Sarah Jenney

Note: 8/11/14 A descendant of Sarah's is going to take a trip to England and try to find information on her origins. Margaret (C)

Sarah Carey Jenney (1590 - 1655), parentage unknown, was born 1590 at Monk Soham, Suffolk, England. She died at the age of 65 at Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. She married John Jenney on 1 November 1614 in Leiden, the Netherlands.

Origins

It is likely that instead of Sarah coming from a Prominent Cary family, she had more humble origins. The upper-class Carys did not live in small rural farming communities such as Monk Sohan and did not marry below their stations. She likely left town with her exiled church group and went to the Netherlands where she found work and met John. If from a prominent family she wouldn't have worked as a maid.

The betrothal and marriage of John Jenney and Sarah Carey is recorded in the records of the City of Leiden: "Jene, Jehan of Norwich in England, Brewer’s mate, living in Rotterdam (Zuid-Holland), acc[ompanied] by Rogier Wilson his acq[aintance] betr[othed] 5 Sept. 1614, mar[ried] 1 Nov. 1614 to Sara Kaire of Monksoon in England, acc[ompanied] by Johanna Leyns her acq[aintance]".

Arriving on the Little James

"About ten days after the arrival of the ship called the Ann, above named, there came in another small ship of about forty-four tons, named the James, Mr. Bridges being master therof; which said ship the Ann had lost at sea by reason of foul weather; she was a fine new vessel, built to stay in the country. One of the principal passengers that came in her was Mr. John Jenny, who was a godly, though otherwise a plain man, yet singular for publicness of spirit, setting himself to seek and promote the common good of the plantation of new Plimouth; who spent not only his part of his ship (being part owner thereof) in the general concernment of the plantation, but also afterwards was always a leading man in promoting the general interest of this colony. He lived many years in new England, and fell asleep in the Lord, anno 1644."

In a letter written in September of 1623 by a visitor to the Plymouth Plantation, Emmanuel Altham: "After our arrival in New England, we found all our plantation in good health, and neither man, woman or child sick. And here, likewise, we found the other ship set forth by the Company, who came from Portsmouth six days after us, and arrived here at New England ten days before, with all her people wel - as we with our people did the like. and yet one good wife Jennings was brought abed of a son aboard our ship and was very well."

The 1623 Land Division

The 1623 division of land marked the end of the Pilgrims’ earliest system of land held in common by all. Governor Bradford explains it this way :

"And so assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number, for that end, only for the present use (but made no division for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth under some family. This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression."

John Jenney: A 1626 "Purchaser"

In 1621, King James I authorized the Council for New England to plant and govern land in this area. This Council granted the Peirce Patent, confirming the Pilgrims' settlement and governance of Plymouth. Peirce and his associates, the merchant adventurers, were allotted 100 acres for each settler the Company transported. The Pilgrims had a contract with the Company stating all land and profits would accrue to the Company for 7 years at which time the assets would be divided among the shareholders. Most of the Pilgrims held some stock. The Pilgrims negotiated a more favorable contract with the Company in 1626. In 1627, 53 Plymouth freemen, known as "The Purchasers," agreed to buy out the Company over a period of years.

Jenney had also been involved in the negotiations with the Merchant Adventurers that led to the more favorable contract. From Governor Bradford’s Letter Book : "This next year being Anno. 1626, we sent Mr. Allerton into England, partly to make some supply for us, and to see if he could make any reasonable composition with the adventurers and because we well knew that nothing can be done without money, we gave him an order to procure some, binding ourselves to make payment thereof, as followeth :

"Know all men by these presents, that whereas we William Bradford, Governour of Plymouth in New England, and William Brewster, Capt. Miles Standish, Isaac Allerton, Samuel Fuller, Edward Winslow, John Jeney, John Howland, and John Allden; being all inhabitants of Plymouth, aforesaid, are for ourselves, and divers others, our associates, &c. and whereas the said Isaac Allerton (by God’s providence) for the necessary occasions of the colony abovesaid, is bound for England; and whereas divers of us above named, have acquainted divers of our worthy and approved friends (by our letters) with our raw and weak estate, and want of ability of ourselves, to manage so great an action, as the upholding of the plantation aforesaid."

"If therefore God shall move the heart or hearts of any of our friends, in compassion of our wants and present straits, to lend us above named, the sum of one hundred pounds sterling, for the space of two years, upon any such terms as shall be agreed upon, between him or them and the said Isaac Allerton, our partner and agent, and deliver the same into his hands for our use; that we, the said William Bradford, William Brewster, &c. together with the said Isaac Allerton, do bind ourselves, our heirs, &c. jointly and severally, for the faithful performance of such obligations, conditions, or covenants, as shall be agreed on, &c. In witness whereof, we have put to our hands and seals, this 2d of July, Anno 1626, &c.

"Upon this order, he got two hundred pounds, but it was at thirty in the hundred interest, by which appears in what straits we were; and yet this was upon better terms than the goods which were sent us the year before, being at forty-five per cent, so that it was God’s marvellous providence, that we were ever able to wade through things, as will better appear if God give me life and opportunity to handle them more particularly, in another treatise more at large, as I desire and purpose (if God permit) with many other things, in a better order."

The 1627 Division of Cattle

Plymouth Colony Records, Deeds, &c., Vol. I 1627-1651 tells of the 1627 division of cattle:

"At a publicque court held the 22th of May it was concluded by the whole Companie, that the cattell wch were the Companies, to wit, the Cowes and the Goates should be equally devided to all the psonts of the same company … & so the lotts fell as followeth, thirteene psonts being portioned to one lot…

"The twelveth lott fell to John Jene & his companie joyned to him.

2) his wife Sarah Jene

3) Samuell Jene

4) Abigall Jene

5) Sara Jene

6) Robert Hickes

7) Margret Hickes

8) Samuell Hickes

9) Ephraim Hickes

10) Lidya Hickes

11) Phebe Hickes

12) Stephen Deane

13) Edward Banges."

A Freeman of Plymouth

"The Names of the Freemen of the Incorporacion of Plymoth in New England, An: 1633. Edward Wynslow, Govr, Capt Myles Standish, William Bradford, John Howland, John Alden, John Done, Stephen Hopkins, William Gilson, Isaack Allerton, Thomas Prence, Raph Smith, WEilliam Brewster, Samuell Fuller, senior, John Jenny…" Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 3

Jenney in Plymouth Records

• 25 March 1633 : "According to an order in Court held the 2d of January, in the seaventh yeare of the raigne of or soveraigne lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scot., France, & Irel., defendor of the faith, &c, the psons heere under menconed were rated for publike use by the Govr, Mr Will Bradford, Capt Myles Standish, Joh: Alden, Joh: Howland, John Done, Stephen Hopkins, Will Gilson, Sam Fuller Senior, John Genny, Godbert Godbertson, & Jonathan Brewster, to be brought in by each pso as they are heere under written, rated in corne at vi s p bushel, at or before the last of November next ensuing, to such place as shall be heereafter appointed to receiue the same. And for default heereof, the value to be doubled, & accordingly leavied by the publick offer for yt end
• 25 July 1633 : "John Smith hath covenanted to serve John Jenny the full terme of seaven yeares, after the manner of an apprentise, beginning the 24 of June, this prnt yeare; at thexspiracion whereof, the sd John Jenny to give him twelve bushels of Indian corne, & twenty-five acres of land." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 16.
• 1 January 1633-4 : "At the same court, Tho. Higgens, having lived an extravagant life, was placed wth John Jenny for eight yeares, to serve him as an apprentise, during wch time the said John competently to provide for him, & at thend thereof to give him double appell, 12 bushels of corne, & 20 acres of land." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 21.
• 6 January 1633-4 : "Sam Jenny, the sonne of John Jenny, by the consent of the said John, hath bound himselfe apprentise to Kanelm Wynslow, of Plymouth, joyner, for the full terme of fowr yeares, during wch time the said Samuell shall doe faithfull service, as becometh an apprentise, to the said Kanelm." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 24.
• 26 March 1634 : "According to an order in Court held the 2d of January, in the ninth yeare of the raigne of our sov. lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scotl., Fr., & Irel., defendr of the faith, &c, the psons heere under mencioned were rated for publick use by the Govr & Mr Tho. Prence, Mr Will Bradford, Capt Myles Standish, Joh: Howland, Stephen Hopkins, John Done, Will Gilson, Will Collier, Joh. Jenny, Robert Heekes, Jonathan Brewster, Kenelm WYnslow, & Stephen Deane, to be brought in by each pson as they are heerunder written, rated in corne at vi s p bushel, at or before the last of Novbr next ensuing, to such place as shall be heereafter appointed to receiue the same; and for default heereof, the value to be doubled, & accordingly levied by the publick offer for that end. Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 27.
• 1 October 1634 : "Apoynted for laying out of highwayes … For Plimouth, John Jeney, Fra: Cooke, Manaseh Kempton, Ed. Bangs, Nicolas Snow, John Winsloe, James Hurst. Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 31.
• 5 January 1634 : "Twenty-seven pound of bever, being 25 skinnes, whereof 14 wer greate ones, & the rest small ones, wer atached & delivered unto John Jeney, for the use of Mr Isaak Alerton or his asignes." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 33.
• 5 January 1635-6 : "At this Court was chosen to assite ye Gover & Counsell, to sett shuch rates on goods to be sould, & labourers for their hire, as should be meete & juste, - John Done, John Winslow, Manasah Kemton, Kenelme Winslow, John Jeney, John Browne, John Barnes." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 36.
• 1 March 1635-6 : "That Mr. John Done, John Jenny, Manasseh Kempton, Josuah Prat, John WInslow, Edw: Bangs, & Stephen Tracy be added to the Govr & Assistants, for the ceasing of men for the publick charge of this prnt yeare." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 38.
• 2 March 1635-6 : "At the same Court, a jury of twelve being impaniled and charged, in the moneth of Febr. foregoing, to enquire after the death of Jhn Deacon, in the behalfe of our soveraigne lord, the King, gaue in their verdict as followeth, in their owne words, under their hands, vizt : - "Having searched the dead body, we finde not any blowes or wounds, or any other bodily hurt. We finde that bodily weakenes, caused by long fasting & wearines, by going to & fro, wth the extream cold of the season, were the causes of his death.

"Their names were John Jenny, John Cooke, Will Basset, Joseph Rogers, William Hoskins, Thomas Cushman, George Partridge, Stephen Tracy, Abraham Peirce, Richard Cluffe, Tho. Clarke, Phineas Pratt."

Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 39.

• 14 March 1635-6 : "At a Generall Meeting the 14th of March, concerning the Hey Grownds for Plymoth & Duxburrough… "That John Jenny (and Edw. Holman wth him, for a cow & calfe) have the grownds fro Joh. Wynslow downeward to Mr Allertons howse, or the creeke there…

At this meeting, after much conference about the neerer uniting of Plymoth & those on Duxburrough side, divers were apointed to view Jones his river & Mortons Hole, wch were thought the fittest place, & to render a reason for their judgement. The pties for Duxburrow side were Mr William Collier, Stephen Tracy, Mr John. Howland, Edm. Chandler, Josuah Pratt; for the other side, Capt Myles Standish, Manasseh Kempton, George Kenrick, John Jenny, & Edward Bangs. all these but Edw. Bangs went & conferred together, and on the 21th of the sd moneth of March brought in their opinions & rendred their reasons for the same, wch are many & still extant; seaven of the said nine holding Jones River to be the fittest place for the uniting of both pties into a neerer society, & there to build a meeting howse & towne; and the two preferred the other, wch is Mortons Hole, before Jones River." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 40-41.

• 1635 : "Ano 1635. "Memorand that Mr John Jeney sould unto Georg Watson, the dwelling house & garden with all ye appurtenances therunto belonging, which was sometimes Richard Maistersons, for the sume of .23.li by him then payed to ye said John Jeney; to have and to hold for him and his heires for ever." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 51.
• 3 January 1636 : "It is ordered by the Court That the Corne of John jenney Thomas Willet & Georg Watson seized by the govrnor to the use of the Collony by vertue of a former lawe shalbe referred to the Bench to deale therin as they shall see cause." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 11, p. 25.
• 7 March 1636 : "It is concluded upon by the Court That Mr John Jenney shall have liberty to erect a Milne for grinding and beating of Corne upon the brooke of Plymouth to be to him & his heires for ever. And shall have a pottle of Corne toule upon every bushell for grinding the same for the space of the two first yeares next after the said Milne is erected, and afterwards but a quart at a bushell for all that is brought to the milne by others, but if he fetch it & grind it himself or by his servants then to have a pottle toule for every bushell as before." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 11, p. 26.
• 26 August 1636 : "Edw. Holman complayning of Joh. Jenny to the Govr & Assistants, for that the said John would not make paymt for a peece he, the said Edw:, lost in his service; but the thing being heard, the said John was acquitted." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 43.
• 4 October 1636 : "The ordnances of the colony & corporacion being read, divers were fownd worthy the reforming, others the rejecting, & others fitt to be instituted & made. It was therefore ordered & agreed, that four for the towne of Plymouth, two for Scituate, and two for duxburrow should, as comittees for the whole, be added to the Govr & Assistants, to rectefie & prepe such as should be thought most convenient, that, if approved, they may be put in force the next Generall Court.

"The pties mencioned for the towne of Plymouth, Mr. Will Brewster, Mr raph Smith, John Done, & Joh. Denny…" Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 43-44.

• 3 January 1636-7 : "Mr. William Bradford was elected gouernor. Mr. Edwardw Winslow, Mr. Thom. Prince, Mr. Tymothy Hatherley, Mr Willm Collyer, Mr John Alden, Mr John Jenney, Captaine Miles Standish, were chosen Assistants." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 48.
• 6 January 1636-7 : "It is also agreed that the six acrees of the lands of John Jenney, and the two acrees of Mris Fuller, lying at Strawberry Hill, enclosed by Mr Raph Smyth. shalbe yielded upp unto them this yeare, that they may umprove them to the setting of corne; provided that the said John Jenney shall erect a dwelling house neere or upon the said six acrees, wch are to belong unto the said house as long as it shalbe a dwelling; as also Mris Fullers two acrees to belong unto her house in Plymouth so long as it shalbe a dwelling." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 50.
• 7 March 1636-7 : "At a Genall Court holden at New Plymouth, for the whole Gourment, the vijth Day of March, 1636, in the xijth Yeare of the Raigne of our Souraigne Lord, Charles, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, & Ireland, King, Defendor of the Fayth, &c.

"The Names of the Freeman.
"Mr. Bradford, Gounor, Edward Winslow, gen., William Bradford, gen., Thomas Prence, gen., Willm Collyer, gen., Capt Standish, John Alden, gen., Tymothy Hatherly, gen., John Jenney, gen., Steephen Hopkins, gen., …
"William Bradford, gen., tooke his oathe this Court.
"Edward Winslow, gen., Tymothy Hatherley, gen., Willm Collyer, gen., John Jenney, gen., were sworne Assistants. Thomas Prence, gen., Captaine Miles Standish, were absent, & so were not sworne this Court." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 52-3.

• 20 March 1636-7 : "At a Genall Meeting the xxth of March, 1636, according to the Order of the Court, these Hey Grownds were assigned to the Inhabitants of Plymouth, Eele river, & Ducksbury.

"To eich pson as followeth, for theire use this prnte yeare following, vizt, 1637; and then were psons also appoynted to veiwe all the hey grounds wthin the limitts sevally followinge, before the next Court, that eich man may be assigned a porcion as shalbe thought convenyent…
"The Govnor, Mr. John Jenney, Mr. John browne, appoynted to view the hey grounds from the towne of Plymouth to Iland Creeke…
The pticuler psons assigned this yeare as followeth for hey: …
"To Mr John Jenney, where he had the last yeare, and to edge more upon the sedgey place, that there may be hey also gott there for the teame of the towne." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 55-6.

• 20 May 1637 : "John Jenney complaines against Samuell Chaundler, in an action upon the case to the damnage of xxl, whereupon a pcell of beaver of the deffents was arrested aboard the sd Mr Jenneys bark. Edmond Chaundler became bayle to the action, and to satisfye the debt what it should be. At the Genall Court held the vijth June, 1637, the action was respitted untill the next Court, that the deffent have warneing. The debt was alleadged to be xjli vs, upon and iijli vijs vijd upon another accompt, wch amounts in the totall to xiijli xijs vijd. The second of October, Edmond Chaundler undertooke to pay the pltiff xjli vs wthin one month now next ensuinge, and to save the pltff harmlesse of & concerning the other three pounds vijs & vijd, and thereupon the action is wthdrawne." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 7, p. 6.
• June 1637 : "At the Genrall court of ur Souraigne Lord, the Kinge, holden at New Plymouth the vijth Day of June, in the xijth Yeare of the Raigne of our Souraigne Lord, Charles, by the Grace of God of England, Scotland, France, & Ireland, Kinge, Defendor of the Fayth, &c.

"Before William Bradford, gent., govnor, Edward Winslowe, Thomas Prence, Captaine Miles Standish, Tymothy Hatherley, and John Jenney, gentlmen, justices of the peace of or souaigne lord the kinge, and Assistants in the govment." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 60.

• John Jenney also served as an Assistant in the Courts held in October of 1637 (PCR 1:67), January 1637-8 (PCR 1:74), March 1637-8 (PCR 1:79), June 1638 with a note "Forasmuch as Mr Edward Winslowe & Mr John Jenney were elected Assistants the last Court, and were now absent, & so could not bee sworne, the Court doth order that he Govnr and the rest of the Assistants shall administer the oath unto them if they returne hoame before the next Court" (PCR 1:86) with a note at the following Court on 7 August 1638 that "Mr John Jenney was sworne for an Assistant, according to the former eleccion, and the order of the last Generall Court" (PCR 1:92), 4 September 1638 (PCR 1:96), 4 February 1638-9 (PCR 1:111 and PCR 7:10), 4 & 5 March 1638-9 (PCR 1:114 and PCR 7:11), 5 March 1638-9 (PCR 1:116), 3 & 4 June 1639 (PCR 1:123, 125 and PCR 7:12), 3 September 1639 (PCR 1:130 and PCR 7:13), 7 October 1639 (PCR 1:135), 2 & 3 December 1639 (PCR 1:136 and PCR 7:14), 6 January 1639-40 (PCR 1:138), 3 March 1639-40 (PCR 1:140 and PCR 7:15), 6 April 1640 (PCR 1:143), 5 May 1640 (PCR 1:151), 1 June 1640 (PCR 1:153), 2 June 1640 (PCR 1:154), 6 July 1640 (PCR 1:157), 3 August 1640 (PCR 1:158), 31 August 1640 (PCR 1:160), 1 September 1640 (PCR 1:161 and PCR 7:16, 18), 5 October 1640 (PCR 1:162 and PCR 7:17), 2 November 1640 (PCR 1:164), 30 November 1640 (PCR 1:167), 1 December 1640 (PCR 2:1), 5 January 1640-1 (PCR 2:6), 1 February 1640-41 (PCR 2:7), 1 & 2 March 1640 (PCR 2:7 and PCR 7:18), 2 March 1640 (PCR 2:8), 5 April 1641 (PCR 2:12), 3 May 1641 (PCR 2:14) and in 1641 appointed a Plymouth representative to the "Comittees of the sevall Tounes" which were authorized to grant lands (PCR 2:16), which committee met 16 September 1641 (PCR 2:25), 31 December 1641 (PCR 2:29)
• 6 August 1637 : "John Derby is graunted threescore acrees of lands at Mounts Hill, if yt shalbe found convenient upon view to be taken thereof by Mr Edward Winslow & Mr John Jenney." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 64.
• 5 March 1637-8 : "One hundred and fifty acres of lands are graunted unto Mr John Jenney, lying on the east side of the Six Mile Brooke, in the way to Namascutt, to bee a farme belonging to the towne of Plymouth, and to be called by the name of Lakenhame. and wheras there was not enough found on the east sid of the said brooke, the Court graunted unto him a certaine necke which is bounded as followeth, viz: by Lakenham Brooke one the one side, and with a swamp on the other side, with a smale brooke in it.

Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 77.

• 2 April 1638 : "A garden place is graunted to Gabriell Fallowell in the meadow by Thomas Atkinsons, and a pcell of five or six acres of lands appoynted for the milne, (wch Mr Jenney consented unto,) to lye to the house he is to build upon the said garden plott, and not to be sould from it, &c. All the residue of the lands reserved for the millne, whereof the five or six acrees aforesd is a pt, is, with Mr Jennys consent, graunted to Gabriell Fallowell; and Mr Jenney hath other lands graunted him in lue thereof at Lakenhame." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 82.
• 29 August 1638 : "Memorand the xxixth of august 1638 that Web Adey acknowledgeth that for and in consideracion of the sume of seaventeene pounds sterl twenty shillinges whereof is payd in hand hath absolutely bargained & sould unto Mr John Jenney all that his house and garden place adjoyneing scituate in Plymouth together wth the three acrees of lands in the new field therunto belong wth ye fences about the said lands and all his right title and interrest of & into the said prmisss and every pte & pcell thereof To have and to hold the sd house & garden and lands thereunto belonging wth all & singuler thapprtences thereunto belonging unto the said John Jenney his heires and Assignes forever & to their onely proper use and behoofe forever." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 35.
• 4 September 1638 : "Fynes & Prsentments [to the General Court]| "Mr John Jenney psented [to the Court] for diging downe the heigh way before his mill, to the endangering of man and beast." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 98.
• 2 February 1638-9 : "Memorand the second day of ffebruary 1638 That Mr John jenney doth acknowledg that for and in consideracion of the sume of fourescore and two pounds sterl to him paid by Mr John Howland and also for three acrees of lands of the said John Howland lying at Caughtaughcanteist hill on the south side of the towne of Plymouth hath freely and absolutely sould unto the said John Howland All that his house barnes & outhouses at Rockey Nooke together wth all the lands therunto belonging layd forth for the said Mr Jenneys shares wth that wch was Phillip Delanoys allowed him for want of measure and the five acrees of meaddow adjoyneing unto the said lands And all his right title and interrest of and into the said prmisses and all the fenceing wood tymber & trees in and upon the same wth all & every the apprtences therunto belonging To have and to hold the said dwelling house barnes & outhouses lands and meaddowed & prmisss wth all & singuler theire apprtences therunto belonging unto the said John Howland his heires and Assignes forev to the onely pper use and behoofe of him the said John Howland his heires and assignes for ever.

..."Memorand the same day that John Howland doth acknowledg that he hat in the consideracion of the bargaine afordsd absolutely and freely sould & conveyed three acrees of land lying at Cautaughcanteist hill unto the said John Jenney & all his right title & interrest of and into the same To have & to hold the said three acrees of lands wth all & singuler thapprtences thereunto belonging unto the said John Jenney his heires and Assignes forev and to the onely pper use & behoofe of him the said JOhn Jenney his heires and Assignes forev, pvided they be measured outhawrt the sd Mr Howlands pportion there and to have that pt next the --." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 41-42.

• 5 March 1638-9 : "Presentments [to the Court] by the Grand Enquest… "5. Mr John Jenney psented for not grinding corne serviceable, but to great losse & damnage, both in not grinding it well, as also causeing men to stay long before it can be grounde, except his servant be feede. "6. And also for not keepeing his stampers going, wch is much to the detryment of all." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 118.
• 10 June 1639 : "Memorand the xth of June 1639 That Richard Cluffe of Plym Taylor for and in consideracion of the sume of fifteene pounds sterl to him in hand payd by Mr John Jenney of the same hath freely & absolutely bargained and sould unto the said John Jenney all that his house & garden wth the fence about the same all that the said Richard Cluff bought of Samuell Eddy wth twenty posts and fourty Rayles and two hundred of pallasadoes lying in the woods wth all his Right title and interrest of and into the same & every pt & pcell thereof together wth all & singuler thapprtencs therunto belonging To have and to hold the said house and garden place lands fence and prmisss wth all & singuler their appurtences and every pt and pcell thereof unto the said John Jenney his heires and assignes forev to the onely pp use and behoofe of the said John Jenney his heires and Assignes for ever." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 12, p. 44
• 2 December 1639 : "Willm Fallowell, Robert finney, JOhn Finney, & Thomas Lettis are to have garden places assigned them about Webbs field, when the Govnr, mr Prence, & Mr Jenney have viewd yt." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 136.
• 6 January 1639-40 : "In consideracion that Thomas Clark shall relinquish his graunt of lands at the Whoop Place, (except eight acrees reserved to Thomas Little,) the Court doth graunt and assigne unto the said Thomas Clarke, in lue thereof, fourscore acres, and five more due to the said Thomas Clark, purchased of Nichols Presland, fourscore and five acrees in all, to be layd forth for him at Mannamett Ponds, fourty acres formerly graunted to Thomas Little there, to be pcell thereof, and to be layd forth by Mr Thomas Prence, Mr John jenney, and Josuah Pratt." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 138.
• 5 May 1640 : "Mr John Jenney, Mr John Atwood, Francis Cooke, John Barnes, Richard Sparrow, John Cooke & Josuah Press are appoynted to view the meddows about Edward Doteys, & to computate the number of acrees, & make report thereof to the next Court." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 152
• 30 November 1640 : "Whereas it appeareth that twenty acrees of land were formerly graunted long since to Richard Higgens, at Mannamett Ponds, the Court doth now confirme the same unto him, with thenlargment at the head of his hoame lott, pt whereof is already taken in; and mr Thom Prence, Mr John Jenney, & Josuah Pratt are appoynted to lay forth the said xx acrees for him at Mannamett Ponds." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 1, p. 168.
• 17 December 1640 : "It is ordered that the Govr Mr Thom Prence and Mr John Jenny with the foure committees and Josuah Pratt shall dispose of lands for the Towne this yeare." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 6.
• 21 April 1641 : "At a Townes meeting held the xxith Aprill 1641… "Whereas Clarkes Iland is graunted to the Towne of Plymouth and Mr John Jenney is desirous to set up the making of salt there the Townesmen of Plymouth to further the said worke doth graunt the said John Jenney and his assignes the wood upon the said Iland for making of salt there, and liberty to make use of the said Iland for planting so long as he or his assignes shall make salt upon the said Iland and that none shall cutt wood there wthout consent of the said John Jenney or his assignes and shall sell the townesmen of Plymouth good salt for two shillings the bushell pvided that the said John Jenney shall not hereafter assigne the said salt works to any man wch not of the Towne of Plymouth wthout the townesmen'’ consent. "The Committees for the count are Mr. John Jenney, Mr John Atwood, Mr John Howland, Mr Wm Paddy." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 7.
• 7 September 1641 : "Andrew Ring is granted an enlargement at the west ende of his garden, to be viewed and set forth for him by Mr Bradford, Mr Jenney, & Mr Paddy, or any two of them. "Edward Banges is graunted a pcell of fourscore acrees of upland about Warrens Wells, to be viewed and layd forth for him by Mr Jenney, Manasseth Kempton, & Josuah Pratt." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 25.
• 7 December 1641 : "That if any man be disposed to take the trade for a yeare, or some yeares, that they bring in their names to the next Court of Assistants in February next, and that the Govnor, Mr Winslow, Mr Collyer, Mr Prence, Mr Wm Thomas, Mr John Howland, Mr John Atwood, Mr John Jenney, & Jonathan Brewster shall treate wth them about ye that will then adventure any thing therein, and that those that have the trade shall take their corne that makes their biskitt within this collony, and that the skins had by the trade shalbe vented for the collonys use." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 29.
• 31 December 1641 : "John Cooke is graunted a porcion of land lying neere George Clarkes, if it be there to be had, after Mr Prence, Mr Howland, & Mr Jenney, & Joshua Pratt have viewed it." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 29.
• 4 January 1641-2 : "Mr John Jenney is graunted an attachment for the money in Clarkes hands, due to Edward Dotey. 31 s 6 d condem for Mr. Jenney." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 30.
• 4 January 1641-2 : "The Contributors for building of a Bark of 40 or 50 Tunn, estimated at the charge of 200 li. Willm Paddy … j eight part. Mr. Willm Hanbury .. j eight part. John Barnes … j eight part. Mr. Willm Bradford .. j xvjth part. Mr. John Jenney … j xvjth part…" Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 31.
• 4 January 1641-2 : "Mr John Jenney & Mr Willm Paddy are to be added to those that are to dispose of the poores stock, (formerly nominated) instead of Mr Hopkins, and to have liberty to alter or chaunge them or some of them for such cattell as may be most usefull for the help of the poore… "Mr Willm Paddy, Mr Atwood, Nathanl Sowther, mr John Jenney, John Dunham, thelder, Thomas Willett, John Barnes, & Josuah Pratt shall view the lands on both sides the towne, that convenyent heighwayes & passages for cattell into the woods being reserved & set forth, such lands as shall remayne, & may be spared, may be graunted to such as stand in need." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 32.
• 5 April 1642 : "It is ordered, that Mr Jenney shall allow Raph Goarome ten bushells of Indian corne, at ijs & vjd, and the rest at iijs, & rye for xxs, for Tristram Clark, & that Tristrame is discharged for the two pigges. Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 37.
• 3 May 1642 : "Concerning the differrencs betwixt Mr John Jenney, Samuell Stertevaunt, & Joseph Ramsden, about their corne in ptnshipp, the Court doth order, wth consent of all pties, that the five bushells and halfe of corne, wch Mr Jenney should pay to the said dotey for Thurston Clark, and also eight bushell wch the said Joseph Ramsden should pay the said Edward Dotey, shalbe payd to the said John Jenney, by the said Joseph, wch said five bushells & half and the said viij bushells do make up the thirteene bushells & half wch Edward Dotey was to pay the said Samuell for his pt of the said cropp, and so the said Edward Dotey to be freed from any further incumbrance therein." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 39.
• 23 May 1642 : "At a Townes meeting held the viith July for disposeing of the townes stock of cattell called the Poores Cattell before Mr Bradford Mr Thomas Prence Mr John jenney Mr Willm Paddy Mr Thomas Willett and John Dunhame appoynted with some others to dispose thereof." Records of the town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 8.
• 27 September 1642 : "This Court was occationed by the Indians to pvide forces against them for an offensive & defensive warr; and though all the inhits were warned, yet they appeared by their sevall deputies, as they had liberty to doe. "For Plymouth. ….. Mr John Atwood, Mr John Jenney, Mr Wm Paddy, Mr John Done, John Cooke, Manasseth Kempton, John Dunhame." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 45.
• 20 September 1642 : "At a Townes meeting held the xxth September 1642. "It is agreed upon by the genrall consent of the whole towne that a fortyfycation shalbe made about the ordinance and another peece mounted and that Govr Mr Prence, Mr Atwood Mr Janney and Mr Paddy shall agree with workmen to have it donn speedyly and to repaire the watchouse and make a brick chimney to it. And aftertward to make a rate for all throughout the Towneshipp. "Mr Atwood Mr Jenney Mr Paddy John Winslow Manassah Kempton Thomas Clarke and John Cooke Jur: are appoynted to make the rate for the payment of the clark and messengers wages. "It is agreed upon that the Govr Mr Prence Mr jenney Mr Paddy Mr Done John Winslow and John Cook or the major pt of them shall dispose of lands for the Town on munday come fortnight wch will be second munday in October." Records of the town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 11.
• 17 October 1642 : "At a townes meeting, held the xvijth of Octobr, 1642, held before Mr Willm Bradford, Mr Thomas Prence, Mr John Jenney, Mr Willm Paddy, John Winslowe, & John Cooke, Junr, appoynted to graunt lands this day for the towne of Plymouth. "Andrew Ringe is graunted foure acrees of upland at the upper end of his, and adjoyneing to it, wth as much convenyency as may be… "Mr Prence, Mr Paddy, Mr Done, Mr Jenney, & Josuah Pratt are appoynted to lay forth all the lands above graunted." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 48.
• 1 November 1642 : "Mr John Throckmorton complneth agst Mr John gilbert, in an action of trespasse upon the case, to the dm of 4 li. This action was wthdrawne, and referred by consent of both pties to be ended by Mr John Jenney & Nathaniell Sowther, who arbitrated, and ordered the said Mr Gilbert to pay the said Mr Throckmorton xxxs in money, corne, beaver, or cattell, or to Mr Jenney for his use, and upon receipt thereof, the said Mr Jenney to give him a full discharge for it, in Mr Throckmortons name, wch he hath power to do by vertue of a lre of attorney directed to him from Mr Throckmorton, under his hand, beareinge date the xjth of the xijth month, 1642." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 7, p. 32-33.
• 7 March 1642-3 : "Joseph Ramsden complns agst Mr John Jenney, in an action of trespas upon the case, to the dam of xxxli. The jury fynd for the pltiffe, & assesse xijs dam, and the charges of the suite." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 7, p. 33.
• 19 April 1643 : "At a Townes meeting held the xix Aprill 1643 … "The Corn levyed for the Cow Keeps psent use. The Govr I peck and a pottle, Mr prence I peck and a pottle, mr Paddy I peck and a pottle [a pottle is a measure of two quarts], Nathl Sowther [and] Mr Hanbury i peck, Robert paddock i peck, Mr Jenney i peck and half in biskett [bread]…" Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 13.
• 29 May 1643 : "At a townes meeting holden the xxixth May 1643 "It is agreed upon that all housholders wthin the Towneship shall forthwith pvide sufficient Armes according to the act of the Court for themselves and their servants able to beare armes wthin month after the 5th June next on wch day they are to trayne viz Muskett either wth snaphance or matchlocks with match callivers and carbines wch are allowed and also fowling peeces not above foure foote and a half long and of reasonable bore And that Mr Thom Prence Mr Wm Paddy John Barnes and Mathew ffuller to view all such Armes and to certefye such as are defective and those that want either to putt in a sufficient sum or goods to pcure them or els the fyne by the said act to be extended upon them. "Those that contributed to buy Drumheads. Mr. Bradford 6 d, Mr Prence 6 d, Mr Jenney, 6 d…" Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 14.
• 6 June 1643 : "Whereas there is a suite depending this Court betwixt Mr John Jenney, complnt, and Samuell Stertevaunt and Joseph Ramsden, deffnt, by the consent of both pties, it is referred to be decided & fully ended by the bench." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 57.
• 6 June 1643 : "Mr John Jenney complns agst Samuell Stertevaunt and Joseph Ramsden, in an action of trspas upon the case, to the dam of xxli. This was referred to be ended by the bench, and a form action, wherein the said Joseph Ramsden recoved agst the sd Mr Jenney." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 7, p. 34.
• August 1643 : "The Names of all the Males that are able to beare Armes from xvj Yeares old to 60 Yeares, wthin the sevrall Towneshipps. "Plymouth… John Jenney, Sen…" Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 8, p. 187-188.
• 9 October 1643 : "At a Townes meeting held the ix of October 1643 for elecion of Comittees for the Court and psons to be of the Counsellof warr for the Towne &c… "The Govnor, Mr Prence, Mr Hopkins, Mr Jenney, Mr Paddy, Nathl Sowther, To be of the Counsell of war for the Towne." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 16.
• 1651 : "The Names of the Purchasers. "Mr Wm Bradford, Mr Thom Prence, Mr Wm Brewster, Mr Edw Winslow, Mr John Alden, Mr John Jenney, Mr Isaack Allerton, Capt Miles Standish…" Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 177

Death of John Jenney

John Jenney died in 1644. He left a will, an inventory was made of his possession upon his death. Click HERE for John Jenney's will and inventory.

• 20 August 1644 : "Mris Jenney, upon the psentment agst her, pmiseth to amend the grinding at the mill, and to keepe the morters cleane, and baggs of corne from spoyleing and looseing." Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. 2, p. 76.
• March 1651 : "The Names of those that have Interest and proprieties in the townes land att Punckateesett over against Road Iland… Mistris Jeney." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 36-37.
• 1660 re the Purchasers of Dartmouth : "Att a generall meeting of the Purchasers att Plymouth the seaventh of march 1652 It was ordered and fully agreed unto and Concluded by the whole that all that Tract and tracts of lands lying from the Purchassers bounds on the west side of Acougheasse to a river called Accusshaneck and three miles to the Aastwards of the same; with all Ilands meddows woods waters rivers creekes and all appurtenances therunto belonging should bee given to those whose names are heerunder written Containing thirty four shares and was then given alloted Assigned and sett over to them by the whole to have and to hold to them and their heires and Assignes for ever; to Devide and Dispose of the same as they should see good; and they are to Satisfy the Indians for the Purchase therof and to beare all other Due Charges that shall any way arise about the same According to their severall proportions ... mistris Jeney…" "Wheras these Purchasers whoe by agreement of the whole had theire proportions of Purchase land falling unto them in the places above mencioned whoe by agreement had theire severall names entered into a list (together with some other old Comers) under the hand of the honored Gov'r: late Deceased they Did Desire that the list of theire Names might bee recorded; but the above written originall list of Names and the agreement Could not bee found in some yeares; soe that it was Judged lost These purchasers notwithstanding still Desiring that what was theire right might bee recorded; wherupon order was given by the aforsaid Gov'r that it might be Done ... "The names of those whoe by order of the Purchasers mett att Plymouth the seaventh Day of march 1652 whoe by Joynt consent and agreement of the said purchasers are to have theire prtes shares or proportions att the place or places commonly called and knowne by the names of Acushena alias acquessent which entereth in att the westeren end of Neckatay and to Coaksett alias acoakius and places adjacent... The said Tract or tract[s] of Land soe bounded as abovesaid which is purchased of the Indians which were the right propriators therof; as appeers by a Deed under theire hands with all the mershes meddows rivers waters woods Timbers; and all other profitts privilidges emunities comodities and appurtenances belonging to the said Tract or Tracts above expressed or any prte or prcell therof to belonge unto the prties whose names are underwritten (whoe are in number thirty four whole prtes or shares and noe more) to them and their heires and assignes for ever ... Mis Jenings one whole share." Mayflower Descendants, Vol. 4, p. 165-188.
• 22 March 1663 : "The severall lotes on Puncateesett Neck [with owners names] are as followeth… Mistris Jenney, Joseph Ramsden. Lott lyeth on the north side of the 10th lott and is bounded att the east end with a Rid oake stake and a burch tree and goeth to the waare and att the west end on the south side it is bounded with a walnutt stake and the north side bounds at the head to bee Regulated att the head in the swamp according to this walnutt stake." Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, p. 65.

Sources and Further Information

• Johanna W. Tammel, comp. The Pilgrims and other people from the British Isles in Leiden, 1576-1640 (Isle of Man : Mansk-Svenska Publishing Co., c1989), p. 135.
• Nathaniel Morton, New England’s Memorial (published in 1669)
• John Pory, Emmanuel Altham and Isaack De Rasieres, Three Visitors to Early Plymouth (Bedford, Mass. : Applewood Books, c1997), p. 23-4.
• William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 120.
• Howell Family Genealogy
• Passengers of the Anne and Little James 1623
• To learn more about John Jenney visit this interesting site: http://www.jenney-jenne-family.org/index.html
• http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/MonkSohamPC/History/
• http://www.westerly-journeys.com/pilgrims/pilgmain.html
• http://www.westerly-journeys.com/pilgrims/pilganci.html
• http://palmerhoward.net/getperson.php?personID=I1577&tree=Ancestors