Abel Jenkins, Sr.

Abel Jenkins, Sr., son of Jonathon Jenkins, Sr. and his wife Margaret, was born about 1779, probably in Virginia.  He came to Mercer County, Kentucky with his parents sometime prior to 1790.

Abel Jenkins appears on the tax rolls of Mercer County, Kentucky in 1800 and remains through 1808  On March 25, 1805, in Garrard County, Kentucky, Abel married Elizabeth Tracy, born about 1789 in Culpeper County, Virginia, the daughter of George Tracey, Sr. and his wife Cealey. The family first appears on census in Shelby County, Kentucky in 1810 with three males under the age of ten years.  On October 4, 1810, Abel purchased 100 acres of land located on Brashear Creek. This land is reflected on the 1811-1817 Shelby County tax rolls.  However, on March 22, 1817, Abel sells his 100 acres on Brashear Creek in Shelby County returns to Mercer County, Kentucky, where he remains until the early 1830's. The Abel Jenkins family is listed on census there in 1820 and 1830.  By 1833 Abel Jenkins has moved his family to the Bridgeport area of Franklin County.  On September 6, 1833, Able Jenkins purchases 260 acres on Benson Creek from Nathaniel Richardson, where he remains until his death.  The exact date and burial place of Abel Jenkins, Sr. is not known. However, a deed in Franklin County, between the heirs of Abel Jenkins to Nicholas Green places his death sometime prior to January 16, 1849.

Children of Abel Jenkins, Sr. and Elizabeth Tracy

Morgan Jenkins, was born about 1808 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  In Franklin County, Kentucky on July 3, 1834, Morgan married Janette "Jane" Edwards, daughter of Benjamin Edwards.  They became the parents of seven known children; Rebecca, born about 1835, Elizabeth "Mollie", born about 1837, Martha J. born about 1839, Margaret born about 1839, Maria, born about 1841, James, born about 1845 and Benjamin Jenkins, born about 1848.  The family appears on the 1850 census, for Shelby County, Kentucky.

John Jenkins, was born August 15, 1810 in Shelby County, Kentucky and died on April 9, 1891 in Franklin County, Kentucky.  John married on October 29, 1832 in Franklin County, Kentucky to Eliza Parrent. Eliza Parrent Jenkins died on June 23, 1868 and is buried beside her husband in the Jenkins Family Graveyard at Bridgeport.  John and Eliza were the parents of nine children; Martha A., John W. Mary E, Margaret D., Drucilla, Davideller, Rosalina, Susan H. and Alexander Jenkins.

Stephen Jenkins, was born August 11, 1812 in Shelby County, Kentucky. He married Mary Bailey, daughter of Shelah Bailey and his wife Mary Church, on September 2, 1837 in Franklin County.  Stephen died on April 17, 1881 and Mary on July 15, 1888.  They raised a large family of five boys and six girls.

Abel Jenkins, Jr., was born January 4, 1815 in Shelby County, Kentucky. Abel married in Shelby County, Kentucky on June 3, 1847 to Susan Scott Samples. Their known children are; George W., Sarah L., John and Ella M. Jenkins and a unnamed infant born and died 1848.  Susan Jenkins died March 1, 1890 and is buried in the Graefenburg Cemetery in Shelby County just a few miles from the Franklin County line. Abel died on March 16, 1894 and is buried beside his wife.

Thomas Jenkins, was born about 1819 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  He married Martha Anderson Miller, daughter of Aaron Miller and Mary "Polly" Zook, in Franklin County, Kentucky on November 21, 1844. They were the parents of seven known children.  Thomas and Martha migrated west and and died in Fremont, Iowa,

Mary Jenkins, was born September 27, 1820 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  She married, James C. Blythe on February 23, 1847 in Franklin County, Kentucky. They were the parents of seven known children. James died in 1864 and is buried in the Graefenburg Cemetery.  When Mary died on March 2, 1872, she was buried beside her husband. Other members of this family are also buried at Graefenburg.

William Jenkins, was born about 1822 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  He married Anna Scroggins on February 19, 1839 in Franklin County.  He and his family were living in Anderson County, Kentucky in 1850 and are listed on the census records in that county.  By 1860 the family had migrated to Lafayette County, Missouri.

Julia Ann Jenkins, was born February 10, 1824 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  She married in Shelby County, Kentucky on December 28, 1843 to George Washington Sacra/Sacre.

Ephraim Jenkins, was born about 1826 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  Ephraim was listed on the 1850 Shelby County, Kentucky census living in the household of the R. J. Baker family.  On September 25, 1851 in Shelby County, Kentucky, Ephraim married Margaret Baker.  The family is listed on the 1860 census for Anderson County, Kentucky with three children. Ephraim's occupation is listed as a hotel keeper.  

Martha Jenkins, was born about 1827 in Mercer County, Kentucky.  She married Williams Lowens in Franklin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1846.  William and Martha Lowens are listed on the 1850 Anderson County, Kentucky census with one daughter, Mary E. born about 1848. Nothing further is known.

Sources:

Anderson County, Kentucky census records
Franklin County, Kentucky census records
Shelby County, Kentucky census records
Franklin County, Kentucky Marriage Bonds
Shelby County, Kentucky Marriage Records
Church and Family Graveyards of Franklin County, Kentucky, by KY Genealogical Society, 1976
Cemeteries in Shelby County, Kentucky, by Shelby County Historical Society, 1979
Jenkins Surname files, Kentucky Historical Society

Information submitted by, Anne H. Lee
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