Joseph Jenks Sr. (also spelled Jenckes or Jenks) — our 11th great-grandfather — was born on August 26, 1599, in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England. He died on March 16, 1683, in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. A skilled bladesmith, blacksmith, mechanic, and inventor, he played a pivotal role in early American industry and numismatics.
Joseph arrived in Massachusetts around 1642–1643 as a widower and settled in Lynn. He quickly became involved with the Saugus Iron Works (Hammersmith), one of the first successful ironworks in colonial North America. His forge site is preserved today at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.
North America's First Patent and Innovations
On March 6, 1646, the General Court of Massachusetts granted Joseph Jenks the first patent in North America for an improved design of scythes and other edged tools. This basic pattern remained in widespread use for over 300 years.
In 1654, he built the first fire engine in North America for the city of Boston.
The Pine Tree Shilling and America's First Coins
By the mid-17th century, Massachusetts Bay Colony faced a severe coin shortage. In 1652, the colony established its own mint in Boston under mint masters John Hull and Robert Sanderson.
Joseph Jenks Sr. was chosen to create the dies (or at least the steel punches and tools) for these historic coins. Strong tradition and circumstantial evidence credit him with cutting the dies for the threepence, sixpence, and shilling denominations.
These coins were made of sterling silver but intentionally lighter than English coins to keep them circulating locally. The famous Pine Tree series featured a pine tree on one side with "MASATHVSETS" and the denomination on the reverse with "NEW ENGLAND" and the year 1652.
Earlier "NE" and "Willow Tree" issues preceded the Pine Tree design. These represent the first coins minted in what is now the United States — a bold step toward colonial economic independence.
Family Descendancy
Joseph Jenks Sr. is my 11th great-grandfather. Our direct line runs through his son Joseph Jenckes Jr. and continues via the Jenckes, Tefft, Carpenter, and Brayman (Braman) families down to the present.
Full family trees are available on genealogy sites such as Ancestry, FamilySearch, or Geni. His descendants spread widely across New England and beyond.
Legacy and Modern Interest
Joseph Jenks embodied the inventive spirit of early America. His work at Saugus Iron Works helped lay the foundation for American manufacturing. The Pine Tree shillings he helped create are now prized by collectors and can fetch thousands of dollars.
Visit the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts to explore this history firsthand.
His story reminds us that America was built by hardworking immigrants, blacksmiths, and innovators like my great-granddad Joseph Jenks.
Thank you to Grok xAI for update and enhancements. -- Drifting Cowboy
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