Thomas Jenkins (III)
From Jenkins Family Wiki
Thomas Jenkins (1808-1893), oldest son of David Jenkins and Jane Ferguson was born at Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania on September 27, 1808. He was the grandson on his mother's side of John Ferguson, who came from Edinburgh to Philadelphia in time to be present at the taking of Quebec. His grandmother, Mary Craig Ferguson was born in England, but was of Scottish descent. Thomas' father and mother were both born in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Thomas married Joanna Marshall of Philadelphia on April 19, 1838. That same year, Elisha Davis came to Georgetown, which was organized in Bart Township in 1819 by Samuel Ferguson, to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When the Jenkins family heard that a Mormon elder was in the community, they attended, believed, and many family members were baptized, including Thomas.
Thomas and Joanna spent some time in Philadelphia. Their first three sons were born there: Charles Hall, who was possibly adopted; Marshall, and Joseph.
At the time of Joseph's birth, the family sold their farm in the Welch Mountains and moved to Nauvoo, tithing everything they owned. The tithe included a large black horse, Charlie, which Joseph Smith liked and used. The land they acquired adjoined land owned by the Prophet, and they became acquainted with him.
Thomas' next two children were born in Nauvoo. David Halzell was born February 28, 1843, and Catherine Jane on August 22, 1846. While in Nauvoo, Thomas practiced his grade of blacksmithing and became friendly with Jonathan Browning, a friendship that lasted all their lives. He was also made a Seventy in Nauvoo, in 1843.
When the Saints were driven out of Nauvoo, Thomas took his family to Pota, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he practiced blacksmithing, preparing the Saints to make the long trek west. Three children were born while they were in Pota: Joanna, Mary Belle, and Thomas. Some time during this period, Brigham Young called Thomas to make a trip west to the Salt Lake Valley, leaving Joanna and the children to fend for themselves. Thomas filled his call, stayed the winter, and returned the next year. In the summer of 1852, his preparations made, he moved his family out to the Salt Lake Valley, but settled in Ogden. In Ogden, he had a city lot on what is now 24th Street and Washington Avenue, the southeast corner, where he established his blacksmith shop. He also had a farm west of Ogden. Their remaining four children were born in Ogden: Samuel F., John, Lovenia, and Hyrum.
Thomas Jenkins was ordained a High Priest in Ogden at this time. He was very proud of his love of and loyalty to the Gospel, and he stayed close to the Church all his life. Joanna died in Ogden on October 31, 1889, at the age of 72. Thomas died four years later on December 3, 1893, at the age of 85. They are both buried in the Ogden City Cemetery.
