My Tree

Deeply Rooted

Jenks, Edwin

Source 075 – Personal Letter by Unknown

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Author: unknown
Title: Letter to George [presumed to be George S. Thomas]
Date: undated
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note: [presumed to be Laura Jenks]

[first four pages missing; starts with page 5 of a letter]
Now George, there are some things you ought to know. and perhaps it will be well for me to mention them to you. When our brother Hamilton died in Duke Center I received a dispatch from James’s wife. She had already sent for Edwin to come and see to the burial of our brother and he came at once. Now of course I notified Ashur and Mary. as soon as Manley heard the news he at once ? out for Duke Center and while he was on the way out there Edwin was on the way here, now all that could be said could not stop Manley from going, so Edwin blamed all of us for it was in July and the burial had to be postponed for Manley to return from his trip so the outcome was they demanded pay for Manley’s expenses which was duly paid. As it was in Mary’s and Edd hands they done as they liked about it but if I had went out there Mary and Edd would refused to paid. I tell you this so you will see why we received so little of heirs [?] estate he had on his person nineteen hundred dollars when Edwin settled with me he said there was a dividend of 40 dollars for each of us. You know weather you received it or not. I got none of the 40 dollars. Now you see we can’t allow Hatties expenses and all of Edds journeys if we do there will be nothing left. Edwin has a charge that I shall not allow if I can help it. The summer before Mary died some one notified Edwin that Mary was dead or dying so he came up and while in Marathon he notified the Goodales so they met for a funeral and found our sister very much alive, and Edd would not tell who his informant was. And to this day Jenks nor myself don’t know who sent for Edd. He and Mary had a time over it. Now if Hattie wants pay for the journey up here that time let her get it from the one who sent for Edd. All Harvy Hill knows Mary did not send for him at that time. She told every one she did not know anything of it.

Now George Edwin owed me and he kept the debt alive by paying me a small sum occasionally. He paid me my expenses out to see you when James and the rest came. The amount was fifty-five dollars. It run for a long time. He never got ready to settle it up and I think it ought to come out of the money from the house and premises Mary willed him. She also herself and Ashur hired Katie two months while she was ill. Katie & Jenks done all til Edwin came up. Katie never had her pay. Now I have told you some of the matters and it is all just as I have written. Read this over careful and write soon. And if you see any flaws in anything let me hear what you think.

In regards to Edwin Jenks he will help settle this matter with a very little cost only what he has to write he will do for us for a very small amount. But Mr. Miller will want all there is. Edwin had over six hundred dollars charged to Mary but he finally cut of some charges. When he saw he could not live. I was glad he did on account of James’s heirs for it would be bad to cheat any of us and add to the Jamesons already vast amount of wealth.

Now George read careful every thing I have penned is strictly true. Good by from your loving sister. Give my regards to all.

Source 071 – Personal Letter by Laura Jenks

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Author: Laura A. Jenks of Dryden, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of North Dorr, MI
Date: 20 January 1908
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

1908, 1st m, 20 day (January 20, 1908)
Dryden, NY

George S. Thomas
North Dorr, Mich.

My Dear Brother:
It is some time since I have heard from you and as this settlement is now started I will inform you something about it. The bill against Mary Jane’s estate has been made over by Frank Jameson and Albr. Harvy that they claim is a lawyer. But I guess he was Edwin’s neighbor. Now Mr. Jameson came here and told me he did not know anything about this settlement. He also wrote to Jenks that he supposed by Edwins tell that it was settled long ago (yet Mr. Miller says) he brought this new bill which he swore to in the presence of the judge. His ? bill calls for six hundred dollars besides what Mary willed Edwin. The bill calls for Manley Goodales funeral expenses and Mary Janes and drunken sprees at hotel in Virgil and Marathon. The bill was so large and so many claims that it could not be settled. the 6th of January. it called for a large amount of monument work and mason work that Mr. Jenks done. There is a very willful lie between Jameson and Miller. Now how can this ever be settled without Edwin’s accounts and Mary Jane’s diary. Edmond Jenks wants to see them but they don’t show them. All Mary owed Edwin for was coming to see her in her last illness and for probating her will. He was here 28 days and Jameson wants one hundred & 4 dollars. A dollar a day. There is livery bills and meals to hotels and all kinds of false claims and very little credit.

Mr. Jameson told Miller to settle with out lawing. The claims calls for more than the farm brought. Edmond Jenks told Miller that he must see Mary’s diary and Edds account book before he would allow such a fraudulent account. That made Mr. Miller turn red in his face and he said he would settle. He has got money belonging to the estate that he has never given up.

Now tell me at once which is best to do. Law them or give up all of the money. Let me hear from you. The judge said if it could not be settled there would have to be a referee appointed. And he could have some of these false accounts looked into. Write on receipt of this. Give my love to each one and a good share to your self. From your loving sister,
Laurie A. Jenks

To my dear Brother:
Now George, do you want Jr. Jameson to have pay for Manley’s doctor bill and casket which Mary Jane and Ashur paid 10 years ago. They had two hundred dollars in gold and paid it willingly. some of the gold was Manley’s. This portion of the bill Mr. Jameson swore to is a false statement and now he wants it paid to him over again.

Mr. Jameson’s bill is so large that the items must take a number of thousand words. Understand we have Edwins bill and his name in his own writing and that called for more than he ought to asked. This last move is all a fraud from first to last. It is a disgraceful affair. What I have written is a true state of affairs.

Source 070 – Personal Letter by Laura Jenks

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Author: “Sister” Laura A. Jenks
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of North Dorr
Date: 16 February 1907
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

Dryden, NY
February 16, 1907
George S. Thomas, North Dorr

My dear brother:
Your kind letter is at hand. I am so sorry our dear sister Julia is so very ill, but I have been sick with rhumatism so I was entirely helpless but am better. Now George as to the accounts against Mary there is none but Katies and mine as I know of “understand” I have never had any information that is correct concerning Edwins charges. Mr Jameson Harriet’s administrator never even answered my letter written last July until this winter then he was in a hurry for his money. He wants a settlement at once. I can’t hear from Jims heirs. I am going to Cortland the 19th to secure the help of a lawyer by name of Wm. J. Mantany who lives in Cortland and he will help do this settling all right. I just heard from him as soon as I go and see him I will inform you at once what course he will take with this business. He is the very best one I can get. I have employed him years ago. He has been hired by our state to do business. And can be trusted. I have five hundred dollars in my possession of the estate money, the Jamesons will want all of the money. I am afraid. I do not know of as good a person to settle up such a mixed up mess as Mantany. He has been in the business for 40 years and in the southern rebellion war. Edwin’s charges are very large but Jenks has Mary’s diary that told very accurate about her deals and Jenks will be a help in the final settling.

From your sister, Laura A. Jenks

Source 069 – Personal Letter by Irving D. Jenks

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Author: “Brother” Irving D. Jenks of Marathon, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of Byron Center, MI
Date: 31 December 1906
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

December 31, 1906
Marathon, NY

Mr. George S. Thomas Esqu.
Dear Brother:
We are all well and hope this will find you the same. Laurie wanted I should write you in regard to our buying these places. I went down to Bruin where Edwin was this was May 1, 1905, that I left Dryden got there the next day. I stayed 3 weeks with brother Edwin and while there I made a bargain with him for the little place where Ashur and Mary Jane lived the price was $600. I also made a bargain for the one half of the 120 acre place which was Mary Janes and when I got home my brother Edmund B. Jenks made out the deeds the undivided one half of the 120 acres to him. The undivided one half of the little place to him and the undivided one half to me. The caragon lot of 3/4 of an acre was made the same sent then to Bruin and Edwin signed them and acknowledged then before one Sam Gibson. He was a Justice of the Peace there in Bruin. And they were witnessed by Joseph Jordan. Then they were sent to John Miller at Marathon we paid the money to him (John Miller) and got our Deeds then they were recorded in the county clerks office at Cortland. Now Brother George that explains the transaction as near as I can explain it on paper but if there is any thing that I have omitted if you will write me I will do my best to make it plain.

Katie May and myself are here living on the little place. I have ben getting out lumber. I got out and it is sawed and stuck up 155 M feet of lumber. Had a mill here. I had 1055 RR ties them I have drawed we also had 150 cords of slab wood that I am drawing at this time. Then I have the lumber to draw as it is sold. The RR ties we got 44 ? delivered at Marathon. The wood we get 250 pr cord loaded on the cars at Marathon. The lumber we get $20 pr M for on the cars at Marathon. If the going will keep good I think I can get every thing hauled by the first of May. My brother has been up here 3 times since I commenced cutting the timber last December. He piled lumber (one day) you see I have been one busy man. I have two teams one team is the nicest there is in this country. They way some over 2500 they are true and kind but I have to drive them with chain bitts as they have been known to run away. Jenks drives them himself. George it would do you good to look at them they never go to sleep while in the harness. I have 9 cows, 3 calves and 2 pigs, 25 hens. Katie has 38 hens and 3 cats. I guess I had better close for this time. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year I remain as ever your brother, Irving D. Jenks
Katie sends her love to all and a happy New Year.

Now George I have in my possession receipts which Ashur payed Edwin after Manley’s death. One of $120, one of $2.5, one of $26.98, and one I payed after Mary Janes death of $47 making in all $196.55. He has received since MW Goodale’s [Manley Goodale] death to my certain knowledge. Whether there had been any more payed or not, I do not know. I wright this to you thinking perhaps they might be good for reflection. Never the less, I intended to present them at the proper time and place.

Edwin twited? me once of gobbling up papers which I had no business with probably there are the ones. I haven’t keep there receipts a secret with the intention of injury to you or Laurie but thought maybe they might turn up at the proper time with a surprise to both sides of the case.
Yours,
ID Jenks

Source 068 – Personal Letter by Laura Jenks

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Author: Laura A. (Thomas) Jenks of Dryden, NY
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of North Dorr, MI
Date: 28 December 1906
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

1906, December 28
Dryden, NY

Mr. George Smith Thomas
North Dorr, Mich

Dear Brother:
Your welcome letter is at hand and I will answer you at once. I am so sorry you have trouble with your eyes. Can’t you find something to help them. Some years ago I had very sore eyes. I lived in Cortland. We sent for Dr. Muncy of Virgil. He gave me a powder it was white to put in water and wash my eyes. It cured them very quick. You mite write to him he is a great doctor for eyes and ears.

I think Jenks and his brother bought the estate of Mary’s of Edwin. He sent for Jenks to come and buy the half of the farm. Jenks you know had for caring for Ashur one half. They have cut a large amount of timber and have had it sawed and are drawing it to Marathon. Now as to getting a lawyer. A man who is acquainted with a good many lawyers was here from Cortland and he said Jenks’s brother is as good a person to help make this settlement as I can possibly get. He is all of his time employed by some one so you see he is the cheapest one we can get. Now George those Jamesons are money grabbers and it will be business to deal with them. Hattie and her brother mean to take all there is. Hattie tried to sell our Mothers cupboard when she was out here. Edwin told me to never let the Thomas cupboard go out of the family. She wants a good lot of money. Her brother wrote to Mr. Miller for money to pay Edwins Dr. bill and other bills. I was sorry for them to think they are so hard up. After 30 years hard labor to be in such a hurrah for some help to pay poor Edwin’s expenses. Now George they have got a good big estate of Edwins. He told me after you went away that he and Frank Jameson was in partnership. They had so many big charges against Mary that they was ashamed and cut down some of them. At the time Jenks was down to Edwin’s he figured up nine hundred dollars against Mary. But Edmund Jenks will be the one to face their outlandish cheating charges. Edd Jenks says they must send an administrator here to settle and they must give bail for the amount paid them. If the law should favor you and me Old Hat would go crazy.

She has never had to use any of her money and Edwin paid out a good little fortune carrying her round the country. Yet when she was out to see to his grave she took on about the cost of coming out here and said she didn’t think she could afford to come again. When Edd paid his money it was all right but different when she had to pay her own car fare.

I will write at once to Jenks and let you know about the farm deal. Give my love to all and much love to yourself.
From Laura

Now Brother George, I think we ought to see how Edwin made his will before we pay much to Edd’s wife. If he was living here when he made his will he would had to mentioned you and I both or we could break such a will. I wouldn’t be surprised if he couldn’t will away real estate here with out our names being in the will. If only a small amount.

Source 066 – Personal Letter by Laura Jenks

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Author: Laura A. (Thomas) Jenks
Title: Letter to “Brother” George S. Thomas of North Dorr, MI
Date: 11 September 1905
Curator: Christine Fisher
Note:

1905
9/11
Dryden, NY

Mr. George S. Thomas
North Dorr, Mich.

Dear Brother:

Your very welcome letter is at hand. and I am very well at this writing and hope you the same. Now dear brother you mentioned Mr. Miller as Administrator. I will say I know Mr. Miller very well. And there could not be a worse move than to have him mixed up with the affair in any way. He has had enough already. Edwin gave him 25 dollars for advice to our sister in her life time. and when she asked him about her affairs he did not even answer her. He has made Edwin all the expense he could about the new road and then made fun of Edwin and said all he cared was for the jobs going up on the hill. Now the very best person to help settle up things is Jenks’s brother Edd. he is the very best of a lawyer and as he and Jenks as going to raise the money for the property he ought to have the pay instead of Miller and he has forgot more than Miller. Besides being a very honest person he is a good hand to settle up estates. besides my husband knows more about matters than any other person living. now about all settlement concerning Edd. Now our brother has got very heavy charges against Mary Janes estate. and Mr Jenks was present at many those settlements with Ashur and Mary and it wont do to let Hatties people have more than they deserve or are rightfully entitled to for instance Edd has got a great deal charged to Mary for car fare and other things. when it can be proven that she only sent for him twice so you see it is best to have some one settle for us that knows how matters are. If it wasn’t for Mr. Jenks being around with Edwin and present at those settlements we would have to allow payments twice over. When Edd came up and was here at the death of Mary Jane Edd sent for his wife. but Mary did not want her. now we all know this fact Katie myself and Jenks. It would not be right to rob the heirs in giving the Jamesons a big roll of money for services that they don’t deserve. Hattie would not say whether Edd willed you or me anything. Edwin was well of and Hattie has got things that are mine that she won’t give up so you see we must not let her have what belongs to you and me and James’s children. I wish to say to you that Edd settled with Ashur for his caring for Mary he had $40 dollars and Manley’s violin the business was done here only for Jenks being present that would have to be allowed over again now George what we know about the matter we do know. and we will do the best we can to save all necessary for the rightful heirs. What I say is strictly true. Write on receipt of this from Laura.