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View Full Version : Who was the Jenkins behind the War of Jenkin's Ear?


George_1950
Jan 30, 2008, 08:27 PM
A) Robert Jenkins

B) Peter Jenkins

C) King William Jenkins

D) Queen Anne Jenkins

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 09:38 AM
Robert Jenkins. 1731 = ear incident; 1739 = War of Jenkins Ear

Why?

(I think the weirdest part was the fact that he kept his ear and presented it to the House of Commons 7 years later! LOL! That's some keepsake! And a forceful argument!)

George_1950
Feb 1, 2008, 10:05 AM
You are correct, HistorianChick. Just a guess, but maybe someone was playing politics with the ear. The War lasted about four years.

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 10:09 AM
Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner!

What did I win? Car? Boat? Trip to Europe? Coffee for life?

I'll take a smile and the satisfaction of knowing that I got it! :)

(My family has a very interesting story that has often reminded me of this War - which is why I knew the story behind it. If you're interested, I'll share it)

George_1950
Feb 1, 2008, 10:16 AM
You won a prayer. I am interested; please share.

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 10:28 AM
A prayer is infinitely better than a smile! I'll take it... and as many more as you care to say! :)

Wellll... my story. Ormsby Family Crest (http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.fc/qx/ormsby-family-crest.htm)

I've just copied and pasted from a website here for ease and a swift reply...

"When he [my ancestor] joined the Viking sea king who was going to the Scottish coast, he and a handful of men under his leadership, in there Viking long boat, were welcomed as an addition to the party. At that time ORM [my last name is Ormsbyin his prime must have been about thirty years of age.

As they neared the coast of Scotland, the Scots came out in their own ships to give battle. The Vikings, fearful that the Scots were too strong to overpower, and wishing to spur his men to greater effort, called them together and promised that he would grant the rulership of the captured territory to the first man who put his foot on Scottish soil. The battle with the Scots, was fought about a mile from the coast of Scotland, and as the Scottish ships drew closer, the Vikings swarmed on board. Although outnumbered three to one by the Scots, they were able to defeat them.

When Orm's ship came alongside of one of the Scottish ships, Orm was the first to board, and it was said, that with one blow of his mighty sword he killed the three leading Scots, and laying about, he had accounted for... [another Scot] and as he turned to defend himself, the broad axe of a Scottish Chieftain severed his leg just above the knee. Notwithstanding this Orm appears to have encircled the Scottish chief in his arms and crushed the life from him. Evidently this incident marked the end of the battle and Orm appears to have killed, with the aid of his crew, the crew of the Scottish Chieftains boat, which outnumbered them three to one. With rude surgery that the Vikings had, they succeeded in bandaging Orm's leg and as the night was drawing near, they spent it about one mile from the coast of Scotland.

Next morning, Orm, despite his frightful injury, insisted on taking leadership of his crew, and as the Viking ship neared the coast Orm picked up his severed leg and threw it on the shore before the others had the opportunity to land, and claimed the reward for having been the first man of the crew to put his foot on Scottish soil.

The Viking Chief kept his word and Orm became ruler of the captured territory.

(Website where this was found: Origin of the Name Ormsby (http://www.ormsby.org/genie/Australia/Origin.html))

The family motto: Fortis qui prudens means "He is brave who is prudent."

I always thought it was a cool story to have in the family history. :)

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 10:29 AM
If you look closely, on the top of the Family Crest there is a hand holding a foot - that's from the story...

George_1950
Feb 1, 2008, 10:40 AM
How interesting! The severed ear and the severed leg. I'm not certain who came out better; is there beachfront property? You may owe reparations to both Scots and Anglo-Saxons.

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 10:44 AM
Urgh... thanks for that little piece of "I wonder??" LOL!

I've always loved history... and my Grandmother has always given me reason to love my family history. (She was the past Chaplain General of the DAR)

She has her side of the family back through my Civil War ancestor, three people on the Mayflower (John Howland, Elisabeth Tilley, and Henry Sampson), and back to Pepin the Short and Charlemagne.

Hence the name, HistorianChick! :)

George_1950
Feb 1, 2008, 10:47 AM
Sounds as though your folks have been on the winning side, so you not only get to enjoy it, you get to write it. Another test for you: are you in the DAR?

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 10:55 AM
I've been in the DAR since I was born. Literally... LOL - CAR to DAR. Grammy was State Regent of Maine when I was in CAR, then she kept moving up and ended in the best office in the building. She's a great lady - one of those refined, dignified, amazing women.

So yes. I'm a DAR.

George_1950
Feb 1, 2008, 11:05 AM
That is superb and a wonderful way to honor the memories of your loved ones. I can join SAR on mom or dad's side but have been neglectful.

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 11:06 AM
OH! You definitely should! Its such an amazing honor, in my opinion. I love being a part of it... and changing the general opinion of the DAR... its not just Grandmothers anymore! :)

Join SAR, George! :)

George_1950
Feb 1, 2008, 11:10 AM
Aye-aye!

HistorianChick
Feb 1, 2008, 11:11 AM
LOL! :D

Join SAR, George, Puh-leeze?? :D