Fielding Hensley (c1813) and Nicy --- of Yancey Co, NC

Fielding Hensley was born ca 1812/13 in Buncombe Co, NC (Now Yancey Co, NC). His name was often spelled "Fielden" as well as "Fielding".

I don't know who Fielding Hensley's parents were. There are several "suspects". There was an older Fielding Hensley, who could be his namesake, but somehow, I don't think this is the case. They were in different states, and there is no known relationship between them. In 1880, Fielding's census entry showed his father was born in NC, and his mother was born in TN. That may help narrow down who his parents were.

Fielding Hensley would most likely be home with his parents for the 1820 and 1830 census. In 1820 he should be in the "under 10" category (born ca 1810/20), and in 1830 in the age 15-19 category (c1810/15). That helps narrow down the suspects a little bit, but not enough to come to any conclusions.

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from part of Buncombe, including where the Hensley family resided.

Fielding Hensley married Nicy --- ca 1830/1839 (probably close to ca 1838) in Yancey Co, NC. I don't know what her maiden name is, but it could be "Phillips", as there was a William H. Phillips, age 11 residing with them in 1850. Of course he might not be related at all.

On 3 Jan 1839, Fielding Hensley received a State Land Grant in Yancey County for 50 acres including the Green Cove, and beginning near Big Gap. He entered (claimed) this land on 20 Nov 1834. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 319 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

Fielding Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey County. He was next door to William Mashburn on one side, and David Shelton on the other. David was married to Nancy Hensley, daughter of Henry Hensley and Mary Howard. Fielding was just three houses from Enos Hensley, a suspected son of Henry and Mary Hensley also. In Fielding's household there were two females listed in the 20-29 age group, however, it is clear that there was a "1" written there also. It is obvious that one was written over the other, but which one? It looks to me like the enumerator tried to hide the "1" with the way he wrote the "2", so it looks like "2" should be the correct entry. That means there was a sister or sister-in-law (or someone else) residing with them in 1840. Another interesting note is that in 1840, Fielding had 2 apparent males under age 5 (born ca 1835/40), but in 1850, he only had one son listed (Eason age 11, born ca 1838/39), but there was a William H. Phillips with him then as well, also age 11. It is possible that William was with him in 1840 as well. If so, then who is William, and what is his relationship? Could he be a child of Nicy from a previous marriage?

Fielding and family were listed on the 1850 census in Yancey County. They were next door to Silas A. Hensley (c1816), a possible brother. Their neighbor on the other side was Daniel Holloway. They were just a few houses from Henry Hensley Sr and several other Hensleys as well.

Fielding Hensley and family were listed on the 1860 census in Yancey County. They were next door to widow Charlotte Hensley and family. She was widow of Silas A. Hensley. There were several members of the Henry Hensley family within a page or two, so basically many of the same neighbors they had in 1850.

Nicy may have died between 1860 and 1870, for in 1870, Fielding seem to have a new wife named Jane ---, born ca 1832/33. I didn't find a marriage record for them.

Fielding and Jane were listed in Yancey for the 1870 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Fielding and Jane were listed in Yancey for the 1880 census. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Children

Fielding and Nicy had five children with several large gaps between them, possibly suggesting that Nicy wasn't the first wife. The first child (Eason or possibly "Esau") was born ca 1839. The next child (Rachel) was born approximately 9 years later in ca 1848, then two more 9 more years later (ca 1857 and ca 1858). These gaps may not mean anything, but it is unusual.

I have no additional data on any of their children yet, so they will not get their own sections on this page until I have more data.

Researcher List

1. Fielding¹ Hensley , born 1812/13 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC. He married (1) in 1830/39 in Yancey Co, NC Nicy (---) , born 1820/21 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); (2) in 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC Jane (---) , born 1832/33 in NC.

Children of Fielding Hensley and Nicy (---) were as follows:

2 i Eason² Hensley , born 1838/39 in Yancey Co, NC; died bef 2 Jun 1863.

+ 3 ii Rachel² Hensley , born 1847/48 in Yancey Co, NC. She married William Carson Bracken .

4 iii Martha² Hensley , born 1856/57 in Yancey Co, NC.

5 iv Phebe Malisa² Hensley , born 1857/58 in Yancey Co, NC.

6 v Robert² Hensley , born 1860/61 in Yancey Co, NC.

Generation 2

3. Rachel² Hensley (Fielding¹), born 1847/48 in Yancey Co, NC. She married on 27 Dec 1865 in Yancey Co, NC William Carson Bracken , born 1829/30 in NC.

Children of Rachel Hensley and William Carson Bracken were as follows:

7 i Casaline³ Bracken , born 1866/67 in Yancey Co, NC.

8 ii Jane³ Bracken , born 1870/71 in Yancey Co, NC.

9 iii Woodfin³ Bracken , born 1872/73 in Yancey Co, NC.

10 iv Gilmore³ Bracken , born 1874/75 in Yancey Co, NC.

11 v Isaac³ Bracken , born 1877/78 in Yancey Co, NC.