Agnes Hensley (c1763) of Washington and Scott Co., VA

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The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Agnes Hensley as far as can be proven. She did live in the same counties (Washington and Scott Co., VA) as my ancestor Larkin Hensley (c1761-1806). Larkin and Agnes may be siblings, if so then I am a 5th Great Grand Nephew of Agnes Hensley.

Special Thanks to Ruthe Muench and Laura Schreibman for information shared on this family. All tax list records mentioned on this page were transcribed and shared by Laura.

There is a BIG question about whether Agnes was a Hensley by birth (and never married) or was married to a Hensley who died early on leaving her a widow. The answer isn't clear, but she was associated with several of the Hensleys in Washington and Scott County, so it seems like she was more than an in-law to them. No way to know for sure without some sort of strong evidence.

Agnes Hensley was born ca 1762/63 in Virginia. Her birth is based on her age of 87 on the 1850 census. That works with her only other census record, 1820 where she was listed as age 45 and up (born before 1765).

I don't know what county she was born in but she was closely associated with Fielding Hensley who lived in Buckingham Co., VA in the early 1780's before coming to Washington County. Buckingham is a burned records county so I don't know how early the Hensleys lived there. She was also associated with Samuel Hensley who was born in Culpeper Co., VA.

If Agnes is a widow, then who was her husband? There was a Zachariah Hensley in Buckingham Co., VA who disappears after 1774. He is a possibility for he is thought to be closely related to the Washington Co., VA Hensleys. Other than him I don't know of any Hensleys who died before 1783 who could be husband of Agnes. She was only about 20-21 then, so she couldn't have been married too long before being widowed.

Let us assume that Agnes was a Hensley by birth and not a widow. That leaves her parentage unknown. She might be a sister to one or several of the other Hensleys about his age who also settled in Washington County, Virginia. This list includes: Robert Hensley (c1759), Joseph Hensley (1750/60-1832), Larkin Hensley (bef 1761-1806), Fielding Hensley (c1761), Samuel Hensley (1754-1841) and William Hensley (bef 1761-aft 1810). There is no direct proof that any of them are brothers, but they did all apparently know each other and lived near each other. They are certainly related in some close fashion. See my general commentary on Hensleys of Washington County, Virginia for more information.

Proven sisters Milly Hensley (1760/65-aft 1850) (wife of William Cornett) and Agnes Hensley (c1763-1850) (wife of William Godsey) were both from Buckingham Co., VA and both lived in Washington Co., VA for a time. It is obvious that Agnes Hensley (c1763) and Agnes Hensley Godsey (c1763) can't be siblings, so that also means that Milly Hensley Cornett can't be a sister to Agnes Hensley (c1763), single woman.

The first record found may or may not be the same person. On 11 Feb 1783 William Covington made his Will in Culpeper Co., VA naming his heirs including daughter Eleanor Covington Hensley. She was wife of Robert Hensley (c1759) who soon came to Washington Co., VA. Agnes Hensley was one of the witnesses to the Will. She signed with a mark. Was this the same Agnes who later wound up in Washington and Scott Co., VA?

On 11 Nov 1783, Agness Hensley, assignee of Fielding Hensley, had a treasury warrant (land entry) issued to her for 25 1/2 acres on Cove Creek bordering Hartsock. "Assignee" means that although Fielding was the one entitled (or qualified) to receive this land, he transferred his rights to Agnes Hensley for some reason. How are they related? This land was surveyed for her on 24 Apr 1797 and granted to her on 1 Nov 1800.

The fact that these records are in her name, that probably means she was a single woman over 21, or a widow.

Agnes Hensley did not appear on any of the early Personal Property tax lists in Washington Co., VA (1782-1804).

The 1790 census is lost for Virginia.

The 1800 census is lost for Virginia.

On 1 Nov 1800 Agnes Hensley, assignee of Fielding Hensley, was granted 25 1/2 acres on Cove Creek. This appears to be the same land from the 1783 warrant. (Land Office Grants No. 46, 1797-1801, p. 388 (Reel 112)). Click here for an online image from the Library of Virginia.

Agnes Hensley was listed on the Washington Co., VA Land Tax Lists from 1802 through 1810 with her 25 acres that was granted in 1800. Although the deeds show it as 25.5 acres, the land tax records only show 25. She was not listed on the personal property tax lists during this period.

Agnes Hensley was not listed on the 1810 census in Washington Co., VA. She was probably residing with relatives.

Agnes Hensley was listed on the Washington Co., VA Land Tax Lists from 1810 through 1814.

Agnes Hancely was listed on the 1814 personal property tax list in Washington with 1 tithe and no horses. The tithe probably wasn't herself but someone else who was living with her. This is the first and last time she was listed on a Personal Property tax list.

In 1814 Scott County was formed from the western part of Washington, taking several of the Hensleys into the new county, including Agnes.

Agnes was listed on the 1820 census in Scott Co., VA.  Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who her neighbors were. She was listed alone.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Scott Co, VA pg 192 Agnes Hensley 000000-00001-0-0
Analysis:
1 Female(s) 45 & up   (bef 1775)	Agnes Hensley (1762/63)

On 10 Apr 1820 Agnes Hensley sold her 25 1/2 acres to Solomon Sells for $50. (Scott Co., VA Deed Book 7 page 344)

In Scott County Court on 10 Aug 1824 Samuel Hensley, one of the witnesses, proved the deed from Agnes Hensley to Solomon Sells. This is some indication that Agnes is also related to Samuel Hensley (1754). (Scott Co., VA Court Minute Book 3 page 29)

Agnes Hensley was not listed on the 1830 census in Scott Co., VA.  She was probably with relatives. None of the Hensley households had any "extra" females her age living with them in 1830.

Agnes Hensley was not listed on the 1840 census in Scott Co., VA.  She was probably with relatives. None of the Hensley households had any "extra" females her age living with them in 1840 in either Scott or Washington Co., VA. However, Henry Darnell had a female her age with him. Since she was living with him in 1850 this might be her there in 1840 too.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Scott Co, VA pg 22 Henry Darnell 2001100000000-0000100101000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 20-29        (1810-1820)	Henry Darnell (c1813)
1 Male(s) 15-19        (1820-1825)	Brother? Nephew?
2 Male(s) 0-4          (1835-1840)	William J. Darnell (c1838) son
					John Darnell (c1840) son
1 Female(s) 70-79      (1760-1770)	Agnes Hensley (c1763)
1 Female(s) 50-59      (1780-1790)	Mother? Mother-in-law?
1 Female(s) 20-29      (1810-1820)	Hannah R. Hensley Darnell (c1824) wife

Agnes Hensley was listed on the 1850 census in Scott Co., VA. She was living with Henry Darnell and his wife Hannah R. Hensley Darnell (c1818). Hannah is a proven Hensley, but her parents are unknown so her relationship to Agnes is also unknown. I would suspect that she is a niece or even a grand-niece.

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)

SCOTT CO., VA Page 372   H/F #  297/ 297- - WESTERN DISTRICT Twp

DARNELL HENRY         37 M W FARMER                 100 VA                   1812/1813
DARNELL HANNAH R      26 F W                            VA                   1823/1824
DARNELL WILLIAM J     12 M W                            VA                   1837/1838
DARNELL JOHN          10 M W                            VA                   1839/1840
DARNELL POLLY A        8 F W                            VA                   1841/1842
DARNELL ABRAHAM        6 M W                            VA                   1843/1844
DARNELL JAMES          4 M W                            VA                   1845/1846
DARNELL ELCANY         3 M W                            VA                   1846/1847
DARNELL JOSEPH         2 M W                            VA                   1847/1848
DARNELL SAMPSON        1 M W                            VA                   1848/1849
HENSLEY AGNESS        87 F W (PAUPER)                   VA                   1762/1763

Agnes Hensley probably died before 1860 for I didn't find her on that census anywhere.

Children of Agnes Hensley. There is no record of Agnes having been married, or having any children. One might assume that Hannah R. Hensley (c1824) is her child, but Agnes is too old to be her mother.

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