Hickman M. Hensley (c1804) and Nancy Silver and Elizabeth --- of Buncombe, Yancey and Madison Co, NC

Hickman M. Hensley was born ca 1803/04 in Buncombe Co, NC (in the area that later became Yancey Co, NC in 1833, and finally Madison County in 1851).

Records seem to show that Hickman was a son of Colbert Hensley and Elizabeth Stanton. The evidence for this is not primary, or even secondary, but it may be correct. One of Hickman's children (Andrew, I think) filed for Indian claims, and in the application listed his father as Hickman, and grandfather as Colbert Hensley. I don't have copies of this record, so can't vouch for it at this time, but it seems genuine, I'm just not sure of the details. Census analysis also supports Hickman being Colbert's child.

Since I'm not sure of the accuracy of the Indian claim records, I'll try to back up the connection between Hickman and Colbert in other ways, especially with census analysis.

Hickman M. Hensley was most likely named for Hickman Hensley (1759), who was probably a brother of Colbert, so therefore, Hickman M's Uncle. I don't know what the "M" middle initial might stand for.

Hickman would have been approximately 6 years old in 1810, so if he was with his parents then (as he should have been), he would be listed in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10).

I haven't located Colbert in 1820, so wherever he was, Hickman probably was as well.

Hickman M. Hensley married Nancy Silver ca 1830 in Buncombe (later Yancey, now Madison) Co, NC. Her name comes from the Indian applications mentioned earlier.

They apparently hadn't been married long, but had a full household for the 1830 census. They were listed in Buncombe County next to his father Colbert Hensley, and next to Barna. Laundress Jr. There were quite a number of "extra" people with Hickman. These could be his brothers and sisters, who were living with him, instead of with their father (who was widowed), or they could be brothers and sisters of his wife Nancy, or a combination of both, and / or some of their own children. One reason I don't think any of them are their children, is that none of these same people were still with them in 1840. However, since Nancy died before 1840, some of the kids could have been elsewhere then. Based on their neighbors, they were clearly in that part of Buncombe that soon became Yancey County (in 1833) and later became Madison County (in 1851).

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from part of Buncombe, including where the Hensleys lived.

Hickman Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey County. His neighbors were Larkin Chandler and Jacob Bowman. They were in that part of Yancey that later became Madison County. Some of Hickman and Nancy's children may have been farmed out to other relatives after her death, and were not with Hickman in 1840, but that may not be the case at all.

Hickman M. Hensley married Elizabeth --- ca 1840/45 in Yancey Co, NC. I don't know what her maiden name was. She was born ca 1821/22 in Georgia.

Hickman Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 census in Yancey Co, NC census. His probable brother Amos Hensley was 12 houses away. Hickman's next door neighbors were Roderick Shelton and William Davis. Hickman's youngest son (Andrew, last born to wife Nancy) was not listed with him in 1850. I've been told by someone that he was raised by Nancy's relatives in Georgia.

Madison County was created in 1851 from part of Yancey County, including where Hickman and family resided.

Hickman and family were in Madison for the 1860 census just a few houses from widow Rhoda Hensley (widow of Charles).

I don't have this family on the 1870 census, though they were probably in Madison County.

I did not find Hickman in 1880 in Madison County, NC. He may have been dead by then, or perhaps moved away.

I have no additional data on the family, beyond this point. One of Hickman's daughters married a son of Amos Hensley, possibly indicating they were brothers, (which I think they were).

Children

Hickman and Nancy Silver had at least four children, or possibly more if any of those with them in 1830 were theirs. Hickman and second wife Elizabeth had at least two children. For the sake of not letting them "fall through the cracks", I'm including all those listed with Hickman in 1830 here as well, even though they probably were not their children.

Unknown Son (c1815/20). Hickman Hensley had a male child this age with him for the 1830 census (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20). Since we don't have a listing for Hickman in 1820, I can't be sure if he was with him then or not. He was gone from Hickman's household by 1840.

He probably isn't a son of Hickman, but a younger brother of his, or a brother of his wife Nancy Silver. It is possible that he is a son of Hickman and Nancy, but it doesn't seem likely.

Unknown Son (c1820/25). Hickman Hensley had a male child this age with him for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). He was gone from Hickman's household by 1840.