David S. Henslee (c1790) and Rhoda Payne of Caswell and Rockingham Co, NC and Franklin, Henry and Floyd Co, GA and Cherokee Co, AL

This family used both the "Hensley" and "Henslee" spellings on various records. (See Hensley Spellings for more on this subject).

Special thanks to Cindy Stamps and Lanis Henslee Davis for data shared on this family.

David S. Henslee was born ca 1790 or thereabouts. I base this on his 1830 census entry giving his age as "30-39", or born ca 1790/1800, while his 1840 census entry gives his age as "50-59", or born ca 1780/90. These are the only two census records I have for him, and in order to reconcile them, he would have to have been born ca 1790. He was born in North Carolina (per some of his children's 1880 census records showing their father's birth place as North Carolina). It seems most likely that he was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, though this isn't proven, but seems reasonable. His middle initial stands for "Snead", named after his grandmother, apparently.

I don't know for sure, but David S. Henslee may be a son of David Henslee (1755/65) and Mary Payne. I base this on several things. First of all, David and David S. both appeared in Franklin Co, GA together, and David (Sr) did have an apparent son about David's age per earlier census records. These two elements tie them together, but of course, does not prove they are father and son.

David S. Henslee would have been about 1 year old or less by the 1790 census, so if listed he should be in the "under 16" age group, but unfortunately, this census is lost for Caswell County, North Carolina.

For the 1800 census, David S. Henslee would have been about 10 years old, more or less, so he ought to be enumerated in either the 10-15 age group (born ca 1784/90) or in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800. David Hensley in Caswell Co, NC that year had 2 sons age 10-15, and one under 10. Any of these could be David S.

By 1810, David S. Henslee would have been approximately 20 years old, so he should be enumerated in the age 16-25 category (born ca 1784/94). None of the Caswell families had an apparent son that age, but David's probable father David had moved to neighboring Rockingham County, North Carolina by then, and he had 2 apparent sons that age with him in 1810.

By 1817, David Henslee (Sr) had moved to Franklin Co, GA, and probably by no coincidence, David S. Henslee appeared there the same year. David (Sr) was listed there that year as a witness to a deed, while the younger David married there that year.

On 13 Nov 1817, "David S. Henslee" married Rhoda Payne in Franklin County, Georgia. Rhoda was born ca 1789/90 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina (perhaps Caswell County). Cindy reports that Rhoda's parents were Samuel Payne and Lucy Echols.

"David S. Hensle" was listed on the 1818 tax list in Franklin Co, GA with 1 Poll (himself) and no land.

"David S. Henslee" was listed on the 1819 tax list in Franklin County, still with 1 Poll, and no land.

"David S. Hensley" was listed on the 1820 tax list in Franklin County, taxed for 2 Negroes. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for sharing tax list information).

David S. Henslee would have probably been listed on the 1820 census in Franklin County, Georgia, but unfortunately the 1820 census is lost for this county.

David S. Henslee was listed on the 1821 tax list in Franklin County and taxed for 2 Negroes, and 490 acres of land being a grant to himself in District 11, Irwin County. I believe that means the land was actually in Irwin County, though he was still in Franklin County. Irwin County was way down in southern Georgia and at this time was quite large, bordering Florida.

David S. Henslee was also listed on the 1822 tax list in Franklin County, taxed the same as in 1821.

Sometime between 1822 and 1830, David S. Henslee moved his family south west to Henry County, Georgia. (It does not appear that he ever lived on his Irwin County land).

David S. Henslee was listed on the 1830 census in Henry County, Georgia. No other Hensleys were there that year, but the Alford Hinesley (c1794) family was there. As far as I can tell, the Hensley and Hinesley families are not connected, despite similar names. They were not near each other. David's neighbors were Anna Bailey and Jacob McKee.

On 12 Oct 1836 "David Henslie" witnessed a deed in Henry Co, GA from Burrel Welden to Isaac Welden. (Henry Co, GA Deed Book H page 380, shared by Laura Schreibman)

A very short time later (by November 1836), David S. Henslee had moved his family a few counties north to Cherokee County, Georgia, for on 15 Nov 1836, Isaiah Hollingsworth of Henry Co, GA sold land to David S. Hensley of Cherokee Co, GA. (Cherokee Co, GA Deed Book C page 74, shared by Laura Schreibman)

Between 1836 and 1840, David and family exchanged one Cherokee County for another, leaving Cherokee County, Georgia and moving west a few counties to Cherokee County, Alabama (which borders Floyd County, Georgia).

David S. Henslee was listed on the 1840 census in Cherokee Co, AL with many of his kinsmen there also that year, though none listed nearby. Strangely, his household did not seem to contain anyone Rhoda's age. This may be a simple census mistake, or perhaps Rhoda was not living with him at that time for some reason. One might assume that she was dead by then, but she appeared on the 1850 and 1860 census living with various children. Also his household seemed to contain several "extra" males, perhaps younger brothers, or nephews or other relatives. His neighbors were Thomas Pullen and J. S. Henson. David's widowed mother Mary Payne Henslee, and his brother William Hensley (c1800) were also in Cherokee Co, AL that year, but not listed close by.

David S. Henslee died sometime between 1840 and 1850, though whether in Cherokee Co, AL or Floyd Co, GA I can't say. His family moved to Floyd Co, GA shortly after 1840. The 1850 census shows his youngest son (Thomas) born ca 1840 in Georgia, so perhaps they lived very close to the border anyway since Floyd Co, GA and Cherokee Co, AL bordered each other.

Rhoda and her younger children were in Floyd County, Georgia for the 1850 census, living with son Samuel and his wife. No other Hensleys were in Floyd County that year.

Sometime late in the 1850's, Samuel and family moved to Saline County, Arkansas, where several relatives had previously moved. However, Rhoda moved to Pulaski County, Arkansas (which borders Saline) and was listed on the 1860 census with daughter Lucy and her family.

I don't have them in 1870 yet, and I did not find Rhoda on the 1880 census, so she was probably dead by then.

Children

David and Rhoda had numerous children per the various census records. Some are still unidentified.

Samuel C. Henslee was born ca 1823/24 in Georgia, either Franklin or Henry County. He was apparently home with his parents in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and apparently home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25). His widowed mother was living with him in 1850.

Samuel C. Henslee married Elizabeth --- before 1850 in Floyd Co, GA. See their own page for more information.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). David S. Henslee had an apparent daughter this age. She was apparently home with her parents in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

Lucy E. Henslee was born ca 1824/25 in Georgia, either Franklin or Henry County. She was apparently home with her parents in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still apparently home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25). She was with her widowed mother in 1850 ("Lucy" age 25, born GA).

Lucy Henslee married Ezekiel Akridge between 1850 and ca 1852, probably in Floyd County, Georgia. Ezekiel was born ca 1818/19 in Georgia. I don't know who his parents were.

They moved to Pulaski County, Arkansas between ca 1853 and 1856. They were listed on the 1860 census in Pulaski with Lucy's widowed mother residing with them.

Lucy E. Henslee Akridge died sometime prior to 1880, for I found Ezekiel on the 1880 census (in Faulkner County, Arkansas) with a new wife and several young children.

Unknown Daughter (1825/30). David S. Henslee had an apparent daughter this age. She was apparently home with her parents in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

This is probably Martha Henslee (c1830) who married Warren D. Cobb in 1843 in Floyd Co, GA. Her apparent children were living with brother Samuel C. Henslee in 1860, and that seems to tie her into this family.

Warren and Martha were in Gordon Co, GA in 1850. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

They may have both been dead before 1860, for all of their children were in Saline Co, AR with their uncle Samuel C. Henslee.

Unknown Son (1825/30). David S. Henslee had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home with his parents in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and still home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

This could be David P. Henslee (c1826) who was living in neighboring Gordon County, Georgia in 1850. He fits age-wise, and he did live nearby, and he also went to Saline County, Arkansas (like brother Samuel C.), and he named a daughter "Rhoda", perhaps after his mother. It fits well enough to consider him a prime suspect to be a child of David S. Henslee.

Unknown Son (1830/35). David S. Henslee had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home with his parents in 1840 (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

I don't know who this son might be. There was a William Hensley who married in Floyd County, GA in 1852 to Lewissa Barner. I have not identified this William yet, but it is possible that he is this missing son.

James C. Henslee was born ca 1833/34 in Henry County, Georgia. He was apparently home with his parents in 1840 (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35), and still home in 1850 ("James" age 16, born GA).

By 1860, James was in Saline County, Arkansas and living with his sister Mary and her family.

James C. Henslee married someone in Saline County, Arkansas between 1860 and 1865. I haven't found her name yet.

I don't have them on the 1870 census yet, but I suspect they were in Grant County.

James' wife died sometime prior to 1878, for on 19 Feb 1878, "James C. Hensley" married Julia J. Dees in Grant Co, AR. Julia was born ca 1848/49 in Mississippi. I don't know her parents names.

James and Julia and children were listed on the 1880 census in Grant Co, AR. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Mary A. Henslee was born ca 1835/36 in Henry County, Georgia. She was apparently home with her parents in 1840 (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40), and still home in 1850 ("Mary" age 14, born GA).

Mary A. Henslee married Lewis F. Jones sometime prior to 1860, either in Georgia or in Saline County, Arkansas. Lewis was born ca 1832/33 in South Carolina.

Jane Henslee was born ca 1837/38 in Cherokee County, Georgia. She did not seem to be home with her parents in 1840, so that may mean her approximate birth year is off slightly, either that or she was where ever her mother was in 1840 (she didn't seem to be with David in 1840). Jane was home in 1850 ("Jane" age 12, born GA).

Thomas Henslee was born ca 1839/40 in Cherokee County, Georgia. He did not seem to be home with his parents in 1840, so that may mean his approximate birth year is off slightly, either that or he was where ever his mother was in 1840 (she didn't seem to be with David in 1840). He was home in 1850 ("Thomas" age 10, born GA).

Researcher List

1. David S¹ Hensley , born abt 1790 in Caswell Co, NC; died 1840/50 in Floyd Co, GA, son of David Hensley and Mary Payne . He married on 13 Nov 1817 in Franklin Co, GA Rhoda Payne , born 1789/90 in NC; died aft 1860 in Pulaski Co, AR.

Children of David S Hensley and Rhoda Payne were as follows:

+ 2 i Samuel C² Hensley , born 1823/24 in Franklin Co, GA; died aft 1880 in Grant Co, AR. He married Elizabeth E (---) .

+ 3 ii Lucy E² Hensley , born 1824/25 in Franklin Co, GA; died bef 1875. She married Ezekiel Akridge .

+ 4 iii David P² Hensley , born 1825/26 in GA; died 1860/80 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR). He married Susan Catherine (---) .

+ 5 iv Martha² Hensley , born 1829/30 in GA; died 1854/60 in Gordon Co, GA. She married Warren D Cobb .

+ 6 v James C² Hensley , born 1833/34 in Henry Co, GA; died aft 1880 in Grant Co, AR. He married (1) ? (---) ; (2) Julia J Dees .

+ 7 vi Mary A² Hensley , born 1835/36 in Henry Co, GA. She married Lewis J Jones .

8 vii Jane² Hensley , born 1837/38 in Cherokee Co, GA.

9 viii Thomas² Hensley , born 1839/40 in Cherokee Co, GA.

Generation 2

2. Samuel C² Hensley (David S¹), born 1823/24 in Franklin Co, GA; died aft 1880 in Grant Co, AR. He married bef 1850 in Floyd Co, GA Elizabeth E (---) , born 1830/31 in GA; died aft 1880 in Grant Co, AR.

Children of Samuel C Hensley and Elizabeth E (---) were as follows:

10 i Laura³ Hensley , born 1850/51 in Floyd Co, GA.

11 ii Reuben³ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Floyd Co, GA.

12 iii Martha³ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Floyd Co, GA.

13 iv Mary³ Hensley , born 1860 in Floyd Co, GA.

14 v Joseph A³ Hensley , born 1862/63 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR).

15 vi Virginia F³ Hensley , born 1864/65 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR).

16 vii Rhoda A³ Hensley , born 1866/67 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR).

17 viii James M³ Hensley , born 1869/70 in Grant Co, AR.

18 ix Lafayette³ Hensley , born 1871/72 in Grant Co, AR.

19 x Sarah M³ Hensley , born 1873/74 in Grant Co, AR.

3. Lucy E² Hensley (David S¹), born 1824/25 in Franklin Co, GA; died bef 1875. She married in 1850/52 in Floyd Co, GA Ezekiel Akridge , born 1818/19 in GA; died aft 1880 in Faulker Co, AR.

Children of Lucy E Hensley and Ezekiel Akridge were as follows:

20 i Lucy J³ Akridge , born 1851/52 in Floyd Co, GA.

21 ii Georgia³ Akridge , born 1852/53 in Floyd Co, GA.

22 iii Doral C³ Akridge , born 1855/56 in Pulaski Co, AR.

23 iv John M³ Akridge , born 1857/58 in Pulaski Co, AR.

24 v Levi D³ Akridge , born 1860 in Pulaski Co, AR.

4. David P² Hensley (David S¹), born 1825/26 in GA; died 1860/80 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR). He married bef 1849 in Gordon Co, GA Susan Catherine (---) , born 1829/30 in GA; died aft 1880 in Clark Co, AR.

Children of David P Hensley and Susan Catherine (---) were as follows:

+ 25 i Walton Monroe³ Hensley , born 1849 in Gordon Co, GA; died aft 1880 in Clark Co, AR. He married Sarah Wilson .

26 ii Rhoda³ Hensley , born 1853/54 in Gordon Co, GA.

+ 27 iii Josiah B³ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR); died aft 1880 in Clark Co, AR. He married Ella (---) .

28 iv John P³ Hensley , born 1860 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR); died aft 1880 in Clark Co, AR.

5. Martha² Hensley (David S¹), born 1829/30 in GA; died 1854/60 in Gordon Co, GA. She married on 11 May 1843 in Floyd Co, GA Warren D Cobb , born 1822/23 in SC; died aft 1850 in Gordon Co, GA.

Children of Martha Hensley and Warren D Cobb were as follows:

29 i Samuel R³ Cobb , born 1845/46 in Gordon Co, GA.

30 ii Lafayette M³ Cobb , born 1846/47 in Gordon Co, GA.

31 iii Benjamin Franklin³ Cobb , born 1847/48 in Floyd Co, GA.

32 iv James D³ Cobb , born 1848/49 in Gordon Co, GA.

33 v Frances³ Cobb , born 1849/50 in Gordon Co, GA.

34 vi Howell³ Cobb , born 1851/52 in Gordon Co, GA.

35 vii William³ Cobb , born 1853/54 in Gordon Co, GA.

6. James C² Hensley (David S¹), born 1833/34 in Henry Co, GA; died aft 1880 in Grant Co, AR. He married (1) in 1860/65 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR) ? (---) , died bef 1878 in Grant Co, AR; (2) on 19 Feb 1878 in Grant Co, AR Julia J Dees , born 1848/49 in MS.

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

36 i Rhoda³ Hensley , born 1864/65 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR).

37 ii Thomas D³ Hensley , born 1866/67 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR).

38 iii James M³ Hensley , born 1868/69 in Grant Co, AR.

39 iv William J³ Hensley , born 1870/71 in Grant Co, AR.

40 v Mary C³ Hensley , born 1872/73 in Grant Co, AR.

Children of James C Hensley and Julia J Dees were as follows:

41 i Julia M³ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Grant Co, AR.

7. Mary A² Hensley (David S¹), born 1835/36 in Henry Co, GA. She married in 1850/60 in Saline Co, AR Lewis J Jones , born 1832/33 in SC.

Children of Mary A Hensley and Lewis J Jones were as follows:

42 i Sarah A³ Jones , born 1859 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR).

Generation 3

25. Walton Monroe³ Hensley (David P², David S¹), born 1849 in Gordon Co, GA; died aft 1880 in Clark Co, AR. He married in 1870/80 in Clark Co, AR Sarah Wilson , born 1860/61 in AR, daughter of (---) Wilson and Mary (---) .

Children of Walton Monroe Hensley and Sarah Wilson were as follows:

43 i Joseph H⁴ Hensley , born 1880 in Clark Co, AR.

27. Josiah B³ Hensley (David P², David S¹), born 1857/58 in Saline Co, AR (now Grant Co, AR); died aft 1880 in Clark Co, AR. He married in 1870/80 in Clark Co, AR Ella (---) , born 1856/57 in AR.

Children of Josiah B Hensley and Ella (---) were as follows:

44 i Docia P⁴ Hensley , born 1880 in Clark Co, AR.