Jenkins family

"Edward Jenkins [1758-1829], had purchased in 1794 the property on what was then called the New Wales road ([later] the Spring House and Sumneytown turnpike road), just above the Gwynedd Friends' meeting. This had originally been the property of Jacob Wentz, of Worcester, and had been used as a tavern during the Revolution, General Lacey's brigade of militia having its headquarters there at times. Edward Jenkins used it as a store, and after his death in 1829 his son Charles F. continued the same business therein until his death in 1867." (Auge 557)

"Charles [Foulke] Jenkins [1793-1867] was engaged in mercantile business in Philadelphia for several years previous to his father's death, and then (1830) returned to Gwynedd, taking his father's place, and there continuing during his life-time, as has been stated. He was a public-spirited citizen, active in all public affairs, an officer for many years of the Philadelphia and Bethlehem Turnpike Road Company; instrumental in the construction of the turnpike road from Spring House to Sumneytown, and President of the corporation for many years; a director of the Bank of Montgomery County; and officer for years of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montgomery County; active as a school director, and in other public capacities, while he was repeatedly a candidate of his party (Whig, and then Republican) for positions of honor and responsibility, though sharing the defeat of the party ticket in Montgomery county. With Philip Super and John Thompson he acted as a commissioner to lay out the extension of the borough of Norristown...and was one of those well known and well respected citizens of the county habitually selected for similar duties." (Auge 558)

Charles F. Jenkins and his wife Mary had only two children who lived to maturity: Algernon Sidney Jenkins and William H. Jenkins. Algernon S. Jenkins (1816-1890) was a long-serving Justice of the Peace in Gwynedd. He had two sons: Howard M. Jenkins and George Herbert Jenkins. Howard M. Jenkins (1842-1902) was a journalist, genealogist, historian, and author. (Quinn)

Another of Edward Jenkins' six children was Jesse Jenkins, born in 1796. He married Mary R. Ambler in 1828 and moved to Peoria, Illinois, in 1840. Jesse died in Illinois in 1890. (Quinn)

Bibliography:

Auge, Moses. Lives of the Eminent Dead: and Biographical Notices of Prominent Living Citizens of Montgomery County, Pa. . Norristown, Pa.: 1879.

Quinn, James A. "Descendants of Jenkin Jenkins." October 2009. Accessed March 8, 2012. http://www.gwyneddmeeting.org/history/jenkins.htm

From the guide to the Jenkins family papers, Bulk, 1800-1890, 1800-1920, (Historical Society of Montgomery County)