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Robert Hensley was born "29 Feb 1759" in "Bucks County,
Pennsylvania". These two facts were given in his Revolutionary War
Pension Application (thanks to Laura Schreibman for this data). Since he
said he was born on the 29th day of February, this raises a red
flag. Laura pointed out that 1759 was not a leap year, so February
didn't have 29 days that year, but 1760 was a leap year. This raises the
question as to which part of the birth date was given in error. Did he
mean "1760" instead of "1759", or did he mean the 28th, instead of the
29th? Neither of these dates agree with his 1850 census entry giving his
age as "98", or born ca 1751/52. However, I suspect he wasn't the one
who told the census taker his age that year. Back in 1840 he was listed
as age 81 (born ca 1758/59). These dates aren't easily reconciled with
1850, but they work fine with a 1759 or 1760 birth date. There is reason
to doubt some of the data in his Pension record, as he was charged with
fraud in his application, though I don't know the details. Robert's
birth place of "Bucks County, Pennsylvania" seems incongruous, but could
be correct. His 1850 census record gives "North Carolina" as his birth
place, but that seems unlikely also, as there weren't any Hensleys in NC
at that time, as far as we've found. If his parents are who we think
they are, then he was probably born in Virginia, but Bucks Co, PA is
certainly possible.
Robert Hensley's parents are unproven, but I suspect he is a son of
Benjamin Hensley (c1730) and Elizabeth ---, formerly of Virginia,
and later of Western North Carolina. I can't offer much proof to support
this, but Robert's only proven son was named "Benjamin", and he (Robert)
did serve in the same militia with several of Benjamin's sons in Henry
Co, VA.
There was another
Robert Hensley (c1759) who lived in Culpeper Co, VA, later in
Washington Co, VA and Sullivan Co, TN and it is quite possible that some
of their records have been mixed up, but probably not too much.
Robert Hensley was a Revolutionary War Soldier, apparently serving in
Henry Co, VA along with his supposed brothers
Henry,
Benjamin and
Hickman also served.
Our Robert Hensley would have turned 21 around 1780 or 1781, so
should start appearing on public records around that time, and he seems
to first show up in Henry Co, VA.
Robert was listed on the 1783 and 1784 tax list for Henry Co, VA.
Assuming Robert was still in Virginia at the time, he ought to have
been listed on the 1787 State Census. There were two listed, one in
Washington Co, VA (probably the other Robert), and one in Russell Co,
VA, which might be this same Robert, as
Charles Hensley was also listed there, and he would be his brother.
Robert would probably been listed on the 1790 census, but,
unfortunately this census was lost for all of Virginia and Tennessee.
The following records in Washington co, VA and Sullivan Co, TN are
most likely for the other
Robert Hensley (c1759), but for the sake of completeness, here are
those records. A Robert Hensley shows up in Washington Co, VA by 1787,
when he is listed on the census there, on the same page with
Joseph Hensley and
Samuel Hensley. He is listed there on the 1788 tax list also. In
1791 he receives a land grant in Washington Co, VA. He is listed on the
1792 tax list for Washington Co, VA. By 1794 he was in Sullivan Co, TN
when he purchases 100 acres of land. This deed was witnessed by a Samuel
Hensley. It isn't clear which Samuel this is. It may be
Samuel Hensley (1755) of Washington Co, VA (who would be our
Robert's 1st cousin), or perhaps it is another Samuel. In Sullivan Co,
TN in 1802 Robert Hensley "of Washington Co, VA" sells some land. The
above records are probably not the Robert of Hawkins and Roane Co, TN.
Robert Hensley married sometime prior to 1797, perhaps well before.
His wife has not been identified yet. Since their oldest known child was
born in Tennessee, it would stand to reason that they married in
Tennessee, though no record has been found. They may have married in
Virginia, then moved to Tennessee afterwards.
Robert and family were probably in Hawkins County, Tennessee by the
time of the 1800 census, but, unfortunately, this census was lost for
Tennessee.
Robert was listed on the 1809 Hawkins Co, TN Tax list.
The 1810 and 1820 census records are lost for Hawkins County,
Tennessee, but presumably, Robert was living there during those years.
Robert was listed on the 1830 census in Hawkins County. He was one
page away from widow Betsy Hensley, and one page from
William Hensley (1790/1800). His relationship to these two has not
been established. It is possible that Betsy was his widowed mother.
Robert was listed between the households of John Calvin, and John Hicks,
who was probably his son-in-law. Robert and wife had no children at home
in 1830.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation
of this census)
1830 Hawkins Co, TN pg 47 Robert Hensley 0000000010000-0000000010000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 60-69 (1760-1770) Robert HENSLEY (1760) s/o Benjamin
1 Female(s) 60-69 (1760-1770) Wife? (1760/70)
Robert Hensley was not listed as head of household on the 1840
census, but he was listed as a resident of the household of John Hicks
(his probable son-in-law). The 1840 census didn't give the names of
anyone except the head of household, excepting only those who were
Revolutionary War Pensioners. Robert was listed as a Pensioner living
with Hicks, and listed as age 81 (born ca 1758/59). John Hicks also had
an older woman with him who is probably Mrs. Hensley. They were in
Hawkins County just a few houses from
William Hensley, relationship unknown, possibly a son of Robert.
In 1832 Robert Hensley applied for a pension for his Revolutionary
War service. He stated he had lived in Hawkins Co, TN for 40 years,
which would have him in Hawkins during most of the time the other Robert
Hensley was in Washington Co, VA and Sullivan Co, TN (which is
physically near this Robert lived in Hawkins). He also claimed to be 74
years old then (born ca 1757/58). For some reason he was brought up on
fraud charges in regards to his pension application. He was later found
innocent of fraud.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation
of this census)
1840 Hawkins Co, TN pg 193 John Hicks 2010010000100-0200010001000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 80-89 (1750-1760) Robert HENSLEY (1760) father-in-law?
1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) John HICKS (1809/10)
1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) --> gone by 1850
2 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Son? (1835/40) --> gone by 1850
Joseph HENSLEY (1835/36) son
1 Female(s) 70-79 (1760-1770) Mrs. Robert Hensley (1760/70) wife/Robert
1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Elizabeth HENSLEY Hicks (1799/1800) wife
2 Female(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Daughter? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850
Daughter? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850
For some reason or another, Robert moved down to Roane Co, TN in the
1840's. He probably moved there to join his son Benjamin. Some
researchers think that Robert who was in Roane is not the same man as
Robert of Hawkins Co, TN, but I don't see who else it could be. I'm
reasonably sure they are one and the same.
Sometime in the 1840's, Robert's wife died. There is a marriage
record that may show him marrying a second time. If it is not his own
marriage, then it probably a grandson of his also named Robert. This
marriage bond is dated 24 Jan 1842 in Roane County between "Robert F.
Hensley" and Nancy K. Brock. I'm reasonably sure this is not
Robert Sr, but the reason I mention it is that two young children (born
ca 1843 and ca 1845) were with Robert in 1850, presumably they are
children of this marriage. That would make them either his sons (at his
age that seems unlikely, but possible), or his Great Grandchildren. My
personal theory is that Robert F. Hensley is a son of Benjamin, who is a
son of Robert Sr. I believe circumstantial evidence supports this.
Robert Hensley was listed on the 1850 census in Roane County,
Tennessee in the same household as his son Benjamin, but with a separate
family number. This means they were in the same physical house, but
wanted to be counted as different families. Two young boys were listed
with Robert, and as previously mentioned, I think they are his orphaned
great grandsons.
1850 census abstract: (Explanation
of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original
census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1850 ROANE CO, TN Page 339 House/Family # 241/ 251 - 20th SUB-DIVISION
HENSLEY BENJAMIN 53 M W NONE TN 1796/1797
HENSLEY MARY 53 F W NC 1796/1797
HENSLEY NANCY 21 F W TN 1828/1829
HENSLEY MARSHALL G 18 M W NONE TN 1831/1832
1850 ROANE CO, TN Page 339 House/Family # 241/ 252 - 20th SUB-DIVISION
HENSLEY ROBERT 98 M W NONE NC 1751/1752
HENSLEY BENJAMIN F 7 M W TN 1842/1843
HENSLEY SAMUEL 5 M W TN 1844/1845
I did not find Robert on the 1860 census, so it seems likely that he
died in the 1850-60 timeframe, presumably in Roane County. Both of his
young Great Grandchildren (from 1850) were with Robert's son Benjamin in
1860. Benjamin was appointed their guardian in 1850. |
