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Benjamin Hensley (c1795) and Mary Ann McDavid of Sullivan and Greene Co., TN and Scott Co., VA |
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martygrant.com: Home > Genealogy > Hensley > Families > Benjamin
The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Benjamin Hensley as far as can be determined. He did live in the same county (Scott Co, VA) as my ancestor Larkin Hensley (c1761-1805), though many years later. Special thanks to Jim Brown, Laura Schreibman, Ruth Muench, Peg Shannon and a few others who have worked on this family and shared their findings with me, either directly or indirectly. Benjamin apparently lived in that border area where the four counties came together (Greene, Sullivan, Washington and Hawkins). This area is not far from Scott County, Virginia where Benjamin also lived briefly. Benjamin Hensley was born ca 1794/95 per his age of 55 on the 1850 census. None of his census records agree. In 1860 he was 66, or born ca 1793/94, and in 1870 he was 80, born ca 1789/90. I don't know which of the three is most accurate. He was born in Tennessee, presumably in Sullivan County. He is probably a son of Isom Hensley (c1760/70) though I have no direct proof of that connection, but it seems likely. He was nearby for the 1830 and 1840 census, and Benjamin did name his oldest son after him, apparently, and he followed Isom around somewhat from county to county. Presumably, Benjamin would have been home with his parents for the 1800 and 1810 census, but these records were lost for Tennessee. Benjamin Hensley married Mary Ann McDavid before 1820, probably in Sullivan Co, TN. Mary was born ca 1799/1800 in Tennessee. I've not seen any proof of her maiden name, but Jim Brown and others tell me she was a McDavid and a sister of Catherine and Jane who married Ben's probable brothers Samuel Hensley (c1790) and Isom Hensley (c1798). Benjamin was probably in Sullivan or Greene Co, TN at the time of the 1820 census, but unfortunately this census was lost for all of eastern Tennessee. Before 1825 Benjamin and his father Isom Sr, and brother Isom Jr all moved briefly to Scott Co., VA. Benjamin Hensley was listed there for the 1825 personal property tax list. He had 1 white male over 16 and 1 horse. Benjamin Hensley was still in Scott Co., VA for the 1826 tax list, with 1 white male over 16 and 1 horse. He was no longer in Scott County for the 1827 thru 1830 tax lists, so probably back to Sullivan Co., TN by then. Benjamin Hensley was found on the 1830 Sullivan Co, TN census. There were no other Hensley families listed close by, but his probable father Isom Hensley was just a few pages away. 1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 1830 Sullivan Co, TN pg 301 Benjamin Hensley 0200001000000-1100100000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Benjamin HENSLEY (1794/95) s/o Isom 2 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Isham HENSLEY (1818/19) son Michael HENSLEY (1819) son 1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Mary Ann McDAVID Hensley (1799/1800) wife 1 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Alesey HENSLEY (1823/24) daughter 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) Benjamin Hensley was back in Scott Co., VA by 1832 for he was listed there on the tax list that year with one while male over 16, no horses. He was not listed in Scott County 1833 through 1837, but he was again listed there in 1838 with 2 white males over 16. The second male was probably his son Isom/Isham who was about 18 then. Benjamin was not listed in Scott Co., VA for the 1839 tax list, so probably back to TN by then. By 1840 Benjamin Hensley was in Greene Co, TN. His probable father Isom Hensley was in the same county, and Ben's brother Samuel Hensley was also in Greene County, near Isom. 1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 1840 Greene Co, TN pg 76 Ben Hensley 0001101000000-0111010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 40-49 (1790-1800) Benjamin HENSLEY (1794/95) s/o Isom 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Isham HENSLEY (1818/19) son 1 Male(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Michael HENSLEY (1819) son 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Mary Ann McDAVID Hensley (1799/1800) wife 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Alesey HENSLEY (1823/24) daughter 1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) 1 Female(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Daughter? (1830/35) Benjamin and family were listed on the 1850 census, still in Greene Co, TN. There were several other Hensley families there for that census, but only one listed nearby, and that was Benjamin's probable son Isham Hensley (c1819), about 4 pages away.
1850 GREENE CO, TN Page 261B House/Family # 1819/1819 HENSLEY BENJAMIN 55 M W TENANT TN 1794/1795 HENSLEY MARY A 50 F W TN 1799/1800 HENSLEY ALESEY 23 F W TN 1826/1827 HENSLEY JOHN 8 M W TN 1841/1842 For the 1860 census, Benjamin and family were in neighboring Sullivan County, TN. The abstract shows some apparent grandchildren (or other relatives) residing with them. Nancy Fowler and her children were with them, relationship unknown. Is Nancy one of Benjamin's daughters? I don't think so. Read my commentary on her on the page for Isom Hensley (c1798) under his son Samuel Hensley who married one of Nancy's daughters.
1860 SULLIVAN CO, TN Page 125 House/Family # 7/ 7 -- CIVIL DISTRICT 5 HENSLEY BENJAMIN 66 M W DAY LABOR TN 1793/1794 HENSLEY MARYANN 50 F W DOMESTIC TN 1809/1810 HENSLEY ALLIS 38 F W TN 1821/1822 HENSLEY JOHN 18 M W DAY LABOR TN 1841/1842 FOWLER NANCY 33 F W DOMESTIC TN 1826/1827 HENSLEY WILLIAM 11 M W TN 1848/1849 HENSLEY JOHN 5 M W TN 1854/1855 HENSLEY ISHAM 6 M W TN 1853/1854 FOWLER ALLIS 11 F W TN 1848/1849 FOWLER M C 6 F W TN 1853/1854 FOWLER ARRENA 3 F W TN 1856/1857 FOWLER NANCY A 0 F W 5/12 TN 1859/1860 Mary Ann McDavid Hensley died between 1860 and 1870, in either Sullivan or Greene Co, TN. For the 1870 census, Benjamin was living with his son (or grandson) John Hensley (ca 1842) in Greene Co, TN.
1870 GREENE CO., TN P-H-F 370B-128-128--CIVIL DISTRICT 17 Twp CLEAR CREEK P.O. HENSLEY JOHN 28 M W FARMER 200 TN 1841/1842 HENSLEY MARIE 48 F W KEEPING HOUSE TN 1821/1822 HENSLEY MATHIAS 8 M W TN 1861/1862 HENSLEY BENJAMIN 80 M W TN 1789/1790 I don't know when Benjamin died, but it was sometime after 1870, and presumably in Greene Co, TN. I did not find him on the 1880 census. Children of Benjamin Hensley. Benjamin Hensley and Mary Ann McDavid had several children as proven by the various census records (1830-1870). Some of these aren't quite proven, and some are still unidentified. Unknown Son (c1820). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age. In 1830, he was listed as age 5-9 (born ca 1820/25), and in 1840 he was age 20-29 (born ca 1810/20). The only way to reconcile these two is if the son was born ca 1820. This is quite probably Isham Hensley (c1820). Isham's age varies from census to census, but three census records out of five, give his age consistently that works out to ca 1819/20. Isham is not proven, but he was always very close to Benjamin, and it does seem likely that he is his son. See Isham's own page for more information on him. Unknown Son (1820/25). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent son this age. In 1830, he was listed as age 5-9 (born ca 1820/25), and in 1840 he was age 15-19 (born ca 1820/25). This is probably Michael "Red Mike" Hensley (c1825), who was, according to Jim Brown, called "Red Mike" in order to distinguish himself from his 1st cousin Michael "Black Mike" Hensley (c1823). Presumably the nicknames had to do with their hair color. See his own page for more on him. Alesey Hensley was born ca 1823/24 in TN, presumably in Sullivan County. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1830 and 1840 census. She was with them in 1850 in Greene Co, TN and with them in 1860 Sullivan Co, TN. Alesey was a single mother, with at least two children born out of wedlock, the first born ca 1849. In the 1850 census listing, her first son William was not listed, though he ought to have been. In 1860 she was with her parents, and her children were with her, as well as some others.
1860 SULLIVAN CO, TN Page 125 House/Family # 7/ 7 -- CIVIL DISTRICT 5 HENSLEY BENJAMIN 66 M W DAY LABOR TN 1793/1794 HENSLEY MARYANN 50 F W DOMESTIC TN 1809/1810 HENSLEY ALLIS 38 F W TN 1821/1822 HENSLEY JOHN 18 M W DAY LABOR TN 1841/1842 FOWLER NANCY 33 F W DOMESTIC TN 1826/1827 HENSLEY WILLIAM 11 M W TN 1848/1849 HENSLEY JOHN 5 M W TN 1854/1855 HENSLEY ISHAM 6 M W TN 1853/1854 FOWLER ALLIS 11 F W TN 1848/1849 FOWLER M C 6 F W TN 1853/1854 FOWLER ARRENA 3 F W TN 1856/1857 FOWLER NANCY A 0 F W 5/12 TN 1859/1860 Alesey was in Washington Co, TN for the 1870 census.
1870 WASHINGTON CO., VA P-H-F 386-7-7--19th DISTRICT Twp FALL BRANCH P.O. HENSLEY ALSEY 46 F W KEEPING HOUSE TN 1823/1824 HENSLEY JOHN 16 M W WORKS ON FARM TN 1853/1854 HENSLEY ISHAM 10 M W AT HOME TN 1859/1860 Alesey was residing with her son William Hensley in 1880 in Greene Co, TN. This record shows her to be his mother, and gives her marital status as Single. Isham Hensley (c1854) was with them also, but listed as a nephew of William. Isham had been with Alesey in 1860 and 1870, but was not her son, apparently. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet. I have no data on Alesey after 1880 yet. Unknown Daughter (1825/30). Benjamin Hensley had an apparent daughter this age. In 1830, she was listed as age "under 5", (born ca 1825/30), and in 1840 she was age 10-14 (born ca 1825/30). She was not home with Benjamin in 1850, so possibly married or dead by then. Unknown Daughter born ca 1830/35. She was with her parents for the 1840 census. She was not with the family in 1850, so probably had married or died by then. John Hensley was born ca 1841/42, presumably in Greene Co, TN. At his age he could be a grandson of Benjamin and Mary instead of their son, but I think he is their youngest son. He was with them for the 1850 and 1860 census. He married Miriam Fincher on 27 Dec 1861 in Greene Co, TN. Miriam was born ca 1821/22 in TN, making her 20 years older than John. I don't know who her parents are. Fincher might not be her maiden name, as she may have been previously married. I'm not sure about that yet. They were listed on the 1870 census in Greene Co, TN with John's widowed father Benjamin Hensley residing with them.
1870 GREENE CO., TN P-H-F 370B-128-128--CIVIL DISTRICT 17 Twp CLEAR CREEK P.O. HENSLEY JOHN 28 M W FARMER 200 TN 1841/1842 HENSLEY MARIE 48 F W KEEPING HOUSE TN 1821/1822 HENSLEY MATHIAS 8 M W TN 1861/1862 HENSLEY BENJAMIN 80 M W TN 1789/1790 In 1880, John and Miriam were in Greene Co, TN. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet. Persons researching this family (Contact me to add, change or delete your listing here):
1. Benjamin1 Hensley, born 1794/95 in Sullivan Co, TN; died 1870/80 in Greene Co, TN, son of Isom Hensley and ? (---). He married bef 1820 in Sullivan Co, TN Mary Ann McDavid, born 1799/1800 in TN; died 1860/70 in Greene Co, TN.
Children of Benjamin Hensley and Mary Ann McDavid were as follows: + 2 i Isham2 Hensley, born 1819/20 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Washington Co, TN. He married Arena (---). + 3 ii Alesey2 Hensley, born 1823/24 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. She married ? (---). + 4 iii Michael "Red Mike"2 Hensley, born 1824/25 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Washington Co, TN. He married Christina Fowler. + 5 iv John2 Hensley, born 1841/42 in Greene Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. He married Miriam Fincher.
Generation 2
2. Isham2 Hensley (Benjamin1), born 1819/20 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Washington Co, TN. He married in 1840/50 in Greene Co, TN Arena (---), born 1831/32 in TN; died aft 1880 in Washington Co, TN.
Children of Isham Hensley and Arena (---) were as follows: 6 i Elizabeth3 Hensley, born 1850/51 in Greene Co, TN. + 7 ii Samuel3 Hensley, born 1855/56 in Greene Co, TN. He married Louisa (---). 8 iii Catherine Melissa3 Hensley, born 1857/58 in Greene Co, TN. 9 iv Mary Alice3 Hensley, born 1861/62 in Greene Co, TN. 10 v Nicie Jane3 Hensley, born 1863/64 in Greene Co, TN.
3. Alesey2 Hensley (Benjamin1), born 1823/24 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. She married Not married ? (---).
Children of Alesey Hensley and ? (---) were as follows: + 11 i William3 Hensley, born 1848/49 in VA; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. He married Margaret (---). 12 ii Isham3 Hensley, born 1853/54 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. 13 iii John3 Hensley, born 1854/55 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1870 in Washington Co, TN.
4. Michael "Red Mike"2 Hensley (Benjamin1), born 1824/25 in Sullivan Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Washington Co, TN. He married in 1840/48 in TN Christina Fowler, born 1831/32 in TN; died aft 1880 in Washington Co, TN.
Children of Michael "Red Mike" Hensley and Christina Fowler were as follows: 14 i Sarah3 Hensley, born 1847/48 in Greene Co, TN. 15 ii Mary E3 Hensley, born 1851/52 in Greene Co, TN. + 16 iii William A3 Hensley, born 1853/54 in Greene Co, TN. He married Sarah A (---). 17 iv Alsy J3 Hensley, born 1854/55 in Greene Co, TN. 18 v Joseph H3 Hensley, born 1858/59 in Washington Co, TN. 19 vi James M3 Hensley, born 1861/62 in Greene Co, TN. 20 vii Ester3 Hensley, born 1862/63 in Greene Co, TN. 21 viii Thomas3 Hensley, born 1864/65 in Greene Co, TN. 22 ix Benjamin3 Hensley, born 1865/66 in Greene Co, TN. 23 x Stuart Van Zant3 Hensley, born 1867/68 in Greene Co, TN. 24 xi John3 Hensley, born 1871/72 in Washington Co, TN. 25 xii Martha3 Hensley, born 1873/74 in Washington Co, TN.
5. John2 Hensley (Benjamin1), born 1841/42 in Greene Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. He married on 27 Dec 1861 in Greene Co, TN Miriam Fincher, born 1821/22 in TN; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN.
Children of John Hensley and Miriam Fincher were as follows: 26 i Winton Matthias3 Hensley, born 1861/62 in Washington Co, TN.
Generation 3
7. Samuel3 Hensley (Isham2, Benjamin1), born 1855/56 in Greene Co, TN. He married in 1870/78 in Greene Co, TN Louisa (---), born 1858/59 in TN.
Children of Samuel Hensley and Louisa (---) were as follows: 27 i Arena4 Hensley, born 1877/78 in Greene Co, TN.
11. William3 Hensley (Alesey2 Hensley, Benjamin1), born 1848/49 in VA; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, TN. He married bef 1870 in Greene Co, TN Margaret (---), born 1849/50 in TN.
Children of William Hensley and Margaret (---) were as follows: 28 i Mary A4 Hensley, born 1869/70 in Greene Co, TN. 29 ii John4 Hensley, born 1873/74 in Greene Co, TN.
16. William A3 Hensley (Michael "Red Mike"2, Benjamin1), born 1853/54 in Greene Co, TN. He married in 1870/75 in Washington Co, TN Sarah A (---), born 1858/59 in TN.
Children of William A Hensley and Sarah A (---) were as follows: 30 i Mollie A4 Hensley, born 1874/75 in Washington Co, TN. 31 ii Debbie J4 Hensley, born 1875/76 in Washington Co, TN. 32 iii James F4 Hensley, born 1877/78 in Washington Co, TN. 33 iv Matthew4 Hensley, born 1878/79 in Washington Co, TN. 34 v Elijah4 Hensley, born 1878/79 in Washington Co, TN. |
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