Isabel Hensley Burke (c1801) and Malinda Hensley Head (c1819) of VA, KY, IL and MO

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The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Isabel and Malinda Hensley as far as can be proven. They did live in the same county (Scott Co., VA) as my ancestor Larkin Hensley (c1761-1806). 

Isabel Hensley (1801) and Malinda Hensley (1819) are not proven siblings, but they were both married on the same day, in the same county by the same man. This suggests they had a double wedding, but doesn't necessarily prove that. They could have been married at different points in the day. On the other hand, if they did have a double wedding, or back to back weddings, what does that mean? Are they sisters? Their age difference (about 18 years) could even mean they were mother and daughter. If that is the case, was Isabel a widow and Hensley not her maiden name, or was she a single mother? Unfortunately I have no solid answers to these questions.

If we were to assume that they were sisters, census analysis might reveal something about them. Fielding Hensley (c1761) had two apparent daughters who fit their general ages. Mary (---) Hensley (1770/80) also had two apparent daughters their ages. These two would be the prime candidates for their families, but census analysis alone isn't enough to make any real conclusions.

Read more about each of these ladies below.

Isabel Hensley (c1801)

Malinda Hensley (c1819)

Isabel Hensley was born ca 1800/01 per her age of 49 on the 1850 census. Her 1860 entry gives age as 52, or born ca 1807/08. That is a pretty big difference, but unfortunately we have no other records to compare it to.

She was born in Virginia (per 1850 and 1860 census), presumably in Washington Co., VA or in the part of that county that later became Scott County.

For the 1810 census she would be either 2 or 9, but in either case she would be enumerated in the under 10 age group. Only two of the Hensleys in Washington Co., VA in 1810 had apparent daughters that age: William Hensley had two;  Fielding Hensley (c1761) also had two. None of these are positively identified, so one of them might be Isabel.

For the 1820 census Isabel would be either 12 or 19. That means she could either be listed in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1804/10) or in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1794/1804). There were two Hensleys in Washington Co., VA, and both had possible matches: Thomas Hensley (1788) had two girls 10-15, one of whom is identified, the other not; and Samuel Hensley (1754) had one female 16-25 with him. I don't know this person is exactly, but Samuel's family is well documented. He did have a daughter named Isabella, but in his Will of 1838 he referred to her as Isabella Zimmerly, so this doesn't seem to be the same person, though they shared he same given name.

In Scott Co., VA for the 1820 census (Scott was formed in 1814 from Washington), there were several Hensleys listed, but only one had an apparent daughter Isabel's age: Fielding Hensley (c1761) had one 16-25 and one 10-15, neither of whom are positively identified.

For the 1830 census Isabel would have been 22 or 29, but either way she would be enumerated in the 20-29 age group. In Scott County Fielding Hensley (c1761) had one female that age; Zachariah Hensley (c1794) had one that age, but she is too old to be his child (but she could have been living with him); Mary (---) Hensley (1770/80) had one daughter in that age group, but she was in neighboring Washington County. That isn't a problem though for most of the Hensley lived right in the border region.

So, based on the above, we can draw no conclusions about who Isabel's parents might be, though Fielding Hensley is a good candidate, and Mary (---) Hensley is a good candidate.

On  6 Aug 1835, Robert Burks and Isabel Hensley were married in Scott Co., VA by James Kerr. As noted before, he also married George Head and Malinda Hensley on that same date.

Robert Burke was born ca 1793/94 per his age of 56 on the 1850 census. His 1860 entry gives age as 63, or born ca 1796/97. Both records show he was born in Virginia, but I don't know where exactly. I don't know who his parents were.

Robert may have been married before his 1835 marriage to Isabel, for the 1850 census showed them with some children that pre-date that. Of course they might not be Robert's kids. There is a Robert Burke on the 1830 census in Lee Co., VA (borders Scott). He is listed as 20-29 or born ca 1800/10, so probably not the same person.

I couldn't find Robert and Isabel on the 1840 census.  There were several men of this name listed in Virginia but I don't know which of them was this same person. There were two in Lee Co., VA and one in Russell Co., VA. Both of these counties border Scott. One of them in Lee was aged 20-29 (born ca 1810/20), as was his wife, so that is too young; the other one in Lee is 30-39 (1800/10) as was his wife, so still too young, but probably the same one from 1830 Lee census. The Robert in Russell Co., VA in 1840 was 30-39 (ca 1800/10) as was his wife. That doesn't match our Robert.

By the 1850 census, Robert and Isabel were in Harlan Co., KY. Harlan borders Lee and Russell Co., VA and isn't far at all from Scott County. There were no other Burkes in Harlan County in 1850. They were listed just a few households from Samuel Hensley (c1818 NC), who was of the extensive Buncombe - Yancey Co., NC Hensley family, many of whom wound up in Harlan and nearby counties in Kentucky. This may just be a coincidence that they were so close together at this point. Jonathan and Elizabeth could be Robert's children from a previous marriage, or perhaps they are a nephew a niece instead.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

HARLAN CO., KY Page 32B   H/F #  326/ 326- - DISTRICT NO 1 Twp

BURK ROBERT           56 M W CARPENTER                  VA                   1793/1794
BURK ISABELL          49 F W                            VA                   1800/1801
BURK JONATHAN         23 M W FARMER                     VA                   1826/1827
BURK ELIZABETH        19 F W                            VA                   1830/1831

They were still in Harlan County for the 1860 census. The only other Burke family in the county was that of Jonathan Burke who had been with Robert and Isabel back in 1850. (Jonathan married Amy Brock on 19 May 1856.) No Hensleys were nearby this time around, though the county was full of them.

The Burkes had two younger children with them this time who are the right age to be their own kids, but where were they back in 1850? I attempted to find them somewhere on the 1850 census in KY or VA, but with no success.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

HARLAN CO., KY Page 355B  House/Family #  226/ 226 --  Twp  HARLAN COURTHOUSE P.O.

BURKE ROBERT          63 M W FARMER                   100 VA                   1796/1797
BURKE ISABEL          52 F W HOUSEHOLD DUTIES             VA                   1807/1808
BURKE NANCY           14 F W                              KY                   1845/1846
BURKE ROBERT          11 M W                              KY                   1848/1849

I was unable to find Robert or Isabel on the 1870 census anywhere. There were no Burkes in Harlan County this year either. I also attempted to find Jonathan Burke (c1827) and Robert Burke (c1849), but with no success. Robert and Isabel may have both died in the 1860's.

Malinda Hensley was born ca 1818/19 per her age of 31 on the 1850 census and 61 on the 1880 census. The 1860 and 1870 census gives 40 and 50, or born ca 1819/20.

She was born in Virginia (per the 1850 through 1880 census), presumably in Scott Co., VA.

For the 1820 census, she would be 1 year old or less, assuming she was born already. Fielding Hensley (c1761) had two girls under 10 (born ca 1810/20); John Hensley (c1798) had one; and Zachariah Hensley (c1794) had one. In neighboring Washington County, Thomas Hensley (1788) had one girl that age. Any of these could be Malinda, or perhaps none of them are.

For the 1830 census, Malinda would be about 10 or 11 years old. This should put her in the 10-14 age group. Fielding Hensley (c1761) had one girl this age;  John Hensley (c1798) had one girl that age. Due to her approximate birth date being so close to 1820, it is possible she would be in the 5 - 9 age group in 1830, or born ca 1820/25. Jesse Hensley (c1786) had one girl that age; so did Zachariah, but his daughter is identified. Mary (---) Hensley (1770/80) had one that age too. Unfortunately there are too many choices here, so there is really no way to know which of these, if any, is Malinda Hensley.

On 6 Aug 1835, George Head married Malinda Hensley were married in Scott Co., VA by James Kerr. As noted before, he also married Robert Burks and Isabel Hensley on that same date.

George Head was born Jan 1813 (per 1900 census) in Virginia, presumably in that part of Washington County that became Scott County in 1814. I don't know who his parents were. There was a large Head family in Scott County with several connections to the Hensleys.

There were three George Heads on the 1840 census in Scott County. From the enumerations is pretty clear which one is this one. No Hensleys were nearby, but several related families were (Livingston, Ramey, Dixon, Peters, etc.).

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Scott Co, VA pg 21 George Head 1000100000000-1000100000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 20-29        (1810-1820)	George Head (1813)
1 Male(s) 0-4          (1835-1840)	James Head (c1837) son
1 Female(s) 20-29      (1810-1820)	Malinda Hensley Head (c1819) wife
1 Female(s) 0-4        (1835-1840)	Martha Head (c1839) daughter

By ca 1843 they had moved a few counties west to Knox Co., KY where they were listed on the 1850 census. There were no Hensleys in the county then, but there were other Heads, relationship unknown.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

KNOX CO., KY Page 342B  H/F #  318/ 323- -  Twp

HEAD GEORGE           37 M W FARMER                  50 VA                   1812/1813
HEAD MALINDA          31 F W                            VA                   1818/1819
HEAD JAMES            13 M W                            VA                   1836/1837
HEAD MARTHA           11 F W                            VA                   1838/1839
HEAD WILLIAM           9 M W                            VA                   1840/1841
HEAD JOHN N            7 M W                            KY                   1842/1843
HEAD LEWIS F           5 M W                            KY                   1844/1845
HEAD GEORGE H          1 M W                            KY                   1848/1849

In the early 1850's they moved to Lawrence Co., IN. I don't know what drew them there. This county is between Washington and Monroe Counties which is where some Hensleys from the Scott and Washington (VA) area moved earlier. They may be a coincidence.

They were listed on the 1860 census in Lawrence County. Milton Hensley (c1827) was in the same county, but not listed nearby, nor in the same township. He is thought to be from Scott Co., VA also, possible the son of James Hensley (c1804) and Anna Head. His mother is probably closely related to George Head, though the relationship of James Hensley and Malinda Hensley is unknown. Milton's family was in Lawrence Co., IN before 1850.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

LAWRENCE CO., IN Page 655B  House/Family #  484/ 484 -- PLEASANT RUN Twp  HELTONSVILLE P.O.

HEAD GEORGE           45 M W FARM LAB                 260 VA                   1814/1815
HEAD MALINDA          40 F W                              VA                   1819/1820
HEAD JAMES            21 M W FARM LAB                 100 VA                   1838/1839
HEAD MARTHA           19 F W                              VA                   1840/1841
HEAD WILLIAM          18 M W FARM LAB                     VA                   1841/1842
HEAD FRANKLIN         12 M W                              KY                   1847/1848
HEAD GEORGE           11 M W                              KY                   1848/1849
HEAD NANCY             9 F W                              KY                   1850/1851
HEAD JOSEPH            6 M W                              IN                   1853/1854
HEAD DAVID             4 M W                              IN                   1855/1856
HEAD WESLEY            0 M W 7/12                         IN                   1859/1860

By 1870 they had moved to McLean Co., IL. There were quite a few Hensleys in that county, relationship unknown. None were listed in the same township with the Heads in 1870.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

McLEAN CO., IL Page 392   House/Family #   57/  57--EMPIRE Twp LEROY P.O.

HEAD GEORGE           56 M W LABORER                 75   495 VA              1813/1814
HEAD MALINDA          50 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    VA              1819/1820
HEAD NANCY            19 F W AT HOME                          KY              1850/1851
HEAD JOSEPH           16 M W LABORER                          IN              1853/1854
HEAD DAVID            14 M W                                  IN              1855/1856
HEAD WESLEY           11 M W                                  IN              1858/1859

By 1880 they had moved to Linn Co., MO. Several other Heads had moved there before 1860, and a few Hensleys too, relationship unknown.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

LINN CO., MO Page 404   House/Family #    65/  65 -- NORTH SALEM Twp

HEAD GEORGE                    W M  67    M FARMER               VA  VA  VA  1812/1813
HEAD MALINDA                   W F  61 WF M KEEPING HOUSE        VA  VA  VA  1818/1819
HEAD WESLEY                    W M  20 S  S WORKS ON THE FARM    IL  VA  VA  1859/1860

Malinda Hensley Head died sometime between 1880 and 1900, presumably in Linn Co., MO.

George Head was listed on the 1900 census in Linn County with his son David.

1900 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The birth dates given in 1900 were part of the original census record)

LINN CO., MO Pg: 238 Sh:  SD:  H-F:   69-  70 Twp: NORTH SALEM

HEAD DAVID                     HD W M APR 1856  44 M 21       IN  VA  VA  FARMER
HEAD MARGARET                  WF W F JAN 1859  41 M 21  9  8 MO  KY  KY
HEAD OLIVER C                  S  W M MAR 1884  16 S          MO  IN  MO  FARM LABOR
HEAD FREDIE H                  S  W M MAR 1886  14 S          MO  IN  MO
HEAD JESSE C                   S  W M APR 1888  12 S          MO  IN  MO
HEAD FRANK M                   S  W M JUN 1890   9 S          MO  IN  MO
HEAD ERNEST P                  S  W M NOV 1892   7 S          MO  IN  MO
HEAD CLERDIE                   D  W F FEB 1895   5 S          MO  IN  MO
HEAD CHARLIE L                 S  W M MAY 1897   3 S          MO  IN  MO
HEAD GEORGE                    FA W M JAN 1813  87 W          VA  VA  VA  BASKET MAKER

George Head died sometime after 1900, presumably in Linn Co., MO.

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