James Jennings

1. April 16, 1817, James W. Jennings purchased 100 acres of Big Bigby Creek property from David, Richard and Samuel Jennings. James W. was about 19 years old at the time. This is according to Maury Co. deed books. In addition, Marshall Jennings records that there were approximately 25 other purchases, including slaves, in the deed books from Doctor and Richard Jennings between the years 1807-1843.

2. According to the interrogatory of Walter S. Jennings (see Notes for full record) James W. "owned 15-20 slaves before the war, 300 acres of farm land and a lot of timber land". Walter valued his father's property at $25,000-$30,000.

3. According to "A Trip to Discover the Jennings Family" by Marshall E. Jennings, July 6, 1979, "James W. Jennings came from Prince William County, Virginia in the early 1800's to Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. Mt. Pleasant is a few miles south of Columbia, Tenn., county seat of Maury Count in middle Tennessee. The land is still mostly rolling farmland. Unfortunately, natural phosphate used in chemical fertilizer was discovered in the Jennings' land after it passed out of the family in the late 1800's. Still the character of the land remains undisturbed by excessive civilization."

"...The old home (100 years old in 1938) was probably built in 1840 by GG-GF Jennings and was the home remembered by Walter S. Jennings as a 6-room frame house. The newer home was probably built by G-GF Jennings probably around 1870 as son John B. was born in the old house." (Note John B. was born in 1866).

Several of the family members are buried in the "Jennings Cemetery" now on the property of Stauffer Chemical Co. They tore down the old homesteads which are pictured in the scrapbook.

Documented Notes on Jennings and Allied Families, by Beatrice Mackey Doughtie, p. 560-561:

"At a court for Maury Co. Tenn. 4 Nov 1867: This day Wm. T. McLain tendered his resignation to this court as guardian of : Benjamin Jennings, David A. Jennings; Sarah W. Jennings; Geo. W. Jennings, Clarence Jennings minor children of James W. Jennings, dec'd. (Maury Co. Tenn: Min. Bk. 1866-69, p. 438)

...James W. Jennings, Lewis Co. Tenn. signed Deed of Gift 22 Mch1854 to his daughter, Eliza Hunter: 'Tract of 140 acres in District 4, Lewis Co. Tenn. on waters of Big Bigby Cr. adj. on SW. by land of Robert Jennings, Warrant Entry for 63 acres No. 1702, West by R. M. Cooper.' (Lewis Co. Tenn.: D-Bk B-473)

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