Jenkins Genealogy

Related Jenkins Families

William Lewis Jenkins

About 1847–48 – 1905

William Lewis Jenkins was born in Georgia about 1847 or 1848 and died in 1905. The identity of his parents has not been established. DNA evidence connects the descendants of this family with the descendants of Elijah Daniel Jenkins, although the exact relationship has not been established. See DNA Research.

Restored portrait of William Lewis Jenkins, a man with a heavy mustache wearing a dark coat and bow tie.
William Lewis Jenkins. Photograph provided by a descendant. Restored from a very blurry photograph of the original. A photograph of his son was used to assist in the restoration.
William Lewis Jenkins in the RecordsEarliest to latest
DatePlaceRecord
1850Subdivision 65, Newton County, GeorgiaCensus, age 2, in the William Davis or Dennis household1
1860Lofton’s District, Butts County, GeorgiaCensus, age 12, with William and Sarah Dennis2
1865Henry County, GeorgiaMarriage of W. L. Jenkins and Nancy Capps4
1870Subdivision 96, Newton County, GeorgiaCensus, age 23, blacksmith, as head of household3
1905McDonough, Henry County, GeorgiaDeath year and burial, from his headstone5

He has not been located in the 1880 or 1900 census.

Early Life

William first appears in the 1850 census of Newton County, Georgia, at age 2, in the household of William and Sarah Davis or Dennis, both natives of South Carolina. Also in the household was Ann E. Jenkins, age 20, born in South Carolina.1 The census does not state how she was related to William. By 1860 William was living with William and Sarah Dennis in Lofton’s District, Butts County, and Ann was no longer in the household.2

Marriage and Family

On November 9, 1865, W. L. Jenkins married Nancy Capps in Henry County, Georgia.4 She also appears in family trees as Edwina Caroline “Nancy” Capps. The 1870 census of Newton County lists William as a blacksmith, with his wife, Nancy A., and three young children.3 The children’s names are difficult to read on the census image, and the readings below are tentative. Two later death certificates identify further family members.6 7

Military Service and Burial

William is buried at Philadelphia United Methodist Church Cemetery in McDonough, Henry County, Georgia. His military headstone reads: “PVT William L Jenkins, Co H, 3rd GA Res, CSA, 1847–1905.”5

Family Chart

William Lewis Jenkinsabout 1847–48 to 1905
Nancy Cappsbirth and death not confirmed
  • Sara O. C. (or E. or A.) Jenkinsborn about 1866
  • Martha E. Jenkinsborn about 1868
  • James W. A. Jenkins, probably James Williamabout 1869 to March 29, 1928
  • Mary Angeline Jenkins Copelandabout 1872 to January 16, 1928

James William Jenkins’s death certificate (No. 33481) names his father as Lewis W. Jenkins; he has not yet been proven to be the James W. A. of the 1870 census.7 Mary Angeline Copeland’s death certificate (No. 1679) names her parents as Lewis Jenkins and Nancy Capps, and gives Nancy’s birthplace as Henry County.6 FamilySearch profiles are not linked here because a confirmed profile for William has not been recorded.

Unresolved Questions

  • Who were William’s parents, and what was his relationship to Ann E. Jenkins?
  • Why was he living with William and Sarah Dennis?
  • Where was he in 1880 and 1900?

Theories concerning this family appear in the Research Notes.