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I (Marty Grant) am not related to Benjamin Hensley as far as I know.
Benjamin Hensley was born ca 1792/93 (or ca 1789/90) in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). This approximate birth year is based on his age on the 1850 census (age 57, i.e. ca 1792/93) or his age in 1860 of "70", or born ca 1789/90. Previous census records (1810 to 1840) are no help in narrowing it down any better, as they contradict each other as well. If he was born ca "1790", then that matches every record except the 1850 census.
Benjamin is probably a son of Henry Hensley and Barbara Angel. However, I've seen no direct evidence of this, so it is possible that it is incorrect.
Presumably, Benjamin would have been at home with his parents for the 1800 census (and possibly in 1790, depending on his exact birth date).
In 1790, Benjamin would either be a few days old up to 1 year old, or not born yet. If born yet, he would be in the "under 16" age group (born ca 1774/90). In Burke Co, NC in 1790, there was Benjamin Hensley (c1730), Henry Hensley (bef 1755), Hickman Hensley (1759), and James Hensley (bef 1755). All of these had at least one male under 16.
In 1800, Benjamin Hensley would have been approximately 7 to 10 years old, so he would have been enumerated in the "Under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800) or in the 10-15 age group (ca 1784/90). The 1800 Buncombe Co, NC census shows a total of six Hensley households, with five of them having a male his age ("under 10"), including: Colbert Hensley (1760/65), Henry Hensley (bef 1755), Hickman Hensley (1759), John Hensley (1765/74), and Washington Hensley (1774/84). This does not mean that one of the above has to be his father, but it is a place to start. Henry Hensley did have sons Benjamin's age, so that makes him a suspect. In the age 10-15 group (c1784/90) Henry and Hickman both had sons that age. None of the others did.
Benjamin Hensley married Louisa --- ca 1800/1808 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. I don't know what her maiden name might have been. She was born ca 1790/91 (or ca 1786/87) in Virginia.
Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC. He was listed between Edward Briggs and Henry Hensley (c1781), (probably Benjamin's brother).
1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1810 Buncombe Co, NC pg 79 Benjamin Hensly 10100-00100 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Benjamin HENSLEY (1792/93) s/o Henry & Barbara 1 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) John HENSLEY (1807/08) son 1 Female(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Louisa ___ Hensley (1790/91) wife
Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1820 census in Buncombe County, NC just two houses from his suspected father Henry Hensley Sr. Benjamin's next door neighbors were Joseph Scott and William Bird.
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Buncombe Co, NC pg 100 Benjamin Hensley 510010-10010 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Benjamin HENSLEY (1792/93) s/o Henry & Barbara 1 Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) John HENSLEY (1807/08) son > hd 1830 5 Male(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) William S. HENSLEY (1810/11) son > hd 1830 Lewis HENSLEY (1811/12) son Son? (1810/15) Son? (1815/20) Benjamin HENSLEY (1819/20) son 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Louisa ___ Hensley (1790/91) wife 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Nancy HENSLEY (1810/15) daughter
Benjamin Hensley moved to neighboring Washington Co, TN between 1820 and 1830. I'm not sure, but I think they lived in the part that later became Unicoi County.
Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Washington County, TN. There were other Hensleys there, but none listed on the same page.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Washington County, TN pg 254 Benjamin Hensely 1122001000000-1201001000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Benjamin HENSLEY (1792/93) s/o Henry & Barbara 2 Male(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Lewis HENSLEY (1811/12) son > hd 1840 Son? (1810/15) --> gone by 1840 2 Male(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) Son? (1815/20) --> gone by 1840 Benjamin HENSLEY (1819/20) son 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) Henry (1824/25) 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) Armstrong (1825/26) 1 Female(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Louisa ___ Hensley (1785/86) wife 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Nancy HENSLEY (1810/15) daughter > m 1839 2 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) > gone by 1840 Daughter? (1820/25) > gone by 1840 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30)
Benjamin Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Washington Co, TN on the same page with his son John Hensley.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Washington County, TN pg 230 Benjamin Hensly 0011101000000-0010001000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Benjamin HENSLEY (1792/93) s/o Henry & Barbara 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Benjamin HENSLEY (1819/20) son 1 Male(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) --> gone by 1850 Henry (c1824/25) 1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) --> gone by 1850 Armstrong (c1825/26) 1 Female(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Louisa ___ Hensley (1790/91) wife 1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) > gone by 1850
Benjamin Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 census in Washington Co, TN. He was next door to possible son Armstrong ("Olmstead") Hensley, and within just a few houses from several Hensleys including possible son Henry Hensley (12 houses away); Benjamin's son Levi Hensley (3 houses away); son William S. Hensley (2 houses away), Benjamin's brother William A. Hensley (3 houses away) who also had Ben and William's widowed mother Barbara Angel Hensley residing with him; and Benjamin's son John Hensley who was 14 houses away. Residing with Benjamin and Louisa was their son Benjamin (Jr) and his apparent wife Elizabeth and their son William.
1850 WASHINGTON CO, TN Page 198 House/Family # 1339/1368 - 4th Subdivision HENSLY BENJ 57 M W FARMER 300 NC 1792/1793 HENSLY LOUISY 59 F W VA 1790/1791 HENSLY BENJ. 30 M W FARMER NC 1819/1820 HENSLY ELIZABETH 20 F W TN 1829/1830 HENSLY WILLIAM H 1 M W TN 1848/1849
Benjamin Hensley was still in Washington Co, TN for the 1860 census two houses from son William S. Hensley (c1811).
1860 WASHINGTON CO, TN Page 207B House/Family # 1084/1084 -- 18th DISTRICT HENSLEY BENJAMIN 70 M W FARMER 100 400 NC 1789/1790 HENSLEY LOUISA 73 F W VA 1786/1787
Benjamin and Louisa both seemed to have died in the 1860/1862 timeframe, as in that latter year, their children were dividing up the land inherited from Benjamin.
Buncombe Co, NC and Washington Co, TN records need to be searched, and I bet a great deal more can be found out about Benjamin and his family.
Benjamin and Louisa Hensley had a large number of children per the 1810 through 1850 census records. Several of their children are proven by an 1862 deed dividing up some of the land inherited from Benjamin Hensley.
John Hensley was born ca 1807/08 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. He is a proven child of Benjamin Hensley. The proof is a Washington Co, TN Deed dated 12 Apr 1862 naming John, William S. and Lewis Hensley and Nancy Harris as heirs of Benjamin, deceased. (Thanks to Pamela Mashburn for sharing that info).
John was apparently home with his parents for the 1810 and 1820 census in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. He went with them to neighboring Washington Co, TN in the 1820's, and married there (or back in NC) to Usla ---.
See his own page for additional information.
William S. Hensley was born ca 1810/11 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. He is a proven child of Benjamin Hensley. The proof is a Washington Co, TN Deed dated 12 Apr 1862 naming John, William S. and Lewis Hensley and Nancy Harris as heirs of Benjamin, deceased. (Thanks to Pamela Mashburn for sharing that info).
William was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. He remained behind in NC after his parents moved to neighboring Washington Co, TN in the 1820's. He married in Buncombe Co, NC ca 1830/32 to Mary ---. After marriage, they joined his parents in TN.
See his own page for additional information.
Lewis Hensley was born ca 1811/12 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. He is a proven child of Benjamin Hensley. The proof is a Washington Co, TN Deed dated 12 Apr 1862 naming John, William S. and Lewis Hensley and Nancy Harris as heirs of Benjamin, deceased. (Thanks to Pamela Mashburn for sharing that info).
Lewis was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 and 1830 census. He went with them to neighboring Washington Co, TN in the 1820's.
Lewis married Elizabeth Metcalf in Washington Co, TN ca 1830/33.
See his own page for additional information.
Unknown Son (1810/15). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20) and with him in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), but he was gone by 1840, so married or dead by then.
I don't know who this could have been. There were no eligible male Hensley's in 1840 or 1850 Washington Co, TN that fit this age group. It is possible that this child (assuming he didn't die) moved on somewhere else, or perhaps went back to Buncombe (Yancey) Co, NC. There are several Hensleys in Yancey Co, NC that fit this age group, but I'm hesitant to conclude any of them are this person.
Nancy Hensley was born ca 1810/15 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. She is a proven child of Benjamin Hensley. The proof is a Washington Co, TN Deed dated 12 Apr 1862 naming John, William S. and Lewis Hensley and Nancy Harris as heirs of Benjamin, deceased. (Thanks to Pamela Mashburn for sharing that info).
Nancy Hensley married Jason Harris on or about 16 Nov 1839 in Washington Co, TN. On that date, "J. Harris" obtained a marriage bond to marry "N. Hensley".
I don't have them on the 1840 census yet, but in 1850 they were in Washington Co, TN. They were listed next door to her brother Lewis Hensley and just a few houses from her parents. Unfortunately I couldn't read their entry, as it was badly smudged, so I'm not sure of the first two entries.
1850 WASHINGTON CO, TN Page 197B House/Family # 1335/1335 - 4th Subdivision HARRIS JASON? 38 M W ILLEGIBLE TN 1811/1812 HARRIS N*? ?? F W TN HARRIS JOSEPH 9 M W TN 1840/1841 HARRIS LUCINDA 7 F W TN 1842/1843 HARRIS OLMSTEAD 6 M W TN 1843/1844 HARRIS DAVID? 3 M W TN 1846/1847 HARRIS JANE 2 F W TN 1847/1848 HARRIS MARY 4 F W TN 1845/1846
Unknown Son (1815/20). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20) and with him in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20), but he was gone by 1840, so married or dead by then.
I don't know who this could have been. There were no eligible male Hensley's in 1840 or 1850 Washington Co, TN that fit this age group. (Except Daniel P. Hensley c1820 but he isn't a strong suspect) It is possible that this child (assuming he didn't die) moved on somewhere else, or perhaps went back to Buncombe (Yancey) Co, NC. There are several Hensleys in Yancey Co, NC that fit this age group, but I'm hesitant to conclude any of them are this person.
Benjamin Hensley was born ca 1819/20 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. Benjamin was apparently with his parents for the 1820, 1830 and 1840 census. He was home with them in 1850.
Benjamin apparently married Elizabeth --- ca 1840/1848 in Washington Co, TN. I say "apparently", because I'm not sure if she was his wife, or his sister. They were both living with Benjamin (Sr) and Louisa in 1850, and at a glance would seem to be husband and wife, with a 1 year old child. However, it is entirely possible that Elizabeth was just Benjamin (Jr)'s younger sister, and the 1 year old child was hers, born out of wedlock, or perhaps not hers at all.
I have not found any additional data to prove or disprove that Benjamin (Jr) and Elizabeth were husband and wife, or if they were brother and sister. There were no Washington Co, TN marriages for them, and they were not found on the 1860 census, so I can't figure it out just yet. For now, pending evidence to the contrary, I'm assuming that Benjamin (Jr) and Elizabeth were husband and wife, and that William H. Hensley (c1849) was their son.
I don't know where they were for the 1860 census.
Unknown Son (1820/25). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still with him in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25) but he was gone by 1850, so married or dead by then.
I have a strong feeling that this is Henry "Harry" Hensley (c1824/25). Henry is a perfect match in age, and he was probably named after his grandfather Henry "Harry" Hensley Sr (c1755). However, I have no direct proof that Henry was a son of Benjamin, but he fits really well.
Henry married Mary --- ca 1848 in Washington Co, TN, and in 1850 was just 12 houses from Benjamin Hensley, and in 1860 was nearby as well.
Unknown Daughter (1820/25). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), but she was gone by 1840, so married or dead by then.
Unknown Daughter (1820/25). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), but she was gone by 1840, so married or dead by then.
Unknown Son (1825/30). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1830 census (age 0-4, born ca 1825/30), and still with him in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30) but he was gone by 1850, so married or dead by then.
I have a strong feeling that this is Armstrong "Olmstead" Hensley (c1825/26). He is a perfect match in age, and lived nearby. I have no direct proof that he was a son of Benjamin, but he fits really well.
Unknown Daughter (1825/30). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 census (age 0-4, born ca 1825/30), and still with him in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30) but she was gone by 1850, so married or dead by then.
This may be the same person as Elizabeth Hensley age 20 (born ca 1829/30) who was with Benjamin Sr in 1850, although it is possible that Elizabeth was the wife of Benjamin Jr instead.
Assuming that Elizabeth (c1830) is not a daughter of Benjamin Sr, then that leaves this daughter born ca 1825/30 unknown. There were a couple of female Hensley marriages in the 1840's in Washington Co, TN, but I don't have enough information yet to determine if any of them could be this daughter.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. Benjamin1
Hensley , born 1792/93 in
Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/62 in Washington Co, TN, son of
Henry "Harry" Hensley
and Barbara Angel .
He married in 1800/08 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Louisa
(---) , born
1790/91 in VA; died 1860/70 in Washington Co, TN.
Children
of Benjamin Hensley and Louisa (---) were as follows:
+
2
i
John2
Hensley , born 1807/08 in
Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).
He married Usla (---) .
+
3
ii
William S2
Hensley , born 1810/11 in
Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/70 in Washington Co, TN.
He married Mary (---) .
+
4
iii
Lewis2
Hensley , born 1811/12 in
Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).
He married Elizabeth Metcalf .
+
5
iv
Nancy2
Hensley , born
1810/15 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).
She married Jason Harris .
+
6
v
Benjamin2
Hensley , born 1819/20 in
Washington Co, TN. He married
Elizabeth (---) .
Generation 2
2. John2
Hensley
(Benjamin1),
born 1807/08 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married in 1820/26 in Washington Co, TN Usla
(---) , born 1807/08 in KY;
died 1860/70 in Washington Co, TN.
Children
of John Hensley and Usla (---) were as follows:
+
7
i
William H3
Hensley , born 1828/29 in
Washington Co, TN. He married
Julia Ann Hensley .
8
ii
Lurane3
Hensley , born 1830/31 in
Washington Co, TN.
9
iii
Sarah3
Hensley , born 1832/33 in
Washington Co, TN.
10
iv
Mary E3
Hensley , born 1837/38 in
Washington Co, TN.
11
v
Easter3
Hensley , born 1840/41 in
Washington Co, TN.
+
12
vi
Jesse3
Hensley , born 1841/42 in
Washington Co, TN. He married
Nancy Little .
13
vii
Logan3
Hensley , born 1844/45 in
Washington Co, TN.
3. William S2
Hensley
(Benjamin1),
born 1810/11 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/70 in
Washington Co, TN. He married in
1830/32 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Mary (---) , born 1803/04 in KY.
Children
of William S Hensley and Mary (---) were as follows:
+
14
i
Barnett L3
Hensley , born 1832/33 in
Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).
He married Lucinda Hensley
(see 23).
15
ii
Andrew J3
Hensley , born 1835/36 in
Washington Co, TN.
16
iii
Dorcas3
Hensley , born 1837/38 in
Washington Co, TN.
17
iv
Elizabeth3
Hensley , born 1840/41 in
Washington Co, TN.
18
v
Nancy3
Hensley , born 1845/46 in
Washington Co, TN.
19
vi
Jackson3
Hensley , born 1851/52 in
Washington Co, TN.
20
vii
Isaac3
Hensley , born 1857/58 in
Washington Co, TN.
4. Lewis2
Hensley
(Benjamin1),
born 1811/12 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married in 1830/33 in Washington Co, TN Elizabeth
Metcalf , born 1811/12 in NC,
daughter of Absolom Metcalf
and Nancy Maney
.
Children
of Lewis Hensley and Elizabeth Metcalf were as follows:
21
i
Nancy3
Hensley , born 1832/33 in
Washington Co, TN.
22
ii
Sarina3
Hensley , born
1834/35 in Washington Co, TN. She
married on 7 Nov 1854 in Washington Co, TN James Metcalf .
23
iii
Lucinda3
Hensley , born
1837/38 in Washington Co, TN. She
married on 22 Dec 1859 in Washington Co, TN Barnett L Hensley
(see 14), born 1832/33 in Buncombe Co,
NC (now Yancey Co, NC), son of William S Hensley
and Mary (---) .
24
iv
Hiram3
Hensley , born 1842/43 in
Washington Co, TN. He married on
12 Jul 1862 in Washington Co, TN Amanda Smith
.
25
v
Joseph3
Hensley , born 1847/48 in
Washington Co, TN.
5. Nancy2
Hensley
(Benjamin1), born 1810/15 in Buncombe
Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). She
married on 16 Nov 1839 in Washington Co, TN Jason Harris , born 1811/12 in TN.
Children
of Nancy Hensley and Jason Harris were as follows:
26
i
Joseph3
Harris , born 1840/41 in
Washington Co, TN.
27
ii
Lucinda3
Harris , born 1842/43 in
Washington Co, TN.
28
iii
Olmstead3
Harris , born 1843/44 in
Washington Co, TN.
29
iv
Mary3
Harris , born 1845/46 in
Washington Co, TN.
30
v
David3
Harris , born 1846/47 in
Washington Co, TN.
31
vi
Jane3
Harris , born 1847/48 in
Washington Co, TN.
6. Benjamin2
Hensley
(Benjamin1),
born 1819/20 in Washington Co, TN.
He married bef 1849 in Washington Co, TN Elizabeth (---) , born
1829/30.
Children
of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:
32
i
William H3
Hensley , born 1848/49 in
Washington Co, TN.
Generation 3
7. William H3
Hensley
(John2,
Benjamin1),
born 1828/29 in Washington Co, TN.
He married on 31 May 1868 in Washington Co, TN Julia Ann
Hensley , born 1847/48 in Yancey
Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC), daughter of William K Hensley
and Elvira (---) .
Children
of William H Hensley and Julia Ann Hensley were as follows:
33
i
William4
Hensley , born 1868/69 in
Washington Co, TN.
12. Jesse3
Hensley
(John2,
Benjamin1),
born 1841/42 in Washington Co, TN.
He married on 16 May 1862 in Washington Co, TN Nancy Little , born 1843/44 in TN.
Children
of Jesse Hensley and Nancy Little were as follows:
34
i
Amanda E4
Hensley , born 1862/63 in
Washington Co, TN.
35
ii
Mary J4
Hensley , born 1864/65 in
Washington Co, TN.
36
iii
John H L4
Hensley , born 1867/68 in
Washington Co, TN.
14. Barnett L3
Hensley
(William S2,
Benjamin1),
born 1832/33 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married on 22 Dec 1859 in Washington Co, TN Lucinda
Hensley
(see 23), born 1837/38 in Washington
Co, TN, daughter of Lewis Hensley
and
Elizabeth Metcalf .
Children
of Barnett L Hensley and Lucinda Hensley were as follows:
37
i
Martha J4
Hensley , born 1860/61 in
Washington Co, TN.
38
ii
Cornelius4
Hensley , born 1861/62 in
Washington Co, TN.
39 iii Rubarney4 Hensley , born Mar 1870 in Washington Co, TN.
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