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Hensley > Ichabod Hensley
The author (Marty Grant) is not related to all of the
Ichabod Hensleys
as far as can be proven. One of them was a son of my ancestor Larkin
Hensley (c1761-1806). The relationship to the others has not been
determined though I think the oldest Ichabod is a nephew of my Larkin or
perhaps a much younger brother.
Special Thanks to Joyce D. Cooper, Ruthe Muench and Laura
Schreibman for information shared on this family. All Washington County
tax list records mentioned on this page were transcribed and shared by
Laura and Ruthe.
I recommend you also read my
General Commentary on Hensleys of
Washington Co., VA.
First I should point out that there were four different
Ichabod Hensleys. That leaves lots of room for confusion. Two were simply
named "Ichabod" (as far as we know) while two others were named Ichabod C.
Hensley. No one knows what the "C" stands for. Many people instantly think
of Ichabod Crane from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, however that
book was written well after these folks were born. Washington Irving
(1783-1859), the author was born about the same time as the eldest Ichabod
Hensley, and just about 10 years before Ichabod C. Hensley. The two can't
have any correlation as far as I can see.
# 1.
Ichabod Hensley was born ca 1780-82 probably in Washington Co.,
VA. He lived there a number of years before moving somewhere in TN
(perhaps Knox County) then finally to Morgan Co., AL. His wife is said to
be Catherine Livingston. See his own page for details.
# 2.
Ichabod C. Hensley was born ca 1792/94, probably in Washington
Co., VA. He lived there until the mid 1810's when he went to Knox Co., TN,
though he was back in VA for a couple of years before moving off to west
Tennessee and Boone Co., MO where he died in the 1840's. He appears to
have married twice. This Ichabod is most likely a son of Larkin
Hensley (c1761-1806) for he had a son named "Ichabod C. Hensley" and
this one fits best.
# 3. Ichabod C.
Hensley was born ca 1806 somewhere in Virginia. He used the
nickname "Byrd" or "Bird" most of the time. He married Nancy Webb in
Illinois, but they moved to Cabell Co., VA (now WV) where they lived many
years. There is no record of this Ichabod ever living in Washington or
Scott County, Virginia so his connection is unknown. Several researchers
believe he is a son of Solomon
Hensley (1779) with whom he was associated.
# 4. Ichabod Hensley was born ca 1814 in Washington (now Scott)
Co., VA, a proven son of Fielding
and Nancy Hensley. He is the youngest and best documented of the four.
He is the only one who's parents are proven.Since it isn't always clear which record refers to which
Ichabod,
I'll just give all the records in chronological order with my opinion
added as to who I think the record refers to. These records are
from Washington and Scott Co., VA; Knox Co., TN and a few from AL, MO and
other areas.
The Records:
Icabod Hensley was listed as a Militiaman in Washington
Co., VA in 1798 in 2nd Battalion, 70th Regiment (Clark, Gerald H. The
Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835.
1979) [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82 *]
Ichabod Hensley was listed on the
tax lists in Washington
County 1798 through 1800. [* This is
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82 *]
| Year |
District |
Personal Property Tax List |
W16+ |
B16+ |
B12-16 |
Horses |
Land Tax List |
Acres |
| 1782-1797 |
Not found |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1798 |
Matthew Willoughby's |
Icabod Hensly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
- |
| 1799 |
Lower District |
Icabod Hensly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
| 1800 |
Lower District |
Icabod Hensly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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The 1800 census is lost for Virginia and Tennessee.
Ichabod Hensley was listed on the
tax lists in Washington
County 1801 through 1805. [* This is
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82 *]
| Year |
District |
Personal Property Tax List |
W16+ |
B16+ |
B12-16 |
Horses |
Land Tax List |
Acres |
| 1801 |
Lower District |
Icabod Hensly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
| 1802 |
Lower District |
Icabod Hensly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
| 1803 |
Lower District |
Icabod Hansly |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
| 1804 |
Lower District |
Icabod Hansly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
| 1805 |
Lower District |
Ichabod Hensley |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
- |
- |
| 1806-1810 |
Lower District |
Not found |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
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Icabod Hensley was listed as a Militiaman in Washington
Co., VA in 1804 in 2nd Battalion, 105th Regiment (Clark, Gerald H. The
Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835.
1979) [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82 *]
On 20 Nov 1804 Simon Hensley [son of
Samuel] was recommended as
a Ensign in the Washington Co., VA militia in 2nd Battalion, 105th
Regiment to replace Icabod Hensley who was removed. (Clark, Gerald H.
The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men
1798-1835. 1979) [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82
*]
Ichabod was not listed on the 1806 tax list in Washington
Co., VA. Nor was he listed in 1807, 1809 or 1810.
On 16 Apr 1807 in Knox Co., TN, Ichabod Hensley was
tried for petty larceny and found not guilty. (Knox Co., TN Court Minute
Book 6). [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82 *]
On 18 Sep 1809 Ichabod Hensley was the bondsmen for
the marriage in Knox Co., TN of Daniel Casteel and Rody Hensley
[daughter of Larkin]. [*
Has to be Ichabod
Hensley-1780/82 *]
There is an entry on the 1810 census that may be Ichabod.
It is written as "Ithe Hensley" though the given name is very difficult to
decipher. Look at the image below.

Is this Ichabod Hensley? Could be, but there is no way to
be sure. I have also theorized that this entry is for
Jesse Hensley (c1786)
instead, but I don't know. The census taker made his "J" and "I" exactly
the same way so there is no way to be sure which this is. Whoever it is there is an older female, and two
men and one woman all in the same age group. Could be a widowed mother and
three kids though there is no way to know for sure who is who. If this is
Ichabod it must be the younger one.
1810 census analysis (based on
available evidence): (Explanation of
this census)
1810 Washington Co, VA pg 229 Ithe Hensley 00200-00101-0-0
Analysis:
2 Male(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Jesse? Ichabod?
Brother? Brother-in-law?
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765) Mother-in-law?
1 Female(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Wife? Sister?
On 4 Apr 1810 Ichabod Hensley was listed on a Knox Co.,
TN Jury. (Knox Co., TN Court Minute Book 7 page 101) [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/82
*]
Ichabod Hensley was listed on the
tax lists in Washington
County 1813 and 1814 [* This must be Ichabod C.
Hensley-1792/94 *]
| Year |
District |
Personal Property Tax List |
W16+ |
B16+ |
B12-16 |
Horses |
Land Tax List |
Acres |
| 1811-1812 |
Lower District |
Not found |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 1813 |
Lower District |
Ichabod Hansly |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
- |
- |
| 1814 |
Lower District |
Achabud Hancley |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
- |
| 1815 |
Lower District |
Not found |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Not found |
- |
On 20 Sep 1814 Ichabod Hensley was listed as a 3rd Sgt on
the Muster Roll of Capt. Reuben Tipton's Volunteer Company of Mounted
Gunman raised in east Tennessee. He was described as aged 20-22, 5'11"
tall, dark complexion, dark hair, black eyes. He was in the 40th Regiment
in Knox Co., TN. [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
In 1814, Scott County was formed from the western portion
of Washington County. Many of the Hensleys fell into the new county.
Ichabod Hensley was not listed on the 1815, 1816 or later tax
records in Washington County.
Icabod Hensley was listed on the 1816 tax list in Scott
Co., VA with 1 white male over 21, and 1 horse. [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
On 13 Mar 1816 Ichabod C. Hensley was listed on a
jury in Scott Co., VA. (Scott Co., VA Court Minute Book 1). [* This
is Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
On 14 Aug 1816 Ichabod Hensley purchased 305 acres of land at
public auction, being land of Martin Booher sold for delinquent taxes. (Scott
Co., VA Deed Book 2 page 41). [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
Ichabod was not listed on the 1817, 1818, 1819 or
1820 tax lists in Scott Co., VA.
Ichabod C. Hensley was mentioned in the court case of
Sarah Hensley et al vs. Mary Benham et all, that dragged on from 1817
through at least 1819 in Scott Co., VA. The case was brought by the
heirs of Larkin Hensley. [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
Heirs of Larkin Hensley, deceased - Sarah Hensley, Abednego Casteel
and wife Agnes (formerly Hensley), Daniel Casteel and wife Rhoda
(formerly Hensley), Ichabod Hensley, Polly Hensley, Catherine Hensley,
Samuel Hensley, Nancy Hensley, Thomas Hensley -vs-
Polly Benham, widow of William Benham, deceased, John, Samuel, Joel,
Catherine, Sampson, Isaac, heirs of William Benham, deceased, and
Elizabeth Godsey, heir of Gilbert Godsey, deceased, Catherine Johnson,
widow of Thomas Johnson, deceased. The defendants do not live in
Virginia. (Scott Co, VA Minute Book # 1, 1815-1818 as
transcribed by Ruthe Muench)
In one of the continuations of the above case, Ichabod was
listed in a different order and with a middle initial:
(In Chancery) Feb T 1819 1-385
Hensley Sarah, Abednego Casteel and Agness, his wife, Daniel Casteel
and Rhoda, his wife, Susannah Hensley, Polly Hensley, Catherine Hensley,
Samuel Hensley, Nancy Hensley, Ichabod C. Hensley, and Thomas Hensley, Complts.
vs. Polly Benham, widow of William Benham, deceased. John, Samuel,
Catherine, Joel, Sampson, Isaac Benham, heirs of said William Benham,
deceased. & Elizabeth Godsey, widow of Gilbert Godsey, deceased,
Abraham, Jane, Sarah & Elizabeth, heirs of said Gilbert Godsey,
deceased. Catherine Johnston, widow of Thomas Johnston, deceased and
Jane Johnston, his heir at law. Defts.
Rule awarded against said defts to give security and as to nature of
said cause (Scott Co, VA Court Minutes Book 1 page 385)
On 24 Dec 1818 Ichabod C. Hensley married Sarah Gibson Fulkerson
in Howard Co., MO. (** I can't find an original source document for
this marriage, though their children are named in an old Fulkerson Bible
record so it seems correct.) [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
On 14 Oct 1819, a land grant of 159 1/2 acres to William
Hensley was sold for delinquent taxes in Knox Co., TN. Ichabod
Hensley purchased the land at auction. The land was a grant (# 1388) to
William Hensley. (Knox Co., TN Deed Book S1 page 22) [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/90
*]
The 1820 census shows no Ichabod Hensley anywhere. Unfortunately this
census is lost for all of eastern Tennessee including Knox County.
On 5 Oct 1820 Ichabod Hensley sold 159 1/2 acres to John Houser in
Knox Co., TN. [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/90
*]
The Boone Co., MO tax list for 1821 shows William Hensley and
Ichabod C. Hensley. (Boone County was formed in 1821 from Howard Co.,
MO) [* This is Ichabod C.
Hensley-1792/94 *]
On 28 Nov 1822 Ichabod Hensley of Cotaco County, Alabama
received a land patent of 80.67 acres in Morgan Co., AL in Section
18, Township 6-S, Range 4-W. (Alabama Land Patents Book 1160 page 260). (Cotaco
County was renamed Morgan County in 1821.) [* Has to be
Ichabod Hensley-1780/90
*]
In Hardeman Co., TN Court on 8 Jan 1828 I. C. Hensley is
listed as a Magistrate in Cpt. Hides Company. (Hardeman Co., TN Court
Minutes Vol 2 1827-1829 pg 22). [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1792/94
*]
On 14 Jan 1929 Ichabod C. Hensley obtained a marriage bond in
Clay Co., IL to marry Nancy Webb. John Miller was bondsman. [* This is
Ichabod C. Hensley-1806 *]
The 1830 census shows Ichabod Hensley in Morgan Co., AL and one
in Hardeman Co., TN. "Bird" Hensley is listed in Clay Co., IL
in 1830. This is the first record that we can use to clearly differentiate
between the three oldest Ichabods. The one in Morgan Co., AL was aged
40-49 (born ca 1780/90); the one in Hardeman Co., TN was 30-39 (born ca
1790/1800), and Bird Hensley was 20-29 (born ca 1800/10). Fielding's son
Ichabod was too young to be listed in 1830, though he was probably home
with his parents.
Achabud Hensley was listed on the 1833 tax list in
Scott Co., VA. He had one white male over 16. [* This, and the rest
of the Scott County records are for Ichabod Hensley-1814 son of
Fielding *]
Achabud Hensley was listed on the 1834 tax list in
Scott Co., VA. He had one white male over 16 and 1 horse.
On 4 Dec 1834 Ichabod C. Hensley purchased 480
acres at a Sheriff's Auction. (Hardeman Co., TN Deed Book D page
251). [* This is Ichabod C.
Hensley-1792/94 *]
Acebud Hensley was listed on the 1835 tax list in
Scott Co., VA. He had one white male over 16 and either 2 or 3
horses.
On 1 Feb 1835 Ichabod Hensley married Mariah Ramey in
Scott Co., VA by James Kerr.
Ichabod Hensley was listed on the 1836 tax list in
Scott Co., VA. He had one white male over 16, and 1 horse.
Ichabod Hensley was listed on the 1837 tax list in
Scott Co., VA. He had one white male over 16.
Icabod Hensley was listed on the 1839 tax list in Scott
Co., VA. He had one white male over 16, and 2 horses.
The 1840 census shows Ichabod C. Hensley in
Boone Co., MO aged 40-49 (born ca 1790/1800); Ichabod Hensley
in Scott Co., VA aged 20-29 (1810/20); and Bird Henslee in
Clay Co., IL age 20-29 (1810/20). Interestingly there is an
Ichabod Henkle in Lee Co., IA. I'm pretty sure that is not a
misspelled Hensley.
The 1850 census shows Bird Hensley in Cabell
Co., VA (WV), 39 (c1810/11 VA); Ichabod Hensley in Scott
Co., VA aged 36 (c1813/14 VA); and no others.
Summary:
The above records clearly show four different men. The
youngest one (son of Fielding) is not a problem for he remained in Scott
Co., VA his entire life. The next oldest one (of Clay Co., IL and Cabell
Co., VA/WV) probably never lived in the Washington/Scott County area. That
leaves the two oldest men to sort out.
The 1830 census shows that Ichabod was the oldest, born ca
1780/90 while Ichabod C. was born ca 1790/1800. After ca 1820 both men
were in different states Ichabod in Alabama; Ichabod C in western TN and
MO. Ichabod C. lived in Hardeman Co., TN and apparently went back and
forth to Howard (later Boone) Co., MO which isn't exactly nearby. On the
other hand it is possible there were two different Ichabod's involved in
those two counties, but I don't think so. There are other records of
Ichabod Hensley in Missouri, but I'm not presenting those here since we
know which Ichabod that was.
The hardest part to sort out is which one was in Knox
County, Tennessee, or were both in Knox County at the same time. The one
who enlisted for the War of 1812-1815 in 1814 was listed as aged 20 to 22.
That puts his birth at ca 1792/94. That fits well with Ichabod C. Hensley
(1790/1800). This is further supported by a power of attorney made later
by Ichabod C. Hensley of Hardeman Co., TN in order to collect a
pension based on that service. That record proves that the War of 1812
soldier was Ichabod C. and not the older Ichabod.
For further information refer to the pages for each of the
individual Ichabods:
Researcher List
Persons researching this family (contact me to
add, change or delete your listing here):
- See the individual pages
above
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