Henry Hensley (c1781) and Mary W. Howard of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC

I have no direct proof as to who Henry Hensley's parents were, but I strongly suspect he was a son of Henry Hensley Sr and Barbara Angel. Other researchers place him there as well, but so far, I've seen no direct evidence this is true.

There are really only a few choices though, using the 1790 and 1800 census records as a list of suspects.

In 1790, there were five Hensley households in Burke County, four of which had sons in the "under 16" category, or born ca 1774/1790, which is where Henry would be (born ca 1780/81). The suspects were: Benjamin Hensley, with 3 sons under 16; Henry Hensley with 5 sons under 16; Hickman Hensley with four; and James Hensley with two. Of these, we can eliminate Hickman, based on other considerations, so that leaves Benjamin, Henry and James as suspects. James can be eliminated because he only had 3 living heirs alive in the 1830's, so that leaves Benjamin and Henry, with no direct evidence to eliminate either.

In 1800, there were six Hensley households in Buncombe County, and two in Burke. Of these, only Henry, Hickman, and James Hensley (in Buncombe) had sons in the right age group (16-25, born ca 1774/84), while in Burke, Benjamin Hensley had a son in that age group. That really only leaves Henry Sr as a suspect, since I don't think Henry (1781) lived in Burke at all (Benjamin lived in that section of Burke that later became McDowell County).

So, assuming that I'm correct in my analysis, then Henry (1781) was home with Henry Sr for the 1790 census in Burke Co, NC (in the region that soon became Buncombe County), and home with him for the 1800 census in Buncombe County.

Henry Hensley (1781) married Mary W. Howard between 1800 and ca 1804. They may have married in Buncombe Co, NC (all marriage records from this timeframe for Buncombe were lost), or perhaps they married in Knox Co, KY where the Howard family moved around that time. Mary was born ca 1787/88 in VA, and was a daughter of Samuel Howard and Chloe Osborne. Mary's sister Nancy Howard, married Henry Hensley's brother Lewis Hensley in 1803 in Knox Co, KY (marriage bond dated 1 Sep 1803), then moved back to Buncombe Co, NC. Since Lewis and Nancy did this in the same timeframe, it seems reasonable that Henry and Mary may have done exactly the same.

There is direct evidence that Mary's maiden name was Howard, and that she was a child of Samuel and Chloe. A deed dated 27 Dec 1820 was made by Samuel Howard Sr (Samuel "Hord") in Harlan Co, KY, selling (for $1) land to his children, including "Mary Hensley wife of Henry Hensley and Nancy Hensley wife of Lewis Hensley of Buncombe Co, NC". This proves that connection very nicely. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for that information).

Henry and Mary married in the ca 1800/1804 timeframe, though whether in KY or NC, I can't say. In any event, they were back in NC (or "still" in NC) for the 1810 census. They were listed next to Benjamin Hensley (Henry's brother) and Edward James. They were just a few houses away from James Hensley (Henry's Uncle) and Berry Hensley (Henry's 1st cousin).

For some reason, I have not been able to locate Henry Hensley on the 1820 census. The aforementioned deed from his father-in-law Samuel Howard, was dated December 1820, and listed Henry's residence as Buncombe Co, NC, so he should be there (though the census was taken earlier in the year, and Henry could have been in KY at that point, and returned to NC later, but before December). I have checked the 1820 census for Buncombe County, NC several times through, and still did not locate Henry Hensley. His father was listed in 1820 as "Henry Hensley Sr", so the fact that he had the "Sr" included, must mean that "Jr" was still in the county, or why use the "Sr" at all?

As mentioned before, on 27 Dec 1820, Henry and wife Mary were named in a deed made by her father Samuel Howard Sr ("Samuel Hord Sr") in Harlan Co, KY.

Henry Hensley was listed in Buncombe Co, NC for the 1830 census. His next door neighbors were John Chandler and W. Enzor. Henry was listed only by his first initial "H. Hensely", but there is no doubt who it is. Jesse Hensley was just six households away.

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from part of Buncombe, including where the Hensley's resided.

On 4 Oct 1836, Henry Hensley (spelled "Hensly") (and Wililam McKiney) witnessed a Yancey County deed between Thomas H. Blount and William A. Blount, Executors of John G. Blount, deceased, (all of Beaufort County) to James Renfrow of Yancey County, for land on Caney Branch of Toe River. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 120 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

On 26 Dec 1838, "Henry Hensly" received a State Land Grant for 50 acres in Yancey County, adjoining his own land. This was entered 16 Jan 1835. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 277 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

On 3 Jan 1839, "Washington Hensly" (probably George W. Hensley, Henry's suspected son), received a 100 acre land grant in Yancey County, adjoining the land of Henry Hensley. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 375 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

Henry Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey Co, NC. His next door neighbors were John Rector and John Edwards. No other Hensleys were very close by. The nearest was near the top of the previous page, being Samuel Hensley.

Henry Hensley was listed on the 1850 census in Yancey Co, NC with his next door neighbors being Enos Hensley (suspected son) and Henry Hensley Jr (his son). Other Hensley's were nearby as well, including Silas A. Hensley (7 houses away), and Fielding Hensley (8 houses away) and others. Henry Hensley was listed with no real property, so if he had land, he sold it all before 1850.

Henry Hensley died between 1850 and 1860, for he was not found on the 1860 census, but his wife Mary was residing with their son Henry Hensley then, in Yancey Co, NC.

Mary was listed in 1870 in Yancey County with son Henry Hensley. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

I have no additional data on this family. Yancey County, NC and Harlan County, NC records may reveal a great deal more about them.

Children

Henry and Mary Howard Hensley had quite a number of children, based on the 1810 through 1840 census records. However, to my knowledge, none of their names are proven, with the probable exception of son Henry Jr, since Mary resided with him after the death of her husband.

Unknown Son (c1800/10). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1810 census. Henry was missing in 1820, but this child was apparently still at home in 1830. Whoever he was, he was gone from Henry's household by 1840.

Others list Samuel L. Hensley (c1804/05) as a son of Henry Hensley, and if that is true, then he would fit here. The only trouble with this, is that Samuel was married before 1830, and would not still be home with Henry then, unless one of these two males born ca 1800/10 was born in 1810, and not the same person as those listed in 1810 (did that make sense?). Having the 1820 entry for Henry Hensley would help sort this out properly.

Though I have no proof, the Samuel L. Hensley just mentioned is a good candidate for this son, however, certain things make me wonder if he is a son of Henry. One "pro" is that he went to Harlan Co, KY, as did other members of the family (supposedly), but one "con" is that Samuel did not name any of his children "Henry" or "Mary", but neither thing just mentioned is solid proof, one way or the other.

Samuel fits perfectly, if we can assume that he was with Henry in 1810 in the under 10 age group (born ca 1800/10), and probably 1820, though that record is lost, but that he was not with Henry in 1830. Henry had two sons under 10 (c1800/10) with him in 1810, and two age 20-29 (c1800/10) with him in 1830. A natural assumption is these are the same two sons in both census records, but that may not be the case. If not, then Samuel is a good fit.

Samuel was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey Co, NC, one page away from Henry (the closest Hensley to him in 1840, in fact), so they weren't too far apart. He moved to Harlan Co, KY in the 1840's.

Others show this son to be George W. Hensley (1809). He fits well, as he married in the 1830's, and he did name a son "Henry" and a daughter "Mary". He also went to Harlan Co, KY where Samuel (see above) went, so that lends some evidence that they might be brothers. Also, Samuel named one of his sons "George W. Hensley", so more circumstantial evidence they might be brothers.

George was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey Co, NC, and moved to Harlan Co, KY in the 1840's.

Unknown Daughter (c1800/10). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1810 census. Henry was missing in 1820, but this child was apparently still at home in 1830. Whoever she was, she was gone from Henry's household by 1840.

Unknown Son (c1810/15). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 census, but he was gone by 1840.

This could be Enos Hensley (c1815/16), who was in Yancey Co, NC in 1840 and 1850 and Harlan Co, KY in 1860. He isn't the only suspect that fits, those listed above (Bannister, Fielding, William H. Hensley) all fit as well, in fact, age wise, a little better than Enos.

Unknown Son (c1815/20). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 and 1840 census, but he was gone by 1850.

I prefer Andrew Jackson Hensley at present, but can't prove him anymore than the rest.

Unknown Son (c1815/20). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 and 1840 census, but he was gone by 1850.

I suspect this might be Wallace Hensley (c1817/18), but can't prove it. The ones listed in this same age group above, are also suspects, however, it seems very likely to me that Wallace and Andrew Jackson Hensley are the two sons to fill these two positions, since it seems clear they were brothers, and that in 1860 lived next to their widowed mother Mary Howard Hensley. Not conclusive proof, but strong enough to work with.

Unknown Daughter (c1815/20). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 census, but she was gone by 1840, so probably had married or died by then.

I have the name "Nancy Verlin Hensley", born ca 1814/15 listed as a child of Henry Hensley. She fits in this position very well, but I don't know what proof there is that she belongs to Henry, or that she was a Hensley. She married David Shelton between ca 1830 and 1834.

In spite of not knowing the evidence for including Nancy in this family, I'm leaving her here, pending evidence one way or the other.

David Shelton was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey Co, NC next door to Fielding Hensley, and just three houses from Enos Hensley.

In 1850, David Shelton and Nancy and family were listed two houses from her parents in Yancey County. They were next door to Henry Hensley Jr, and George Pate.

Unknown Daughter (c1820/25). Henry Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 census, but she was gone by 1840, so probably had married or died by then.

Henry Hensley (Jr) was born ca 1825/26 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. I've seen no direct evidence that Henry was a son of Henry and Mary, but circumstantial evidence is strong, including the fact that Henry Sr and Jr were next door to each other in 1850, and that in 1860, widow Mary was residing with Henry Jr in Yancey Co, NC, so that makes sense if she was his mother.

Henry Hensley married Jane A. (---) in Yancey Co, NC. See their own page for additional information.

Researcher List

1. Henry¹ Hensley , born 1780/81 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1850/60 in Yancey Co, NC, son of Henry "Harry" Hensley and Barbara Angel . He married in 1800/10 in Buncombe Co, NC Mary W Howard , born 1787/88 in VA; died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC, daughter of Samuel Howard and Chloe Osborne .

Children of Henry Hensley and Mary W Howard were as follows:

+ 2 i Nancy Verlin² Hensley , born 1814/15 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died in Unicoi Co, TN. She married David Shelton .

+ 3 ii Andrew Jackson² Hensley , born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Nancy (---) .

+ 4 iii Wallace² Hensley , born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC. He married (1) Mariah (---) ; (2) Emaline (---) .

+ 5 iv Henry² Hensley , born 1825/26 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Jane A (---) .

Generation 2

2. Nancy Verlin² Hensley (Henry¹), born 1814/15 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died in Unicoi Co, TN. She married in 1830/34 in Yancey Co, NC David Shelton , born 1813/14 in NC.

Children of Nancy Verlin Hensley and David Shelton were as follows:

6 i Elizabeth³ Shelton , born 1833/34 in Yancey Co, NC.

7 ii Samuel³ Shelton , born 1835/36 in Yancey Co, NC.

8 iii Esau³ Shelton , born 1836/37 in Yancey Co, NC.

9 iv Sarah³ Shelton , born 1838/39 in Yancey Co, NC.

10 v Nicy³ Shelton , born 1839/40 in Yancey Co, NC.

11 vi Silva³ Shelton , born 1843/44 in Yancey Co, NC.

12 vii William³ Shelton , born 1845/46 in Yancey Co, NC.

13 viii James³ Shelton , born 1846/47 in Yancey Co, NC.

14 ix Caroline³ Shelton , born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC.

3. Andrew Jackson² Hensley (Henry¹), born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1840/42 in Yancey Co, NC Nancy (---) , born 1819/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Andrew Jackson Hensley and Nancy (---) were as follows:

15 i Wallace³ Hensley , born 1841/42 in Yancey Co, NC.

16 ii Cornelius³ Hensley , born 1845/46 in Yancey Co, NC.

17 iii Lorenzo³ Hensley , born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC Rachel (---) , born 1846/47 in NC; died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC.

18 iv Sarah L³ Hensley , born 1850/51 in Yancey Co, NC.

19 v Phebe C³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Yancey Co, NC. She married on 10 Jun 1877 in Yancey Co, NC Abraham Ledford , born 1851/52 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 20 vi Enos³ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Vira Ledford .

21 vii Mary J³ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Yancey Co, NC.

22 viii Martha A³ Hensley , born 1870/71 in Yancey Co, NC.

4. Wallace² Hensley (Henry¹), born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC. He married (1) in 1840/43 in Yancey Co, NC Mariah (---) , born 1823/24 in NC; died 1850/54 in Yancey Co, NC; (2) on 28 Aug 1854 in Yancey Co, NC Emaline (---) , born 1822/23 in NC.

Children of Wallace Hensley and Mariah (---) were as follows:

23 i Isabel³ Hensley , born 1843/44 in Yancey Co, NC.

24 ii Amos³ Hensley , born 1846/47 in Yancey Co, NC. He married on 12 Jan 1868 in Yancey Co, NC Harriet McIntosh , born 1852/53 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 25 iii Ervin³ Hensley , born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Martha E (---) .

26 iv Cordelia³ Hensley , born 1850 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Wallace Hensley and Emaline (---) were as follows:

27 i Samuel³ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC.

28 ii Morris Ellis³ Hensley , born 1863/64 in Yancey Co, NC.

29 iii McDaniel³ Hensley , born 1865/66 in Yancey Co, NC.

5. Henry² Hensley (Henry¹), born 1825/26 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1840/49 in Yancey Co, NC Jane A (---) , born 1832/33 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Henry Hensley and Jane A (---) were as follows:

30 i Louisa³ Hensley , born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC.

31 ii Nicy³ Hensley , born 1850/51 in Yancey Co, NC.

32 iii Mary³ Hensley , born 1853/54 in Yancey Co, NC.

33 iv Esau³ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Yancey Co, NC.

34 v William A³ Hensley , born 1858/59 in Yancey Co, NC.

35 vi Elizabeth³ Hensley , born 1862/63 in Yancey Co, NC.

36 vii L³ Hensley , born 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

Generation 3

20. Enos³ Hensley (Andrew Jackson², Henry¹), born 1856/57 in Yancey Co, NC. He married on 16 Sep 1877 in Yancey Co, NC Vira Ledford , born 1855/56 in NC.

Children of Enos Hensley and Vira Ledford were as follows:

37 i Jerry⁴ Hensley , born 1873/74 in Yancey Co, NC.

38 ii Mary J⁴ Hensley , born 1874/75 in Yancey Co, NC.

39 iii Margaret⁴ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Yancey Co, NC.

25. Ervin³ Hensley (Wallace², Henry¹), born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1860/69 in Yancey Co, NC Martha E (---) , born 1857/58 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Ervin Hensley and Martha E (---) were as follows:

40 i Nancy M⁴ Hensley , born 1869 in Yancey Co, NC.