Jonathan Jennings' Will

Primary Source Transcription

Submitted by Debie Cox

(Editor's Note: Debie Cox discovered the Jennings will in the Metro Archives in 2001. Jennings' tragic death soon after he drew up his will gives unusual poignancy to the document. The will is significant as probably the oldest surviving Nashville document, other than the Cumberland Compact itself.)

Jonathan Jennings and his family were among the group of pioneers who journeyed with the John Donelson flotilla to the Cumberland Settlements. In his journal, Donelson recorded on March 8, 1780 that Indians had attacked the flotilla and that the Jennings family had been left behind as the other boats made an escape:

The Jennings boat had survived, but not without casualties. Jennings' daughter Elizabeth, wife of Ephraim Peyton, had given birth the day before the attack. In the confusion of the attack her baby was killed. Jonathan Jennings, Jr., son of the elder Jennings, jumped from the boat along with two other men. Jennings, Jr. and one of the men made it to shore but the other man drowned. Jennings, Jr. and his companion were captured by the Indians. The companion was killed and young Jennings was scalped. His life was saved when he was ransomed by a trader, and he was later reunited with his family in the Cumberland Settlements. The other members of the Jennings family continued on with Donelson and arrived at Fort Nashborough on April 24, 1780.

According to J. G. M. Ramsey in his Annals of Tennessee, Jonathan Jennings, Sr., was killed by Indians in July or August of 1780. Jennings left a will which is undated. In July of 1784, the will was presented to the court of Davidson County and proven on the oaths of James Robertson and William Fletcher. The will had also been witnessed by Zachariah White who was killed near Fort Nashborough at the Battle of the Bluffs in April of 1781. The signatures of Jennings, Robertson, and White can be verified through comparison with their signatures on the Cumberland Compact which was signed in May of 1780.

In the name of God Amen I Jonathan Jennings of North Carolina on Cumberland River having this day Received several wounds from the Indians and calling to mind the mortality of my Body do make and Ordain this to be my last will & Testament And first of all I give and recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body to be disposed of at the Discretion of my executors And as touching my Worldly affairs I dispose of them in manner following Viz

Item I give and bequeath to my    It is my Desire that my Estate be Equally divided between my Wife my sons William, Edmond, Elizabeth Haranor Mary Aggy Anne & Susannah all but such a part as shall be hereafter disposed of

Item I give and bequeath to my son Jonathan who was Scalped by Indians and rendered incapable of getting his living a Negrow girl Milla & her increase who is to remain with my beloved wife till my son comes of age Also a Choice Rifle Gun & a Horse and Saddle Item I give my beloved wife Four Choice Cows and Caves The Wards Milla and her increase and the Ward Jonathan being interlined I devise that my Loveing Wife and my son Edmond be Executrix & Exectutor of this my last Will & Testament
Signed Sealed & Published in Presents
of Jonathan Jenings
Zach White
Js. Robertson
William Fletcher

Photograph by Paul M. Pierce.

Return to NHN Table of Contents.