Marty and Karla Grant

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Fielding Hensley (c1761/63-1833) and wife Nancy Cornett, of Buckingham, Washington and Scott Co., VA

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Fielding Hensley is my 5 times great uncle. His brother Larkin Hensley is my ancestor.

Fielding Hensley was born ca 1761/1763. This is based on three records which reconcile nicely together:

1. 1782 Tax List shows him under 21 (but over 16), so born between 1761 and 1766.

2. 1784 Tax List shows him over 21, so born before 1763. This and the 1782 record narrow his birth years down to ca 1761/1763.

3. 1830 census shows him in his 60's, or born between 1760 and 1770, which works well with the two tax records.

We don’t know what county he was born in for we don’t know where his parents were living in the early 1760's. We do know they were in Buckingham Co., VA by 1772. Buckingham was formed in 1761 from the southern portion of Albemarle, but I don’t know if they ever lived in Albemarle.

Fielding Hensley is a proven son of William Hensley (c1730s-c1807) of Buckingham and Washington Co., VA. The proof is the 1782 tax list where he is listed with his father William who paid his taxes. Of course the record doesn’t explicitly state they are father and son, but that’s usually the case regarding taxes.

We don’t know who Fielding’s mother was, for William’s wife or wives, have not been identified. We also don’t know the source of his given name. He was the first Hensley to have that name, but certainly not the last. Several Hensleys were named that after him, some obviously in honor of him, but others perhaps by coincidence.

On 16 Feb 1779, Fielding Hensley enlisted for service during the Revolutionary War as a private in Cpt. J. Thomas’s “Company of Foot in the Volunteer Regiment of Guards” in Albemarle Co., VA. He would have been between 15 and 18 then. (From Pension File of Abraham Jones, S46452, shared with me by Edward Walker, 2014.)

The above doesn’t prove Fielding resided in Albemarle, only that he enlisted in a company raised in that county. Albemarle and Buckingham border each other so it wouldn’t be unusual for him to go “next door” to sign up. Also see the Revolutionary War Pension file for William Godsey, W292 which also mentions Fielding Hensleys’ service. Fielding’s widow, Nancy, states in the above that Fielding was at the taking of Cornwallis. That would have been during the siege of Yorktown, VA, September through October, 1781. She also mentioned that she was raised in Buckingham, further showing that Fielding probably didn’t live in Albemarle at the time of his enlistment.

Fielding’s father, William Hensley, is listed on the 1782 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in John Moseley’s district with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1761), which was himself, and one tithe under 21* which is Fielding Hensley as stated explicitly on the tax record. He also had 9 head of cattle and 3 horses.

* Under 21, but probably 16 at least for usually those under 16 weren’t subject to any tax.

On 16 Nov 1782, Fielding Hansley and Alexander Donelson witnessed an agreement between Henry Levingston (Livingston) and Peter Levingston of rights in their father's William Todd Levingston's estate. This shows that Fielding was in Washington Co., VA by late 1782. (Washington Co., VA Will Book 1 page 108).

The record above shows that Fielding had moved south and westward to the then frontier region of Washington Co., VA. Some Hensleys from Culpeper Co., VA arrived about the exact same time and they all wound up close to one another suggesting a connection between them.

Fielding Hensley was not listed on the 1783 tax list in either Buckingham nor Washington Co., VA. His father was still in Buckingham, but he had only one tithable that year, himself presumably.

On 11 Nov 1783 a treasury warrant was issued to Fielding Hensley for 54 acres (# 2702) on Cove Creek on Walker's Mountain, bordering Joseph Hensley and Nathaniel Cornett. Joseph Hensley (1750/60) is Fielding’s uncle, I believe, though that isn’t exactly proven.

 

On the same date (11 Nov 1783), Agnes Hensley, assignee of Fielding Hensley, had a treasury warrant (land entry) issued to her for 25 1/2 acres on Cove Creek bordering Hartsock. Agnes Hensley (c1763-aft 1850), though younger than he, is Fielding’s aunt, I believe. "Assignee" means that although Fielding was the one entitled (or qualified) to receive this land, he transferred his rights to Agnes Hensley for some reason.

Also on that date (11 Nov 1783), Fielding Hensley entered two other warrants, one for 67 acres on both sides of North Fork of Holston River, the other 94 acres same location, described as at foot of Piny Mountain in Rich Valley, and 54 acres on Nathaniel Cornett's corner and Joseph Hensley's corner.

Fealen Henceley is listed on the 1784 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1763), which was himself, and one horse. His father William was listed also, but it’s impossible to say if they were neighbors. This is the last record found for Fielding Hensley in Buckingham, so it seems he went back to Washington Co., VA and made that his permanent home around this time.

Fielden Hansley was listed on the 1785 tax list in Washington Co., VA in James Fulkerson’s district with 1 white tithe and 1 horse.

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1786 tax list in Washington Co., VA in James Fulkason’s (Fulkerson’s) district with 1 white tithe and 1 horse.

Fielding wasn’t listed on the 1787 tax list in Washington. Certain other Hensleys were missing there that year as well suggesting perhaps part of the tax list was lost.

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1788 tax list in Washington Co., VA in James Lathim’s district with 1 white tithe (himself) and 1 horse.

Fielding Hancley was listed on the 1789 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), no horses and 1 cow.

Fielding Hancley was listed on the 1790 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), no horses and 1 cow.

The 1790 census is lost for Virginia but it seems reasonable that Fielding would have been listed in Washington County.

Fielding Hancley was listed on the 1791 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), no horses and 1 cow.

Fielding Hencley was listed on the 1792 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), no horses and 1 cow.

Fielding Hancley was listed on the 1793 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 tithe and 2 horses.

It was around this time, ca 1792/1793, that Fielding Hensley married Nancy Cornett, presumably in Washington Co., VA. Nancy was born ca 1775/1780 in Buckingham Co., VA. Her birth date is based on census analysis:

1. 1810 census = aged 26-44, or born between 1765/1784

2. 1820 census = aged 26-44, or born between 1775/1794

3. 1830 census = aged 50-59, or born between 1770/1780

4. 1840 census = aged 60-69, or born between 1770/1780

5. 1850 census = aged 68, or born ca 1781/82.

If we discard the 1850 entry as erroneous, then we can conclude from the above that Nancy was born ca 1775/1780. That reconciles nicely with the 1810, 1820, 1830 and 1840 entries.

Nancy is a proven daughter of William Cornett and Lucy — per 1815 chancery court records (see below for more on that.) Nancy stated that she was raised in Buckingham County. (See Revolutionary War Pension Application for William Godsey.)

On 24 Sep 1793 Fielding Hensley was paid for his services of 2 months 1 day as a private in the Washington Co., VA militia. (Virginia Calendar of State Papers Vol. 6 p. 687)

Fielding Hencley is on the 1794 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe and 1 horse.

Fielding Hensley is listed on the 1795 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has one Tithable white male over 16 (himself) and 1 horse.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1796 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has one Tithable white male over 16 (himself) and 1 horse.

Fielding Hensley was listed in Washington Co., VA Tract entry book for a 67 acre warrant (# 20702) dated 11 Nov 1783. The land was on both sides of North fork Holston. It was surveyed 9 May 1796. (Granted 26 Nov 1798, see below).

Fielding Hensley was listed in Washington Co., VA Tract entry book for a 94 acre warrant (# 20702). The land was on Cove Creek, south branch of North Fork of Holston, foot of Piny Mountain, in Rich Valley. Surveyed 3 May 1796. Also a 54 acres tract on Nathaniel Cornett's corner, and corner of Joseph Hensley's survey.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1797 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has one Tithable white male over 16 (himself) and 2 horses.

Fielding Hensley is listed on the 1798 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one Tithable, himself. Horses weren’t listed.

On 18 Oct 1798 Fielding Hensley was recommended as a Ensign in the Washington Co., VA militia in 2nd Battalion, 70th Regiment to replace William Carmack who was promoted. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

On 20 Nov 1798 Fielding Hensley received a land grant of 54 acres on Cove Creek. (Land Office Grants No. 38, 1797-1799, p. 431 (Reel 104))

On 26 Nov 1798 Fielding Hensley received a land grant of 94 acres on Cove Creek. (Land Office Grants No. 38, 1797-1799, p. 494 (Reel 104))

On that same date (26 Nov 1798) Fielding Hensley received a land grant of 67 acres on both sides of North Fork of Holston River. (Land Office Grants No. 38, 1797-1799, p. 510 (Reel 104))

Most of the above land grants were for warrants issued way back in 1783. I don't know what took so long!

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1799 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithable (himself) and one horse.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1800 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 3 horses. This year is the first time Fielding appeared on the land tax lists in Washington County. He is listed with three tracts, 94 acres, 54 acres and 67 acres, each labeled “entry & new grant.”

The 1800 census is lost for Virginia.

On 21 May 1800 Fielding Hensley was recommended as a Lieutenant in the Washington Co., VA militia in 2nd Battalion, 70th Regiment to replace William Carmack who was resigned. Sampson Hensley replaced Fielding as Ensign. Fielding didn't last long in his new position for he resigned and was replaced by William Head on 18 Jun 1800. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1801 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 2 horses. He is also on the land tax list with three tracts, 54, 94, and 67 acres.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1802 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself, and 2 horses. He is also on the land tax list with three tracts, 54, 94, and 67 acres.

Fielding Hansly is listed on the 1803 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s district. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 1 horse. He is also on the land tax list with three tracts, 54, 94, and 67 acres.

Fielding Hensley is listed on the 1804 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s district. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 1 horse. He is also on the land tax list with three tracts, 54, 94, and 67 acres.

The family (or at least Nancy) must have visited Kentucky for a brief time ca 1803/1804 for her son James was born in that state around then. Many of Nancy’s siblings moved to KY, so she might have gone to visit.

Fielding Hensley is listed on the 1805 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s district. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 6 horses. He is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres. He must have sold the 54 acre tract.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1806 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has no white tithes, and 6 horses. Did he become exempt from paying taxes for some reason? He is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres.

Fielding Hensley is listed on the 1807 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. Again he has no white tithes, now down to 5 horses. He is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres.

There was no taxes for the year 1808 so no tax lists.

The list of Washington County Militiamen for 1808 shows Fielding Hensley in Capt. Fulkerson's Company, 2nd Battalion, 105th Regiment.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1809 tax list in Washington Co., VA in the Lower District. He has no tithes above 16 and 6 horses. He is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres.

Fielding Hensly is listed on the 1810 tax list in Washington Co., VA in the Lower District. He has no white tithes above 16 and 4 horses. He is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres.

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1810 census in Washington Co., VA. He was listed two houses from William Hensley (c1765), who is his brother, I believe.

1810 census

Washington Co., VA p. 224, Fielding Hensley age 45+ (before 1765), 21101-21010-0-0

Fielding Hansly is listed on the 1811 tax list in Washington Co., VA in the Lower District. He has 1 white tithe above 16 and 5 horses. This tithable was probably his son Zachariah who was 16 or 17 by 1811. Fielding is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres. However, he is clearly mis-written as “Frederick” Hensly.

Fielding Hansly is listed on the 1812 tax list in Washington Co., VA in the Lower District. He has 1 white tithe above 16 and 5 horses. This tithable was probably his son Zachariah who was 17 or 18 by this time. Fielding is also on the land tax list with two tracts, 94 and 67 acres. However, he is clearly mis-written as “Fradarick” Hansly.

Fielding Hansly is listed on the 1813 tax list in Washington Co., VA in the Lower District. He has 2 white tithes above 16 and 5 horses. This tithables were probably his son Zachariah who was about 19, and his son William who would have been 16 or 17 by then. Fielding Hencely is listed on the land tax this year with 161 acres described as “Improved on North Fork.” This would be his 94 and 67 acre tracts combined.

His 1813 land entry described his land as being "improved on N. Fork" and the 1814 entry described it as being 35 miles west of the court house.

Fielding Hancley is listed on the 1814 tax list in Washington Co., VA in the Lower District. He has 1 white tithe above 16 and 6 horses. There’s no way to know which son this was, for Zachariah would have been about 20, and William about 17 or 18. Zachariah, the oldest, may have been elsewhere by this time, though he wasn’t listed by name on the tax list. Fielding Hencely is listed on the land tax list with 161 acres. He is described as a resident of Washington County, living 35 miles west of the court house, land on the North Fork.

Scott County was created in 1814 from the western portion of Washington County (and parts of Russell and Lee counties), taking many of the Hensleys into the new county. That included Fielding Hensley. The 1814 tax list entry showing him 35 miles from the Washington Court House explains the need for the new county. That was a very long way to travel in those days by horse or by foot.

Fielding Hensley was on the 1815 tax list in Scott Co., VA with 2 white males over 21, 5 horses and 11 cattle.

On 9 May 1815 Fielding Hensley, with John Wood and John Wolf, his securities, entered into a bond to be administrator of estate of William Cornett, deceased. (Scott Co., VA Minute Book 1). This is Fielding’s father-in-law, Nancy’s father.

Chancery records show that William Cornett died in 1815 in Scott Co., VA leaving heirs, Nathaniel Cornett, William Cornett, Samuel Cornett, Roger Cornett, the widow Lucy Cornett, Fielding Hensley and wife Nancy, formerly Cornett, Mary Cornett of Henrico, James Thomas and wife Sarah who was formerly Cornett, of Henrico, John Brown and wife Lucy formerly Cornett, of Floyd Co., KY.

Fielding Hensley was on the 1816 Scott County tax list with 2 white males over 21, and 5 horses.

Fielding Hensley was on the 1817 tax list with 2 white males over 16, and 5 horses.

On 4 Nov 1817 Fielding Hensley bought 50 acres from William Atkerson. (Scott Co., VA Deed Book 2 page 135)

Fielding Hensley was on the 1818 tax list with 3 white males over 16, and 5 horses.

Fielding Hensley was on the 1819 tax list with 3 white males over 16, and 4 horses.

Fielding Hensley was on the 1820 tax list with 2 white males over 16, and 5 horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1820 census in Scott Co., VA. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who their neighbors were.

1820 Census, Scott Co., VA, p. 192, Fielding Hensley age 45+ (before 1775), 211101-21110-0-0

* This column is supposed to a compliment to the previous one, thus anyone 16 or 17 would be listed here as well as in the 16-25 age group. It wasn’t always used correctly by the census taker, making analysis difficult.

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1821 tax list in Scott Co., VA with 5 horses and no slaves.

Fielding was listed on the 1822 tax list 2 white males over 16, and 1 horse.

Fielding was listed on the 1823 tax list 2 white males over 16, and no horses.

On 20 May 1823 Fielding Hensley and Nancy his wife sold 94 acres to Henry Lowe of Washington Co., VA. The land was on Cove Creek. Fielding signed, Nancy made her mark. Nancy relinquished her dower rights before Samuel Hensley and Abram Fulkerson, Justices of the Peace. (Scott Co., VA Deed Book 8 page 112.)

Fielding was listed on the 1824 tax list 2 white males over 16, and no horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1825 tax list 2 white males over 16, and no horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1826 tax list 1 white male over 16, and no horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1827 tax list 2 white males over 16, and no horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1828 tax list 2 white males over 16, and no horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1829 tax list 1 white male over 16, and no horses.

Fielding was listed on the 1830 tax list 1 white male over 16, and no horses.

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Scott Co., VA. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who their neighbors were.

1830 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 14, Fielding Hensley age 60-69 (c1760/70)

1001300010000-0011100100000

Fielding Hensley Sr was listed on the 1831 tax list in Scott Co., VA. I don't know why the "Sr" was necessary unless there was a younger Fielding Hensley in the county at the time with whom he might be confused. I’m not aware of any others by that name in the county then.* He had 2 white males over 16, no horses.

* See notes on children.

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1832 tax list with 1 white male over 16.

Fielding Hensley was not listed on the 1833 or later tax lists for he died around that time.

Fielding Hensley was dead before 26 Jan 1833 for on that date his personal estate was sold. The estate records mention Nancy Hensley, widow. Nathaniel Hensley and Mahala Hensley were among the purchasers. (Scott Co., VA Will Book 1 page 136).

In 1833, James Larkey brought suit against the heirs of Fielding Hensley. The Chancery court records give details, including naming all of Fielding Hensley’s heirs his widow Nancy, children Zachariah, William, James, John, Ichabod, Barbara, Ibby, Mahala and Melinda and Nathaniel. The court records also show that John was a resident of Pittsylvania Co., VA at the time and Campbell Co., VA shortly afterward. The record also states two of the sisters were infants, meaning under 21, but didn’t state which ones. On 16 Apr 1840 the case was dismissed and the plaintiff ordered to pay the defendant’s costs.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1834 Scott County tax list with no males over 16, and 2 horses.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1835 Scott County tax list with no males over 16, and 2 horses.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1836 Scott County tax list with no males over 16, and 3 horses.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1837 Scott County tax list with no males over 16, and 2 horses.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1838 Scott County tax list with no males over 16, and 2 horses.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1839 Scott County tax list with no males over 16, and 3 horses.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Scott Co., VA. The nearest Hensley was her son William Hensley (c1797) on the next page.

1840 census, Scott Co., VA p. 279, Nancy Hensley age 60-69 (1770/1780), 0010010000000-0000100010000

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1850 census in Scott Co., VA. She was head of household with her son Nathaniel and his family living with her. Son Ichabod Hensley (c1814) was two houses away, John A. Hensley (c1805) was three houses away.

1850 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 366B, house 228, family 228, Western District

Nancy Cornett Hensley died ca 1852 in Scott Co., VA. An appraisement of her estate was entered on 9 Mar 1852, so she was dead by then. (Scott Co., VA Will Book 4, 1852-1860, p. 10).

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Children

Fielding and Nancy had 10 children as proven by the 1833-1840 court case James Larkey vs Fielding Hensley heirs. An 11^th child is inferred but not named. This one, a daughter, was married to David Freeman, and was apparently deceased by 1833 since not mentioned by name. However, Mr. Freeman clearly refers to Mrs. Hensley (Nancy) as his mother-in-law in an affidavit. I believe this is the unidentified Hensley daughter born ca 1794/1800 as that closely matches Mr. Freeman’s age.

All the children were presumably born in Washington Co., VA in the part that later became Scott County, the youngest being born after the formation of Scott County.

The census records may show up to three other unidentified children for Fielding and Nancy.

 

1.         Zachariah Hensley (c1794)

2.         Unknown Daughter (1794/1800) wife of David Freeman

3.         William Hensley (c1797)

4.         Nathaniel Hensley (c1800)

5.         Isabel Hensley (c1801)

6.         James Hensley (c1804)

7.         John A. Hensley (c1805)

8.         Barbara Hensley (c1813)

9.         Ichabod Hensley (1813)

10.       Malinda Hensley (c1819)

11.       Mahala Hensley

12.       Unknown Daughter (1804/10)

13.       Unknown Son (1810/20)

14.       Unknown Son (1825/30)

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Zachariah Hensley (c1794) is proven by the James Larkey court case. He married Jane Magee in 1818 in Scott Co., VA. They moved to KY in the 1850s. See his own page for more information.

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Unknown Daughter (1794/1800). Fielding Hensley had a girl this age with him in 1810. She didn’t seem to be home by 1820, so married or dead by then.

This unidentified daughter married David Freeman before ca 1813 in Washington Co., VA (now Scott Co., VA). This can be gathered from an affidavit in the James Larkey case. Here are the pertinent parts:

“David Freeman a witness of lawful age being called on by the Pltff and sworn deposeth and saith that some before the year 1813 or 14 that he understood from Fielding Hensley that he had purchased a tract of land of 250 acres from Mrs. Templeton ...

“Question by the Pltff did you once make an improvement on this 250 acres of Templeton land, by the consent of Fielding Hensley and how long did you live on it and what was your reason for living it.

Answer By the consent of Fielding Hensley I made an improvement on it and lived on it about one year and my reason for leaving it was, because Mrs Hensley my mother in law told my wife that if I live on it 3 years rent free I might be thankful and also because I expected the heirs of Thomas Templeton decd wound contend for the land.”

There is no date on the above, but it would be between 1833 and 1840.

From this statement we can conclude that David Freeman was married to one of the Hensley daughters. We can also conclude that they married before 1813 or 1814. Furthermore, since she wasn’t named in the list of heirs, we can conclude she was deceased by 1833. And finally, since neither Freeman himself, nor any of their children were named as heirs, we can conclude that he had no children with Miss Hensley, or at least none who survived to 1833.

David Freeman was born 26 Aug 1789 in Washington Co., VA (now Scott Co., VA). Others list him as a son of William Freeman, which may be correct.

William was listed on the 1810 census in Washington Co., VA and he did have an apparent son aged 16-25, or born ca 1784/1794 which does fit for David. In 1820 William no longer had a child that age with him (now in Scott Co., VA), so that fits too.

David Freeman served during the War of 1812 in Capt. Willie Jones’ company, 5^th Regiment.

David Freeman is listed on the 1820 census in Scott Co., VA, living by himself. Since it seems he married Miss Hensley ca 1813 or before, this suggests she died before 1820. No children at home indicates they either had none, or none who lived to 1820. Of course it is possible they had some who were living elsewhere, perhaps in the care of another relative.

1820 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 7/511/424, David Freeman age 26-44 (1775/1794)

000010-00000-0-0

David Freeman married a second time in Nov 1825 (per his War of 1812 Pension) to Talitha Rhoton (Rhoten, Roughten, etc.) in Scott Co., VA. She was born 7 Dec 1799 in Washington (now Scott) Co., VA, a child of Jacob and Elizabeth Rhoton as shown on her death record.

The Freemans are on the 1830 census in Scott Co., VA. There is an older boy in the household. Is that a son from his marriage to Miss Hensley? It’s possible. It’s also possible it’s a hired laborer or nephew, etc.

1830 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 11, David Freeman age 30-39 (1790/1800)

200101-100001

* If born in 1830, she could be here in 1830, but if born in 1831, this isn’t her.

They are on the 1840 census in Scott Co., VA. The older boy from 1830 is no longer with them. No other Freeman households were listed in Scott this year.

1840 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 6, David Freeman age 50-59 (1780/1790)

01200001-321001

They are on the 1850 census next door to widow Nancy Hensley, David’s former mother-in-law.

1850 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 366B, house 227, family 227, Western District

They are on the 1860 census just two houses from Ichabod Hensley.

1860 Census, Scott Co., VA, Estillville PO, House 229, Family 229

Talitha Rhoton Freeman died on 6 Jul 1866 in Scott Co., VA. Her death is recorded in the county death register which lists her parents as Jacob and Elizabeth Rhoton. Without that record I might have assumed she was a Hensley and not Freeman’s second wife.

She is apparently buried at the William Freeman cemetery, but with no stone.

David is on the 1870 census in Scott Co., VA still near Ichabod Hensley and other members of Fielding Hensley’s family.

1870 Census, Scott Co., VA, Estillville Township, Estillville PO, p. 501, House 356, family 350

David is on the 1880 census now living with his son David T. Freeman.

1880 Census, Scott Co., VA, 78 Dist, Estillville Mag Dist, p. 280, house 61, family 63

David Freeman died on 2 Dec 1885 at the age of 96 in Scott Co., VA. He is buried at the William Freeman cemetery. He has a new stone for his War of 1812 service, but no original stone, apparently.

David and his second wife, Talitha, had nine children per the 1850 and later censuses. The 1840 census indicates at least two unidentified daughters.

David and his first wife, Miss Hensley, had no children as far as is known.

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William Hensley (c1797) is proven by the James Larkey court case. He married Elizabeth Magee in 1827 in Scott Co., VA. They moved to MO. See his own page for more information.

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Nathaniel Hensley (c1800) is proven by the James Larkey court case. He married Mahala Riley ca 1840 and her sister Matilda Riley in 1860. See his own page for more information.

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Isabel Hensley is a proven child of Fielding and Nancy by the James Larkey court case. She was born ca 1800/01 per her age on the 1850 census (49) or ca 1807/08 per her age in 1860 (52). I don’t know which is more accurate, though I lean towards ca 1801, but I could be wrong.

She seems to be with her parents for the 1810, 1820 and 1830 censuses.

Isabel and her sister Malinda were both married on 6 Aug 1835 by James Kerr in Scott Co., VA. Malinda married George Head while Isabel married Robert Burks (Burke). I suppose they either had a double ceremony or were married one after the other.

Robert Burke was born somewhere in Virginia, either ca 1793/94 (per 1850 census age 56) or ca 1796/97 (per 1860 census age 63). I don’t know who his parents were.

I think I found them in 1840 in neighboring Lee Co., VA, though his age isn’t a perfect match. There are actually two Roberts in Lee in 1840, but the second one and his wife are both in their 20s (c1810/20) which doesn’t work.

1840 Census, Lee Co., VA, p. 17/98/9, Robert Burk age 30-39 (1800/1810)

000001-010001

There is another Robert Burke in neighboring Russell Co., VA in 1840. That Robert was still there in 1850 with his wife Anna. I’ll include their entry anyway just for reference and to help differentiate this family.

1840 Census, Russell Co., VA, p. 5, Robert Burk age 30-39 (1800/1810)

311001-011001

Our Robert and Isabel are on the 1850 census in Harlan Co., KY which borders both Lee and Russell Counties, Virginia. In what I believe is pure coincidence, they are only seven households from Samuel Hensley (c1818) of the Buncombe Co., NC set of Hensleys. They are related, but it’s distant.

1850 census, Harlan Co., KY, District No 1, p. 32B, House 326, family 326

Judging by the ages of the children with them in 1850 (23 and 19), it seems Robert Burke must have been married prior to his 1835 marriage to Isabel. I didn’t find another marriage record for him though. It is also notable that the apparent son, Jonathan (c1827) did not seem to be with the family in 1840, so perhaps he isn’t a son at all? It is notable that someone his age was with Fielding Hensley in 1830 and widow Nancy Hensley in 1840. That could be him with his grandparents.

Robert and Isabel are still in Harlan for the 1860 census. Two “new” children are with them, both old enough to have been listed back in 1850 but were not. Are they a niece and nephew instead of their own children? Maybe so. I tried to find them elsewhere in 1850 but with no luck.

The only other Burke family in the county in 1860 was that of Jonathan Burke who had been with Robert and Isabel back in 1850. (Jonathan married Amy Brock on 19 May 1856.) No Hensleys were nearby this time around, though the county was full of them.

1860 Census, Harlan Co., KY, No township, Harlan Courthouse PO, p. 38, house 226, family 226

I was unable to find either Robert or Isabel on the 1870 census anywhere. I jumped ahead to 1880 just in case they were simply missed in 1870, but didn’t find them in 1880 either. They apparently died in the 1860s, presumably in Harlan Co., KY. I didn’t find young Robert or Nancy either, nor any marriage records for them.

I’m not sure how many children Robert and Isabel may have had. In 1850 they had Jonathan (1828) and Elizabeth (c1831) with them, both of whom predate their 1835 marriage. In 1860 they had Nancy (c1846) and Robert Burke (c1849) with them.

Jonathan Burke of 1850 and 1860 became Jonathan Hensley after that, which suggests he is Isabel’s son born prior to her marriage to Robert Burke. That he also went by Burke suggests that Robert is his father.

Does this mean that Elizabeth Burke (c1831) who was with them in 1850 is also Isabel’s daughter? She certainly could be. I think it’s also possible she was Jonathan’s wife, for he had two children born prior to his 1856 marriage to Ara Brock. Those could be Elizabeth’s.

I was unable to find anything else about Robert and Nancy Burke after the 1860 census. Could those have been Jonathan’s children too? I did look for them as Hensleys, but found nothing.

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James Hensley (c1804) is proven by the James Larkey court case. He married Eleanor Peters in 1827. See his own page for more information.

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John A. Hensley (c1805) is proven by the James Larkey court case. He married Jane Cole Bruce in 1834 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. They lived there, and in neighboring Campbell County before coming back to Scott County in the 1840's. See his own page for more information.

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Barbara Hensley is proven by the James Larkey court case. She was born ca 1812/13 per her age on the 1850 census (37).

She seems to be with her parents for the 1820, 1830 and 1840 census. In 1850 she was living with her brother Zachariah in Scott Co., VA, apparently still single.

1850 census, Scott Co., VA, Western District, p. 400B, house 647, family 674

I don’t know what became of Barbara after 1850. I didn’t find a marriage record for her in Scott Co., VA or nearby. Nor did I find her on the 1860 census anywhere. Did she die in the 1850s? Or did she marry someone and there is no public record of it?

Some of her siblings moved away in the 1850s, some to Kentucky, one to Missouri. Others remained in Scott Co., VA. What did Barbara do?

Casting a wide net I tried to find Barbara in 1860 under a different surname assuming she married someone. As one can imagine there were numerous Barbara’s born in Virginia around the same time as Barbara Hensley, 108 of them in fact. I limited the results to those living near Scott Co., VA, which narrowed the list down to just three potential matches of the right name, age and birth place.

One was in Sullivan Co., TN (Babry Earl). She isn’t ours for she was already married to her Mr. Earl before 1850. Another was Barbary Heneger in Tazewell Co., VA in 1860. She too can be eliminated because she was married to her Mr. Heneger before 1850.

Finally, there was a Barbary Miller in Washington Co., VA in 1860. She has potential. She was the wife of John Miller. Going back to 1850 I find John Miller in Washington, but widowed (first wife named Jane per other sources). This means he married his Barbara during the 1850s. Is this Barbara Hensley? It certainly could be, but can we prove or disprove it? I looked for a marriage record for John Miller and found none for him in the 1850s. However, looking at her entry on FindAGrave.com, she is listed there as Barbara Deck. I don’t know what the proof is for her maiden name, but if correct, then this isn’t Barbara Hensley. There is a Barbara Deck on the 1850 census in Washington with her parents. She is only 22 then (ca 1827/28) which is about 15 years younger than John Miller’s wife. Is it the same woman?

With no luck finding Barbara Hensley in 1860, I’m going to assume she died in the 1850s, probably in Scott Co., VA.

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Ichabod Hensley (1813) is proven by the James Larkey court case. He married Mariah J. Ramey in 1835 and Elizabeth Horne in 1866. See his own page for more information.

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Malinda Hensley was born 12 Apr 1820 per her tombstone. She was born in Scott Co., VA, presumably. She is a proven child of Fielding as named in the James Larkey case.

She seems to be with her parents for the 1820 and 1830 census.

Malinda and her sister Isabel were both married on 6 Aug 1835 by James Kerr in Scott Co., VA. Malinda married George Head while Isabel married Robert Burks (Burke). I suppose they either had a double ceremony or were married one after the other.

George Head was born Jan 1813 (per 1900 census) in Virginia, presumably in that part of Washington County that became Scott County in 1814. I don't know who his parents were. There was a large Head family in Scott County with several connections to the Hensleys. Other researchers suspect he is a son of James Head (c1777-1857) and Mary (—?) (c1780-aft 1850). That could be true. There are other Hensley connections in James Head’s family. One, his daughter Mary (c1798) married John Hensley (c1798). We don’t know exactly how John Hensley is related to Fielding Hensley. Two, Elizabeth Head (no dates) married William H. Dixon in 1824. She died soon after, then he married Hannah Hensley (1807-1858), who would be Fielding’s niece. Three, Anna Head (1805-1899) had a child out of wedlock with James Hensley, Fielding’s son. (See his section above for more on them.)

There are other Head - Hensley connections as well.

There were three George Heads on the 1840 census in Scott County. From the enumerations it is pretty clear which one is this one. No Hensleys were nearby, but several related families were (Livingston, Ramey, Dixon, Peters, etc.).

1840 Census, Scott Co., VA p. 21, George Head age 20-29 ( 1810/1820)

10001-10001

They moved three counties west in the early 1840s to Knox Co., KY where the are listed on the 1850 census. There were no other Hensleys there at that time. Michael Peavler (c1816) was three houses away. He’s probably related to Christopher Peavler who married George Head’s sister Anna. There were other Peavlers within a page or two. Ira Head (c1802) (listed as “Read” by mistake) was just a few houses away. Was he George’s brother? Uncle? Cousin? He was definitely related for the two families seemed to migrate together.

1850 census, Knox Co., KY, p. 342B, house 318, family 323

They moved northward to Lawrence Co., IN by ca 1854. George’s sister, Anna Head Peavler, had moved to that county a couple of years earlier.

They are listed there on the 1860 census.

1860 Census, Lawrence Co., IN, Pleasant Run Township, Heltonsville PO, p. 656, house 484, family 484

By 1870 they had moved again, north west, to McLean Co., IL which is where Bloomington is located. Sister Anna Head Peavler was also in that county then, but not listed near them on the census. There were also several Hensleys in McLean in 1870.

1870 Census, McLean Co., IL, Empire Township, LeRoy PO, p. 392, house 57, family 57

During the 1870s they once again made a northwesterly move, this time to Linn Co., MO where they are listed on the 1880 census. Sister Anna Head Peavler had also made the same move.

1880 Census, Linn Co., MO, North Salem Township, p. 404, house 65, family 65

Malinda Hensley Head died on 3 Dec 1884 in Linn Co., MO and is buried there at the North Salem Cemetery.

George is listed on the 1900 census living with his son David.

1900 Census, Linn Co., MO, North Salem Township, p. 238, house 69, family 69

George Head died on 24 Jan 1905 in Linn Co., MO and is buried at the North Salem Cemetery. However, he has no stone there.

George and Malinda had ten known children.

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Mahala Hensley is proven by the James Larkey court case. I’ve found nothing else on her thus far.

To confuse matters, there was a Mahala Hensley, age 30, with widow Nancy Hensley in 1850. One might automatically assume that was her. However, that is almost certainly Nathaniel’s wife, who was also living there. The names are coincidences I think, for a census analysis of Fielding and Nancy’s 1820, 1830 and 1840 censuses don’t support having a daughter Mahala born ca 1820 with them. That’s the year Melinda was born, actually.

It is notable that Mahala seems to be an “infant” in 1834 according to one of the documents, though she isn’t named specifically, only that two “sisters” of the others were mentioned as infants at that time. That simply meant under 21, or born between ca 1813 and 1834. Since neither Mahala nor Melinda were listed on that document by name, but all the other children were, the assumption is that they were the infants. It fits for Melinda for she would have been about 13 or 14 then. What about Mahala though? This must mean she was born between ca 1813 and 1833 (death date of her father). However, considering her mothers’ age, it’s more likely she was born in the 1810s or 20s rather than the 1830s. However, where was she on the 1820, 1830 or 1840 census? Unfortunately I can’t answer that question.

There is always the possibility that I’m mistaken about Mahala age 30 of 1850 census being Nathaniel’s wife. She could be his sister instead.

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Unknown Daughter (1804/1810). Fielding Hensley had a girl this age with him in 1810 and 1820. She didn’t seem to be home by 1830, so married or dead by then.

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Unknown Son (1810/1820). Fielding Hensley had a boy this age with him in 1820. He didn’t seem to be home by 1830. However, there was an “extra” male born ca 1800/1810 with Fielding in 1830. If this son was born ca 1810, that works in both censuses. I have a suspicion that this son was indeed born ca 1810, and his name was Fielding Hensley Jr. His father was listed as Fielding Hensley Sr on the 1831 tax list, which never made sense to me for there were no other Fielding Hensleys in the county then that he needed to be distinguished from. However, if he had a son of that name, and that age, he would have been 20 or 21 in 1831, thus the sudden need for his dad to distinguish himself on the record. However, if this is indeed a Fielding Hensley Jr, he died between 1831 and 1833 when the heirs were named in the James Larkey court case.

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Unknown Son (1825/1830). Fielding had a boy this age with him in 1830, and Nancy had him still home in 1840. This is more likely a grandson than a son. I think this is Jonathan Burke alias Jonathan Hensley (1828), son of Isabel Hensley, apparently born out of wedlock before she married Robert Burke in 1835.

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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: March 1, 2022

Copyright © 1996-2022 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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