James B. Hensley (c1805) and Nancy --- of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC

James B. Hensley was born ca 1804/05 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). I don't know what the "B" middle initial was for.

I don't know who James' parents were for sure, but Berry Hensley seems a very likely choice for his father. This is based on the 1870 census, where Elizabeth Hensley was residing with James, and Berry Hensley, was residing with James' son Andrew Hensley. James was listed next door. This does not prove the relationship, but it is strong circumstantial evidence (very strong). (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for that data, regarding 1870 census).

Assuming that it is true that James B. Hensley was a son of Berry (and I think it is true), then James was probably home with Berry for the early census records.

James seems to be at home with Berry Hensley for the 1810 census, listed in the "under 10" column (born ca 1800/10). He also seems to be with Berry in 1820, in the age 10-15 (born ca 1804/10) column.

The 1830 census is iffy. Berry had a male age 20-29 (born ca 1800/10) with him then, and in previous years he only had one in that age group each time (in other words, James was the only son he had that age). However, there was a "J. B. Hensley" listed as head of household, with two males, and no apparent wife or children. This could be James listed as head of household, even though he wasn't married. It is possible both records were for him. The other male with "J. B. Hensley" in 1830 may be a younger brother. This "J. B." was listed two houses from Samuel Hensley, and might not be the same one under study here. But just in case, here is the record. His neighbors on either side were R. Ponder (?) and J. (John?) Callahan.

In 1833, Yancey County was created from part of Buncombe, including where most of the Hensley's lived.

On 8 May 1837, a deed between Thomas Wilson, Esquire, Sheriff of Yancey Co, NC and Thomas Gardner was for 100 acres of land, and 75 acres, on east side of Ales Creek. This land was sold as a result of a suit from Fall 1836 Court of Burke County against James B. Hensly, Berry Hensley and John Baily. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 233 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

The above record refers to a Court case against James B. Hensley, Berry Hensley (his father) and John Bailey, but it was apparently in Burke County, so probably lost with most of the other early Burke County records. However, this does show that James B. Hensley was associated with Berry, at least they were being sued together.

On 28 Oct 1837, "J. B. Hensly" witnessed a Yancey Co, NC Deed between Henry Ray and Thomas Gardner for land on the south side of Cainy River. The other witness was William Calloway. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 233 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

James B. Hensley married Nancy --- ca 1830/1838, in Yancey Co, NC. Some researchers list her maiden name as "Anderson", but I don't know what source there is for that.

James B. Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey. He was just three houses from Levi Hensley, and on the same page with (but several houses) from Berry Hensley Jr (Berry R. Hensley). James' next door neighbors were Aaron Wright and James H. Whitson.

James B. Hensley and wife and family were listed on the 1850 census in Yancey County. They were not real close to any other Hensley's, except for Margaret L. Hensley, daughter of Emelia Sprouse (who is probably a relative to James). James' next door neighbors were James J. Gardner and family, and Robert McIntosh and family.

James and family were still in Yancey for the 1860 census, however, James' father Berry Hensley was listed four houses away.

In 1870, James and family were still in Yancey County. James' mother Elizabeth was living with him then, and his father Berry was next door with James' son Andrew (Berry's grandson).

I did not find James and Nancy on the 1880 census in Yancey. They may have both died by then, or moved away.

Children

James B. Hensley and Nancy had at least 8 children (perhaps more). Since I know so little about them at present, I'll not discuss them individually at this time.

Researcher List

1. James B¹ Hensley , born 1804/05 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC, son of Berry Hensley and Elizabeth (---) . He married in 1830/38 in Yancey Co, NC Nancy (---) , born 1809/10 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

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

2 i Dorcas E² Hensley , born 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 3 ii Ezekial G² Hensley , born 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Mary M Dodd .

4 iii Nancy E² Hensley , born 1842/43 in Yancey Co, NC.

5 iv Sarah Ann² Hensley , born 1844/45 in Yancey Co, NC.

6 v William K² Hensley , born 1845/46 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 7 vi Andrew J² Hensley , born 1847/48 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Margaret B Arrowood .

8 vii Mary M² Hensley , born 1850 in Yancey Co, NC.

9 viii Blanche E² Hensley , born 1852/53 in Yancey Co, NC.

Generation 2

3. Ezekial G² Hensley (James B¹), born 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC. He married bef 1860 in Yancey Co, NC Mary M Dodd , born 1842/43 in Yancey Co, NC, daughter of Jesse Dodd and Margaret Grant .

Children of Ezekial G Hensley and Mary M Dodd were as follows:

10 i William B³ Hensley , born 1860/61 in Yancey Co, NC.

11 ii Andrew C³ Hensley , born 1875/76 in Yancey Co, NC.

12 iii James M³ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Yancey Co, NC.

13 iv David H³ Hensley , born 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

7. Andrew J² Hensley (James B¹), born 1847/48 in Yancey Co, NC. He married on 16 Feb 1868 in Yancey Co, NC Margaret B Arrowood , born 1847/48 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Andrew J Hensley and Margaret B Arrowood were as follows:

14 i William R³ Hensley , born 1869/70 in Yancey Co, NC.