Marty and Karla Grant

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John Hensley (c1761-aft 1819) and Judith — of Henry and Patrick Co., VA

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As there were several John Hensleys in Virginia before 1800, you should refer to my analysis page on that subject.

John Hensley was born prior to 1761, judging by his appearance on the 1782 tax list, which listed him as a tithe 21 and up. He could be much older, but if his father is who I think it is, he wouldn’t be too much older.

I suspect he is a son of William Hensley (c1730s-c1802) of Henry and Patrick Co., VA for they were near each other over a 20+ year period. It’s also possible he was a son of John Hensley (c1730s) instead, which would make him a nephew of William instead of his son.

I don’t know where John Hensley was born for certain. It was likely in Bedford or Halifax (later Henry, now Patrick) Co., VA.

 

Two John Hensleys appear on the 1767 tax list for Pittsylvania Co., VA. The first was in John Dixon’s district, the second in Hugh Innes’ district. Both men had one tithable, themselves presumably, and no slaves nor any land. It isn’t certain if this John ever lived in Pittsylvania, so neither of those entries could be him.

John Hensley was listed on the 1782 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA, with 1 white tithe (himself), 3 horses and 5 cattle. In fact, he was the only Hensley listed there in 1782.

Things changed considerably by 1783 when he was joined by Robert, another John, William, Henry and Benjamin Hensley on the tax list. Both were listed as John Hensely, both had one white tithe above 21 (themselves). The first one had 2 horses and 5 cattle, while the other one had 1 horse and no cattle. I believe the first one is the John of interest to us.

Of these others, Robert, John and Benjamin were sons of Benjamin Hensley (c1732-aft 1779), all of whom soon moved out of Henry. William is one who remained, so probably more closely related to this John.

Only one John Hensley is listed on the 1784 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA. I believe it is the John we are studying now. Robert and William were also listed. John had 1 white tithe above 21, himself, and 1 horse and 3 cattle.

John Hensley is listed on the 1785 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA. Robert and William were also listed. John had 1 white tithe above 21, himself, and 1 horse and 3 cattle.

By 1786, only John and William were left in Henry for the tax list. John was listed with one white tithe over 21, 1 horse and 6 cattle.

John Henslee is listed on the 1787 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA. Robert was back, and William was still listed. This one gave the date the taxes were collected for each person. John and William were both on June 7^th, while Robert was May 21^st. If the tax collector went from house to house, that suggests John and William were neighbors, and Robert wasn’t near them. John had 1 white tithe above 21, himself, none aged 16-21, 2 horses and 12 cattle.

John Henslee is listed on the 1788 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 2 horses, paid on Apr 10^th, same date for William Hensley, the only other Hensley on the tax list.

John Henslee is listed on the 1789 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 2 horses, paid on May 22^nd, same date for William Hensley, the only other Hensley on the tax list.

The 1790 census is lost for Virginia, but John probably would have been listed in Henry.

John Henslee is listed on the 1790 personal property tax list in Henry Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 2 horses, paid on Apr 2^nd, same date for William Hensley, the only other Hensley on the tax list.

Patrick County was formed from western Henry in 1790, effective 1791. This took John and William into the new county.

John Henslee is listed on the 1791 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 2 horses, paid on Apr 7^th, same date for William Hensley, the only other Hensley on the tax list. William was listed as a constable this year.

John Henslee is listed on the 1792 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 1 horse, paid on Mar 31^st, same date for William Hensley, the only other Hensley on the tax list.

John Henslee is listed on the 1793 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 1 horse, paid on May 28^th. William Hensley paid his on May 13^th.

John Hensley is listed on the 1794 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 2 horses, paid on Jul 12^th. William Hensley paid his on Apr 5^th.

I don’t know if them paying taxes on different dates beginning in 1793 indicate that one of them moved further away from the other or not, but it could mean that.

John Henslee is listed on the 1795 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 2 horses, paid on Jul 28^th. William Hensley paid his on May 13^th.

John Hensley is listed on the 1796 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 3 horses, paid on Jun 23^rd. William Hensley paid his on May 19^th.

John Hensley is listed on the 1797 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe over 16, himself presumably, and 4 horses. No dates were given this time. William Hensley was again the only other Hensley listed in Patrick.

John Henslee is listed on the 1798 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe and 4 horses, paid on May 19^th. William Hensley also paid his on May 19^th.

John Hensley is listed on the 1799 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe and 3 horses, no dates. William Hensley was again the only other Hensley listed in Patrick.

The 1800 census is lost for Virginia, but one might assume John would have been listed on it in Patrick.

John Hensley is not listed on the 1800 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. I read the entire list twice in case I missed him. William is listed, along with a new entry, Gideon Hensley.

The natural assumption would be that John Hensley died or moved away sometime after his 1799 entry. However, he is “back” by 1801, so unless that is a new John appearing for the first time in 1801, this John was just missed in 1800 for some reason.

He could have been exempted from paying taxes in 1800. If so, there should be a court record for that.

John Hensley is “back” for the 1801 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe and 3 horses, same as in 1799. William Hensley and Eden Hensley were also listed. No dates were given, so I don’t know if they paid near each other.

I say John Hensley was back by 1801, but there is always the possibility that he wasn’t back at all, but a younger John had come of age in the meantime and it was not this younger man on the list. However, lacking any evidence either way, I’m going to assume it’s the same John from before.

To continue with the problem at hand (same John or not), John Hensley was not listed on the 1802 or 1803 tax lists. William and Eden were there in 1802, but only Eden in 1803.

John Hensley is back again for the 1804 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe and 3 horses, same as the last time. This year he was the only Hensley in the county.

John Hensley is listed on the 1805 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. He was taxed for 1 white tithe and 4 horses. Francis Hensley was also listed. His (her?) one and only time. Was this a widow Frances, or a male Francis? The spelling used an “i” which is the masculine version of the name, but that rule wasn’t always adhered to.

John Hensley is the only Hensley in Patrick County for the 1806, 1807 and 1809 personal property tax lists. He was taxed for 1 white tithe and 3 horses in 1806 and 1807. There was no list for 1808. In 1809 he was only taxed for 3 horses, no white tithes. This means he was probably exempted due to advanced age. There might be a court record reflecting that.

The 1810 census is lost for Patrick Co., VA.

It was around this time, I believe, that John married Judith, in Patrick County. She was born ca 1774/75 per her age on the 1860 census. I’m not 100% certain she was his wife, but it fits. She probably wouldn’t have been his first wife considering the age difference. Then again, I can’t say that for certain.

John Hensley is the only Hensley in Patrick County for the 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815 and 1816 personal property tax lists. In each year he was not taxed for any white tithes, apparently remaining exempt. He had 3 or 4 horses each of those years.

There were no Hensleys at all for the 1817 or 1818 tax lists in Patrick. However, John Hensley reappears for the 1819 tax list. His taxes were paid on Mar 11^th. No white tithes and 1 horse.

He was not listed on the 1820 tax list nor on the 1820 census.

There are two apparent widows, Judith and Nancy, listed on the 1820 census in Patrick. One of them could be John’s widow. In fact, Judith might actually have John with her. If so, he probably wasn’t in good shape for her to be listed as head of household instead of him.

1820 Census, Patrick Co., VA p. 115, Judith Hensley age 45+ (before 1775)

100001-01002-0-0

The other “widow” was Nancy, not listed near Judith.

1820 Census, Patrick Co., VA p. 124, Nancy Hensley age 26-44 (1775/1794)

000000-00110-0-0

It is possible the entry for Nancy isn’t a Hensley at all. I was constantly tripping over Hundley, Hunley, Horsley, and other similar names while researching in this county.

I read the 1821 through 1825 personal property tax list in Patrick Co., VA. There were no Hensleys listed at all.

I don’t know what became of Nancy after 1820, but Judith was still in Patrick County in 1830. If John was still alive and with her in 1820, he was gone by 1830, so almost certainly dead by then. Judith was the only Hensley in Patrick in 1830. The census was alphabetical so we can’t determine who her neighbors were.

1830 Census, Patrick Co., VA p. 158, Judith Hensley age 50-59 (1770/1780)

0001-00010001

Judith was not listed on the 1840 census in Patrick, however, her son John was, and she seems to be with him. Her age is younger than what it was in 1830 and 1860, but it is obviously her.

1840 Census, Patrick Co., VA p. 12, John Hensley age 20-29 (1810/1820)

00001-00000001

They were still together in the 1850 census.

1850 census, Patrick Co., VA, South District, p. 391B, house 609, family 644

They are still together in 1860. Others are living with them, relationship unknown.

1860 Census, Patrick Co., VA, The South District, Arrarat PO, p. 97, house 177, family 176

In 1860 they were nine houses away from the George Coleman Morris family. His daughter Susan (1861) married Andrew J. Hensley in the 1870's either in Patrick or in nearby Washington Co., VA where they were living in 1880. I don't know if Andrew is connected to Judith's family or not. There were plenty of Hensleys in Washington Co., VA as well. This Andrew might be a son of Malinda Hensley (c1818) of Grayson 1860 and 1870.

Judith Hensley apparently died between 1860 and 1870, presumably in Patrick Co., VA.

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Children

John Hensley probably had a few children before he married Judith. However, I have not positively identified any of them.

Some Hensleys appeared in tax records that could be his children. Then again they could belong to William who was there at the same time.

 

1.         Gideon Hensley (c1777). Moved to Tennessee. Could be John’s son, or William’s.

2.         Eden Hensley (c1780). Was in Patrick in 1801, 1802 and 1803. No record after that.

3.         Francis Hensley (c1784). Was in Patrick in 1805. No record after that.

With Judith he had John (1812) and an apparent daughter born 1810/20, yet to be identified.

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For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database page for John Hensley & Judith.

Revised: September 15, 2021

Copyright © 1996-2021 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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