James A. Hensley and Sarah Morgan of Buncombe, Rutherford and McDowell Co, NC

James A. Hensley was born ca 1804/05 (per 1850 census) or 16 May 1801 (per his tombstone, as shared by Charmaine Ernst). He was probably born in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). The "1801" birth year disagrees with the 1850 and 1860 census ages for James (45 in 1850, and 56 in 1860, both of which work if he was born ca 1804). Tombstone's are often wrong about birth years, but it could be correct of course, or close enough.

I don't know what his middle initial of "A" might stand for. It could be anything, but I don't want to guess.

I don't know who James' parents were. There are several possibilities. I've done some census analysis to try to narrow the suspects down a little, but that isn't conclusive, but it should be somewhat helpful. Presumably, James would have been home with his parents for the 1810 and 1820 census (assuming he wasn't an orphan and raised by someone else).

In 1810, James would have been about 5, 6 or 9 depending on his actual birth year, but regardless, that would put him in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10).

In 1820, James would have been about 15, 16, or 19 depending on his actual birth year. This makes a census analysis more complex, as he could be in two different categories, either in the age 10-15 group (born 1804/1810), or in the 16-25 group (1794/1804).

In 1820, there were only four Hensley households with at least one male age 10-15 (c1804/10), which might be parents of James A. Hensley: James Hensley (c1780), John Hensley (c1794/1800), Benjamin Hensley (c1790), and Berry Hensley (c1783). That narrows down the list of suspects considerably, but still does not prove who his parents were. Since he might have been in the age 16-25 (c1794/1804) category in 1820 instead, that adds one more possibility: Harry Hensley Sr (bef 1755).

Of course the above does not mean he had to be a child of one of those listed. There are other possibilities as well.

James A. Hensley married someone ca 1825/30 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). I don't know who she was, but they had at least one child (born ca 1825/30) before her death ca 1830/31.

James A. Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County, NC. He was just a few houses from William M. Hensley (c1810), a possible brother. James' next door neighbors were H. Rhea, and John Biddick. They were all in the part of Buncombe that became Yancey County in 1833.

James' wife must have died between the time of the 1830 census, and early 1831, for on 12 Apr 1831, he obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford Co, NC to marry Sarah "Sally" Morgan. John Morgan (her father) was bondsman for the marriage.

On 11 Oct 1837 James Hensley was the bondsman for the marriage of James Henderson Adair and Armentey Koon in Rutherford Co, NC.

James and Sarah and family were still in Rutherford for the 1850 census in Cathies Creek District. (Cathey's Creek District).

James A. Hensley and family were still in Rutherford for the 1860 census, *** but I don't have the listing typed up yet.

James died on 11 Nov 1886, and Sarah on 2 Feb 1888, both in Rutherford Co, NC. Thanks to Charmaine Ernst for sharing these dates, which come from their tombstones at Round Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Rutherford Co, NC.

Children

James A. Hensley and his first wife had at least one child, and he and Sarah Morgan had at least 12 children.

Unknown Daughter (1825/30). James Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 and 1840 census, but she was not with him in 1850, so she probably married or died in the 1840's.

There was only one female Hensley marriage from the 1840's recorded in Rutherford Co, NC, and that was for a Nancy Hensley marrying James F. Hawkins (marriage bond dated 2 Feb 1841), with J. H. Alley Jr as bondsman. Since James A. Hensley already had a daughter named "Nancy", this can't be his child. Anyway, she was born ca 1817/18, so too old to be James' child.

There is another marriage for a "mystery" female Hensley, a Mary Hensley who married Cornelius Clements on 7 Aug 1853. They were married by G. Gilkey, JP. Marriage bond dated 5 Aug 1853, A. K. Wallace, bondsman. I didn't find this Mary Hensley on the 1850 census, so she might have been living in another household, but not enumerated correctly (or at all). I haven't followed up on her, but she could be this daughter of James A. Hensley, if she was born ca 1825/30.

There were two Cornelius Clements listed on the 1860 census index in Rutherford Co, NC on page 639 and 644. I'll have to check that when I can to see if perhaps Mary is a likely candidate to be this unknown daughter of James A. Hensley.

Nancy C. Hensley was born ca 1831/32 in Rutherford Co, NC. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census, and with them in 1850.

On 6 Aug 1850 Daniel Reele (Reel) obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford Co, NC to marry "Nancy C. Hensley". James A. Hensley (her father) was the bondsman.

I found a Daniel Reel listed on the 1860 census index in neighboring McDowell Co, NC on page 385. This might be them.

Sarah E. Hensley was born ca 1834/35 in Rutherford Co, NC. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census, and with them in 1850 and 1860.

Sarah E. Hensley and John Mashburn were married 2 Mar 1866 in McDowell Co, NC.

John Hensley was born ca 1835/36 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census, and with them in 1850.

John Hensley married Delilah Reel in McDowell Co, NC in 1856 (marriage bond dated 18 Aug 1856). Dilly was born ca 1835/36 in Burke (now McDowell) Co, NC, daughter of Henry Reel and Lois Stroud.

They were listed on the 1860 census in McDowell County just two houses from Dilly's widowed mother.

James Hensley was born ca 1836/37 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census, and with them in 1850.

I'm not sure what the source for this is, but I have James Hensley married to Maggie Creswell in the 1850's. I didn't find a marriage record for them in either Rutherford or McDowell County.

Stephen A. Hensley was born ca 1838/39 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census, and with them in 1850.

Stephen was in neighboring McDowell County for the 1860 census, residing with widow Lois (Stroud) Reel (relationship unknown).

Stephen married Nancy M. Jamison in McDowell Co, NC in 1867 (marriage bond dated 30 Jan 1867).

Unknown Daughter (1835/40). James A. Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1840 census, but not with him in 1850. This could be daughter Elizabeth J. Hensley, born ca 1840/41 (per being age 9 in 1850), or it could be another daughter who died or married in the 1840's, or was just living elsewhere in 1850, perhaps as a domestic servant in someone else's household.

Elizabeth J. Hensley was born ca 1840/41 in Rutherford Co, NC. She was home with her parents for the 1850 census.

On 8 Aug 1859, Calvin Koon obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford County to marry "Elizabeth J. Hensley". J. B. Eaves was the bondsman. They were married on 9 Aug 1859 by B. E. Rollins.

George Grayson Hensley was born ca 1841/42 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was home with his parents for the 1850 census. In 1850 he was listed as "George", age 8, and in 1860 it was "Grayson", 18. Clearly the same person in both census, but is the name "George Grayson Hensley"?.

A McDowell Co, NC marriage record shows "Gracey Hansley" and "Sydney E. Poteet" marrying in 1863 (bond dated 6 Nov 1863). I assume this is the same person, but could be wrong. The records make "Gracey" out to be the bride, and Sydney the groom. "Sydney" is a name that can be male or female, so I don't know what the original bond shows.

Lucinda Hensley was born ca 1843/44 in Rutherford Co, NC. She was home with her parents for the 1850 and 1860 census.

On 12 Sep 1866 A. B. Mashburn (Albert B. Mashburn) obtained a marriage bond in McDowell Co, NC to marry "Lucinda Hensley".

William M. Hensley was born ca 1845/46 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census.

On 17 Jul 1865, "W. M. Hensley" obtained a marriage bond in McDowell Co, NC to marry Susan Sorrells.

Butler P. Hensley was born ca 1847/48 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census.

On 5 Feb 1866, "Butler P. Hensley" obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford Co, NC to marry Margaret Potiet (Poteat). James A. Hensley (his father) was the bondsman. They were married on 8 Feb 1866 by Washington Haynes, MG.

Narcissus Hensley was born ca 1848/49 in Rutherford Co, NC. She was home with her parents for the 1850 and 1860 census.

I don't know where I got it, but I have her married to Thomas B. Nanney. I don't know if that was in Rutherford or McDowell County.

Demaris Hensley was born ca 1850/51 in Rutherford Co, NC. She was home with her parents for the 1860 census.

I don't know where I got it, but I have her married to Pinkney D. Nanney. I don't know if that was in Rutherford or McDowell County.

Researcher List

1. James A¹ Hensley , born 1804/05 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) He married on 12 Apr 1831 in Rutherford Co, NC Sarah "Sally" Morgan , born 1807/08 in Rutherford Co, NC, daughter of John Morgan and Nancy Bright .

Children of James A Hensley and Sarah "Sally" Morgan were as follows:

2 i Nancy C² Hensley , born 1831/32 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married on 6 Aug 1850 in Rutherford Co, NC Daniel Reel .

3 ii Sarah E² Hensley , born 1834/35 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married on 2 Mar 1866 in McDowell Co, NC John Mashburn .

4 iii John² Hensley , born 1835/36 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 18 Aug 1856 in McDowell Co, NC Deliah A Reel , born 5 Nov 1835; died Mar 1908 in Rutherford Co, NC.

5 iv James² Hensley , born 1836/37 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married in 1850/60 in Rutherford Co, NC Maggie Creswell .

6 v Stephen A² Hensley , born 1838/39 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 30 Jan 1867 in McDowell Co, NC Nancy M Jamison .

7 vi Elizabeth J² Hensley , born 1840/41 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married on 9 Aug 1859 in Rutherford Co, NC Calvin Koone .

8 vii George Grayson² Hensley , born 1841/42 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 6 Nov 1863 in McDowell Co, NC Sydney E Poteat .

9 viii Lucinda² Hensley , born 1843/44 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married on 12 Sep 1866 in McDowell Co, NC Albert B Mashburn , born 1826/27 in Burke Co, NC, son of Matthew Mashburn and Catherine Raburn .

10 ix William M² Hensley , born 1845/46 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 17 Jul 1865 in Rutherford Co, NC Susan A Sorrells .

11 x Butler P² Hensley , born 1847/48 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 8 Feb 1866 in Rutherford Co, NC Margaret Poteat .

12 xi Narcissus² Hensley , born 1848/49 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married aft 1860 Thomas B Nanney .

13 xii Demaris² Hensley , born 1850/51 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married Pinkney D Nanney .

James A. Hensley (c1805) and Sarah Morgan of Buncombe, Rutherford and McDowell Co, NC

Children

Researcher List

Register Report