Spelling variations include: Jenkins, Jenkin, Jankins, Jenkynn, Jenkynns, Jenkyns.
The name was first found of ancient Welsh heritage in Monmouthshire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity located at Caerleond with manor and estates in that shire. They believed to be descended from the ancient Lords of Yale, well before the Norman Conquest in about 1100 A.D.
The branched Northward to Shropshire at Charton Hill and
Wolverton, an other branched at Hawkesbury in Gloucestershire. The main
branch moved to Yorkshire
where George JENKINS was Lord of the manor and estates
in 1460. Branches also were established in Rusby and in the city of York.
Some of the early JENKINS adventurers sailed to the New World. In North America , one of the first migrants that could be considered a kinsman of the family was Oliver JENKINS. He arrived in Virginia in 1619 before the ship Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Alexander JINKINS settled in Virginia in 1624. Walter JENKYNS settled in Virginia in 1635, Edmund JENKINS settled in Virginia in 1635, John JENKINS settled in Virginia in 1623. Morgan JENKINS settled in Nevis in 1654.
Our own Enoch JENKINS arrived in Pennsylvania in about 1756 and lived in Chester County.
The night of Wednesday, November 22, 1939, was the
night before Thanksgiving. ( It used to be a week later, but this year
President Roosevelt shifted it up a week earlier–remember?) Well anyway,
for a long time I had a request placed with mother for her to write the
life story of her parents, but you know how easy it is to procrastinate!
Well, this night before Thanksgiving I sat “me mither” down at the table,
sat down beside her with shorthand not book and pen, and mother dictated
to me the events in her father's life that she remembered. I was very grateful
to get the story, for I never saw grandfather Jenkins and therefore didn't
know much about him. From the events that mother related I pieced together
the following story of grandfather Jenkins:
My grandfather William Johnson Jenkins Jr., was born September 1, 1841, in Nauvoo, Illinois, the son of William Johnson Jenkins Sr. and Hannah Marks. When he was quite young his father moved the family to Iowa where they lived and worked as farmers. On December 1, 1857 shortly after William Jr.’s sixteenth birthday, his mother died, and after her death the father emigrated to Utah.
After William Jr. had been in Utah for a while and
was old enough he left Utah and drove a Church team back to St. Joseph,
Missouri, to take another Company of saints back to Salt Lake. While in
St. Joseph on this trip he married Elleanor Childs and took her back to
Utah with him. He settled in what was then known as
West Jordan and established his home there. Because this
was the period of time in which the principle of polygamy was given to
the saints, my grandfather married again to a young lady named Ellenor
Naylor. They were married October 26, 1867, and this young lady was my
grandmother. Grandfather had a large lot, and one family's home was on
one end of the lot, and the other family lived at the other end. Naturally,
the children of the two families played and grew up together. The following
are the names of the children of the two families, as mother can remember
them. They aren't in order, probably, but trying to remember 21 children
in two families in order is a big job. Anyway, here they are:
Elleanor Child’s Family:
Ellenor Naylor’s (grandmother’s Family
Mary
Lottie
William Johnson Jenkins Levi Hiram
Rhoda Ann
Ida
Lorenzo Barnes
Emma Lorena
Caroline Rebecca
Samuel Albert
Joseph Emanuel
Daniel
Marinda (my mother)
Clara
Charles Henry
George
Martha Maria
Robert
Sarah Dianah
Mother thinks Elleanor Child's last child was a girl; She thinks her name was Annie. She died, as mother remember, when about two and a half years old. Elleanor also had a daughter Ethel.
In those pioneer times it was easier to make a living than today what with all the competition and uncertainty we have, but even though to us those times seemed comparatively prosperous, to support that many children and successfully keep up two homes was no simple problem. But from what mother has told me, grandfather was a very energetic, industrious person, always planning for the present and future welfare of his families, and mother tells me he always was a good provider for them.
Grandfather must have been an efficient, tireless, ambitious worker, for from what mother tells me his farm and his work were as nearly perfectly planned as he could make them. He had sheds built for all his machinery, and each implement was never left lying in the yard but was always in its proper place, being protected from the weather and at the same time being kept from serving as a dangerous hazard for playing children. Mom says he could get up in the middle of the night and with his eyes shut go pick up a shovel or other tools, because he knew right where they belonged and what's more, they were there!
Grandfather built a large smoke house or meat house and it was used for nothing else but a store room for the winter meat supply for both families. Mom says that he built special bins for his apples, with holes bored in the bottom of the bins so that the air could circulate among the apples and keep them from rotting. He had special bins for his grains and other foods too, In between the two houses was an orchard of fruit trees, and there grandfather kept his bees, so both families had all the honey they needed.
Mom tells me that in the early spring, long before the irrigation ditches would be needed, grandfather would clean them out so that nary a weed could be seen any where, then in the spring they would be ready when water turns came around. In grandfather's yard there were piles of wood as high as a house, all split and neatly piled ready for use. I certainly wish grandfather had passed some of his efficiency, far sightedness, and ambition down to a certain granddaughter of his!
Grandfather Jenkins must have been generosity itself. It seems that one year water was very scarce, and the people had a difficult time finding enough water for their cattle. One day some people came from across the river to see if they might get some water from somewhere. They stopped at Jeddy and Myra Goff’s some relatives of the Jenkins. But Jeddy and Myra didn't feel as though they could give water to anyone because they needed it so badly themselves, so the travelers went over to Brother Jenkins home to continue their quest. They asked and he gave, answering that as long as his well held any water it would be shared with everyone. So these people drew a barrelful and gave to their thirsty cattle. It was their hope that perhaps they could fill the barrels they had brought with them and take the water home to more thirsty cattle. They were almost afraid to attempt to draw any more for fear there was none left. But as long as they pumped, the water came, and they filled all their barrels, loaded them on their wagon, and journeyed on home. During that water shortage period, sometimes as many as three wagons would be lined up at Brother Jenkins pump’ waiting for a turn. Grandfather never at any time refused any of the people water, and his well never did run dry.
Mother tells me that whenever any of the neighbors or even those folks living farther away than to be classified as “neighbors” were building a house or a shed, or the church buildings needed working on, grandfather always volunteered his horses and teams to help with the work. If there was a lack of timber he would get some from his own woodpile. Along with his wagons and horses to help with the work went some of his boys too, not because he didn't want others to drive his teams and wagons but because he knew horses weren't any good without drivers and his boys might as well help as well as anyone else's.
Brother Jenkins was sort of a Santa Claus. He would see that around December 25 his wagons would be loaded with sawed wood, potatoes, apples, molasses, and squash butter, and he and his sons would drive around and give away these Christmas presents and no doubt a man as thoughtful and kind as that would carry an abundance of Christmas Spirit and Cheer with him too.
The days were busy for the men at harvest time, when the thrasher and its men came around to harvest all the crops in the neighborhood. Mother says that sometimes the thrasher would be at their house for three days because there was so much grain grown, and it was a trait of Brother Jenkins to stay on the thrasher until everyone's grain was thrashed. And always there were so many children crowded around all day, because the thrasher came only once a year and it was such a big event in their young eyes. Brother Jenkins would see to it that the tummy of each boy and girl would have some kind of nourishment in it before the day was done.
From what mother has told me of grandfather, I think his most outstanding characteristic and the one I admire most was his love of children. That he was patient and understanding with them is shown by the hundreds of things he did for their fun and enjoyment and education, but at the same time he had principles of discipline that he enforced. It seems that in his time the tuition fee for each student to attend school was 50 cents a month. In as much as grandfather had 10 children of school age at once, it doesn't take much arithmetic or knowledge of a farmer's income in those days to realize that he couldn't afford to send them all to school, so he carried out this idea: In his workshop he set to work and made desks just like they had at school, and in a vacant room in his wife Ellenor’s (grandmother's) house they were placed. Showing that there are more ways than one to skin a cat (or give your children an education!) Brother Jenkins was his own children's school master, teaching them reading, writing, ‘arithmetic, spelling, geography, and grammar. School hours were from 9 A.M. until 12 noon, at which hour “time out” was taken for lunch and noon chores. Came 1 o'clock all noses were counted and the children continued their “learning” until 4 P.M. because “Professor Jenkins” was so successful a plea came to him from also poor neighbors to teach their children too, but negative was grandfather's answer, his reasons being that he had discipline over his own children but he didn't know how it might work with others, and he couldn't be partial and take one neighbor child but would have to take them all. So the school continued all winter as just “Professor Jenkins and Company”, but that was a crowd!
In the Jenkins yard but down by the other wife's house was something very few neighborhoods had. A merry-go-round, another product of Brother Jenkins’ clever mind and skillful, tireless hands. This concession had four separate seats which hung down at the end of vertical poles which were suspended at the ends of 2 crossed, horizontal poles. Rather ingenious, I’d say for pioneer times! And I “reckon” the seats were always filled, either with children of the Jenkins’ crop or with the neighbors’ offspring. And present in both yards were swings–boat swings made along safety's pattern for the little toots, and then the regular swings for the adolescents. It seems that tall, strong youths used ropes instead of hands to swing fair young maids in those far away days. As the young lassie swung back, a rope, each end of which was held by a lad on either side of the swing, would fling her forward again. (I’ll bet many a sweet young thing met her Romeo in grandfather's yard!) And for this swinging business a special rope was lodged in a special place, because young ladies weren't supposed to get their dresses dirty and they would if any old rope were used, maintained Brother Jenkins.
Dark, rainy days found the children fairly itching to wrap up in quilts, sit on the front porch, and eat green apples. (Sounds fun, doesn't it?) Grandfather never found it too much bother to bring forth the canyon quilts for the children's fun, then fold them up and store them away again after rain and apples had disappeared.
‘Twas the usual occurrence for the Jenkins tribe to every Sunday tote home with them from Sunday School Some children to spend the day. Mom says grandfather enjoyed and welcomed this, for he wanted his children to always feel free to bring their friends to their home.
At the day's end, when grandfather's children spied their father returning from the field atop a load of hay, their feet would fly ‘till they met the wagon. Amid much children's laughter and chatter Brother Jenkins would stop, swing each child up on top of the load, and finish his journey home. Mom said that usually only about 2 blocks remained, but it wasn't too much bother for Brother Jenkins to stop and get all children on board for a ride, even for just a skimpy 2 blocks.
One day Brother Jenkins missed his target! He threw Rob (Robert to you) up to the hay but the little fellow instead of stopping at the top, his usual destination, traveled clear on over and landed, Landed on the hard dirt on the other side! When the little tike gathered himself together, cryingly he said, “My yew yah yew yaw!” Translated into English that means, “My new hat blew off!” Oh, those kids! But you can see how their father loved them.
Evidently the hearts of children then thrilled to the same things as they do now, for mom says every child loved to play in the street after supper until called for bed. Their favorite arena was the street by Brother Jenkins’ lot, and when he would call to them, that the time had come to “break it up” and scamper home, even ‘though they were in the middle of their pet game, they never would take offense. Instead, when he assured them that twilight would come again tomorrow and they could return again for play, they all would wave and shout good bye to him and run for home as he had said.
Thoughts of children's tummies and what they loved to put in them must have occupied a corner of Brother Jenkins’ mind, for each year in his field he grew some popcorn solely for the “young uns” And theirs too for candy were the molasses skimmings. Any child knew that when they went to Brother Jenkins for ‘lasses skimmin’s they wouldn't be turned away.
Mother tells me that grandfather was faithful in church work and loved the Gospel very much. A Sunday School class–The Book of Mormon Class, mother thinks, was his to teach, for about 5 years. He very often administered too the Sacrament, too. His most faithful and willing self, I guess, was shown in his efforts at all times in behalf of the sick. Mother tells me that many times he has been called from bed in sub-zero weather and has driven many miles to administer to the sick and afflicted and has done it willingly. And mother remembers that his faith was abundant and strong. She tells me that he nearly always after administering to a person would say, “I feel that they will be well again.” But when, too, he would say he felt that it was their time to go, they usually passed on, whether they were young or old. Economy was one of grandfather's traits, but I guess he had to make it so if he supported his families. Mother tells me that one year she arrayed VeLoy, Delsa, and Vespa in little bright red, attractive, yet inexpensive outfits–home made– and when grandfather saw them, he said, “Minnie, Will can't keep up that style, you know. Grandmother Nellie said, “but that dress didn't cost more than 10 cents (which was true!) “But” grandfather argued, “look at those fancy hats.” “Yes Marinda answered, “they cost a whole quarter and they'll last all season.” Then grandfather said dubiously, “ Maybe so, but those children are dressed up pretty stylish!” ( I guess it was his old habit of counting pennies that had to count.)
In the fall when the crops had been gathered, grandfather would go to Salt Lake via his team and do the “shopping”. Back home with him he'd take a bolt (57yards)) of outing flannel (wonder if it was red?–nope. Mother just told me ‘twas always a gray or cream for underwear, a bolt of linsey for the girl's dresses, and a bolt of factory. Between the two families these would be divided according to their needs. Shoes, and yarn with which to knit stockings, and material for quilts, would be purchased too.
Because he was one of those taken by the Government for practicing polygamy, Brother Jenkins served two terms of 6 months each in the State Penitentiary. His boys during this time ran the farm and acted as fathers to the families, and in letters home to them grandfather would suggest what to do about the crops and would instruct them about the horses and livestock, and he counseled them to be faithful always.
The children looked forward to visiting their father. Because most of the prisoners were trustworthy they were allowed out in the yard. The rule was enforced that while in the yard they could see their families but could not talk to them. On one visit little Sam, upon seeing his father sped u p to him, grasped hold of his legs, and with bright, eager face upturned said, “Hello, Daddy!”But grandfather, being every moment watched by guards, could only look down into his little son's face and say nothing. Imagine little Sam's stunned bewilderment at his father's apparent indifference, and imagine grandfather's inward rebellion at ridiculous rules forbidding him to even speak to his small son. On one occasion when the children were thirsty after their long trip and longed for a cup of water, the guards did let grandfather draw a drink from the well for his children.
Then, as now, prisoners were allowed to sit on one side of a table and converse with their family and friends who were sitting on the other side. Mother relates an instance when as they were sitting at the table talking she suddenly had the desire to hug her father. So she straightway climbed over the tabletop to her father, around to the back of his chair, and threw her arms around his neck, and there her arms stayed until the visit was over! And the guard said nary a word! Maybe he had a little girl of his own and understood.
Another ruling was that a prisoner could not write to his wives. He could write home to his family but letters could not be addressed to his wives nor could they contain any messages to them or refer to them in any way. But grandmother was given the title of “Aunt Jessie Lawn”. Grandfather would write letters to his “Aunt Jessie” and “Aunt Jessie” would answer, and all the time she was grandmother, his wife. Grandmother could not write, however, so all her corresponding was done by her son “Ren”. He would act as scribe for her, she telling him what to write and he writing it. That was the way grandmother and grandfather kept in touch with each other during all those long, weary months of his absence.
Mother did not relate much about grandfather's life after this point. She did state, however, that toward the end of his life he had asthma for several months and had to stay in the house quite a bit. He died on May 16, 1910.
Mother says of grandfather that he was a “pretty good boy, what with his mother dying and his father having to raise the family”, and she says she thinks the reason he turned out so well was because he associated with the right boys when he came to Utah.
Naturally, never having known grandfather it was rather hard for me to picture him as a distinct individual, but now that mother has related his story I feel that I have some Conception of the kind of a man he was. There are so many fine things about his character that I admire and which I would like to put into my life. His genuine love and patience and understanding of people, especially children–His ambition, industry, farsightedness, persistence, willingness, and his strong, abiding faith– all are qualities that I admire and love. I know I shall be a better person for having had his life brought before me, for I feel obligated as one of his granddaughters to live up to the heritage that he has helped to give me, and it is the story as related by my mother that has made me feel that I know grandfather Jenkins and it is what has made me love him.
Narrator- Marinda Jenkins Gough- Scribe-Her daughter, Velora Gough
