James Hensley (c1780) and Nancy (Anderson) of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC and Washington Co, TN and Clay Co, KY

James Hensley was born ca 1779/80 in Virginia, probably Henry Co, VA. He moved as a child with his parents to Burke Co, NC, in the section that became Buncombe Co, NC in 1791, and later Yancey Co, NC in 1833.

I have no direct proof as to who James 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 James would be (born ca 1779/80). 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 16-25 age group, (born ca 1774/84), while in Burke, Benjamin Hensley had a son in that age group.

So, assuming that I'm correct in my analysis, then James (1779/80) 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. This is far from conclusive though.

James Hensley married Nancy --- ca 1800/1810 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. I've seen others list her maiden name as "Anderson", but I don't know what evidence there is for that.

James Hensley was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC. They were about 13 houses from his suspected father Henry Hensley Sr. James' next door neighbors in 1810 were Jonathan Hunt and John Jordan.

James Hensley was on the 1820 census in Buncombe Co, NC, listed as James Hensley "Sen" (Senior), indicating that he was the elder James Hensley in Buncombe County, and that their was another by the same name that he wanted to be distinguished from. The younger James was probably James Hensley (c1795) son of Colbert Hensley. Though he wasn't listed on the 1820 census. James (1780) was listed just a few houses from a "Jemima Hornsly" or "Hornsby", which is mighty suspicious. I have read it several times, and it clearly says H-O-R-N-S-L-Y. The "L" is the only questionable letter, as it could be a "B". In either event, it may be just a coincidence that such a similar name was nearby.

James' father Henry Hensley Sr was several houses away. John Hensley (1794/1800) was on the same page with James, and roughly 20 houses away. James' next door neighbors in 1820 were John Culage and Isaac Shelton.

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

I didn't find James Hensley on the 1840 census in Yancey or Buncombe Co, NC. I believe he moved to nearby Washington Co, TN by then. There was a James Hensley listed on the index on page 193, but I don't yet have the listing in order to verify that it could be this James.

James moved to Clay Co, KY by 1841, for in that year he was listed on the County tax list (but not in 1840, 1839, etc). He was taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself). (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1842, James Hensley was listed on the Clay Co, KY tax list and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse. Interestingly, there were two James' listed that year, with the same taxables. I don't know if this is a duplicate entry, or if there were two men named James there in 1842. It appears to be a second James. I don't know who this other James was. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

On the 1843 Clay Co, KY Tax list, there was both a James H. Hensley and a James Hensley, both taxed for 1 white male over 21 and 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1844, only one James was listed (no middle initial), and he was again taxed for 1 white male over 21 and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1846, James Hensley was listed on the Clay Co, KY Tax list and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1847, James Hensley was listed on the Clay Co, KY Tax list and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1848, James Hensley was listed on the Clay Co, KY Tax list and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1849, James Hensley was listed as James "Sen" (Senior) and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and for 1 horse. Another James Hensley (c1829) was listed this year as well. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1850, James Hensley was listed as James "Sen" (Senior) and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and for 1 horse. Another James Hensley (c1829) was listed this year as well. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

James Hensley was not listed on the 1851 tax list in Clay Co, KY. He was certainly of age to be "non tithable", so perhaps that is why he wasn't listed.

In 1852, there was one James Hensley listed in Clay Co, KY, but I don't know if it was this James or the younger one. He was taxed with 100 acres on Bull Skin, and 1 white male over 21. I think this is the younger James (c1829) as the 1855 tax list shows James "Jr" with 100 acres on Bullskin.

James Hensley (Sr) was not listed on the 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, or 1857 tax list. This might mean he had left the county for awhile or was just not taxable due to his age.

However, in 1858, there were 3 James Hensley's listed on the Clay Co, KY Tax list, each taxed only for 1 white male over 21.. One was "Sr" the other two just "James". However, the following year (1859), the James Hensley born ca 1829 was listed as "Sr", showing that the older James was dead by then. I base this on the "Sr" in 1859 being taxed for 100 acres on Bullskin.

James Hensley died 16 Oct 1859 in Clay Co, KY. This is listed on his tombstone which reads "James Hensley died Oct 16 1859 Father of Levi Hensley" (Thanks to Sheryl Holland for sharing this).

The fact that son Levi's name is on the tombstone may indicate that he is the one who had it placed.

James was not listed on the 1860 census in Clay Co, KY, nor did I find his widow Nancy. However, I have not done a thorough check of that census yet, and I know from the index, that there were several Hensley families listed there, that do not show up in the published version. I'll check that when I can.

Nancy (Anderson) Hensley died in Clay Co, KY on 18 Jul 1862. This is listed on her tombstone which reads "Nancy Hensley died June 18 1862 wife of James Hensley" (Thanks to Sheryl Holland for sharing this).

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

Children

James and Nancy Howard Hensley had quite a number of children, based on the early census records. However, to my knowledge, none of their names are proven except for Levi Hensley (c1816). I've seen lists of their children, including Pleasant Hensley (1799) and Samuel Hensley (1800) as their sons, but both of these are too old to be their children.

Unknown Son (1804/10). James Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1810 (age under 10, born ca 1800/10) and in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10). He was not with James in 1830, so married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1800/10). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1810 (age under 10, born ca 1800/10). She was not with James in 1820, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1804/10). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1810 (age under 10, born ca 1800/10) and in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10). She was not with James in 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

I don't know who this is. This fits age-wise with Margaret Hensley (1802/03 or ca 1805/06) who married Richard Holland ca 1828 or so, but I don't know what proof there is that she belongs in this family.

Unknown Son (1810/15). James Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1820 (age under 10, born ca 1810/20) and in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15). Since I don't have James' 1840 listing yet, I don't know if he was still at home in 1840. He was not with James in 1850.

The prime suspect for this son (based on age and proximity) is Benjamin Hensley (c1814). I have no direct proof that Benjamin is a son of James and Nancy, but he did live near them in 1850, and his age matches, and he did name his oldest son "James". All of that is circumstantial evidence though.

Levi Hensley was born ca 1815/16 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. The proof of him being James' son is James own tombstone which states that he is Levi's father (thanks to Sheryl Holland for sharing this).

Levi Hensley married Anna --- in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC and moved to Clay Co, KY afterwards. See his own page for additional information.

Unknown Daughter (1810/20). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1820 (age under 10, born ca 1810/20) but gone by 1830, so probably married or died by then.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). Since I don't have James' 1840 listing yet, I don't know if she was still at home in 1840. She was not with James in 1850.

Unknown Daughter (1825/30). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 (age under 5, born ca 1825/30). Since I don't have James' 1840 listing yet, I don't know if she was still at home in 1840. She was not with James in 1850.

Researcher List

1. James¹ Hensley , born 1779/80 in Henry Co, VA; died 16 Oct 1859 in Clay Co, KY, son of Henry "Harry" Hensley and Barbara Angel . He married in 1800/10 in Buncombe Co, NC Nancy (---) , born 1787/88 in VA; died 18 Jul 1862 in Clay Co, KY.

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

+ 2 i Levi² Hensley , born 1815/16 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married Anna (---) .

Generation 2

2. Levi² Hensley (James¹), born 1815/16 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married in 1830/32 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Anna (---) , born 1819/20 in NC.

Children of Levi Hensley and Anna (---) were as follows:

+ 3 i Squire³ Hensley , born 1831/32 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Elizabeth (---) .

+ 4 ii Andrew³ Hensley , born 1834/35 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Sylvania (---) .

5 iii John³ Hensley , born 1836/37 in Yancey Co, NC.

6 iv Matilda³ Hensley , born 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC.

7 v Sally³ Hensley , born 1839/40 in Yancey Co, NC.

8 vi Henry³ Hensley , born 1844/45 in Clay Co, KY.

9 vii Judy³ Hensley , born 1846/47 in Clay Co, KY.

10 viii Isham³ Hensley , born 1848/49 in Clay Co, KY.

Generation 3

3. Squire³ Hensley (Levi², James¹), born 1831/32 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1850/57 in Clay Co, KY Elizabeth (---) , born 1837/38 in Clay Co, KY.

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

11 i Nancy⁴ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Clay Co, KY.

12 ii Thomas⁴ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Clay Co, KY.

4. Andrew³ Hensley (Levi², James¹), born 1834/35 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1850/59 in Clay Co, KY Sylvania (---) , born 1840/41 in Clay Co, KY.

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

13 i John⁴ Hensley , born 1858/59 in Clay Co, KY.