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> Benjamin Hensley
There were several different men named Benjamin
Hensley in Virginia from the 1600's through 1800. There is so much room
for confusion here that I thought it was necessary to create this page to
try to help keep them sorted out.
I've numbered the five earliest men as Benjamin (1),
Benjamin (2), etc. in an attempt to avoid confusion while simply writing
about them. Once you get to the 1770's there are several Benjamins in the
very same areas so it becomes even more confusing. This page will just be
a summary of the Benjamins. Each one will have their own page with more
details.
This Benjamin Hensley was born in the 1600's, and lived in
Rappahannock Co., VA in the section that became Richmond County in 1692.
He died there in 1700 leaving a will naming only one child, a son Benjamin
Hensley (2).
This Benjamin Hensley was born in the 1600's, a son of
Benjamin (1). He appeared in records in Richmond and Essex Co., VA, the
last record found were in 1719 and 1720 referring to his Estate in Essex
County. Nothing has been found so far proving any children for him, though
I do show him as father of Benjamin (3) but with no real proof. Both had
Strother connections, but that could be a coincidence (but probably not.)
It is also possible that (2) and (3) are the same person, but I can't
prove that.
This Benjamin was born in the late 1600's or very early
1700's. He appeared in Richmond Co., VA records in 1720 and fell into King
George County that was formed from Richmond in 1720, effective 1721. He
appears on a few records in King George, including a few that prove his
wife was named Elizabeth. His last record was in King George in 1727. The
same year when a record for Benjamin "Junr" is first found. That would be
Benjamin (4), probable son of (3). I base that relationship on the fact
that (3) and (4) were associated with the same people and in the exact
same locale. This doesn't prove they are father and son though.
I have no proof of any children for Benjamin (3) and
Elizabeth, but I strongly suspect they are parents of Benjamin (4), and I
also suspect (but not as strongly) that they are parents of John Hensley,
Samuel Hensley and James Hensley, all of whom appear in Louisa County
records with Benjamin Hensley (4).
This Benjamin was born ca 1700-10 or thereabouts. He first
appears in 1727 in King George Co., VA listed as Benjamin "Junr" (since
Benjamin (3) was still alive then.) Since (3) and (4) were associated with
the same people, I suspect they are father and son. Benjamin (4) was in
neighboring Stafford Co., VA in 1731 when he married Elizabeth "Hikkum"
(Hickman). They soon moved south to Hanover Co., VA in the section that
became Louisa County in 1742. They owned land on the border of Orange
County and were very close to the Albemarle line too. Benjamin (4) left
many records in Louisa though none that prove any children. He was
associated with other Hensleys, too old to be his own children, so
possibly brothers instead: John, Samuel and James.
Benjamin (4) appears on many Louisa records, and a few
Orange County records too. His last record in Louisa was 1769. In the
1770's there were several Benjamin Hensleys in nearby counties, some of
whom appear to be closely related.
Benjamin (4) and Elizabeth Hickman probably had several
children, though none are proven. I strongly suspect they are parents of
Benjamin (5) and Charles Hensley (bef 1741), but can't prove it.
This Benjamin was probably born in the early 1730's. At
this level (5) it gets very difficult to tell which Benjamin was which.
(1) through (3) were dead by the time (5) came of age, but there is
certainly room for confusion on the records of (4) and (5). I believe that
Benjamin (5) left Louisa County early enough that he and his father are
not going to be confused in the records.
Benjamin (5) appears in Albemarle Co., VA in 1758 and
south of there in Halifax County by 1759. He lived in the extreme western
part of Halifax that later became Pittsylvania County (1767) and later
Henry County (1776.) A militia list for Henry County dated 1778 shows
four men named Benjamin Hensley in that county! They were Capt.
Benjamin, Benjamin Jr., Benjamin Sr., and just Benjamin. Revolutionary War
records also show that a Benjamin died in 1777. Don't know where that one
was from though.
Benjamin (5) may have been too old for Revolutionary War
service, but he could still have served, men in their 40's often did.
Records show that one of the Benjamin Hensleys was in
Rowan Co., NC in 1767 in the part that became Surry County in 1771. He was
still there through 1772 and there again in 1779. Due to various bits of
evidence it seems likely that this Benjamin of NC is the same person as
Benjamin (5), though he may have gone back to Henry Co., VA, or perhaps it
was one of the other Benjamins in Henry after the 1770's.
Benjamin (5) and Elizabeth are proven parents of three
children (James, Henry "Harry" and Hickman), all born in the 1750's in
Virginia. They are probably also the parents of Benjamin (bef 1755-aft
1815), Robert, Isom, Colbert and John Hensley. These last few aren't
proven, but all seem to be related to each other.
This Benjamin was in Albemarle Co., VA and died there in
1788 leaving a Will naming children: John and Samuel and "rest of
children" (not named.).
Benjamin Hensley (7).
This Benjamin Hensley was found in Montgomery Co., VA in
1782 and Washington Co., VA in 1783. Not much else known of him. He was
listed on the 1783 Washington
Co., VA Tax List as Benja Hensly with 1 tithe, 1
horse and 1 cow. He was in the same district with the other Hensleys. He
was not there in 1784 or later. He could have gone anywhere after 1783,
perhaps into TN or KY.
Benjamin
Hensley (8). Wife Caroline.
This Benjamin was born ca 1765/70. Lived in Bedford Co.,
VA and died there in the 1840's.
Benjamin Hensley (9).
This Benjamin Hensley (bef 1761). Lived in Pittsylvania
Co., VA in 1780's.
Benjamin Hensley (10).
Benjamin Hensley (1765/84) of Buckingham Co., VA. There
for 1810 census, father of Henry and William.
Others
There were other Benjamin Hensleys born in VA in the
1770's, 80's and more recently. The confusion among them is minimal so I
won't discuss them here.
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