Theodosia Jennings

Posted by: Gary E Young (ID *****1277) Date: March 12, 2007 at 06:48:19

In Reply to: Robert and Theodocia Jennings Hanover VA by Keith Brown of 6471

Keith, I notice that several persons seem to speculate that Theodocia Jennings was the wife of Robert Jennings. I know nothing about the Jennings family, but some identify her as the "first wife" of Robert implying Theodocia had a husband who survived her. However, I do not see how this could be the case. Almost all colonial Virginia wills by women are either those of spinsters or widows. A married woman rarely wrote a will because she was not allowed by law to bequeath real property. Even though Theodocia does not seem to bequeath any real property, it would still be a highly unusual will for a lady with a living spouse. She could be a widow, but if so she apparently has no children. If Jennings was her maiden name presumably some of these persons in her will have Jennings connections as seems to be the case with Sarah Dabney and one is specifically named William Jennings. However, "trusty and will beloved friend" John Blalock seems to be the most favored person in the will. It is a very interesting will. My own connection is Nicholas Gentry who must be Nicholas (2nd of the name) who was born in 1697. He was apparently married by or about the date of Theodocia's will. His two oldest sons are generally believed to be David Gentry (born ca 1724) and Robert Gentry(born ca 1727), but I do not believe these dates are firm. Both of these given names are interesting since Nicholas is not known to have had either brothers or uncles by these names. Nicholas Gentry's wife Jane (who survived him) is believed to be a Brown, but it is not proven that she was his only wife.

Several persons were once asking where the original will of Theodocia Jennings is to be found? I assume they have answered that question by now. After the destruction of the Hanover Co Court House one Wm Winston Dabney brought in 3 old wills in his possession to be re-recorded: 1722 will of Susanah Anderson, 1764 will of Cornelius Dabney, and the 1725 will of Theodicia Jennings.

All very fascinating.

Gary Young

http://genforum.genealogy.com/jennings/messages/6081.html