Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth Hickman of King George, Hanover and Louisa Co., VA

Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth Hickman of King George, Hanover and Louisa 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 an ancestor of my ancestor Larkin Hensley (c1761-1806).

I refer to this man as Benjamin Hensley (4) in an attempt to distinguish him from the several other Benjamins, as he is the fourth of this name that I'm aware of. See the analysis page for the various early Benjamin Hensleys.

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

Benjamin Hensley was born before ca 1706 based on his first public record being dated 1727, 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 Richmond Co., VA either in Richmond County proper or in the part that became King George County in 1720/1721.

Benjamin's parents are unknown, but I have him listed as a son of Benjamin Hensley (3). My only reason for this is that they were both in King George Co., VA at the same time (1727), and that Benjamin (4)'s first record in 1727 listed him as Benjamin "Junr" which means he was the younger of the two men of that name. (It does not prove they are father and son though.) There were no other older Hensleys in that area at that time as far as I know, so that kind of leaves Benjamin (3) as the only possibility for father of Benjamin (4). They were associated with the same people so they were definitely related.

On 31 Aug 1727 Joseph Strother and John Ffarguson, Vestrymen of Hanover Parish, King George County, made a deed to Samuel Skinner, Merchant of same place. The witnesses were Nicholas Porter, Benjamin Hensley Junr, and John Bum. [King George Co., VA Deed Book 1 page 451]

The above is the first record found for Benjamin (4). We can probably safely assume he had just turned 21 around then.

Benjamin Hansley married Elizabeth Hikkum on 19 Jan 1730/31 in Stafford (now King George) Co., VA in St. Paul's Parish. [See http://www.rootsweb.com/~vastaffo/marriages/1700gk.htm for this marriage and other early Stafford County marriages. Thanks to Don Godfrey for sharing this link.]

At the time of this marriage (1731), St. Paul's Parish was in Stafford Co., VA not King George. It later wound up in King George due to county border changes in 1776. That means that Benjamin and Elizabeth actually married in Stafford Co., VA. Stafford and King George bordered in 1731 with the Rappahannock River to separate them. They still border today but with different borders than in 1731. [See http://www.combs-families.org/combs/records/va/parish.htm for more information on the Parishes.]

Elizabeth Hickman was born ca 1710 (assuming she was 21 when married) in Virginia. I don't know who her parents were.

By 1738 Benjamin and Elizabeth seemed to have moved south to Hanover County, Virginia. I have no absolute proof that it is the same Benjamin and Elizabeth, but it seems very likely. At the time Hanover stretched all the way to the mountains until Louisa County was formed in 1742 from the western half of the county.

On 1 Feb 1738 Benjamin Henslee received a land patent of 385 acres in Hanover County on both sides of Wolf Trap Branch, bordering Timothy Dalton, and Meriwether. [Land Office Patents No. 18, 1738-1739, p. 157 (Reel 16). Available online at the Library of Virginia.]

Wolftrap Branch rises in present day Orange County and flows south easterly and joins Negro Run which for a short distance is the border between Orange and Louisa. There is another Wolftrap Branch in southern Albemarle County.

In 1742 Louisa County was formed from the western half of Hanover County. Benjamin and family fell into the new county. He appears in the occasional Orange County record as well.

Benjamin Hensley is mentioned in many Louisa County records from 1742 through 1767. I'm not going to list them all here except those that prove something of great interest.

On 10 Jan 1742 Benjamin Hensley was appointed guardian to Stephen English, 16 years old, in place of William Cradock. [Louisa Co., VA Order Books]

On 13 Dec 1742 Benjamin Hensley was named to be the Constable in Louisa County above the mountains.

On 11 Feb 1743 Benjamin Hensley of Louisa made a deed to John Hensley of same place for £10, for 100 acres on the north side of Wolf Swamp. Adjoining land included Mildred Meriwether, Samuel Brackman and Richard Hammack. Witnesses were A. J. Smith and William Ogilvie.

I don't know who John Hensley is for sure, but I'd bet he was Benjamin's brother. He was too old to be his son, unless he came from a marriage before Elizabeth Hickman (m1731).

Records beginning in 1743 refer to Benjamin Hensley as a Clerk and Reader for Fredericksville Parish, Louisa County.

On 23 Apr 1745 Richard Hammack made a motion in court for road work to be done. Those ordered to do the work were Benjamin Hensly, John Hensley, George Davis, Gideon Carr, Timothy Moony, Stephen English, John Moony, John Hammack, Charles Smith, John Maccaulay, Joseph Martin, Samuel Hensley, William Maib, Richard Davis, John Wilmer, James Hoderurds, John Wood and John Dowell. The road was to be cleared from Richard Hammack's Plantation to Ambrose Smith's. These men listed here would all be neighbors and live in that region where the road was.

I believe that John and Samuel Hensley were brothers of Benjamn's, but have no absolute proof of that. They were clearly related though.

On 25 Jul 1746 Benjamin Henslee was mentioned in a patent to John Askew in Orange Co., VA on Prittys Creek. He was listed as a bordering land owner.

On 27 Aug 1747 a deed was made in Orange Co., VA between Richard Bradford of St. Margaret's Parish, Caroline Co., VA and James Michal, St. Thomas' Parish, Orange Co., VA. Bordering land owners included Benjamin Hensley, Charles Oakes, and Edward Hensley.

This might be the same Edward Hensley who is a proven son of Samuel Hensley (d 1735).

On 22 Jul 1748 in neighboring Albemarle Co., VA, Benjamin Henslee and Edward Hickman witnessed a promissory note between Robert Dalton and Simon Grinton. [Weisiger, Benjamin B. III., Albemarle County, Virginia Court Papers 1744-1783.]

That must be the same Benjamin of Louisa, though it is possible it was someone else. However, this has two things going for it to make one believe it is the same Benjamin. One Louisa and Albemarle border each other, so the distance is not a problem. Two, Edward Hickman was the other witness. He could be one of Benjamin's in-laws.

On 27 Aug 1750 Benjamin Henslee and James Henslee (and George Martin) witnessed a Louisa County deed between Joseph Martin and Stephen English. The land was bordered by Benjamin Henslee, Richard Hammack and Stephen English. Who was James Hensley? Yet another brother of Benjamins, or perhaps an older son? Samuel Hensley (d 1735) of neighboring Orange County had a son named James of whom nothing much is known. Could it be him? No way to be sure.

On 18 Jan 1752 John Henslee sold 100 acres to David Watts in Louisa county. Benjamin Henslee, Francis M. Hammack, Daniel Ramsey were witnesses. This must be the same land Benjamin sold John in 1743.

On 25 Feb 1752 Benjamin Henslee of Fredericksville Parish, Louisa Co., VA sold 300 acres to David Watts. The land was on Wolf Trap Branch. Witnesses were John Foster, John Henslee, and John Hammack. Benjamin Henslee signed, and "Elizabeth his wife" relinquished her dower rights to the land.

Apparently around this time, Benjamin and family moved into neighboring Hanover County for a few years.

On 23 Aug 1757 Phillip Burford and wife Mildred sold 100 acres in St. Martin's Parish to Benjamin Hensley of St. Martin's Parish, Hanover Co., VA. The land was on Henson's Creek.

On 5 Jan 1760, Benjamin Hensle and wife Elizabeth of Louisa Co., VA sold 100 acres to John Hager. It was described as the same land sold to them by Phillip Burford. This means they were back in Louisa County by 1760.

On 13 Feb 1767 John Washer and wife Elizabeth of St. Martin's Parish, Louisa Co.,VA* sold 86 acres to Benjamin Henslee of same place. The land a plantation on branches of Locust Creek. Witnesses were John Henslee, Mary (X) Landers and Samuel (X) Henslee.

Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1767 tax list in Louisa County in St. Martin's parish with one tithe (himself) and 86 acres.

Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1769 tax list in Louisa County in St. Martin's parish with two tithes (himself and a son probably) and 86 acres.

This (1769) is the last record I have for Benjamin Hensley currently. He may have died ca 1769 or perhaps moved out of Louisa County. More research is needed.

There are other Benjamin Hensleys in Virginia and North Carolina after this that might be this same man. It is impossible to be sure. See Benjamin Hensley of Henry Co., VA and Benjamin Hensley of Albemarle Co., VA and Benjamin Hensley of Rowan and Surry Co., NC. One of these might be the same person as Benjamin Hensley (4). A Benjamin Hensley also appears in Pittsylvania Co., VA after 1769 in company with a John Hensley (who might be same one who had been in Louisa too.)

Children: I have Benjamin Hensley (4) listed as the probable father of Benjamin Hensley (5) and Charles Hensley (bef 1741-aft 1790), though I have no real solid evidence either of those are his kids.

The prime reason for putting Benjamin (5) as a son of Benjamin (4) is that (5) had a son named Hickman Hensley (1759). Where else would that name come from if not in honor of wife of Benjamin (4) who would have been Hickman's grandmother. That isn't solid proof, but compelling.

Charles Hensley is listed here because he and Hickman (1759) were together briefly in Washington (now Russell) Co., VA in the 1780's and they seem to be connected.

It seems reasonable to assume that Benjamin (4) had other children as well, but I don't know who they were.

Researcher List

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

See Benjamin Hensley and Beatrice ---

Register Report

1. Benjamin¹ Hensley , born bef 1706 in Richmond Co, VA; died aft 1767 in Louisa Co, VA, son of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth (---) . He married in 1731 in Stafford Co, VA (now King George Co, VA) Elizabeth Hickman , born abt 1710 in VA.

Children of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth Hickman were as follows:

+ 2 i Benjamin² Hensley , born abt 1735 in Hanover Co, VA. He married Elizabeth (---) .

3 ii Charles² Hensley , born bef 1741 in VA; died aft 1790 in Nelson Co, VA (now Nelson Co, KY).

Generation 2

2. Benjamin² Hensley (Benjamin¹), born abt 1735 in Hanover Co, VA. 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:

+ 4 i James³ Hensley , born bef 1750 in Albemarle Co, VA; died 1810/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married ? (---) .

+ 5 ii Henry "Harry"³ Hensley , born bef 1753 in Albemarle Co, VA; died 1820/30 in Buncombe Co, NC. He married Barbara Angel .

+ 6 iii Benjamin³ Hensley , born bef 1755 in Albemarle Co, VA; died aft 1815 in Burke Co, NC (now McDowell Co, NC). He married ? (---) .

+ 7 iv Hickman³ Hensley , born 15 Apr 1759 in Halifax Co, VA; died aft 1815 in TN. He married (1) Agness Fisher ; (2) Elizabeth Rentfrow .

+ 8 v Robert³ Hensley , born 29 Feb 1760 in Bucks Co, PA; died 1850/60 in Roane Co, TN (now Loudon Co, TN). He married ? (---) .

+ 9 vi Isom³ Hensley , born 1760/70 in Halifax Co, VA; died Sep 1849 in Scott Co, VA. He married ? (---) .

+ 10 vii Colbert³ Hensley , born 1760/65 in Halifax Co, VA; died 1830/40 in Yancey Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC). He married Elizabeth Stanton .

+ 11 viii John³ 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 3

4. James³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

12 i Milly⁴ Hensley , born 1770/75 in Surry Co, NC; died 1840/50 in Yancey Co, NC.

13 ii Berry⁴ Hensley , born 1782/83 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC.

14 iii Sibba⁴ Hensley , born 1789/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC.

5. Henry "Harry"³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

15 i Washington⁴ Hensley , born 1774/84 in Henry Co, VA.

16 ii James⁴ Hensley , born 1779/80 in Henry Co, VA; died 16 Oct 1859 in Clay Co, KY.

17 iii Henry⁴ Hensley , born 1780/81 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1850/60 in Yancey Co, NC.

18 iv Lewis⁴ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1846 in Harlan Co, KY.

19 v Barbara⁴ Hensley , born 27 Dec 1792 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 17 Jun 1882 in Unicoi Co, TN.

20 vi Benjamin⁴ Hensley , born 1792/93 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/62 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

21 vii Zania⁴ Hensley , born 1792/93 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Washington Co, TN.

22 viii William A⁴ Hensley , born 18 Sep 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 5 Nov 1889 in Unicoi Co, TN.

6. Benjamin³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

23 i Benjamin⁴ Hensley , born 1775/76 in Henry Co, VA; died 1850/60 in Towns Co, GA.

24 ii Amos⁴ Hensley , born 1775/78 in Henry Co, VA; died 1828 in Burke Co, NC (now McDowell Co, NC).

7. Hickman³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

25 i Larkin⁴ Hensley , born 22 May 1779 in Henry Co, VA; died 1867 in Lewis Co, TN.

26 ii Samuel⁴ Hensley , born 1779/80 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died abt 1855 in Shelby Co, IL.

27 iii William⁴ Hensley , born 1784/85 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Lewis Co, TN.

28 iv James F⁴ 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:

29 i Jesse⁴ Rentfrow , born 29 Jan 1794 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1840 in Madison Co, IL.

30 ii Rhoda⁴ Rentfrow , born 27 Jan 1796 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

31 iii Rodice⁴ Rentfrow , born 3 Aug 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Effingham Co, IL.

32 iv Joseph⁴ Rentfrow , born 3 Jan 1802 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1850/60 in Effingham Co, IL.

33 v John⁴ Rentfrow , born 27 May 1804 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Effingham Co, IL.

34 vi Eli⁴ Rentfrow , born 8 Mar 1807 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1870 in Effingham Co, IL.

35 vii Levi⁴ Rentfrow , born 1 Sep 1809 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1860 in Effingham Co, IL.

36 viii Thomas Jefferson⁴ Rentfrow , born 27 Jul 1812 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1880 in Effingham Co, IL.

37 ix James Madison⁴ Rentfrow , born 2 May 1815 in Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN).

8. Robert³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

38 i Benjamin⁴ Hensley , born 1796/97 in Hawkins Co, TN; died 29 Jul 1878 in Loudon Co, TN.

39 ii Elizabeth⁴ Hensley , born 1799/1800 in Hawkins Co, TN.

9. Isom³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

40 i Benjamin⁴ Hensley , born 1794/95 in Sullivan Co, TN; died 1870/80 in Greene Co, TN.

41 ii Samuel⁴ Hensley , born 1790/1800 in Sullivan Co, TN; died 1840/50 in Russell Co, VA or Greene Co, TN.

42 iii Isom⁴ Hensley , born 1797/98 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1870 in Scott Co, VA.

10. Colbert³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

43 i James⁴ Hensley , born 1794/95 in TN; died 1860/70 in Greene Co, TN.

44 ii George W⁴ Hensley , born abt 1800 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died 20 Sep 1874 in Augusta Co, VA.

45 iii Amos⁴ Hensley , born 1802/03 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.

46 iv Hickman M⁴ Hensley , born 1803/04 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died aft 1860 in Madison Co, NC.

47 v Mary Ann⁴ Hensley , born 1808/09 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC).

48 vi John⁴ Hensley , born in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC).

11. John³ Hensley (Benjamin², 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:

49 i Mary "Polly"⁴ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

50 ii Margaret "Peggy"⁴ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

51 iii Charles⁴ Hensley , born 1795/96 in Buncombe Co, NC; died abt 1858 in Madison Co, NC.

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

52 i John⁴ Hensley , born 1794/1800 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1830/37 in Yancey Co, NC.