Elias L. Hensley (c1817) and Mary Davis of Yancey Co, NC

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I (Marty Grant) am not related to Elias Hensley as far as I know.

Elias L. Hensley (also known as "Eli" Hensley) was born ca 1816/17 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC.

I don't know who Elias' parents might have been. There are several possibilities to consider. On the 1880 census, Elias listed his father and mother's birth place both as Tennessee.

Elias would have been home with his parents for the 1820 census, age under 10 (born ca 1810/20), and with them in 1830, in the age 10-14 (born  ca 1815/20) category.

Using the above as a criteria, I find the following Hensley's of 1820 Buncombe Co, NC as suspects: James Hensley (c1780), John Hensley, Benjamin Hensley (c1790), Berry Hensley (c1783), and Henry "Harry" Hensley Sr (bef 1755). All five of these had at least one apparent male child in the "under 10" age group, or born ca 1810/20. Presumably, one of these could be Elias L. Hensley.

In 1830 Buncombe Co, NC census, the list of suspects grows a little bit: Lewis Hensley (c1784/90), James Hensley (c1780), Berry Hensley (c1783), William A. Hensley (c1798), Henry Hensley (c1781), Colbert Hensley (c1760/65), and Hickman M. Hensley (c1804). Several of these can be eliminated due to the sons in the 10-14 age group (ca 1815/20) already being accounted for. This eliminates Lewis Hensley and James Hensley. Hickman and William were too young to be Elias' parents, but they both apparently had several siblings residing with them in 1830. Henry can be eliminated, I believe. That leaves Berry Hensley, William A. Hensley, Colbert Hensley and Hickman M. Hensley as possible households where Elias might be in 1830. That is still a fairly large list. Since those residing with Hickman are probably his siblings (and children of Colbert), then we can remove Hickman as a possible parent (but still a possible sibling). The same with William A. Hensley, as his siblings (all children of Henry Sr) were with him in 1830. That leaves Berry (c1783), Colbert (c1760/65) and Henry Hensley Sr (bef 1755) as possible suspects for Elias' father.

Since this is not strong evidence, we can't really rule out any possibility.

Yancey County was formed in 1833 from part of Buncombe, including the are where the Hensley's lived.

Elias L. Hensley married Mary Davis ca 1830/38 in Yancey Co, NC, probably close to ca 1837. Her maiden name is based on the 1880 census entry for her and Elias which shows Thomas Davis (c1813) living with them, listed as Elias' brother-in-law. That makes Mary a sister to John Davis (c1808) and Thomas (c1813), who's parents I have not been able to determine. Thomas was listed as "insane" on the various census records.

Elias was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey County. He was just eight houses from Benjamin Hensley (c1814), the only nearby Hensley. Elias' next door neighbors were William Ray and William Gouge.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Yancey County, NC pg 261 Elie L. Hensley 3000100000000-1000100000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 20-29        (1810-1820)	Elias HENSLEY (1816/17) s/o ?
3 Male(s) 0-4          (1835-1840)	William B. HENSLEY (c1836) Son
					Thomas S. HENSLEY (1836) Son
					Son? (1835/40) > gone by 1850
1 Female(s) 20-29      (1810-1820)	Mary Davis Hensley (1815/16) wife
1 Female(s) 0-4        (1835-1840)	Malinda HENSLEY (1837/38) Daughter

 

Elias L. Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 Yancey Co, NC census. They were next door to William B. Hensley (c1821), and just three houses from William M. Hensley (c1810). One of Elias' children married one of William M's children. In 1850, Elias other next door neighbor was Jesse Dodd. Charles Hensley (c1796) was just 8 houses away. Based on some of the neighbors, it seems that Elias was either in, or very near the section of Yancey that became Madison County in 1851. The fact that they were still in Yancey in 1860, but several of their neighbors from 1850 were in Madison by 1860, indicates they were probably very near the line.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1850 YANCEY CO, NC Page 447   House/Family #  892/ 932

HENSLEY ELIAS         33 M W FARMER                     NC                   1816/1817
HENSLEY WILLIAM B     11 M W                            NC                   1838/1839
HENSLEY THOMAS S      11 M W                            NC                   1838/1839
HENSLEY KIMSEY         8 M W                            NC                   1841/1842
HENSLEY WILSON         3 M W                            NC                   1846/1847
HENSLEY ENOS           1 M W                            NC                   1848/1849
HENSLEY MARY          34 F W                            NC                   1815/1816
HENSLEY MELINDA       12 F W                            NC                   1837/1838
HENSLEY MARGARET       8 F W                            NC                   1841/1842
 

Elias and family were still in Yancey for the 1860 census next door to G. W. Hensley, (son of William M. Hensley), who married Malinda Hensley, Elias' daughter. George's parents were two houses away from Elias.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1860 YANCEY CO, NC Page 743   House/Family #   37/  37 --  Twp  BALD CREEK P.O.

HENSLEY ELI           45 M W FARMER             300   200 NC                   1814/1815
HENSLEY POLLEY        46 F W                              NC                   1813/1814
HENSLEY THOMAS S      23 M W FARMER                       NC                   1836/1837
HENSLEY MARGRET       16 F W                              NC                   1843/1844
HENSLEY KIMSEY        14 M W                              NC                   1845/1846
HENSLEY WILSON        12 M W                              NC                   1847/1848
HENSLEY ENOS          10 M W                              NC                   1849/1850
HENSLEY ELIZA          8 F W                              NC                   1851/1852
HENSLEY BARNET         6 M W                              NC                   1853/1854
HENSLEY ELIZABETH      4 F W                              NC                   1855/1856

 

Elias and Mary were listed on the 1870 census in Yancey County. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Elias and Mary were listed on the 1880 census in Yancey County in Caney River Township. Mary's brother Thomas Davis was residing with them. Earlier census records showed him as "Insane". ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

I have no additional data on this family beyond this point. Additional research into Yancey County records will probably reveal more about them.


Children

Elias and Mary had 10 children by 1860. Since I have very little additional data on any of them yet, I will not give them their own sections here.


Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):


Register Report


1. Elias L1 Hensley , born Sep 1816 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1900 in Yancey Co, NC.  He married in 1830/38 in Yancey Co, NC Mary Davis , born 1815/16 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Madison Co, NC); died 1880/1900 in Yancey Co, NC, daughter of (---) Davis  and ? (---) .

 

      Children of Elias L Hensley and Mary Davis were as follows:

      2          i      William B2 Hensley , born 1835/36 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Yancey Co, NC.

+    3          ii      Thomas S2 Hensley , born Jun 1836 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Yancey Co, NC.  He married Margaret Ann Barns .

+    4          iii      Malinda2 Hensley , born 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.  She married George W Hensley .

      5          iv      Kinsey2 Hensley , born 1841/42 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Yancey Co, NC.

      6          v      Margaret2 Hensley , born 1841/42 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

+    7          vi      Wilson2 Hensley , born 1846/47 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.  He married Elizabeth (---) .

+    8          vii      Enos2 Hensley , born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC.  He married M A Louisa Johnston .

      9          viii      Eliza2 Hensley , born 1851/52 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Yancey Co, NC.

+    10         ix      Barnett2 Hensley , born 1853/54 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.  He married Lucinda Metcalf .

      11         x      Elizabeth2 Hensley , born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

 

Generation 2

 

3. Thomas S2 Hensley  (Elias L1), born Jun 1836 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Yancey Co, NC.  He married on 31 May 1866 in Madison Co, NC Margaret Ann Barns , born Mar 1850 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Yancey Co, NC.

 

      Children of Thomas S Hensley and Margaret Ann Barns were as follows:

      12         i      William Elias3 Hensley , born 1867/68 in Yancey Co, NC.

      13         ii      Marcus E3 Hensley , born 1870/71 in Yancey Co, NC.

      14         iii      Mary E3 Hensley , born 1872/73 in Yancey Co, NC.

      15         iv      Leticia A3 Hensley , born 1877/78 in Yancey Co, NC.

      16         v      Thomas W3 Hensley , born Aug 1881 in Yancey Co, NC.

      17         vi      James H3 Hensley , born Sep 1887 in Yancey Co, NC.

      18         vii      Annie M3 Hensley , born Apr 1890 in Yancey Co, NC.

      19         viii      John H3 Hensley , born Aug 1892 in Yancey Co, NC.

 

 

4. Malinda2 Hensley  (Elias L1), born 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.  She married on 8 Mar 1857 in Yancey Co, NC George W Hensley , born 1835/36 in Yancey Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC, son of William M Hensley  and Delilah McIntosh .

 

      Children of Malinda Hensley and George W Hensley were as follows:

      20         i      John N3 Hensley , born 1858/59 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

      21         ii      Cordelia3 Hensley , born 1860/61 in Yancey Co, NC.

      22         iii      McKinsey3 Hensley , born 1864/65 in Yancey Co, NC.

      23         iv      McDaniel3 Hensley , born 1868/69 in Yancey Co, NC.

 

 

7. Wilson2 Hensley  (Elias L1), born 1846/47 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.  He married in 1870/78 in Madison Co, NC Elizabeth (---) , born 1851/52 in NC.

 

      Children of Wilson Hensley and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

      24         i      Elmore3 Hensley , born 1877/78 in Madison Co, NC.

 

 

8. Enos2 Hensley  (Elias L1), born 1848/49 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC.  He married on 17 Jan 1870 in Yancey Co, NC M A Louisa Johnston , born 1852/53 in Yancey Co, NC.

 

      Children of Enos Hensley and M A Louisa Johnston were as follows:

      25         i      Lucretia3 Hensley , born Feb 1871 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Yancey Co, NC.

      26         ii      Mary A3 Hensley , born 1874/75 in Yancey Co, NC.

 

 

10. Barnett2 Hensley  (Elias L1), born 1853/54 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.  He married on 25 Dec 1873 in Yancey Co, NC Lucinda Metcalf , born 1847/48 in TN.

 

      Children of Barnett Hensley and Lucinda Metcalf were as follows:

      27         i      William H3 Hensley , born 1874/75 in Madison Co, NC.

      28         ii      John W3 Hensley , born 1875/76 in Madison Co, NC.

      29         iii      Triccy L3 Hensley , born 1877/78 in Madison Co, NC.

      30         iv      Leroy B3 Hensley , born 1878/79 in Madison Co, NC.


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