We do not know much about Edward Jenkins before his appearance in Massachusetts in 1646. He may have come from England. We do not know the name of his first wife, but he married (2) in Hingham, MA, 17 June 1684, Mrs. Mary (Farnsworth) Ripley, daughter of Joseph Farnsworth and widow of Abraham Ripley. Edward died in Scituate, MA in 1699.

Edward was one of the Conihassett partners who purchased land between Satuit and Cohasset Harbor on 1 December 1646. This tract of land included part of the present towns of Abington and Hanover, Mass. (The Indian name of Conihassett means "fishing promontory.") Edward built his house at the corner of Kent St. near the bridge in Scituate. He kept an ordinary (tavern) for many years, receiving his first license in 1677.

Edward's will gives legacies to his wife, Mary, and to his children and grandchildren. Also in his will was, "Item, it is my will that bread and beer be given at my funeral: also that a sermon be preached at my funeral by Mr. Jeremiah Cushing, or some other minister whom my Executor shall think meet: also I give to the minister that shall preach my funeral sermon 20s." Neal's History explains that Edward Jenkins seems to have belonged to the liberal party of the Puritans; the more strict party forbade sermons, and even prayers at funerals, because the Church of England "said prayers at funerals" and the Church of Rome "prayed for the dead."

Edward Jenkins and his first wife, name unknown, had at least four children, places and dates of births not known:

• Thomas, b. about 1653; m. Martha -----.
• Mary, m. (1) 1670, Marmaduke Atkinson, and "being deserted, was divorced" (Colony Records); m. (2) Robert Cooke.
• Hannah, m. 1693, Thomas Turner, Esq., a lawyer.
• Sarah, m. ----- Bacon, probably of Taunton.

Thomas and his wife Martha Jenkins had four children, all born probably in Scituate:

• Hannah, b. about 1679.
• Thomas, b. about 1681.
• Edward, b. 3 Aug. 1683; m. (1) Martha Damon, daughter of Lt. Zachary and Martha (Woodworth) Damon; m. (2) Abigail Merritt, daughter of John Merritt, Jr.
• Daniel, b. about 1685.

Edward and his first wife Martha (Damon) Jenkins had eleven children, all born in Scituate, MA:

• Mary, b. 31 Jan. 1706; d. 16 Oct. 1716.
• Thomas, b. 5 March 1707; m. Sarah Bailey, daughter of John Bailey.
• Anna, b. 13 Sept. 1708.
• Samuel, b. 13 Aug. 1710.
• Thankful, b. 17 May 1712; m. Thomas Orcutt, Jr.
• Edward, b. 25 Nov. 1713; m. Jerusha Neal.
• David, b. 15 March 1715; m. Elizabeth Merritt.
• Mary, b. 18 Sept. 1717; m. Peleg Bryant, son of Thomas Bryant.
• James, b. 15 Feb. 1718; m. Mary Vinal.
• Martha, b. 15 Feb. 1724; m. Joseph Vinal.
• Content, b. 10 Sept. 1726.

Edward and his second wife Abigail (Merritt) Jenkins had one son:

• Daniel, b. 9 June 1729; m. Elizabeth Nicols.