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Genealogies of Franklin County Families

Joseph Penn

Joseph Penn, son of Benjamin and Dinah Action Penn, was born about 1795, probably in Bourbon County, Kentucky (some researchers say,
Bedford City, Pennsylvania).  Some Penn researchers say Joseph and Rebecca Penn were twins, however, is unproven at this time. Joseph
obtained bond September 18, 1817 in Franklin County, Kentucky to marry Mary Winter.  Consent was given by his father, Benjamin Penn and
Rebecca Thomas, mother of Mary Winter. Their marriage is recorded September 18, 1817 in Shelby County, Kentucky. Joseph Penn and his
family settled on the Henry County side of the Kentucky River opposite the home of his brother, Charles Penn, and are listed there on the census
for 1820. The census indicate two sons have been born to the couple since their marriage.  By 1830 the family is living in Franklin County and
remain on census for Franklin in 1840.  Joseph died sometime prior to the 1850 census and his widow, Mary, is listed on the 1850 census for
Franklin County, Kentucky, page 80. No will, estate settlement or division of property has been located for Joseph Penn.  A complete listing of the
children of Joseph and Mary Winter Penn is not proven at this time.  

There is much controversy among Penn family researchers concerning the descendants of Joseph Penn, Noah Penn and Henry Penn. All three
men died intestate prior to 1850 and to add to the confusion, married women named Mary. Information located in Franklin and Henry counties
on these families has been included.

Known Children

John Ryan Penn, born about 1818, probably in Henry County, Kentucky. Listed on 1850
Franklin County, Kentucky census with his mother, Mary Penn.

Jane Bishop has this to say of her ancestor John Ryan Penn:
He married Millicent Swetnam on September 10, 1870 in Owen County, Kentucky.  She
was 19 and John age 50. John and Milly had one child Mary Jane Penn, born June 24, 1871.
She married her distant cousin, Daniel Beauragard Penn (son of John Thomas Penn and
Nancy Ann Henderson) on January 31, 1889. In 1880 John Ryan Penn was living in Henry County,
Pleasureville district with Elizabeth and Joseph Thurman.  Milly was listed as Millie F. Locke
with husband James Locke on the 1930 cesus for Grayson, Carter County, Kentucky 
Charles Penn, born about 1823, probably in Henry County, Kentucky. Listed on 1850
Franklin County, Kentucky census with his mother, Mary Penn.  Census records state he
was married within the year.  Also, living in the household of his mother is Susan A. Penn,
age 15 years.  Census state she was married within the year.  On April 15, 1850 a Franklin
County, Kentucky marriage bond was filed for Charles Penn to Susan Ann Marshall.
Margaret A. Penn, born about 1832, probably in Franklin County, Kentucky.  Listed
on the 1850 census, with Mary Penn.  Census state she was married within the year. She
could be a daughter-in-law and not a daughter of Joseph and Mary Winters Penn, however
no marriage has been located in Franklin County, Kentucky records.

JoAnn Henderson states the following of her grandmother:
Margaret Ann Penn, born August 31, 1828 in Franklin County, Kentucky.  She married
James Madison Henderson, June 18, 1856 in Henry County.  James was born 1818 in Henry
County, Kentucky.  Both died in Henry County, James in 1879 and Margaret on July 3, 1907.
Son, William Pryor Henderson was born September 3, 1861 in Henry County, Kentucky and
died on June 18, 1950 in Shelby County. William married Carrie Gudgell Toy on Jauary 23, 1934
in Clark County, Indiana.  Carrie was born on April 2, 1907 in Bath County, Kentucky and died
May 1 in Franklin County, Kentucky.
Rebecca Penn, born about 1835/1836, probably in Franklin County, Kentucky.  She is
unmarried living in the household of her mother, Mary, in 1850.

Records located for the Joseph Penn family

Henry County, Kentucky
1820 - census, page 265
Jos. Penn
2 - males under 10
1 - male 26-45
1 - female 16-26

Franklin County, Kentucky
1830 - census, page 150
Joseph Penn
1 - male under 5
2 - males 5-10
1 - male 10-15
1 - male 30-40
1 - female under 5
1 - female 5-10
1 - female 20-30
1 - female 60-70 (may be mother Rebecca Penn)

1840 - census, page 295
Jos. Penn
2 - males under 5
1 - male 5-10
1 - male 10-15
2 - males 20-30
1 - male 40-50
1 - female under 5
1 - female 5-10
1 - female 15-20
1 - female 40-50

1850 - census, page 80
Mary Penn - 48, born Kentucky
John R. Penn - 32,  farmer, born Kentucky
Charles Penn - 27,  born Kentucky (married within the year)
Margaret A. Penn - 18, born Kentucky (married within the year)
Rebecca Penn - 15, born Kentucky
Samuel Penn - 16,  laborer, born Kentucky (in later census of Henry Co., may be the son of Noah & Mary Dickins Penn)
Susan A. Penn - 15, born Kentucky (married within the year)

Franklin County, Kentucky
Marriage Bond
Charles Penn to Susan Ann Marshall - April 15, 1850

Sources:
Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Applications, by White
Kentucky census 1810-1850
Shelby County, Kentucky marriage bonds
Franklin County, Kentucky marriage bonds
Penn Surname file, KHS Library
Personal research of Anne H. Lee
Personal research of Steven L. Penn


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