Harris Hensley (c1820), Orville Hensley (c1823) and Thomas Hensley (c1825) of Bedford Co, TN

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I (Marty Grant) am not related to these Hensleys as far as I know.

I have long considered these three (possibly five) Hensleys as siblings, though I'm not sure that they all are siblings, but they lived together and near each other at various times, so it seems very likely. Assuming they are all siblings, I do not yet know who their parents were, nor where they originated. They were all born in Tennessee between ca 1818 and 1833 and were living in Bedford Co, TN by 1850, but I don't know if they were born there or moved there from somewhere else. The 1880 census entries for those still around then, show that these were born in Tennessee, but both parents were born in South Carolina. This, and other evidence, leads me to believe that this group of siblings were also closely related to Franklin Hensley (c1813), who was possibly their older brother.

For the 1850 census, Harris Hensley was residing with Robert (c1805) and Ann Deniston (c1822). Harris was married at this time, so the fact that he and his family were residing with this other family is probably significant. Possibilities are that Ann was a sister to Harris Hensley, or a sister to Harris' wife. Another possibility is that Robert Demson was the brother of Harris' Hensley's wife (seems most likely). Their household (in 1850) was next door to Thomas Hensley (c1825) who was living with Leah Mayson (c1818) and her children, and also with them was Orville Hensley (c1823) and Sarah Ann Hensley (c1833). I have assumed that all of these were siblings, but could be wrong about that.

If these are all siblings of Franklin Hensley (c1813), as I suspect, then their parents were probably from Upper West South Carolina, and likely moved to Tennessee between ca 1813 and ca 1818. Whoever they were, they probably died after 1833.


Children

Mr. and Mrs. Hensley had several children living in Bedford County, TN. These are not all proven siblings, but it seems likely that they are.

Franklin Hensley (c1813)

Leah Hensley (c1818)

Harris Hensley (c1820)

Orville Hensley (c1823)

Thomas Hensley (c1825)

Sarah Ann Hensley (c1833)


Franklin Hensley was born ca 1812/13 in South Carolina. He appeared in Bedford Co, TN in the 1830's. He was a very close neighbor to Orville and some of the others listed below, and in fact, named one of his own children "Orville". This seems to imply a close relationship between them. My guess is that Franklin is a brother to the rest of these Hensleys.

See his own page for additional information.


Leah Hensley was born ca 1817/18 in Tennessee, county unknown. Presumably, she was home with her parents for the 1820 and 1830 census.

She married a Mr. Mayson before ca 1837, in TN somewhere, possibly in Bedford County.

The 1840 census index shows no "Mason" or "Mayson" households in 1840 Bedford Co, TN.

Mr. Mayson died sometime between ca 1843 and 1850.

For the 1850 census, Leah Mayson was listed with Thomas Hensley (c1825), presumably her brother, in the 4th Civil District in Bedford Co, TN. Also included in the household was her children, and Sarah Ann Hensley (c1833) and Orville Hensley (c1823), presumably other siblings.

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 BEDFORD CO, TN Page 118   House/Family #  128/ 128  - 4th Civil District Twp

HENSLY THOMAS         25 M W FARMER                     TN                   1824/1825
MAYSON LEAH           32 F W                            TN                   1817/1818
MAYSON MARY E         13 F W                            TN                   1836/1837
MAYSON JOHN THOMAS    10 M W                            TN                   1839/1840
MAYSON CLAY F          7 F W                            TN                   1842/1843
HENSLY SARAH ANN      17 F W                            TN                   1832/1833
HENSLY ORVILLE        27 M W                            TN                   1822/1823

For the 1860 census, Leah and two of her children were still in Bedford, living with apparent brother Orville Hensley.

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 BEDFORD CO, TN Page 99    House/Family #  779/ 779 -- DISTRICT 5

HENSLEY ORVILLE       36 M W CONSTABLE         2000  1500 TN                   1823/1824
MASON LEAH            44 F W                              TN                   1815/1816
MASON JOHN            15 M W                              TN                   1844/1845
MASON CLARA           16 F W                              TN                   1843/1844

In 1870 Leah was still with her brother Orville in Bedford Co, TN, though listed as "Leah M. Hensly", age 50. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

I did not find Leah Mayson in 1880. She may have been dead by then, or re-married, or moved away.


Harris Hensley was born ca 1819/20 in Tennessee, county unknown. Presumably, he was home with his parents for the 1820, 1830 and 1840 census.

Harris Hensley married Elizabeth --- ca 1840/46, presumably in Bedford Co, TN. Elizabeth was born ca 1819/20. I don't know her maiden name, but it is quite possibly "Deniston".

Harris and Elizabeth and children were in Bedford Co, TN for the 1850 census, in 4th Civil District. They were in the household of Robert Demson (c1805). (I'm not sure if "Demson" is what their last name was, it was difficult to read, this may be "Deniston"). The Denistons might be related in some way. They were next door to the household containing Thomas Hensley (c1825) etc.

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 BEDFORD CO, TN Page 118   House/Family #  127/ 127  - 4th Civil District Twp

DEMSON ROBERT         45 M W CARPENTER             4000 TN                   1804/1805
DEMSON ANN            28 F W                            TN                   1821/1822
DEMSON JAMES          26 M W                            TN                   1823/1824
DEMSON MARTIAS? S     20 F W                            TN                   1829/1830
HENSLY HARRIS         30 M W                            TN                   1819/1820
HENSLY ELIZABETH      30 F W                            TN                   1819/1820
HENSLY CLOY E          4 F W                            TN                   1845/1846
HENSLY THOMAS          2 F W                            TN                   1847/1848
 

Harris and family were still in Bedford for the 1860 census.

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 BEDFORD CO, TN Page 90    House/Family #  715/ 715 -- DISTRICT 4

HENSLEY HARRIS        38 M W FARMER            2100   500 TN                   1821/1822
HENSLEY ELIZABETH     35 F W                              TN                   1824/1825
HENSLEY CLARA         11 F W                              TN                   1848/1849
HENSLEY THOMAS         9 M W                              TN                   1850/1851
HENSLEY JAMES          3 M W                              TN                   1856/1857
 

They were still in Bedford for the 1870 census. The abstract shows: Harris Hensly 50, Elizabeth, 53, Thomas 19, James 12, Mary 9, Julia A. Deniston, 47, all born TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Julia A. Deniston is probably the same person as Ann "Demson" from 1850 who may be Elizabeth's sister.

Harris and family were still in Bedford for the 1880 census, in District 4. "Ann Deniston" was with them, though the relationship was not stated, but I suspect she was Harris' sister-in-law, sister to his wife Elizabeth. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.


Orville Hensley was born ca 1822/23 in Tennessee, county unknown. Presumably, he was home with his parents for the 1820, 1830 and 1840 census.

Orville was residing with Thomas Hensley (c1825) and Leah Mayson (c1818) in 1850 (see her entry above for the census listing), apparently unmarried at that time.

For the 1860 census, Orville Hensley was still unmarried, and his apparent sister Leah was with him still in Bedford.

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 BEDFORD CO, TN Page 99    House/Family #  779/ 779 -- DISTRICT 5

HENSLEY ORVILLE       36 M W CONSTABLE         2000  1500 TN                   1823/1824
MASON LEAH            44 F W                              TN                   1815/1816
MASON JOHN            15 M W                              TN                   1844/1845
MASON CLARA           16 F W                              TN                   1843/1844

In 1870 Orville Hensley was still apparently single, and living in Bedford Co, TN. The abstract shows: Oville Hensley, 47, Bill Watmore, 13, Learn M. Hensly, 50, all born TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Orville was still in Bedford for the 1880 census, still unmarried. He was two houses from probable brother Franklin Hensley (c1813). He was living by himself. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.


Thomas Hensley was born ca 1824/25 in Tennessee, county unknown. Presumably, he was home with his parents for the 1820, 1830 and 1840 census.

Thomas Hensley was listed as head of household on the 1850 census in Bedford Co, TN, with several apparent siblings residing with him.  Brother Harris Hensley was in the next household.

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 BEDFORD CO, TN Page 118   House/Family #  128/ 128  - 4th Civil District Twp

HENSLY THOMAS         25 M W FARMER                     TN                   1824/1825
MAYSON LEAH           32 F W                            TN                   1817/1818
MAYSON MARY E         13 F W                            TN                   1836/1837
MAYSON JOHN THOMAS    10 M W                            TN                   1839/1840
MAYSON CLAY F          7 F W                            TN                   1842/1843
HENSLY SARAH ANN      17 F W                            TN                   1832/1833
HENSLY ORVILLE        27 M W                            TN                   1822/1823

Thomas Hensley was not found in 1860. He may have died or moved away from the area.


Sarah Ann Hensley was born ca 1832/33 in Tennessee, county unknown. Presumably,  she was home with her parents for the , 1830 and 1840 census.

Sarah Ann was with her brother Thomas Hensley for the 1850 census in Bedford Co, TN.

I did not find her in 1860. She may have married someone by then.


Researcher List

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


Register Report


1. (---)1 Hensley , born in SC.  He married bef 1822 ? (---) , born in SC.

 

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

+    2          i      Franklin2 Hensley , born 1812/13 in SC; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married Nancy (---) .

+    3          ii      Leah2 Hensley , born 1817/18 in TN; died aft 1870 in Bedford Co, TN.  She married (---) Mayson .

+    4          iii      Harris2 Hensley , born 1819/20 in TN; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married Elizabeth Deniston .

      5          iv      Orville2 Hensley , born 1822/23 in TN; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.

      6          v      Thomas2 Hensley , born 1824/25 in TN.

      7          vi      Sarah Ann2 Hensley , born 1832/33 in TN.

 

Generation 2

 

2. Franklin2 Hensley  ((---)1), born 1812/13 in SC; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married bef 1834 in Bedford Co, TN Nancy (---) , born 1815/16 in TN; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

      Children of Franklin Hensley and Nancy (---) were as follows:

      8          i      Mary Jane3 Hensley , born 1834/35 in Bedford Co, TN.

      9          ii      John3 Hensley , born 1835/36 in Bedford Co, TN.

      10         iii      Thomas W3 Hensley , born 1837/38 in Bedford Co, TN.

      11         iv      Martha3 Hensley , born 1840/41 in Bedford Co, TN.

      12         v      Clara3 Hensley , born 1842/43 in Bedford Co, TN.  She married on 29 Mar 1866 in Bedford Co, TN John Woods , born 1833/34 in TN.

+    13         vi      Orville3 Hensley , born 1843/44 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married Mary E Hainey .

      14         vii      William3 Hensley , born 1845/46 in Bedford Co, TN.

      15         viii      Robert H3 Hensley , born 1848/49 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

 

3. Leah2 Hensley  ((---)1), born 1817/18 in TN; died aft 1870 in Bedford Co, TN.  She married bef 1837 in Bedford Co, TN (---) Mayson , died 1843/50 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

      Children of Leah Hensley and (---) Mayson were as follows:

      16         i      Mary E3 Mayson , born 1836/37 in Bedford Co, TN.

      17         ii      John Thomas3 Mayson , born 1839/40 in Bedford Co, TN.

+    18         iii      Clara J3 Mayson , born 1842/43 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married Martin D Payne .

 

 

4. Harris2 Hensley  ((---)1), born 1819/20 in TN; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married in 1840/46 in Bedford Co, TN Elizabeth Deniston , born 1819/20 in TN; died aft 1880 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

      Children of Harris Hensley and Elizabeth Deniston were as follows:

+    19         i      Clara Elizabeth3 Hensley , born 1845/46 in Bedford Co, TN.  She married B F Pearson .

      20         ii      Thomas L3 Hensley , born 1847/48 in Bedford Co, TN.

      21         iii      James3 Hensley , born 1856/57 in Bedford Co, TN.

      22         iv      Mary3 Hensley , born 1860/61 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

Generation 3

 

13. Orville3 Hensley  (Franklin2, (---)1), born 1843/44 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married on 7 Aug 1866 in Bedford Co, TN Mary E Hainey , born 1844/45 in TN.

 

      Children of Orville Hensley and Mary E Hainey were as follows:

      23         i      Mattie B4 Hensley , born 1867/68 in Bedford Co, TN.

      24         ii      Charles4 Hensley , born 1869/70 in Bedford Co, TN.

      25         iii      James4 Hensley , born 1871/72 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

 

18. Clara J3 Mayson  (Leah2 Hensley, (---)1), born 1842/43 in Bedford Co, TN.  He married on 16 Aug 1866 in Bedford Co, TN Martin D Payne , born 1844/45 in TN.

 

      Children of Clara J Mayson and Martin D Payne were as follows:

      26         i      Cornelius4 Mayson , born 1869/70 in Bedford Co, TN.

      27         ii      Ellen4 Mayson , born 1871/72 in Bedford Co, TN.

      28         iii      C M4 Mayson , born 1873/74 in Bedford Co, TN.

      29         iv      Sallie A4 Mayson , born 1875/76 in Bedford Co, TN.

      30         v      Leah4 Mayson , born 1877/78 in Bedford Co, TN.

 

 

19. Clara Elizabeth3 Hensley  (Harris2, (---)1), born 1845/46 in Bedford Co, TN.  She married on 3 Dec 1868 in Bedford Co, TN B F Pearson , born 1823/24 in TN.

 

      Children of Clara Elizabeth Hensley and B F Pearson were as follows:

      31         i      Maud4 Pearson , born 1868/69 in Bedford Co, TN.

      32         ii      Maggie4 Pearson , born 1873/74 in Bedford Co, TN.

      33         iii      Bula4 Pearson , born 1876/77 in Bedford Co, TN.


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