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I (Marty Grant) am not related to James F. Hensley as far as I know.
James F. Hensley was born ca 1789/90 (per 1860 census) or ca 1799/1800 (per 1850 census which doesn't agree with the rest of the records) in North Carolina, presumably in that part of Burke County that later became Buncombe County (in 1791) and later became Yancey County (in 1833). I don't know what the "F" middle initial might stand for.
James F. Hensley is a son of Hickman Hensley (c1759) and Agness Fisher. I have not seen direct proof of this relationship, but it fits based on circumstantial evidence. In Goodspeed's History of Tennessee (1887) he mentioned the early settlers of Lewis County, Tennessee including: "Larkin Hensley and his brothers (William, Samuel and James)". Since Larkin is a proven child of Hickman, that would seem to make James a child of Hickman also. However, Goodspeed is not a primary source, so it can't be counted as conclusive evidence, however, it is certainly believable based on other evidence, such as the close proximity between Larkin and James (and the others brothers) in Tennessee. This isn't conclusive proof, but it seems reasonable that James is a son of Hickman. I'd love to see some primary evidence though.
James Hensley was probably home with his parents for the 1790 census. He would have been about 1 year old or less, so in the "under 16" age group (born ca 1774/90). Hickman Hensley had 4 apparent sons that age with him in Burke County in 1790.
James should have been home in 1800 as well. He would have been about 10 years old, so should be enumerated in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1784/90) or in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800). Hickman Hensley was in Buncombe Co, NC that year and had two apparent sons in the 10-15 age group and two in the "under 10" group. One of the latter is probably James F. Hensley.
Hickman and his children (including James) all moved to what is now Lewis County, Tennessee around 1808. At that time the area was still part of Hickman, Maury and Wayne Counties.
I suspect that James Hensley would have been listed on the 1810 census in Maury County, Tennessee, but unfortunately this census was lost for 99% of Tennessee. He might also have still been with his parents then.
James F. Hensley married Catherine --- sometime prior to 1820, presumably in Wayne (now Lewis) Co, TN. No marriage record has been found, so I don't know what Catherine's maiden name is. She was born ca 1805/06 in Kentucky, county unknown. Although they were probably married in what is present Lewis County, I don't know which parent county they married in, as the Hensleys were found in the corner area of three counties: Maury, Hickman and Wayne. Since James was in Wayne County for the 1820 census, I'm assuming he was married there as well.
James Hensley was listed on the 1820 census in Wayne County, Tennessee. He was next door to his brother Samuel Hensley (c1780) and also next door to Jane Dabbs, an apparent widow. There were also other Hensleys in the county, but not listed so close by.
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Wayne Co, TN pg 327 James Hensley 000100-00100 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 18-25 (1794-1802) James F. HENSLEY (1789/90) s/o Hickman 1 Female(s) 16-25 (1794-1804) Catherine ___ Hensley (1803/04) wife
James either moved before 1830, or else the county lines changed somewhat, for then in was in Maury County, Tennessee. He was just three houses from his brother William Hensley (c1785). He was listed between Francis Grinder and John Sharp.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Maury Co, TN pg 374 James Hensely 0200010000000-2101010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) James F. HENSLEY (1789/90) s/o Hickman 2 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) John F. HENSLEY (1825) son 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) Catherine ___ Hensley (1803/04) wife 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Daughter? (1810/15) * Not in 1820 --> gone by 1840 1 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) 2 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Agness HENSLEY (1828/29) daughter Mary E. HENSLEY (1830) daughter
James Hensley was in Maury County for the 1840 census. He was just four houses from William Hensley (c1785), his brother. He was listed between William Sharpe and Isaac R. Farris.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Maury Co, TN pg 352 James F. Hinsley 1011000100000-1111010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 50-59 (1780-1790) James F. HENSLEY (1789/90) s/o Hickman 1 Male(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) --> gone by 1850 1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) John F. HENSLEY (1825) son > m by 1847 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) James Erwin HENSLEY (1835/36) son 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Catherine ___ Hensley (1803/04) wife 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Daughter? (1820/25) --> gone by 1850 1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Agness HENSLEY (1828/29) daughter 1 Female(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Mary E. HENSLEY (1830) daughter 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Martha HENSLEY (1840/41) daughter
In 1843, Lewis County was created from portions of several counties, including Maury County where James Hensley lived.
James and Catherine and family were listed on the 1850 census in Lewis County, Tennessee just two houses from his brother William Hensley (c1785).
1850 LEWIS CO, TN Page 783 House/Family # 42/ 42 - Civil District 5 HENSLEY JAMES F 50 M W FARMER 5000 NC 1799/1800 HENSLEY CATHERINE 44 F W KY 1805/1806 HENSLEY AGNESS 21 F W TN 1828/1829 HENSLEY MARY 17 F W TN 1832/1833 HENSLEY JAMES E 14 M W TN 1835/1836 HENSLEY MARTHA 9 F W TN 1840/1841 HENSLEY ENOCH 8 M W TN 1841/1842
James and Catherine were still in Lewis for the 1860 census.
1860 LEWIS CO, TN Page 523 House/Family # 282/ 282 -- DISTRICT 7 HENSLEY JAMES F 70 M W FARMER 300 300 NC 1789/1790 HENSLEY CATHARINE 56 F W TN 1803/1804 HENSLEY MARTHA 19 F W TN 1840/1841 HENSLEY ENOCH 17 M W LABOURER TN 1842/1843 WATKINS MARY E 29 F W TN 1830/1831 WATKINS JOHN M 5 M W TN 1854/1855
I did not find James or Catherine on the 1870 census, so I suppose they both died between 1860 and 1870.
James and Catherine had several children per the various census records. Not all are identified yet.
Unknown Daughter (1810/15). This might not be a daughter, but a niece instead. No one this age was with James for the 1820 census, but someone this age was with him in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), but gone by 1840. I suspect she was a niece or other relative instead of daughter, but I could be mistaken.
Unknown Son (1820/25). James Hensley had an apparent son this age. He was home with James for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then, or just moved out.
I don't know who this son might be. There were no "extra" male Hensleys in 1850 Lewis County who could be this unknown son. If he didn't die in the 1840's, then he possibly left the county.
Unknown Son (1820/25). James Hensley had an apparent son this age. He was home with James for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then, or just moved out.
This is most likely John F. Hensley (1825), but that is not proven, but I feel fairly sure he is this unknown son of James F. Hensley.
Unknown Daughter (1820/25). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with James for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.
There were two female Hensley marriages recorded in Lewis County in the 1840's, and perhaps one of them is this unknown daughter. The first was Rebecca A. Hensley who married Matthew Clayton in 1846. The second was Tabitha Hensley who married John K. Webb in 1846. I didn't find either of these couples on the 1850 census in Lewis County, so I can't say if either are this unknown daughter.
Agness Hensley was born ca 1828/29 in Maury (now Lewis) Co, TN. She was apparently named for her grandmother Agness Fisher Hensley. Agness was apparently home with her parents for the 1830 census (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30) and still apparently home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30). She was still home in 1850 ("Agness" age 21). She was not home in 1860, so probably married or dead by then.
I found a marriage record in Lewis County for "Agness Hensley" and John Anderson dated 22 Jan 1850. This pre-dates the 1850 census (as of June 1850), so either this isn't the same Agness, or else the marriage date is wrong. This does seems to be a different person.
Mary E. Hensley was born ca 1832/33 (per 1850 census) or ca 1830/31 (per 1860 census) in Maury (now Lewis) Co, TN. Mary might be home with her parents for the 1830 census (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30) and still apparently home in 1840 (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35). She was still home in 1850 ("Mary" age 17).
Mary E. Hensley married a Mr. Watkins before ca 1855 in Lewis County. I did not find a marriage record, but for the 1860 census she was with her parents, apparently widowed, listed as "Mary E. Watkins" age 29 with an apparent 5 year old son John M. Watkins.
I have no data on Mary after the 1860 census.
James Erwin Hensley was born ca 1835/36 (per 1850 census) in Maury (now Lewis) Co, TN. He was apparently home with his parents in 1840 (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40). He was still home in 1850 ("James E" age 14).
On 12 Feb 1855, "James E. Hensley" married his cousin Elizabeth Rentfrow in Lewis Co, TN. They were married by John Hensley, Minister, (probably his brother John F. Hensley). Elizabeth was born ca 1836/37, daughter of Eli Rentfrow and Eliza ---.
James and family were in Lewis County for the 1860 census, in District 7 next door to his parents.
1860 LEWIS CO, TN Page 523 House/Family # 283/ 283 -- DISTRICT 7 HENSLEY ERWIN 23 M W LABOURER 250 TN 1836/1837 HENSLEY BETTIE 23 F W TN 1836/1837 HENSLEY OCTAVINE 5 F W TN 1854/1855 HENSLEY FRANCES L 2 F W TN 1857/1858 HENSLEY JAMES R 0 M W 6/12 TN 1859/1860
I didn't find James and family after 1860. They may have moved to Illinois with some of the Rentfrows and Hensleys.
Martha Hensley was born ca 1840/41 (per 1850 census) in Maury (now Lewis) Co, TN. She was home with her parents for the 1850 census ("Martha" age 9), and still with them in 1860 ("Martha" age 19).
I don't have her in 1870, so she may have married by then, or possibly moved somewhere with other family members. There is a marriage record dated 30 Jan 1866 in Lewis County between a "Martha A. Hensley" and John W. Lindsey, but I don't know if this is the same Martha or not.
Enoch Hensley was born ca 1841/42 (per 1850 census) in Maury (now Lewis) Co, TN. She was home with her parents for the 1850 census ("Enoch" age 8), and still with them in 1860 ("Enoch" age 17).
I don't have him in 1870, so he may have moved somewhere with other family members.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. James F1
Hensley
, born 1789/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co,
NC); died aft 1860 in Lewis Co, TN, son of Hickman Hensley
and Agness Fisher
.
He married bef 1820 in Wayne Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN) Catherine
(---)
, born 1805/06 in KY;
died aft 1860 in Lewis Co, TN.
Children
of James F Hensley and Catherine (---) were as follows:
+
2
i
John F2
Hensley
, born 8 Dec 1825 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis
Co, TN); died 22 Feb 1894 in Effingham Co, IL; buried in Rentfrow Cem,
Effingham Co, IL. He married
Elinor Malinda Rentfrow
.
3
ii
Agness2
Hensley
, born 1828/29 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis Co,
TN).
+
4
iii
Mary E2
Hensley
, born 1832/33 in Maury
Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN). She
married (---) Watkins
.
+
5
iv
James Erwin2
Hensley
, born 1835/36 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis Co,
TN); died aft 1860 in Lewis Co, TN.
He married Elizabeth Rentfrow
.
6
v
Martha2
Hensley
, born 1840/41 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis Co,
TN).
7
vi
Enoch2
Hensley
, born 1841/42 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis Co,
TN).
Generation 2
2. John F2
Hensley
(James
F1),
born 8 Dec 1825 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died 22 Feb 1894 in
Effingham Co, IL; buried in Rentfrow Cem, Effingham Co, IL.
He married in 1840/47 in Lewis Co, TN Elinor Malinda Rentfrow
, born 4 Dec 1827 in
Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died 26 Aug 1920 in Effingham Co, IL;
buried in Rentfrow Cem, Effingham Co, IL, daughter of Eli Rentfrow
and Eliza (---)
.
Children
of John F Hensley and Elinor Malinda Rentfrow were as follows:
8
i
Matilda J3
Hensley
, born 1846/47 in Lewis Co, TN.
+
9
ii
William S3
Hensley
, born 1847/48 in Lewis Co, TN.
He married ? (---)
.
10
iii
Samuel3
Hensley
, born 1848/49 in Lewis Co, TN.
11
iv
Mary C3
Hensley
, born 1850/51 in Lewis Co, TN.
12
v
James S3
Hensley
, born 1852/53 in Lewis Co, TN.
13
vi
John B3
Hensley
, born 1854/55 in Lewis Co, TN.
14
vii
Martha3
Hensley
, born 1858/59 in Lewis Co, TN.
15
viii
Eli3
Hensley
, born 1861/62 in Lewis Co, TN.
4. Mary E2
Hensley
(James F1), born 1832/33 in Maury Co,
TN (now Lewis Co, TN). She
married in 1850/55 in Lewis Co, TN (---) Watkins
, died bef 1860 in Lewis Co, TN.
Children
of Mary E Hensley and (---) Watkins were as follows:
16
i
John M3
Watkins
, born 1854/55 in Lewis Co, TN.
5. James Erwin2
Hensley
(James
F1),
born 1835/36 in Maury Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1860 in Lewis Co,
TN. He married on 12 Feb 1855 in
Lewis Co, TN Elizabeth Rentfrow
, born 1836/37 in
Hickman Co, TN (now Lewis Co, TN); died aft 1860 in Lewis Co, TN, daughter of
Eli Rentfrow
and Eliza (---)
.
Children
of James Erwin Hensley and Elizabeth Rentfrow were as follows:
17
i
Octavine3
Hensley
, born 1854/55 in Lewis Co, TN.
18
ii
Frances L3
Hensley
, born 1857/58 in Lewis Co, TN.
19
iii
James R3
Hensley
, born 1859/60 in Lewis Co, TN.
Generation 3
9. William S3
Hensley
(John F2,
James F1),
born 1847/48 in Lewis Co, TN. He
married bef 1871 in Effingham Co, IL ? (---)
, died 1879/80 in Effingham Co, IL.
Children
of William S Hensley and ? (---) were as follows:
20
i
John S4
Hensley
, born 1870/71 in Effingham Co, IL.
21
ii
Mattie M4
Hensley
, born 1872/73 in Effingham Co, IL.
22
iii
Hattie E4
Hensley
, born 1875/76 in Effingham Co, IL.
23 iv Nettie4 Hensley , born 1878/79 in Effingham Co, IL.