• Born: 30 Oct 1830, Newport NH
• Marriage (1): Harriet S. Stickney about 1852 in Newport NH

  General notes:

Jeweler

  Events in his life were:

• He was issued patent number 238,396 on 1 Mar 1881
  
  EDWARD A. JENKS, OF NEWPORT, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
  
  ORNAMENTAL CHAIN.
  
  SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,396, dated March 1, 1881.
  Application filed May 31, 1880.
  
  To all whom it may concern :
  Be it known that I, Edward A. Jenks, of Newport, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Watch-Chains and in Chains Used for the Purpose of Jewelry; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, that will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.
  The same letters and figures of reference are used to indicate the corresponding parts.
  After describing the invention, its nature and extent will be shown in the claims.
  My invention relates to improvements in watch-chains, and in ornamental articles used as jewelry or otherwise, which are composed of sections or links—as, for instance, a bracelet or a necklace.
  My invention consists of a chain the links of which are made to represent certain letters of the alphabet, either plain or ornamental, which, taken together, will indicate the name of the owner, the name of the donor, or any other name which may have an individual interest to the owner of the chain; or they may indicate or embody a sentiment, a poetical quotation, a name, a historical event, or some fact or matter of interest which has a particular meaning or significance to the wearer or owner of the chain.
  The links which compose this chain are not necessarily made in the form of a letter. The letters may be made within the slots of the links. They maybe made in relief, or they may be made, in connection with the links, in any other manner known to the art, and are capable of almost infinite variety.
  A chain may be composed of links each of which represents a bird, an animal, a set of artisans' tools, or anything which, taken together, is only ornamental, and without special significance or power to express distinct thought or information or meaning when taken as a whole; but I do not claim such a chain as any part of my invention.
  For illustration: It is evident that a chain composed of a miniature set of dentists' implements would do as well and be as appropriate for one dentist as another, or a chain the links of which represent a series of flowers would be as desirable for one wearer as for another; but a chain made as herein described would be of no value, unless melted up, except to its rightful possessor. If lost or stolen, the finder or the thief would be unwilling to wear or hold in his possession a chain the very links of which would be a continual advertisement that he was not its rightful possessor.
  In the accompanying drawings there are two figures, which represent two watch-chains of different styles.
  A B represent the chain, and B represents the hook which is attached in either figure to the watch, A being the lever by which the chain is fastened to the vest button-hole.
  C represents a short pendant, to which is ordinarily attached a seal or some similar article. In the alternate links of the chain A B are seen the letters composing the name "E. A. Jenks," and within the links of the pendant are shown the figures denoting the present year, "1880." Each letter of the name appears only in the alternate links of this chain, because the letters can only be seen in the drawings in the alternate links; but if the letters appeared in each link of the chain it is evident that it would contain a name composed of twice as many letters.
  In Fig. 2 a more elaborate and ornamental chain is shown. Upon a careful examination there will be found artistically concealed within the links of this chain the name "Edward A. Jenks." In the pendant of Fig. 2 there are also shown the figures "1880," representing the present year of the Christian era.
  Having now fully described my invention and all that pertains thereto, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is—
  1. As a new article of manufacture, an ornamental chain or other analogous article composed of links or sections, the links or sections of which are constructed to exhibit letters, figures, emblems, or other characters, which, taken together, express some word or words, date, character, name, or other matter which conveys information or has special and individual significance to its possessor, substantially as shown and described.
  2. A watch or other chain in or on the links of which is interwoven, engraved, or otherwise placed or indicated a word, name, character, or other matter or thing which conveys special information, or which has a special significance to the wearer, or indicates ownership to its possessor, substantially as shown and described.
  In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of April, 1880.
  Edward A. Jenks
  
  Witnesses:
  Emma. M. Flanders
  Clara M. Andrew

Edward married Harriet S. Stickney about 1852 in Newport NH. (Harriet S. Stickney was born on 4 Aug 1828 in Waterville ME.)