James Jenkins (c1780) and Nancy --- of Onslow Co, NC

I (Marty Grant) don't know how I'm related to Benjamin Jenkins, but I'm sure he is somehow closely related to my ancestor Osborne Jenkins (c1803).

James Jenkins was born ca 1779/80 (per 1850 census) in NC, presumably in Onslow County, in the area that later became Stump Sound Township.

I haven't yet been able to identify James' father, but his mother was a Miss Ryals as proven by an 1822 deed where James Jenkins sells his part of the land inherited from his grandfather Charles Ryals. I don't know what Mr. Jenkins from that time-frame was married to a Ryals, but if I can find one, then he would be the most likely candidate to be James' father.

James Jenkins would have been about 10 years old by the time of the 1790 census, so he should be enumerated in the "under 16" age group (born 1774/90). Two of the Jenkins in Onslow that year had one or more apparent sons that age, including: Joshua Jenkins and Lewis Jenkins Jr. Back tracking to the 1786 state census, there were several Jenkins listed with sons "under 21" (born 1766/87) including: Henry Jenkins, Joshua Jenkins, Lewis Jenkins, and William Jenkins.

On the 1800 Onslow County census, James was listed as head of household, and it appears that his widowed mother was with him, or some older woman, if not his mother. It does not appear that James was married at this time. He was listed between the households of John Goodline and Phillip Covington. No other Jenkins were listed nearby.

On 20 Dec 1806, Edward Hobbs sold James Jenkins 16 acres on Phillips Ford and Swamp, and 35 acres adjoining the same land. Witnesses were Thomas Ennett and William Lane. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 123, from Records of Onslow County, North Carolina, Vol II by Zae Harget Gwynn, and all subsequent deeds cited on this page are from this book, except any deeds in Book 23 or after which I obtained from the Original Deed Books).

James Jenkins married Nancy --- in the 1800-10 time-frame. She was born ca 1779/80 (per 1850 census). I don't know what her maiden name is. I wonder if she might be a "Hobbs" considering the 1806 deed from Edward Hobbs, and that they named one of their sons "Edward Jenkins".

James was listed on the 1810 census in Onslow. He was not too far from Lewis Jenkins (1770/74). He was next door to Benjamin Williams and Shadrack Hall. Several Hobbs households were nearby also, including Edward Hobbs. James seems to have two apparent daughters born before 1800, but they were not with him in 1800. These could be nieces instead, or other relatives or boarders. An older woman was with them, perhaps the same one that was with James back in 1800, so possibly his widowed mother.

On 27 Feb 1817 James Jenkins and Thomas Ennett witnessed a deed from John Eadens to James Lain. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 114).

James Jenkins was listed on the 1820 census in Onslow. He was next door to Lewis Jenkins (1770/74).

On 1 May 1822, James Jenkins sold Burgess Williams his right in land inherited from his grandfather Charles Ryal. Witnesses were Bazzell R. Smith and Elijah Justice. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 15 page 55).

On 16 Feb 1825, Rebeckah Ryals deeded to James Jenkins (her nephew) all her right in her father Charles Ryal's lands on Turkey Creek. Witnesses were Samuel Noble and William Bell. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 14 page 152).

James Jenkins was listed on the 1830 census in Onslow Co, NC. He was just a few houses from Lear Jenkins and was next door to Thomas C. Carson and Elijah Hobbs.

James was still in Onslow for the 1840 census. He was a few houses from Thomas Jenkins (c1786).

On 26 Nov 1847 George H. McMillan deeded something to James Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 25 page 490)

On 29 Nov 1847 William R. King deeded something to James Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 25 page 494)

The family was listed in Stump Sound District in Onslow County, NC on the 1850 census. There were several Jenkins families nearby. In fact, most of the Jenkins in Onslow in 1850 were very near each other.

On 17 Feb 1851, James Jenkins made his Will in Onslow County. He named his wife Nancy, daughters Lucrecy and Ezebel, son Edward and 5 children: George, John, Ancrom, Elizabeth, and Millay. Executor was son Ancrum. Witnesses were Daniel Hansley and B. Hansley. The Will was proven in June 1851, so James was dead by then. (Onslow Co, NC Will Book C page 111).

Nancy, widow of James was listed on the 1860 census in Onslow Co, NC next door to son John Jenkins, and near other children and other Jenkins families.

Children

James Jenkins and Nancy had several children together, several proven by his 1851 Will, and others by the 1810 through 1840 census records, though some of them are unidentified.

Unknown Daughter (1794/1800). This probably isn't a daughter of James, for she was not with him in 1800, but was with him in 1810 (aged 10-15, born ca 1794/1800). She may be a niece or other relative who just happened to be living with him that year.

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). James Jenkins had an apparent daughter this age. This may be the same person as either Elizabeth or Milly Jenkins named in James' Will.

She was home in 1810, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10), still home in 1820, aged 10-15 (born ca 1804/10), and probably still home in 1830, age 20-29, (born ca 1800/10).

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). James Jenkins had an apparent daughter this age. This may be the same person as either Elizabeth or Milly Jenkins named in James' Will.

She was home in 1810, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10), still home in 1820, aged 10-15 (born ca 1804/10), and possibly still home in 1830 if she was the one listed age 15-19, born ca 1810/15.

Lucretia Jenkins was named in her father's 1851 Will. I believe this is the same daughter listed as "Sena" or "Sina" in the 1850 and 1860 census records. I don't know for sure that they are one and the same, but Sena was born ca 1814/15 (per 1850 census) or ca 1819/20 per 1860 census. I've never seen "Sena" used as a nickname for "Lucretia" so I wonder if they are the same person or not.

In 1820, James Jenkins had only one apparent daughter born ca 1810/20, and that could either be Sena or sister Isabell, but James had an "extra" daughter born ca 1804/10 that year, and that could be one of them. (Census analysis is not an exact science!).

She seems to have been home with parents in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15) and still home in 1840 (age 20-29, born ca 1810/20), and home in 1850 ("Sena" age 35), and with her widowed mother in 1860 ("Sena" age 40). I have no record of her after that.

George W. Jenkins was born ca 1815/16 (per 1850 census) in Onslow County. He was named in his father's 1851 Will.

George married Mary --- before ca 1838. See their own page for more information.

John A. Jenkins was born ca 1823/24 (per 1850 census) or ca 1816/17 per 1860 census (I think this one is correct) in Onslow County. He was named in his father's 1851 Will.

John married Charlotte --- before ca 1842. See their own page for more information.

Isabella Jenkins was born ca 1817/18 (per 1850 census) or ca 1821/22 (per 1860 census) in Onslow County. She was named in her father's 1851 Will. If the ca 1822 birth date is correct, that would explain some earlier census discrepancies. She may have been home with her parents in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), if her ca 1818 birth date is right, otherwise she was not born yet then. In 1830 she was probably the one aged 10-14, (born ca 1815/20). In 1840 she was either the one aged 15-19 (born ca 1820/25) or one of the two apparent daughters born ca 1810/20 with James Jenkins. Since I'm not sure of her exact birth date, I can't do a better job on the census analysis.

She was home with her parents in 1850 ("Isabilla" age 32) and with her widowed mother in 1860 ("Tibby" age 38). I have no record of her after that.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). This may be the same person as Isabella Jenkins if she was born ca 1822 as the 1860 census shows, otherwise I don't know who this is. She was not with the James Jenkins family in 1830, but was with him in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but not home in 1850 (unless the same as Isabella).

Ankrum Jenkins was born ca 1827/28 (per 1860 census) in Onslow County. He was named in his father's 1851 Will. Ankrum was apparently home with his parents in 1830 (aged "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and with them in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

He was not with his parents in 1850, nor did I find him listed elsewhere that year.

On 26 Nov 1851 Hill King deeded something to Ankrum Jenkins and his brother John Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 26 page 452)

On 16 May 1859 Joseph M. Ennett deeded something to Ankrum Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. This deed may have been a wedding present, for Ankrum married Joseph's daughter shortly after this. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 28 page 369)

On 7 Jun 1859, Ankrum Jenkins obtained a marriage bond in Onslow to marry Molsey Ann Ennett. I believe she is a daughter of Joseph M. Ennett and Henrietta --- based on them having a daughter her name and age with them in 1850.

They were still in Onslow for the 1870 census. Ankrum's wife was listed as "Martha", so is this a new wife? I don't believe this was a new wife. I think this is Molsey, for in his estate records (a few months later), she was listed as widow.

Ankrum Jenkins died before 17 Apr 1870, for on that date his widow Molcy Jenkins gave oath to become executor of his Will. (Ancrum Jenkins Estate File, 1870. North Carolina Archives - Loose Estate records).

Molcy married again in the 1870's to Siva (or Sion) Ellen. They were listed on the 1880 census in Onslow County in Stump Sound. Son Robert Jenkins was with them.

Robert Jenkins was listed on the 1900 census with his mother who was again widowed.

Edward Jenkins was born ca 1829/30 (per 1850 census) in Onslow County. He was named in his father's 1851 Will. Edward was apparently home with his parents in 1830 (aged "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and with them in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

Elizabeth Jenkins was named in James Jenkins' 1851 Will. Her surname was not given, but I'm assuming she was married by 1851, for she was not home with her parents for the 1850 census. There were two unidentified daughters (per earlier census records) born ca 1804/10, and Elizabeth could be one of those.

There are two marriage records that may be applicable. One is for an Elizabeth Jenkins and Nathaniel Ennett Jr dated 31 Mar 1831. I found them on the 1850 census (just a few houses from James Jenkins), and she was age 26 (born ca 1823/24) and her children included one named "James". This Elizabeth could be James' daughter, but I'm not sure enough to be emphatic.

The other marriage record was for Betsey Jenkins and Henry Gurganus dated 28 Jan 1840. I was unable to find them in 1850, so I don't know how old this Elizabeth Jenkins was.

Milly Jenkins was named in James Jenkins' 1851 Will. Her surname was not given, but I'm assuming she was married by 1851, for she was not home with her parents for the 1850 census. There were two unidentified daughters (per earlier census records) born ca 1804/10, and Milly could be one of those.

I did not find a marriage record for Milly Jenkins. There was an apparent widow, or possibly a single mother named Milly Jenkins (c1820). See her page for more on her. I don't know if she is the same Milly, but she could be.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. James¹ Jenkins , born 1779/80 in Onslow Co, NC; died abt Jun 1851 in Onslow Co, NC, son of (---) Jenkins and (---) Ryal . He married in 1810/15 in Onslow Co, NC Nancy (---) , born 1779/80 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of James Jenkins and Nancy (---) were as follows:

2 i Elizabeth² Jenkins , born in Onslow Co, NC.

3 ii Milly² Jenkins , born in Onslow Co, NC.

4 iii Sina² Jenkins , born 1814/15 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 5 iv George W² Jenkins , born 1815/16 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Mary (---) .

+ 6 v John A² Jenkins , born 1816/17 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1864 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Charlotte (---) .

7 vi Isabella² Jenkins , born 1817/18 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 8 vii Ankrum² Jenkins , born 1827/28 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Molsey Ann Ennett .

9 viii Edward² Jenkins , born 1829/30 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

Generation 2

5. George W² Jenkins (James¹), born 1815/16 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC. He married bef 1838 in Onslow Co, NC Mary (---) , born 1810/11 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of George W Jenkins and Mary (---) were as follows:

10 i Christina³ Jenkins , born 1837/38 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Onslow Co, NC.

11 ii Bryan B³ Jenkins , born 1837/38 in Onslow Co, NC; died abt 1867 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 12 iii Naomi³ Jenkins , born 1839/40 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married George W Mills .

13 iv Ellen³ Jenkins , born 1842/43 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

14 v Prunitta³ Jenkins , born 1844/45 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 15 vi Murphy³ Jenkins , born Oct 1845 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Elizabeth (---) .

16 vii Stanford³ Jenkins , born 1847/48 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 17 viii Jasper³ Jenkins , born 1850/51 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Martha (---) .

18 ix Obed³ Jenkins , born 1854/55 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

6. John A² Jenkins (James¹), born 1816/17 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1864 in Onslow Co, NC. He married in 1840/42 in Onslow Co, NC Charlotte (---) , born 1825/26 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of John A Jenkins and Charlotte (---) were as follows:

19 i Joseph R³ Jenkins Sgt , born 1841/42 in Onslow Co, NC; died 3 May 1863 in Chancellorsville, VA, Civil War.

+ 20 ii James T³ Jenkins , born 1844/45 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married ? (---) .

21 iii Margaret Ann³ Jenkins , born 1845/46 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

22 iv Molsey³ Jenkins , born 1847/48 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

23 v Jane³ Jenkins , born 1852/53 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

24 vi Amanda C³ Jenkins , born 1855/56 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

25 vii Francis³ Jenkins , born 1858/59 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC.

26 viii Alvana³ Jenkins , born 1863/64 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

8. Ankrum² Jenkins (James¹), born 1827/28 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. He married on 7 Jun 1859 in Onslow Co, NC Molsey Ann Ennett , born Mar 1827 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Onslow Co, NC, daughter of Joseph M Ennett and Henrietta (---) .

Children of Ankrum Jenkins and Molsey Ann Ennett were as follows:

27 i Robert³ Jenkins , born Apr 1866/67 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Onslow Co, NC.

Generation 3

12. Naomi³ Jenkins (George W², James¹), born 1839/40 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 3 Aug 1863 in Onslow Co, NC George W Mills , born 1836/37 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of Naomi Jenkins and George W Mills were as follows:

28 i Thomas⁴ Mills , born 1867/68 in Onslow Co, NC.

15. Murphy³ Jenkins (George W², James¹), born Oct 1845 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Onslow Co, NC. He married in 1870/71 in Onslow Co, NC Elizabeth (---) , born Oct 1847 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of Murphy Jenkins and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

29 i Alice⁴ Jenkins , born 1870/71 in Onslow Co, NC.

30 ii Ellen Exie⁴ Jenkins , born 1871/72 in Onslow Co, NC.

31 iii Stanford⁴ Jenkins , born 1873/74 in Onslow Co, NC.

32 iv George W⁴ Jenkins , born 1875/76 in Onslow Co, NC.

33 v John⁴ Jenkins , born 1878/79 in Onslow Co, NC.

17. Jasper³ Jenkins (George W², James¹), born 1850/51 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married bef 1875 in Onslow Co, NC Martha (---) , born 1855/56 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of Jasper Jenkins and Martha (---) were as follows:

34 i Annie S⁴ Jenkins , born 1874/75 in Onslow Co, NC.

35 ii John J⁴ Jenkins , born 1878/79 in Onslow Co, NC.

20. James T³ Jenkins (John A², James¹), born 1844/45 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married in 1870/75 in Onslow Co, NC ? (---) , died 1877/80 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of James T Jenkins and ? (---) were as follows:

36 i Nicholas⁴ Jenkins , born 1874/75 in Onslow Co, NC.

37 ii Celia⁴ Jenkins , born 1877/78 in Onslow Co, NC.