county formed. Now Albemarle County may have been where Doctor Jennings grandparents lived or possibly where his wifes people lived and it could be possible that Doctor Jennings lived there a short while. Same page in speaking about Wiley, son of Doctor Jennings. "Wiley Jennings the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born in Smith County, Tennessee, was taken to Maury County and was there reared." 

 

Some historical data about Perry county in 1820s:

1st. School. Tom’s Creek. taught by Ferny Stanly 1820.

lst. Steam Boat - Gen Greene, 1819

1st. Merchant  John Yates  Store at Tom’s Creek 1820

1st Circuit court held at James Dickson’s on Lick Creek in 1820.  Judge Humphrey’s presided.    

       lst. Church-1821  Lick Creek by the Primitive Baptists and the 1st ministers who held services were Rev. Wm. Hodge and Rev. Sameul Akins

 

 

1830 Perry Co., TN Census

Jennings, Doctor

1 male 15 to 20 (b. 1810 to 15) must be Hiram

1 male 20 to 30 (b. 1800 to 10) Schuyler

1 male 40 to 50 (b. 1780 to 90) Doctor

1 female 40 to 50 (b. 1780 to 90) Rhoda?

1 female 50 to 70 (b. 1760 to 70) Unknown female older than wife.

Son Wiley Jennings married and listed with his own household.

 

 

submitted by Peggy Hale Bates
I have tried to type it just as I received it -- misspelled words and all.

JEREMIAH TUBBS ESTATE SETTLEMENT IN PERRY COUNTY, TN,
14 APR 1838, BOOK F, PAGE 321 & 322
We the Legatees of Jeremiah Tubbs, Dec'd have agreed ourselves and with the widdo of said Tubbs to divide said Estate & Each one to take his proportional part of said Estate giving said widdow the following property during her life. Tim & Velly, they being negroes of her choice, two beds and furniture, three cows and calves, one small steer for beef, Six head of sheep of her choice from the flock with all her property left on the farm and about the house which has not been herein valued and otherwise divided and distributed and all her clothes. Tim is to belong to Jeremiah and Velly to Janus and other property may be left by said widdow at her death to be equaly divided between Jeremiah and Janus as their propotional part of said Estate and for taking care and suporting of said widdow their mother during her lifetime. We have chosen Doctor Jinnings, Ephram Arnal and William T. Hinzes as Commisioners to value and divide the ballance of said Estate among the following Legatees; Lemuel Tubbs, William Tubbs and John Tubbs' heirs & Mathew Miller and Manuel Gibson. The commissioners have valued & devided the same as follows: Lemuel Tubbs is to have Chaney who is vallued to $600.00. William to have Harry valued to $350.00, one rone horse at $80.00, one sorel horse at $35.00, Nine head of sheep at $1.25 = $11.25, three small hides at $2.50, one beef hide at $5.00, His propotion which Lemuel Tubbs has over the rest $23.37 1/4 = $507.34. John Tubbs' heirs to have Dicy valued at $400.00, one gray mare valued at $60.00. Joseph Thomas and Elzey Hills note pursaunt and intrest of $20.30, three bells at $3.50, their propotional part from Lemuel Tubbs $23.27 1/4 = $507.07 1/4 Mathew Miller to have Frank valued at $400.00, three beds valued at $29.00, one pot at $2.00, one saddle at $10.00, one speckled heafer at $2.50, one small bull at $4.00, one red heafer, one white cow and yearling calf at $13.00, one black cow, one red cow, one white back yeath-10 at $18.00, his propotion from Lemuel Tubbs of 23.27 1/4 = $506.77 1/4 Manuel Gibson to have Wilson valued to $200.00, one yooke of oxen at $55.00, one sorrel mair at $84.00, one gray mare and colt at $55.00, one gray filly at $65.00 and 2 red making $7----, one------ cow and yearling making $15---, one ----- at -----, his propotional part from Lemuel Tubbs ---- = $505.--- We the under signed Legatees ---- --un the property on the day it was valued & are satisfied with the valuation and division and further agree to take it in the words as we can find it be it dead or alive it being our propotion of said Estate given, from our hands this 14 day of April 1838. Lemuel (his x mark) Tubbs William (his x mark) Tubbs John Tubbs' heirs by gardeen Sarah and Jeremiah (their x x marks) Tubbs Mathew (his x mark) Miller, Manuel (his x mark) Gibson, Jeremiah (his x mark) Tubbs Janus (his x mark) Tubbs . State of tennessee Perry County: Personley appeared before me Henry Wright Clerk of the County Court of said county. William L. Mengien & Doctor Jinnings with whom I am personley aquanted & who being first Sworn depose & say that they were the commissioners in the within named instrament of wrighting & that they are aquanted with Lemuel Tubbs, William Tubbs, Sarah & Jeremiah Tubbs, Mathew Miller, Manuel Gibson, Jeremiah Tubbs & Janus Tubbs within named & they executed to the written division of property therein named on the day it bairs date. Witness my hand in said county this 3 day of April 1846 Henry Wright Clk State of Tennessee & Perry County --
Registers office April the 3 day at 4 oclock PM AD 1846. Then was this agreement between the Legatees of Jeremiah Tubbs, Dec'd, the Clerks certifacate & this cirtifacate all dewly registered in Book F. page 321 & noted in note Book A page 32 by me John A. Raines Regester

 

Ref:Journal of Rockingham County History and Genealogy. The article concerned the earliest letter  know to exist from the town of Leaksville, Rockingham County, NC. The letter was written to a Mr. Robert Menzies, who was a prominent citizen there. At the close of the article it mentions that Robert Menzies' widow move to Tennessee to be with her children around 1833. About 1838 she married a Dr. Jennings and lived until 1852 or 1853. Her son R. G. Menzies settled in Dyer County, Tennessee in 1870. An account of R. G. Menzies can be found in the Dyer County edition of Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee.   I spoke with the author of the Rockingham paper as well as the lady who provided the reference to Mary Hill Menzies. She informed me of the notes she got her information from and further stated that Mary moved to Decatur County, Tennessee, where she married a Dr. Jennings. (They assumed Doctor was a physician rather that a given name.)

 

 

It appears that sometime after the 1830 census Doctor Jennings wife died and he had married again. The following record shows him with a wife Mary in what looks like a 19th Century prenuptial agreement. The copy I have of the origional record is difficult to read.

 

3 Jan 1839: Perry County, Tennessee Entry Book F. Page 186.

 

Know all men by these present that I Doctor Jennings of the County o fPerry & state of Tennessee for & in consideration of the great love & affection that I have for my beloved wife Mary Jennings & knowing that I am old & may probably have to die I therefore being desirous to leave my said wife in a comfortable situation because of the said love & affection  I hereby convey to John (looks like C.) Menzes & Archibald Menzes of the county & state aforesaid as trustees in trust for my beloved wife & for her & them forever the following property goods & Chattles. Towit all the household furniture & property that my said wife owned or possessed at the time that she & I were married together with bonds & money & all other indorsements of money or debts that were at the time we were married due & owing her & all notes bonds & claims to money made payable to my said wife since she & I were married & I

further convey to my said trustees for the use of my said wife & her heirs forever all claims to any and all slaves or negroes that my said wife owned or had any right to at the time we were married & and also to all slaves or negroes that she may yet be coming anyway or by any means entitled to & also all other property or monies she may be entitled to have & to hold the same to the said John (C?) Menzes & Archibald Menzes in trust for my beloved wife for the use of her and her heirs forever to be disposed of by the said trustees for the use of my said wife & her heirs in whatever way & manner she may direct so that I nor my heirs nor any other person claiming __through nor under me shall in anyway eighter in law or equity will nor shall have any ____ claim whatsoever to the said property herein & hereby conveyed.  Dispose of the Same in what Everway and Manner my Said wife may  Direct for the use of her heirs to her & them forever & Thereby covnant with the ___ John Menzes & Archebal  Menzes Trustees as aforesaid for the use aforesaid that I have good___ & lawful authority convey  the same for the purpose & use aforesaid & that I hereby warrant & defend the said property goods & chattels to the said trustees for the use aforesaid __ __ it  yself my heirs & every other person or persons claming in through or under me born in __ or coming now & forever  in testimony when of hear unto Let my name of my __ this 3 day January

Doctor (X his mark) Jennings

 

1839- in Testemony of Lary Pettigrew James M. Pettigrew

  State of Tennessee Perry County Personaly appieard before me Grahm Clerk of perry County and Doctor Jennings with whom I am personally acquainted & acknowledged the within deed to ___

Act & deed for the purpose this hereon ________under my hand at office in perry Co. The Third day of January 1839

State of Tennessee Registers office Feburary the 10 day of February at Perry County There was this deed or draft from Doctor Jennings to Mary Jennings the Clerks Certificate & Their certificate all Duly Registered in Book F page 186& noted in State Book A page 23 by me       John A. Rains Register for Perry Co     (From transcription by Mary Ellen Baker and BRJ)

 

1840 Perry Co., TN Census

Jennings, Doctor

2 Males 10 to 15 (b. 1825 to 30)

1 male 60 to 70 (b. 1770 to 80)

1 female 15 to 20 (b. 1820 to 25)

1 female 40 to 50 (b. 1790 to 1800)

 

 

 

Stones on Farm of George Bell, Decatur Co. TN., Formerly owned by Doctor Jennings, then Doctor’s son Hiram. Info taken from stones by BRJennings.

A. W.  Son of  Robert  & Mary  Menzies Born Sept. 13, 1827 Died  Sept 30,1840

J.S.  Son of  Robert & Mary  Menzies      Born Apr. 25 1822 D. Aug. 26, 1842

Mary  Wife of Doctor Jennings                Born May 4, 1793 Died Sept. l, 1853

 

 

From County Records:.

 

 State of Tennessee, Decatur Co. Page 367  W.I Menzies to Mary Jennings

1100 acres of land in Decatur County, West bank of Tennessee River.  pd $1200.00

SA Yarbro, Clerk,  AM Yarbro, Register.

 

.State of Tennessee Decatur Co. p.256, Date March 6, 1854, Mary Jenings(sic)

heirs to William P. Menzies and Robert G. Menzies and others copy of Decree Land mentioned in petition filed in this case was sold at court house door in Decaturville was sold to highest bidder land being in Decatur County survey on west of Tennessee River pd $1200.00

M.J. Fisher clerk  A.M.Yarbro , R.O.C.

 

State of Tennessee, Decatur Co. p45 Date Oct. 16, 1854, Wm. H. Storm to Doctor Jenings(sic) 25 acres of land in Decatur County 9th District, 8th Range, 10th Section, Northwest corner of entry No. 808. Pd. 6.25 S.A. Yarbro Clerk, A,M. Yarbro R.D.C

 

State of Tennessee, Decatur Co. p252 State of Tenn.,Dec.Co.Date Nov.29,1855, Robert Campbell to H.V.Hendrix and N.A. Wesson 200

acres of land in Decatur County on

p253 which said Campbell lived on Cub Creek. Corner of a tract purchased of Doctor Jennings pd. $800.00

M.J.Fisher Clerk, A.M. Yarbro. RDC

 

 

State of Tennessee, Decatur County, : T929.3  D29d No.3 1854-1857 Index Deed Book Decatur County Tennessee p.96, 

Date Apr. 30, 1855.  Doctor Jennings to Mary Parker, Marriage Contract.

The said Doctor Jennings on his part agrees that said Mary Parker shall

hold and possess all property of which she may be possessed of at time

of their marriage both real and personal to dispose of as she

may think and further agrees to and with the said that if she be the

longest liver and should survive him that she should have out of his

estate some of $500.00 S.A. Yarbro Clerk, A.M . Yarbro, R.D.C.

 

 

 

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