Zachariah Hensley (c1794) and Jane Magee of Washington and Scott Co., VA and Morgan and Wolfe Co., KY

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

Special Thanks to Ruthe Muench and Laura Schreibman for information shared on this family.

Zachariah Hensley was born ca 1793/94 per his age of 56 on the 1850 census. The 1860 census shows him as 64, or born ca 1795/96, while the 1870 census shows him as 76 which agrees with his 1850 age.

He was born in Virginia per the same sources (1850, 1860 & 1870 census.) He may have been born in Washington County or perhaps in the part of Washington that later became Scott County (where he later lived.)

I have not been able to determine who Zachariah's parents were. Researchers going back several decades thought he might be a son of Fielding Hensley (c1761), but the evidence is lacking. There is some evidence that shows they were associated but what I've seen does not prove they were father and son, though that may be the case.

It seems possible that he was named for Zachariah Hensley of Buckingham Co., VA (where Fielding lived prior to moving to Washington County.) That would suggest that the elder Zachariah was either his uncle or grandfather.

Zachariah Hensley would have been about 16 years old by the time of the 1810 census (earlier census records are lost for Virginia.) Zachariah's approximate birth year of 1794 puts him on the line between two age categories for this census. He could have been in the 16-25 group (born ca 1784/94), or in the 10-15 group (ca 1794/1800). That makes census analysis in 1810 a little difficult.

There were five Hensley Households in Washington Co., VA in 1810. Four of the five have sons about Zachariah's age, so this doesn't help much. William Hensley (1765/84) had two boys aged 16-25 (born ca 1784/94) and two boys aged 10-15 (1794/1804). Any of those could easily be Zachariah Hensley (c1794). Fielding Hensley (1761). had one son in each age group. One of them could be Zachariah instead. Elizabeth Hensley (bef 1765) had one boy age 16-25. Ithe Hensley had two boys 16-25.

There is no way to know who these boys were based only on census analysis, but assuming that Zachariah was in the area at the time, that means that he could have been in any of those five households, or even in none of them.

Though he was 16 by ca 1810 he did not appear on the personal property tax lists in Washington Co., VA for 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813 or 1814.

For the War of 1812 (1812-1814), Zachariah Hensley served in Capt. Willie Jones Company, Virginia Militia (File SC-14350).

In 1814 Scott County was formed from the western part of Washington, taking several of the Hensleys into the new county, and apparently including Zachariah.

Zachariah Hensley is not listed on the 1815 or 1816 tax lists in Scott (or in Washington) Co., VA.

In Scott County Court in Dec 1816, Zachariah Hensley was recommended to be an Ensign in the South Battalion of the Militia. (Scott Co., VA Court Minute Book 1.)

Zachariah Hensley was listed on the 1817 tax list in Scott Co., VA with 1 white male over 16, and no horses.

On 5 Mar 1818 Zachariah Hensley was married to Jane Mage by James Gibson. Jane Magee (or McGee) was born ca 1794/94 (per age of 56 on 1850 census). I don't know who her parents were, but she may be a sister of Elizabeth Magee (c1799) who married William Hensley (c1798) in 1827.

Zachariah Hensley was on the 1818 tax list in Scott Co., VA with 1 white male over 16, and 1 horse.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1819 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 1 horse.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1820 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 2 horses.

Zachariah Hensley was listed on the 1820 census in Scott Co., VA.  Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Scott Co, VA pg 193 Zachariah Hensley 000010-20010-0-0
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44		(1775-1794)	Zachariah Hensley (c1794)
1 Female(s) 26-44	(1775-1794)	Jane Magee Hensley (c1794) wife
2 Female(s) 0-9		(1810-1820)	Daughter?
					Elizabeth Hensley (c1820) daughter

Zach. Hensley was on the 1821 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 1 horse.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1822 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 4 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1823 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 3 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1824 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 4 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1825 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and either 2 or 3 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1826 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 4 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1827 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 5 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1828 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 4 horses.

On 13 Nov 1828 "On the application of James Larky it is ordered that John Larky, William Agee & Zachariah Hensley be added to the viewers ..." for a new road from Hensleys Gap to the Poor Valley. (Scott Co., VA Court Minute Book).

Zach. Hensley was on the 1829 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 6 horses.

On 9 Feb 1829, Zachariah Hensley obtained a State Land Grant of 28 acres on the North Fork of Holston River in Scott Co., VA. (Land Office Grants No. 78, 1828-1830, p. 73 (Reel 144))

Zach. Hensley was on the 1830 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 7 horses.

Zachariah Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Scott Co., VA.  Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were.

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Scott Co, VA pg 14 Zachariah Hensley 2200010000000-0110110000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39		(1790-1800)	Zachariah Hensley (1793/94)
2 Male(s) 5-9		(1820-1825)	Edward A. Hensley (1823/24) Son
					John A. Hensley (1824/25) Son
2 Male(s) 0-4		(1825-1830)	Campbell Hensley (1826/27) Son
					Henry Hensley (1828/29) Son
1 Female(s) 30-39	(1790-1800)	Jane Magee Hensley (1793/94) Wife
1 Female(s) 20-29	(1800-1810)	Daughter?
1 Female(s) 10-14	(1815-1820)	Elizabeth Hensley (1819/20) Daughter
1 Female(s) 5-9		(1820-1825)	Mary A. Hensley (1821/22) Daughter

Zach. Hensley was on the 1831 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 8 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1832 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 6 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1833 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 4 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1834 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 3 horses.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1835 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 1 horse.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1836 tax list with 1 white male over 16, and 3 horses.

He wasn't listed on the 1837 tax list for some reason.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1838 Scott Co., VA tax list with 2 white males over 16, and 4 horses. This second white male over 16 may be his oldest son Edward or someone else.

Zach. Hensley was on the 1839 Scott Co., VA tax list with 2 white males over 16, and 3 horses.

Zachariah Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Scott Co., VA. He wasn't listed near any of the other Hensley households.  He was listed between John Goode and David McHenry.

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

1840 Scott Co, VA pg 287 Zach. Hensley 0122001000000-1102101000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 40-49		(1790-1800)	Zachariah Hensley (1793/94)
2 Male(s) 15-19		(1820-1825)	Edward A. Hensley (1823/24) Son
					John A. Hensley (1824/25) Son
2 Male(s) 10-14		(1825-1830)	Campbell Hensley (1826/27) Son
					Henry Hensley (1828/29) Son
1 Male(s) 5-9		(1830-1835)	Joseph Hensley (1833/34) Son
1 Female(s) 40-49	(1790-1800)	Jane Magee Hensley (1793/94) Wife
1 Female(s) 20-29	(1810-1820)	Elizabeth Hensley (1819/20) Daughter
2 Female(s) 15-19	(1820-1825)	Mary A. Hensley (1821/22) Daughter
					Daughter? (1820/25) * Not in 1830
1 Female(s) 5-9		(1830-1835)	Nancy Hensley (1832/33) Daughter
1 Female(s) 0-4		(1835-1840)	Jane Hensley (1835/36) Daughter

On 16 Apr 1840 James Larkey brought a suit against Nancy Hensley widow of Fielding Hensley, deceased, and administratrix of his estate, Zachariah Hensley and others. The case was dismissed and no details were given. Why was Zachariah one of the defendants? Is he an heir of Fielding? One might assume so, but this record does not say that. (Scott Co., VA Court Minute Book 1 page 98.)

Zachariah Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 census in Scott Co., VA. They were not listed near any other Hensley households.

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)

SCOTT CO., VA Page 400B  H/F #  674/ 674- - WESTERN DISTRICT Twp

HENSLEY ZACH.         56 M W FARMER                 600 VA                   1793/1794
HENSLEY JANE          56 F W                            VA                   1793/1794
HENSLEY ELIZABETH     30 F W                            VA                   1819/1820
HENSLEY MARY A        28 F W                            VA                   1821/1822
HENSLEY JOHN A        25 M W FARMER                     VA                   1824/1825
HENSLEY NANCY         17 F W                            VA                   1832/1833
HENSLEY JOSEPH        16 M W FARMER                     VA                   1833/1834
HENSLEY JANE          14 F W                            VA                   1835/1836
HENSLEY MARGARET       6 F W                            VA                   1843/1844
HENSLEY BARBARA       37 F W                            VA                   1812/1813

Who is Barbara Hensley (c1813) who was living with them in 1850? She is young enough to be their daughter, but they didn't marry until 1818. Did Zachariah marry prior to his marriage to Jane? He would have been about 19 when Barbara was born, so it is possible. Another possibility is that she is a younger sister or a niece.

Zachariah and family left Virginia and moved to Morgan Co., KY in the 1850's. Several Hensleys were already there, in fact I believe a few of them were probably Zachariah's sons though I don't have absolute proof of that.

They were listed on the 1860 census in Morgan Co., KY.  There were other Hensleys in the county, the nearest was William Hensley (c1823 KY) just 19 households away. I don't know if they are related or not, but don't seem to be. The other Hensleys listed in 1860 were Zachariah's sons Edward and Joseph (who were living together).

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)

1860 MORGAN CO, KY Page 389B  House/Family #  415/ 415 -- 2ND DIVISION Twp  WEST LIBERTY P.O.

HENSLY ZACHARIAH      64 M W FARMER             180   832 VA                   1795/1796
HENSLY JANE           64 F W                              VA                   1795/1796
HENSLY MARY A         38 F W                              VA                   1821/1822
HENSLY JOHN M         37 M W LABORER                      VA                   1822/1823
HENSLY CAMPBELL       32 M W LABORER                      VA                   1827/1828
HENSLY MARGARETT      15 F W                              VA                   1844/1845

They were in neighboring Wolfe Co., KY for 1870 census. They may not have moved at all for Wolfe and Morgan had some border adjustments in the 1860's, and they might have lived in the area that was exchanged.

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)

WOLFE CO., KY Page 400   House/Family #   16/  16--PRECINCT NO 1 Twp HAZLE GREEN P.O.

HENSLEY ZACHARIAH     76 M W FARMER                 600   600 VA              1793/1794
HENSLEY JANE          76 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    VA              1793/1794
HENSLEY JOHN          47 M W WORKS ON FARM                    VA              1822/1823
HENSLEY ANDREW C      43 M W WORKS ON FARM                    VA              1826/1827
HENSLEY JANE          34 F W ASSISTING MOTHER                 VA              1835/1836
HENSLEY MARGARET      25 F W AT HOME                          VA              1844/1845
HENSLEY FRANKLIN B    17 M W WORKS ON FARM                    KY              1852/1853
HENSLEY EDWARD C      15 M W WORKS ON FARM                    KY              1854/1855
RICE NANCY            38 F W                                  VA              1831/1832

I was unable to find either Zachariah or Jane on the 1880 census. I suspect they  both died in the 1870's in Wolfe Co., KY. Some of their children were still there for the 1880 census. Their children John Hensley, Andrew Campbell Hensley and Nancy Hensley Rice were all living together, suggesting parents were dead.

Children of Zachariah and Jane (Magee) Hensley. Zachariah Hensley and wife Jane Magee have a large family. The 1850 census shows them with seven children (or eight if Barbara is their child too.) Earlier census records show a few unidentified children, but most are proven by other records.

Unknown Daughter (1810/20)

Elizabeth Hensley (c1820)

Mary A. Hensley (c1822)

Edward A. Hensley (c1824)

John M. Hensley (c1825)

Andrew Campbell Hensley (c1827)

Henry Hensley (c1829)

Nancy C. Hensley (c1833)

Joseph Hensley (c1834)

Jane Hensley (c1836)

Margaret Hensley (c1844)

Unknown Daughter (1810/20). Zachariah Hensley had an apparent daughter this age. She was with him for the 1820 census aged under 10, born ca 1810/20). She was not with him in 1830 unless she was listed in the 20-29 category (born ca 1800-10). In 1840 there was a female aged 20-29 (1810/20) with Zachariah. That could be this same person or it could be Elizabeth (c1820) (see below.)

This could be Barbara Hensley (c1813) who was with Zachariah in 1850. If so, she pre-dates his marriage to Jane Magee (in 1818). He could have been married before her, or this isn't his daughter at all.

Elizabeth Hensley was born ca 1819/20 per her age of 30 on the 1850 census. She was probably born in Scott Co., VA. She appears to be home with her parents for the 1820 census, aged under 10 (ca 1810/20), and in 1830, aged 10-14 (1815/20), and in 1840 aged 20-29 (1810/20) or possibly aged 15-19 (1820/25). No way to be sure there.

She was home with her parents in 1850, listed as "Elizabeth" age 30.

She was not with her parents in 1860 so she probably married or died in the 1850's, either in Scott Co., VA or after the move to Morgan Co., KY. I didn't find a marriage record for her in either place.

Mary A. Hensley was born ca 1821/22 per her age of 28 on the 1850 census. She was probably born in Scott Co., VA. She appears to be home with her parents for the 1830 census, aged 5-9 (ca 1820/25), and in 1840 aged 15-19 (1820/25).

She was home with her parents in 1850, listed as "Mary A." age 28. She was still with her parents for the 1860 census, "Mary A." age 38.

She was not with her parents for the 1870 census so probably married or dead by then. There is no marriage record for her in Morgan Co., KY.

Edward A. Hensley was born ca 1823/24 per his age of 26 on the 1850 census. He was probably born in Scott Co., VA. He appears to be home with his parents for the 1830 census, aged 5-9 (ca 1820/25), and in 1840 aged 15-19 (1820/25).

He was not with his parents in 1850 for by that time he had moved to Morgan Co., KY where he was listed on the 1850 census. The proof that he is a son of Zachariah is in that Edward's children were living with Zachariah in 1870. Further proof is in Zachariah's son Joseph. He was with his parents in 1850, but with Edward in 1860.

Edward A. Hensley married Rosannah --- before ca 1850 in Morgan Co., KY. I don't know her maiden name. Harry Hensley is living with them, he is probably Edward's brother.

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)

MORGAN CO., KY Page 174   H/F # 1197/1197- -  Twp

HENSLY EDWARD A       26 M W MERCHANT              1000 VA                   1823/1824
HENSLY ROSANNAH       18 F W                            KY                   1831/1832
HENSLY HARRY          21 M W CLERK                      VA                   1828/1829

They were still in Morgan County for the 1860 census. Brother Joseph Hensley was with them.

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)

MORGAN CO., KY Page 437B  House/Family #  739/ 739 -- 2ND DIVISION Twp  WEST LIBERTY P.O.

HENSLY EDWARD A       36 M W MERCHANT          5000 30000 TN                   1823/1824
HENSLY ROSE A         30 F W                              KY                   1829/1830
HENSLY JAMES           8 M W                              KY                   1851/1852
HENSLY BENJAMIN F      6 M W                              KY                   1853/1854
HENSLY CAMPBELL        4 M W                              KY                   1855/1856
TRIMBLE A S           35 M W CONSTABLE         1500  5000 KY                   1824/1825
HENSLEY JOSEPH        25 M W MERCHANT                     VA                   1834/1835

Rosannah must have died in the 1860's for Edward was living without her on the 1870 census. He was in Wolfe Co., KY in the same township with his parents, but living with another family, relationship unknown.

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)

WOLFE CO., KY Page 403   House/Family #   62/  62--PRECINCT NO 1 Twp HAZLE GREEN P.O.

COLLINSWORTH MASON?   58 M W FARMER                 350   740 KY              1811/1812
COLLINSWORTH MARGARE  54 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    KY              1815/1816
COLLINSWORTH THOMAS   27 M W WORKS ON FARM                    KY              1842/1843
WILLS MARGARET        16 F W AT HOME                          KY              1853/1854
WILLS MASON           14 M W AT HOME                          KY              1855/1856
EVANS ISSABELL        86 F W                                  KY              1783/1784
DAY SARAH E           21 F W ASSISTING MOTHER                 KY              1848/1849
DAY RILDA ANN          0 F W 4/12 Jan                         KY              1869/1870
HENSLEY E A           46 M W                                  VA              1823/1824

Edward was still in Wolfe County for the 1880 census, he was a boarder in someone else's household.

John M. Hensley was born ca 1824/25 per his age of 25 on the 1850 census. He was probably born in Scott Co., VA. He appears to be home with his parents for the 1830 census, aged 5-9 (ca 1820/25), and in 1840 aged 15-19 (1820/25). 

He was home with them in 1850 "John A." age 25, and home with them in 1860 "John M." age 37, and still home in 1870, "John" age 47.

For the 1880 census he was in Wolfe Co., KY with his brother Andrew Campbell Hensley, listed as "John M." age 57, single.

Andrew Campbell Hensley was born ca 1826/27 per his age of 23 on the 1850 census. He was probably born in Scott Co., VA. He appears to be home with his parents for the 1830 census, aged under 5 (ca 1825/30), and in 1840 aged 10-14 (1825/30). 

He was no longer with his parent for the 1850 census, for by that time he had moved to Morgan Co., KY. He was listed there on the 1850 census in a Trimble household

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)

1850 MORGAN CO., KY Page 144   H/F #  774/ 774- -  Twp

TRIMBLE WILLIAM       63 M W FARMER               14000 VA                   1786/1787
TRIMBLE ELLEN         53 F W                            KY                   1796/1797
TRIMBLE ASBURY        23 M W CONSTABLE                  KY                   1826/1827
TRIMBLE ELIZABETH     16 F W                            KY                   1833/1834
TRIMBLE NELSON        14 M W                            KY                   1835/1836
TRIMBLE JAMES         10 M W                            KY                   1839/1840
MASON JOHN            43 M W LABORER                    ENGLAND              1806/1807
JONES GEORGE          19 M W LABORER                    VA                   1830/1831
HENSLY CAMPBELL       23 M W TANNER                     VA                   1826/1827

By 1860 he was home with his parents "Campbell" age 32, and still home in 1870, "Andrew C." age 43.

For the 1880 census he was in Wolfe Co., KY as head of household with his brother John and widowed sister Nancy Rice living with him. The men were both single.

Henry Hensley was born ca 1828/29 per his age of 21 on the 1850 census. He was probably born in Scott Co., VA. He appears to be home with his parents for the 1830 census, aged under 5 (ca 1825/30), and in 1840 aged 10-14 (1825/30). 

He was no longer with his parent for the 1850 census, for by that time he had moved to Morgan Co., KY with his brother Edward. He was listed there on the 1850 census in Edward's household as "Harry" Hensly age 21, born VA. "Harry" is a common nickname for "Henry."

I was unable to find Henry (or "Harry") on the 1860 census. He may have died in the 1850's.

Nancy C. Hensley was born ca 1832/33 per her age of 17 on the 1850 census. She was probably born in Scott Co., VA. She appears to be home with her parents for the 1840 census, aged 5-9 (1830/35).  She was with her parents in 1850, "Nancy" age 17.

On 23 Dec 1852 Charles Rice married Nancy C. Hensley in Scott Co., VA. I haven't been able to identify him. On the 1850 census in Scott County there was a Charles Rice age 60 with wife Polly. They were both still in Scott for the 1860 census, so he isn't the one. Another Charles in Scott in 1850 was just a child age 6, so he isn't the one either. Charles (Sr) had a son Charles Lewis Rice (c1833), but he was still home with his parents in 1860, no sign of Nancy, so he isn't the one either, unless the separated or something.

By the 1870 census Nancy was back home with her parents, apparently widowed, "Nancy Rice" age 38.

She was with her brothers in 1880 "Nancy Rice" age 47, widowed.

Joseph Hensley was born ca 1833/34 per his age of 16 on the 1850 census. He was probably born in Scott Co., VA. He appears to be home with his parents for the 1840 census, aged 5-9 (1830/35).  He was with his parents in 1850, "Joseph" age 16.

For the 1860 census he was with his brother Edward, "Joseph" age 25, listed as a merchant.

I couldn't find him in 1870.

Jane Hensley was born ca 1835/36 per her age of 14 on the 1850 census. She was probably born in Scott Co., VA. She appears to be home with her parents for the 1840 census, aged under 5 (1835/40).  She was with her parents in 1850, "Jane" age 14.

She was not with her parents in 1860 (nor found elsewhere), but was back with them for the 1870 census, "Jane" age 34.

I didn't find her in 1880.

Margaret Hensley was born ca 1843/44 per her age of 6 on the 1850 census. She was probably born in Scott Co., VA. She was with her parents in 1850, "Margaret" age 6. She was still with them in 1860, "Margarett" age 15, and still with them in 1870, "Margaret" age 25.

I didn't find her in 1880.

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