William A. Hensley (c1798) and Lucinda Higgins of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC and Washington and Unicoi Co, TN

William A. Hensley was born ca 1797/98 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). I have a birth date of 18 Sep 1798 for him, but I don't know what the source for that is. I don't know what the "A" middle initial was for. I did find one record in Yancey County, NC for an "Avery" Hensley, and I have not been able to figure out who that was, so perhaps that is William Avery Hensley. However, that is just a guess.

William A. Hensley is a son of Henry Hensley Sr and Barbara Angel. I have not seen any direct proof that they are his parents, but their is ample evidence to support it, primarily in that Barbara lived with William throughout her many years of widowhood.

William was apparently with his parents for the 1800 census in Buncombe County, NC, in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800).

William was apparently with his parents for the 1810 census in Buncombe County, NC, in the age 10-15 category (born ca 1794/1800).

William was apparently with his parents for the 1820 census in Buncombe County, NC, in the age 16-25 category (born ca 1794/1804).

William A. Hensley married Lucinda Higgins sometime, in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). I once had her maiden name as "Maney", but I don't know what the source for that is. Recently Beth Bradford discovered the death certificate for William and Lucinda's son John, and it lists Lucinda as a "Higgins." Beth believes this is the same Lucinda Higgins who is a daughter of Holland Higgins and his first wife (name unknown). It fits really well so I think she is correct. Lucinda was born ca 1804/05 in North Carolina, perhaps in Buncombe Co., NC.

I have their marriage date as ca 1820/25. It is possible that they were not married until after 1830. Lucinda was born ca 1804/05, and there was no one her age with William on the 1830 census. There was one female born ca 1790/1800, but that is most likely William's sister Zania Hensley (1792/93) who resided with him (as did their mother) after the death of their father Henry Hensley in the 1820's.

William A. Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County, NC, with a full household, including, apparently, his widowed mother, his unmarried sister (Zania) and possibly several nephews. They were listed next door to John McElroy and Charles Roberson. Berry Hensley (c1783) was just 6 houses away.

If William wasn't already married by 1830 (and it does not appear that he was), the he married Lucinda Higgins between ca 1830 and 1833.

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from Buncombe County, including the area where the Hensleys lived.

William A. Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey County, NC. He was listed next to Bannister Hensley (c1811) and John Higgins. It is possible that Bannister was the male born ca 1810/15 with William A. Hensley in 1830. William still had lots of "extra" people with him, including, apparently, his mother Barbara, and sister Zania, and several children, most probably his and Lucinda's, but also some others who might be nephews.

In the mid to late 1840's, William A. Hensley moved his family over into nearby Washington Co, TN. There were several Hensley's already there, all apparently closely related. William's brother Benjamin Hensley had been there for several years by then.

William A. Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 census in Washington Co, TN. His widowed mother Barbara, and his sister Zania were still with him. William was listed next door to William S. Hensley (c1811), relationship unknown. William A. Hensley was just three houses from his brother Benjamin Hensley.

William and family were still in Washington Co, TN for the 1860 census. His mother had died in the 1850's, but his sister Zania was still home with him. There were several other Hensley's listed nearby them in 1860.

William and family were still in Washington Co, TN for the 1870 census. Sister Zania seemed to be gone, so she might have died in the 1860's. They were on page 380: William A. Hensley-71, born NC, Lucinda-67, born NC, Mary E-12, born TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

William and Lucinda were listed together in Unicoi Co, TN in 1880 (which was formed in 1875 from part of Washington). ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

I have no data on the family beyond this point yet. I have a death date for William of 5 Nov 1889 in Unicoi Co, TN. I'm not sure what the source for that date is.

Children

William A. Hensley and Lucinda Higgins had at least eight children, one of which is unidentified. There were some other male children with William in 1830 and 1840 who could be his own sons, but I think they were likely nephews instead. If they were his, that means he was married to someone else before Lucinda. Considering that several of these older ones are not his children, but for the sake of not losing track of them, I'm including them her for analysis.

Unknown Male (c1810/15). William A. Hensley had a male this age with him for the 1830 census. I doubt it is his own child. He was possibly a younger brother (unlikely due to his mother's age in this timeframe, she would have been 55 in 1810, so it is unlikely, but still possible). Whoever this was, he was not with William in 1840, so married or died by then. Bannister Hensley (c1811) was living next door to William in 1840, so that makes him a good candidate.

Back in 1820, Henry Hensley (William's father) had one male with him, aged "Under 10", or born ca 1810/20. This could be this same child. It has occurred to me that perhaps this child, and the others, are children of Zania Hensley, William's sister. She never married, but could have had several children out of wedlock. This is just a theory, I have no real evidence to back that up.

Unknown Male (c1815/20). William A. Hensley had a male this age with him for the 1830 census. I doubt it is his own child. It is not possible that he is a younger brother, as Barbary (his mother) would have been 60 in 1815. Whoever this was, he was not with William in 1840, so married or died by then. There were several male Hensley's in the Yancey County area who fall in this age group, who's parents have not been identified.

Back in 1820, Henry Hensley (William's father) had one male with him, aged "Under 10", or born ca 1810/20. This could be this same child, or the older one (c1810/15) mentioned above. It has occurred to me that perhaps this child, and the others, are children of Zania Hensley, William's sister. She never married, but could have had several children out of wedlock. This is just a theory, I have no real evidence to back that up.

Unknown Male (c1820/25). William A. Hensley had a male this age with him for the 1830 and 1840 census. This could be his own child, if he was married prior to marrying Lucinda Higgins. However, for some reason, I don't think it is his son, but probably a nephew. I could be wrong though. Whoever this was, he was gone from William's household by 1850, so married or died in the 1840's.

There were a couple of Hensley's in Washington Co, TN and Yancey Co, NC in 1850 that fit this age group, and one of these could be this same person: Daniel P. Hensley (c1820) (unlikely), Henry Hensley (c1825) (unlikely). Both of those were in Washington Co, TN, but both were born in TN, while William's family was still in NC. In Yancey Co, NC in 1850, there was William B. Hensley (c1821). For various reasons, I don't consider any of these three strong suspects.

Unknown Male (c1825/30). William A. Hensley had a male this age with him for the 1840 census, (but not in 1830). This could be his own child, if he was married prior to marrying Lucinda Higgins. However, for some reason, I don't think it is his son, but probably a nephew. I could be wrong though. Whoever this was, he was gone from William's household by 1850, so married or died in the 1840's.

Robert Burton Hensley was born ca 1831/32 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. (I have a birth date of 2 Mar 1833 for Robert, but I don't know the source).

Robert was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census, and with them in 1850.

On 25 Mar 1853, "Burton Hensley" obtained a marriage bond in Washington Co, TN to marry Catherine Edwards. The marriage was dated 31 Mar 1853.

Robert and family were listed on the 1860 census in Washington Co, TN two houses from his parents. The birth place of their oldest child was North Carolina, so it would seem they moved back to Yancey County briefly, or were just visiting when the child was born.

They were still in Washington for the 1870 census just one page away from his parents: pg 381 Robert B. Hensley-32, Cathrine J-34, Cornelius-14, Elvira-12, John-9, Martha J-7. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Robert and family were in Unicoi Co, TN for the 1880 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Elizabeth Hensley was born ca 1833/34 in Yancey Co, NC. She was apparently home with her parents in 1840 and with them in 1850. She was not home in 1860, so probably had married or died by then.

I found four Elizabeth Hensley marriages in the 1850's in Washington Co, TN. I don't know which of these (if any) are this Elizabeth. One married John Harris on 3 Oct 1852; one married Thomas E. Tilson on 13 Feb 1853; one married James Watts on 15 Jan 1857; and one married David P. White on 18 Aug 1859.

A simple check of the 1860 census will probably reveal which of these is this Elizabeth. I'll check that when I'm able to.

Louisa Jane Hensley was born ca 1835/36 in Yancey Co, NC. She was apparently home with her parents in 1840 and with them in 1850. She was not home in 1860, so probably had married or died by then.

There was a marriage dated 31 Jul 1858 (marriage bond dated 28 Jul 1858) between Jane Hensley and Howell Edwards in Washington Co, TN. This might be the same Jane, as this Howell is a brother of Catherine Edwards who married Jane's brother Robert B. Hensley.

They were listed on the 1860 census in Washington Co, TN next door to Armstrong Hensley.

In 1880 they were in Unicoi County, Tennessee in Coffee Ridge Township near several other Hensleys. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Richmond Hensley was born ca 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC. He was apparently home with his parents in 1840 and with them in 1850. He was not home in 1860, so probably had married or died by then.

I didn't find Richmond Hensley on the 1860 census, nor in the Washington Co, TN marriage records. He may have died in the 1850/60 timeframe, or moved away.

Unknown Daughter (c1835/40). William A. Hensley had a female child this age with him on the 1840 census. Whoever she was, she was gone from his household by 1850, so she may have died by then, or possibly married. She could have been as much as 15 years old by 1850, so marriage is possible.

There were some female Hensley marriages in the 1840's in Washington Co, TN, but no likely candidates for this daughter. That makes me believe she probably died between 1840 and 1850.

John Hensley was born ca 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC. He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census.

John Hensley obtained a marriage bond in Washington Co, TN on 20 Jan 1864 to marry Mary K. Edwards. They married on 23 Jan 1864. I don't believe she was a sister to the two other Edwards who married into this family, but she may have been related to them somehow.

John Hensley and family were listed on the 1870 census in Washington Co, TN on the same page as his parents (page 380): John Hensley-29 NC, Mary-25 NC, Nancy E-5 TN, Martha C-3 TN, Lucinda-2 TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

John and family were listed on the 1880 census in Unicoi Co, TN. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Barbary Hensley was born ca 1843/44 in Yancey Co, NC. She was home with her parents in 1850 and 1860. She was not home in 1870, so probably had married or died by then.

Silas Hensley was born ca 1844/45 in Yancey Co, NC. He was home with his parents in 1850 and 1860. I have a birth date of 2 Nov 1845 for Silas Hensley, but I don't know what the source for that is.

Silas Hensley married Sarah --- ca 1867 in Washington Co, TN. I didn't find a marriage record for them, and I have no clues as to her maiden name.

Silas and family were listed on the 1870 census in Washington Co, TN on the same page with his parents (page 380): Silas Hensley-25 NC, Sarah-25 NC, William G-2 TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Silas and family were on the 1880 census in Unicoi Co, TN. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Researcher List

1. William A¹ Hensley , born 18 Sep 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 5 Nov 1889 in Unicoi Co, TN, son of Henry "Harry" Hensley and Barbara Angel . He married in 1830/33 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Lucinda Higgins , born 1804/05 in NC; died aft 1880 in Unicoi Co, TN.

Children of William A Hensley and Lucinda Higgins were as follows:

+ 2 i Robert Burton² Hensley , born 2 Mar 1833 in Yancey Co, NC; died 25 Feb 1905 in Unicoi Co, TN. He married Catherine J Edwards .

3 ii Elizabeth² Hensley , born 1833/34 in Yancey Co, NC.

4 iii Jane² Hensley , born 1835/36 in Yancey Co, NC. She married on 31 Jul 1858 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN) Howell Edwards , born 1836/37 in Washington Co, TN, son of John Edwards .

5 iv Richmond² Hensley , born 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 6 v John² Hensley , born 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Unicoi Co, TN. He married Mary K Edwards .

7 vi Barbary² Hensley , born 1843/44 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 8 vii Silas² Hensley , born 2 Nov 1845 in Yancey Co, NC; died 2 Nov 1935 in Unicoi Co, TN. He married Sarah (---) .

Generation 2

2. Robert Burton² Hensley (William A¹), born 2 Mar 1833 in Yancey Co, NC; died 25 Feb 1905 in Unicoi Co, TN. He married on 31 Mar 1853 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN) Catherine J Edwards , born 1833/34 in NC, daughter of John Edwards .

Children of Robert Burton Hensley and Catherine J Edwards were as follows:

9 i Cornelius³ Hensley , born 1853/54 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

10 ii Elvira³ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

11 iii John B³ Hensley , born 1860/61 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

12 iv Martha J³ Hensley , born 1862/63 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

13 v Polly A³ Hensley , born 1869/70 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

14 vi Lucinda E³ Hensley , born 1874/75 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

6. John² Hensley (William A¹), born 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Unicoi Co, TN. He married on 23 Jan 1864 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN) Mary K Edwards , born 1844/45 in NC; died aft 1880 in Unicoi Co, TN.

Children of John Hensley and Mary K Edwards were as follows:

15 i Nancy E³ Hensley , born 1864/65 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

16 ii Martha C³ Hensley , born 1866/67 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

17 iii Lucinda E³ Hensley , born 1867/68 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

18 iv Thomas W³ Hensley , born 1875/76 in Unicoi Co, TN.

19 v Robert B³ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Unicoi Co, TN.

8. Silas² Hensley (William A¹), born 2 Nov 1845 in Yancey Co, NC; died 2 Nov 1935 in Unicoi Co, TN. He married in 1860/68 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN) Sarah (---) , born 1844/45 in NC.

Children of Silas Hensley and Sarah (---) were as follows:

20 i William G³ Hensley , born 1867/68 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

21 ii Allison W³ Hensley , born 1872/73 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

22 iii Howell³ Hensley , born 1873/74 in Washington Co, TN (now Unicoi Co, TN).

23 iv Burgess G³ Hensley , born 1876/77 in Unicoi Co, TN.