Marty and Karla Grant

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Fielding Hensley (c1790/93-1836) and Sarah Yocum of Washington and Scott Co., VA and Montgomery Co., KY.

Hensley pages [Hensley Home] - [Table of Contents] - [Virginia] This page [Children’s section]

Special thanks to Laura Schreibman and Kyle Wear for data shared on this family.

Fielding Hensley is my 1^st cousin, 6 times removed, assuming I’m correct that his father William Hensley is a brother of my ancestor Larkin Hensley.

Fielding Hensley was born ca 1790/93, presumably in Washington (now Scott) Co., VA. We calculate his birth date based upon his 1830 census entry showing him 30-39, or born ca 1790/1800. We can narrow it down further by his first appearance on a tax list in 1814 wherein he was 21 or older, or born ca 1793 or before. Thus the two record work together as ca 1790/1793. A biographical sketch of one of Fielding’s sons list Fielding’s birth year as 1792 which definitely works with the range. (See below for more on that.)

Other researchers have assumed that Fielding was a son of Joseph Hensley (1750-1832) of Montgomery Co., KY because he lived in the same county and he does fit there more or less. However, Joseph’s children are well documented and Fielding isn’t one of them. Fielding is almost certainly Joseph’s nephew though, or perhaps even grand-nephew. The only other Hensleys in Montgomery Co., KY who could be Fielding’s parents are William Hensley (c1765-1818) and wife Mary, who arrived there in 1812 having formerly lived in Washington / Scott Co., VA prior to that. This seems to be confirmed by an autobiographical sketch written about one of Fielding’s sons. I’ve bolded the pertinent section.

 

John A. Hensley, farmer, born in Kentucky, settled on sec. 15, this tp., in 1853; Feb. 28, 1837, married Minerva, daughter of Jacob Yocum, who died of cholera July 10, 1833, in Kentucky. They had 9 children, of whom 5 are living. She died Sept. 12, 1864, and March 22, 1866, he married Mary E. Walker, a native of Missouri, who died April 6, 1875. His daughter Eva now keeps house for him. Mr. H.’s father, Fielding Hensley, was born in Virginia in 1792, and in 1812 was taken by his parents in emigration to Kentucky. John A. Hensley is a Democrat. P.O., Marietta.

History of Fulton County, Illinois; Peoria. Chas. C. Chapman & Co. 1879, p. 701.

The above article, while it doesn’t mention William Hensley by name, does seem to confirm that William is Fielding’s father, for he was the only “new” Hensley to appear in Montgomery Co., KY in 1812 or thereabouts.

Fielding Hensley (c1792) was almost certainly named for Fielding Hensley (c1761-1833), who I believe is his uncle, an older brother of William Hensley.

Although Fielding was in Montgomery Co., KY beginning in 1812, he wasn’t listed on the 1812 or 1813 tax lists as he wasn’t yet 21. However, he did appear in 1814 as “Felan” Hensley, where he was taxed for one white male over 21 and one horse.

Fielding Hensley married Sarah Yocum in Montgomery Co., KY ca 1814 or 1815. She was born in the 1790s, but the available records are a bit difficult to reconcile. For example, in 1860 she was 60, or born ca 1799/1800. She wasn’t found in 1850, but in 1840 she was 40-49, or born ca 1790/1800, which works with the 1860 entry. In 1830 she was 30-39, born ca 1790/1800) which also works with the previous entries. However, the problem is her 1820 census entry wherein she’s listed as between 26 and 45 or born ca 1775/1794. Since that one’s the odd one out, it either means it’s wrong, or perhaps she wasn’t his first wife, and he’d first married someone older.

Sarah is a proven daughter of John Yocum, a Revolutionary War Pensioner, who died in Clay Co., IN. She has a proven brother named George Yocum (c1784-after 1860). It should be noted that the Yocum and Hensley families had many interconnections in Montgomery Co., KY and elsewhere.

Fielding Hensley was on the 1815 tax list in Montgomery as Fielding Hensley, one male over 21, and one horse.

Fielding was not on the 1816 or 1817 tax lists in Montgomery Co., KY. I believe he moved north to Ohio during this period, judging by the birth place of one of his children born in this time frame. I don’t know where in Ohio exactly.

They were back in Montgomery Co., KY by 1818 for Fielding was listed on the tax list that year with one white male over 21 and two horses. This is the same year his father died, so perhaps that’s why he returned to Kentucky.

Fielding Hensley is on the 1819 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with one white male over 21 and two horses.

Fielding Hensley is on the 1820 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with one white male over 21 and one horse.

They are listed on the 1820 census in Montgomery Co., KY.

1820 Census, Montgomery Co., KY, p. 293, Fielding Hensley age 26-44 (1775/1794)

 300010-00010-0-Slaves=0

Fielding was not listed on the 1821 tax list. It’s possible he moved away, but if so, he was back rather quickly for he does appear on the 1822 tax list with one white male over 21, and two horses.

He’s listed in Montgomery for the 1823 tax list with one white and one horse.

Fielding Hensley purchased 100 acres on the Red River in 1823 from John and Polly Craig. For some reason the deed wasn’t recorded until 1838 after Fielding died. That is fortunate because the deed names all of Fielding’s heirs. See the children’s section for more on that.

The Red River was in Montgomery County at that time. In 1852, Powell County was formed from that part of Montgomery, taking the river with it, thus Fielding’s land was in what is now Powell Co., KY. This is where they lived.

He is on the 1824 tax list, back to two horses, but now he also has 99 acres of land on the Red River. Why only 99 when he purchased 100?

Fielding is on the 1825, 1826 and 1827 tax lists in Montgomery, each time with 100 acres on the Red River. Must have rounded off the 99 for the 1824 list, or perhaps it was surveyed again and corrected.

There is no 1828 tax list.

There are two 1829 tax lists, which aren’t perfect duplicates but close. Fielding is listed on both, the only difference is that he has one horse on the first while the other shows two horses. I wonder if perhaps one of these is actually the missing 1828 tax list?

He is on the 1830 tax list with one white male over 21, two horses and 100 acres of Red River land.

Fielding Hensley is listed on the 1830 census in Montgomery Co., KY. No known relatives are listed close by him. Brother-in-law George Yocum is listed on the previous page.

1830 Census, Montgomery Co., KY, p 21/22, Fielding Hensley age 30-39 (1790/1800)

202101-020001, no slaves

Kyle Wear located Fielding Hensley on the 1831, 1833, 1834, 1835 and 1836 tax lists in Montgomery Co., KY, each time with 100 acres of Red River land.

He was not listed in 1837, however, his wife Sarah was listed in his stead with 100 acres of Red River land and no white polls over 21.

Fielding Hensley was dead by 11 Oct 1836, for on that date his Estate was listed in Montgomery Co., KY Record Book A1, pp 101-102. His widow (not named) was apparently the administrator.

Sarah is listed on the 1838 tax list, but Kyle thinks the entire list is an exact duplicate of the 1837 list, so perhaps mislabeled, mis-filmed or maybe the tax collectors got lazy and just made an exact copy of the prior years list. Regardless, it is the last tax list Sarah Hensley appears on in Montgomery Co., KY.

Sarah is listed on the 1840 census in Montgomery Co., KY. Her son William is a few houses away. Also nearby are Rebekah Yocom and Solomon Yocom, undoubtedly related to her. Henry Forkner is Sarah’s next door neighbor. I don’t know that he’s related, but one of her sons married a Forkner and there are other connections to that family.

There were two George Yocom’s listed in Montgomery, one in his 60s (born ca 1770/80), and one in his 50s (born ca 1780/90). The younger of those two is probably Sarah’s brother, as he was born ca 1783.

1840 Census, Montgomery Co., KY p. 14/280, Sarah Hensley age 40-49 (1790/1800)

0011-0000001, no slaves

I have tried repeatedly to find Sarah on the 1850 census, but I’ve had no success. She was still alive then, but either missed by the census taker, or her name so mangled that I haven’t been able to locate her on the indexes. I would suspect she would either still be in Montgomery Co., KY or Clay Co., IN where some of her children had gone. It should be noted that some sections of 1850 Clay are nearly impossible to read. Sarah could easily be in one of those sections. I found a transcribed version that seemed fairly thorough, and there was no Sarah Hensley listed. Her brother George Yocum was listed in Clay Co., IN in 1850.

She was definitely in Clay Co., IN for the 1860 census. She was living alone. None of the close neighbors appear to be relatives. However, Jonathan Yocum (c1830) was about nine houses away. He is probably related to her. George W. Yocum (c1829) was a few more houses beyond Jonathan. Other Yocums were in the same township, but not nearby.

Her son James had been in Clay, though he died ca 1856 and his widow and children had moved to Illinois by 1860. Son John Hensley had also been in Clay, but had moved away by 1860. Daughter Susanna Hensley Yocum also. Did Sarah move to Clay Co., IN to be near her children, then they all move away leaving her there alone? At least her brother George Yocum was still there in 1860.

1860 Census, Clay Co., IN, Van Buren Township, Brazil PO, p. 671, house 2, family 2

I was unable to find Sarah Yocum Hensley on the 1870 census. She may have died in the 1860s, perhaps in Clay Co., IN or elsewhere.

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Children

There is a very helpful land deed in Montgomery Co., KY which proves the children of Fielding Hensley. The 100 acres he’d purchased in 1823 had never been officially deeded to him while he was alive, so it was done after his death in which all the heirs were named. There were seven heirs, eight including widow Sarah, mentioned in the various deeds.

On 9 Aug 1838, John Craig and wife Polly, made a deed to the heirs of Fielding Hensley, deceased, for the 100 acres on Red River, being the same originally sold to Fielding on 12 Aug 1823. The heirs were named as Sarah Hensley widow of Fielding Hensley deceased, William Hensley, John Hensley, James Hensley, Susannah Hensley, Zurilda Centers wife of John Centers, Henry Hensley and Samuel Hensley children and heirs at law of Fielding Hensley all of Montgomery Co., KY. The purpose of this deed was to record the original sale, as apparently no deed had been filed prior to this. I had originally only seen a summary abstract of this deed which lead me to wrongly conclude that John Craig and wife Polly were also heirs, selling their share of the estate to the other heirs. That wasn’t the case at all. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 18, pp. 325-326, shared by Kyle Wear.)

 

1.         William Hensley

2.         John A. Hensley

3.         James M. Hensley

4.         Susannah Hensley

5.         Zerilda Hensley

6.         Henry Hensley

7.         Samuel Hensley

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William Hensley was born ca 1814/15 per his age on the 1850 census (35) or ca 1816/17 per his age in 1860 (43). He was named first in the 1838 list of heirs suggesting he was the oldest. That works better with the ca 1815 birth date.

He was born in Montgomery Co., KY, perhaps in the part that later became Powell Co., KY, though it’s possible he was born in what is still Montgomery today.

He seems to be with his parents for the 1820 census aged under 10 (born ca 1810/20), and apparently home in 1830, either 15-19 (born ca 1810/15) or 10-14 (born ca 1815/20) depending on his actual birth date.

William Hensley married Margaret “Peggy” — before ca 1833, presumably in Montgomery Co., KY. The marriage records for this era are lost. She was born ca 1810/11 per her age on the 1850 census (39), or ca 1819/20 per her age in 1860 (40). That’s a big difference.

I don’t know her maiden name.

They are listed on the 1840 census near his widowed mother and next door to Solomon Yocum, his brother-in-law.

1840 Census, Montgomery Co., KY, p. 14, Wm Hensley age 20-29 (1810/1820)

12001-20001

The family is on the 1850 census in Montgomery not far from members of the Joseph Hensley family, so this suggests they were back in Montgomery County proper and no longer in the Red River section where they had been earlier, which later became Powell County.

1850 census, Montgomery Co., KY, District No 2, p. 66, house 319, family 319

* Though this clearly says 47, I think it is supposed to say 17.

They are still in Montgomery for the 1860 census.

1860 Census, Montgomery Co., KY, Mt. Sterling PO, p. 64/65, house 446, family 446

Kyle Wear located some interesting records for William and Margaret. In his words:

William Hensley, s/o Fielding Hensley, had a bit checkered reputation In the November term 1858, the family of William Hensley was ordered to the county poor house. Mrs William Hensley then tries to fight having her young children bound out to other families in that same session. Then, in December of that year, William Hensley was ordered to appear in court to explain why his children had not been bound out yet. It seems that for some reason he was unable to provide for his children, but did not want other people to take care of his children. Finally, in the February term 1859, the judge finally relented and cancelled the order to have William Hensley’s children bound out to other families.

 

However, that was not the end of his troubles.  In the April term 1861, there is a reference to the county purchasing two checkered shirts for William Hensley as he was then a resident of the county jail.  I can find no further information on him after this.  But his wife Margaret Hensley has an administrator appointed to her estate in the August term 1866 to do an inventory and appraisement—so she was obviously dead.  Since there is no mention of her husband, William Hensley, I assume he must have been dead by this date as well.

References for the above, provided by Kyle: Montgomery Co., KY Order Book K, pp., 6, 8, 20, 41, 264 and 696.

William and Margaret had nine children per the 1850 and 1860 census records. I’ve been able to trace some of them, but not all.

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John Allen Hensley was born ca 1816/17 per his age on the 1850 census (33). That’s close to his 1860 entry of 44, (ca 1817/18). He was probably born in the part of Montgomery Co., KY that later became Powell County.

He seems to be with his parents for the 1820 census aged under 10 (born ca 1810/20), and apparently home in 1830, aged 10-14 (born ca 1815/20).

John married Minerva Yocum before ca 1838, probably in Montgomery Co., KY. Minerva was born 12 Nov 1813 in Montgomery Co., KY, a child of Jacob Yocum and Nancy Keeton (or Keaton?).

They moved to Clay Co., IN probably shortly after marriage. They are listed in that county on the 1840 census. There are two adult males in the household, both in their 20s. One is obviously John himself. Who is the other? I don’t think it’s one of John’s brothers as they’re either accounted for in 1840 or too young to fit in that age category.

They are next door to James Yocum, perhaps a brother-in-law or otherwise related. George Hensley is two houses away. I’m not sure who this is. *****

1840 Census, Clay Co., IN, p. 342/667, John A. Hensley age 20-29 (1810/1820)

10002-10001

They are on the 1850 census in Clay Co., IN. Their entry is very dim and hard to make out.

1850 census, Clay Co., IN, Van Buren Township, p. 299/299B, house 102, family 102

The family moved to Fulton Co., IL in the early or mid 1850s. They are listed there on the 1860 census.

1860 Census, Fulton Co., IL, Harris Township, Marietta PO, p. 716/361, house 2561, family 2536

Minerva Yocum Hensley died on 12 Sep 1864 in Fulton Co., IL. She’s buried at the Marietta Cemetery.

John A. Hensley married again on 22 Mar 1866 to Mary E. Walker in Fulton Co., IL. She was born ca 1835/36 in Indiana. She’s a child of John Walker and Sarah — of Clay Co, IN who she’s living with in 1850 and 1860.

John Hensley and family are on the 1870 census in Fulton Co., IL. James Walker, 22, is living with them. He’s Mary’s younger brother.

1870 Census, Fulton Co., IL, Harris Township, Marietta PO, p. 75, house 105, family 105

Mary E. Walker Hensley died between 1870 and 1880, presumably in Fulton Co., IL.

John is listed on the 1880 census in Fulton.

1880 Census, Fulton Co., IL, Harris Township, p. 216, house 3, family 3

* Married within census year.

John A. Hensley died in Fulton Co., IL on 18 Dec 1893 and is buried at the Marietta Cemetery by his first wife.

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James Marshall Hensley was born ca 1818/19 if his age on the 1850 census is 31. However, it might say 37 which would put him born ca 1812/13. The entry is hard to make out, but it looks more like 37 than 31. Unfortunately this is the only census record we have for him so we have no others to compare it to. 31 works better with his brothers and their earlier census entries still with the parents.

His 1850 census entry lists his birth place as Ohio. As noted, this is his only detailed census entry so it’s possible that was an error. His son James H. Hensley reported his father’s birth place as Ohio on his 1880 entry, and daughter Keziah did the same in 1900 so that seems to confirm that James M. Hensley was indeed born in Ohio.

His middle name is Marshall according to the obituary of his son John B. Hensley.

He seems to be with his parents for the 1820 census aged under 10 (born ca 1810/20), and apparently home in 1830, aged 10-14 (born ca 1815/20).

A deed dated 16 Oct 1839 proves son James Hensley of Clay Co., IN and widow Sarah Hensley as heirs of Fielding Hensley. Also named are son William Hensley and daughter Zerilda Centers wife of John Centers. In this deed, three eighths of the shares of the land (via the children), plus Sarah’s one eighth, was sold to Hezekiah Bowen. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 18, pp. 551-552, shared by Kyle Wear.)

James M. Hensley married someone prior to 1840, but I haven’t found a record of her name. Unfortunately Montgomery Co., KY marriage records are lost for that era. There are no extant marriage records for Clay Co., IN for that period either. Whoever the first Mrs. James Hensley was, she was born between 1810 and 1820 per her age on the 1840 census.

They were near Jonathan Yocum and Henry Yocum, relationship unknown, on the 1840 census.

1840 Census, Clay Co., IN, p. 333/649, James Hensley age 20-29 (1810/1820)

10001-00001

They had a son born 1841 in Illinois, so the family apparently left Clay Co., IN after the 1840 census. I don’t know where they were in Illinois, but they were back to Clay Co., IN by 1849.

Mrs. Hensley apparently died between 14 Aug 1841 (birth date of son James H.) and ca 1848/49 when James M. married a second wife. Her name was Sarah Ann Forkner. She was born 5 Jun 1828 in Indiana, a child of James Forkner and Susanna (—). Mr. Forkner was born in NC per the 1850 and 1860 census. Susanna was born in KY per the 1850 census, or SC per the 1860 census. I don’t know which is more accurate.

James and Sarah probably married in Clay Co., IN ca 1848 or a tad earlier. Their first child was born in October 1849.

They are listed on the 1850 census next door to her parents. The left edge of the page is faded so the house and family numbers can’t be made out to determine where one family ends and another begins. I’ll include the previous household, which was Sarah’s parents, though likely not actually living together.

1850 census, Clay Co., IN, Dick Johnson Township, p. 309/309B, house # 85, family # 85

James M. Hensley apparently died ca 1856 or after, presumably in Clay Co., IN, though possibly in Moultrie Co., IL where the family lived by 1860.

Sarah (listed as “Mary” by mistake) is on the 1860 census with her parents in Moultrie Co., IL. That’s just two or three counties to the north and west of where they’d been in Indiana.

Though listed here as Mary, it’s plainly the same person.

1860 Census, Moultrie Co., IL, Township 13 N R 6 E, Sullivan PO, p. 138, house 952, family 952

Sarah Ann Forkner Hensley married Daniel Kelly on 13 Feb 1868 in Moultrie Co., IL. He was born 20 Sep 1824 in Tennessee.

I searched high and low but was unable to find them on the 1870 census anywhere. I would think they were still in Moultrie, but missed for some reason.

Daniel Kelly died 14 Feb 1877 in Moultrie and is buried at the Purvis Cemetery in that county.

Sarah is listed on the 1880 census in Moultrie.

1880 Census, Moultrie Co., IL, East Nelson Township, p. 371B, house 196, family 197

Sarah Ann Forkner Hensley Kelly died on 5 Mar 1891 in Moultrie Co., IL and is buried at the French Cemetery in that county.

James and Sarah had four children together. He had at least two from his first wife, a male born ca 1835/40 who is unidentified, and James (1841). Sarah didn’t have any children with her second husband Daniel Kelly as far as I’m aware.

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Susannah Hensley was born 27 Oct 1820 per her tombstone, which agrees with her 1900 census entry. She was likely born in Montgomery Co., KY in the part that is now Powell Co., KY.

She seems to be with her parents for the 1830 census, aged 5-9 (born ca 1820/25).

Susannah married Solomon Yocum 25 Sep 1838 (per his obituary), presumably in Montgomery Co., KY. Solomon was born 14 Feb 1810 in Montgomery Co., KY, a son of Jacob Yocum and Nancy Keeton. This makes Solomon a brother to Minerva Yocum who married Susannah’s brother John A. Hensley a year or two earlier.

They are on the 1840 census in Montgomery, next door to Susannah’s brother, William Hensley, and just two houses from her widowed mother Sarah Yocum Hensley.

1840 Census, Montgomery Co., KY, p. 14, Solomon Yocom age 20-29 (1810/20)

10001-0001

Solomon and Susannah and family moved to Clay Co., IN in the late 1840s and joined the other Hensleys and Yocums already there. They are in Clay on the 1850 census.

1850 census, Clay Co., IN, Brazil Dick Johnson’s Township, p. 304 house 19 family 19

* Solomon is listed as “Deaf & Dumb”

The family moved to Fulton Co., IL in the mid 1850s and is listed in that county on the 1860 census.

1860 Census, Fulton Co., IL, Harris Township, Marietta PO, pp. 709-710, house 2520, family 2494

* Solomon is listed as “Deaf & Dumb”

They are still in Fulton for the 1870 census.

1870 Census, Fulton Co., IL, Harris Township, Marietta PO, p. 79B, house 169, family 169

* Solomon is listed as “Deaf & Dumb”

Solomon and Susan moved into neighboring McDonough Co., IL by the time of the 1880 census.

1880 Census, McDonough Co., IL, Mound Township, Village of Grant, p. 26, house 244, family 244

* Solomon is listed as “Deaf & Dumb”

Solomon Yocum died on 5 Apr 1893 back in Fulton Co., IL. He is buried at the Mound Cemetery in McDonough Co., IL.

Susan is listed on the 1900 census in McDonough with a grandson.

1900 Census, McDonough Co., IL, Mound Township, p. 240, house 200, family 200

Susan, now 90, is listed as the head of household on the 1910 census, still in McDonough Co., IL.

1910 Census, McDonough Co., IL, Mound Township, p 251, house 23, family 24

Susannah Hensley Yocum died on 25 Apr 1914 in McDonough Co., IL and is buried at the Mound Cemetery.

Solomon and Susannah had twelve children.

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Zerilda Hensley (also Serilda) was born Mar 1829 per her 1900 census entry. That agrees with her age in 1860 (31), but doesn’t work with her parents 1830 census entry wherein they only had two daughters, aged 5-9, or born ca 1820/25. An 1829 birth date would also make her only 9 years old when she married John Centers ca 1838. Therefore, I think the 1820/25 is more accurate.

We know about her from a document dated 9 Aug 1838 wherein John Craig and wife Polly, made a deed to the heirs of Fielding Hensley, deceased, for the 100 acres on Red River, being the same originally sold to Fielding on 12 Aug 1823. The heirs were named as Sarah Hensley widow of Fielding Hensley deceased, William Hensley, John Hensley, James Hensley, Susannah Hensley, Zurilda Centers wife of John Centers, Henry Hensley and Samuel Hensley children and heirs at law of Fielding Hensley all of Montgomery Co., KY. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 18, pp. 325-326, shared by Kyle Wear.)

From the above we can conclude that Zerilda was married to John Centers prior to 9 Aug 1838. John was born ca 1815/16 in North Carolina (both facts per his 1860 census entry). He might be a son of Lucinda Centers (c1800) who was living with him in 1860. Then again she could be an aunt or an older sister.

I was unable to locate them on the 1840 census. There were no Center(s) in Montgomery Co., KY that year. There were some in neighboring Estill, but no John.

I was unable to locate them on the 1850 census. There were Centers in Montgomery by this time, the same who had been in Estill back in 1840. I didn’t find John and Zerilda among them though, nor did I find them elsewhere.

John and Zerilda are on the 1860 census in Powell Co., KY. Powell was formed from Montgomery in 1852, so they probably didn’t move, they simply fell into the new county.

1860 Census, Powell Co., KY, No Township, Stanton PO, p. 10, house 64, family 64

Why is John (c1839) listed as head of household instead of the older John who is listed as a landowner? Is it simply a matter of misnumbering by the census taker and the younger John should be in the previous household (John C. French, 55, otherwise living alone).

Notice the large age gaps between the children. Sally (c1837), Powell (c1846), Susan (c1850) and Nelson (c1858). That’s a 20+ year gap from oldest to youngest. Not impossible.

Who is Lucinda (c1800)? John’s mother? Aunt? Older sister?

The family was in neighboring Estill Co., KY for the 1870 census.

1870 Census, Estill Co., KY, Fork Township, Irvine PO, p. 518B/519, house 168, family 159

I wasn’t able to find them on the 1880 census. Samuel Centers (c1863), or someone of the same name and age, was in Madison Co., KY in 1880 with another family as a hired hand. Madison borders Estill on the west.

Zerilda is on the 1900 census in Fayette Co., KY with a family she doesn’t seem to be related to. Maybe there’s a connection, but it isn’t stated on the record. She’s listed as a lodger in the household.

1900 Census, Fayette Co., KY, Seventh Voting Precinct, p. 145 house 32, family 42

“Cirilda Centers,” widow of John, is listed on a 1902 city directory for Lexington, KY, “bds 462 (235) Georgetown.” I don’t know what the “bds” abbreviation refers to. Bording or boards, perhaps? (Thanks to Kaye and Dan Husko Family Tree at ancestry.com for revealing this to me.)

She’s also on the 1904 directory as “Cirelida Centers,” widow of John,“bds 462 Georgetown.” (Thanks to Kaye and Dan Husko Family Tree at ancestry.com for revealing this to me.)

“Mrs. Cerilda Centers” died on 10 Jul 1905 in Lexington, Fayette Co., KY according to her death certificate. She’s listed as a widow, died of general disability. Her birth place is listed as Indiana (incorrect). Her age was left blank. The document suggests she was buried at the Lexington City Cemetery. That may be correct because her son James Nelson Centers is buried there with a marker. She apparently doesn’t have one, at least not according to Findagrave.com. (Thanks to Kaye and Dan Husko Family Tree at ancestry.com for revealing this to me.)

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Henry Hensley was born ca 1820/30 per census analysis. He was probably born in Montgomery Co., KY.

He seems to be with his parents on the 1830 census, aged under 5 (born ca 1825/30) and with them in 1840, aged 15-19 (ca 1820/25). Those don’t agree with each other unless he was born in 1825. However, considering census records aren’t always accurate, and analysis isn’t an exact science, 1825 may not be his actual birth year.

On 12 Apr 1847, Henry Hensley of Clay Co., IN gave power of attorney to Owen Tharp of Montgomery Co., KY to deal with the land he inherited from his father, Fielding Hensley, deceased. This proves two things, one that Henry had moved to Clay Co., IN by this time, and two, he was an heir of Fielding Hensley. It was signed by Henry Hensley and witnessed by Thomas J. Haden and Eliza Jane Haden. Mr. Haden was a justice of the peace. One would assume that Eliza Jane was his wife. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 22, pp. 155-156.)

A deed dated 4 Jun 1847 proves that Henry Hensley of Clay Co., IN is an heir of Fielding Hensley when he sells his one eighth of his father’s land to Hezekiah Bowen. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 22, p. 388, shared by Kyle Wear.)

The above deed seems to be repeated on page 311 of the same book. In fact, there is a notation in the margin referring to page 388. This one was signed by Owen Tharp, attorney for Henry Hensley.

Unfortunately, that’s the last record I have for Henry Hensley. He does not appear anywhere on the 1850, 1860, 1870 or 1880 censuses.

It seems likely he died between 1847 and 1850, probably in Clay Co., IN.

There is a possible match with a man named Henry C. Hensley (1829-1910) of Nashville, TN. This Henry was born in KY and was in Nashville by 1850. He has a brother named Merrit S. P. Hensley (1825-1854) who could be Samuel Hensley (below). I think connecting these two to Fielding’s family is a bit of stretch, but it was worth mentioning. Perhaps someone reading this has evidence for or against connecting those two with the Fielding Hensley family.

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Samuel Hensley is only known to us due the 9 Aug 1838 deed naming the heirs of Fielding Hensley, deceased. He was listed last, suggesting he was the youngest. That fits with census analysis of his parents 1830 and 1840 census households which shows Samuel was likely born between 1825 and 1830.

As noted, he was named in the 1838 deed, then we have nothing else on him. He does seem to be home with his mother in 1840 Montgomery Co., KY, but no record of him in 1850, 1860, 1870 or 1880.

There is a Samuel Hensley (c1820) who was in Perry Co., IN in 1870 and 1880 who might be this same Samuel, but he seems too old to me.

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Click here for family group sheets of this family. Other notes and sources might be listed there.

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Revised: April 8, 2022

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