Martha Jane (Jones) Jennings (1801 - abt. 1869)

Born 1801 in Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Wife of John Franklin Wood — married 26 Feb 1814 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

Wife of Patterson Jennings — married 17 Apr 1826 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died about 1869 at about age 68 in Campbell, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Martha, the daughter of Thomas Jones, was married to John F. Wood on 26 Feb 1814 in Campbell County, Virginia. ^[1] They have been reported to have had six or more children, including:

• William Franklin Wood, 23 June 1815–26 January 1880^[2]
• Elizabeth Jane (Wood) Bailey, 3 November 1816–23 May 1884^[3]
• Emeline Wood, 24 December 1819–20 July 1901^[4]
• Edmund B. Wood, 17 March 1821–before 1880
• Jesse Wood, born 1 December 1823
• Nancy L. (Wood) Franklin, 20 September 1825–14 October 1913^[5]

In 1823 John was required to post bonds as large as $4000 to stop his breaches of the peace. The actions were brought against him by his wife Martha and his father–in–law, Major Thomas Jones.^[6][7]

A resolution appeared to have been reached on 18 March 1825, when settlements were filed in the Campbell County courts, transferring 1200–1500 acres of land and other of John's property to his father–in–law, in trust for the benefit of his wife and children. Some this property had been encumbered by John to secure the peace bonds he had been required to post with the Court. The agreement stated that John and Martha had agreed "to live separate and apart."^[8] Unfortunately, John was not satisfied with this resolution.

A newspaper story months later summarized the situation and the evidence that was presented in Court regarding the events that followed:

[John F.] Wood was a turbulent man, and, in his neighborhood, generally deemed a dangerous one, particularly when he was inebriated—that his conduct toward his wife was brutal and barbarous—that this treatment was not produced by his wife's misconduct (for he often admitted that no man had a better wife) but for the sole purpose of provoking his father–in–law and his son William—that he had often sworn he would kill them both, and averred that he would never be satisfied until he had done so—that, on the day of his death, he went to Major Jones' house, and, with every intention of attacking the Major (who is an old, infirm man, tottering as he walks, and his head frosted by at least 70 or 80 winters)—that, as he was in the act of advancing towards him, in a hostile manner, Maj. Jones shot him, when he instantly staggered, fell, and expired.^[9]

After witnesses presented this evidence in Court, Major Jones' defense counsel waived closing arguments and the jury immediately acquitted him. The public was reportedly "very much pleased with the verdict."^[9]

On 17 April 1826, Martha married William Patterson Jennings in Campbell County, Virginia. ^[10]. They have been reported to have had eleven children.

Sources

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed January 3rd, 2016), "Record of Thomas Jones", Ancestor # A062721.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed November 3rd, 2015), "Record of Owen Franklin", Ancestor # A041793.
• "Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRWH-B9S : accessed 22 April 2015), John F. Wood and Martha Jones, 26 Feb 1814; citing Campbell, Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31,050.
• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M88T-CXB : accessed 28 January 2016), Martha Jennings in household of Patterson Jennings, Campbell county, Campbell, Virginia, United States; citing family 805, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M41F-SDS : accessed 28 January 2016), Martha Jennings in entry for James M Jennings, 1860.

1. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRWH-B9S : 29 January 2020), Martha Jones in entry for John F. Wood, 1814.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/48949943/william-f-wood : accessed 23 July 2021), memorial page for William F Wood (23 Jun 1815–26 Jan 1880), Find A Grave: Memorial #48949943, citing Hunter Marshall Family Cemetery, Spout Spring, Appomattox County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Jesse Bryant (contributor 47246410).
3. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/54430413/elizabeth-jane-bailey : accessed 23 July 2021), memorial page for Elizabeth Jane Wood Bailey (3 Nov 1816–23 May 1884), Find A Grave: Memorial #54430413, citing Blountville Cemetery, Blountville, Sullivan County, Tennessee, USA ; Maintained by Bobbie Camp Floyd (contributor 46638110)[gravemarker not legible as to her].
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/178819764/emeline-n.-bailey : accessed 23 July 2021), memorial page for Emeline N. Bailey (24 Dec 1819–20 Jul 1901), Find A Grave: Memorial #178819764, citing Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by DeLane Randolph (contributor 48393071) .
5. ↑ "Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVRQ-VXZ5 : 16 August 2019), Nancy L Franklin, 14 Oct 1913; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.
6. ↑ Order Book 15, 162 (May 1823); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-V3XS-HSPQ : July 22, 2021), image 671 of 696.
7. ↑ Order Book 15, 196 (July 1823); "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-23XS-H7M9 : July 22, 2021), image 689 of 696.
8. ↑ "Campbell, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-39RK-5 : July 22, 2021), image 352 of 597; Virginia. County Court (Campbell County).
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} From the Lynchburg Virginian, The Raleigh Register (Raleigh, North Carolina 20 Sep 1825 2; https://www.newspapers.com/clip/783515/major-thomas-jones-acquitted-of-murder-o [The article did not state the date of the shooting, but 21 April 1825 is given elsewhere.]
10. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRWH-DHR : 29 January 2020), Martha Wood in entry for Patterson Jennings, 1826.