John Hensley (c1780) and Frances Smith of Albemarle and Nelson Co., VA; Kanawha and Putnam Co., WV

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Revision History:

21 Jan 2009 Updated by Marty Grant, relationship unknown. Reformatted, and new documentation added.

John Hensley was born ca 1781/82 (per age of 68 on 1850 census) or ca 1779/80 per age of 80 on 1860 census. These two ages are pretty close together, so I suspect they are close to his actual age.

John Hensley was born in Albemarle Co., VA as proven by his marriage record (second) dated 1861 and his death record also proves it and that his parents were Benjamin Hensley and Susan ---.

On 17 Jan 1788 Benjamin Hensley made his Will in Albemarle County. He named sons John and Samuel and "rest of children" to get one shilling each, but did not give their names. In the Will, son John got the tract where Benjamin "now lives" and 30 acres. John was under 10 years old at this time, though that wasn't mentioned in the will.

John would have come of age (turned 21) around 1801-1803.

John Hensley married Frances Smith on 14 Aug 1809 in neighboring Nelson Co., VA. Frances was born ca 1792/93 (per age of 57 on 1850 census) or ca 1783/84 per age of 76 on 1860 census. Her death record gave her parents names as Joseph Smith and Patience (---) and birth place as Nelson Co., VA.

There is only one John Hensley listed on the 1810 census in Virginia and he is in Nelson County which is where this John had just married. The problem is that both he and his wife are listed too old. It may still be them and their ages just listed in error. It is also possible this is a different John Hensley, but I don't think so. Keep that in mind though just in case. A Samuel Hensley (bef 1765) was listed next to him, but the census was alphabetical, so no way to know if they were actually neighbors. This could be John's brother Samuel Hensley, but I'm not sure.

1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1810 Nelson Co., VA page 697 John Hensley 00001-00001-0-0

Analysis:

1 Male 45+	(bef 1765)	John Hensley (c1780)

1 Female 45+	(bef 1765)	Frances Smith Hensley (c1784) wife

0 Slaves

For the War of 1812 (1812-1815), John Hensley enlisted as a Private on 2 Sep 1814 under Capt. David Jacob in the Virginia Militia, enlisting in Nelson Co., VA. He served until his discharge on 18 Sep 1814. His pension file gives a lot of useful family data. (War of 1812 Pension File WO 34995 & WC 28529)

John was back in neighboring Albemarle Co., VA for the 1820 census. Once again the census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were. The enumerations aren't a perfect match so this could be a different John Hensley.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Albemarle Co., VA page 10 John Hensley 100010-50100
Slaves=0000-0000

Analysis:

1 Male 26-44	(1775/1794)	John Hensley (c1780)

1 male 0-9	(1810/1820)	Son?

1 female 16-25	(1794/1804)	Frances Smith Hensley (c1784)

5 females 0-9	(1810/1820)	1-Daughter?

				2-Daughter?

				3-Daughter?

				4-Daughter?

				5-Daughter?

0 Slaves

By 1830 John Hensley moved his family west to Kanawha County, Virginia (now West Virginia). His brother William Hensley had moved there about 10 years earlier. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were. John's nephew Benjamin Hensley (c1782) was listed on the same page.

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Kanawha Co., VA page 196 John Hensley 2120001000000-1101001000000
Slaves=000000-000000

Analysis:

1 Male 40-49	(1780/1790)	John Hensley (c1780)

2 males 10-14	(1815/1820)	1-Son? (1815/20)

				2-James A. Hensley (c1820) son

1 male 5-9	(1820/1825)	Fretwell G. Hensley (c1823) son

2 males 0-4	(1825/1830)	1-Casanda Hensley (c1824) son

				2-Coleman Shelton Hensley (c1829) son

1 Female 40-49	(1780/1790)	Frances Smith Hensley (c1784) wife

1 female 15-19	(1810/1815)	Daughter? (1810/15)

1 female 5-9	(1820/1825)	Daughter? (1820/25)

1 female 0-4	(1825/1830)	Frances Hensley (c1826) daughter

0 Slaves

I was unable to find John Hensley on the 1840 census. There were several John Hensleys listed elsewhere in Virginia and West Virginia, but none seem to be this John. There is a John Hensley listed in Kanawha County, but there are no male enumerations, and the females don't match with John's known family. This is probably him though, for I don't know who else it could be and he has some of the same neighbors that he had later in 1850. I would suspect the family wasn't home in 1840 when the census taker came by, thus the strange enumerations.

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

1840 Kanawha Co., VA page 30 Jno Hensley 0000000000000-0101010000000
Slaves=000000-000000

Analysis:

1 Female 30-39	(1800/1810)	Daughter?

1 female 15-19	(1820/1825)	Daughter?

1 female 5-9	(1830/1835)	Daughter?

0 Slaves

John Hensley is listed on the 1840 Kanawha Co., VA tax list. He has no slaves and one horse. His son James was also listed and noted as being John's son.

In 1848 Putnam County was created from portions of Kanawha, Mason and Cabell Counties. John either fell into the new county or moved there for he was listed there on the 1850 census.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Putnam Co., VA PHF 317&317B-701-725 46^th District
John Hensley	68	M	Farmer	Virginia
James	30	M	do	do
Casanda	26	M		do
Frances	57	F		do
Frances	24	F		do
Shelton Henly (sic)	21	M	Laborer	Virginia

They were still in Putnam for the 1860 census, son James Hensley is next door.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Putnam Co., VA PHF 850-208-188 District No 2 Sycamore Grove PO
J. Hensley	80	M	Farmer	4000	305	Va
F.	76	F				Va
F.	30	F				Va

Frances Smith Hensley died in Putnam Co., VA on 17 Dec 1860 in Putnam Co., VA (now WV). Her death record gave her parents as Joseph and Patience Smith and listed her birth place as Nelson Co., VA.

On 23 Oct 1861, John Hensley married widow Lydia Smith Bailey in Putnam Co., VA. (War of 1812 Pension File WO 34995 & WC 28529). Lydia was born ca 1792/93 (per age on 1870 census), in Nelson Co., VA (per Pension File). Her first husband was William Bailey who died in Putnam in 1853.

Lydia was also a daughter of Joseph and Patience (---) Smith, so a sister to John's first wife.

The marriage record (which was included in the War of 1812 Pension File) shows that John Hensley was 82 at the time, and that she was 65. He was born in Albemarle Co., VA and she in Nelson Co., VA.

John Hensley died in Putnam Co., WV on 7 Feb 1870. His death record gave his parents as Benjamin and Susan, and his birth place as Albemarle Co., VA.

Widow Lydia was listed on the 1870 census in Putnam with her son Edward Bailey.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Putnam Co., WV PHF 286B-68-69 Grant Township Winfield PO
E. C. Bailey	51	M	W	Farmer	530	300	Virginia
Martha J.	25	F	W	Keeping House	100		Virginia
Maretta	15	F	W	At Home			Virginia
William B.	10	M	W	" "			Virginia
Samantha J.	2	F	W				West Virginia
Lydia Hensley	77	F	W	Domestic Servant			Virginia

She was still with son Edward for the 1880 census. She wasn't listed as a Hensley here, but it is her.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Putnam Co., WV PHF 194-199-199 Teayses Valley Township
Edward Bailey	W M	65		M	Farmer	VA-VA-VA
Eginia	W F	43	Wife	M	Keeping House	VA-VA-VA
William B.	W M	21	Son	S	Laborer	WV-VA-VA
Samantha	W F	10	Dau	S	At Home	WV-VA-VA
Lucy	W F	8	Dau	S		WV-VA-VA
Lydia	W F	93	Mother	W	At Home	VA-VA-VA
George A.	W M	5	Son	S		WV-VA-VA

Lydia Smith Bailey Hensley died on 17 Mar 1883 (per pension file) in Putnam Co., WV.

Children of John Hensley and Frances Smith. John Hensley and first wife Frances Smith had several children, but unfortunately they aren't all identified. It does not appear that John and second wife Lydia Smith had any children, though she had some with her first husband William Bailey. I'm not using the 1820 census entry for possible children since I'm not sure the entry in Albemarle Co., VA is the same family. It is likely (but unproven) that one of John's unknown sons was the husband of Ann McCallister.

Unknown Daughter (1810/15)
Unknown Son (1815/20)
James A. Hensley (c1820)
Unknown Daughter (1820/25)
Fretwell G. Hensley (c1823)
Casanda Hensley (c1824)
Frances Hensley (c1826)
Coleman Shelton Hensley (c1829)

Researcher List

To contact someone on the list, cut and paste their email address into your email program and then manually remove the spaces which are there for a little bit of spam protection.

See page for parents Benjamin Hensley and Susan
Marty Grant, relationship unknown.

Register Report

First Generation

1. John Hensley was born in 1779/1780 in Albemarle Co, VA. He died on 7 Feb 1870 in Putnam Co, WV.

John married Frances Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith and Patience, on 14 Aug 1809 in Nelson Co, VA. Frances was born in 1783/1784 in Nelson Co, VA. She died on 17 Dec 1860 in Putnam Co, VA (WV).

They had the following children.

2 M i. James A Hensley was born in 1819/1820 in Albemarle Co, VA. He died after 1860 in Putnam Co, VA (WV).

+ 3 M ii. Fretwell G Hensley was born in 1822/1823. He died after 1880.

4 F iii. Cassandra E Hensley was born in 1823/1824 in Kanawha Co, VA (WV). She died after 1851 in Putnam Co, VA (WV).

Cassandra married Ephraim Nicholas on 16 Oct 1851 in Putnam Co, VA (WV).

5 F iv. Frances Hensley was born in 1825/1826 in Kanawha Co, VA (WV). She died after 1860 in Putnam Co, VA (WV).

+ 6 M v. Coleman Shelton Hensley was born in 1828/1829. He died on 20 Apr 1870.

John also married Lydia Smith, daughter of Joseph Smith and Patience, on 23 Oct 1861 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). Lydia was born in 1792/1793 in Nelson Co, VA. She died on 17 Mar 1883 in Putnam Co, WV.

Second Generation

3. Fretwell G Hensley (John) was born in 1822/1823 in Albemarle Co, VA. He died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

Fretwell married Dicy McCallister on 2 Mar 1847 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). Dicy was born in 1822/1823 in VA. She died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

They had the following children.

7 F i. Abigail Parthenia Hensley was born in 1846/1847 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). She died in 1862/1870 in Putnam Co, WV.

Abigail married Valentine Grass on 3 Mar 1862 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). Valentine was born in 1833/1834 in Kanawha Co, VA (WV). He died after 1870 in Putnam Co, WV.

8 F ii. Almedia Dicy Hensley was born in 1847/1848 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). She died after 1860 in Cabell Co, VA (WV).

+ 9 M iii. Coleman Shelton Hensley was born in 1849/1850. He died after 1880.

10 M iv. Anderson Hensley was born in 1851/1852 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). He died after 1860 in Cabell Co, VA (WV).

11 F v. Samantha S Hensley was born on 27 Aug 1853 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). She died after 1860 in Cabell Co, VA (WV).

+ 12 M vi. Wesley G Hensley was born on 27 Mar 1855. He died after 1880.

+ 13 M vii. John P Hensley was born in 1857/1858. He died after 1880.

+ 14 F viii. Edith Hensley was born in 1858/1859. She died after 1880.

15 F ix. Eliza Hensley was born in 1863/1864 in Cabell Co, WV. She died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

16 M x. William Jordan Hensley was born on 23 Oct 1868 in Putnam Co, WV. He died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

6. Coleman Shelton Hensley (John) was born in 1828/1829 in Kanawha Co, VA (WV). He died on 20 Apr 1870 in Putnam Co, WV.

Coleman married Lucinda Smith, daughter of Smith and Margaret, before 1856 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). Lucinda was born in 1832/1833 in OH. She died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

They had the following children.

17 M i. John W Hensley was born on 20 Jul 1856 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

18 M ii. James A Hensley was born on 12 Sep 1857 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

19 F iii. Octavia E Hensley was born 17 Mar 1859 in Kanawha Co, VA (WV). She died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

Octavia married Christian C Hoffman on 5 Jul 1878 in Putnam Co, WV. Christian was born in 1854/1855 in Montgomery Co, VA. He died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

20 F iv. Martha A Hensley was born in 1859/1860 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). She died after 1870 in Putnam Co, WV.

21 F v. Eliza J Hensley was born in 1868/1869 in Putnam Co, WV. She died on 12 Dec 1875 in Putnam Co, WV.

Third Generation

9. Coleman Shelton Hensley (Fretwell G, John) was born in 1849/1850 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

Coleman married Mary M Griffith on 16 Nov 1874 in Putnam Co, WV. Mary was born in 1850/1851 in Monroe Co, VA (WV). She died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

They had the following children.

22 F i. Nancy Hensley was born on 4 Jan 1875 in Putnam Co, WV. She died before 1880.

23 F ii. Ota Hensley was born in 1876/1877 in Cabell Co, WV. She died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

12. Wesley G Hensley (Fretwell G, John) was born on 27 Mar 1855 in Putnam Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

Wesley married Marshall in 1870/1877 in Putnam Co, WV. Marshall was born in 1859/1860 in NC. She died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

They had the following children.

24 M i. Theodore Hensley was born in 1876/1877 in Putnam Co, WV. He died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

25 M ii. Willie M Hensley was born in 1878/1879 in Putnam Co, WV. He died after 1880 in Putnam Co, WV.

13. John P Hensley (Fretwell G, John) was born in 1857/1858 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

John married Mary E in 1870/1879 in Cabell Co, WV. Mary was born in 1856/1857 in VA (WV). She died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

They had the following children.

26 F i. Annie S Hensley was born in Oct 1879 in Cabell Co, WV. She died after 1880 in Cabell Co, WV.

14. Edith Hensley (Fretwell G, John) was born in 1858/1859 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). She died after 1880 in Kanawha Co, WV.

Edith married Levi Murphy on 17 Jul 1878 in Putnam Co, WV. Levi was born in 1847/1848 in Clay Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Kanawha Co, WV.

They had the following children.

27 M i. Ulysses A Murphy was born in Apr 1880 in Kanawha Co, WV. He died after 1880 in Kanawha Co, WV.