James 'Owd Jemmy' Jenkinson
For this short essay for your use I understand it will not be necessary to go into any great detail as regards the life of James Jenkinson before 1814.
At this date he was a married man with children, living in an old cottage in Longmore Lane, Nateby, and an employee of John Corless owner and Farmer of Eskham House, this employment was in fact nothing more than compensation for James Jenkinson’s loss of farm land he had made, this farm land becoming enclosed into Eskham House farm.
One wonders why he should wish to settle at Eagland Hill surrounded as it was by wild bog dotted here and there with birch spines.
Without doubt he had surveyed this out crop of sand etc. and was quick to realise potential farm land. This would not be difficult in getting permission to develop bog concentrations when we consider England’s position in the early 19th century; this country was land hungry.
His first dwelling was built in 1814 also he developed some small crofts sufficient to maintain his wife and family and of course he continued as an employee of John Corless. Unfortunately he was allotted and became a soldier training in the South of England, Waterloo ended the campaign, James was soon back at Eagland Hill to carry on his great adventure.
Without a doubt he was a man of outstanding character, a zealous churchman, blessed with sound health and not afraid of very hard work.
In fact James Jenkinson had set the ball rolling at Eagland Hill 30 years ahead of the general enclosure act 1846 this being the last enclosure act and included Pilling Moss.