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.
.