Introducing the 'other" Levi Jenkins, pt 2

 I had the pleasure of speaking to quite a few members of Uncle Levi's descendants earlier this year. They gave me a plethora of information regarding their grandfather or great-grandfather. They gave me some great pictures and information of their respective families.

I wanted to share this family history that I had just found on Ancestry which tells me a lot about the man. The person who posted it to their family tree unfortunately isn't allowing any messages, which is a bummer since they are family. I think this gives me a great portrait of Uncle Levi Jenkins his wife the former Annie Downs and their 14 children (7 boys and 7 girls). As well as his parents and his brothers & sisters.

Levi Jenkins Sr.

The life & history of Levi and Annie Jenkins

The information below was translated via A.I. on Ancestry.com, I won't make many edits other than for spelling. The actual graphic where this information comes from is shared below as it was written. The graphic will be shown beneath that.

Levi Jenkins, the son of Garrison Jenkins and Deliah Raspberry Newman graced the world with his presence on December 23, 1891. His place of birth was the Wild Martin area, located near the Bogue-Chitto River.

Grandpa Levi had five brothers: George, Monroe, Tom, Jay Gould, and Will; two sisters: Cathoron and Emmerline.

In his early years he helped on the farm. Although his occupation was not chosen by him, it was destined for him. He loved nurturing the land, and it yielded bountiful harvests.

During his teen years, a beautiful girl named Anne Sparkman Downs entered his life. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Lamkin and Byron Bacot. Elizabeth died at a young age and Elizabeth sister Selena stepped in to continue Grandma Ann's upbringing.

Annie Jenkins graced the world with her presence on May 14, 1894. She had two brothers: Gable Head and a second brother who died at an early age. She was a foster child at the age of seven. Her foster parents were Francis Downs and Thurs Ann Downs. There foster sisters: Mattie Harvey and her foster siblings were Godella Smith. One foster brother, Will Downs; two step brothers, Jack and L. Sparkman.
Levi and Annie decided that their lives would be woven together. They were married March 1, 1911 in Homesville by Reverend Charles Forrest, witnessed by Mrs. Charles Forrest and Garrison Jenkins. Levi's dad.

Just as the land yielded great harvest, so did the marriage. Fourteen children were born to this union: seven girls and seven boys. From these offspring's came a generation that carries the love, legacy and teachings of Levi and Annie Jenkins.

These are the following Children of Levi and Annie Jenkins. Tommie, Annie Mae, Naomi, Levi Jr. (Boot), Cleophus, Walter C., Edward, Casiolean, Eudedia, Ellis Eugene, Ora Lee, Hazel, Lonnie Ray and Annie Elizabeth (Hillside).

Lonnie Ray was the last to have passed away in 2022 and possibly before his transition he took one of those AncestryDNA test. If you're reading this and took a DNA test you may have matched with him Jenkins2015.

Further thoughts

My mother had told me she had met Rev. Ellis Eugene Jenkins possibly at the church of his first cousin Bertha Jenkins McGee (Christ Temple M.B. Church located on Racine near Marquette Road in Chicago). When finding his info on my Ancestry family tree we were both shocked that his father was Levi Jenkins. We didn't know this really until we saw where he connected with the family.

I was glad to have met Ellis' grandson at Jenkins Family Reunion 2026 in Chicago. We had conversed primarily on Ancestry and on Facebook. When his cousin met me (or at least I believe it was his cousin) he introduced himself as a descendent of Levi.

My response: Yes, yes, yes so am I.

The point is that while it has been said often on this blog I believe my grandfather Levi Jenkins (son of Tom and Georgia Jenkins) was likely named for his paternal uncle and Tom Jenkins' brother. Conversely as my grandfather is the oldest of all the children of Tom and Georgia, his first cousin Tommie (Uncle Levi's son) I do believe was named for his Uncle Tom who was forced to leave the family home in Pike County.

Also, I had mistaken a photo of a Levi Jenkins taken in McComb's Enterprise Journal for Uncle Levi and as it turns out it was for his son Levi Jr. Someone had to tell me that and that was the basis for the original "Introducing the 'other' Levi Jenkins" post back in 2024.

I was told by Uncle Levi's descendants that he didn't take anything from anyone. And he had an ally his father in law Byron Bacot - the biological father of his wife Annie Downs. His father proved to be an important man in that part of Mississippi and I was also told the racial issues of that area was very strong. Mr. Bacot - a white man - was able to de-escalate a lot of issues that could affect his daughter. I was told that he never disowned or denied his bi-racial daughter.

The land that Uncle Levi owned near McComb is still in the family. It contains his home and even the home of his parents Garrison and Delia. I hope to visit and document these sites as long as I'm welcome to. 

I like to call my great-grandfather Tom "Head of the Table", perhaps Uncle Levi would be more like the "Tribal Chief" as he has truly left a lasting legacy.

Levi & Annie Jenkins Progeny

The pic below are Levi and Annie's fourteen children. Bottom row sitting right to left Tommie, Annie Mae, Naomi, Levi Jr. Cleophus, Walter, Edward, and Casiolean. Standing behind then from left to right Eudedia, Ellis, Ora Lee, Hazel, Lonnie Ray and Annie Elizabeth.

I had been told this nice photo in the Enterprise Journal newspaper of McComb is actually Levi Jenkins Jr. aka Boot.

Below is the Rev. Ellis Eugene Jenkins provided by his grandson. He clearly looks like a man in action.

Obituary for Levi Jenkins' oldest son Tommie Jenkins. I was told that he did a number of tapes on Jenkins family history. Would like to listen to him talk if that's ever possible.

Here's the 2006 obituary of Walter C. "Dub" Jenkins of McComb, MISS along with a picture of him

The 2014 Obituary for Casiolean Jenkins Hill aka Red all obituaries are from the McComb, MISS Enterprise Journal.

Here's a photo of the former Annie May Jenkins with her husband John Brent.

Here's a pic of Levi & Annie with their family. Presumably their children and grandchildren. We credit this as the first Jenkins Family Reunion. This picture was taken in 1958 according to the grandson of the late Annie Mae Jenkins Brent.

Appreciations

I'm glad to have connected with a number of Uncle Levi's descendants and feel a special connection with them based upon my own lineage. I've yet to speak with anyone who might be related to Cousin "Boot". It would be very interesting to have a meeting with the descendants of both Levi Jenkins Jr.

And I'm hoping I'll be able to meet more of Uncle Levi's family at the Reunion in Memphis, TN. It's July and it's almost that time.

Oh and I forgot to note, many of them were able to find this blog via Google, and I'm glad they had.

If you're related to Cousin Boot or any of the other children of Uncle Levi feel free to e-mail me. I'd very much like to hear from you.

E-mail me!