John Jenney (1596-1644)

1623 Voyage to Plymouth Colony
John Jenney was a passenger on the English ship Little James, which sailed from London in April, 1623, bound for Plymouth Colony. The ship was one of two to arrive safely that year and would remain in local waters to help with fishing and other chores. The Little James had two young men in charge – Master John Bridges, master mariner, and a novice Captain, Emmanuel Altham, a Merchant Adventurer.

He was a cooper (barrel maker) by occupation. Leiden records call him a “brewer’s man” of Norwich, Norfolk. He was ship’s cooper on Little James. Arrived on the Little James with wife Sarah and children Samuel, Abigail, and Sarah. Son Samuel was born on the ship. Captain Altham wrote on September 7, 1623 that “Good wife Jennings was brought abed of a son aboard our ship.” And: “was delivered of a child in the Ship a month before we cam [sic] a shore and both are well yet, God be praised.”

In the 1623 Plymouth Land Census he is “John Jenings” with 5 shares. He was a member of the 1626 Purchaser investment group as “Mr John Jenney”. In the 1627 cattle division he is “John Jene” with 5 members of his family and 6 members of the Hicks (Hickes) family listed with him in the 12th lot. Died after c.1643.

Marriage and Family

 * 1) Child Jenney (1614-1618)
 * 2) Samuel Jenney (1616-1688) - traveled with family on Little James to America in 1623.
 * 3) Child Jenney (1618-1618)
 * 4) Abigail Jenney (1621-1674) - traveled with family on Little James to America in 1623.
 * 5) Sarah Jenney (1622-1683)  - traveled with family on Little James to America in 1623.
 * 6) Baby Jenney (1623-1627) - baby born during voyage of Little James to America
 * 7) John Jenney (1627-1650)
 * 8) Susanna Jenney (1634-1654)