James Hensley (bef 1750) of Burke, Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC

First of all, I need to say that there has been a great deal of misinformation passed around on James Hensley and his family. I'm hoping that with this web page, I'll be able to correct a lot of those errors, and dispel old inaccurate family myths regarding this family.

James Hensley was born before 1750, presumably in Virginia (possibly Louisa County). I base his approximate birth year on several things. First of all, he was listed as age "45 and up" on the 1800 census, so that shows he was born before 1755. Second, he was listed on the 1771 Tax List (Surry Co, NC) as a tithable, so that probably shows he was at least 21 then. That would put his birth year at ca 1750 or before. Third, he was listed with his father Benjamin on the 1768 tax list (Rowan Co, NC) and that he probably means he was between 16 and 21 then, so born between ca 1747 and ca 1752. All told, that makes a likely birth range of ca 1747/50.

James Hensley is a proven child of Benjamin and Elizabeth Hensley. The primary proof is the 1768 tax list for Rowan Co, NC where Benjamin Hensley is taxed, and also taxed for his "sons James and Harry". The record actually lists them as his sons, so that is good proof. He also fits based on circumstantial evidence, though we don't need any of that in this case.

I don't know where James was born precisely, but it was most likely in Virginia (some list North Carolina, but that is not likely). His father Benjamin did not come into North Carolina until the 1760's. I don't know where Benjamin was in the 1750's, as there were several men named Benjamin Hensley turning up in VA records then. I don't know (yet) which one was James' father, so I can't narrow down what county he was probably born in.

James Hensley came with his parents and siblings from Virginia into Western North Carolina in the 1760's. They settled in Rowan Co, NC in an area that later became Surry County (and still later became Stokes County).

James Hensley first appeared on the records in 1768 when he was listed on the Rowan Co, NC tax list. His father Benjamin was listed and taxed for 3 tithables, including himself and his "sons James and Harry". So this record shows that James was Benjamin's son, and Henry's brother.

In 1771, Surry County was formed from the section of Rowan where the Hensleys lived.

I don't know who James' wife was, but I feel strongly it was either Jamima Angel or her sister Frances Angel. I have no direct proof to back up either one as his wife, but both were married to Hensley's, and their sister Barbara Angel was married to Henry Hensley, James' brother. Those three girls were named in the Will of their father Charles Angel dated 17 Jul 1773 in Surry Co, NC, wherein he named daughters: Jamima Hansly, Frances Hansly, and Barbra Hansly. I have found no evidence yet showing who Jamima and Frances were married to. I'm partial to Jamima being James' wife due to one of James' grandchildren being named "Jamima Hensley" (daughter of Berry Hensley), but of course, that isn't solid proof.

Apparently all of these Hensleys moved Henry Co, VA by 1778 (Henry Co, VA bordered Surry Co, NC in those days). James Hensley and several of his siblings were listed on the 1778 tax list (or militia list) in Henry Co, VA.

Unlike his siblings, James was not listed on the 1783 and 1784 tax lists in Henry Co, VA. I believe he moved to Western North Carolina in the early 1780's. His siblings followed a little later. They settled in what is now both Yancey and Madison Co, NC, but was still part of Burke County at that time.

The 1787 State Census for Burke County, NC shows four Hensley households listed, however, the edge of the pages were damaged, so none of the given names survived, so I can't really tell which was which. However, one of these was certainly James Hensley. The other three were probably Hickman, Henry and Benjamin Hensley. I'm including the listing that I think is James, but keep in mind that it could be one of the other Hensleys instead.

James Hensley was listed on the 1790 census in Burke County, NC in the 12th Company. He was listed between Robert Baker Jr and Thomas Ray. Several relatives were very close by as well, including John Hensley, Henry Hensley and Hickman Hensley (5 houses away), all James' brothers.

In 1791, Buncombe County was created from the section of Burke County where James Hensley and family resided.

In Jul 1792, Henry Hensley, James Hensley and others were ordered to be on a jury to lay off a road from Ivy River to Caney River. (Buncombe Co, NC Court Minutes, published in Old Buncombe Co, NC Genealogical Society Journal).

In Jan 1793, James Hensley and John Hensley and others were ordered to appear at next term of court (Apr 1793) as jurors. (Buncombe Co, NC Court Minutes, published in Old Buncombe Co, NC Genealogical Society Journal).

In Apr 1793, James Hensley was listed on a Buncombe County Jury. (Buncombe Co, NC Court Minutes, published in Old Buncombe Co, NC Genealogical Society Journal).

In April 1794, it was ordered that Henry Hensley, James Hensley, John Hensley, Colbert Hensley and others were to be a jury to view and lay off a road from Hintons Mill on Caney River the nearest and best way to Austin Choates on Ivy River. (Buncombe Co, NC Court Minutes, published in Old Buncombe Co, NC Genealogical Society Journal).

James Hensley was listed on the 1800 census in Buncombe Co, NC. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were. James had 3 slaves according to the 1800 census (he had none back in 1790).

James Hensley's wife died in the 1800/1810 timeframe in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. No one her age was with James in 1810, so she had presumably died by then.

James Hensley was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC. He was listed between his son Berry Hensley and his son-in-law Jesse Sprouse. As before (in 1800), James had 3 slaves. James also had a young male with him, under 10 years old (born ca 1800/10), who was probably too young to be his own son, so could be a grandson instead.

James Hensley apparently died in the 1810-1820 timeframe, as he was not found on the 1820 or later census records. On the 1820 census, James Hensley (c1780) was listed as James "Sr", and he never would have been listed as "Sr" if his Uncle James was still alive then.

On the 1820 census, Berry Hensley had several "extra" people with him, including (apparently) his sister Sibba Hensley and her daughter Huldah. He also had an older woman with him in 1820 (born before 1775) and probably the same person with him in 1830 (born 1740/50) who is certainly old enough to be his mother, but since she apparently died in the 1800-1810 timeframe, then I suspect this was his mother-in-law instead. Berry also had 3 slaves in 1820, probably the same 3 his father had in 1810 and 1800.

James Hensley was mentioned in two Yancey County, NC deeds in 1837, (Yancey was formed in 1833 from Buncombe) in regard to his former property. In those deeds (both dated 3 Apr 1837), Milly Hensley Sprouse and Sibba Hensley both sold their 1/3 parts of the James Hensley land to Thomas Gardner. Both deeds mentioned the land was bordering Berry Hensley's land.

Children

James Hensley and wife had several children per the 1790 through 1810 census records, however, his estate apparently was only divided up among 3 heirs, according to two Yancey Co, NC Deeds dated 3 Apr 1837. These deeds prove that Milly Hensley Sprouse and Sibba Hensley were his heirs. Their property was listed as bordering Berry Hensley. He isn't a proven child of James by this record, but I think it is highly likely that he is James' child also.

Milly Hensley was born ca 1770/75 probably in Surry Co, NC. She was probably home with her parents for the 1790 census (in that year, James had 4 females, 1 being his wife, the other three probably were daughters, no ages given, so I can only infer that she was born before 1790). In 1800, James had no apparent daughter this age with him, but he had one age 10-15 (born ca 1784/90) who might be her, if enumerated wrong, or that could be someone else. Milly would have been about 25 to 30 by then, so easily could have been living elsewhere. It is possible that she was married before 1800.

Milly Hensley married Jesse Sprouse before 1810 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. This marriage is proven by an 1837 deed showing that Milly Sprouse, formerly Hensley, was married to Jesse Sprouse, and that she was an heir of James Hensley. Though I didn't find them on the 1800 census, I suspect they were married then already, for in 1810, they had two apparent daughters born ca 1794/1800.

Jesse Sprouse was born ca 1765/70. I didn't find anyone of this surname in Burke County in 1790. In 1800 Buncombe, there was an apparent widow Chaney Sprouse, but she only had one child, a male born ca 1790/1800, so not likely to be Jesse. This must be a relative of his though. Jesse Sprouse was not listed in 1800, as far as I've found.

Jesse Sprouse was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC next door to his father-in-law James Hensley.

Jesse Sprouse was listed on the 1820 census in Buncombe Co, NC between Jabez Jarvis and James Ramsey. No Hensleys were nearby.

Jesse Sprouse was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe Co, NC just 3 houses from brother-in-law Berry Hensley. He was listed between William Higgins and William Wilson.

Yancey County was formed in 1833 from the part of Buncombe County where the Sprouse family resided.

On 3 Apr 1837, Jesse Sprouse and wife Milly Sprouse, formerly Milly Hensley, heir of James Hensley, deceased, of Yancey Co, NC sold land to Thomas Gardner for $10. This was the 1/3 part of 2 tracts of land in Yancey County on waters of Caney River and both sides of Ayles Creek. 1 tract of 100 acres, and another of 70 acres "above where Berry Hensley now lives". Witnesses were Thomas Wilson, Sibby Hensley. (Yancey Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 216 from "Index and Abstract of Deeds of Yancey Co., NC Deed Book 1" by Sally Williams, 1985).

Jesse Sprouse was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey Co, NC between Joseph Ruede? and Ansel Cook. No Hensleys were listed nearby.

I did not find Jesse nor Milly on the 1850 census in Yancey County, NC, so they presumably died in the 1840-1850 timeframe in Yancey. Although they had numerous children per the census records, I have not yet identified any of them. There were a couple of younger people of this surname in Yancey County in 1850 and 1860, probably children or grandchildren of these two.

Unknown Son (1774/1790). James Hensley had an apparent child this age with him for the 1790 census (age "under 16", born ca 1774/90), but he was gone by 1800, so probably dead or married by then. I suspect he died.

Berry Hensley was born ca 1782/83 in Burke (later Buncombe, now Yancey) Co, NC. He was apparently with James Hensley for the 1790 census (age "under 16", born ca 1774/90) and with him in 1800 (age 16-25, born ca 1774/84), but gone by 1810. This matches with Berry's marriage of ca 1800/04.

Berry Hensley is not a proven child of James Hensley, but I think he belongs here, based on circumstantial evidence mainly, but compelling evidence, I think. See his own page for additional information.

Unknown Daughter (1784/90). James Hensley had an apparent child this age with him for the 1790 census (no ages, born before 1790) and in 1800 (age 10-15, born ca 1784/90), but gone by 1810, so married or dead by then.

Sibba Hensley was born ca 1789/90 in Burke (later Buncombe, now Yancey) Co, NC. She was apparently home with her father for the 1790 census (no ages, born before 1790), and in 1800 (age "under 10", born ca 1790/1800), and in 1810 (age 16-25, born ca 1784/94).

Sibba never married, and was apparently living with her brother Berry in 1820 and 1830. She was listed as head of household in 1840, 1850 and 1860 (in Yancey Co, NC).

Unknown Son (1800/10). James Hensley had an apparent child this age with him for the 1810 census (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10), but I don't know if this was a son or grandson, or boarder of some kind.

Researcher List

1. James¹ Hensley , born bef 1750 in VA; died 1810/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC), son of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth (---) . He married in 1770/75 in Surry Co, NC ? (---) , born bef 1755; died 1800/10 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC).

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

2 i Milly² Hensley , born 1770/75 in Surry Co, NC; died 1840/50 in Yancey Co, NC. She married in 1794/1800 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Jesse Sprouse , born 1765/70; died 1840/50 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 3 ii Berry² Hensley , born 1782/83 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Elizabeth (---) .

+ 4 iii Sibba² Hensley , born 1789/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC. She married ? (---) .

Generation 2

3. Berry² Hensley (James¹), born 1782/83 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1800/05 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Elizabeth (---) , born 1786/87 in VA; died 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Berry Hensley and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

+ 5 i James B³ Hensley , born 1804/05 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Nancy (---) .

+ 6 ii Susannah³ Hensley , born 1808/09 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC. She married ? (---) .

+ 7 iii Jemimah³ Hensley , born 1822/23 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC. She married ? (---) .

+ 8 iv George W³ Hensley , born 1825/26 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married (1) Elizabeth McCoury ; (2) Sarah E (---) .

+ 9 v Blanchey³ Hensley , born 1826/27 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). She married (1) ? (---) ; (2) Morgan Doan .

+ 10 vi John Wesley³ Hensley , born 1829/30 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Fannin Co, GA. He married Martha (---) .

4. Sibba² Hensley (James¹), born 1789/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC. She married Not married ? (---) .

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

11 i Huldah³ Hensley , born 1818/19 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Madison Co, NC.

Generation 3

5. James B³ Hensley (Berry², James¹), born 1804/05 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC. 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:

12 i Dorcas E⁴ Hensley , born 1837/38 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 13 ii Ezekial G⁴ Hensley , born 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Mary M (---) .

14 iii Nancy E⁴ Hensley , born 1842/43 in Yancey Co, NC.

15 iv Sarah Ann⁴ Hensley , born 1844/45 in Yancey Co, NC.

16 v William K⁴ Hensley , born 1845/46 in Yancey Co, NC.

+ 17 vi Andrew J⁴ Hensley , born 1847/48 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Margaret B Arrowood .

18 vii Mary M⁴ Hensley , born 1850 in Yancey Co, NC.

19 viii Blanche E⁴ Hensley , born 1852/53 in Yancey Co, NC.

6. Susannah³ Hensley (Berry², James¹), born 1808/09 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Yancey Co, NC. She married Not married ? (---) .

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

+ 20 i James B⁴ Hensley , born 1834/35 in Yancey Co, NC. He married (1) Mary (---) ; (2) Sarah A Haflin .

7. Jemimah³ Hensley (Berry², James¹), born 1822/23 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1870 in Yancey Co, NC. She married Not married ? (---) .

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

+ 21 i Hester J⁴ Hensley , born 1841/42 in Yancey Co, NC. She married Andrew J Hensley .

8. George W³ Hensley (Berry², James¹), born 1825/26 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married (1) in 1840/50 in Yancey Co, NC Elizabeth McCoury , born 1828/29 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 1860/69 in Yancey Co, NC, daughter of James L McCoury and Jane (---) ; (2) in 1860/70 in Yancey Co, NC Sarah E (---) , born 1850/51 in NC.

Children of George W Hensley and Elizabeth McCoury were as follows:

+ 22 i James Crawford⁴ Hensley , born 1852/53 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Rebecca (---) .

23 ii Harriet L⁴ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC.

24 iii William J⁴ Hensley , born 1862/63 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of George W Hensley and Sarah E (---) were as follows:

25 i Margaret E⁴ Hensley , born Dec 1869 in Yancey Co, NC.

26 ii Achsah T⁴ Hensley , born 1871/72 in Yancey Co, NC.

27 iii Green B⁴ Hensley , born 1872/73 in Yancey Co, NC.

28 iv Hannah M⁴ Hensley , born 1873/74 in Yancey Co, NC.

29 v John W⁴ Hensley , born 1875/76 in Yancey Co, NC.

30 vi Charles⁴ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Yancey Co, NC.

9. Blanchey³ Hensley (Berry², James¹), born 1826/27 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). She married (1) Not married ? (---) ; (2) on 27 Apr 1852 in Yancey Co, NC Morgan Doan , born 1823/24 in NC.

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

31 i William⁴ Hensley , born 1845/46 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Blanchey Hensley and Morgan Doan were as follows:

+ 32 i James T⁴ Doan , born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Margaret E (---) .

10. John Wesley³ Hensley (Berry², James¹), born 1829/30 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Fannin Co, GA. He married in 1850/51 in Yancey Co, NC Martha (---) , born 1833/34 in NC.

Children of John Wesley Hensley and Martha (---) were as follows:

33 i Elizabeth⁴ Hensley , born 1850/51 in NC.

34 ii William H⁴ Hensley , born 1853/54 in Union Co, GA.

+ 35 iii Marion C⁴ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Union Co, GA. He married Josephine Queen .

36 iv Nancy⁴ Hensley , born 1859 in Union Co, GA.

37 v Lucinda⁴ Hensley , born 1862/63 in Union Co, GA.

38 vi Martha C⁴ Hensley , born 1864/65 in Union Co, GA.

39 vii Angee⁴ Hensley , born 1866/67 in Union Co, GA.

40 viii John Columbus⁴ Hensley , born Feb 1870 in Union Co, GA.

41 ix Augusta A⁴ Hensley , born 1871/72 in Union Co, GA.

Generation 4

13. Ezekial G⁴ Hensley (James B³, Berry², James¹), born 1840/41 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1860/61 in Yancey Co, NC Mary M (---) , born 1841/42 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Ezekial G Hensley and Mary M (---) were as follows:

42 i William B⁵ Hensley , born 1860/61 in Yancey Co, NC.

43 ii Andrew C⁵ Hensley , born 1875/76 in Yancey Co, NC.

44 iii James M⁵ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Yancey Co, NC.

45 iv David H⁵ Hensley , born 1870 in Yancey Co, NC.

17. Andrew J⁴ Hensley (James B³, Berry², James¹), 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:

46 i William R⁵ Hensley , born 1869/70 in Yancey Co, NC.

20. James B⁴ Hensley (Susannah³ Hensley, Berry², James¹), born 1834/35 in Yancey Co, NC. He married (1) in 1850/54 in Yancey Co, NC Mary (---) , born 1836/37 in Yancey Co, NC; (2) on 22 Sep 1872 in Yancey Co, NC Sarah A Haflin , born 1849/50 in TN.

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

47 i McWilliam⁵ Hensley , born 1853/54 in Yancey Co, NC.

48 ii Samantha A⁵ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC.

49 iii Jane A⁵ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Yancey Co, NC.

50 iv Clarinda⁵ Hensley , born 1859 in Yancey Co, NC.

51 v James B⁵ Hensley , born 1861/62 in Yancey Co, NC.

52 vi Priscilla J⁵ Hensley , born 1864/65 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of James B Hensley and Sarah A Haflin were as follows:

53 i Charles B⁵ Hensley , born 1873/74 in Yancey Co, NC.

54 ii Robert V⁵ Hensley , born 1875/76 in Yancey Co, NC.

55 iii Stephen W⁵ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Yancey Co, NC.

56 iv George W⁵ Hensley , born 1879 in Yancey Co, NC.

21. Hester J⁴ Hensley (Jemimah³ Hensley, Berry², James¹), born 1841/42 in Yancey Co, NC. She married on 12 Dec 1857 in Yancey Co, NC Andrew J Hensley , born 1834/35 in Yancey Co, NC; died aft 1860, son of Jesse Hensley and Matilda (---) .

Children of Hester J Hensley and Andrew J Hensley were as follows:

57 i John W⁵ Hensley , born 1858/59 in Yancey Co, NC.

58 ii William⁵ Hensley , born 1859/60 in Yancey Co, NC.

59 iii James Albert⁵ Hensley , born 1863/64 in Yancey Co, NC.

60 iv Harrison C⁵ Hensley , born 1865/66 in Yancey Co, NC.

61 v Willard⁵ Hensley , born 1870/71 in Yancey Co, NC.

62 vi Julia A⁵ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Yancey Co, NC.

22. James Crawford⁴ Hensley (George W³, Berry², James¹), born 1852/53 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1860/69 in Yancey Co, NC Rebecca (---) , born 1852/53 in NC.

Children of James Crawford Hensley and Rebecca (---) were as follows:

63 i William J⁵ Hensley , born 1868/69 in Yancey Co, NC.

64 ii Donetta⁵ Hensley , born 1873/74 in Yancey Co, NC.

65 iii Louisa⁵ Hensley , born 1876/77 in Yancey Co, NC.

66 iv Jacob S⁵ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Yancey Co, NC.

32. James T⁴ Doan (Blanchey³ Hensley, Berry², James¹), born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC. He married in 1870/80 in Yancey Co, NC Margaret E (---) , born 1855/56 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of James T Doan and Margaret E (---) were as follows:

67 i Horace J⁵ Done , born 1880 in Yancey Co, NC.

35. Marion C⁴ Hensley (John Wesley³, Berry², James¹), born 1856/57 in Union Co, GA. He married on 19 Nov 1874 in Union Co, GA Josephine Queen , born 1858/59 in GA.

Children of Marion C Hensley and Josephine Queen were as follows:

68 i Norvy M⁵ Hensley , born 1875/76 in Fannin Co, GA.

69 ii Sarah J⁵ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Fannin Co, GA.