William Henry Jennings 
and
Melvina Humphries

Family tradition is that William Henry Jennings   organized a company of militia in Pontotoc, MS during the war with Mexico and that he went by the name of Captain.  While serving during the war in Texas he had been impressed with the south Texas area and had determined that he would move there with his wife, Melvina Humphries and family.

No records have been found of his service during the war.  However sometime in 1850 he (either alone or with a relative or in-law) prospected for suitable land.  They made arrangements with the owners to move his family there.

First, he looked at property around Stringtown in Hays Co., specifically at the Jim Malone property.  He was disappointed in it because of the lack of water he looked further and chose several hundred acres in Caldwell Co. along the San Marcos River south of the present day city limits of Martindale.  The Jennings brothers who were left in Pontotoc and his brother-in-law Daniel Alsup became managers of his and Agnes's property in Mississippi.  A caravan prepared to move to Texas late in the fall of 1851. William Henry, his family, mother Agnes, and most of the Joseph Humphries family from Lafayette Co., MS moved over in the first group in 1851. The move was made with livestock, two ox wagons, with three yokes of steers to each wagon. Some members were riding horses and most of the household furnishing, linens, and family personal records were shipped by boat for either New Orleans or Memphis.  When they called for the shipment at Indianola, TX they were told that the boat had burned at sea and all was lost.

William H. Jennings purchased 740 acres from William A. Matthews and John C. McKean on 10 Feb 1855 (Caldwell County Deed Book D,  page 648).  On the same day, Joseph Humphries purchased 1490 acres from the same two individuals (Caldwell County Deed Book D, page 789).  There is every indication that both families were living on the land as early as January 1852.  Randolph Reed Jennings was buried on Humphries land (or the Humphreys Cemetery) in 1854.  The Martindale Map shows the approximate property lines and the location of the Humphreys Cemetery.

According to Joan D. Spragins, the Jennings-Humphries party arrived on Christmas Eve 1851 at a site near Lockhart on Plum Creek This was about 12 miles from their final destination.  Robert Henry Jennings was born that night to Melvina Jennings. I have a copy of the William Henry Jennings family bible which shows that Robert Henry was born on December 23, 1851. Agnes Alsup Jennings was the mid-wife as she had been for her other daughters and daughters-in-law.  I remember "Uncle Henry" coming to my dad's store in Martindale frequently in the 1930's where he would drink a Coke.  Rarely did he say anything as I recall.  He always wore a black suit and white shirt. 

Two days later, the caravan arrived at their destination near Morrison Creek, and either moved into a cabin  already situated on the land or built one for themselves.  The Humphries family built their home nearby.  These first home sites were near the present day Humphries Cemetery.  The home sites were frequently flooded by the nearby creeks. Both families later erected large, permanent homes on higher ground.

William Henry built what is known as the "red brick" house south of Martindale.  The house has been modified and restored and is in nice condition at this time.  I have been told that William also built a house for his sister Anna Massengale Jennings who had married John D. Crunk.  On 20 June 1857, W. H. Jennings and Melvina sold 162.9 acres to John d. Crunk and Agnes Jennings (William's mother).  (Caldwell County Deed Book F, page 559).  Agnes Alsup Jennings lived with Anna Massengale who was married to John D. Crunk..  I remember that house, a big white, 2-story wooden house.  I knew it as the "Crunk" house .  It was still there in February 2001, looking fairly much like I remember it. That house was south and east of the William Henry Jennings house.

Directly east of the William Henry house and across Morrison Creek is the Humphreys Cemetery.  Jesse Lafayette Humphries gave the land for the cemetery according to Mrs. Joan Spragins, although during modern times additional land has been given to the church by one of the Martindale Harpers.

James W Jennings, 4403 Campfire Rd RORA G-16, HARTSEL CO 80449     w5eut @ arrl.net