History of Wyoming, (Luzerne County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

A Biography of John Jenkins

John Jenkins, soldier, was born in New London, Conn., Nov. 27, 1751. His father, John Jenkins, one of the original proprietors of the Susquehanna company, and president judge of the first county court in Wyoming, Pa., went to Wyoming, Pa., in 1769, accompanied by his son John, then a lad of eighteen years. The son was a participant and an active leader with his father in the Wyoming controversy between the Pennamites and the Connecticut settlers and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, in which he was a lieutenant. He was a confidant of General Washington, with whom he planned the western expedition under Sullivan, and acted as guide to Sullivan. He was given command of Forty fort, and was stationed there during the massacre of Wyoming, July 5, 1778. He was also present at the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, Oct. 19, 1781. He was elected major and colonel of militia; was sheriff, member of the state legislature, surveyor, conveyancer, teacher, agent of the Susquehanna company, merchant, farmer. He died in Wyoming, Pa., March 19, 1827.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor