Obadiah Hensley and Mary --- of Franklin, Overton and White Co, TN

Obadiah Hensley was born ca 1785/86 in Virginia. I don't know what county he was born in.

I do not know who Obadiah's parents were. However, Don Godfrey offers an interesting theory that Obadiah may be a son of Benjamin Hensley (bef 1755) of Burke and McDowell Co, NC. He could be correct, for he found that Obadiah was listed on the 1805 tax list in Burke Co, NC as was Benjamin. This puts them in close proximity to one another, so it does fit.

Since Obadiah was born ca 1786 in Virginia, he may have still been there for the 1787 state census. This particular census didn't give much information, but it did show that there were Hensley families in only a small number of Virginia Counties. It is likely that one of these is Obadiah's family. (See 1787 Virginia Census for list of the Hensley households): Albemarle, Bedford, Buckingham, Culpeper, Fayette, Pittsylvania, Russell, Spotsylvania, and Washington County. I'd suspect that these counties are the only places one should look for Obadiah's roots, but it is possible he was from some other Virginia county. If he is Benjamin's son, then he probably came to North Carolina while very small.

Obadiah would presumably have been home with his parents for the 1790, 1800 and 1810 census. The trouble is that these particular census years are lost for both Virginia and Tennessee (the 1810 census for Virginia is extant for only about half the counties). I don't know where Obadiah's family would have been during those years, either still in Virginia, or already in Tennessee. If he was Benjamin Hensley's son, then he was probably home with Benjamin in Burke County in 1790 and 1800 and 1810.

Don Godfrey found where Obadiah Hensley was listed on the 1805 tax list in Burke County. I don't have the details of his entry.

I don't know when Obadiah moved to Tennessee, but he was listed on the 1812 tax list in Franklin Co, TN. That is the first record I've found for him. He was the only Hensley listed there that year.

Obadiah Hensley married Mary "Polly" --- ca 1815 or so, either in Franklin Co, TN or in Overton Co, TN. I have no clues to her maiden name.

Franklin County was in central and southern Tennessee. However, Obadiah moved to Overton County, Tennessee (the north central part of the state) by 1820. Overton County bordered on Kentucky, so perhaps Obadiah had relatives in Kentucky (lots of Hensleys there).

Obadiah Hensley was listed on the 1820 census in Overton County, TN. He was the only Hensley there that year. Both Obadiah and his wife were listed in the age "45 and up" category (born before 1775), which is actually too old, so that might mean that this is not the same Obadiah, or perhaps it is just a census mistake.

Obadiah Hensley was still in Overton County for the 1830 census. Once again he was listed slightly too old, but I'm reasonably sure it is the same Obadiah Hensley later found in White Co, TN. Also once again, Obadiah was the only Hensley in this county this year. He apparently had two "extra" females with in 1830, one born ca 1800/10, and one born ca 1815/20, neither of which were with him back in 1820, suggesting that they were boarders of some sort, perhaps younger sisters, or sister-in-laws. It is quite possible that this was Elizabeth Hensley (c1800) residing with him. It is also quite possible that it was Sarah Hensley (c1802) with him instead (or perhaps both, if one of their ages is off).

Obadiah and family moved to neighboring White County, Tennessee sometime in the 1830's.

Obadiah Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in White Co, TN. He was not the only Hensley there that year. There were two others, but not listed near him: Charles Hensley (c1793) and Sarah Hensley (c1802). I don't know if Obadiah was related to either of these other Hensleys. I've seen nothing (so far) to suggest any kind of connection other than them living in the same county. The 1840 census for Overton County shows, that although Obadiah had moved out, there was still a Hensley there that year: Elizabeth Hensley (c1800) (who, perhaps not coincidentally, moved to White Co, TN by 1850).

Obadiah and family were listed in White Co, TN for the 1850 census. There were other Hensleys in White Co, TN in 1850 also, but none listed anywhere close by. There were some young children with the family who were too young to be their own kids, so are probably grandchildren instead.

Mary, widow of Obadiah, was listed on the 1870 census in White Co, TN, residing with her son Daniel Logan Hensley.

Children

Obadiah and Mary had several children per the 1820 through 1850 census records. In 1850, they had several children with them that are probably grandchildren instead of their own kids, but to keep them together, I'm listing them as children, pending other information about how they fit in.

Unknown Female (1800/10). Obadiah Hensley had a female this age with him for the 1830 census, but none this age with him previously in 1820, so I doubt this is his own child. She is too old to be his anyway, so probably a sister, or sister-in-law. She was no longer with him in 1840.

I have no proof, but this might be Elizabeth Hensley (c1800) who was in Overton Co, TN and White Co, TN. If so, then she may be Obadiah's sister, or perhaps niece instead.

Unknown Son (1810/15). Obadiah Hensley had an apparent son this age with him for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), but he was not with Obadiah in 1840, so probably had married or died by then.

Unknown Female (1815/20). Obadiah Hensley had a female this age with him for the 1830 census, but she was not with him previously in 1820, so this may not be his own child, but a boarder instead. She was no longer with him in 1840. It is possible that she was his child if born in the year 1820, but after the census taker came.

Unknown Son (1820/25). Obadiah Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and with him still in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but he was gone by 1850, so married or dead by then.

This could be Obadiah Hensley (c1822) who married Elizabeth Jane Mason in White Co, TN on 23 Dec 1841, and soon moved to Washington Co, Missouri. The age, the marriage location, and the name all "fit" to make this younger Obadiah a suspect to be a son of the elder Obadiah. If he wasn't his son, then at least he was a relative of some sort.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). Obadiah Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and with him still in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but she was gone by 1850, so married or dead by then.

This might be Nancy Hensley (c1825/26) who married Barney Harlow on 12 Dec 1843 in White Co, TN. In 1850, they were just a few houses from Obadiah Hensley.

Unknown Son (1825/30). Obadiah Hensley had an apparent son this age with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), but he was gone by 1840, so married or dead by then. That is too soon for him to have married, most likely.

I'm not sure if Mary is a child of Obadiah or not. Her age causes a problem. In 1850, she was residing with Obadiah, listed as 22 years old (born ca 1828), however, Obadiah had no daughter this age with him in 1830 or 1840. He did have an apparent daughter born ca 1820/25 with him those years who is otherwise unaccounted for. If her age in 1850 was off, then this might be the same daughter.

Mary was not with Obadiah in 1860, so perhaps had married or died by then. I didn't find a marriage record for her in White Co, TN.

John Calvin Hensley was born ca 1837/38 in White Co, TN. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census, and was with them in 1850, listed as "Calvin".

On 19 Mar 1859, "John Calvin Hensly" obtained a marriage bond in White Co, TN to marry Colitry Helen Copeland. (Listed as "Calista" on later records). They married on 20 Mar 1859.

John and Calista moved to Morgan County, Alabama by 1860. They were listed there on the 1860 census. They were the only Hensleys in Morgan County in 1860 (though some had been there back in 1850, but were gone by 1860).

They had moved to neighboring Lawrence County, Alabama by the time of the 1880 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Daniel Logan Hensley was born ca 1841/42 in White Co, TN. He was home with his parents for the 1850 census (listed as "Logan"), and with them still in 1860 (listed as "Logan").

Logan Hensley married Susanna Young in White Co, TN on 21 Nov 1867 (date of marriage bond). The marriage record showed "Daniel L. Hensley" and "Sousanner Young".

They were listed on the 1870 census in White Co, TN with Logan's widowed mother Mary residing with them: Daniel L. Hensley-26, Susanna-26, Sarah M-1, Mary-80. Page 375. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Lawson Hensley was born ca 1842/43 in White Co, TN. (Ruth Marchman's research shows his full name as Eli Lawson Hensley, and she has a birth date of 13 Jan 1843 for him).

Lawson Hensley married Margaret E. --- before ca 1865. Ruth Marchman's research shows her maiden name as "Herd", and that they married 27 Feb 1864 in Dekalb Co, TN (which borders White Co, TN).

Lawson and wife were listed on the 1870 census in White Co, TN: Lawson Hensley-27, Margarett E-21, Pary F-5, James L-3, Mary J-1. Page 318. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Elizabeth Jones Hensley was born ca 1846/47 in White Co, TN. It is very likely that Elizabeth was a grandchild of Obadiah and Mary, instead of their child. First of all, Mary would have been about 58 when Elizabeth was born, and that is highly unlikely. Also, Elizabeth was listed as "Elizabeth Jones" on the 1850 census. In 1860, she was still with Obadiah and Mary, but listed as Elizabeth Hensley then. I don't know if her name should be "Jones" or "Hensley".

I didn't find Elizabeth on the 1870 census, nor did I find a marriage record for her.

Mary Hensley was born ca 1850 in White Co, TN. It is very likely that Mary was a grandchild of Obadiah and Mary, instead of their child. First of all, Mary (Sr) would have been about 62 when Mary (Jr) was born. Mary (Jr) was with Obadiah and Mary for the 1850 and 1860 census.

I didn't find Mary on the 1870 census, nor did I find a marriage record for her.

Researcher List

1. Obadiah¹ Hensley , born 1785/86 in VA; died 1860/70 in White Co, TN. He married bef 1820 in Overton Co, TN Mary "Polly" (---) , born 1787/88 in NC; died aft 1870 in White Co, TN.

Children of Obadiah Hensley and Mary "Polly" (---) were as follows:

2 i Mary "Polly"² Hensley , born 1827/28 in Overton Co, TN.

+ 3 ii John Calvin² Hensley , born 1838/39 in White Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Lawrence Co, AL. He married Calista Helen Copeland .

+ 4 iii Daniel Logan² Hensley , born 1841/42 in White Co, TN. He married Susanna Young .

+ 5 iv Lawson² Hensley , born 1842/43 in White Co, TN. He married Margaret E (---) .

6 v Elizabeth Jane² Hensley , born 1846/47 in White Co, TN.

7 vi Mary² Hensley , born 1849/50 in White Co, TN.

Generation 2

3. John Calvin² Hensley (Obadiah¹), born 1838/39 in White Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Lawrence Co, AL. He married on 20 Mar 1859 in White Co, TN Calista Helen Copeland , born 1842/43 in White Co, TN, daughter of James W Copeland and Margaret (---) .

Children of John Calvin Hensley and Calista Helen Copeland were as follows:

8 i Margaret³ Hensley , born 1859/60 in White Co, TN.

9 ii Nettie P³ Hensley , born 1863/64 in Morgan Co, AL.

10 iii Minnie J³ Hensley , born 1865/66 in Morgan Co, AL.

11 iv Elizabeth³ Hensley , born Nov 1869 in Morgan Co, AL.

12 v Marinda³ Hensley , born 1871/72 in Morgan Co, AL.

13 vi Mary J³ Hensley , born 1874/75 in Lawrence Co, AL.

14 vii Edgar M³ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Lawrence Co, AL.

4. Daniel Logan² Hensley (Obadiah¹), born 1841/42 in White Co, TN. He married on 21 Nov 1867 in White Co, TN Susanna Young , born 1843/44 in TN.

Children of Daniel Logan Hensley and Susanna Young were as follows:

15 i Sarah M³ Hensley , born 1868/69 in White Co, TN.

5. Lawson² Hensley (Obadiah¹), born 1842/43 in White Co, TN. He married in 1860/65 in White Co, TN Margaret E (---) , born 1848/49 in TN.

Children of Lawson Hensley and Margaret E (---) were as follows:

16 i Pary F³ Hensley , born 1864/65 in White Co, TN.

17 ii James L³ Hensley , born 1866/67 in White Co, TN.

18 iii Mary J³ Hensley , born 1868/69 in White Co, TN.