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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY or PAWTUCKET
with John Winthrop* the younger, and settled at Lynn. He is thought to have been one of the workmen engaged to establish the iron works on the Saugus River, the first in New England. At least he was employed there soon after the beginning of the enterprise. He is said to have been “the first founder who worked in brass and iron on the American Continent,”** but although this is probably an exaggerated statement, it is no doubt true that he was the first highly skilled worker in metals who began operations in the English Colonies in North America. Three years after his arrival, on May 6, 1646, the Massachusetts General Court granted him a patent for three important inventions, a water mill or wheel, a machine for making scythes and other edged tools, and a saw mill. He then purchased the right***, Jan. 20, 1647, from Richard Leader, the general manager, to build a forge at the iron works for the manufacture of scythes. Thus early he became an independent manufacturer. In I655 he obtained a patent for an improved form of scythe. That implement as it exists at the present day is practically in the form as improved by Joseph Jenks, Sr., and displaced the thick stub scythe previously in use. These inventions were of prime importance to the English settlers, as by their use the power of subduing the wilderness was rapidly increased, and the water power was rendered available in the work. These notable inventions were not the only achievements of Joseph Jenks, Sr. In 1652 he made the dies for the pine tree shilling coinage of Massachusetts; in 1654 built a fire engine for Boston; in 1667 conceived a project for starting a wire manufactory, but did not receive sufficient encouragement to go on with the undertaking; and in 1672 made a proposal to coin the colony’s money, which however was not accepted. That he was not a severe Puritan is evident from the fact that on Nov. 29, 1665, he was admonished for not attending public worship. The elder Jenks had married in England, but his wife died previous to his departure for America. He had two sons, young boys, who were left in care of their mother’s family. The elder is supposed to have settled in Virginia, but the younger, Joseph, Jr., according to the instruction of his father, was to join him in America when he came of age. Joseph, Jr., is said to have been born in 1632, and he is reported to have been with his father at Lynn in 1647, in which event he must have come to New England long before he arrived at manhood. He probably remained at Lynn until his removal to Providence Plantations, employed constantly in the workshop, where he benefited by the instruction and obtained a practical experience in the construction and operation of the inventions of his father. He married very early in life. That he must have had a good income, either in wages from his father or from an interest in the forge, is evident from the fact that his young wife was able to indulge in the luxury of fine apparel to such an extent as to call forth public censure. At a quarterly court held June 29, 1652, the records say that “Ester****, the wife of Joseph Jynkes, Junior,” was presented “ffor wearing silver lace.” Joseph Jenks, Sr., married again in Lynn before 1650 and by this union had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom
*John Winthrop, ]r., brought from England in 1643 “1000 pounds stock and divers workmen to begin an Iron work.” History of N. E., Winthrop, vol. 2, pp. 212, 214. **Annals of Lynn, ed. 1865, p. 208. ***Annals of Lynn, p. 222. ****Annals of Lynn, ed. 1865, p. 233.
Page 036
Text
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY or PAWTUCKET
with John Winthrop* the younger, and settled at Lynn. He is thought to have been one of the workmen engaged to establish the iron works on the Saugus River, the first in New England. At least he was employed there soon after the beginning of the enterprise. He is said to have been “the first founder who worked in brass and iron on the American Continent,”** but although this is probably an exaggerated statement, it is no doubt true that he was the first highly skilled worker in metals who began operations in the English Colonies in North America. Three years after his arrival, on May 6, 1646, the Massachusetts General Court granted him a patent for three important inventions, a water mill or wheel, a machine for making scythes and other edged tools, and a saw mill. He then purchased the right***, Jan. 20, 1647, from Richard Leader, the general manager, to build a forge at the iron works for the manufacture of scythes. Thus early he became an independent manufacturer. In I655 he obtained a patent for an improved form of scythe. That implement as it exists at the present day is practically in the form as improved by Joseph Jenks, Sr., and displaced the thick stub scythe previously in use. These inventions were of prime importance to the English settlers, as by their use the power of subduing the wilderness was rapidly increased, and the water power was rendered available in the work. These notable inventions were not the only achievements of Joseph Jenks, Sr. In 1652 he made the dies for the pine tree shilling coinage of Massachusetts; in 1654 built a fire engine for Boston; in 1667 conceived a project for starting a wire manufactory, but did not receive sufficient encouragement to go on with the undertaking; and in 1672 made a proposal to coin the colony’s money, which however was not accepted. That he was not a severe Puritan is evident from the fact that on Nov. 29, 1665, he was admonished for not attending public worship. The elder Jenks had married in England, but his wife died previous to his departure for America. He had two sons, young boys, who were left in care of their mother’s family. The elder is supposed to have settled in Virginia, but the younger, Joseph, Jr., according to the instruction of his father, was to join him in America when he came of age. Joseph, Jr., is said to have been born in 1632, and he is reported to have been with his father at Lynn in 1647, in which event he must have come to New England long before he arrived at manhood. He probably remained at Lynn until his removal to Providence Plantations, employed constantly in the workshop, where he benefited by the instruction and obtained a practical experience in the construction and operation of the inventions of his father. He married very early in life. That he must have had a good income, either in wages from his father or from an interest in the forge, is evident from the fact that his young wife was able to indulge in the luxury of fine apparel to such an extent as to call forth public censure. At a quarterly court held June 29, 1652, the records say that “Ester****, the wife of Joseph Jynkes, Junior,” was presented “ffor wearing silver lace.” Joseph Jenks, Sr., married again in Lynn before 1650 and by this union had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom
*John Winthrop, ]r., brought from England in 1643 “1000 pounds stock and divers workmen to begin an Iron work.” History of N. E., Winthrop, vol. 2, pp. 212, 214. **Annals of Lynn, ed. 1865, p. 208. ***Annals of Lynn, p. 222. ****Annals of Lynn, ed. 1865, p. 233.