Benjamin Hensley and Beatrice --- of Rappahannock and Richmond 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 (1) since he is the oldest in a long line of Benjamins and it is very easy to get them confused.  He is one of the first Hensleys in Virginia, though not the first. 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 in the 1600's, though I don't know if early or mid. The first record I've seen for him was dated 1677, so assuming he was at least 21 at the time, then he was born ca 1656 or earlier. This may be off considerably but it is the only means of estimating that I currently have.

I don't know where Benjamin was born, whether in Virginia or England. In his Will (1700) he left money to Elizabeth Toby of the Bluebell near the Hospital of St. Thomas in Southwark (London, England). This may suggest a familial connection between Benjamin and that region (London).

I don't know who Benjamin's parents were, nor have I found any record indicating any other Hensleys he may be related to (other than his wife and son.) It is tempting to suggest he is related to William Hensley (d 1654) one of the first known Hensleys in Virginia, but I've seen nothing to connect them.

I don't know whether Benjamin was born in Virginia or migrated there. If he migrated, I don't know when. No importation or immigration or ship records have been located so far in his name.

Benjamin first appears in Rappahannock County in 1677. This county was formed in 1656 from the upper parts of Lancaster County. It was named for the river that ran through the middle of it.

Benjamin Hensley married Beatrice --- at some point. I have no clues on her maiden name.

On 6 Mar 1677 John Waight sold Benjamin Hansley 20 acres of land on Golden Vale Creek. Witnesses were Thomas Parker and Henry Berry. [Sparacio, Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Old Rappahannock County Deeds and Wills 1677-1682. The Antient Press.]

I don't know where the above land was exactly. The only Golden Vale Creek I can find is in present day Caroline County on the south side of the Rappahanock. This area was part of Rappahanock County in 1677. (Became Essex in 1692 and Caroline in 1728.) If that was the place from the deed, I don't know if Benjamin actually lived on that land as that was pretty far north and up river from where he lived later on, for he lived in the part of Rappahannock that became Richmond in 1692. That isn't to say he couldn't have moved upstream, then came back down.

On 28 Feb 1679 Bethridge Hensle witnessed a deed (along with Wareick Camock) between Mr. Fran Doughty and Thomas Windor. Bethridge signed with a mark. I assume this is Beatrice Hensley, wife of Benjamin. Francis Doughty was associated with Benjamin Hensley (see below.) [Sparacio, Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Old Rappahannock County Deeds and Wills 1677-1682. The Antient Press.]

On 4 Mar 1692, Benjamin Hensley received a land patent of 49 acres in Rappahannock Co., VA. [Northern Neck Grants No. 1, 1690-1692, p. 140-142 (Reel 288). Available online at Library of Virginia.]

In 1692 Rappannock County was divided into Richmond (north of river) and Essex (south of river). It appears that Benjamin fell into the northern section, now Richmond County. (Note that the City of Richmond is not in Richmond County, nor even nearby.)

On 1 Feb 1692/1693 the Will of Francis Doughty was proven in Richmond Co., VA Court by William Berry the executor, as well as by Sem. Cox and Benj. Hensle. [Sparacio, Ruth. Order Book Abstracts of Richmond County, Virginia 1692-1694. The Antient Press.]

On 2 Oct 1695 the Richmond court ordered, upon the petition of Ann, relict of Edward Price, that David Brennah, Benjamin Hensloe, and Richard Shippie, or any two of them, inventory and appraise the Price estate. Although this says "Hensloe" it may actually refer to Benjamin Hensley. [Sparacio, Ruth. Order Book Abstracts of Richmond County, Virginia 1694-1697. The Antient Press.]

On 28 Jan 1699/1700, Benjamin Hensley made his Will in Richmond County. He named his wife Beatrice and son Benjamin. He left Benjamin 50 acres for which he had a patent. (Must be referring to the 1692 patent, though that was 49 acres.) He left money to Elizabeth Toby (no relationship stated) at the Bluebell near St. Thomas Hospital in Southwark. No executor was named. Witnesses were Joseph Wright and Sem Cox. The Will was proven on 8 Mar 1699/1700 so Benjamin had died by then.

I don't know when or where Beatrice (---) Hensley died.

Children: Benjamin and Beatrice (---) Hensley had only one identified child: Benjamin as named in the 1700 Will. They may have had other children who died young or were left out of the Will for some reason or another, though I don't know who they might be.

Benjamin Hensley (2)

Benjamin Hensley (2) was born in the 1600's, probably in Rappahannock County. See his own page for more information on him.

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