Ludewick "Luke" Jennings
of Wilkes County, NC

Ludewick "Luke" Jennings, son of John Jennings, was born Feb. 24, 1755, possibly in Orange Co., VA, and d. Nov. 22, 1837, in Wilkes Co., NC. He married (1) Letes Townsen, bef. 1774. She was born abt. 1760, probably in Virginia, and died abt. 1800 in Wilkes Co., NC. He married (2) Sarah Matilda Townsen, July 7, 1801, in Wilkes Co., NC. She was born abt. 1766, probably in Virginia, and died Feb. 6, 1859, in Wilkes Co., NC. Ludewick Jennings is buried at a family cemetery near Mulberry Creek, Wilkes Co., NC.

Children of Ludewick "Luke" Jennings & Letes Townsen:

1. John Jennings, b. bef. 1774; d. unk.
2. Sarah Agnes Jennings, b. abt. 1781, Wilkes Co., NC; d. 1850-1860, Wilkes Co., NC; m. John RHODES, Jr., Nov. 23, 1802, Wilkes Co., NC (b. Sept. 16, 1780; d. 1850-1860).
3. +William M. Jennings, b. abt. 1782, Wilkes Co., NC; d. May 1856, Ashe Co., NC; m. Martha "Patsy" JOINES, daughter of Thomas JOINES & Mary CAUDILL, abt. 1807 (b. abt. 1782; d. 1860-1870).
4. Elijah F. Jennings, Sr., b. abt. 1789, Wilkes Co., NC; d. Feb. 7, 1874, Wilkes Co., NC; m. Elizabeth "Betty" ABSHER, daughter of John ABSHER & Eleanor BROWN, July 25, 1812, Wilkes Co., NC (b. 1791; d. June 26, 1869); bur. Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Wilkes Co., NC.
5. Letes "Lettie" Jennings, b. abt. 1799, Wilkes Co., NC; d. aft. 1860, Wilkes Co., NC; m. Wesley BROWN, Jan. 30, 1816, Wilkes Co., NC (b. abt. 1798; d. aft. 1860).
6. Elizabeth Jennings, b. bef. 1800, Wilkes Co., NC; d. bef. 1850; m. John HALL.

Children of Ludewick "Luke" Jennings & Sarah Matilda Townsen:

1. Caleb Jennings, b. aft. 1801, Wilkes Co., NC.
2. Daniel Jennings, b. July 7, 1802, Wilkes Co., NC; d. Sept. 17, 1889, Wilkes Co., NC; m. (1) Rebecca POWELL, Feb. 12, 1822, Wilkes Co., NC (b. 1803; d. 1875); (2) Lucinda __, bet. 1875-1880 (b. Dec. 1844; d. aft. 1900); bur. Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Wilkes Co., NC.
3. Luke Jennings, Jr., b. abt. 1804, Wilkes Co., NC; d. Feb. 11, 1893, Wilkes Co., NC; m. Elizabeth BULLIS, Dec. 21, 1822, Wilkes Co., NC (b. 1806; d. 1870-1880); bur. Jennings Cemetery, Wilkes Co., NC.
4. Mary "Polly" Jennings, b. May 6, 1806, Wilkes Co., NC; d. June 30, 1887, Wilkes Co., NC; m. George WYATT, Mar. 27, 1826, Wilkes Co., NC (b. 1807; d. aft. 1880); bur. Crossroads Cemetery, Wilkes Co., NC.
5. Rebecca Jennings, b. 1812, Wilkes Co., NC; d. Mar. 7, 1890, Wilkes Co., NC; m. Lewis SHEPPARD, Feb. 22, 1828, Wilkes Co., NC (b. abt. 1810; d. aft. 1880).
6. Phebe Jennings, b. June 14, 1814, Wilkes Co., NC; d. Mar. 7, 1890, Wilkes Co., NC; m. Andrew McGRADY, son of Isaiah MCGRADY & Sarah VANNOY, Feb. 9, 1828, Wilkes Co., NC (b. Mar. 5, 1809; d. Sept. 21, 1887); bur. McGrady-Taylor Cemetery, Wilkes Co., NC. Children: Susannah McGrady (c.1829), John McGrady (1831), Mary McGrady (c.1833), Catherine McGrady (c.1837), Caroline McGrady (c.1840), William McGrady (c.1843), Isaiah McGrady (1846), Betsy McGrady (c.1848), +James C. McGrady (1850), Sarah McGrady (c.1855).

Notes

udewick "Luke" Jennings arrived in Wilkes County, NC, in 1785 with his father John Jennings and a large extended family.  According to Heritage of Wilkes County (Wilkes Gen. Soc., 1982), p.288, the Jennings may have been from Orange County, Virginia.  Luke had three brothers (Presley, Daniel, and Elijah) and two sisters (Frances who married Robert DONNELLY, and Nancy who married William ABSHER), who also settled in Wilkes County.

"Jennings" is a fairly common English surname that means "Little John."  Alternate spellings include Jennens and Ginnings.  Several unrelated Jennings families came to the Upper New River Valley region of North Carolina and Virginia in the late 18th century, and it is easy to get them confused.  They include:

1. John Jennings, Sr., (father of Luke, Presley, Daniel, and Elijah), who first appears in Wilkes Co., NC, in 1785; settled on Mulberry Creek.
2. Another John Jennings lived on Mitchell's River in northeastern Wilkes Co., NC.
3. William Jennings, arrived in Grayson Co., VA, sometime prior to 1793.
4. Anthony Jennings, possibly from England, came to Surry Co., NC, in 1793.
5. Charles Jennings, from Maryland, arrived in Wilkes Co. about 1797; settled on Hunting Creek.

According to land records, "our" John Jennings purchased 59 acres of land on Mulberry Creek in Wilkes County on Oct. 3, 1785, from Owen HALL (Wilkes DB A-1, p.494).  He obtained a land grant for another 50 acres on Mulberry Creek on Dec. 20, 1798 (Wilkes DB C-1, p.129).  On Nov. 4, 1811, John sold most of this land (100 acres) to his son Luke Jennings (Wilkes DB G-H, p.236).  Luke had already acquired 52 ¾ acres on Mulberry Creek from Silas ADKINS on June 6, 1796 (Wilkes DB D, p.256), and 50 acres by land grant on Dec. 10, 1803 (Wilkes DB F-1, p.83).  Luke Jennings appears on the 1787 tax list of Wilkes County and in the census from 1790 through 1830.  He married twice, possibly to sisters, Letes Townsen who died abt. 1800, and Sarah Matilda Townsen who died Feb. 6, 1859, although I have not been able to verify their surnames.

Luke Jennings died on Nov. 22, 1837, according to Wilkes County death records published in the book George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America by J.W. Hook (1957), p.439.  Luke and his father John Jennings were buried at a family cemetery on their land near Mulberry Creek, between the towns of North Wilkesboro and McGrady.  John's gravestone reportedly states that he was born in 1706 and died in 1811, which means he died at the age of 104.  Luke is believed to be a Revolutionary War veteran (his gravestone says "Patriot"), although he never applied for a pension.  His grave is listed in the D.A.R.'s Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary War Patriots, Vol. 2.  Further research into the D.A.R. publications and lineage books might reveal more about Luke Jennings' Revolutionary War service.  So far, I have not been able to find any record of a Ludewick or Luke Jennings who fought in the Revolution in either Virginia or North Carolina.  Some of the souces I have checked (including alternate spellings) are:

• List of the Colonial Soldiers of Virginia, by H.J. Eckenrode, archivist (VA State Library, 1913, reprinted by Clearfield Co., 1997).
• Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, by John H. Gwathmey (Gen. Pub. Co., 1979).
• Virginia Colonial Soldiers, by Lloyd Dewitt Bockstruck (Gen. Pub. Co., 1988).
• Revolutionary War Bounty Land Grants, (Gen. Pub. Co., 1996) by Lloyd Dewitt Bockstruck.
• Revolutionary War Records, Vol. 1 - Virginia, by Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh (1936).
• Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War, by J.T. McAllister (1913).
• Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution, by the D.A.R. (1932).
• National Archives & Records Administration, Compiled Service Records of Revolutionary War Soldiers.
• North Carolina Archives, index of Revolutionary War army accounts.

The only Luke Jennings who I could find in Revolutionary War service records was a Luke Jennings of New York who served in the 1st New York Regiment during 1776 and 1777.  (See NARA Compiled Service Records (microfilm) and New York in the Revolution by Berthold Fernow (orig. pub. 1887, reprinted by Clearfield Co., 1999).  I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has more information about Luke Jennings' military service.

Records

1787 State Census, Wilkes Co., NC, Capt. Judd's Dist.: LUKE JININS

1 white male 21-60

1 white male over 60

2 white females

Note: Capt. Judd's Dist. included the area around Mulberry Creek.

1790 Census, Wilkes Co., NC, LUKE JENNINS

1 white male over 16

3 white males under 16

1 white female

Jan 1, 1794. Luke JENNINGS witnessed a deed between William WYATT of Grayson Co., VA, to Prestley JENNINGS, 100 acres on Creek of the Roaring River adj. Winneford ALEXANDER's upper line, for £50. Other wits: Archibald LOVELACE, Edmudn BOAZ. Signed: William WYATT. Proved may 5, 1794, by oath of Luke JINNINGS. (Wilkes DB B-1, p.366; Wilkes Court Minutes.)

June 6, 1796. Silas ADKINS to Luke JINNINS, 52 &frac;34 acres on a branch of Mulberry Creek & north side mountain, incl. plantation where said JINNINGS now lives, for £25. Wits: Stephen SHEPHERD, Elijah (X) JINNINS, John (X) JINNINS. Signed: Silas ADKINS. Reg. Oct. 1797 on oath of ELIJAH JINNINS. (Wilkes DB D, p.256.)

Jan 1, 1799. Luke JENNINGS witnessed a deed from Jacob MCGRADY to Hezekiah HALL, 100 acres north fork Mulberry Creek incl. plantation said HALL now lives on. Other wits: William (X) POE, Henry POE. (Wilkes DB D p.571.)

1800 Census, Wilkes Co., NC, p.48: LUKE JINNINS (next to John Jinnins)

2 w/m 10-15	3 w/f under 10
1 w/m 16-25	1 w/f 16-25
1 w/m 26-45
no slaves

Dec. 10, 1803. State of NC to Luke JENNNINGS, 50 acres on Mulberry Creek adj. waters of Yadkin River, his east & west lines, & John JENNINGS line. (Grant No. 2452; Wilkes DB F-1, p.83.)

Jan. 5, 1805. Luke JENNINGS witnessed a deed from John MARTIN to John FOSTER, 300 acres north side Yadkin River adj. a ditch between William CARGILE & MARTIN. Other wits: Edmund JONES, Jeffrey JOHNSON, JR. (Wilkes DB F-1, p.164.)

July 28, 1805. Luke JINNINGS to Matthew CARDWELL, 52 acres north fork Mulberry Creek on north side of mountain incl. the planation of Stephen CODEL [CAUDILL], for $30. Wit: Abraham ADAMS. Signed: LUKE JINNINGS. (Wilkes DB F-1, p.222.)

July 28, 1805. Luke JINNINGS witnessed a deed from Stephen CARDWELL [CAUDILL] to Abraham ADAMS, a free gift of 100 accres on the Middle fork Roaring River. Other wit: Nathaniel C. GORDON. Signed: Stephen CARDWELL. (Wilkes DB F-1, p.229.)

1810 Census, Wilkes Co., NC, p.267: LUKE JINNINGS (next to John Jinnings and William Jinnings)

4 w/m under 10	2 w/f under 10
1 w/m 16-25	1 w/f 10-15
1 w/m over 45	1 w/f 16-25
no slaves	1 w/f 26-45

Nov. 4, 1811. John JENNINGS to Luke JENNINGS, 100 acres on Mulberry Creek being upper end tract Edward FINCH sold to Owen HALL, divided by a conditional line, for £50. Wits: Jacob MCGRADY, John (X) ABSHIRE [ABSHER], William (X) MCGRADY. Signed: John (X) GINNINGS. Proved by oath of John ABSHIRE. (Wilkes DB G-H, p.236.)

1820 Census, Wilkes Co., NC, p.523: LUKE JINNINGS

1 w/m under 10	2 w/f under 10
1 w/m 10-15	2 w/f 10-15
1 w/m 16-25	1 w/f over 45
1 w/m over 45
3 slaves

1830 Census, Wilkes Co., NC, p.350: LUKE JENNINGS

1 w/m 10-14	1 w/f 50-59
1 w/m 70-79

1850 Census, Wilkes Co., NC, p.258 (HH#129):
GEORGE WYATT, 43, farmer, $170, b. in Wilkes NC.

-- Polly, 44, Wilkes NC << dau. of Luke & Sarah Jennings

JENNINGS, Sally, 84, " " << Luke Jennings' widow

BROWN, Wesley, 17, " " << Children of Luke's dau. Letes who m. Wesley Brown?

-- Jane, 13, " "

HALL, Rebecah, 25, " " << Children of Luke's dau. Elizabeth who m. John Hall

-- Willis, 22, " "

-- Hyram, 20, " "

-- Evaline, 16, " "

-- Anderson, 14, " "

-- Calloway, 12, " "

-- Elizabeth, 10, " "

Cautionary Note:
The Jennings Fortune

In Wilkes County Heritage, Vol. I (1982), p.188, the local historian and genealogist Mrs. W.O. Absher warns that "The Jennings legend circulated among many Jennings descendants in Wilkes County and elsewhere, is contradictory and very seldom corresponds with any records found."  What was she referring to?

After spending many fruitless hours trying to verify a Jennings family tree I found on the internet, I learned the answer.  Do not trust any source that traces this family to Birmingham, England—especially family trees which show a connection to Humphrey Jennings (Jennens), the so-called "Ironmaster of Birmingham."

The steel tycoon Humphrey Jennings was one of the richest men in England during the 18th century.  He was an eccentric bachelor who died in 1799 with an unsigned will tucked in his coat pocket.  The battle over his estate dragged on for more than a hundred years.  Potential heirs were crawling out of the woodwork for decades.  The convoluted Jennings litigation may have been the inspiration for Charles Dickens' satirical novel Bleak House, which features a bewildering probate lawsuit called "Jarndyce and Jarndyce" that wreaks havoc on the lives of generations of heirs.  According to Dickens, the Jarndyce case was "so complicated that no man alive knows what it means."  The same could be said for the real-life Jennings case, which Dickens probably encountered when he worked as a London court reporter.

During the 19th century, many fraudulent family trees were created to drum up financial support for Jennings litigation.  These family trees still circulate and are relied upon by unwitting descendants who know nothing about the legend of the Jennings fortune.  Unfortunately, there is simply no proof that Ludewick Jennings of Wilkes County, North Carolina, was related in any way to the Jennings or Jennens family of Birmingham, England.  According to Mrs. W.O. Absher, Ludewick Jennings was the son of John Jennings, who may have come to Wilkes County from Orange County, Virginia.  No one to my knowledge has been able to trace the origins of John Jennings' family in England, where "Jennings" is a common surname.