Gabriel Hensley (c1765/70) and Ann Priddy of Fayette and Franklin Co, KY and Butler Co, OH and Randolph Co, NC and Franklin Co, IN

Gabriel Hensley was born ca 1765/70 per an analysis of census and tax records. The 1810 census gives his age as 26-44, or born ca 1765/84, and the 1820 census gives him as age 45+, or born before 1775. These two combine to ca 1765/75. However, add to that his 1791 tax list entry giving him as over 21, and that means he was born ca 1770 or before, so combining all of these we get ca 1765/70 as his rough birth date.

I don't know what state Gabriel was born in. He was in Kentucky by 1791, so possibly born there, though there were not many whites in Kentucky in the 1765/70 timeframe, so it seems more likely that he was born in Virginia or perhaps North Carolina, but Virginia is far more likely.

I have no strong clues who Gabriel Hensley's parents might be. He moved around so much that it has been hard to tie him in with any other Hensley families. The only time he seemed to be near any other Hensleys was his 1791 tax list entry in Fayette County, Kentucky where several other Hensleys were listed. At that point a Jonathan, Richerson (Richardson), James, George and Samuel Hensley were all listed there too, though I don't know if they all lived near each other or not, but the county was not too big. One or more of these Hensleys could be closely related to Gabriel.

Gabriel Hensley was not listed on the 1787 State Census of Virginia, though he may have been old enough by then, but he could have been as young as 17, so not listed.

Gabriel Hensley was old enough to have been listed as a head of household on 1790 census, but unfortunately, this census is lost for all of Virginia (including Kentucky which was still part of Virginia at that time).

Regardless of where he was born and lived earlier, Gabriel Hensley was in Fayette County, Virginia (now Kentucky) and listed on the 1791 tax list as "Gabrael Hansley", taxed for one male over 21, and 1 horse. Also listed in the same place were Jonathan Hensley, Richerson Hensley, James Hensley, George Hensley, and Samuel Hensley. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for sharing this record, visit the Kentucky Tax lists page for more Hensleys in Kentucky over the years).

By 1799, Gabriel Hensley was just a few miles west of Fayette County in Franklin County, Kentucky where he married that year.

On 20 Jul 1799, Gabriel Hensley obtained a marriage bond in Franklin County, Kentucky to marry Ann Priddy. William Priddy was bondsman, and he also gave his consent (as her father) for the marriage. Ann was born ca 1765/75, whereabouts unknown.

They may have still been in Kentucky for the 1800 census, but unfortunately, this census is lost for Kentucky.

By 1807, Gabriel had moved north into Butler County, Ohio and was listed there on a tax list that year. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for sharing this record)

Between 1807 and 1810, Gabriel moved his family a good distance south and east into Randolph County, North Carolina. I can't imagine what made them move there, but they were listed there on the 1810 census. I do know that numerous Randolph County, North Carolina families had moved into Ohio during that same timeframe, so perhaps Gabriel met someone in Ohio who was from Randolph County, and for some reason or another Gabriel moved there for a job or something. He was certainly the only Hensley there in 1810.

Between 1810 and 1817, Gabriel Hensley moved his family to Franklin County, Indiana, for he was listed on the 1817 tax list there.

Gabriel Hensley was listed on the 1820 census in Franklin County, Indiana. He was the only Hensley there that year.

Gabriel Hensley made his Will on 28 Feb 1821 in Franklin County, Indiana. In it, he named his wife Anna, and mentioned "my six children", but did not name them all. He mentioned daughter "Sarah" and his "youngest son Robert". Unfortunately, Robert was the only child mentioned by name. (Franklin Co, IN Will Book A page 69, shared by Laura Schreibman)

The above Will was brought to court on 4 Jun 1821, so it would appear that Gabriel Hensley died between 28 February and 4 June, 1821.

I don't know when Ann Priddy Hensley died, but she was not listed on the 1830, 1840 or 1850 census as far as I could find. She may have still been alive in 1840, for son Robert had an older woman about her age with him that year in Greene County, Indiana, but it could be someone else instead of her.

Children

Gabriel and Ann had six children per his Will, but only four are known by name. Census records show other possible children (no names), but all told it comes to more than six, so some of these may have died before 1821, or might not have been children of theirs, but other relatives or just boarders living with them.

Unknown Son (1794/1800). Gabriel may have had a son this age, or perhaps this was not a son, but someone else living with him. He was apparently home in 1810 (age 10-15, born ca 1794/1800), but gone by 1820. I personally feel this isn't a son, since Gabriel didn't marry until mid 1799, so this child would have to pre-date the marriage. He might be a nephew instead.

Unknown Son (1800/10). Gabriel seems to have a son this age. He was home in 1810 (age "under 10"), but gone by 1820, so possibly dead or married by then. It seems too early for this person to have been married (though it is possible).

Unknown Son (1804/10). Gabriel seems to have a son this age. He was home in 1810 (age "under 10"), and still home in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10).

This could be Benjamin Hensley who later was in Greene County, Indiana as was Gabriel's son Robert, though not listed near each other, though in the same county. The only impediment to connecting Benjamin to Gabriel is that he was born ca 1802 in Virginia. It is possible that with all of Gabriel's moving around, he did spend a brief amount of time in Virginia.

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). Gabriel seems to have a daughter this age. She was not home in 1810 (so probably not born yet), but home in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10). If she was born in 1810, that would explain these census entries. This could be daughter Sarah Hensley named in Gabriel's Will of 1821.

Robert Hensley was born ca 1810/11 in Randolph County, North Carolina. He is a proven son of Gabriel and was named in his Will dated 1821. However, I'm not 100% sure that the Robert later found in Greene County, Indiana is the same Robert who was Gabriel's son, but I'm reasonably sure they are one and the same.

Robert Hensley married Elizabeth --- before ca 1835, possibly in Greene County, Indiana. See their own page for additional information.

Unknown Son (1810/20). Gabriel seems to have a son this age. He was home in 1820 (age "under 10").

Unknown Daughter (1810/20). Gabriel seems to have a daughter this age. She was home in 1820 (age "under 10"). This may be daughter Matilda Hensley (see below).

Sarah Hensley was named in her father's Will of 1821. Other than that I have no data on her.

Matilda Hensley was named in an 1833 Guardianship record when her brother Robert Hensley was appointed her guardian in Parke County, Indiana. The record gave her father's name as Gabriel Hensley. Other than I have no data on her.

Elizabeth Hensley was named in an 1833 Guardianship record when her brother Robert Hensley was appointed her guardian in Parke County, Indiana. The record gave her father's name as Gabriel Hensley. Other than I have no data on her.

Researcher List

1. Gabriel¹ Hensley , born 1765/70 in VA; died Jun 1821 in Franklin Co, IN. He married on 20 Jul 1799 in Franklin Co, KY Ann Priddy , born 1765/75; died aft 1821 in Franklin Co, IN.

Children of Gabriel Hensley and Ann Priddy were as follows:

2 i Sarah² Hensley .

+ 3 ii Robert² Hensley , born 1810/11 in Randolph Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Greene Co, IN. He married Elizabeth (---) .

4 iii Matilda² Hensley .

5 iv Elizabeth² Hensley .

Generation 2

3. Robert² Hensley (Gabriel¹), born 1810/11 in Randolph Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Greene Co, IN. He married bef 1835 in Greene Co, IN Elizabeth (---) , born 1813/14 in IN or KY; died aft 1860 in Greene Co, IN.

Children of Robert Hensley and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

6 i John³ Hensley , born 1834/35 in Greene Co, IN.

7 ii Mary Ann³ Hensley , born 1839/40 in Greene Co, IN.

8 iii Jane³ Hensley , born 1841/42 in Greene Co, IN.

9 iv James³ Hensley , born 1844/45 in Greene Co, IN.

10 v Robert³ Hensley , born 1847/48 in Greene Co, IN.

11 vi Edmund³ Hensley , born 1850 in Greene Co, IN.

12 vii Thomas³ Hensley , born 1852/53 in Greene Co, IN.

13 viii Nancy E³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Greene Co, IN.

14 ix Mathis³ Hensley , born 1858/59 in Greene Co, IN.