Elizabeth Hensley of Overton and White Co, TN

First of all, Elizabeth Hensley was listed as an apparent widow on the 1840 through 1870 census records. She might have been a single mother instead. I don't know which is the case, but pending evidence to the contrary, I'll consider her a widow of an unknown Mr. Hensley.

Elizabeth Hensley was born ca 1799/1800 in TN (per the 1850 census) or ca 1809/1810 (per 1860 census) or perhaps ca 1801/1802 in GA (per the 1870 census). Since the 1850 and 1870 census records give her ages fairly close, I'd consider the 1860 census to be way out of line. However, since 1850 and 1870 give different birth places, I don't know which is correct. I don't have the 1860 birth place for her.

If Elizabeth were not a single mother, but widowed from a Mr. Hensley, then I have no clue what her maiden name might have been. She may be closely connected to the Sarah Hensley (c1802) family who were also in White Co, TN in 1850, and Sarah was also born in Georgia. They could be sisters (if single mothers) or sister-in-laws, if married to Hensley brothers.

Elizabeth married a Mr. Hensley before ca 1828 in Tennessee. I base this date on her oldest known son John who was born ca 1827/28 in TN.

Presumably, this family would be listed somewhere in Tennessee for the 1830 census. First of all, they were not in 1830 White Co, TN. There were only two Hensley's listed there that year (Jeremiah-1793 and Charles-1793). Neither Charles nor Jeremiah was Elizabeth's husband.

There were numerous Hensley families throughout Tennessee in 1830, but only a few that match somewhat with what we know of Elizabeth's family. Her family would consist of a husband (presumably), herself, in the age 20-29 category (born ca 1800/10), and at least one male child in the "under 5" age group (ca 1825/30). In 1830 Jefferson Co, TN was Bennett Hansley (c1800/10) with a wife the same age, and one son ca 1825/30. In 1830 Jackson Co, TN was John Hensley (c1790/1800) with a wife and son the right ages. In 1830 Monroe Co, TN was Benjamin Hensley (c1800/10) with a wife and son the right ages. In 1830 Wayne Co, TN was Benjamin Hensley (c1790/1800) with a wife and son the right ages, and also in Wayne Co, TN was James Hensley (c1800/10) with a wife and son the right ages.

Also in 1830, was Obadiah Hensley (c1786) in Overton Co, TN, who later moved to White Co, TN. In 1830, he had "extra" people with him who fit (age-wise) with Elizabeth and her son John.

All of the 1830 Hensley households that "fit" for Elizabeth and her son John are those that I have no additional data on, so I don't know if she might belong to one of them. The only exception is for Obadiah Hensley, who is somewhat known. Furthermore, he did move to White Co, TN in the 1830's (Elizabeth was in Overton in 1840, but moved to White in the 1840's, apparently), so perhaps he is her older brother, or brother-in-law.

Elizabeth's husband (if ever married) died before 1840 in Overton Co, TN. I base this on the fact that Elizabeth was listed on the 1840 census in Overton Co, TN as head of household. Her last known child was born ca 1839. She was the only Hensley in Overton County in 1840. Obadiah, who had been there in 1830 had moved to White County, TN by 1840. Since Elizabeth also went there later, that does suggest they are related.

In 1850 Elizabeth was listed on the White Co, TN census, as were several other Hensley families, but she wasn't listed near any of them. She was in Civil District Number 12, the only Hensley listed there.

Elizabeth was still in White Co, TN for the 1860 census. She was only a few pages from Obadiah Hensley this time. Elizabeth's son John and his wife were nearby as well. Elizabeth was next door to Barney Harlow and wife Nancy (Hensley), probably her daughter.

Elizabeth was still in White Co, TN for the 1870 census. Several other Hensleys were in the county, but only her son John was listed nearby: Elisabeth Hensley-68 born GA, Adad-34, TN. Page 279. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Children

Elizabeth Hensley had at least four children, based on the 1840 through 1870 census records.

John Hensley was born ca 1827/28 in TN, presumably in Overton County. He was apparently home with his mother for the 1840 census, and with her in 1850.

John Hensley married Sarah B. Herd on or after 20 Sep 1854 in White Co, TN (date of marriage bond). Sharon Hensley tells me her name was "Sarah Broyles Herd".

John and Sarah were listed on the 1860 census in White Co, TN near his mother (11 houses away).

In 1870, a John Hensley was listed on the same page with his mother Elizabeth, but his age is off, but I think it could be this same John. However, he is listed as age 52 (born ca 1817/18) which is 10 years too old, he has no wife with him, indicating his wife had died.

This John (in 1870) was the exact same age as John A. Hensley who had been in White Co, TN in 1850. So I'm not sure if John of 1870 is the same as John son of Elizabeth, or if he is that other John. Living near Elizabeth makes it seem likely it is her son though, but he could be the other John, and a nephew of hers. More research is needed to be sure. The only factor if favor of this being John, son of Elizabeth, is that in 1870 he had an 11 year old son named "Joseph", which is a perfect match for John's son Joseph age 1 in 1860.

Unknown Daughter born ca 1825/1830. An apparent daughter this age was with Elizabeth for the 1840 census. She was not home with Elizabeth in 1850, so she probably had married or died by then.

A Nancy Hensley married Barney Harlow in 1843 in White Co, TN. This could be her. More research is needed before I can commit to Nancy being this daughter. Nancy was born ca 1825/26, so she does fit. She and Barney were listed on the 1850 census in White Co, TN, with no children (after 7 years of marriage), in District one, about 10 houses from Obadiah Hensley (c1786). She might be his daughter instead. However, in 1860 Nancy was next door to Elizabeth.

Adalade Hensley was born ca 1836/37 in Tennessee, presumably in Overton County. She was apparently home with her mother for the 1840 census. She was with her in 1850, 1860 and 1870. If she ever married, it was after 1870.

William Hensley was born ca 1838/39 in Tennessee, presumably in Overton County. He was apparently home with his mother for the 1840 census. He was with her in 1850 and 1860. I didn't find him in 1870, so he had probably moved away or died (perhaps in the Civil War).

Researcher List

1. (---)¹ Hensley , died bef 1840 in Overton Co, TN. He married bef 1828 in Overton Co, TN Elizabeth (---) , born 1799/1800 in TN or GA; died aft 1870 in White Co, TN.

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

2 i Nancy² Hensley , born 1825/26 in Overton Co, TN. She married on 12 Dec 1843 in White Co, TN Barney Harlow , born 1810/11 in NC.

+ 3 ii John² Hensley , born 1827/28 in Overton Co, TN; died aft 1860 in White Co, TN. He married Sarah B Herd .

4 iii Adalade² Hensley , born 1836/37 in Overton Co, TN.

5 iv William² Hensley , born 1838/39 in Overton Co, TN.

Generation 2

3. John² Hensley ((---)¹), born 1827/28 in Overton Co, TN; died aft 1860 in White Co, TN. He married on 20 Sep 1854 in White Co, TN Sarah B Herd , born 1829/30 in TN; died aft 1860 in White Co, TN.

Children of John Hensley and Sarah B Herd were as follows:

6 i William C³ Hensley , born 1855/56 in White Co, TN.

7 ii Joseph S³ Hensley , born 1858/59 in White Co, TN.