JENCKES, Joseph, governor of Rhode Island, was born in Pawtucket, R.I., in 1656; son of Joseph (the founder of Pawtucket) and Esther (Ballard) Jenckes. He was a land surveyor, and in this capacity was employed by the Rhode Island colonial government in the boundary disputes with adjoining colonies. He was said to have been of remarkable stature, measuring seven feet and two inches in height. He was elected to the general assembly in 1679, was clerk and speaker of the assembly until 1693, was commissioned to reply to a letter of the King as [p.70] to the condition of affairs in Rhode Island, and to answer the questions of the lands of the Priory council. He was councillor, 1680-1712; state auditor in 1697 and 1704; chairman of a commission which compiled and published the laws of the colony in 1717; was again assemblyman, 1700-08, and deputy-governor, 1715-21, during which time he was sent to England to bring before the king the boundary disputes between Rhode Island, on one hand, and Connecticut and Massachusetts on the other. On his return to Rhode Island he was re-elected deputy-governor, in 1722, serving till 1727. He was elected governor of the state upon the death of Governor Cranston, in 1727, and held office until 1732. While in office he vetoed the act of the assembly to dispense with paper currency. He was married to Martha, daughter of John and Mary (Holmes) Brown, and granddaughter of Chad Brown. He died in Pawtucket, R.I., June 15, 1740.
