Joel Hensley (c1813) and Sarah (White) of Perry, Decatur and Henderson Co, TN

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I (Marty Grant) am not related to Joel Hensley as far as I know.

Joel Hensley was born ca 1812/13 somewhere in Tennessee, county unknown. He was in Perry County later on, but it is not known if he was born in that area or moved there later. It seems more likely he was born somewhere else and moved to Perry County.

Joel Hensley's parents are unknown. The 1820 census shows no Hensleys in Perry County, though there were several Hensleys in neighboring Wayne County that year. Presumably, Joel would have been home with his parents in 1820 and 1830 census, wherever they were, (and whomever they were). Joel's 1880 census entry showed that both his parents were also born in Tennessee. If this is correct (and it might not be), that means his parents (who were likely born ca 1792 or earlier) were in Tennessee early on. That limits the suspects considerably, but still leaves no clear answer as to who his parents were.

One suspect for Joel's father is Benjamin Hensley (c1790) who was in Perry Co, TN in 1830. Benjamin's 1830 census entry shows no son Joel's age, but it is possible that Joel was not home at that time, as he would have been 17 years old or older, and could have been at school, or residing with other relatives, or just living elsewhere as a laborer or such. Since Joel's oldest known son was also named "Benjamin", this makes a connection seem likely, but still unproven. Another possibility is John Hensley (c1780) who was in Perry Co, TN in 1840 (same time as Joel).

Joel Hensley married Sarah ---before ca 1834, presumably in Perry County. Sarah was born ca 1812/13 in Tennessee. Her maiden name is not proven but could be White, for in 1860, an elderly Isaiah White was residing with her and Joel, and it is assumed that he was her father, but this might not be the case. (See the 1860 listing below for further comments). I found Isaiah in 1850 also, apparently already widowed then, though he had Mary A. White, 19 and Sarah A. White, 1 month old with him then. This was either a 2nd wife, or a daughter with small child.

Joel Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Perry County, Tennessee. John Hensley (c1780) who was also in Perry County that year, listed a few pages away.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 

1840 Perry Co, TN pg 180 Joel Hensley 2100010000000-0101000000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39        (1800-1810)	Joel HENSLEY (1812/13) s/o ?
1 Male(s) 5-9          (1830-1835)	Benjamin K. HENSLEY (1833/34) son
2 Male(s) 0-4          (1835-1840)	Clancy J. HENSLEY (1835/36) son
					Henry F. HENSLEY (1836/37) son
1 Female(s) 15-19      (1820-1825)	Sarah WHITE Hensley (1812/13) wife
1 Female(s) 5-9        (1830-1835)	Daughter? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850
 

In 1845, Decatur County was formed from the western part of Perry County, and presumably this covered the area where Joel Hensley resided.

Joel Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 census in Decatur County, Tennessee. Elijah White (c1809) was nearby, possibly a brother of Sarah's.

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 DECATUR CO, TN Page 413B  House/Family #   71/  71  - 4th District Twp

HENSELY JOEL          37 M W BLACKSMITH                 TN                   1812/1813
HENSELY SARAH         37 F W                            TN                   1812/1813
HENSELY BENJAMIN K    16 M W                            TN                   1833/1834
HENSELY CLARACY J     14 F W                            TN                   1835/1836
HENSELY HENRY F       13 M W                            TN                   1834/1835
HENSELY WILLIAM L     12 M W                            TN                   1837/1838
HENSELY LADY M         5 F W                            TN                   1844/1845
HENSELY MILLY C        6 F W                            TN                   1843/1844
HENSELY LUCINDA        5 F W                            TN                   1844/1845
HENSELY MARY S         4 F W                            TN                   1845/1846
HENSELY JOEL           0 M W 2/12                       TN                   1849/1850
 

Joel Hensley and family were still in Decatur County for the 1860 census. The census taker only listed people by initial, so that makes it somewhat difficult. This particular census makes it appear that Isah White is residing with the family, but I think he is the head of the next household instead, and the house numbers just put on the wrong line. Two of Joel and Sarah's daughters were in nearby Hardin County, TN that year (Clarissa and Milly).

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 DECATUR CO, TN Page 15B   House/Family #  189/ 189 -- DISTRICT 3

HENSLY J              47 M W BLACK SMITH              345 TN                   1812/1813
HENSLY S              15 F W DOMESTIC                     TN                   1844/1845
HENSLY M E            17 F W                              TN                   1842/1843
HENSLY M S            12 F W                              TN                   1847/1848
HENSLY J H            10 M W                              TN                   1849/1850
WHITE ISAH            81 M W FARMER             200  2765 NC                   1778/1779

Joel and family moved to neighboring Henderson County, Tennessee before 1870, and were listed on there for the 1870 census. The abstract gives: Joel Hensley-67, Blacksmith, Sarah-40, Joel H-21, Mary A. Campbell-23, all born TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Sarah White Hensley apparently died between 1870 and 1880 in Henderson Co, TN, for she was not with Joel for the 1880 census, and he was listed as being widowed. In 1880, his daughter Mary was living with him, listed as widowed also. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

I have no data on Joel after the 1880 census.

Children

Joel and Sarah had at least 9 children, per the 1850 through 1880 census records. I don't have much data on any of the children so far.

Researcher List

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

Register Report

1. Joel1 Hensley , born 1812/13 in TN; died aft 1880 in Henderson Co, TN.  He married in 1830/33 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN) Sarah White , born 1812/13 in TN; died 1870/80 in Henderson Co, TN, daughter of Isaiah White  and ? (---) .

 

      Children of Joel Hensley and Sarah White were as follows:

      2          i      Benjamin K2 Hensley , born 1833/34 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN).

      3          ii      Claricy J2 Hensley , born 1835/36 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN); died aft 1860 in Hardin Co, TN.  She married in 1850/60 in Hardin Co, TN Morris McBride , born 1797/98 in NC.

+    4          iii      Henry F2 Hensley , born 1836/37 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN).  He married Margaret C (---) .

+    5          iv      William Lewis2 Hensley , born 1837/38 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN); died 1870/80 in Decatur Co, TN.  He married Martha J (---) .

      6          v      Lady M2 Hensley , born 1841/42 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN).

      7          vi      Milly C2 Hensley , born 1843/44 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN); died aft 1860 in Hardin Co, TN.

      8          vii      Lucinda2 Hensley , born 1844/45 in Decatur Co, TN.

      9          viii      Mary S2 Hensley , born 1845/46 in Decatur Co, TN.

+    10         ix      Joel H2 Hensley , born 1850 in Decatur Co, TN.  He married Nancy (---) .

 

Generation 2

 

4. Henry F2 Hensley  (Joel1), born 1836/37 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN).  He married in 1850/60 in Decatur Co, TN Margaret C (---) , born 1838/39 in TN.

 

      Children of Henry F Hensley and Margaret C (---) were as follows:

      11         i      Tennessee E3 Hensley , born 1870/71 in Decatur Co, TN.

      12         ii      William3 Hensley , born 1863/64 in Decatur Co, TN.

      13         iii      Joel3 Hensley , born 1864/65 in Decatur Co, TN.

      14         iv      Lydia C3 Hensley , born 1868/69 in Henderson Co, TN.

 

 

5. William Lewis2 Hensley  (Joel1), born 1837/38 in Perry Co, TN (now Decatur Co, TN); died 1870/80 in Decatur Co, TN.  He married in 1860/61 in Decatur Co, TN Martha J (---) , born 1840/41; died 1870/80 in Decatur Co, TN.

 

      Children of William Lewis Hensley and Martha J (---) were as follows:

      15         i      Sarah J3 Hensley , born 1860/61 in Decatur Co, TN.

      16         ii      Benjamin F3 Hensley , born 1862/63 in Decatur Co, TN.

      17         iii      Mary E3 Hensley , born 1867/68 in Decatur Co, TN.

      18         iv      William L3 Hensley , born Oct 1869 in Decatur Co, TN.

 

 

10. Joel H2 Hensley  (Joel1), born 1850 in Decatur Co, TN.  He married in 1870/75 in Decatur Co, TN Nancy (---) , born 1861/62 in TN.

 

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

      19         i      Sarah E3 Hensley , born 1874/75 in Decatur Co, TN.

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