6th Generation

James Riley Jennings, 1967

THE FAR WEST

Henry Jennings, (1812), son of James, grandson of Jacob, left Waynesville, Ohio, in 1855, for the west. The family consisted of the mother, Ann Morgan Jennings, (Born in Haddonfield) and four sons ranging in age from one to six years. Transportation was by means of two teams and two covered wagons. One wagon was loaded with furniture, household goods and food, the other with implements, tools grain and other supplies. The teams and wagons, with a cow tied on behind to furnish milk for the children, were loaded onto a barge near Cincinnati and floated down the Ohio River, thence on the Mississippi, to St. Louis. Here they joined a wagon train that was being formed for the trek across "great plains". When they reached Wyoming, near Fort Bridger, they were joined by a new member of the family, Emma Cecelia, who was born 23, Sept. 1856. The only daughter was later to become the mother of the very fine McCleve family in Arizona.

From Wyoming the family settled in Provo, Utah, home of the present Brigham Young University. As young men, two of the boys, Cyrus Morgan and James Henry Jennings, attended the then Brigham Young Academy, later to become the university. At this time the Academy was one of three institutions of higher learning in the west. The other two were in California. At a slightly later date an uncle, Andrew Jackson Hansen, who also crossed the plains by wagon train from Iowa, was attending Santa Clara College in California and was to become a Methodist Minister.

In the course of a few years the family moved to southern Utah where they engaged in farming and cattle raising. Cyrus M. Jennings taught school for a time and was secretary to the school board for a number of years. The family still has some tools such as a saw, square and hand scales received as payment for teaching. Coin of the realm was very scarce in the frontier west and Sorghum Molasses was a common medium of exchange in southern Utah. James H. Jennings became one of the largest and most successful cattlemen in Utah. In later years he drove cattle to the Imperial Valley in California for fattening. He stayed in the saddle until he was eighty seven and died at age ninety four.

He was a staunch believer in education and spent most of his fortune in helping deserving and ambitious young people to go through college. He never married.

At an early date (1887) Cyrus Morgan Jennings moved his family to Taylor, Arizona, where his activities were fanning, livestock and freighting. He was very active in school, church and community affairs.

Upon arriving in Arizona, he purchased a home and fertile farm along the banks of Silver Creek. The home was on a city block, one fourth of which was used for a home, vegetable and flower gardens. One fourth was devoted to barns, sheds, corrals and granary; one fourth to an orchard consisting of many kinds and varieties of fruit; the remainder was in alfalfa.

In making the purchase of the property no cash changed bands. There was none. The purchase was made with teams, wagons, harness etc. This was a common practice of the day.

Eight of the twelve children reached maturity and reared families of sound citizenship.

They were:

Elnora Jennings Solomon, 1875

Henry 1877

Lafayette 1879

Myrtle Jennings Shumway 1888

Nellie Jennings Bates 1891

James R. 1893

Irving A. 1886

Renz L. 1899

Henry and Lafe were a study in contrast. While both worked hard and were dependable, Henry was steady, thrifty and ambitious, Lafe had considerable talent in music and drama. He was always chosen for a leading part in town plays at holiday season. He was in the middle of Halloween or New Years Eve pranks. Henry was not.

As the children grew the sons engaged in enterprise along with their father. This pattern maintained until 1910 men high school and college opportunities presented themselves to younger members of the family. James R. entered upon a career with the U.S. Public Health Service until 1944 when he returned to Phoenix and engaged in various business enterprises, ending in the investment field where he enjoyed a modicum of success.

Irving A. became the senior member of the, leading law firm of the state, occupying two floors of large building in downtown Phoenix. A prominent member of the bar credits him with having the best legal mind the state has produced. Renz L. undoubtedly has the widest acquaintance of any political figure in the state. His career has taken him through the practice of law, member of the state legislature, County Attorney, Deputy Attorney General, several terms as Judge of the SuiJ0rior Court, and finally, as a Justice of the State Supreme Court.

David S. Jennings, an elder brother, Cornell University 1917, PhD, has had a distinguished career in research at the Utah State University.

The women of the family have been a noble breed, dedicating their lives to the rearing of families steeped in the love of God, country and fellow men. It would require another volume to recite their sacrifices and their love,

The purpose of this report is historical. It is not within its scope to cover members of the family in the twentieth century. Complete records are being kept of the various branches of the family in this generation. It might be said, however, to the credit of their ancestors, that the present generation, for the most part, is sound, ambitious, college bred and a credit to the social, business and professional fraternities in the stream of American life.

The following several items in script are from the coffer handed down to the family of the compiler. As will be noted, they are incomplete and in as state of disintegration, but have been plasticized for permanent preservation.

Board of School Examiners - Approximately 1830

The School Examiners for Warren County, Ohio, are satisfied that Henry Jennings is qualified in the following branches of a communication to wit: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, and Geography and Good moral character.

Jacob Mark Jennings Letter - Blackwood Town October 1849 (To Henry Jennings)

Jacob Jennings of the Town and County of Gloucester will dated October 18th 1813. Proved August 2, 1817. Leaving heirs son Joseph, Job, Issac, John, James, and Mark and Daughter Judith and Grandchildren John H Bispham, Thomas Bispham, Joseph Bispham, Elizabeth Bispham, Mary Bispham, Sarah Bispham, and Rachel Bispham.

Isaac Jennings of the Town and County of Gloucester will, dated October 8th 1758 Proved Jan 29th 1759. Leaving heirs his wife Judith So. Jacob and Sarah Flanigan and Deborah Burrows his Daughters.

Henry Jennings of the City of Philadelphia will Dated June 27 1705. Proved April 23rd 1706. Before surrogate of Burlington leaving heirs Issac Jennings and Margaret, Daughter of Issac.

Judith Jennings of the township and County of Gloucester will Dated July 25th 1782. Proved May 39th 1785. Leaving heirs her son Jacob and daughter Rebecca Price and Grandson Issac Jennings and Granddaughter Judith Jennings.

And as we now Believe fully that we are the heirs of Henry Jennings and I think it is a matter of importance of spareing no pains of making it appear not one only. But all of our Race to select it out and if you can ascertain who the Committee of Nashville is and inform us immediately who they are and what their name is and where they live so that we may direct a letter to them as to not get miscarried and our councilors will write immediately as they have taken it to get for one Share the same as one heirs if got and if not they get nothing and they are very anxious who these committees are and we hope that you will spare no Pains in this matter. We would send you a copy of William Jennings will but it the lawyer has got it at present. We should give you a copy of it and that convention in Nashville if we had seen the advertisement a little sooner we would of attended it .

So I shall close with best respects to you all and likewise all our relatives joins me with the same.

A word or two I have missed, I must inform you that I am married and I got a fine son 3 months old an and his name is Edward Dallas Jennings and Brother Isaac he would get get married by he can’t and we are both present at the composing of this note and we shall be happy and anxious to hear from you. By letter and direct your letter either to him or me at Blackwood Town New Jersey

Jacob M Jennings

Isaac lives with me now at present.

Are the nearest heirs of any that has been found as yet in the United States and he says there is but one link to make for us, that is to prove that the same Henry to be the son of Humphrey the uncle of said William. Augustus in Connecticut writes to us that Humphrey had a son Henry and came to the US in 1677 6 mo 16th and I would...

Jacob Mark Jennings - Sicklerville May 1st 1876

To My Dear Cousin Henry Jennings,

Thy letter dated Apriel 10th came welcome to hand and was happy to hear that you was all well and was very sorry that I had not written before but on the account of bad health with my wife, I have not been able to take her up to the City and she is now very poorly. I wanted before I had written again to of taken her and had our pictures taken and forwarded them to the(e)

We received thine in good condition and am very much oblige for thy kindness and as soon as my wife gets so she can go to the city we are a going and I will endeavour to send them to thee.

All the rest of my family, with myself is in usual good health. I must tell the(e) that Brother Jehu Jennings told me a few days ago he received (abbreviation) a letter from a man in Richmond that our family surely was the the rightful heirs of the English estate and the time would come that we could get it. For my part I wish it would come soon, it would be very nice now.

Now I will close by saying that the(e) will hear from me again as soon as i can conveniently do so and now my family join me in love to the(e) and thy family and remain ever your cozen and when ever it is convenient I want the(e) to write to me so farewell.

Direct thy letters to Sicklerville , Camden Couny N.J.

As Before Jacob M. Jennings

James Riley Jennings, 1967

Henry Jennings, son of James, taught school in Waynesville. The teachers certificate is dated Oct. 12, 1839. When he applied for the job School Board reminded him of his small stature, and that there were some big and tough boys in the school that he might not be able to handle. Henry replied that he would handle them all right. When the school opened the first day, assignments were given. Henry picked up a small bundle of willows he had obtained from the side of the brook and from which he had stripped the leaves. He walked up and down the center, holding the willows in both hands and cutting the air with a stinging sound. After a few moments he placed the bundle of willows on two pegs above his desk.

There was never any trouble with the “bad boys”. James and his family visited with his son Henry and his family the night before Henry was to start the trek by wagon train to the far west. The next morning the family of James went over for a final farewell. James did not go. He could not bear to tell his son goodbye for what he feared would be the last time. James had given each grandchild a bright new half dollar. Finally, hard times in the frontier made spending the last half dollar necessary. The whole family wept.

When word reached Henry of his father’s death arrangements were made with a friend in Ohio to settle the estate, buy provisions with the proceed sand ship them west by wagon train and to be used by Henry in establishing a general store.

Ann MORGAN Jennings Family

John D. F. M. NOTES

l. JOHN MORGAN

2. DAVID MORGAN

b. 12-15-1740

d. 6-4-1789

MARY BLACKWOOD

B.-----------d.

D. 1-3-1774

3. DAVID BLACKWOOD MORGAN

b. 2-11-1785

d. 3-10-1868 (83)

ELIZABETH TOMLINSON CIARKE

b. 3-28-1783

d. 2-1-1829

1829 -1830 Justice of peace. Judge, Common Pleas Court Gloucester Co. N.J.

4. Ann Morgan

b. 1-23-1820

M (Henry Jennings)

b. 8-6-1812

David Morgan was a Second Lieutenant, New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary War. This makes our family eligible to membership in the "Society of The Sons of The Revolution.

"It is said that it is just as easy for a man to love a woman with money as without." David Blackwood Morgan seemed to follow this truism. He first married the widow, Elizabeth Clarke Tomlinson and then Hannah Ivins French.

John D.F. Morgan, a 6th cousin, Executive Director of Camden Historical Society, has written a history of the Morgan family. The Morgans had a rich family heritage, many attaining prominence in business, professional and political fields.

Randall W. Morgan, Ann's grandfather, chairman of board of United Gas. Co., Philadelphia.

Marshall Morgan, Fidelity Trust Co. Philadelphia.

David Morgan, Trust Officer, Penna. Trust Co.

Chas. Morgan Sr., partner in law firm of Morgan and Lewis.

J. Willard Morgan, State Comptroller, Attorney for Redding Rail Road.

David U Morgan, brother, large manufacturer of photographic paper.

James Riley Jennings 1967

Almonessen, Gloucester, Co. N.J., was once called Jenningsville.

The Haddonfield Historical Society, in 1956, celebrated the 200th anniversary of the building of the home where Ann Morgan Jennings was born in 1820. Toward the top of the chimney in salt glazed permanence are the figures, 1756. The four rooms on the first floor and the four bedrooms on the second are, for the post part, graced with the original, Revolutionary furniture. The remainder is of Civil War vintage. Three walls are of glazed brick, am the rear wall is of New Jersey stone. With great care and pride, the present owner, Mr. William F. Schuck, maintains landscaping befitting the elegance of the home. Originally the property included five thousand acres of land. In the spring of 1966, the blooms of flowering shrubs included pink Magnolia, yellow Forsythia, red Japonica, pink Japanese Weeping Cherry, and Wisteria. The whole area is surrounded by very large Oak, Walnut, Sycamore, Maple and others.

The home is located in what is now known as Glendora. It is on high ground overlooking once busy Chew’s Landing, immediately across TIMBER CREEK. In early days one mast schooners plied the waters hauling coal, timber and other products. Old Irish Road skirted the property, crossing at Chew's Landing. It was an area of great activity in it's day. The location is ten or twelve miles from Camden, reached by Black Horse Pike.

Through research, one historian believes that at one time the attic of the home was used as a Revolutionary Alarm Post. For a time it was also used by the New Jersey Militia. Colonel James Hillman, first owner, used it as Military and Hospital Headquarters during the Revolution.

David Blackwood Morgan was the father of Ann Morgan Jennings, mother of Cyrus Morgan Jennings.

A mile or two distant was the home of John Morgan, where David, Randal, Jonathan and George Morgan were born. It was built of New Jersey sandstone, but as it stands in 1966, on Egg Harbor Road, it is stucco covered. It originally stood on eighteen hundred acres of land, and in 1775, it was offered for sale to be used as a Tavern. In those days a tavern was more of an Inn, a place for public accommodation. To obtain a license lodging and food for a certain number of guests was required as was also stable and feed facilities for the care of the horses of guests. With these facilities provided the tavern owner could then provide liquid refreshments for the comfort of weary travelers.

David U. Morgan, a brother of Ann, developed a secret formula for the manufacture of photographic paper. Eggs were part of the basic formula and were used in great quantities. Four thousand dozen were used monthly. The paper to be treated was shipped in from England. The finished product had wide distribution including, I believe, Europe. He died with the secret formula in his head and his wife and employees were unable to carry on.

On April 24, 1852, Henry Jennings and his wife Ann conveyed her quarter interest in the family property to Owen Jones.