Later in life, Katy married Casper Whistler in February of 1842 and they lived near what is now McKinney, TX. That December on their first Christmas together, Indians massacred all the men in the town and her husband was scalped. It is said that she witnessed his death. Katy escaped by hiding in a creek bed. She then ran to the fort at Hornsby Bend for help. She bore the scars of that trip throughout her life. She married Sylvester Lockwood in 1843 and moved to Travis County where they operated several successful businesses. She lived in Travis County for 65 years and passed away on February 28, 1911. Her obituary stated that she had 6 children, 42 grandchildren, 100 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. Throughout her life she would tell stories of her father’s death at the Alamo, of her family’s struggle for survival in the Runaway Scrape and of her heart-pounding ride. Historians still talk about Katy’s Ride. On that day Jennings family honor soared as another hero of the Texas Revolution emerged.
Historians have stated that Catherine Jennings and Katy Jennings Lockwood should be considered as two of the bravest and toughest women of those times to have survived with their children.
Gordon’s dream of providing a better life for his family didn’t die along with him at the Alamo. The land that he moved cross country for and lost his life for, was awarded to his family after his death. Gordon’s heirs received 1280 acres of land for his service in the Army of Texas and an additional 320 acres for every 3 months that he served. They also received a donation grant of land of 640 acres for special service during the Texas Revolution. There was also a labor of land in what was Milam County, then Bell County and now Lampasas County. The land was located on the southern waters of the Lampasas River about 19 miles above what is now the city of Lampasas near what is now Adamsville. His widow, children and stepsons went on to live out their lives in Texas. Some remained on this land for their entire lives. Gordon’s youngestson, Samuel, grew up on the land, farmed and raised cattle, becoming a successful Stockman. At age 17, Samuel joined the First Mounted Texas Rangers under Captain Cady. Samuel married Matilda Romaines February 14, 1856 and had a family of his own. As his family grew, he moved and homesteaded 177 acres of land in Lampasas County just north of Adamsville, TX. near Townsend’s Mill. On one night in 1867, Samuel had tied his horse to the front porch and the lead rope through a hole in the front door and tied to his bedpost. When Indians approached their home, the nervous horse shook Samuel’s bed and woke him up. He shot one of the Indians and the rest ran away. They buried the Indian’s body on a hillside on the property. Samuel died October 20, 1881 at Townsend’s Mill. He and many of his immediate family are buried in the Straley Cemetery at Adamsville, TX.
A little bit of additional history about our family……. The spelling of the Jennings name changed a couple of times in early history. The Patriarch of the family was John Jenney who boarded the Little James ship in Ipswich England in 1623. John’s wife, Sarah gave birth to a child on that ship about a month before it landed in America. The first Grist Mill in the Plymouth Colony was built and ran by John Jenney.
The Jennings men fought in nearly every war ever fought on U.S. soil.
Other historic Jennings men who were also our ancestors were Joshua and John Jennings who were among the founders of Fairfield Connecticut. Dr. Jacob Jennings fought along side George Washington in the Revolutionary War. He was a surgeon and officer and after the war, became a Pastor. David Jennings was a State Senator in Ohio at the turn of the 18th Century. Jonathon Jennings was the first Governor of Indiana and served in the House of Representatives. William Jennings Bryan, whose mother was a Jennings, was a lawyer and nominated for President three times. He was a two term member of the United States House of Representatives and was the 41st United States Secretary Of State.