Ann D. Jenners was born 18 April 1813 at Hamilton Farm in
Loudoun Co., Virginia. She was the
youngest child of Abiel Jenners and his wife, Deborah Young. The family usually called her “Nancy.” I have never seen her middle name; I suspect
it is either “Deborah” for her mother or “DeNeale” for her aunt, Ann (Young)
DeNeale, wife of James DeNeale. Since
her sister, Mary Dulin Jenners, was named for another aunt, Mary (Young) Dulin,
wife of John Dulin, I think Nancy’s middle name is probably, DeNeale. But this is a guess.
By 1822, Nancy and her parents and siblings were living near
Waterford, Virginia, on a farm formerly owned by William Wright. In September 1824, Nancy’s father, Abiel,
died; Nancy was 11 years old.
In the fall of 1828 when Nancy was 15, her mother and siblings
left Loudoun Co., Virginia and traveled to Dayton, Ohio where they spent the
winter. In the spring of 1829, they
traveled to Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, and settled there.
Nancy’s story is built largely from a collection of old
letters that she wrote to her friend, Elizabeth Wright Braden, who lived in
Loudoun Co., Virginia. It is interesting
that the family in Indiana had Nancy’s old letters to Elizabeth but not
Elizabeth’s letters to Nancy. It seems
likely that at some point the letters written by Elizabeth were given to one of
her descendants (possibly her daughter, Bettie Hixon) and Nancy’s letters were
given to a family member in Indiana (probably her sister, Mary Braden). See my post about these letters (as well as this update) for more
information.
On 14 August 1829, Nancy wrote the following letter to her
friend in Waterford, Elizabeth W. Braden.
Nancy was just 16 years old.
"favoured by
Mr. B. Miss
Elizabeth W. Braden Waterford Loudon
Co. Virginia
LaFayette Indiana August 14, 1829
My dear Elizabeth
Think not you are forgotten on account
of my not writing to you long ere this but absence and time have not in the
least obliterated you from my memory and you will pardon me I know when I tell
you I have the work to do for all the family such as cooking milking ironing
scouring and sometimes washing. I often
think of the hours I spent in Waterford visiting and now I never go out in the
week unless on business and have never spent an afternoon from home since I
have been here. We have all had some
sickness since we have been here but checked it in time. it is very sickly in town now, there has been
7 deaths [unreadable] since we come here which gives the place a bad name to
strangers. Do persuade your mother come
[sic] here and live and we will all be happy.
my only companion in town is sick at present and I expect she will leave
me shortly to be married. she is a very pretty girl by the name of Charlotte
Capp. We stayed at Dayton last winter
and I found too [sic] girls there whom I love tenderly and intend writing to
them shortly they are both Baptists and
the [best?] preacher I ever heard in my life was a little Baptist in Dayton
named David Burnet not 20 years of age and very handsome. there were a number Baptized last winter the ice had to be broken for them. dear Elizabeth let me console you on the
death of your sisters for I feel assured they are gone happy I
should be glad you would send me some small token of remembrance of theirs
particularly Sarah. I have no news worth
relating at present only that brother David’s shop caught fire last knight
[sic] but he did not sustain much injury.
there are a number of weddings here
one sometime ago there was a paddy stuck up for them on the adjoining
house and as they were going to the home Bunying [?] there was one stuck up on
the side of the road. oh you may depend this
is a taring [sic] place there are all
sorts here. We see a great many Indians
here some with nothing but a short calico shirt on & some dressed elegantly
with feathers on their caps and handsome white cloaks on trimmed with fur. they have all gone now to they [sic] payment
near Fort Wayne where they will receive money for their land. We have a very flourishing Sunday School here
with not [less than?] [11? 92?] scholars and the town is not much larger than
Waterford. I am one of the
teachers. Mr. Braden expects to start in
1 or 2 weeks for Loudon [sic] and you or some of the family must be sure and
come out with him. I must now conclude
by asking you to give my love to your Dear mother whose kindness I will never
forget and all your family tell Addison
here is a very fine place for young men of all professions and trades oh how comes he and Ann on when you see her tell her I am going to write
to her shortly and some more of my friends in Leesburg. give my love to her and tell her to present
my respects to all the Leesburg Boys and love to all the girls or young
ladies tell S. Phillips I have not forgotten my
promise to her but shall shortly fulfil [sic] it give my best to all Mr. Harrisses [sic] but I
must not mention names for they will fill up all my letter Give my love to all my friends and
acquaintenances [sic] in Loudon [sic], not forgetting aunt La[torn]'s
family tell them I [?] was at
Cincinnatti [sic] last winter and the first man he met was G.W. H. and W hardly
knew him he had grown so much the others
were all well. oh E do come out with
your Brother for nothing on earth would give me so much pleasure if Mr. Braden goes in the year 30 or 31 I
shall come with him. I have nothing more
to say at present but peruse my bad written letter and receive it from one of
the sincere friends you have on earth is the request of your most affectionate
friend.
Ann
D. Jenners [crossed out] A D J
P.S. [unreadable?] Moses is quite well
but very loansome [sic] as there are no girls here. Give my love to [ellen?] and aunt hannah and
all the black people.”
In this letter, Nancy mentions Elizabeth’s
sisters that had recently died (Sarah Braden and Mary Eleanor Dulaney); Nancy’s
brother, David, who was working as a blacksmith; Mr. Braden is Burr Braden,
Nancy’s brother-in-law and Elizabeth’s brother; Addison, who is another brother
of Elizabeth and Burr. There are several
others that I have not yet identified, but I did do a quick search for the
preacher, David Burnet. And Nancy’s
friend, Charlotte Capp, is probably the Charlotte S. Capp (1812-1885) who
married Samuel Taylor in Lafayette, Indiana on 10 February 1831; she is buried
in Greenbush Cemetery in Lafayette.
Nancy wrote to Elizabeth Braden again
on 21 January 1830. The letter follows:
"Miss Elizabeth W. Braden Waterford, Loudon [sic] County, Virginia
La Fayette January 21, 1830
My dear and highly esteemed friend
I know not in what manner to employ
this cold and snowy day more pleasantly than addressing you my dear Elizabeth,
and although one side of me is nearly freesing [sic] still I am thinking of
Loudon [sic] and my Dear friends there.
oh what for a Christmas and New Years did you spend. I had quite a lively Christmas and New Years. We had a large party at Colonel Johnsons,
which is the third large party Ive [sic] been at here. We have had an extremely wet winter until
about four weeks ago it has been dry and
very cold. the river has been high for
some time, and we have had steam boats which I went all over and was very much
gratified with them. Mr. Braden intends
moveing [sic] in the country in the spring.
Mary is almost worn out with her little babe, which is still very poorly
and does not think weighs more than six pounds, it does not sleep any bearelly
[sic] at night oh E. you ought to come
out here and see this fine country and the pretty beaus for there are a plenty
of them for you and every one that will come.
there are a great many weddings here
I have been to but 2, I enjoyed myself very much I am much better pleased with the place than
when I wrote you last. I was very much
obliged to you for the handkerchief you sent me and also the patterns which
have been greatly laughted [sic] at. do
excuse this bad writing for I am really ashamed of it. We have a very large singing school here and
preaching almost every Sabbath give my
love to all my friends in Loudon [sic].
I heard A Glen dernon [?sic] was at school in Washington. when you see her give my love to her and tell
her she must write to me. when you see
M.E. Cordelle tell her the same. tell A.
Edwards I did not think she could have subjected me to so great a
disappointment as she did by not answering my letter, which I cannot forgive
her for. Miss Sarah M. Phillips I was
highly gratified with her letter and present
tell E.J. Harris the same and they must both write to me. give my love to everybody all the young beaus give my respects to the
Leesburg gentlemen and ladies as I presume you are acquainted with some of
them. I must now conclude as time nor
opportunity will not admit of my longer addressing you, by wishing you and all
friends a happy new Year and peace and plenty in this toilesome [sic] world and
may we change it for a better when life shall end.
now forgive all mistakes and receive
it from one of the most sincere friends you have on earth which is
Ann
D. Jenners
Shew [sic] it to no person for the
sake of your A.D.J.
To E. W. Braden"
The “Mr. Braden” in the above letter is
the husband of Nancy’s sister, Mary, and their “little babe” was their
daughter, Elizabeth Virginia who died in May 1830 at about 1 year old.
On 24 April 1831, Nancy wrote to her
friend, Elizabeth, again. The letter
mentions the recent death of Elizabeth's mother and indicates that Elizabeth is
living with the Phillips family (probably the Thomas Phillips who bought the
Waterford Mill after Elizabeth's father, Robert, died) and that she is in
Waterford, Virginia. Ann writes:
"addressed to: Miss Elizabeth W. Braden Waterford Loudon Cty Virginia
return address: Lafayette, Ind.
LaFayette April 24, 1831
My Dear Elizabeth
I received your letter a short time
ago and was very much pleased to hear from you, but was extremely sorry to hear
of your dear mother’s death, oh Elizabeth you have lost an inestimable friend,
one who can never be replaced, but I hope and believe she is happy; my health
has not been atal [sic] good since I had the fever last fall. I have had the chills occasionally every
since. when I received your two last
letters I was very sick in bed, both times but the thought of receiving a
letter from Virginia cheered my spirits so much that I got better immediately
- Ma has had an attack of the Chills
lately but is getting better. Burr, Mary
and little Hector Saurin are all very healthy, her boy grows fairly, can sit
alone. Sally is very sick and also
Eugenia. Jenners is very healthy. Martin is engaged in the fur trade. William has gone to Logansport to attend
court. David has been married about 4
months to a very amiable girl, they live very happy. Saurin is living here with us and is working
at the Cabinet making business Alba has
been working for Burr for some time.
there has not been fewer than 20 weddings in town last winter and this
spring. I could have been married
several times if I had of been willing but I would have nothing to do with
it. do you remember Mr Hamilton that
boarded at your house and worked for Noble, he comes here and annoys me almost
to death I dislike him very much. he
bears very little love for you.
We have four days presbetry [?] here
at this time I have not been to church
yet it has been with difficulty Ma could
keep me from going, on account of the Chills.
we have preaching here every Sabbath.
this is the sicklyest [sic] place I have ever seen in the world &
there have been a great many deaths here this winter both young and old.
When you receive this do not wait so
long to answer it but write immediately for anything atal [sic] that happens in
Loudon [sic]will be amusing to me, write me about each and every member of your
family, and not only them but all my acquaintances give my love to all my friends I love all my
acquaintances there so well [?]
From the tenor of your letter I
suppose you are living at Mr. Phillipses.
do give my love to all the family.
tell Thomas Alba is still looking
for him. Saurin and David will likely to
come in next fall and oh E if Burr will come in will you come out with him and
spend a few months with us. tell Dear
Sarah if I had as much time to write as she has I would write very often. tell Ann Edwards if she has forgotten I wrote
to her a year or two ago. my best love
to Mr [?Har]rises family. Ellin [sic] in
particular tell her to be sure and write.
my best love to Aunt Lydias family.
ask Miss Pleasant if she received my letter tell her to answer it.
it is Sabbath evening and very late
and my paper has give out therefore my best love to you and and [sic] every
body else I still remain your
affectionate and much esteemed friend
perhaps the next time I write my name may be changed Nancy D Jenners"
The above newsy letter mentions most
of Nancy’s family in Lafayette, her siblings and in-laws, and nieces and
nephews: Burr and Mary, and Hector Saurin Braden; her sister, Sally Bradfield
and Sally’s children, Eugenia and Jenners; her brothers, Martin, William,
David, Saurin, and Alba; and her mother, Deborah Jenners.
In September 1831, Nancy and her
mother, Deborah, were at Burr and Mary Braden’s home in Clinton Co., Indiana
and were planning to spend the winter there.
On 6 June 1832, Nancy wrote the
following letter to Elizabeth Braden:
"La Fayette June 6, 1832
My esteemed friend
As I received a long looked for letter
from you a short time ago, I will answer it and not be so neglectful as you
have been about answering mine, but I certainly excuse you for if we cannot
forgive those we love, I do not know what we will do with those we dislike.
Oh Elizabeth if you knew how much
pleasure it gives me to receive a letter from you or any of my friends in
Virginia, you would write more frequent, for here I am without one intimate
associate, in the place, or one with whom I can enjoy myself, our dear little
Eugenia was a great source of amusement and pleasure to us all, but she too is
gone, she has drooped and died. Like one
of the most beautiful of May roses, she died the 18 of May within 3 days of
being 5 years old. She was a beautiful
child and one of the most sensible children I ever knew. Sally is in great distress about it and the
Dr. also, he is it is thought in a very low state of the consumption, sister is
also in very bad health, Mary and Burr are both very well. I think their family will be increased before
long from appearances. Hector is very
well and can talk considerable. I have
been out there this spring and staid six weeks.
Mary wrote me that Hector has been calling Aunt Nan ever since Ma is out there, she is in tolerable good
health. William and David have both been
to fight the Sioux Indians which have broken out against us. I have been frightened almost to death about
it. David has returned for his wife soon
promises an increase of family. William
has gone on to Chicago, and my little friend is with him both of whom I am
anxiously looking for back. I expect
they will be home this week. I expected
he would have been to see you this last winter, when he went on to Philadelphia
for goods, but in consequence of bad weather and high water he declined going to
Washington. I am in great hopes that you
will not go to Florida but in that case even if you do you must be sure and
come by here. It will be nothing more
than a pleasant journey. Alba is working
at the cabinet making Curios[?] and is quite a beaux, he has grown to be
remarkably tall. Little Jenners is very
well and is very sick and quite a smart boy.
Mr John Hamilton is not married nor I don't believe ever will be unless
I marry him and I think that is rather doubtful??? There are a great many weddings here. A man thinks nothing of marrying his sister
in law in 3 months after the death of his wife.
It has been done in two instances within 3 months, and in one case a man
married in 6 weeks from the day his wifes death. There have been several deaths in the
neighborhood lately but few in town I
believe I have given you all the news of our city and again I say come and see
us. If I had time money and company not
many weeks would I be from Virginia.
Give my love to Saurin when you see him.
I should like very much to have you for a sister in law but I suppose
you think yourself too good for Saurin but excuse me for [unreadable] do not
think any such thing. You must present
my best wishes to all the young married folks, give my best love to Sall[?]
Phillips tell her I had hoped she thought enough of me to have answered my
letter by this time. Give my love to E.J. Harris tell her I intend writing to her Give my love to A.E. Edwards, & E M
Potter, RL Walker, M.O. Hough, Aunt Amy,
Mrs Phillips , and Addison R[?] Harris
and every body else I know You must
answer this letter immediately and tell me all the news of your country. I forgot to tell you for I do not know
whether I ever told you before or not that Old Moses died the 15 of May
1831 You must excuse this bad writing
and accept it from one who will never cease[?] to love you give my love to all the Leesburg folks. I remain your affectionate -- Ann
D. Jenners”
In August of 1832, Nancy’s sister,
Mary Braden, gave birth to a son that died.
Nancy went to Clinton Co. to stay with Mary at their farm and helped
nurse Mary back to health. Then in
September 1832, Nancy went back to Lafayette to help her sister, Sally, who had
also given birth in August to a baby that died.
On 20 January 1833, Nancy wrote to
Elizabeth. This letter is very difficult
to read, so please forgive all the question marks an notes about unreadable
words. Ann wrote,
"to: Miss Elizabeth W Braden Waterford, Loudoun Virginia
postmarked: Jan 24, IN
LaFayette, January 20, 1833
Sabbath Morning
Much esteemed but far distant friend -
As you did not answer my last letter I
will write you believing that you did not receive it for I cannot believe that
you would subject me to such painful feelings as to think my letters not worth
answering. I should have written to you
some time since had it not been for the afflictions in our family. I believe I told you of the death of Little
Eugenia who died the 7th [?] of last May.
She was within two days of being five years old. We were all very [2 unreadable words] with
her; Dr. Bradfield went into [unreadable] last February and gradually
[unreadable] until the 22 of last September when he died. Sally, Mary and David's wife all had sons in
August. Sally's only lived one day,
Mary's one week, and Maria's is still living; it is a fine hearty child. I staid [sic] and nursed Mary until she got
well and came here the 8 of September and Sally has been sick almost ever since
and [unreadable] the time one had to sit up with her. I was almost crazy to go with Mr.
Braden. I am very anxious to
[unreadable] He has given to her a fine son who loves his pappa and Grandma
better than any body else. I came from
there they were all well last week. William
has just returned from Indianappolis [sic].
He has been there all winter. We
have not heard from Saurin for a long time, the last we heard of him he was in
Cincinnati and was going to the South.
Ma is almost crazy about him. Mr
Dulaney was with him. While William was in
Indianappolis [sic] he saw Hannibal Stevens.
He does not live far from there.
[unreadable] we heard from [unreadable] Dulaney last [?] time ago he was
living in York on the river. He sent us
word he was coming up to see us. We were
all truly sorry to hear of the deaths of Fenton and Flavius. Oh Elizabeth is it possible we shall never
see each other again repulsive [?] thought.
I will banish it far from my mind but I cannot for it again comes to my
mind that we have parted to meet no more this side of the grave, alas while
[unreadable] what a crowd of melancholy reflections pray on my mind. You see how I am making mistakes and the only
excuse I am capable of making is that I have been unusually depressed and
afraid of a presentiment of something that is going to happen to one of my
friends or my self - what it is I know not but it is something. The town is very lively at this time. There have been a great many weddings in town
also parties, and Sleigh riding.
[unreadable] a lady here had her arm broke last Monday [unreadable]
riding the sleigh upset. They all
escaped unhurt except her. Alba has been
working at the Cabinet Making business for some time. There was Presbyterian sacrament in town to
day but I have stayed at home for the purpose of writing to you. I hardly ever miss a Sabbath going to
meeting, therefore if you do not answer this I shall think I am entirely
forgotten by you. Give my best love to
SMP tell her she must answer my
letter I wrote to her and you by Saurin. My love to Aunt Lydia's girls, RJW, ME Shawen
E. T. Harris and Francis Ann EE, the Miss Relsts [?] ME Cordella, A
Hendersons, and my respects to J A Braden, T. Phillips, R Harris, A
Henderson J Wilson and Rodney
Braden. My best love to Delila Caroline
And Elinor. I had almost forgotten
S.E.M. Potter when you see her give my love to her and tell her I have been
looking for a year for that long letter of hers but fear I shall never see it,
present my compliments to R. and E Rust, your brother Noble, your uncle John,
Mr Phillips, Mr Harris, Mrs Phillips, Aunt Amy and all inquiring friends. Well now Elizabeth I have written you a long
long letter and you must be sure and answer it immediately and tell me all
about my old School mates both in Waterford and in Leesburg farewell
forget me not but remember me as you affectionate friend Ann Jenners"
Hannibal Stevens was the son of John
Brewis Stevens and his wife, Sarah. John
Brewis was Elizabeth (Stevens) Braden’s brother. So Hannibal was Elizabeth W. Braden’s first cousin
on her mother’s side. Fenton was William
Fenton Braden, Elizabeth’s brother, who died in Florida on 1 June 1832. Flavius was the son of Dr. Joseph Braden
(brother of Elizabeth’s father, Robert Braden) and so, another first cousin of
Elizabeth’s; he died 13 October 1832 of cholera on a boat traveling on the Ohio
River. The “Mr. Dulaney” mentioned in
the letter was Zachariah Dulaney, husband of Elizabeth’s deceased sister, Mary
Eleanor.
The next letter from Nancy to
Elizabeth was written on 15 April 1833, just a few days before Nancy’s 20th
birthday.
"La Fayette April 15, [unreadable] D. 1833
My Dear and far distant friend
You cannot conceive how delighted I
was to receive a letter from you some time since and I should have answered it
long ere this but I think I have a sufficient apology to offer as there has
been no papers here for sale for some time past. ([unreadable]) gave me three sheets the other
day, therefore I intend sending one to you, one to Sarah and the other to
Dayton to Susan E Gorney. we are all
well at this time. I have been living
with Sally since the Dr's death. We live
very happy and have no family but Jenners and our selves. We were out at Mr Braden's a few days
ago they were all well little Hector is as smart a child as I ever
saw he loves his Pappa better than he
does his mother Saurine came home
nearly 3 months ago he looks better than
I ever saw him in my life has gone to
work at his trade and is very industrious.
I was truly pleased to see him for I feared he had fallen a victim to
the Cholera. he was here a few days ago
and I told him I was going to write to you
he requested me to give his best love to you Sally is at this time 55 miles from here
visiting, consequently I and Jenners are left alone; she is very fleshy weighs 128 lbs and I 125
therefore you see I have grown considerably since I came to the Wabash. Mary's health is very delicate. I have sometimes a pain in my breast I have endeavored to fill up this letter with
some nonsense some stories and some ugly writing, but show it to no person but
Sarah and excuse all the mistakes of this scrawl from the hand of your affectionate Ann
There have been a great many weddings
here this winter. you will very
naturally inquire then why I am not married.
I will tell you candidly that it has not been for the want of
opportunity, but I have been waiting for you to come out and see me married and
wait on me and you cannot imagine what a joy thrilled through me when I came to
that part of your letter in which you expressed a wish to come to the
west. well now Elizabeth it is a hard
country for families to live in, but one thing I can say it is the most
pleasant place I ever lived at in my life. we have quite a large society here
both male and female oh my Dear E do
come out here among the Hoosieroons as we are called. there is another fear here of the Indians or
of the Negroes and I will agree [?]
reflect that you must come to the west come and live with us and if you
will not live with us then come and visit us.
One of our young Merchants who went to Philadelphia last Winter a year
ago started with the intention of coming by Washington but was prevented. but if he had of done so he would have gone
to Alexandria to have seen you. he is a
Kentuckey [sic] and very handsome and tolerable well off and if you are as
handsome as Saurin says you are I think you would have been very apt to come out with him. I have just finished making over a new
dress. It fits me very neat. E I should be very glad if you would work me
some lace and send me as you have more leisure than I have. forgive me for making such a request. The young Kentuckyan was here last knight
[sic] after I finished this letter and promised me seriously that next winter
he will come and see you and if you are agreed he will marry you and bring you
out, therefore do not leave Waterford I
have no more room but again immediately write you. tell Sarah I have not yet [unreadable] not
here and [unreadable] When you write,
you must let me know if you ever hear from Uncle J Dulin's family; Burr was delighted to hear your uncle was
coming out he [the Kentuckyan?]
noticed [?] this letter and from my description of you his hand trembled so he
could scarcely write his name: William Floyd Reynolds
We frequently ride in the country on
horse back and in carriages. Dr
Bradfield had a gig and two fine horses and I often drove out 8 or 10
miles. yesterday there was a large
number of us went in the Stage to the Country to attend Presbyterian
Sacramental Meeting. the house was so
crowded we did not get in. William is
still in a state of single blessedness and there is no prospect of his being
otherwise. Alba has learned the Cabinet Making business. I have a very handsome beau just come in from
Dayton and you must not be surprised now if you hear of ----- but say nothing
about it when you write as I let Burr see all your letters he is very young therefore I will have to
wait until he is of age but yet he is older than I am. Dear Elizabeth you have the advantage in
writing to me for I have nothing to write about that concerns you here, but
when you write to me I know all those whom you write about therefore a letter
from you is more interesting to me than one from me to you is. then if you are as long answering this letter
as you were the other one I shall not pardon you. now mind and write often.
Give my love to all my
acquaintances as I have not room to
[unreadable] them and keep a large share of it yourself as it is growing late
and paper is scarce I must conclude by saying farewell my dear forget me not
but remember your affectionate A.D. Jenners
My pen is bad my ink is pale
My love to you shall never fail
if you marry you must invite me to
your wedding
If I had the ready I would travel back
to Virginia to see all of my acquaintances
[several unreadable words] and if you
are agreed he will marry you and bring you out [unreadable] Waterford I have no more room but again immediately
wrote you tell Sarah I have not yet
answered that long letter from her but intend writing to her. Alba, love to Thomas
I suspect the William Floyd Reynolds (“The
Kentuckian”) is the William F. Reynolds, early settler of Lafayette, who died
in July 1880 and is buried in Springvale Cemetery in Lafayette. He was a store owner and later affiliated
with the railroads. He was very
well-to-do when he died.
On 17 November 1833, Ann again wrote to Elizabeth: That letter follows:
"Miss Elizabeth W. Braden Waterford
Loudoun County VA
postmarked: Winchester, VA Jan 1
[written on outside of envelope] I
introduce to your acquaintance D. Singleton of Winchester, Virginia ADJ
Sabbath Evening
Oak Lands, November 17, 1833
My Dear Elizabeth
As I have an opportunity of writing to
you my dear friend I will improve [?] it with pleasure I was truly delighted to receive your letter
two or three weeks since and will not delay answering as long as you did mine. I was much pleased to see Add and was much
displeased with him for not bringing you with him he is in much better health now than when he
first [several unreadable words] of us has already killed two fine Deers, takes
much pleasure in hunting him and I are
going to La Fayette this week where he has not yet been, I received three letters from there to day,
one from Miss Jackson, one from Sis Sally, & one from Reynolds You were very much mistaken in what you
inferred from my letter with regards to Mr. R. for be assured nothing of the
kind has ever passed between us & I can assure you never will, but he fully
intends visiting you in Dec or January, but Addison tells me the stage does not
stop in Waterford all knight [sic] therefore I fear he will not have the pleasure
of staying with you any length of time.
believe me when I tell you he is much pleased with you, but let things
be as they may I still hope to see you
in our Hoosier State. I think you will
be much pleased with it.
suffer me to introduce to your
acquaintance the same Dr Singleton of whom I last wrote you he has over and often invited me to
accompany him to Va this winter nothing
would afford me more pleasure if it was a person whom I loved but as that is
not the case I have declined going. he
is a very noble generous-hearted young man
I wish you to treat him politely for my sake as I respect him very
much introduce him to the girls of your
Village. I intended writing to S E M
Potter R Walker & Mrs Abbot by him
but he has determined to start sooner than he expected, I wrote a long letter to S M Phillips by John
Bradfield and have not as yet received an answer therefore I shall not write to
her. give my double & twisted love
to them all with the rest of my acquaintances
All of our family are well at this time
Mary's children grow finely
Hector has had the chills Ma is
better my health has been very good for
some time past Burr is very well and
looks like the other Hoosiers. Saurin
& Dr Mac[unreadable] have just left here,
Dr S & Mr White are still here.
Mr White talks of going to Va this winter if so perhaps I will accompany him. he is an old sober sided Bachelor and not
very handsome at that, Burr Addison and
myself took dinner with Dr S. & Mr White last Sabbath they keep a bachelors hall This Country has been more sickly this fall
than usual although there have been but few deaths. Sally looks well and is more lively than you
ever saw her. Jenners has grown very
much is quite a pretty boy. Davids wife
is again in the good old way. Burr and
Add did [not] know each other for some time but I should have known him any
where in the World, he says R Harris
sent his love to me, give my best love to him and tell him I expected to have
seen him long ere this in Indiana. My
respects to F W P H my best love to Aunt
Amy Mrs Phillips & Sarah tell her to write to me soon, my love to A E Edwards and all friends. Addison has been telling me of some
[unreadable] sweet heart he has in Va, but will not tell her name you must let me know so that I can plague him,
as he teases me intolerably [?]. I
believe I have given you a hasty summary of the news of our country (which is
indeed very little) neither is it well done but these folks have been talking
so much [unreadable] what I have been writing, I practice writing so little
that I am aware I make many mistakes but I feel confident you will [unreadable]
the writing and spelling as well as all other deficiencies. the family all join with me in sending their
love to you and all our friends in Loudoun,
Write soon very soon and I will be punctual in answering your letter,
accept this from your friend Ann"
The “FWPH” that Nancy mentions is
Fleming Wilson Patterson Hixon, Elizabeth’s future husband.
As a post script to a letter to
Elizabeth written by her brother, Addison, on 18 November 1833, Nancy wrote:
“Elizabeth
Enclosed I send you a pair of
Moccasin [unreadable] the soles of which
I have worn out. I should have sent them
all together but had no opportunity. you
may wear them around the tops of your Booties & if not just keep them for
my sake, had I of [sic] been in
LaFayette perhaps I would have found something worth sending they were made by an Indian squaw I have seen some which were indeed
beautiful. Add told me after I had
written last evening that R.H. said he was coming to the west for me, tell him to come along & I will be sure
to go adieu write soon
from your friend Ann Jenners"
On 1 April 1834, Ann wrote,
"La Fayette, April 1st, 1834
My Dear Elizabeth,
With pleasure I embrace the present
opportunity of writing to you, my dear friend, though I must confess I am felt
rather disappointed at not receiving an answer to either of my last letters,
the first by Dr. Singleton, the other by Mr. Reynolds, at times I fear I am
forgotten by my far distant E. with whom I was once so intimate, but then my
better judgment prevails and tells me no! no! it is not so for time nor
distance can never change the heart.
Well now for the news.
I was at Burr's a few days since. Ma was very sick, the others were well
excepting the baby which is not very healthy although it looks so. I think Addison looks better than when he
came out. Our town is quite healthy, few
deaths & fewer weddings. I am not
married neither am I engaged but know not how soon I may be either. Reynolds has just arrived, I have not spoken
to him yet. I understood this evening he
had seen you, are you pleasant with him? for I understand he is much pleased with
you. I have very little news to
communicate which will be interesting therefore my letter will be short. A. told me you were living at the Ferry with
N. & Mary Ann. I think you must be
more pleasantly situated than when at Mr. Phillipses I have no idea but that they were kind to you
but with a brothers house is like
home. present respects and good wishes
to Mary Ann & Noble, also to Margaret & Olivia Rust. Addison talks of going to [unreadable] for
you this fall. Oh! what a pleasure would
it afford me if I could see you and talk of old times & Old Virginia.
You will receive this by the hand of
Mr. William G. White [?] a neighbor of Mr. Bradens. He is a very amiable young man and as much
respected as any man in the county. He
has frequently invited me to accompany him but I am not prepared to go (with
him at least). This is Court Week and
there is a great many strangers in town.
Some very distinguished gentlemen, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and a
number more. A number of Steam Boats
have arrived with merchandise for this and the neighboring towns.
You will excuse this hasty
scrawl. It is quite late & I've been
such a [unreadable] all day. I have just
heard there is a letter for me in the office.
I hope it is from you. If so I shall
instantly forgive you for the past.
Write soon and give me all the news of your county. Your letters will always be acceptable to
your affectionate
Ann
D. Jenners
I have just time to acknowledge the
reception of a letter from you by Mr. Reynolds, and was truly pleased to find
that I am not entirely forgotten. I have
also been to the Post Office & received one from Mr. R [several unreadable
words] it has been lying in the Office for some time. I am sorry I did not get it sooner. I will write again at some length
shortly. Answer this. Excuse all
mistakes. I have a new beaux, a young
widower, very handsome, but not a word of this for the world!!!
Your
friend until death respects to your Mr.
F. A.D.J. [?]"
The next letter is dated 1 August
1834.
“La Fayette, August 1, 1834
My dear, Elizabeth why have you this
long neglected me? Have I in any way
offended you? or what is more likely, I
am forgotten by my early friends, the play mates of my childhood, if this is the case, let me tell you as for
myself neither time or distance can ever obliterate you all from my heart, for
I can say with the Past (and feel it true[?]) While [unreadable] is
[unreadable] and lifes business play,
Friendships are formed that never
decay. (excuse me for this quotation I believe
it is the first) the day I received your letter by Mr Reynolds I wrote quite a
lengthy answer by Mr White, who went to Harpers Ferry for the purpose of seeing
you, but oh! what a pity you were in Alexandria & had not the pleasure of
seeing you. he was very much
disappointed. he is going to Va this
fall for a Wife so he will not Marry a Hoosier girl (as we are called).
shame Mr. Reynolds & myself were out
at Burrs last Saturday week, Addison was not so well as usual but looks so much
better than when he came out you would never[?] know him. he is very lively, gets considerable
practice the people are generally
pleased with him. Mr R was much pleased
with you, as well as Mary Ann says if
you think of coming to the west do come as Miss Braden. turn
over
he is one of the most amiable young
men I have ever known we have adopted
each other as Brother & Sister, but here let me tell you we will never be
married. I would let you know something
about my intentions with regards Matrimony but you have always kept so still on
that subject I think best not to touch it.
our dear Mothers health is very feeble
I greatly fear she will not long be with us this is to me a dreadful thought for a Mother
is certainly dearer to a Daughter than any other Person on earth. Sister Sarah is quite sick I am waiting on her; her health is very
delicate she is quite a flashy widow. My brothers are all well, & more
industrious & economical men I never saw.
Oh I forgot William he is not
over industrious. he is as slow[?] as an
old sitting hen. Burr is well but looks
ten years older than when in Virginia
Mary is in bad health, her little boys grow finely the youngest is one of the handsomest
children I have ever seen. David has a
son & daughter, the girl, named Deborah Ann after Ma & I. Our town has been quite healthy until within
a few days. there have been several
cases, but no deaths this summer. we
have neither had deaths or weddings, but is thought there will be several
weddings shortly. come out you may be at
some of them. Our election is just
over. the Andr Jacksons have triumphed
for once; the Jacksonians are down in the mouth about it to use a vulgar
expression. our town & country are
improving rapidly. there are almost as
many fashionable ladies here as in Leesburg.
for instance, the Mr. Lantz [?] wives send to [unreadable] Philadelphia
& New York for their drapes Bonnets capes &c. they have them made there in the height of
fashion. I sent in this spring Bonnet
earrings breast pin & dress, but this is not for the sake of bragging, but
merely to let you know that we are not [unreadable] civilized here as the
eastern people think us I believe I have given you the news of our
little village or at least that will in any way interest you. I promised to leave room for Mr B to write a
NB therefore I must conclude by wishing you health, happiness &
prosperity. you must be sure to answer
this immediately on the receipt of it or I shall not write again. give my love to Mary Ann, Noble & all
inquiring friends as I cannot particularize them; excuse all mistakes and
accept this from your affectionate
Ann
Jenners
Miss Elizabeth W Braden
Harpers
Ferry Va
P.S.
Mr B declines writing says he was jesting or at least cannot take thirty
to do so. I feel sorry for it. Ann D Jenners."
In a letter dated 30
August 1834, from Joseph Addison Braden to his sister, Elizabeth W. Braden,
Addison wrote, "Nancy, I suspect, will soon be married to a Mr. Jennings
of town, a worthy fellow."
On 30 December 1834, Ann
D. Jenners married Peter S. Jennings at the home of her brother, David, in
Lafayette. She was 21 years old.
Peter S. Jennings was
born in Dayton, Ohio about 1813. His parents were Henry Jennings and Sarah Smith. His
parents moved to Lafayette and he joined them there about 1832.
On 15 February 1835, Ann wrote from Dayton,
Ohio:
"Dayton
February 15, 1835
My Dear Elizabeth
Supposing from your long &
continued silence I am forgotten by you, who for some time called me friend, I
will venture to write once more, and if this meets the same fate of my three
last, I am determined, I shall never trouble you again for if it afforded you
any pleasure you would certainly wish to gratify me in the same way. I have not received a line from you since
last Spring, by Mr. R. I was pleased to
hear of your marriage, accept my best wishes for your health, happiness &
prosperity. Present the same to Mr. F
[unreadable]. I am truly sorry he did
not conclude to come to the Wabash. Will
you not yet come and visit us perhaps.
Your will be comfortably situated shortly and [unreadable] then how
happy should I be to see you. I was very
near visiting you this winter. Nothing
prevented [unreadable] a will on my part.
Can you believe that I would excuse visiting VA when an opportunity
presented itself? This is the fact I was
married the 30 of December (to P. S. Jennings a native of Ohio). We had a small wedding at my brother David's
house. I must not express my feelings as
you have experienced the same, but suffice it to say they were painful [?] in
the extreme. That day two weeks we left
for Ohio, I with a slight intention of visiting Va and the District but the
weather was so cold and the roads so bad I could get no further than this place
where three of Mr. J's sisters are living.
He has gone to Philadelphia for goods and wished me very much to go to
Washington. He has been absent three
weeks, & I shall look for him shortly.
We expect to take the canal here and go to Cincinnati, then take Steam
Boat to Louisville and thence to Lafayette where we expect to settle for Life.
Our friends were all well when we left.
Came to Burrs to [unreadable] the day we left. Mother's health is very Poor, more so than I
have ever known it. Mary's little boys
grow finely [?]. Bob is a beauty. This place has improved very much since I
lived here. I have been in some house
splendidly furnished, heard several Pianos, & received visits from a number
of the first Ladies [unreadable] Your
acquaintance, Mr. Reynolds, waited on Mr. Jennings when we were married. He is well and wished me very much to go on
to [unreadable]. I expect I shall repent
not going. Our country has been very
healthy and is improving rapidly, the society becoming quite refined. This Sabbath day, there is a dispension [?]
or I should be out at meeting, as the Church bells have been ringing all over
town. There is a splendid Episcopal
Church here, where they have a very fine organ, which with the Choir makes the
best musick [sic] I have ever heard. I
believe I have given you all the news I know of at this time. I know I have made many mistakes but the
child here has made such a noise I could not write with any comfort to myself
or interest to you. I hope you will
pardon all mistakes, for I never had a worse pen in my life. Will you answer this? If so direct to Lafayette for I expect to be
there in a short time. Give my love to
all my old friends. I have not time to
particularize them. May we never forget
each other but may your happiness be such as that of your friends at this
time Ann D. Jennings"
On 23 April 1835, Nancy wrote: (addressed to: Mrs. E. W.
Hixon Harpers Ferry Virginia, postmarked: Lafayette, IN May 4)
"LaFayette April 23 1835
My much beloved friend
You cannot imagine how delighted I was
to receive your kind letter, one year having elapsed since the reception of
your last, which was April 1834. I was
afraid I was entirely forgotten by my dearest friend in the Old Virginia [?]
the thought of which would have been truly painful to me. Mr. Jennings returned to Dayton from
Philadelphia in March. I will not try to
describe my feelings during his absence & on his return. If you have been separated from Mr. Hixon six
weeks, and your [sic] living among strangers you know something of my many
unhappy moments. We left Dayton the 16th
of March and arrived at Mr. Braden's the 22nd after a very tedious [?]
journey. I suffered considerable with
the sick head ache We then came to town
& resided at brother David's 4 weeks before we commenced housekeeping. One week I have been in my own house, and a
happier one I never knew. It is far
preferable to boarding in either hotel [?] or private house for I have tried
both. I hope you may soon commence, for
I know you will be pleased with it. [unreadable] family is small I do all my
work (except washing), have a good house, as well as many of the [several
unreadable words] comforts of life.
& besides I have one of the best husbands who is willing to assist
me about everything particularly milking ([unreadable] he is but [?] a Yankee)
as it is said they are good at pailing [? two unreadable words] Your brothers are well, Add was in and spent
a week this month, we expect him tomorrow, Burr has an occasional chill though
is quite well, Mary is poorly. The
children grow quick. Mary has learned
Hector until he can spell in five letters.
Bob is a [unreadable]. Mother's
[?] health is very poor. She was at the
point of death during my absence. We
expect her in shortly to expire this summer.
Mary is also coming in to spend a month so she can get a housekeeper. I sent your letter to A. to read. He often talks of going to Texas this
summer. If so Saurine will accompany
him. William is still living out the
life of an Old Bachelor, often talks of marrying but takes it out in walking
[?]. [unreadable] thinks strongly of
going to Virginia if an opportunity offers.
Saurine & Alva are working at the millwright [?] A's health is not good. Our town is in a very prosperous condition,
intends to have a mail [?] and rail road both as soon as they can be made. [unreadable] wants to have one running for
some time which makes the place quite lively. the spring has been backward,
which looks odd I've made some garden but nothing grows in consequence of the
Cold, we are so far north. John
Bradfield's wife died today, thus it seems our little colony from Va are
dropping off one by one. She was
perfectly sensible to the last, was willing to die although she has left 4 [?]
little children one only two months old, Annie & the old lady enjoys
tolerable health, now what a charge is left on her hands. Well now dear Elizabeth, how do you like the
married life & would you be willing to be again Miss Braden? Write soon and tell me all about this &
how you like house keeping. Mr. Reynolds
sent us a set of China and a bottle of Champagne wine the day we married. We have had various presents which we found
very [unreadable] Mr. J is doing quite
well in his business. he is a member of
the Presbyterian Church & I believe enjoys religion in consequence of which
he is ever cheerful. he is very
[unreadable] (being only a few days [unreadable]) he is not here but I know wishes to be
remembered to you, and thanks you for expressing the wish that he should call
and see you. Perhaps some future day he
will. I believe I have told you all that
can interest you. in Conclusion present
my best respects to your F.H. tell him
to be kind to [unreadable]. My respects
to Mr. Rust's family, also SEMP & all inquiring friends be not slow in answering this but remember
me as ever your affectionate friend Ann
D. Jennings"
About 1836, Nancy and Peter’s first
child was born, a daughter they named Mary Virginia. Nancy was 23 years old.
On 20 August 1837, Nancy wrote the last letter we have
of hers. It reads:
"Lafayette, August 20, 1837 Dear Elizabeth
Feeling
anxious to revive a correspondence which has ceased for the two last years,
owing on my part to increased cares, I embrace the present opportunity of
writing to the dear friend of my youth, with emotions difficult to describe,
when I reflect upon the many pleasant hours we have spent together, during
childhood both at home & school, I am compelled to acknowledge they were my
Golden days.
I
cannot but hope we will meet again & have our former friendship renewed,
dare I look forward to so much happiness or is it an illusion of the brain, I
trust not. I wish much to visit the
grave of my beloved Father, and the scene of my early days, as well as my old
friends, for I have found but few here I love so well. If life & health be spared, Mr. Jennings
& myself, you may expect a visit from us this time next season.
I
must now give you the history and health of our family as that is all with
which I can reasonably expect to interest you, as you have no acquaintance
here, & that is the reason your letters are so much more interesting to me
than mine are to you because you can mention no name or place but what is
familiar to me. I know if I had the
opportunity you have I would write frequently.
Ma
has been seriously ill but is now better, so much so Saurine took her out to
Burr's last week by putting a bed in the Carriage. She stood the ride quite well, she is very
infirm.
William
is still living without a helpmate. I
believe thinks (if possible) less of marrying than ever. His health is very good. Sally is keeping house. She enjoys much better health than formerly. Jenners is quite a large boy. David and family are well except his youngest
child which has the Scrofula very bad.
They have three children.
Mr.
Braden & Mary are still farming.
They do not enjoy good health though Mary looks better than for several
years. Their children grow finely. Hector has been staying with Ma & Sally
some time. He is very industrious, and
Ma has learned him to read quite well.
Robert is a fine looking boy.
Their little Girl is very homely.
They have the prettiest babe in the country, call him William. I have been there but twice since I've been
housekeeping going on three years. You
will conclude I am very domestic.
Saurine has been out on the Mississippi speculating in land and town
lots. It is thought his prospect is fair
for making money. Alba is at the
Millright business, but intends going west with Saurine. Burr talks of going with them.
I
forgot to tell you that Mr. Reynolds is well and that his father and mother
have moved here with their family. She
is a dear old lady.
Last
& least you will expect me to say something of myself and family. Mr. Jennings is very well. Our little girl
grows very fast she talks quite
plain is a great deal of comfort for us,
I believe she is older than yours by some months. My (unreadable word) is very poor. I do not think I weigh a hundred pounds, hard
work has nearly killed me. It is almost
impossible to hire & when we do we have the most of the work to do
ourselves. We have built a very
Comfortable house with five rooms, one hall & porch, so you may know I have
considerable cleaning to do besides my cooking and sewing. This is the cause of my not writing more
frequently for when I work so hard through the week after church on Sabbath I
generally go to sleep (unreadable word).
I
must tell you the prosperity of our town it is improving more rapidly this
season than it ever has. The canal is
not yet completed but the Irish are at work.
We are soon to have a rail road which will increase the business. There are a great many good buildings going
up now. We have a fine bank house just
being completed. Can you & your
husband & little one come out with Hector this fall. Oh how delighted would I be to see you and
have at our house, for I have one of the very best husbands who would be truly
glad to see you and yours. I am very
sorry my paper is so short.
I
would write more if my paper would permit but I must bring to a close. Now do write soon and tell me of all my
friends not leaving out one and let us be more sociable in future. My best love to all inquiring friends and
take a double portion to yourself from your affectionate
Ann
D. Jennings."
In October 1838, Nancy’s friend,
Elizabeth Wright (Braden) Hixon, died. I
suspect she learned of Elizabeth’s death, probably from her brother-in-law,
Burr Braden (Elizabeth’s brother), but we have no documentation to prove that.
About 1839, Nancy and Peter had a son,
Henry F. Jennings. And in September
1840, another son, James, was born.
On 14 May 1842, Nancy’s mother,
Deborah, died in Lafayette.
In February 1844, a son, William Meredith
Jennings, was born.
In early March 1844, their son, James,
died of “putrid sore throat.” He was 3 ½
years old. He was buried March 2 in the Lafayette City Graveyard (now part of Greenbush Cemetery).
On 5 March 1844, Ann D. (Jenners)
Jennings died. She was 30 years
old. She had given birth in February and
then had gotten sick with the same illness that killed their son, James. She and her son, James, were buried in
the Lafayette City Graveyard (now part of Greenbush Cemetery) (Sec. 2, Lot 27, Range 3).
At some time in 1880, the remains of Nancy and James were moved to Spring Vale Cemetery to the family plot that includes Peter, his other wives, and some of
his children; I have not yet found any details to explain this move. I suspect that whoever did it just wanted the
whole family together. This plot in Spring Vale is owned by Peter's third wife, Sarah, and is next to the plot containing Sarah's brother, William, and his family.
When Nancy died, she left a newborn
son, William Meredith, and the two older children, Mary Virginia (8 years old),
and Henry (5 years old).
On 6 March 1844, Nancy’s brother, Saurin, wrote to their
sister, Mary, informing her of Nancy’s death.
The handwriting is very difficult to read. The letter is addressed to Mrs. Mary Braden,
Jefferson, Indiana Clinton County and
postmarked Lafayette, IN. It reads:
"Lafayette, Mar 6th, 1844
Well Mary
Nancy is dead. Died 20 past 2 [unreadable] last night. Poor woman, her anxiety to live was very[?]
great. She used every extreme, prepared
many thanks [?]. Though much extended
[?] her condition. The suffering was
awfull [sic]. Poor Woman. Poor woman.
She wanted to live - live for them, her husband, her children, to [?bring]
up that infant Boy. That is all the joy
I have about it. Why did you go
there. I told you how violent the virus
was in its progress. You should have
remained till next day. You would have
seen the [unreadable] the way you left, such was the [unreadable]. We thought yesterday in the morning, it being
the new day she would revive[?] as she appeared better the night before. I expected any breath would be her last. But it was only a ray of sunshine that was
obscured by clouds as the evening wore away.
She flattered herself yesterday she would live, was perfectly sensible
until the Dr gave her opium which produced a stupor from which it was difficult
to rouse her. It seems that the hand of
fate is hovering over the once happy but now bereaved family of P.
Jennings. Jenners has a sore
throat. His Dr says he has the
fever. Lorah is unwell. Mrs Reynolds is got the same complaint in her
neck, is dangerous, no other cases [?].
How and why it singled out the family of Jennings as its victims is the
most astonishing thing to me.
[unreadable] is the one ray of comfort while the crowded [?] that live
huddled together in the filthy parts of the town live unharmed [?]. It must and will ever remain shadowed in
mystery to me. You won't have been sent
far. But it was [unreadable] Brother and
you to Cincinnati and you would not come in.
Again Mary I must repeat you should have remained. In future let every thing give way to making
all connections or pecuniary considerations.
That I have done a brothers part and duty to her and that boy, that love
more than I [unreadable] any object, my heart bears witness to. I will do the same o'er and o'er again. When a Brother, Sister, niece or Nephew is
sick I bear [?] it for our Mother. May I
am born healthy to enable me to assist.
Your
Brother
Saurin
Jenners"
An obituary was published in The Tippecanoe Journal on 14 March 1844, page 2, column 7.
Note that both this obituary and Nancy's tombstone say she died March 7, 1844. Since Saurin's letter is dated March 6, I suspect March 7 is not the correct death date. I checked the original burial records for the Lafayette Graveyard (Thanks, L.A.!) and discovered that she was buried March 7, so my death date of March 5 is probably the correct one.
After Nancy died, her widowed sister,
Sally Bradfield, went to live with Peter Jennings to help him with his young
children. Sally died in October
1846.
On 17 December 1846, Peter Jennings
remarried to Jane P. Brooke in Lafayette.
In 1849 Peter and Jane had a son, Francis B. Jennings.
In 1849 Peter and Jane had a son, Francis B. Jennings.
On 10 January 1855, Peter filed a
guardian’s report in Tippecanoe Co. for his children, Mary Virginia, Henry, and
William Meredith.
On 17 May 1855, Peter and Jane’s son,
Arthur W. Jennings, was born. But on 5
September 1855, Peter’s second wife, Jane, died of consumption, leaving a four
month old baby Arthur.
Six months later, on 31 March 1856,
Peter married again. His third wife was
Sarah C. Comstock.
In March 1857, Sarah and Peter’s
daughter, Alice S. Jennings was born.
Peter also had another son, George L. Jennings, but I do not yet have a birth date for him. I think he is a son of Jane, born between Francis and Arthur, but can't be certain. I have not had much luck tracing George so far.
Peter also had another son, George L. Jennings, but I do not yet have a birth date for him. I think he is a son of Jane, born between Francis and Arthur, but can't be certain. I have not had much luck tracing George so far.
On 30 January 1858, Peter Jennings
died of consumption in Lafayette. He was
45 years old.
He was buried first in Greenbush
Cemetery, but eventually was moved to Spring Vale Cemetery and is now in the family
plot there.
Most of the Jenners and Braden family members mentioned in Nancy's letters have blog bio posts written about them. I have not created links to all of them. Check for their bios in the menu along the right side of the page.
I have started researching the Jennings children. Please see this post for those biographies.
I have started researching the Jennings children. Please see this post for those biographies.
So far, each line from Peter's children has ended without currently living descendants. I have not discovered what happened to George, so that line might present possibilities. It is possible that Janet Johnstone had descendants, though she does not seem to have married, so I suspect not.
Known descendants of Peter S. Jennings:
Known descendants of Peter S. Jennings:
Peter S. Jennings, b. circa 1813 at Dayton, OH, d. 30 Jan 1858 at Lafayette,
Tippecanoe Co., IN, bur. at Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
+Ann D. Jenners, b. 18 Apr 1813 at
Hamilton Farm, Loudoun Co., VA, m. 30 Dec 1834 at the home of her brother,
David Jenners,, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 5 Mar 1844 at Lafayette,
Tippecanoe Co., IN, bur. 7 Mar 1844 at Lafayette City Graveyard (now Greenbush
Cemetery), Sec 2, Lot 27, Range 3, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
├── Mary Virginia Jennings, b. circa 14 Oct 1835 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 23 Feb 1861 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN,
bur. 24 Feb 1861 at Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
│
+Robert B Carnahan, b. 11 Jan 1835, m. 13 Jan
1859 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 12 Mar 1861 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe
Co., IN, bur. at Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
├── Henry F. Jennings, b. circa Oct 1839 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 13 May 1911 at Stanislas or San Diego, CA,
bur. at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA
│
+Julia F Roll, b. 15 Feb 1846 at IN, m.
22 Dec 1863 at Marion Co., IN, d. 30 Nov 1918 at Cook Co., IL, bur. at La Belle
Cemetery, Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co., WI
│
└── Virginia K Jennings, b. 14 Mar 1879 at
Chicago, IL, d. 15 Aug 1961 at Chicago, Cook Co., IL, bur. at Oak Woods
Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., IL
│ +Albion Lambert Headburg, b. 15 Aug 1864 at Attica, Fountain Co., IN, m. 10 Sep 1902, d. 31
Jan 1934 at Chicago, Cook Co., IL, bur. at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Cook
Co., IL
│ └── Virgine Headburg, b. 2 Sep 1907 at Chicago, Cook Co., IL, d. 12 Apr 1979, bur. at
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles County, CA
│ +Robert B. Johnstone, b. circa 1907, m. circa 1929
│ └── Janet W Johnstone, b. 3 Feb 1930 at Cook Co., IL, d. 7 Aug 1990 at Los Angeles, CA
│ +Joe Halsey Yount, b. 17 Jun 1907 at Bridgeport, OK, m. 17 Mar 1940 at Altadena, Los
Angeles County, CA, d. 23 Jun 1954 at Los Angeles County, CA, bur. at Forest
Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles County, CA
├── James Jennings, b. circa 10 Sep 1840 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. circa 1 Mar 1844 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe
Co., IN, bur. 2 Mar 1844 at Old Lafayette City Graveyard (now Greenbush
Cemetery), Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
└── William J Meredith, b. 14 Oct 1843 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 4 Nov 1923 at Stauton Twp., Miami Co., OH,
bur. 6 Nov 1923 at Riverside Cemetery, Troy, Miami Co., OH
+Louise Coles, b. 1844, m. 23 Jan 1873
at Miami Co., OH, d. 1905, bur. at Riverside Cemetery, Troy, Miami Co., OH
└── John Coles Meredith, b. 28 Sep 1873 at Troy,
Miami Co., OH, d. 15 Jan 1940 at Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH, bur. 17 Jan 1940
at Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, OH
+Minnie E Snypp, b. 2 Oct 1872 at
Springfield, OH, m. before Sep 1918, d. 24 Aug 1953 at Miami Valley Hospital,
Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH, bur. 27 Aug 1953 at Ferncliff Cemetery,
Springfield, OH
+Jane P. Brooke, b. circa 1812 at MD, d. 5
Sep 1855 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, bur. 8 Dec 1875 at Greenbush
Cemetery to Springvale Cemetery, Lot 171, Sec 22, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
├── Francis B. Jennings, b. circa 1849 at IN, d.
19 May 1925 at Dayton State Hospital, Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH, bur. 21 May
1925 at Spring Vale Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
│
+Mary C. Wooley, m. 14 Jan 1869 at
Tippecanoe Co, IN
├── George L. Jennings
│
+Anna D. Evans, b. circa 1847 at Dayton,
OH, m. 17 Apr 1879 at Tippecanoe Co, IN, d. 19 Apr 1881 at Lafayette,
Tippecanoe Co., IN, bur. Apr 1881 at Springvale Cemetery, Lot 171, Sec 22,
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
│
├── Anna D. Jennings, b. 16 Apr 1881 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 17 Apr 1881 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN,
bur. Apr 1881 at Springvale Cemetery, Lot 171, Sec 22, Lafayette, Tippecanoe
Co., IN
│
└── William Jennings, b. 16 Apr 1881 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 16 Apr 1881 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN,
bur. circa 1881 at Jennings family plot, Springvale Cemetery, Lafayette,
Tippecanoe Co., IN
└── Arthur W. Jennings, b. 17 May 1855 at
Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, d. 3 May 1880 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN,
bur. circa May 1880 at Springvale Cemetery, Lot 171, Sec 22, Lafayette,
Tippecanoe Co., IN
+Sarah C. Comstock, b. 10 May 1823 at
Hartford, CT, d. 11 Jul 1876 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, bur. circa Jul
1876 at Springvale Cemetery, Lot 171, Sec. 22, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
└── Alice Louise Jennings, b. circa Mar 1857 at
Lafayette, IN, d. 10 May 1858 at Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN, bur. at
Greenbush Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., IN
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