'This photo was probably sent back to his family by my grandfather, James Jenkin. Some family history: James H. Jenkin (at 17 years old in 1883) came to Quincy, MA to seek employment in the granite industry. His father, Sampson Jenkin, and mother, Elizabeth S. Cooke, were from the Town of Constantine, Cornwell, UK. Their family of girls and only son (James) lived in a home, Rose Cottage, built by his father, a stone mason, on a small holding, 5 acres, from the estate of Sir Richard Vivian, who operated a granite mine in the vicinity. James met his wife-to-be while they sang in the choir of the Constantine Methodist Church. She was the daughter of a cordwainer (cobbler) and mother, a midwife. In the British social system, James was considered a gentleman and his interest in Elizabeth was discouraged, his reason for traveling to Quincy. His father sent his oldest sister, Annie, to look after James, who obtained employment at Deacon Brothers Granite Works. He returned to Constantine in 1887 and became engaged to Elizabeth, then returned to Quincy. In 1890, he returned to Constantine and married Elizabeth at Falmouth, Cornwall, UK. His good friend, John Piere, a Quincy granite worker, married his sister Annie. They had no children. When they came through Ellis Island customs in NY, a 's' was added to Jenkin. The couple rented homes at 27 Penn Street and 55 Nightingale Ave. prior to purchasing a home in 1906 on property at the west end of Intervals Street, now owned by Edward Mente, a granite sculptor. In 1909, the Jenkins family consisted of seven children: 4 boys and 3 girls. My dad, James Henry, Jr., was the third child, second son. There is a granite bench at the granite workers memorial in memory of the Jenkins family. I was born in Quincy in 1923 as James Henry III, changed to Jr. when my grandfather passed away in the 1930s and my father assumed Sr. My wife, Doris Flavell, born in Detroit, and I married in 1950, and she raised three boys in Norwell when we moved from Illinois in 1962. Our children raised sheep, pigs, chickens, steer and a pregnant cow during their school years. We now have seven grandchildren: 4 girls and 3 boys. Pictured: James Henry Jenkin.'
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