Jenney or Jenny, Robert

(1687-Jan. 5, 1762). Commissary for Pennsylvania and missionary. He was born in Ireland. Jenney received his B.A. from Trinity College, Dublin, and served as a chaplain in the Royal Navy, 1710-1714. On June 27, 1714, he was licensed by the Bishop of London as lecturer (catechist) and schoolmaster for Christ Church, Philadelphia. He served at Christ Church from 1714 to 1715. From 1715 until 1722, Jenney was the assistant minister at Trinity Church, New York City, and from 1717 until 1722, he was chaplain to the English forces in New York City. Jenney was the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG) missionary at Rye, New York, 1722-1724, and at Hempstead, Long Island, 1724-1742. In 1742 he resigned from the SPG to become rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and the second Commissary for Pennsylvania. He served in those positions until his death. Jenney died in Philadelphia.