Family background
Charles Jenkins was born in 1810 in Sydney, possibly the son of Henry Neale and Honoria Sparks. He married Sydney-born Isabella (d.1896), the daughter of Charles Hadley and Sarah Phillips, at St John’s Parramatta on 4 August 1834. They had at least five sons and three daughters. His wife’s sister Mary Hadley (a witness at his wedding) married fellow Alderman Isaac Titterton. Jenkins died on 16 March 1857, aged 47, and was buried at the Old Catholic Mortuary at Rookwood.
Occupation & interests
By 1828, Charles Jenkins was working as stonemason and living in Druitt Street, Sydney. He was the licensee of the Bush Tavern in George Street in 1837. His wife’s family were in the coaching and inn business and may have been connected with the tavern as a staging post. In 1844, he was a builder of 72 George Street advertising for rent a large house to let in Parramatta Street as well as the former Bush Tavern of George Street south. He owned several Sydney properties and land at Appin and Wollongong and in the interior.
Community activity
Jenkins was a Committee member of the Benevolent Asylum. In August 1844, he attended a meeting to afford relief to the working classes.
Local government service
Charles Jenkins was a Councillor for Cook Ward, 9 October 1843 to 30 October 1845 and for Phillip Ward, 1 November 1845 to 31 February 1853 when Council was dismissed and replaced by a three-member Commission.
References
City of Sydney Archives: Aldermen’s Files
Society of Australian Genealogists: Rookwood Index