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'''The legend of Thomas Veale'''
'''The legend of Thomas Veale'''


In 1658, according to popular legend, [[Captain Veale|Captain Thomas Veale]] and three other pirates sailed up the Saugus River. The pirates visited the Saugus Iron Works at night and left a note on the door of Jenckes's forge requesting shackles and chains to be purchased with silver left in a hidden place in Lynn Forest (now called Pirates' Glen). The order was filled, but the shackles were used on three of the pirates. Veale escaped and buried treasure in a nearby cavern (now called Dungeon Rock) where he died during an earthquake.{{sfn|Skinner|1896|p=276}}{{sfn|Lewis|1829|pp=107-109}}{{sfn|Ellms|1837|pp=254-256}}{{sfn|Timer|1915|p=968}}
In 1658, according to popular legend, [[Captain Veale|Captain Thomas Veale]] and three other pirates sailed up the Saugus River. The pirates visited the Saugus Iron Works at night and left a note on the door of Jenckes's forge requesting shackles and chains to be purchased with silver left in a hidden place in Lynn Forest (now called Pirates' Glen). The order was filled, but the shackles were used on three of the pirates. Veale escaped and buried treasure in a nearby cavern (now called Dungeon Rock) where he died during an earthquake.{{sfn|Skinner|1896|p=276}}{{sfn|Lewis|1829|pp=107-109}}{{sfn|Marine Research Society|1837|pp=254-256}}{{sfn|Timer|1915|p=968}}


==Family==
==Family==

Revision as of 04:26, 17 January 2019

Joseph Jenckes Sr.
BaptizedAugust 26, 1599
St. Ann Blackfriars, London, England
DiedMarch 16, 1683
Lynn, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Occupation(s)Cutler, smithy, inventor
Known forFirst patent in America
Spouses
  • Joan Hearne
  • Elizabeth (unknown surname)
Parents
  • John Jenckes Sr. (father)
  • Sarah Fulwater (mother)

Joseph Jenckes Sr. (baptized August 26, 1559—March 16, 1683), also spelled Jencks and Jenks, was a sword cutler, ironworker, mechanic, and inventor who was instrumental in establishing the Saugus Iron Works in Massachusetts Bay Colony where he was granted the first machine patent in America.

Early life

Joseph Jenckes Sr. was baptized on August 26, 1599, at St. Ann Blackfriars, London. His parents were John Jenckes Sr. (b. c. 1556) and Sarah Fulwater (b. 1573), both of St. Ann Blackfriars parish. He had an older sister, Sarah (b. 1597), and at least two older half brothers, John Jenckes Jr. (c. 1576—c. 1626) and Jonas Jenckes (c. 1580—1622). His patrilineal line has been traced to 15th-century Shropshire.[1][2]

Arms of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers
Company of Cutlers

Joseph Jenckes Sr. was raised in a family of cutlers and trade guilds members. His father, John Jenckes Sr., and his half brothers, John and Jonas, were cutlers and members of the Worshipful Company of White Bakers, a London guild for bakers of light-grain bread. Jenckes's maternal grandfather, German immigrant Henry Fulwater (c. 1545—1603), was a cutler and a member of the Worshipful Company of Cutlers.[3]

London guilds—called livery companies—regulated trade in the city and provided apprenticeships. Membership conferred social status and city voting rights. Livery companies that did not oversee cutlers would accept cutlers by patrimony, which is why some in the Jenckes's family were in a bakers' guild.[4][5]

In 1627, Joseph Jenckes Sr. married in Horton, Buckinghamshire, which is about 20 miles west of St. Ann Blackfriars, London.[6]

Sword cutler at Stone's factory

Joseph Jenckes Sr. Hounslow Sword — Powysland Museum, Welshpool
Sword made by Joseph Jenckes

Between c. 1629 and c. 1641, Joseph Jenckes Sr. worked as a sword cutler at Benjamin Stone's sword factory at Hounslow, Middlesex, which is about 14 miles west of St. Ann Blackfriars.[7]

In 1629, Benjamin Stone, a member of the Company of Cutlers in London, converted a grain mill into a sword factory on the Cutt River in Hounslow Heath to meet the demand for military swords created by the ongoing Thirty Years' War (1618—1648). Stone employed English cutlers and German sword cutlers from Solingen. The swords were delivered primarily to the Tower of London's armory, with peak production between 1634 and 1637. By 1642, the First English Civil War had begun and Stone's sword factory was moved to Oxford.[7][8][9]

The Powysland Museum in Welshpool, Wales, has a sword in its collection made by Joseph Jenckes Sr. The sword blade is inscribed with the words “JENCKES JOSEPH" on one side and "ME FECIT HOVNSLO” (Made in Hounslow) on the reverse.[10][1][11]

Immigration to New England

While in Hounslow, Joseph Jenckes Sr. became a widower in 1635 and one of his two children died in 1638. In 1639, he petitioned authorities to build a newly invented blade mill at Isleworth, however it is not known if he followed through with his plans. In c. 1641, Jenckes left his only child, Joseph, in England with family and immigrated to New England. In 1642, he was mentioned in New Hampshire records. In 1643, Jenckes was mentioned in a deed for land near Kittery at the York River in Maine. By 1645, he was working at the Saugus Iron Works near Lynn in Massachusetts Bay.[12][13]

Blacksmith at the Saugus Iron Works

From c. 1645 until his death in 1683, Joseph Jenckes Sr. was at the Hammersmith ironworks, later called the Saugus Iron Works. The Saugus Iron Works used the most advanced technology of the time and was the first successful integrated ironworks in America.[14]

Saugus Iron Works - general plan showing Jenckes Site

The business venture to build an integrated ironworks on the Saugus River began long before Jenckes arrived. In the late 1620s, bog iron ore was discovered in the Saugus River marshes near Lynn. In 1641, John Winthrop the Younger had samples of the ore shipped to England and soon afterwards an investment consortium headed by Winthrop called "The Company of Undertakers of the Iron Works in New England" invested in the proposed Saugus River project. In 1645, Winthrop resigned his position as company agent and was succeeded by Richard Leader. Leader chose the site and laid out the plan for the ironworks at the newly-formed company town called Hammersmith. The ironworks started operations in 1646.[15][16]

In 1647, Richard Leader gave permission to Jenckes to erect his foundry and forge along the tailrace (water channel) below the Saugus Iron Works blast furnace. In the mid-1950s, the Company of Undertakers entered bankruptcy and as part of the settlement much of the Saugus Iron Works—Jenckes's shop, the rolling mill, the slitting mill, and a corn mill—was awarded to a local businessman, Joseph Armitage. In 1656, Jenckes purchased all these structures and the machines they contained from Armitage. In 1688, production at Hammersmith ceased operations, five years after Jenckes's death.[17][18]

Jenckes site excavation

Between 1948 and 1953, archeologist Roland W. Robbins excavated various sites at the Saugus Iron Works. In 1952, Robbins excavated the area where Jenckes built his foundry and forge at the tailrace beneath the blast furnace, which was called the "Jenks Site." He uncovered a wrought-iron tuyere (bellows pipe), an anvil base, axes, chisels, knives, four water wheels, a water wheel hub and shaft, a cannon ball, a sawmill saw blade, a scythe, hoes, spades, ox and horse shoes, and other objects. He discovered the "likely remains of Jenks’ forge hearth" and he found the remains of a slitting mill and evidence of a wire-making operation.[19]

Jenckes career milestones

1930 Saugus historical marker

First patent in America

In 1646, Jenckes was granted the first patent in America. He received a 14-year patent for a new kind of water-driven machine to make make scythes, sawmill saw blades, and other edged tools. In his application to the Massachusetts General Court, he asked for “the usuall priveleg and liberty Granted by the high Court of Parliament in England to men that doe first sett upon workes of this nature.” He explained that he had “expended his estate, study, and labour, and have brought things to perfection; Another when he seeth it makes the like; and soe I loose the benefit of that I have studied for many yeeres before; which will tend to my Great damadg if not my utter undoeing.” The patent was issued by the General Court and bore the signatures of Governor John Winthrop and Deputy Edward Rawson.[20][21]

First casting in America

Jenckes made the first iron casting in America. The small kettle with three legs was presented by Jenckes to Samuel Hudson. The kettle is called the Saugus Pot and is now displayed at the Saugus Public Library. Metallurgy tests confirmed that the pot matches metal fragments found at the site of the Jenckes's forge.[22][23][24][25]

Scythe patent

In 1655, Jenckes was granted a 7-year patent for an improved scythe "for the more speedy cutting of grass." The European scythe had a straight snath (long wooden shaft) and the scythe blade was short and thick, which reduced its efficiency. The Jenckes scythe had a double-curved snath and the scythe blade was longer, thinner, and lightweight. The blade was strengthened by a chine (a rib) on back. The Jenckes scythe became known as the American scythe and it remains substantially unchanged today.[26][27][28][29]

Unproven milestones

First fire engine in America

After Boston suffered a serious fire in 1653, the selectmen of Boston approved the purchase of fire engines from Joseph Jenks Sr. the following year: "The select men have power and liberty hereby to agree with Joseph Jynks for Ingins to Carry water in Case of fire, if they see Cause soe to doe." In 1702 the selectmen referred to an old engine in need of repairs, which may have been the Jenckes engine. However, no document confirming that Jenckes made the engine has been found.[30]

Punches for first coins in America

In 1652, John Hull and Robert Sanderson were appointed mint masters for Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1654, Jenckes wrote a letter to Edward Hull, John Hull's brother, about recruiting a die maker. In 1672, Jenckes petitioned the General Court to make coins; however, the court rejected Jenckes request: "In ans to the humble proposal of Joseph Jenks, Sen. for ye making of money etc the Court judgeth to meet not to grant his request."[31] Recent research suggests that Jenckes may have made the punches or dies for Hull and Sanderson's mint.[32]

The legend of Thomas Veale

In 1658, according to popular legend, Captain Thomas Veale and three other pirates sailed up the Saugus River. The pirates visited the Saugus Iron Works at night and left a note on the door of Jenckes's forge requesting shackles and chains to be purchased with silver left in a hidden place in Lynn Forest (now called Pirates' Glen). The order was filled, but the shackles were used on three of the pirates. Veale escaped and buried treasure in a nearby cavern (now called Dungeon Rock) where he died during an earthquake.[33][34][35][22]

Family

Joseph Jenckes Sr. married Joan Hearne[a] on November 5, 1627 at Horton, Buckinghamshire. Joan Hearne was born in c. 1607 in Horton and died on February 28, 1635 at Isleworth, Middlesex. They had two children: Elizabeth, b.1597; and Joseph Jenckes Jr., b.1599. His daughter, Elizabeth, died in 1838 in England and his son, Joseph, who remained in England when his father emigrated, joined him at the Saugus Iron Works in c. 1647.[37][38]

He married, secondly, Elizabeth in c. 1650 in New England. Elizabeth—whose maiden name and origin are unknown—was born in 1604 and died at Lynn in 1679. They had five children: Sarah, b.1652; Samuel, b.1654; Deborah, b.1658; John, b.1660; and Daniel, b.1663.[39]

Legacy

The Saugus Iron Works is considered the birthplace of the American iron and steel industry. The story of the ironworks and of Joseph Jenckes Sr. are preserved in the museum and reconstructed buildings at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Lynn, Massachusetts.[19]

Notable descendants

Notable descendants of Joseph Jenckes Sr. include his son, Joseph Jenckes Jr., the founder of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; his grandson, Joseph Jenckes 3rd, the 19th governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; his 3nd great-grandson, Nicholas Brown Jr., a philanthropist who gave his name to Brown University; his 8th great-granddaughter, Amelia Earhart, an aviation pioneer; his 8th great-grandson, Willis Carrier, the inventor of air conditioning; his 8th great-grandson, James Thurber, a cartoonist, author, and playwright; and his 11th great-granddaughter, Britney Spears, a recording artist.[40][41][42]

Notes

  1. ^ Meridith B. Colket has shown that early historical writings incorrectly identified his wife as Mary Tervyn and Colket has shown there were two Joseph Jenckeses born about the same time in the same extended family.[36]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, p. 174.
  2. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, pp. 6, 12–23.
  3. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, pp. 12–23.
  4. ^ Southwick 2001, p. 23.
  5. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, p. 3.
  6. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, p. 6.
  7. ^ a b Browne & Colket 1956, pp. 6–8.
  8. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, pp. 174–176.
  9. ^ Southwick 2009, p. 31.
  10. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, p. 8.
  11. ^ Southwick 2009, p. 48.
  12. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, pp. 4, 9.
  13. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, p. 176.
  14. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, pp. 27, 119, 186.
  15. ^ Browne 1952, p. xiii.
  16. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, pp. 30–33.
  17. ^ Browne 1952, p. xviii.
  18. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, pp. 178–186.
  19. ^ a b Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, pp. 173–200.
  20. ^ Fish 1909, pp. 313–314.
  21. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, p. 178.
  22. ^ a b Timer 1915, p. 968.
  23. ^ Saugus Public Library.
  24. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, p. 248.
  25. ^ American Foundry Society.
  26. ^ Dobyns 1994, p. 11.
  27. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, p. 179.
  28. ^ United States Agricultural Society 1858, p. 7.
  29. ^ Browne 1952, pp. xvi–xvii.
  30. ^ Newhall, Newhall & Newhall 1897, pp. 158–159.
  31. ^ Browne 1952, pp. xvii, 571.
  32. ^ Jordan 2002, pp. 142–147.
  33. ^ Skinner 1896, p. 276.
  34. ^ Lewis 1829, pp. 107–109.
  35. ^ Marine Research Society 1837, pp. 254–256.
  36. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, pp. 5–6.
  37. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, pp. 4, 6, 44.
  38. ^ Griswold & Linebaugh 2010, p. 186.
  39. ^ Browne 1952, p. 1.
  40. ^ BYU.
  41. ^ Hall.
  42. ^ Browne & Colket 1956, p. 2.

Bibliography

  • American Foundry Society. "About Metalcasting". www.afsinc.org. Retrieved 2019-01-15. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Browne, William Bradford (1952). Genealogy of the Jenks family of America. Concord, NH: Rumford Press. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Browne, William Bradford; Colket, Meredith Bright (1956). The Jenks family of England; supplement, compiled under the terms of the will of Harlan W. Jenks, deceased. Boston Public Library. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • BYU. "Exploring Relatives for Joseph Jenckes Sr". www.relativefinder.org. Retrieved 7 December 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Dobyns, Kenneth W. (1994). The Patent Office pony: a history of the early Patent Office / Kenneth W. Dobyns. Fredericksburg, VA: Sergeant Kirkland's Museum and Historical Society. ISBN 9780963213747. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Fish, F. P. (1909). "The Patent System in its Relation to Industrial Development". Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. XXVIII (1): 313–339. ISSN 0096-3860. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)</ref>
  • Griswold, William A.; Linebaugh, Donald W. (2010). Saugus Iron Works: The Roland W. Robbins Excavations, 1948-1953 (PDF). National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Hall, Rich. "Famous Kin of Joseph Jenckes Sr". famouskin.com. Retrieved 7 December 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Jordan, Louis (2002). John Hull: the mint and the economics of Massachusetts coinage. Mint and the economics of Massachusetts coinage. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England. ISBN 9781584652922. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Lewis, Alonzo (1829). The history of Lynn. Boston: Press of J. H. Eastburn. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Marine Research Society (1837). The Pirates Own Book, Or Authentic Narratives of the Lives, Exploits, and Executions of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers. Sanborn & Carter. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Newhall, James R; Newhall, Israel Augustus; Newhall, Howard Mudge (1897). History of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts: including Lynnfield, Saugus, Swampscott, and Nahant. Vol. II. Lynn, MA: Nicholls Press. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Saugus Public Library. "Iron pot made at ironworks kept in Lynn Library". digitalheritage.noblenet.org. Retrieved 2019-01-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)
  • Skinner, Charles M. (1896). Myths and legends of our own land. Philadelphia & London: J.P. Lippincott company. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Southwick, Leslie (2001). London Silver-hilted Swords: Their Makers, Suppliers and Allied Traders, with Directory. Royal Armouries. ISBN 9780948092473. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Southwick, Leslie (2009). "The London Cutler 'Benjamin Stone' and the Hounslow Sword and Blade Manufactories". Arms & Armour. 6 (1): 12–61. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • Timer, Present (1915). "Foundries of the Early American Days". International Molders' and Foundry Workers' Journal. 51: 967–968. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  • United States Agricultural Society (1858). Field trial of reapers, mowers and harvest implements. Boston: Bazin. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
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