Lavina Aman Jenkins (c1790) widow of --- Jenkins of Onslow Co, NC

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

Lavina Aman Jenkins is a widow of some Mr. Jenkins. I read somewhere (perhaps an article in the Onslow County Heritage book) that she was married to David Jenkins, but I've not seen any proof to back that up. It could be true, but I've found no evidence to support it.

Lavina Aman was born ca 1789/90 (per 1850 census), presumably in Onslow County. In 1850 she was living in Upper Southwest District, so possibly born in that same area.

Lavina Aman is probably a daughter of John Aman, for in a deed dated 1830 she sells land that came to her at the death of John Aman. The deed did not say he was her father, but it seems likely, though he could have been a brother instead. In either event, she was his heir. I found John Aman on the 1786 and 1790 census in Onslow, but not in 1800 or 1810. He must have died ca 1790-1800.

Lavina would have been old enough to marry by ca 1815, and this is the approximate birth date of her oldest known child, so it would seem that Lavina Aman married a Mr. Jenkins around that time. I found no marriage record in Onslow for them, nor have I located any public record that confirms who her husband was. She did name her oldest son "Lewis" and also named one "John" and "David", so those are all clues, I suspect. David Jenkins was a neighbor to several Amans in 1820, and he and they witnessed each others deeds, so that may make him the prime suspect.

Lavina and family should have been listed on the 1820 census in Onslow County. There were six Jenkins households in Onslow that year: James Jenkins (c1780), Lewis Jenkins (1770/74), Benjamin Jenkins (c1798), Thomas Jenkins (c1786), John Jenkins (1770/75), and David Jenkins (1775/94). Of these, James, Benjamin and Thomas can be eliminated from consideration, for they were still living in 1850. That leaves Lewis, John and David. Lewis Jenkins was still living in 1830 (and Lavina was already widowed then), and John was also still living in 1830, so that eliminates them from consideration as Lavina's husband. That only leaves David Jenkins as a suspect. However, the reason I'm not convinced yet is that David's 1820 household did not show any apparent sons, though Lavina had sons born ca 1815 and 1818 who should have been listed. Lavina also had an unknown daughter born ca 1810/15 who was not listed with David in 1820. This can be a census mistake, or it may be an indication that David is not Lavina's husband.

This means that Lavina's family was not listed in 1820, or else she was with David, and his household was enumerated incorrectly.

Mr. Jenkins apparently was dead by 9 Dec 1829 for on that date Lavina made a deed, and it was not very common for a wife to make a deed on her own if her husband was still living. She purchased a Negro and a horse and bridle from Dedra Aman (sister? Mother?). Witnesses were John King and Lewis Jenkins (1770/74). The fact that Lewis was a witness may be an indication that he was her in-law, so perhaps it was a brother of his or a son that was Lavina's husband. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 18 page 167, 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 for those in Deed Books 23 and later which I abstracted myself from the original Deed Books).

Lavina Jenkins was listed on the 1830 census in Onslow Co, NC. She was not near any other Jenkins. She was listed very near Dedra Aman and James Aman, possible siblings? Lavina had a male with her who was her same age (1780/90). I wonder who that could be? Could it be a brother, or perhaps her husband was still alive, but disabled to an extent that he was not considered head of household?

On 31 Dec 1830, Levina Jenkins sold land to Gardner Shepard, being 1/7th part of the 300 acres that "came to me at the death of John Aman, deceased" known as the Alexander land. Witnesses were David Gornto and James Aman. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 18 page 263).

On 8 Dec 1835 John Dixon sold 90 acres to Lavina Jenkins. The land was on Smith's Creek and was the same land devised to "me by my father Henry Dixon". Witnesses were James Aman and David Gornto. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 21 page 334).

Lavina was still in Onslow for the 1840 census. She was not listed near any other Jenkins. I didn't see any Amans nearby either. Lavina had two "extra" females with her, one born ca 1770/80 and one born ca 1780/90. These could be sisters or other relatives.

The family was listed in Upper Southwest District in Onslow County, NC on the 1850 census. Thomas Jenkins (c1786) was just nine houses away. Lavina's son John was listed as head of household.

Lavina must have died between 1850 and 1860, for I did not find her on the 1860 census, but I found several of her unmarried children living together that year.

Children

Mr. Jenkins and Lavina Aman had at least six children per the various census records. Five of them are identified by the 1850 and 1860 census records.

Unknown Daughter (1810/15). Lavina Aman Jenkins had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

There were two marriage recorded in that time frame, both coincidentally named Elizabeth Jenkins. The first was for Elizabeth Jenkins and Nathaniel Ennett Jr dated 31 Mar 1831. This Elizabeth does not seem a likely candidate.

The second marriage bond was for Betsy Jenkins and Henry Gurganus dated 28 Jan 1840. She seems a more likely candidate for she was living next door to Lavina in 1850. She was born ca 1810/11 which fits the 1810-15 time-frame, but it does present another problem. Lavina was only 11 years old in 1811 unless her birth date is off somewhat (either Lavina's or Elizabeth's).

It seems very likely that Elizabeth Jenkins Gurganus is the one, but that either her birth date of ca 1810-11 is off, or that Lavina's birth date of ca 1789/90 is off a little. Elizabeth's age was fairly consistent through the census years (1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880), so that means Lavina's is probably off somewhat, if she is Elizabeth's mother.

So, assuming she is Lavina's daughter, here are the facts. On 28 Jan 1840 Henry Gurganus obtained a marriage bond in Onslow County to marry Betsey Jenkins. Britton Aman was the bondsman. Henry N. Gurganus was born ca 1815/16 (per 1850 census).

They were listed on the 1840 census in Onslow County near several Amans, but not near any Jenkins.

They were still in Onslow for the 1870 census and listed in Jacksonville Township.

They were still in Onslow and Jacksonville Township for the 1880 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Lewis Jenkins was born ca 1814/15 (per 1860 census) in Onslow Co, NC. He was not with Lavina in 1850, but was living with her other children in 1860 and 1870, so it seems likely he is her son also.

He seems to be home with Lavina in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), and in 1840 (age 20-29, born ca 1810/20), but he was not with her in 1850, nor listed elsewhere as far as I could find.

John Jenkins was born ca 1817/18 (per 1850 census) in Onslow Co, NC. He was with Lavina in 1850. He seems to be home with Lavina in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20), and in 1840 (age 20-29, born ca 1810/20), and was home with her in 1850 ("John" age 32).

On 23 Feb 1847 Elijah Beasley deeded something to John Jenkins. I don't know if it was this John, or if it was John A. Jenkins (c1817) I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 25 page 423)

David Jenkins was born ca 1820/21 (per 1850 census) in Onslow Co, NC. He was with Lavina in 1850. He seems to be home with Lavina in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), and was home with her in 1850 ("David" age 29).

On 17 May 1855 E. W. Cox deeded something to Bazel Jenkins and David Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 27 page 337)

On 21 Jun 1856 Henry N. Gurganus (his brother-in-law) deeded something to David Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 27 page 503)

On 1 Nov 1856 D. N. Cox deeded something to David Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 28 page 16)

On 18 Nov 1857 Gardner Shepard deeded something to David Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 28 page 176)

David was not found on the 1860 or 1870 census. He may have died in the 1850's, but after 1857. There is an estate record for a David Jenkins dated 1861, and another one dated 1866. I have not looked at either of these yet to see if it was for this David or not.

Bazel Smith Jenkins was born ca 1824/25 (per 1850 census) in Onslow Co, NC. He was with Lavina in 1850. He seems to be home with Lavina in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30), and was home with her in 1850 ("Bazel" age 25).

On 17 May 1855 E. W. Cox deeded something to Bazel Jenkins and David Jenkins. I don't have the details of this deed yet. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 27 page 337)

Bazel was head of household in 1860 with several of his siblings and other people living with him.

For the Civil War, Basil Smith Jenkins enlisted on 28 Dec 1861 as a Private in Company B, 3rd Cavalry at age of 32 (he was actually about 36 then).

Bazel was again listed as head of household for the 1870 census. He had several siblings and other people residing with him.

I did not find Bazel Jenkins on the 1880 census, but he may have still been alive, for I found an estate record dated 1903 for "Basil Jenkins", though it could be for someone else.

Susan Jenkins was born ca 1826/27 (per 1850 census) in Onslow Co, NC. She was with Lavina in 1850. She seems to be home with Lavina in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30), and was home with her in 1850 ("Susan" age 23).

I did not find Susan on the 1870 census, so she may have married or died by then.

There were three marriage records for a "Susan Jenkins" in that time-frame, one of them seems to be this Susan. On 27 Dec 1860 William E. Burns obtained a marriage bond to marry Susan Jenkins. Edward W. Ward was bondsman. They were married on 30 Dec 1860 by A. J. Murrill, Justice of the Peace.

William E. Burns died before 1870, for he was not listed on the 1870 census, but Susan was listed, apparently widowed. She was living with Zadoc and Ann (---) Coston and family (relationship unknown).

Researcher List

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

1. (---)¹ Jenkins , born in Onslow Co, NC; died bef 1830 in Onslow Co, NC. He married bef 1815 in Onslow Co, NC Lavina Aman , born 1789/90 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1850/60 in Onslow Co, NC, daughter of John Aman .

Children of (---) Jenkins and Lavina Aman were as follows:

+ 2 i Elizabeth "Betsey"² Jenkins , born 1810/11 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. She married Henry N Gurganus .

3 ii Lewis² Jenkins , born 1814/15 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

4 iii John² Jenkins , born 1817/18 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC.

5 iv David² Jenkins , born 1820/21 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Onslow Co, NC.

6 v Bazel Smith² Jenkins Pvt , born 1824/25 in Onslow Co, NC; died 1903 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 7 vi Susan² Jenkins , born 1826/27 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married William E Burns .

Generation 2

2. Elizabeth "Betsey"² Jenkins ((---)¹), born 1810/11 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 28 Jan 1840 in Onslow Co, NC Henry N Gurganus , born 1815/16 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of Elizabeth "Betsey" Jenkins and Henry N Gurganus were as follows:

8 i Lewis³ Gurganus , born 1840/41 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

9 ii Zachariah³ Gurganus , born 1843/44 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

10 iii James³ Gurganus , born 1845/46 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Onslow Co, NC.

+ 11 iv John³ Gurganus , born 1846/47 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married Marinda (---) .

12 v Ellen C³ Gurganus , born 1850 in Onslow Co, NC.

13 vi Sarah³ Gurganus , born 1853/54 in Onslow Co, NC.

14 vii Martha³ Gurganus , born 1855/56 in Onslow Co, NC.

7. Susan² Jenkins ((---)¹), born 1826/27 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Onslow Co, NC. She married on 30 Dec 1860 in Onslow Co, NC William E Burns , died 1868/70 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of Susan Jenkins and William E Burns were as follows:

15 i Willie³ Burns , born 1867/68 in Onslow Co, NC.

Generation 3

11. John³ Gurganus (Elizabeth "Betsey"² Jenkins, (---)¹), born 1846/47 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Onslow Co, NC. He married in 1870/72 in Onslow Co, NC Marinda (---) , born 1853/54 in Onslow Co, NC.

Children of John Gurganus and Marinda (---) were as follows:

16 i Julia⁴ Gurganus , born 1871/72 in Onslow Co, NC.

17 ii Prasse⁴ Gurganus , born 1873/74 in Onslow Co, NC.

18 iii Ellen⁴ Gurganus , born 1877/78 in Onslow Co, NC.