Samuel Hensley (c1706-1765) and Martha Snell of Spotsylvania Co., VA

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The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Samuel 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 Samuel Hensley (2) in an attempt to distinguish him from the several other Samuels, as he is the second of this name in Virginia that I'm aware of. See the analysis page for the various early Samuel Hensleys of Virginia.

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

Samuel Hensley was born before ca 1706 based on his first public record for him dated 1727, and assuming he was at least 21 then.

Samuel Hensley is a son of Samuel Hensley (1) and Elizabeth --- as proven by the 1732 Will of Samuel (1). There is the small possibility that the Samuel referred to in that Will was a different Samuel (like the one in neighboring Louisa County), but since this Samuel (2) was in the same county Samuel (1) lived in at the time, I believe I have the right one identified.

I don't know where Samuel (1) was living when Samuel (2) was born, so I don't know where Samuel (2) was born, though likely somewhere in Virginia possibly in Essex and Richmond County where there were other Hensleys at that time.

By the 1720's Samuel Hensley (1) and (2) seem to be living in the area where Spotsylvania and King George Counties bordered each other, and when Orange County was formed in 1734, Samuel (1) fell into that county, though it doesn't seem that Samuel (2) did, or perhaps he moved for he was found mostly in Spotsylvania County records after the formation of Orange.

On 3 Mar 1727 Samuel Hensley married Martha Snell in Spotsylvania Co., VA. I don't know who her parents were, but a John Snell later sold land to Samuel Hensley, so he might be her father or at least her brother.

On 3 Oct 1730 Benjamin Porter of St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County sold 400 acres to Samuel Henslee of Hanover Parish, King George County. The land was in Spotsylvania. It is possible this deed is to Samuel (1) and not (2), but I'm not sure.

Samuel Hensley (1) made his Will in King George Co., VA on 28 Feb 1731/1732 and left  his son Samuel (2) a heifer. 

On 4 Mar 1734 John Snell of St. George Parish, Spotsylvania Co., VA deeded 100 acres to Samuel Hensley, Martha Hensley and Kathren Hensley of same place. Witnesses were G. Home and William Henslee.

William Hensley was Samuel's brother. Martha Hensley was Samuel's wife, and I'm not sure who Kathren (Catherine) Hensley was. Samuel had a daughter of that name, but I don't know when she was born.

Samuel was mentioned in a Land patent dated 1 Jun 1741 for land (543 acres) in Orange Co., VA on Terrys Run. The bordering land included Capt. Gwyn, Philip Waters, Henry Rice, Joseph Sharp & William Sharp, Samuel Hensley Jr, Samuel Hensley Sr and William Smithers. Terry's Run is very close to the Spotsylvania line.

Samuel Hensley was listed in the Culpeper County Militia on 26 Jun 1757. [Virginia Colonial Soldiers p. 93]

Culpeper County was formed from Orange in 1749 and borders Orange and Spotsylvania and King George. I don't know if the above Samuel in Culpeper is Samuel (2) or not, but it seems likely. It could be Samuel (3) instead, but I don't think so.

Samuel Hensley made his Will in Spotsylvania County on 7 Jan 1765. He referred to himself as being of Spotsylvania County and King George's Parish, sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory.

He named his wife Martha, daughter "Catey Estis (formerly Catey Hensley)" and mentioned Grand daughter Patty Estes. He also named his "two sons" John and James Hensley. Executors were wife Martha and son John Hensley. Witnesses were Benjamin Johnston, Thomas Hutcherson and Thomas Perry. The Will was proven on 5 Aug 1765, so he had died by that date.

I don't know when Martha Snell Hensley died, though after Samuel made his Will.

Children: Samuel Hensley (2) and wife Martha have three proven children as named in his 1765 Will.

Catherine "Catey" Hensley

John Hensley

James Hensley

Catherine "Catey" Hensley was born before 4 Mar 1734 if she is the same one named in the deed of that date from John Snell.

In her father's Will of 1765 she was named as Catey Estes (or Estis). This means she married a Mr. Estes at some point. I don't know who he was.

Samuel Hensley's Will also mentioned a granddaughter named Patty Estes, who is presumably Catherine's child.

John Hensley was probably born in the 1730's or 1740's in Spotsylvania Co., VA. He appears in Spotsylvania Co., VA records and in Orange County records later on. He married Hannah Wood, though I don't know if she was his first wife, probably not.

See their page for additional information.

James Hensley was probably born in the 1730's or 1740's in Spotsylvania Co., VA. He appears in Spotsylvania Co., VA records through the 1780's at least. He married Catherine ---.

See their page for additional information.

Researcher List

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

• See Samuel Hensley and --- and Elizabeth ---

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