David Jenkins (1765/74) of Onslow Co, NC

I (Marty Grant) don't know how I'm related to David Jenkins, but I'm sure he is somehow closely related to my ancestor Osborne Jenkins (c1803).

David Jenkins was born ca 1765/74 (per census analysis), presumably in Onslow County, North Carolina. I base his approximate birth date on his 1800, and 1810 census entries. His 1820 entry gives an age that is incompatible with the earlier census records. In 1800 he was age 26-44 (born ca 1755/74). In 1810 he was still 26-44 (born ca 1765/84). These two combine to an approximate birth date of ca 1765/74. However, in 1820 he was listed still in the 26-44 age group, or born ca 1775/94 which doesn't work with the other two. However, it is possible that the 1810 and 1820 census records are right, and the 1800 one is wrong, so there is certainly room for error either way. However, I'm more inclined to think the 1820 census is in error due to numerous other census errors I've noted that year.

I haven't positively identified David's parents, but I think he is a son of Lewis Jenkins (c1748) for David was the administrator of Lewis's estate, though that doesn't guarantee he was his son, but it makes it seem highly likely. I have not found any other evidence to help prove (or disprove) that David is Lewis' son, but he does fit there very well.

David Jenkins would have anywhere from 12 to 21 years old by the time of the 1786 state census. There were several Jenkins listed with sons "under 21" (born 1765/86) including: Henry Jenkins, Joshua Jenkins, Lewis Jenkins, and William Jenkins. Any of these could be David's parents, though you will note that Lewis was on the list.

David Jenkins would have been about 16 to 25 years old by the time of the 1790 census, so he could be enumerated in the "under 16" age group (born 1774/90) or in the 16+ age group (born before 1774). None of the four Jenkins listed had an "extra" male aged 16 and up, but two of them had one or more apparent sons under 16, including: Joshua Jenkins and Lewis Jenkins Jr.

David Jenkins married someone before ca 1800, presumably in Onslow County. I have not found his wife's name, but census analysis shows she was born ca 1765/74. Her name might be Tabitha for her name is listed on an 1818 deed where David Jenkins and Tabitha Jenkins were witnesses to someone else's deed. That does not mean she was his wife, but it is certainly a strong possibility.

For the 1800 census, David Jenkins was listed in Onslow County. He was two houses from Daniel Jenkins. Both of their names were in a very faded section of the page, and it is hard to tell which says "Daniel" and which says "David", as these names are written very much alike. I examined them very closely and compared their names to other Davids and Daniels, and am reasonably sure I have them properly identified.

On 24 Nov 1809, David Jenkins was listed as the Administrator of the Estate of Lewis Jenkins, deceased. (Onslow County Loose Estates - Lewis Jenkins 1809, North Carolina Archives).

On 8 Jan 1810 David Jenkins, James King and David Gornto made an Administration Bond for David Jenkins to become Administrator of the estate of Lewis Jenkins (though he already was the administrator per the 1809 record above). (Onslow County Loose Estates - Lewis Jenkins 1809, North Carolina Archives).

In 1810, David Jenkins was in Onslow County not listed near any other Jenkins. He was listed between Cornelius Creed (or Creel), and John Coston.

On 29 Apr 1813, David Jenkins and Thomas Rhodes King witnessed a deed from Archibald Charlescraft to --- King. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 118, from Records of Onslow County, North Carolina, Vol II by Zae Harget Gwynn, and all subsequent deeds cited on this page are from this book).

On 8 Dec 1813, Augustine Wilson deeded 112 acres to David Jenkins, described as being part of 2 tracts on each on the south side of Blue Creek at Evans and Howards lines. Witnesses were John King and Rhoda Wilson. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 5 page 155).

On 16 Sep 1816, Davis Jenkins witnessed a deed from John Aman to Phillip Aman. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 155).

On 10 Feb 1818, David Jenkins and Asa H. Rhodes witnessed a deed from William Cox to James King. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 109).

On 6 Apr 1818, David Jenkins and Tabitha Jenkins witnessed a deed from James Aman to Archibald Aman. Who was Tabitha, was she David's wife? Of course it is also possible she was his sister, or an older daughter or daughter-in-law. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 139).

David Jenkins was listed on the 1820 census in Onslow. No other Jenkins were listed nearby. This entry for David gives ages for himself and his wife that are incompatible with my estimated birth date for him, so it is possible that this census contains some errors. There are some "extra" females with them who could be relatives, or boarders.

On 25 Aug 1823 David Jenkins witnessed a deed from John Solomon to James Aman. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 190).

On 16 Feb 1824 David Jenkins witnessed a deed from William Webb to his son John Webb. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 16 page 152).

On 12 Oct 1827 David Jenkins and several others signed a deed granting the dower rights of Rebeckah Shelfer, widow of James Shelfer. He was apparently part of the "jury" that laid off her dower. Other signers were: Abraham Koonce, Anthony H. Rhodes, Edmund H. Rhodes, Phillip Aman Sr, Everitt Simmons, Dedra Aman, Phillip Aman, John Dawson, Asa H. Rhodes and John Langley. (Onslow Co, NC Deed Book 16 page 140).

The 1827 deed mentioned above is the last record I've found for David Jenkins. He did not appear on the 1830 census, nor did I find an estate record for him nor a Will or any other record to show whether or not he died ca 1827/30 or else moved away somewhere.

I read somewhere (I think it was the Onslow County Heritage book) that he was the husband of Lavina Aman Jenkins (c1790) who did appear on the 1830 and later census records. If that is true (and I've seen no evidence to support it), then she would have to be his second wife. I'm not sure at all that Lavina was married to David, but see her page anyway for more information on her family. She did have a son named "David" among others.

There is a apparent widow named Lear Jenkins (1770/80) on the 1830 census. She certainly could be David's widow, but I don't have any direct evidence that she was.

Children

David Jenkins and his wife seemed to have only one or just a few children per the early census records. None are positively identified. The census records do not seem consistent with each other, so it is difficult to tell which of these might be their children, or might be other relatives or not related at all.

Unknown Daughter (1774/84). This probably isn't a child of David Jenkins, but she was with him for the 1800 census (age 16-25, born ca 1774/84). She was gone by 1810.

Unknown Son (1784/94). This probably isn't a child of David Jenkins, for he was not with him in 1800, but was with him in 1810 (age 16-25, born ca 1784/94). He was gone by 1820.

Unknown Son (1790/94). David Jenkins had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1800 (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), and still home in 1810 (age 16-25, born ca 1784/94), and still home in 1820 (age 26-44, born ca 1775/94).

I don't know who this was, for no one matching his age appeared on the 1830, 1840 or 1850 census in Onslow.

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). This probably isn't a child of David Jenkins, for she was not with him in 1810, but was with him in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10).

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. David¹ Jenkins , born 1765/74 in Onslow Co, NC; died aft 1827 in Onslow Co, NC, son of Lewis Jenkins and (---) ? .