Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth --- of Albemarle, Halifax, Pittsylvania and Henry Co., VA

Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth --- of Albemarle, Halifax, Pittsylvania and Henry Co., VA

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The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Benjamin Hensley as far as can be proven. There is certainly a possibility that he is related to my ancestor Larkin Hensley (c1761-1806).

I refer to this man as Benjamin Hensley (5) in an attempt to distinguish him from the several other Benjamins, as he is the fifth of this name that I'm aware of. See the analysis page for the various early Benjamin Hensleys.

I'm not totally sure, but I believe that the man referred to here as Benjamin (5) is the same Benjamin who was in Rowan and Surry Co., NC in the 1760's and 1770's. It is entirely possible that they are not one and the same person.

Special thanks to Laura Schreibman for data shared on this family.

Benjamin Hensley was born before ca 1737 based on his first public record being dated 1758, and assuming he was at least 21 then. (He could have been a little older or a little younger.)

If his parents are who I think they are, then Benjamin was probably born in Hanover Co., VA in the part that became Louisa in 1742. Depending on his actual birth date, he may have been born in King George Co., VA before Benjamin (4) moved to Hanover/Louisa in the 1730's.

Benjamin's parents are unproven, but I think it is very likely that he is a son of Benjamin Hensley (4) and Elizabeth Hickman of King George, Hanover, and Louisa Co., VA. The reason for this is that Benjamin (5) had a son named Hickman Hensley born in 1759. What is the source of his name if not Elizabeth Hickman? Of course this does not completely prove that Benjamin (5) is a son of Benjamin (4). It is also quite possible that Hickman Hensley's parents (proven to be named "Benjamin and Elizabeth") is not the same Benjamin as Benjamin (5). There are so many Benjamins in Virginia in this period that confusion is unavoidable.

Benjamin (5) was presumably raised in Louisa Co., VA (if he is a son of Benjamin (4).) That borders Albemarle County where Benjamin (5) first appears. As far as I can determine, Benjamin (5) does not appear on any Louisa County records.

Benjamin Hensley was listed on a Colonial Militia List for Albemarle Co., VA dated Sept. 1758. There is no way to be sure this is Benjamin (5) but it could be. One reason for thinking so is that George Adam Salling was also listed, and he was associated with Benjamin (5) the following year in Halifax Co., VA. As I already mentioned, Albemarle is right next to Louisa and the border is only a mile or two from where Benjamin (4) resided in Louisa.

The above is the first record found for Benjamin (5). We can probably safely assume he had just turned 21 around then.

At some point in the 1750's (presumably), Benjamin Hensley (5) married Elizabeth --- somewhere in Virginia. Her maiden name is unknown. There is an apparent widow "Betsy Hensley" listed on the 1830 census of Hawkins Co., TN. There are three different adult females in the house so it isn't clear which one was Betsy. The oldest was age 100 and up, or born before 1730. If that is Betsy, then perhaps this is the same person. The age and name certainly fits. This is the same county where several of the proven and suspected children of Benjamin (5) wound up so it isn't a stretch to think this is his widow. Further proof is needed to be sure though.

Benjamin (5) moved south to Halifax County, Virginia around 1758-1759. At that time Halifax was a huge county covering its present day area as well as present day Pittsylvania, Henry, Franklin (part), and Patrick Counties. Since Benjamin was later found in Pittsylvania and Henry Counties, it makes me think he lived in the part of Halifax that later became Henry. However, records seem to show that he moved around within the bounds of old Halifax County and wound up in the Henry area later.

Benjamin is listed on several Halifax County records. I'll not list them all here, only the most interesting ones.

In Halifax County Court in Aug. 1759, George Adam Salling brought a suit against Benjamin Hensley. This same man was listed in the 1758 Albemarle Militia with Benjamin Hensley. This is the main item connecting Benjamin of Albemarle to Benjamin of Halifax. [Halifax County Virginia Pleas No. 2, Court Orders 1755-1759]

On 17 Jul 1761 William Stokes brought a suit against Benjamin Hensley in Halifax Court. [Halifax County, Virginia Pleas No. 3 Court Orders 1759-1762]

On 18 Mar 1762 James Roberts, Jr of Halifax County sold land to Benjamin Hensley of same place. One lot (# 116) in town of Peytonsburg on south side of Randolph Street.

Peytonsburg no longer exists as a town, but it is in present day Pittsylvania County near the Halifax line. In 1766 Pittsylvania County was formed from western Halifax, effective 1767. Benjamin's Peytonsburg land fell into the new county (assuming he still owned it at this time.)

Around this time (ca 1762), Benjamin and family moved over the Staunton River into neighboring Bedford County, Virginia.

On 14 Jun 1762, Richard Randolph of Henrico Co, VA sold Benjamin Hensley of Bedford Co, VA, 190 acres in Bedford on the North Side of Staunton River. Witnesses were John Talbot, Isham Talbot, and Timothy Dalton (same people Benjamin was associated with in Halifax County, thus proving it is probably the same Benjamin in Bedford County). [Bedford Co, VA Deed Book 2 page 60].

On 17 Apr 1763 Benjamin Henslee and wife Elizabeth of Bedford Co, VA, sold Jeremiah Ward of Halifax Co, VA, 190 acres in Bedford (same land purchased 14 Jun 1762). No witnesses were listed. [Bedford Co, VA Deed Book 2 page 164]

By 1767, Benjamin Hensley had moved southwest to Rowan Co., NC in the area that soon became Surry County and is Stokes County today. This county borders Henry County, Virginia where he later wound up.

In Rowan County Court in 1767 George Adam Salling brought a suit against Benjamin Henslee. This is what ties this Benjamin to the one in Halifax / Pittsylvania for George Adam Salling was associated with Benjamin (5) in Albemarle and Halifax Counties.

A 1768 tax list for Rowan Co., NC shows several Hensleys (with various spellings):

John Hanslee, 1 tithe;
Benjamin Hansley "and sons" James and Harry, 3 tithes;
Benjamin Hansley Jr, 1 tithe;
Charles Hansley, 1 tithe;
Capt. Ben Hansly, 1 tithe;

The Benjamin with sons Harry and James is most likely Benjamin (5) for it has always seemed that Hickman (1759) and Harry were siblings, and Hickman is a proven son (Family Bible) of Benjamin and Elizabeth. Who is Benjamin Jr then? And who is Capt. Benjamin Hensley? Hard to say. Benjamin (5) seems to have a son named Benjamin (bef 1755), and that is probably Benjamin "Jr" listed here. I don't know who Captain Ben might be.

In 1770 Surry County was formed from the northern half of Rowan County. The Hensleys fell into the new county.

A 1771 tax list for Surry Co., NC shows two Hensleys in Surry County:

Benjamin Hensley, 1 poll
James Hensley, 1 poll

Now it is impossible to know which Benjamin Hensley this was. Was it (5) or was it his son or Captain Ben?

A 1772 Surry County tax list shows the same two men:

Benjamin Hansley, 1 poll
James Hansley, 1 poll

A 1774 Surry County tax lists shows a few more Hensleys:

Benjamin Hensley, 1 poll
Charles Hensley, 1 poll
Henry Hensley, 1 poll
James Hensley, 1 poll
John Hensley, 1 poll

On 27 Sep 1775 Militia appointments were recorded in the Pittsylvania County Deed Book. Benjamin Hensley and James George (my ancestor) and others were appointed Lieutenants. No way to know which Benjamin this was. It probably isn't Benjamin (5) but it could be. [Pittsylvania Co., VA Deed Book 4 page 293.]

From this point on (mid 1770's) it becomes very difficult to know which Benjamin Hensley is being referred to in any particular record.

In 1776 Henry County was formed from western Pittsylvania, effective 1777. Most of the Hensleys wound up in this new county. This was adjacent to Surry Co., NC so they may have lived near the border to be in both counties.

A 1778 Militia list for Henry Co., VA shows several Hensleys including four Benjamins!

Capt. Benjamin Hensley
Henry Hensley
Benjamin Hensley Jr
James Hensley
Benjamin Hensley Sr
Hickman Hensley
Benjamin Hensley

Which of these is Benjamin (5)? There is no way to tell, but I would eliminate Benjamin Jr and Capt. Benjamin from consideration. That leaves Benjamin Sr and Benjamin (no suffix).

On 26 Aug 1779 a statement was made in Henry County court proving that Benjamin Hensley served as a Lieutenant in the Virginia Battalion in 1760. (That would have been during the French and Indian War.) This must be Benjamin (5) as the other Benjamin's weren't old enough to have served in 1760. [Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt, Henry Co., Virginia's Colonial Soldiers. p. 253]

The same source shows that James Cowden, assignee of Benjamin Henslee received a 2000 acre warrant for Benjamin's service in 1760 under William Byrd. This means that Benjamin transferred his rights to James Cowden for some reason or another, perhaps to settle a debt or some other reason.

A 1783 Henry Co., VA tax list shows:

Robert Hensley
John Hensley
William Hensley
Henry Hensley
Benjamin Hensley

A 1784 Henry Co., VA tax list shows:

Robert Hensley
William Hensley
John Hensley
Harry Hensley

Most of these men wound up in Buncombe Co., NC right after this. Note that Benjamin was not listed in 1784. Did he die? Move away? Did he also go back to North Carolina like his children did?

The Virginia "census" of 1787 (a collection of Personal Property Tax Lists) shows only two Benjamins, one in Albemarle and one in Pittsylvania. I don't think either of them are Benjamin (5).

There is a Ben Hensly in Burke Co., NC on the 1790 census with a very large family. Since the children of Benjamin (5) were in that same county then, this could be him, though it may be his probable son Benjamin "Jr" instead, in fact I rather think it is Jr and not (5).

Children: Benjamin Hensley (5) and wife Elizabeth are the proven parents of three sons:

James Hensley (bef 1750) proven by 1768 tax list
Henry "Harry" Hensley (bef 1753) proven by 1768 tax list
Hickman Hensley (1759) proven by his family bible listing parents as "Benjamin and Elizabeth"

Although solid evidence is lacking, it seems reasonable to assume that Benjamin (5) is also the parents of these children, based primarily on association with the above three and each other:

Benjamin Hensley (bef 1755), lived in Burke (now McDowell) Co., NC. Is probably the Benjamin "Jr" found with Benjamin (5) on some records.
Robert Hensley (1760) of Hawkins and Roane Co., TN. No real evidence connecting him to Benjamin (5), but his two only known children were named "Benjamin" and "Elizabeth" which could be a coincidence or perhaps not.
Isom Hensley (1760/70) of Sullivan, Hawkins and Greene Co., TN and Scott Co., VA. Named oldest son Benjamin.
Colbert Hensley (1760/65) of Yancey (now Madison) Co., NC. Named a son "Hickman."
John Hensley (1765/72) of Buncombe Co., NC. Associated with the others.

There could be others, and one or two of the above might not actually be children of Benjamin (5), though I'm sure they are all related in some fashion.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (contact me to add, change or delete your listing here):

See Benjamin Hensley and Beatrice ---
Also See the individual family pages for researcher lists:
- Benjamin Hensley (5) and Elizabeth

Register Report

1. Benjamin¹ Hensley , born abt 1735 in Hanover Co, VA, son of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth Hickman . He married abt 1750 in VA Elizabeth (---) , born 1730/40 in VA; died aft 1830 in Hawkins Co, TN.

Children of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

+ 2 i James² Hensley , born bef 1750 in Albemarle Co, VA; died 1810/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married ? (---) .

+ 3 ii Henry "Harry"² Hensley , born bef 1753 in Albemarle Co, VA; died 1820/30 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married Barbara Angel .

+ 4 iii Benjamin² Hensley , born bef 1755 in Albemarle Co, VA; died aft 1815 in Burke Co, NC (now McDowell Co, NC). He married ? (---) .

+ 5 iv Hickman² Hensley , born 15 Apr 1759 in Halifax Co, VA; died aft 1815 in TN. He married (1) Agness Fisher ; (2) Elizabeth Rentfrow .

+ 6 v Robert² Hensley , born 29 Feb 1760 in Bucks Co, PA; died 1850/60 in Roane Co, TN (now Loudon Co, TN). He married ? (---) .

+ 7 vi Isom² Hensley , born 1760/70 in Halifax Co, VA; died Sep 1849 in Scott Co, VA. He married ? (---) .

+ 8 vii Colbert² Hensley , born 1760/65 in Halifax Co, VA; died 1830/40 in Yancey Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC). He married Elizabeth Stanton .

+ 9 viii John² Hensley , born 1765/72 in Rowan Co, NC (now Stokes Co, NC); died 1810/15 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married (1) ? (---) ; (2) Martha (---) .

Generation 2

2. James² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born bef 1750 in Albemarle Co, VA; died 1810/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married in 1770/75 in Surry Co, NC ? (---) , born bef 1755; died 1800/10 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

Children of James Hensley and ? (---) were as follows:

10 i Milly³ Hensley , born 1770/75 in Surry Co, NC; died 1840/50 in Yancey Co, NC.

11 ii Berry³ Hensley , born 1782/83 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC.

12 iii Sibba³ Hensley , born 1789/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC.

3. Henry "Harry"² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born bef 1753 in Albemarle Co, VA; died 1820/30 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married bef 17 Jul 1773 in Surry Co, NC (now Stokes Co, NC) Barbara Angel , born 1754/55 in NC; died 1850/60 in Washington Co, TN, daughter of Charles Angel and Sibella Washington .

Children of Henry "Harry" Hensley and Barbara Angel were as follows:

13 i Washington³ Hensley , born 1774/84 in Henry Co, VA.

14 ii James³ Hensley , born 1779/80 in Henry Co, VA; died 16 Oct 1859 in Clay Co, KY.

15 iii Henry³ Hensley , born 1780/81 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1850/60 in Yancey Co, NC.

16 iv Lewis³ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1846 in Harlan Co, KY.

17 v Barbara³ Hensley , born 27 Dec 1792 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 17 Jun 1882 in Unicoi Co, TN.

18 vi Benjamin³ Hensley , born 1792/93 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/62 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

19 vii Zania³ Hensley , born 1792/93 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Washington Co, TN.

20 viii William A³ Hensley , born 18 Sep 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 5 Nov 1889 in Unicoi Co, TN.

4. Benjamin² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born bef 1755 in Albemarle Co, VA; died aft 1815 in Burke Co, NC (now McDowell Co, NC). He married bef 1775 in VA ? (---) , born bef 1755; died aft 1810 in Burke Co, NC.

Children of Benjamin Hensley and ? (---) were as follows:

21 i Benjamin³ Hensley , born 1775/76 in Henry Co, VA; died 1850/60 in Towns Co, GA.

22 ii Amos³ Hensley , born 1775/78 in Henry Co, VA; died 1828 in Burke Co, NC (now McDowell Co, NC).

5. Hickman² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born 15 Apr 1759 in Halifax Co, VA; died aft 1815 in TN. He married (1) bef 15 Jul 1778 in VA or NC Agness Fisher , born bef 1755 in VA; died aft 1800 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC), daughter of James Fisher ; (2) Not married in Not married Elizabeth Rentfrow , born 16 Aug 1774 in VA; died aft 1850 in Effingham Co, IL, daughter of John Rentfrow and Elizabeth Fisher .

Children of Hickman Hensley and Agness Fisher were as follows:

23 i Larkin³ Hensley , born 22 May 1779 in Henry Co, VA; died 1867 in Lewis Co, TN.

24 ii Samuel³ Hensley , born 1779/80 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died abt 1855 in Shelby Co, IL.

25 iii William³ Hensley , born 1784/85 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Lewis Co, TN.

26 iv James F³ Hensley , born 1789/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1860 in Lewis Co, TN.

Children of Hickman Hensley and Elizabeth Rentfrow were as follows:

27 i Jesse³ Rentfrow , born 29 Jan 1794 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1840 in Madison Co, IL.

28 ii Rhoda³ Rentfrow , born 27 Jan 1796 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

29 iii Rodice³ Rentfrow , born 3 Aug 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Effingham Co, IL.

30 iv Joseph³ Rentfrow , born 3 Jan 1802 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1850/60 in Effingham Co, IL.

31 v John³ Rentfrow , born 27 May 1804 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Effingham Co, IL.

32 vi Eli³ Rentfrow , born 8 Mar 1807 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1870 in Effingham Co, IL.

33 vii Levi³ Rentfrow , born 1 Sep 1809 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1860 in Effingham Co, IL.

34 viii Thomas Jefferson³ Rentfrow , born 27 Jul 1812 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1880 in Effingham Co, IL.

35 ix James Madison³ Rentfrow , born 2 May 1815 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN).

6. Robert² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born 29 Feb 1760 in Bucks Co, PA; died 1850/60 in Roane Co, TN (now Loudon Co, TN). He married bef 1797 in Hawkins Co, TN ? (---) , born 1760/70; died 1840/50 in Hawkins Co, TN or Roane Co, TN.

Children of Robert Hensley and ? (---) were as follows:

36 i Benjamin³ Hensley , born 1796/97 in Hawkins Co, TN; died 29 Jul 1878 in Loudon Co, TN.

37 ii Elizabeth³ Hensley , born 1799/1800 in Hawkins Co, TN.

7. Isom² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born 1760/70 in Halifax Co, VA; died Sep 1849 in Scott Co, VA. He married ? (---) , born 1750/60; died 1840/50 in Greene Co, TN or Scott Co, VA.

Children of Isom Hensley and ? (---) were as follows:

38 i Benjamin³ Hensley , born 1794/95 in Sullivan Co, TN; died 1870/80 in Greene Co, TN.

39 ii Samuel³ Hensley , born 1790/1800 in Sullivan Co, TN; died 1840/50 in Russell Co, VA or Greene Co, TN.

40 iii Isom³ Hensley , born 1797/98 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1870 in Scott Co, VA.

8. Colbert² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born 1760/65 in Halifax Co, VA; died 1830/40 in Yancey Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC). He married in 1790/95 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC) Elizabeth Stanton , born 1774/84; died bef 1830 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC), daughter of John Shelton Stanton .

Children of Colbert Hensley and Elizabeth Stanton were as follows:

41 i James³ Hensley , born 1794/95 in TN; died 1860/70 in Greene Co, TN.

42 ii George W³ Hensley , born abt 1800 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died 20 Sep 1874 in Augusta Co, VA.

43 iii Amos³ Hensley , born 1802/03 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.

44 iv Hickman M³ Hensley , born 1803/04 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died aft 1860 in Madison Co, NC.

45 v Mary Ann³ Hensley , born 1808/09 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC).

46 vi John³ Hensley , born in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC).

9. John² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born 1765/72 in Rowan Co, NC (now Stokes Co, NC); died 1810/15 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married (1) bef 1790 in Burke Co, NC ? (---) ; (2) in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC) Martha (---) , died aft Jan 1833.

Children of John Hensley and ? (---) were as follows:

47 i Mary "Polly"³ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

48 ii Margaret "Peggy"³ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

49 iii Charles³ Hensley , born 1795/96 in Buncombe Co, NC; died abt 1858 in Madison Co, NC.

Children of John Hensley and Martha (---) were as follows:

50 i John³ Hensley , born 1794/1800 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1830/37 in Yancey Co, NC.