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Benjamin Hensley (bef 1755-aft 1820) of Greenville Dist, SC and Buncombe and Henderson Co, NC[Commentary] [Children] [Researcher List] [Register Report] [A Note about sources] [How to contact me] [Home] I (Marty Grant) am not related to Benjamin Hensley as far as I know. Before going too far into this family, I want to point out that I'm making several speculative leaps in connecting the Benjamin Hensley of Greenville Dist, SC with the Benjamin in 1820 Buncombe Co, NC. I feel strongly (with no hard evidence) that they are one and the same person, but I have no real proof, nor any strong circumstantial evidence backing it up. Benjamin Hensley was born before 1755 (per being age "45 and up" in 1800). I suspect he was born in Virginia, but have no direct proof of that. There were several Benjamin Hensley's in early VA and NC records, so a positive identification may be difficult, if not impossible. There were three Benjamin Hensley's listed on the 1768 tax list in Rowan Co, NC. One of these might be *this* Benjamin. The first was listed as Benjamin Hansley and charged for 3 tithes, being himself and "sons James and Harry". This record is clearly for Benjamin Hensley (c1730) of VA and NC. The next one listed in 1768 was "Benjamin Hansley Jr", which could be *this* Benjamin, or perhaps Benjamin Hensley of Burke and McDowell Co, NC. The third Ben listed on the 1768 tax list was "Captain Ben Hansley". I feel sure that either this one, or "Jr" is the Benjamin under study on this page. I could be totally wrong, but it seems reasonable. Whether this Benjamin was Ben "Jr" or "Captain" Ben of 1768 Rowan County, NC is certainly debatable. If he was one of those, then he would be born before ca 1747, assuming he was at least 21 in 1768. The 1768 Rowan Co, NC Hensley's lived in that part of Rowan that was cut off to form Surry County in 1771. The 1771 tax list for Surry Co, NC shows just one Benjamin Hensley. The same is true in 1772 and 1774. I can't be sure which Ben that was, but I don't think it is the Ben under study on this page. Almost all of the Surry Co, NC Hensleys moved back to neighboring Henry Co, VA by 1778 (Revolutionary War timeframe), and the 1778 tax list (or militia list) shows four Benjamin Hensleys. They are listed as "Benjamin", "Captain" Benjamin, Benjamin "Sr" and Benjamin "Jr". I suspect that Sr and Jr are Benjamin (c1730) and Benjamin (bef 1755), whom many suspect were father and son. "Captain" Ben could be this Ben or plain Ben could be this Ben. The 1783 list for Henry Co, VA showed only one Ben. The 1784 list showed none. Since I don't know for sure where this Benjamin came from, it is possible that none of those records just mentioned are applicable. Based on certain evidence (circumstantial), I believe that Benjamin was still in VA ca 1789, but in NC by ca 1796. I based this on the birth places of two of his suspected (but unproven) children. This means that he left VA for NC between 1789 and 1796. The 1787 census for Virginia shows two Benjamins listed. One in Albemarle, and one in Pittsylvania County. The one in Albemarle was also there for the 1785 and 1787 tax lists. The one in Pittsylvania was there also for the 1782 and 1785 tax lists. There was another Benjamin in Montgomery Co, VA for the 1782 and 1788 tax lists. Any one of these could be this Benjamin. Since Benjamin might have moved to NC between ca 1789 and 1796, then he could be on the 1790 census in NC. If he was still in VA for the 1790 census, then that record is lost. However, the 1790 census for NC shows three Benjamin Hensleys listed. One was in Burke Co, NC with a large family (not this Benjamin), and another was in Chatham Co, NC (he was still there until his death in 1817, so not the same person), and another in Lincoln Co, NC. This last one was my prime suspect to be the same person. The Benjamin in 1790 Lincoln Co, NC was a strong suspect for several reasons. However, after close examination, I find that though he was listed as "Ben Hinsly" on the published version, his name was actually Benjamin Homesly (or something similar) and not a Hensley at all. This leads me to believe that Benjamin Hensley was still in VA in 1790, and as previously mentioned, the 1790 census for Virginia is lost. Benjamin Hensley left VA for NC sometime before 1796 (if certain of my assumptions are correct), and lived in NC briefly, but was in Greenville District, South Carolina by 1800. He was the only Hensley there in 1800, though a Davis Hensley had been in Greenville back in 1790, (but was in Kentucky by 1800.) Their may be a connection between them, but I don't know if there was. They were of similar age, so could have been brothers, but that is a wild guess. They did not seem to be in Greenville District at the same time, as Davis left by 1791, and Benjamin didn't arrive until after 1796, so perhaps no connection at all. Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1800 census in Greenville. As mentioned before, he was the only Hensley there. I don't have the original records in front of me, so I don't know who his neighbors were. 1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 1800 Greenville Dist, SC pg 252 Benjamin Hensley 22001-11010 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 45 & up (before 1755) Benjamin HENSLEY (bef 1755) 2 Male(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Son? (1784/90) –> gone by 1810 Son? (1784/90) Abishai Hensley (1789) 2 Male(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Son? (1790/94) Son? (1794/1800) Joab Hensley (1796) 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1755-1774) Wife? (1755/65) 1 Female(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Daughter? (1784/90) –> gone by 1810 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Daughter? (1790/1800) –> gone by 1810 Benjamin Hensley was still in Greenville Dist, SC for the 1810 census and was listed as "Benjamin". On the same page was a "B. Hensley" also, who could be his son, perhaps also named "Benjamin". 1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 1810 Greenville Dist, SC pg 128 Benjamin Hensley 01201-00001 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 45 and up (bef 1765) Benjamin HENSLEY (bef 1755) 2 Male(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Son? (1784/90) Abishai Hensley (1789) Son? (1790/94) 1 Male(s) 10-15 (1794-1800) Son? (1794/1800) Joab Hensley (1796) 1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765) Wife? (1755/65) Benjamin Hensley was not listed on the 1820 census in Greenville Dist, SC, nor was the "B. Hensley" from 1810 still listed. There was an apparent widow "Judith Hensley" listed in 1820 Greenville Dist, SC, but she was too young to be Benjamin's widow. I don't know who she was yet, but I'm reasonably certain she was not the widow of Benjamin, unless his first wife died in the 1800-1810 timeframe, and he remarried to "Judith" who already had several children from a previous marriage. That is possible of course, but I don't know if it is correct. My current theory is that Benjamin and wife moved over into Western NC before 1820 into Buncombe County. I base this on the fact that there is a Benjamin Hensley listed there in 1820, just a few houses from "Elisha Hensley" who I think is actually Abishai Hensley, who in turn, I think is a son of this Benjamin. There is a lot of speculation there, but I think it is a good theory. If I am correct, then Benjamin and some of his family moved (ca 1810/1820) into the section of Buncombe Co, NC that later became Henderson County (in 1838). There were already a great many Hensleys in Buncombe County, NC in 1820, but all of them lived on the opposite end of this large county, in the section that later became Yancey County (in 1833). I have never found a connection between those Hensleys and this Benjamin, but there certainly could be a connection. In 1820, Benjamin Hensley was in Buncombe County. As mentioned, he was just a few houses from "Elisha Hensley" who is actually Abishai Hensley. Benjamin's next door neighbors were William Maburn and Neely Capes (Capps). Benjamin and wife had no children with them at this time: 1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 1820 Buncombe Co, NC pg 76 Benjamin Hensley 000001-00001 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 45 & up (before 1775) Benjamin HENSLEY (bef 1755) 1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775) Wife?(1755/65) I did not find Benjamin on the 1830 census. His suspected sons Abishai and Joab Hensley were in Buncombe Co, NC still in 1830, but there was no sign of Benjamin or wife. They were probably dead by 1830, or if not, then they were living in someone else's household (perhaps a married daughter). It seems, therefore, that Benjamin Hensley died ca 1820/30 in Buncombe (now Henderson) Co, NC. It is also possible that he moved away to another state in that timeframe, or was still living after 1830, but just not on the census. Virginia, Greenville Co, SC and Buncombe Co, NC records may reveal more about Benjamin Hensley and his family. ChildrenBenjamin Hensley and his wife had a several children per the 1800 and 1810 census. None are proven so far. Unknown Son (c1784/90). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him on the 1800 census (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90), but he was gone by 1810, so married or dead by then. There was a "B. Hensley" listed near Benjamin in 1810, in the age 26-44 category (born ca 1765/84). This could be this son, though it only works if he was born ca 1784. I have no further record of him right now, so I don't know anything else about "B. Hensley". Unknown Son (c1784/90). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him on the 1800 census (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90), and still with him in 1810 (age 16-25, born ca 1784/94). But he was gone by 1820 (assuming the Benjamin in 1820 is the same Benjamin). I strongly suspect that this is Abishai Hensley (c1789) who was born in VA, and who lived near Benjamin in 1820. I have no direct proof that Abishai is Benjamin's son, but it seems likely based on circumstantial evidence. See his own page for additional information. Unknown Daughter (c1784/90). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him on the 1800 census (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90), but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then. Unknown Son (c1790/94). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him on the 1800 census (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), and still with him in 1810 (age 16-25, born ca 1784/94). But he was gone by 1820 (assuming the Benjamin in 1820 is the same Benjamin). I don't know who this was, and I have no strong suspects so far. Unknown Son (c1794/1800). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him on the 1800 census (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), and still with him in 1810 (age 10-15, born ca 1794/1800). But he was gone by 1820 (assuming the Benjamin in 1820 is the same Benjamin). I strongly suspect that this is Joab Hensley (1796) who was born in NC, and who seems to be a brother to Abishai. I have found no direct proof of Joab being Benjamin's son, but I think it is likely based on circumstantial evidence. See his own page for additional information. Unknown Daughter (c1790/1800). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him on the 1800 census (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), but gone by 1810, so probably married or dead by then. Researcher ListPersons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
Register ReportNothing to report so far Last Updated April 11, 2006 Hensley Page (Main) | Hensley Families | What's New? Home | Surnames | Christian Pages | Search this Site | Contact Me
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