Deputy Governor Samuel Jennings

Will

Written 7/24/1708.

Origins

Samuel and his descendants are described within:

• https://books.google.com/books?id=-TLj39ULj9oC&lpg=PA343&dq=origins...

The book assumes Samuel declared multiple intents to marry the same woman. This is improbable. The only modern record that exists is a 1688 marriage intention between "Samel" Jennings and Ann "Oliffe" in Burlington, NJ. It is therefore likely the case that Samuel married two or more times. All children from before 1688 belong to his earlier wife or wives, not Ann Oliffe. The Geni record has a marriage taking place in England in 1672; this is now described as the marriage that yielded most of Samuel's children.

A.D. 1708. S. Jening’s death and character. Here also we part with his opponent S. Jenings; his indisposition continued about twelve months, and then finished his life : His many services have occasioned him to be often mentioned : His profession of religion was that of the people called quakers ; he was early an approved minister among them, and so continued until his death ; common opinion, apt to limit this sphere of action, will however allow general rules to have their exceptions, as instances now and then, though perhaps but rarely, occur, where variety of talents have united in the same individual, and yet not interfered ; such, the accounts of those times (stripp’d of the local uncertainties of faction and party) tell us, was the circumstance with regards to Jenings ; that his authority, founded on experienc’d candour, probity, and abilities, enlarged opportunities, rendered him not in one capacity or to one society only, but generally useful : It is mentioned, that he was of an obliging, affectionate disposition, yet of a hasty temper ; that he notwithstanding managed it with circumspection and prudence, so that few occasions escaped to the disadvantage of his character, or of any cause he engaged in ; that he saw the danger to which his natural impetuosity exposed him ; knew his preservation lay in a close attention to his cooler prospects, and diligently guarding in that spot, experienced the benefit of many trying events ; that his integrity and fortitude in all stations were acknowledged ; that his judgment was the rule of his conduct, and by what can now be gathered, this seems to have been but seldom injudiciously founded ; that alive to the more generous emotions of a mind form’d to benevolence and acts of humanity, he was a friend to the widow, the fatherless and the unhappy ; tender, compassionate, disinterested, and with great opportunities in every shape left but a small estate ; that abhorring oppression in every shape, his whole conduct discover’d a will to relieve and befriend mankind, far above the littleness of party or sinister views ; that his sentiments of right and liberty, were formed on the revolution establishment, a plan successfully adapted to the improvement of a new country, or any country ; that he was not withstanding all this sometimes thought stiff and impracticable, but chiefly on account of his political attachments ; yet that there were instances, where better knowledge of his principles, and the sincerity with which he acted, totally effaced those impressions, and left him friends where none were expected : Much of his time, we have seen, was long devoted to the publick, with a will to be useful, occasions were not wanting ; West-Jersey and Pennsylvania, and New Jersey after the surrender, for near twenty eight years successfully, were repeated witnesses of his conduct in various capacities ; he studied peace, and the welfare of mankind ; but in some instances met with ungrateful returns ; and tho’ his endeavors did not altogether succeed to his mind, he survived personal accusation, in a great measure, with respect to himself ; and as to the publick, lived just long enough to see it emerging from an unpromising state of litigation and controversy, to more quiet than had been known for many years : His three daughters, (who were all the children he left) intermarried with three brothers, of the name of Stephenson, whose posterity now reside in New-Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Smith’s History of New Jersey, originally The History of the Colony or Nova-Cæsaria, or New Jersey Chapter XVIII, 352, 353, 354, Samuel Smith, 1765

Remonstrance of Lord Cornbury by the New Jersey & New York Colonial Assemblies. Delivered by Samuel Jennings speaker of the said Assemblies at Burlington the 8th day of May, 1707. ...Tell us the title by what right or law are we thus used ; that may a little mitigate our pain?—Your answer hitherto hath been this, That it was a conquered country ; and that the king, being the conqueror, he has powers to make laws, raise money, &c. and that this power jure regale, the king hath vested in the duke, and by that right and sovereignty, the duke demands that custom we complain of.." 'But suppose the king were an absolute conqueror in the case depending, doth his power extend equally over his own English people, as over the conquered?

...For what is good land without good laws? The better the worse. And if we could not assure people of an easy and free government, both with respect to spiritual and worldly property---that is, an uninterrupted liberty of conscience , and an inviolable possession of their civil rights and freedoms by a just and wise government ; for it were a madness to leave a free, good, and improved country, to plant in a wilderness ; and there adventure many thousands of pounds to give an absolute title to another to tax us at will and pleasure. This single consideration, we hope, will excuse our desire of the government ; and not asserted for the sake of power but safety ; and not only for ourselves but for others, that the plantation might be encouraged.

...And we cannot but be uneasy, when we find by these new methods of government, our liberties and properties so much shaken, that no man can say he is master of either, but holds as tenant by courtesy and at will, and may be stripped of them at pleasure. Liberty is too valuable a thing to easily parted with, and when such mean inducements procure such violent endeavors to tear it from us, we must take leave to say, they have neither heads, hearts, nor souls, that are not moved by the miseries of their country, and are not forward with their utmost power, lawfully to redress them."

"When the house had retired, (Lord) Cornbury, with some emotion, told those with him, that (Speaker) Jennings had impudence enough to face the devil. Smith's History, 1765, Chapter XV, p. 295 [1707]

The American Revolution was spurred, as writings at the time assert, for the lack of representational government for taxes paid. The Consent of the Governed. My ancestor, Speaker Samuel Jennings asserted this at The Remonstrance of Lord Cornbury, in 1707. Having read Samuel Smith's 'History of New Jersey' and knowing that Samuel Smith, historian, was well known to the Founders, they were also familiar with Speaker Jennings arguments. I had frisson when first reading the remonstrance and recognizing this.