A Tree Grew in Oakland

Jonathan Sprague, my 8 time great grandfather, was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, on 28 May 1648, to William and Millicent Eames Sprague.  He married Mehitable Holbrook, daughter of William and Elizabeth Pitts Holbrook, 20 July 1670, in Providence, Rhode Island.  In 1672, the couple removed to Mendon, Massachusetts.  William Sprague died in 1675 and left Jonathan 60 acres of land in Providence, Rhode Island, where the family relocated before 1680.  He was appointed, with other, by the Assembly to run the eastern line of the Colony.

From Genealogy (In Part) of the Sprague Family in America As Descended from Edward Sprague of England from 1614, compiled by Augustus B. R. Sprague. 1905:

“Jonathan Spague was evidently a man of strong character, was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of his town, and served frequently in public office. He was a member of the House of Deputies for sixteen years between 1695 and 1714; Speaker of the House in 1703, and member of the Town Council, eight years, from 1705 to 1712; Clerk of the Assembly in 1707.  In 1703, he, with two others, was appointed to draw up the methods and proceedings of the Court of Common Pleas.

“Of a decidedly religious bent, he professed the Baptist faith, and preached as an exhorter. — Staples’ Annals of Providence

“He died probably in Smithfield, Rhode Island, September 1741.”

Jonathan and Mehitable were the parents of 6: Jonathan, Joanna, an infant daughter, Patience (1674) [my 7 time great grandmother], William (1691), and Mary (1697).   Their daughter Patience married William Jenks, connecting that family line.

147 years ago, 13 May 1873, my second cousin, 4 times removed, Franklin Adelbert Jenks, son of Calvin and Annis Ellen Brown Jenks, married my second cousin, 4 times removed, Amy Jane Jenks, daughter of Elisha and Diana Burgess Jenks.  Calvin and Elisha were first cousins.  That made the couple second cousins.  Both families had settled in the Jenksville / Speedsville area of New York.  The hamlets are less than 5 miles apart, both founded by my 4 times great grandfather, Laban Jenks prior to his uprooting the family and coming to Michigan in 1820.

With the closeness of the relationship, I have found no children of the union.

338 years ago, 19 April 1682, in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, Abigail Bellows wed Isaac Lawrence.  I know little of my 7 times great grandparents.  Most of what I know is in reference to their daughter, my 6 times great grandmother, Rachael Lawrence (1712-1788), who became the wife of John Jenks in 1731.  They were the parents of 15!  Rachael was the mother of my Sons of the American Revolution Patriot, Jesse Jenks.