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I (Marty Grant) don't know how I'm related to Lear Jenkins, but I'm sure her husband is somehow closely related to my ancestor Osborne Jenkins (c1803).
Lear Jenkins is apparently a widow of some Mr. Jenkins. I don't know who her husband was for I've found no marriage record or other records that that show who it might have been. It is also possible that she was a single mother, though I don't know if that is the case or not. The records on her are too scant to make any definitive conclusions.
Lear Jenkins was born ca 1770/80 (per 1830 census), presumably in Onslow County. "Jenkins" probably is not her maiden name, though I don't know what it actually is.
Lear probably married a Mr. Jenkins before ca 1810, assuming the 20-29 year old girl with her in 1830 (born ca 1800/10) is a daughter of hers.
There were only four Jenkins listed on the 1810 census in Onslow County, and only James Jenkins (c1780) had an apparent daughter born ca 1800/10, but he was not Lear's husband, so that means that either she was not listed, or that the girl born ca 1800/10 was not Lear's daughter, or was not a Jenkins at that time. There are numerous possible explanations.
Lear 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 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 Lear was head of household then), and John was also still living in 1830, so that eliminates them from consideration as Lear's husband. That only leaves David Jenkins as a suspect. Other researchers have claimed that David was married to Lavina Aman Jenkins, which if true means he couldn't be Lear's husband.
In 1820, Benjamin Jenkins (c1798) had a woman aged 45+ (born before 1775) with him, and a female age 10-15 (born ca 1804/10). This fits very well with Lear's 1830 household, so is it possible that he was her son, and that he was head of household in 1820, and she was in 1830. If this analysis is correct, then it would appear that Lear Jenkins was a single mother instead of a widow, for it appears she had other children after 1820. However, keep in mind this is just speculative, for I don't know if it was Lear Jenkins with Benjamin in 1820, though it certainly fits very well.
Mr. Jenkins apparently was dead before 1830 for Lear Jenkins was listed on the 1830 census as head of household in Onslow Co, NC. She was two houses from George Jenkins (c1803) and a few more from James Jenkins (c1780). She was in a group of other apparent widows, including Fanny Taylor, Mary Gillican and Lidia Dunston.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Onslow County, NC pg 227 Lear Jenkins 1100000000000-1000100100000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) 1 Female(s) 50-59 (1770-1780) Lear ___ Jenkins (1770/80) wd/o ? 1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Daughter? (1800/10) 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30)
Lear was not listed on the 1840 census. She may have been with another family, perhaps a son or married daughter. Lavina Aman Jenkins (c1790) had a female born ca 1770/80 with her that year. Osborne Jenkins (c1803) had a female born ca 1770/80 with him in 1840.
On 1 Jan 1842, William Wheeler obtained a marriage bond in Onslow to marry Lear Jenkins. Dexter Burns was bondsman. William Wheeler was born ca 1790/1800 (per 1840 census) and was living next door to Benjamin Jenkins (c1798) for the 1840 census. At that census William was living alone. He was also the only Wheeler in Onslow County in 1840. He was certainly old enough to have been married before, but I don't know if he was or not. However, the 1830 census shows him with a large family, so it seems they all were gone by 1840.
I was unable to find William Wheeler or Lear Wheeler on the 1850 census.
Mr. Jenkins and Lear had a few children per the 1830 census. None of these are identified yet.
Unknown Daughter (1800/10). Lear Jenkins had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830 (age 20-29, born ca 1800/10). I have no additional data on her.
Unknown Son (1820/25). Lear Jenkins had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). I have no additional data on him.
Unknown Son (1825/30). Lear Jenkins had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30). I have no additional data on him.
Unknown Daughter (1825/30). Lear Jenkins had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30). I have no additional data on her.
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