William moved with his parents and siblings to “Concord Farm” in the Broad Run area of Loudoun Co., Virginia in early 1802. His parents lived on several farms in Loudoun and finally settled near the village of Waterford.
In May 1824, he was one of many Waterford residents to sign a petition regarding flour prices. In July 1824, he was mentioned in a notice in the Genius of Liberty newspaper as Captain William Jenners. And on 26 September 1824, his father, Abiel, died near Waterford.
On 14 November 1825, George W. Henry conveyed a deed of trust for 103 acres in Loudoun Co., Virginia to William. And on 10 December 1827, William swore in court that the handwriting of the will of Robert Braden, brought to court for probate by Robert’s son, Noble, was indeed that of Robert Braden.
William may have studied law at West Point, but this has not been confirmed. We know that sometime after December 1827, he left Loudoun Co. with his mother and younger siblings and traveled to Dayton, Ohio, where they spent the winter. They were in Dayton in March 1828. By 1830, William was in Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana with the rest of his family. An early city directory lists him as Col. William Jenners, a lawyer and a judge and an early member of the bar in Tippecanoe County. In 1832, he served as probate judge.
During late May and early June 1832, William fought in the Black Hawk War. He served as lieutenant colonel in the 62nd Regiment of the Indiana Militia. In the book, Old Lafayette 1811-1853 by Robert C. Kriebel (pg 62-63), the following unverified story was quoted from Sanford Cox regarding William: " ... Lt. Col. William Jenners. As Col. Jenners had received a military education at West Point, and Walker and Davis knew but little of the military art, they readily waived their rank in favor of the lieutenant colonel, on account of his superior military qualifications and his punctilious observance of military discipline. Scouts reported that the Indians had murdered several families on Hickory Creek in Illinois, and were advancing in force on Northwestern Indiana. Our troops were marched with all possible haste to Sugar Creek, and halted for the night. Pickets were placed out, and a strong force sent forward to reconnoiter. After Col. Jenners was satisfied that every necessary precautionary measure had been attended to, in order to make assurance doubly sure, he gave specific orders that the commissary should not issue whiskey rations unless by his special permission. Finding that there was no immediate danger, and his closely fitting military trappings causing him to feel somewhat uncomfortable, he unbelted his sword, and left it in his marquee while he went about half a mile to a farm house to get a supper of mush and milk - which was quite a favorite dish with the colonel. During his absence several fruitless attempts were made to obtain whiskey, but the commissary rigidly adhered to his orders asserting that nothing short of an order from the colonel would cause him to draw one drop of whiskey. A bright idea struck one of the thirsty ones. A man whose name was Thornton told his dry comrades that if they would bring him Col. Jenners' sword, he would put it on, impersonate the colonel in the dark, and get the whiskey.... The sword was soon brought.... Thornton was a short, heavy-set man while Jenners was a slim man of ordinary stature, and the belt of Jenners' sword did not reach.... they...narrowly escaped being court-martialed for their joke. At first, Col. Jenners determined to punish them for this rude insubordination; but... as his own delinquency had paved the way for their offense, he let them off with a sharp reprimand, ending his speech with a confused smile, and the remark: 'Hereafter, gentlemen, I will carry my own sword.'"
According to a letter from his sister, Ann, dated 15 April 1833, "William is still in a state of single blessedness and there is no prospect of his being otherwise." On 1 August 1834, Ann wrote that, "William, he is not over industrious. He is as slow as an old sitting hen." And on 23 April 1835, Ann wrote, "William is still living out the life of an Old Bachelor, often talks of marrying but takes it out in walking. He thinks strongly of going to Virginia if an opportunity offers."
William is found listed on 17 March 1837 as a founder of St. John's Church (Protestant Episcopal) in Lafayette. He was chairman of the committee to found the church and was one of the signers of the article organizing the Parish of St. John's Church. In April 1837, he was elected a trustee of the church and served as its Clerk.
Sometime in 1842 (I have not yet found the exact date nor the place), William married Magdalena Johnston, daughter of John Johnston and his wife, Susannah Bard. Magdalena was born 10 April 1803 in Duchess Co., New York. William was 44 and Magdalena was 39.
Their first child, Anna McVickar Jenners, was born 9 June 1843 in Lafayette, Indiana.
On 19 February 1846, a son, William Morduit Jenners, was born. He died 28 March 1847 of “inflammation” when he was just one year old.
Another son, Francis Johnston Jenners, was born about September 1849 in New York.
The 1850 census (taken in September) shows the family of William Jenners residing in Lafayette. The household contained the following persons: Wm M Jenners: age 49; male; Attorney; real estate value $11,650; born VA; Mag.d Jenners: age 39, female; born NY; Anna Jenners: age 7; female; born IN; attended school this year; Francis Jenners: age 1; male; born NY; and Ellen Dailey: age 18; female; born Ireland (Ellen may have been a hired girl).
On 20 October 1852, William was named treasurer of the local school board. And in 1858 he was found on the local tax lists.
The 1860 census indicates that William's family was living in Lafayette, Indiana with the following individuals: William M. Jenners, age 60, male, Attorney at law, $13,000 real estate, $5,000 personal property, born: Washington D.C.; Magdelana Jenners, age 49, female, born N.Y.; Anna M.O.V. Jenners, age 17, female, born Ind; Francis M Jenners, age 10, male, born N.Y.; Ellen Lacy, age 26, female, born IN.
William died 19 August 1863 at the residence of his nephew, Abiel Jenners Bradfield, in Lafayette. He was 64 years old. His obituary follows:
"Death of Col. W. M. Jenners. Col. W. M. Jenners, one of the oldest citizens of Lafayette, expired at the residence of his nephew, Jenners Bradfield, at 2 o'clock this afternoon. He was in his 65th year. The deceased was born in Washington City and removed at an early age to the vicinity of Leesburg, Va. He obtained an appointment as Cadet in the Military Academy at West Point where he remained two years. Subsequently he studied law and in 1829 removed to Lafayette, where he entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1832 he was appointed Probate Judge by Gov. Noble. During the Black Hawk war he served as Lieut. Col. in Davis' regiment, under Gen. Walker. He was cashier of the Lafayette Branch of the old State Bank, and subsequently served as commissioner for the surplus Revenue of the State. In politics he claimed to be conservative, and was a Breckinridge elector in the late Presidential contest. He was intensely Southern in his sympathies until the war broke out, when he declared himself uncompromisingly for the Union. He was a man of many eccentricities of character, but strictly honorable in all his business transactions and blameless in his private life, the grave will cover and conceal his faults. The funeral notice will be found in another column." And "DIED. At two o'clock this afternoon Co. Wm. M. Jenners, aged 65. The funeral will take place from the Episcopal Church at half past two o'clock to-morrow morning."
He was buried in Greenbush Cemetery (Sec 2 Lot 34 Range 3B) in Lafayette.
On 5 September 1863, William’s estate was filed in probate court. His estate was inventoried and valued at $11,351.65. A transcription of that inventory follows: "The State of Indiana Tippecanoe County- We do swear that we will honestly appraise the personal estate of William M. Jenners, deceased, that may be exhibited to us, So help us God. Subscribed & sworn to before me this 5th day of Sept. 1863
H.W. Chase, Not.Pub.
Brown Brockenbrough
Thomas G. Rainey
An Inventory of the personal estate of William M. Jenners deceased taken by Hiram W. Chase, administrator and appraised by Brown Brockenbrough and Thomas G. Rainey.
Cash on deposit in Bank of the State of Indiana $5355.75
Certificate of deposit on " " " 1288.40
Note of Martin L. Pierce & John M. Loyd Sept. 5th 1859 interest paid to June 1st 1863 500.00
Interest to Sept. 1st 1863 7.50
Two notes on A.J. Depries due Dec 24th 1863 & 1864 200.00
20 shares of Stock in the New York Central R.R.Co. 2000.00
20 shares of stock in the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. 2000.00
Total estate $11,351.65
Brown Brockenbrough
Thos G. Rainey
H.W. Chase, Adm.
The State of Indiana Tippecanoe County
Hiram W. Chase being duly sworn says that the foregoing is a true and complete inventory of all the personal estate of said decedent William M. Jenners which has come to his possession or to his knowledge in said state, subscribed & sworn to before me H.W.Chase
Sept. 5th 1863 Admin. of W.M. Jenners.
John A. Wilstack Notary Public
Wm M. Jenners Estate Inventory filed Sept 5, 1863 W. [unreadable] Clk. Taxed."
The following letter was sent to H. W. Chase, Administrator of William M. Jenners on 29 October 1863:
"Office of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, 29 William St. Cor. Exchange Place
New York, Oct 29th 1863
H.W. Chase Esquire
Lafayette - Indiana
Dear Sir, Your esteemed favor of 26th Inst came to hand this morning, in which you say, you have been appointed an administrator to the estate of Wm M. Jenners Deceased - who was at the time of his death, owner of 20 shares of the Del & Hud Canal Company and you wish to know what papers we will require from you to enable you to draw dividends or sell & transfer the stock.
If you resided in the state of New York, you would have to give us a certificate from the surrogate of the county where you reside, - surrender the certificate of the 20 shares of stock and do the business personally or by power of attorney, but as you reside out of this state, you will have to take out letters of administration before a surrogate in one of the counties of this state, or give us a Bond of indemnity, satisfactory to us, in double the amount of the value of the stock, then on the surrender of the certificate, you will be at liberty to transfer the stock & receive Dividends Very truly &c I.N. Seymour Treas."
In July 1864, Abiel Jenners Bradfield filed an inventory in Tippecanoe County, Indiana of the property of Francis J. Jenners, his ward and cousin, per Francis' share of the estate of William M. Jenners. Francis's share was estimated at $9,519.67. A transcription of the document follows:
"The State of Indiana Tippecanoe County
In the Common Pleas Court, June Term 1864.
Abiel J. Bradfield, guardian of the estate of Francis J. Jenners, minor heir of William M. Jenners, deceased, presents and files the following Inventory of the estate of said ward.
The undivided one third of eight acres of land, part of N.E. 1/4 of N.E. 1/4 Sec 22. T.23.R.4 in said county of the probable value of $106.34
The undivided one third of 40/100 acres of land east of Pifer & Spencer's Addition to Lafayette of the probable value of 1666.66
The undivided one third of Lot 70 in Original plat of Lafayette 500.00
The undivided one third of a strip of land, with store room, on lot 86 in said original plat, 19X79 feet estimated at 2333.34
The undivided one third of 160 acres of land in Sec.21.T.1.R.14 in Kansas 213.33
Cash paid guardian by H.W. Chase, administrator of W.M. Jenners, father of ward 1000.00
Estimated value of personal assets of the estate of said W.M. jenners for distribution share of said ward about 3700.00
Probable amount of property. $9519.67
Said guardian shows that the foregoing inventory is the probable amount of property of said ward and that perhaps even more will be realized for him.
Abiel J. Bradfield
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 1st July 1864.
H.W. Chase Notary Public.
A.J. Bradfield
No. 353 Guardian of Francis J. Jenner
Inventory
$16.21 bal in full
1863 Sept 8
Filed July 7, 1864
W.R. Ellis clerk
S.E.Hotchkiss
Taxed"
The estate of William M. Jenners received a receipt for taxes paid on land in Seneca, Nemaha Co., Kansas, from the county treasurer dated 9 January 1865. This seems to indicate that William owned land in Nemaha Co., Kansas.
On 29 March 1865, Hiram Chase, administrator of the estate of William M. Jenners, submitted a settlement to the court regarding the estate that included vouchers for disbursements to William's three heirs: Magdalene Jenners (widow), Anna M. Jenners (daughter) and Abiel J. Bradfield as guardian of Francis Jenners (son). That accounting follows:
"The State of Indiana Tippecanoe County
In the Common Pleas Court,
March Term 1865.
H. W. Chase, administrator of the estate of William M. Jenners, deceased, submits the following as a partial settlement:
Said administrator charges himself with the amount of the inventory on file $11,351.65
1863 Dec. 5 Interest collected on Pierce & Loyd's note 25.00
1864 June 10 " " " " " 25.00
Aug. 8 " " on U.S.Bonds purchased with afcts 100.25
Sept 20 " " " " 237.30
" " " " "balance 14.09
1865 " allowed on $2000 in admr hands 45.00
Jany 31 " collected on A.J. Dipier [?] notes 8.30
Total amt. chargeable to admr. $11,806.59
Said administrator claims credit for disbursements made on account of said estate as follows:
Voucher .1 Peckham & Smith $2.00
" .2 J.P. Sure & Co. 2.00
" .3 A.J. Bradfield 10.00
" .4 A.J. Bradfield guardian F.J. Jenners 1000.00
" .5 " " & agent, n. 32.08
" .6 First National Bank 8.75
" .7 F.W. Harvard & Bro. 4.15
" .8 Peter McCormick 3.00
" .9 Lafayette Journal Co. 1.00
" .10 Geo N. Ridgley 40.14
" .11 W.J. Roseberry 67.85
" .12 T. Baker 9.00
" .13 B.Boyle & Co. 21.05
" .14 N.S. Scudder 65.00
" .15 A.J. Bradfield guardian &c 150.00
" .16 A.J. Bradfield guardian & agent. 8.60
" .17 Magdalene Jenners 100.25
" .18 A.J. Bradfield guardian &c 85.00
" .19 Magdalene & Anna M. Jenners 1500.00
" .20 " " 2500.00
" .21 A.J. Bradfield guardian 1000.00
" .22 Magdalene Jenners 100.00
" .23 Annie M. Jenners 25.00
" .24 R.N. O'Fenale[?] 28.00
" .25 A.J. Bradfield 6.80
" .26 W.J. Roseberry 174.02
" .27 Geo. N. Ridgley 81.40
Sundry stamps, no Voucher 2.25
28 Magdalene M. Jenners, Anna M. Jenners & A. J. Bradfield guardian 4000.00 $11008.34
Balance yet to be accounted for $798.25
The administrator shows that the note of $500 on Pierce & Loyd is yet uncollected, that it is really the debt of Allen Loyd of Indianapolis who promises its payment by the 1st of June next when a full settlement can be made. All of which is respectfully submitted,
Subscribed & sworn to H.W. Chase before me March 29, 1865 Admr. John A. Wilstach Notary Public."
On 17 September 1866, A. J. Bradfield signed an agreement to sell land in Tippecanoe Co. that was part of the estate of William M. Jenners. Bradfield was the agent for Magdalene and Anna Jenners and the guardian of Frank Jenners. The document follows: "Memorandum of agreement made this 17th day of September 1866 between A.J. Bradfield of the first part and John Pfrommer and Ernest Hess of the second part. Said Bradfield, as agent for Magdalena Jenners and Anna Jenners, and as guardian of Frank Jenners has this day sold to said Pfrommer and Hess the following described real estate situate in Tippecanoe County in the State of Indiana, to wit, eight (8) acres of land part of the north east quarter of section twenty-two (22) Township Twenty Three (23 north of range four (4) west, adjoining pieces of land belonging respectively to the heirs of Wm. Barbee deceased and the heirs of A.Fry, deceased, for the sum of Eight hundred dollars, of which sum four hundred dollars is to be paid on hand on receipt of Magdalena & Anna Jenners' deed and for the balance said Pfrommer & Hess are to execute their two several promissory notes of two hundred dollars each to be secured by mortgage on said piece of land payable respectively in one and two years from date with interest from date. Five Dollars is now paid by said Pfrommer & Hess as earnest money. The deed for the shares of said Magdalena and Anna in said 8 acres is to come from them, and the deed for the share of said Frank [continued on back of first page] therein is to be applied for by the guardian to the Common Pleas Court as provided by law. In interest whereof the parties have hereto set their hands & seals & have stamped this certificate the date first above written.
A J Bradfield Agent
John Pfromer
Ernest Hess
Executed in Duplicate Attest
J.A. Wilstak
Pfrommer & Hess
To A J Bradfield guardn & agt.
no part of ct record D.R. Filed June Term 1867"
On 16 March 1868, Hiram Chase, administrator of William Jenner's estate, filed a final settlement in court in Tippecanoe Co., Indiana and swore that he had distributed all of the estate to William's heirs: Magdalene Jenners, widow; Anna Jenners, daughter; and Francis Jenners, son, (through his guardian, A.J. Bradfield). A transcription of he document follows:
"The State of Indiana Tippecanoe County In the Common Pleas Court, February Term 1868.
Hiram W. Chase, administrator of the estate of William M. Jenners, deceased, submits the following Final Settlement:
He charges himself with the amount of assets in hand at his first report $ 798.25
Interest received on note of Pierce & Loyd 50.00 $848.25
He claims credit for the following items as indicated by vouchers.
Voucher N.29. S.L.Kirkpatrick Taxes $142.56
" 30 Geo. N. Ridgley " 51.00
" 31 W.R.Eller Costs 14.75
32 A.J.Bradfield guardian F.J.Jenners 63.66
33 A.J.Bradfield 2.00
34 Strother Moon a/c 8.25
35 James Colegrin [?] costs 5.40
36 S.L.Kirkpatrick Taxes 46.99
37 Daniel Royse Costs 3.20
38 H.W. Chase, admir's charges 321.59
39 Succession [?] tax for Annie Jenners 35.70
40 " " " F.J.Jenners 35.70
41 Magdalene Jenners distribution 62.95
42 Annie Jenners " 27.25
43 A.J. Bradfield guardian of 27.25
F.J.Jenners _______ $848.25
The administrator shows that he has fully administered the estate and paid over to Magdalene Jenners the widow and Anna M. Jenners and Abiel J. Bradfield, guardian of Francis J. Jenners, who were the widow and heirs at law of decedent the full balance remaining in his hands for distribution. He asks to be discharged. H.W. Chase Admin.
Subscribed & sworn to before me March 16th 1868.
Danl Royce"
Magdalena and the two children were found on the 1870 Tippecanoe Co. census. The following individuals appear in the Jenners household: Magda Jenners, age 61, female, white, keeping house, born NY; Anna M. Jenners, age 27, female, at home, born IN; Frank J. Jenners, age 20, male, at home, born NY; Margarethe Lee, age 29, female, white, domestic servant, born Ireland.
In 1885, the family was living at 128 N. Sixth St., Lafayette.
 |
| Magdalena (Johnston) Jenners (photo courtesy of Tippecanoe County Historical Association) |
On 31 January 1892, Magdalena (Johnston) Jenners died in Lafayette. She is buried in Greenbush Cemetery.
On 9 August 1896, Francis Jenners married Florence Blair Cochrane in London, England.
William and Magdalena’s daughter, Anna, apparently never married. She died at her home, 800 Hitt St., Lafayette, on 10 March 1928, and is buried in the family plot in Greenbush Cemetery.
Francis Jenners died 29 May 1932 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven, Michigan.
The descendants of William & Magdalena are:
William Morduit Jenners, b. 9 Nov 1798, d. 19 Aug 1863 at Tippecanoe Co., IN
+Magdalena Johnston, b. 10 Apr 1803 at Duchess Co., NY, m. 1842, d. 31 Jan 1892 at Tippecanoe Co., IN
├── Anna McVickar Jenners, b. 9 Jun 1843 at Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 10 Mar 1928 at Tippecanoe Co., IN
├── William Morduit Jenners, b. 19 Feb 1846 at Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 28 Mar 1847 at Tippecanoe Co., IN
└── Francis Johnston Jenners, b. circa Sep 1849 at NY, d. 29 May 1932 at MI
+Florence Blair Cochrane, b. 1868 at Canada, m. 9 Aug 1896 at England, d. 1930
├── Dorothy Jenners, b. 24 Mar 1903 at Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 1988
│ +William L. Newbury, b. 1901, m. 1924, d. 1988
└── Emily T Jenners, b. 24 Mar 1903 at Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 24 Mar 1994
+Wendell Edward Dickerson, b. 16 Jan 1898 at IL, m. 21 Aug 1923, d. 12 Aug 1963
├── daughter Dickerson, possibly still living
└── son Dickerson, possibly still living
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