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I (Marty Grant) am not related to John Hensley as far as I know.
Based on certain evidence (mostly a hunch), I'm about half way convinced that this John "Hensley" is actually a John "Ensley" instead.
John Hensley was born ca 1800/10, presumably in Buncombe Co, NC. It is possible he came to Buncombe County from elsewhere, so I'm not at all sure he is from that area originally. I only have one record for him so far (1840 census), so that isn't much to draw from.
I don't know who John Hensley's parents were. There are several suspects to choose from.
John Hensley would most likely be home with his parents for the 1810, and 1820 census. In 1810 he should be in the "under 10" category (born ca 1800/10), and in 1820 in the age 10-15 category (c1804/10) or possibly in the 16-25 category (c1794/1804). That helps narrow down the suspects a little bit, but not enough to come to any conclusions.
In 1810 there were several Hensley households in Buncombe with at least one male under age 10 (born ca 1800/10). One of these might be parents of John Hensley: James Hensley (c1780), John Hensley (c1765/74), Washington Hensley (1774/84), James Hensley (bef 1755), Benjamin Hensley (c1790), Berry Hensley (c1783), Henry Hensley (c1781), Colbert Hensley (c1760/65), and Lewis Hensley (c1784/90).
That is too many choices, but it helps narrow it down a little.
In 1820, there were only four Hensley households with at least one male age 10-15 (c1804/10), which might be parents of John 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 John parents were. Since John might have been in the age 16-25 (c1794/1804) category in 1820 instead, that adds one more possibility: Harry Hensley Sr (bef 1755).
None of the above is conclusive.
John Hensley seems to have married someone ca 1820/25, possibly in Buncombe Co, NC. I base this date range on his 1840 census entry showing 2 apparent sons born ca 1820/25. I have no idea who John's wife might have been.
I did not find John Hensley on the 1830 census. There was a John Hensley listed in Buncombe County in 1830, but it was not the same one, but an older one. There was a John Hensley in 1830 Rockingham Co, VA who roughly matches this John, or at least their 1830 and 1840 census records are compatible. It is possible that this is the same John having migrated from VA to NC. However, that is just speculation. There was a "John Endsley" in Lincoln Co, NC in 1830. I don't know if the ages match or not.
John Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Buncombe County, NC. He was not near any other Hensleys. His neighbors were Eli Rymer and Lydia Williams. One nearby neighbor was a widow Mary Baird. In 1850, this widow Mary was still in Buncombe, and listed two houses from a John Ensley, age 22 (c1827/28). This leads me to believe that this John Hensley in 1840 is actually a John Ensley instead. That is just a hunch though, but it would answer certain questions.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Buncombe County, NC pg 140 John Hensley 1112010000000-0010010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) John HENSLEY (1800/10) (Possibly John ENSLEY) 2 Male(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Son? (1820/25) Son? (1820/25) 1 Male(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Son? (1825/30) John ENSLEY (1827/28) 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Son? (1830/35) 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Son? (1835/40) 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Wife? (1800/10) 1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30)
I did not find this John Hensley on the 1850 census anywhere. I checked several states, but found no one that matched. If he was actually an Ensley instead, that would explain why I didn't find him.
I have no additional data on John Hensley.
John had several children, per the 1840 census, but I have no data on them.
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