Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALtmiCAL, NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 95
probably served an apprenticeship at tiiat trade. Sept. 4,
1748, the Widow Dorcas Jenkins was dismissed from the
East Church in Barnstable, and recommended to the first
church in Wallingsford, Conn. Their children born in Barnstable
were: 1, Joseph, Nov. 4, 1724; 2, Mary, June 11,
1729; 3, Dorcas, April 10, 1781; 4, Keziah, March 30,
1733; 5, Rebecca, Aug. 27, 1735, died Oct. following; 6,
Experience, March 11, 1738-9; 7, Rebecca, Sept. 19, 1740;
8, Patience, Sept. 1, 1742.
1«. VIII. Ruth, 1704, married May 7, 1729. Dr. Sackfield
West of Yarmouth. After the death of his father-inlaw
he removed to Barnstable, and occupied a part of the
Jenkins homestead at Shoal Pond, which he afterwards
owned. It is now known as Dr. West's field. The Dr.'s
controversies with the church occupy much space on the records.
As a physician he had but little practice. His oldest
son Samuel was born in Yarmouth March 4, 1730. When a
boy he was employed in husbandry on the Jenkins farm at
Shoal Pond. Traits of genius were discovered in the lad by
some gentlemen of influence, and he was sent to Harvard
College, graduated in 1754 one of the most distinguished of
his class. Afterwards the honorary degree of D. D. was
bestowed on him. He was settled in the ministry at New
Bedford, and died at Tiverton, R. I., Sept. 24, 1807, aged
77. He was a giant in intellect ; able to cope with Edwards
in divinity and in politics with the most renowned. He was
an ardent patriot, a member of the Convention for forming
the Constitution of Massachusetts and of the United States.
Being awkward and ungainly in his person, negligent in his
habits, and grossly defective and careless in the tones and
inflections of his voice, his genius, his profound learning,
and his great intellectual power, failed to give him popularity.
Men of his character are rarely popular. The late Dr.
Samuel Savage was as rough as Dr. West yet, bemg a good
;
story teller and a very witty man, he was popular. Dr. W.
was not, however, always dry and logical. His wife Experience
was a very tall woman, in reply to a question desiring
his opinion of early marriage, he said : "I have found by
1-o-n-g E-x-p-e-r-i-a-n-c-e that it is good to marry." There
is genuine wit in this reply ;
not of the comedy.
but it is the wit of the logician,
17. VII. Patience, bap. Oct. 6, 1717. Mr. Jenkins calls her
his youngest daughter.
(7.)' Thomas Jenkins, son of John, born 15th July, 1666,
resided at West Barnstable. In his will dated Nov. 9,1737,
proved Feb. 15, 1745-6, he names his wife Mercy to whom, in ad-