Background
He was born to a Providence, Rhode Island, Quaker family, who in 1784 came to settle at Hudson, New New York
He was born to a Providence, Rhode Island, Quaker family, who in 1784 came to settle at Hudson, New New York
Throughout his adult life, he was a dry goods merchant in the partnerships of Wendell & Jenkins and Thomas Jenkins & Sons. Jenkins was Columbia County Treasurer from 1798 to 1802, and New York State Comptroller from 1801 to 1806. He was New York Secretary of State from 1806 to 1807, from 1808 to 1810, and from 1811 to 1813.
In April 1807, after his first term as Secretary of State, Jenkins was attacked in the street in Albany by Solomon Van Rensselaer, a Federalist of whom Jenkins was a fierce critic.
Jenkins sued for damages, and was awarded $2,500. He served as Quartermaster General of the Northern Department during the War of 1812, Mayor of Albany from 1816 to 1819, and presidential elector in 1840.
He died on May 18, 1848, in New York City. And was buried in Hudson, New New York
