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I (Marty Grant) am not related to Blasen Jim Hensley as far as I know.
First off, I don't know if "Blasen Jim" (a.k.a. "Blasengim") is actually this persons name, or if it is a nickname. I've seen others claim that "Blasengim Hensley" was the same person as James B. Hensley (c1805) of Yancey Co, NC, but I believe the records do not agree with that conclusion. If this persons name was James Blasengim Hensley, then why not use that name on the records? This person under study here always was listed as "Blasengim" or something similar, and never as "James B." I don't have any idea what the origin of this unusual name might be. Nor am I sure the correct way to represent it. Is it one word, i.e. "Blasengim" as seen in some records, or is it two words, i.e. "Blasen Jim" as seen in others. For the sake of consistency, I'll refer to him as "Blasen Jim Hensley".
Blasen Jim Hensley was born ca 1800/10 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). This is based on his age on the 1830 census (age 20-29, born ca 1800/10) and his age in 1840 (age 30-39, born ca 1800/10). I have no other references to narrow it down any further.
I don't know who Blasen Jim's parents were. There are several possibilities. I've done some census analysis to try to narrow the suspects down a little, but that isn't conclusive, but it should be somewhat helpful. Presumably, he would have been home with his parents for the 1810 and 1820 census (assuming he wasn't an orphan and raised by someone else).
In 1810, Blasen Jim would have presumably been enumerated in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10). In 1810 there were several Hensley households in Buncombe with at least one male under age 10 (born ca 1800/10). One of these might be parents of Blasen Jim Hensley: James Hensley (c1780), John Hensley (c1765/74), Washington Hensley (1774/84), James Hensley (bef 1755), Benjamin Hensley (c1790), Berry Hensley (c1783), Henry Hensley (c1781), Colbert Hensley (c1760/65), and Lewis Hensley (c1784/90). Those are too many choices!
In 1820, Blasen Jim Hensley could have been in either the age 10-15 group (born 1804/1810), or in the 16-25 group (1794/1804), depending on when he was born exactly. In 1820, there were only four Hensley households with at least one male age 10-15 (c1804/10), which might be parents of Blasen Jim Hensley: James Hensley (c1780), John Hensley (c1794/1800), Benjamin Hensley (c1790), and Berry Hensley (c1783). That narrows down the list of suspects considerably, but still does not prove who his parents were. Since he might have been in the age 16-25 (c1794/1804) category in 1820 instead, that adds one more possibility: Harry Hensley Sr (bef 1755).
Of course the above does not mean he had to be a child of one of those listed. There are other possibilities as well. (For example, he could have been orphaned, and raised by other relatives, or his father could have died, and his mother remarried, and he was in the household of a step-father).
Blasen Jim Hensley married someone ca 1825/30 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). I don't know who she was, but they had at least one child (born ca 1825/30) so that is what I base the probably marriage years on.
Blasen Jim. Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County, NC, or at least I think he was. He was listed by his initial only, "B. Hensely", so it might not be him, but I'm fairly sure it is him. He was next door to Pleasant Hensley (c1799) who was next to James Hensley (c1780). Blasen Jim's other neighbor was "M. Wardrope". James Hensley could easily be Blasen Jim's father, but I have no proof (other than them being near each other) that this is so.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Buncombe County, NC pg 285 B. Hensely 1000100000000-0001000000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Blasengim HENSLEY (1800/10) 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1810-1815) Wife? (1810/15)
Blasen Jim Hensley moved to Clay Co, KY between 1830 and 1840. He was not listed there on the tax lists for 1830 through 1840 though. Even though he was not on the 1840 tax list there, he was on the 1840 census in Clay Co, KY. He was on the same page with Henry Hensley (c1802) and Nancy Hensley (c1790/1800). Blasenjim's wife in 1840 was in the 1800/1810 age group, but back in 1830 she was in the 1810/15 group. This could be the same person each time if she was born ca 1810, but it could also be a different wife, if the first wife died in the 1830's.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Clay Co, KY pg 308 Blasengim Hensley 1110010000000-1000010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Blasen Jim HENSLEY (1800/10) 1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Son? (1830/35) 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Son? (1835/40) 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Wife? (1800/10) * (1815/20 in 1830 census) 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Daughter? (1835/40)
Blasen Jim Hensley was listed on the 1841 tax list in Clay Co, KY as "Blass Hensley", and taxed for 1 white male over 21. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).
Blasen Jim was listed on the 1842 tax list in Clay Co, KY as "Blasengla Hensley" and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).
Blasen Jim was listed on the 1843 tax list in Clay Co, KY as "Blasingam Hensley" and taxed for 1 white male over 21 and 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).
Blasen Jim Hensley was not listed on the 1844 tax list in Clay Co, KY.
Blasen Jim Hensley was listed on the 1846 tax list in Clay Co, KY as "Blasengam Hensley" and taxed for 1 white male over 21. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).
Blasen Jim Hensley was listed on the 1847 tax list in Clay Co, KY as "Blasengen Hensley" and taxed for 1 horse only. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).
The fact that in 1847, Blasen Jim was not taxed for himself (i.e. "1 white male over 21") may mean that he had died or moved away, but since he was taxed for 1 horse, that means he still had property in the county, even if he were gone or dead, it was still taxable. He was not listed on the 1848 tax list, nor were any apparent widows.
I have no data on this family past 1847. I don't know if Blasen Jim died ca 1847 or moved somewhere else. I have not yet located him on the 1850 census, nor any apparent widow and children who might belong to him (assuming he died ca 1847).
Blasen Jim Hensley and his wife had several children per the 1830 and 1840 census. I have not positively identified any of these so far.
Unknown Son (1825/30). Blasen Jim Hensley had an apparent son this age with him for the 1830 and 1840 census. I don't know who this might have been.
Unknown Son (1830/35). Blasen Jim Hensley had an apparent son this age with him for the 1840 census. I don't know who this might have been.
Unknown Son (1835/40). Blasen Jim Hensley had an apparent son this age with him for the 1840 census. I don't know who this might have been.
Unknown Daughter (1835/40). Blasen Jim Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1840 census. I don't know who this might have been.
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