David Jenkins
47th New York State Militia
Yaphank
David Jenkins grew up
in Yaphank with his parents, David and Pricilla. He was one of
three children. His brother, Horace, was a member of the 176th New
York volunteer Infantry.
Davie, as he
was called by those who knew him, was mustered into Company D of the
47th New York State Militia on May 27th, 1862.
This enlistment was for only three months, as many thought that this
would be a short war and longer enlistments were unnecessary. He was
27 at the time of his enlistment, and was made a sergeant. The unit
was officially mustered in at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Washington.
The unit was commanded by Colonel Meserole. It served in the 3rd
Brigade, defenses south of the Potomac. The unit was mustered out
on September 1, 1862, at Brooklyn. Jenkins must have seen enough of
army life, for he did not re-enlist for another tour of duty.
Jenkins
returned to Yaphank, where he married Augusta Homan. Jenkins moved
from Yaphank, but returned when his wife stricken by cancer returned
home to die. She passed away in 1878 and Jenkins erected a monument
in the Yaphank Cemetery for her.