Samuel Jennings

For the first president of Asbury College, see Samuel K. Jennings. For the English soccer player, see Sam Jennings.
Samuel Jennings
1st Deputy Governor of West New Jersey
In office
1682–1685
Governor Edward Byllynge
Preceded by Office created
Succeeded by Thomas Olive
Speaker of the West New Jersey General Free assembly
In office
1701–1701
Governor Andrew Hamilton
Member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Western Division
In office
July 29, 1703 – 1706 (Resigned)
Preceded by Office created
Succeeded by Peter Sonmans
Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
1707–1708
Governor Viscount Cornbury
Preceded by Peter Fretwell
Succeeded by Thomas Gordon
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
from the City of Burlington district
In office
1707–1708
Serving with Thomas Gardiner
Preceded by Peter Fretwell
Succeeded by Thomas Rapier
Personal details
Born England
Died 1708
Burlington, New Jersey
Religion Quaker

Samuel Jennings or Samuel Jenings was born in England and died in Burlington, New Jersey, in 1708.

Jennings and his family arrived in West Jersey in September 1680. Governor Edward Byllynge in 1682 appointed Jennings to the position of deputy-governor of West Jersey. At the instigation of William Penn, Jennings allowed himself to be popularly elected as governor, causing a falling out with Byllynge, who believed this to be an illegal usurpation of his authority. In 1684, Byllynge removed him from his position as deputy.[1]

Jennings later became involved in the controversy started by George Keith and Thomas Budd, siding with the Quakers. As a result, he was tried and convicted. In 1694, Jennings was sent to London for his six-day trial. He ably defended his position, and published The Case Stated while in London.[2]

After the late 1690s the government of East and West Jersey became increasingly dysfunctional. This ultimately resulted in the surrender by the Proprietors of West Jersey and those of East Jersey of the right of government to Queen Anne. Anne's government united the two colonies as the Province of New Jersey, a royal colony, establishing a new system of government. This reorganization and the period leading up to it saw many New Jersey politicians jockeying for power and influence in the new government. By 1701 he was the Speaker of the West New Jersey General Free Assembly, and was being recommended as a potential member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Western Division; he was appointed by The Crown on July 29, 1703. He remained of the council until his resignation in 1706.[3]

After leaving the Council, Jennings was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly for the City of Burlington, and served as Speaker during 1707. He died in 1708.

References

  1. ↑ New Jersey Colonial Documents, Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Vol. III; Daily Advertiser Publishing House, Newark, New Jersey, 1881. p. 159
  2. ↑ The Journal of the Friends' Historical Society, Volume III, Norman Penney, Editor; Headley Brothers, Printers, London; and Ashford, Kent; 1906, p. 94
  3. ↑ Manual of the Legislature of New Jersey, date: various (pre 1950)

The History of Novo Caesaria or New Jersey, Samuel Smith, Pub. 1765. 

See also

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