Marty and Karla Grant

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Joseph Hensley (c1750-1832) and wife Jane —, of Culpeper and Washington Co., VA and Bourbon and Montgomery Co., KY

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Joseph Hensley is probably an uncle to my ancestor Larkin Hensley, but that exact relationship isn’t proven. He could just as easily be his brother. They are very closely related. I have no doubt of that.

Special Thanks to Ruthe Muench and Laura Schreibman for information shared on this family.

Joseph Hensley was born ca 1750. This is based on several records.

1. 1782 Tax List shows him over 21, so born before 1761.

2. 1810 Census shows him over 45, so born before 1765.

3. 1820 Census shows him over 45, so born before 1775.

4. 1830 Census shows him aged 70-79, so born 1750/1760.

5. All of the above work with each other, proving he was born in the 1750's. However, his oldest proven child, William, was born ca 1772. Assuming that Joseph was at least 18 at that time, he would have been born ca 1754 or before. Thus, 1750/1754.

6. New information: Kyle Wear shared a very helpful source with me. Joseph Hensley mustered out of military service on 20 Oct 1780, at age 30. That puts his birth year at ca 1749/1750. I’ll go with 1750 as it fits with all the other records.

We don’t know what county Joseph was born in. His earliest known residence was Culpeper Co., VA. Culpeper County was formed in 1749 from Orange County, so it is possible he was born in Culpeper.

Joseph’s parents are unproven, but I strongly suspect he is a son of either William Hensley (c1706-1777) of Culpeper or a son of that William’s probable son, William Hensley (c1730s-c1807) of Buckingham and Washington Co., VA. The children of these two men are closely associated in Washington Co., VA.

The two William’s were apparently married several times each, and had children across several decades with different wives, and it seems that the younger William had children older than his very own half siblings. Very few of the children of these two men are actually proven. Thus, it is difficult to determine which of them is more likely to be Joseph’s father. However, since the younger William (1730) went to Buckingham by 1772, and Joseph did not, I tend to think Joseph is a son of the older William who remained in Culpeper. Then again, by 1772, Joseph would have been in his early 20's, and didn’t have to go where his father went if he didn’t want to.

In Washington Co., VA, Joseph was most closely associated with Samuel Hensley (1754-1841), Robert Hensley (1759), Fielding Hensley (c1761) and William Hensley (c1765). Fielding is a proven son of William (1730). Samuel and William are probably Fielding’s brothers, but that isn’t proven. See their own pages for more, but mainly the pages for the two older William’s as to how I determined who belonged to which one. In some cases it is pure speculation, so use it for what it’s worth.

We know that William (1765) joined Joseph in Montgomery Co., KY over a decade after Joseph moved there. Robert’s son Samuel also went there, thus providing more proof of a close relationship.

Joseph Hensley married Jane --- sometime before ca 1772, possibly in Culpeper Co., VA. I don't know her maiden name nor birth place. She was probably born in the 1750's like her husband.

Polly Hensley, daughter of Joseph Hensley and Jane was born 6 Dec 1774 and baptized 5 Mar 1775. This is recorded in the Kingston Parish Register (Gloucester and Mathews County, Virginia). Is this the same Joseph and Jane Hensley? Probably not as that is way in eastern Virginia. Of course it’s entirely possible they lived there at the time for some reason.

For the Revolutionary War, Joseph Hensley served as an Orderly Sgt in Capt White's Company under Col. William Davis, second regiment of Virginia. This is proven in the Pension application of William Bates (File # S35176) who served in the same company. Joseph Hensley testified that he served with Bates. We can assume that Joseph Hensley saw much of the same service. It mentions the Battle of Guilford Court House as well as the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. (See Fielding Hensley’s service as he was there too.) Mr. Bates enlisted at Prince Edward court house. That county is right next to Buckingham where Fielding, Larkin and their father William (1730) lived at the time.

The above doesn’t prove Joseph ever lived in Buckingham though. However, keep in mind Culpeper was quite a few miles, and several counties, north east of that area.

On 17 Apr 1780 the Estate sale of Christopher Dicken was held in Culpeper Co., VA. Joseph Hensley was one of the purchasers.

On 28 Nov 1781 a Treasury Warrant was issued to William Hensley, assignee of Joseph Hensley, for 274 acres in Washington Co., VA surveyed 25 Mar 1791. The land was on Cove Creek a branch of North Fork of Holston River. "Assignee" means that although Joseph was the one entitled (or qualified) to receive this land, he transferred his rights to William Hensley for some reason. How are they related? This land was later granted to William and he sold it off in three parcels, two in 1803 and the third in 1810. This is William Hensley Jr (c1765). This William would be Joseph’s nephew if I have it all figured out correctly.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1782 personal property tax list in Washington Co., VA in Capt. Fulkison’s district with 1 white tithe, 1 horse and 1 slave. Since he was in Culpeper in April, 1780, it would seem he moved to Washington between then and 1782. Joseph is not on the land tax list for 1782.

On 11 Nov 1783 a treasury warrant was issued to Fielding Hensley for 54 acres (# 2702) on Cove Creek on Walker's Mountain, bordering Joseph Hensley and Nathaniel Cornett. Joseph would be Fielding’s uncle. Nathaniel Cornett’s wife was also a Hensley, possibly Fielding’s sister.

Also on that date (11 Nov 1783), Fielding Hensley entered two other warrants, one for 67 acres on both sides of North Fork of Holston River, the other 94 acres same location, described as at foot of Piny Mountain in Rich Valley, and 54 acres on Nathaniel Cornett's corner and Joseph Hensley's corner.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1783 personal property tax list in Washington Co., VA in Capt. James Fulkerson’s district with 1 white tithe, 1 horse, 6 cattle and 1 slave.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1784 personal property tax list in Washington Co., VA in Mr. James Fulkerson’s district with 1 white tithe, 3 horse, 7 cattle and no slaves.

Joseph Hansley was listed on the 1785 tax list in Washington Co., VA in James Fulkerson’s district with 1 white tithe, 1 black tithe over 16, 4 horses and 10 cattle.

On 9 Dec 1785 Robert Hensley and Joseph Hensley, residents of Washington Co., VA, signed a petition requesting the formation of a new county. This was Russell County which was actually created in 1786, but didn’t include the property where they themselves lived. They remained in Washington.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1786 tax list in Washington Co., VA in James Fulkerson’s district with 1 white tithe, 1 black tithe over 16, 7 horses and 14 cattle. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres. Where did he get this land?

In the Inventory of the Estate of Anthony Head, dated 11 Nov 1786, Samuel Hensley, Joseph Hensley and Henry Spa were the appraisers.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1787 tax list in Washington Co., VA with 1 tithe (himself), no white tithes between 16 and 20, no slaves, 7 horses and 13 cattle. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

On 8 May 1787 Joseph Hensley was recommended as a Lieutenant in the Washington Co., VA militia. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1788 tax list in Washington Co., VA in James Lathim’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 1 slave and 10 horses. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

On 14 Oct 1788 Joseph Hensley was recommended as a Captain in the Washington Co., VA militia. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

Joseph Hancley was listed on the 1789 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 1 slave, no horses and 12 cattle. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

Joseph Hancley was listed on the 1790 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 1 other white tithe 16 and up (but under 21, presumably), 1 slave and 10 horses. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

The 1790 census is lost for Virginia but it seems reasonable that Joseph would have been listed in Washington County.

Joseph Hancley was listed on the 1791 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 1 other white tithe 16 and up (but under 21, presumably), 1 slave and 16 horses. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

Joseph Hensley was listed in Tract entry book for a 274 acre warrant (# 9438). The land was on waters of Cove Creek, Walkers Mountain. It was surveyed 25 Mar 1791.

Joseph Hencley was listed on the 1792 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 1 other white tithe 16 and up (but under 21, presumably), 1 slave and 16 horses. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

Joseph Hancley was listed on the 1793 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 tithe (himself), 1 other white tithe 16 and up (but under 21, presumably), no slaves and 10 horses. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

On 19 Feb 1793 Joseph Hensley was recommended as a Captain in the Washington Co., VA militia, 2nd Battalion, 70th Regiment. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

On 20 Jun 1793 Joseph Hensley was recommended as a Captain in the Washington Co., VA militia, 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 70th Regiment. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

Capt. Joseph Hencley is on the 1794 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 1 other white tithe 16 and up (but under 21, presumably), no slaves and 11 horses. Joseph is listed on the land tax list for this year with 126 acres.

Capt. Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1795 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has two white male tithables, himself and a son, presumably, no slaves and 6 horses. He was not on the land tax list for 1795. Joseph apparently sold his 126 acres to Adam Deck ca 1794-1795 for Mr. Deck was listed with that land on the 1795 tax list.

Joseph Hensley appears on no other Washington Co., VA tax lists after 1795.

Samuel Hensley was recommended to be a Captain in the Washington Militia on 19 Nov 1795 in the room of Capt. Joseph Hensley who resigned. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979).

This was about the time that Joseph Hensley left south western Virginia and moved to Kentucky.

I found Joseph Hensley and his son William Hensley on the 1796 tax list in Bourbon Co., KY. They were the only Hensleys in that county and were listed side by side (on an alphabetical list). Neither were land owners. Joseph had 1 white male tithe over 21 (himself, presumably), one over 16, which would probably be his son Benjamin. He also had 12 horses.

Montgomery County was formed in 1796 (effective 1797) from Clark County, and at this time was pretty large. It was cut in half in 1800, but was still quite large though gradually reduced over the years by the creation of new counties. Montgomery borders Bourbon county, so it’s not clear if Joseph actually moved into Montgomery, or if he wound up in the new county once the borders were defined.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1797 tax list for Montgomery Co., KY. He had 1 white male over 21 (himself, presumably), 1 white male 16-20, and 11 horses. The only other Hensley listed was Davis Hensley, a 3^rd cousin if I have it all figured out correctly. Davis was in Book 1, Joseph in Book 2, suggesting they didn’t live near each other. Remember that Montgomery was huge at this time. They might not have even been aware that other Hensleys were in the county.

There is no surviving 1798 tax list for Montgomery.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1799 tax list in Montgomery with 1 white male over 21 (himself), and 7 horses. Other Hensleys listed on at that time were: Elijah Hensley, William Hensley, Benjamin Hensley and Davis Hensley. Elijah, William and Benjamin were Joseph's sons. Davis Hensley was a distant cousin, as noted earlier.

The 1800 census is lost for Kentucky. There is an 1800 tax list for Montgomery and he is listed on it with 450 acres on Slate (Creek), 1 white male over 21 and 8 horses. His sons William, Benjamin and Elijah were also listed, as was Davis Hensley, relationship unknown.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1801 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with 400 acres on Slate (Creek), 1 white male over 21, and 6 horses.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1802 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with 500 acres on Slate Creek, 1 white male over 21, and 8 horses.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1803 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with 500 acres on Slate Creek, 1 white male over 21, and 8 horses.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1804 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with 500 acres on Slate Creek, 1 white male over 21, 1 white male 16-20, and 9 horses.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1805 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with 500 acres on Slate Creek, 1 white male over 21, 1 white male 16-20, and 9 horses.

Joseph Hensley is listed on the 1806 Montgomery Co., KY tax list with 500 acres on Slate Creek, 1 white male over 21, 2 white males 16-20, and 9 horses.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1810 census in Montgomery Co., KY. He wasn’t listed near any other Hensleys.

1810 census

Montgomery Co., KY p. 245, Joseph Hensley age 45+ (before 1765), 01201-11001-0-0

Joseph Hensley Sr was listed on the 1811 tax list in Montgomery County. He had 500 acres of 3rd rate land, 1 white male over 21, and 10 horses.

He was listed on the 1812 through 1820 tax lists in Montgomery, each time with 500 acres on Slate Creek. He also had slaves beginning in 1814. This is about when he remarried, so perhaps they came in via the marriage.

Jane (---) Hensley died sometime before 1814 in Montgomery Co., KY.

Joseph Hensley married Nancy ---, widow of Mark Lacy, before 1814 in Montgomery Co., KY. I don't know her maiden name. She was born 1770/75. This may be the same person as Agnes McDonald who married Mark Lacy on 21 Nov 1785. "Agnes" and "Nancy" are sometimes used interchangeably.

On 17 Oct 1814, Joseph Hensley and Nancy his wife sold 50 acres to William Hensley (son). (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 6 page 562)

On 6 Mar 1815 Joseph Hensley posted $10,000 performance bond as Sheriff of Montgomery County. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 7 page 144)

On 16 Apr 1815 Joseph Hensley and Nancy his wife sold 60 acres to Elijah Hensley (son). (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 7 page 162)

On 31 Oct 1819, Nancy Hensley, late Nancy Lacy widow and relict of Mark Lacey deceased, appointed Walker Kelsoe her attorney. (Montgomery Co., KY Deed Book 9 page 284)

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1820 census in Montgomery Co., KY. No other Hensleys were nearby.

1820 Census, Montgomery Co., KY p. 229 Joseph Hensley Esqr, age 45+ (before 1775),

000001-00001-0-Slaves=2110-2100

Joseph Hensley was on the Montgomery tax lists 1821 through 1825, and 1827 through 1830.

Joseph Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Montgomery Co., KY.

1830 Census, Montgomery Co., KY p. 35/36 (both listed), Joseph Hensley age 70-79 (1750/60)

0000000001000-0000000100000-Slaves=001000-211010

Joseph Hensley made his Will on 3 Aug 1830. He freed his slave Isaac, but named no heirs. I think it wasn’t a regular Will, but primarily to make sure Isaac was given his freedom upon Joseph’s death. (Montgomery Co., KY Will Book D page 287).

Joseph Hensley was on the Montgomery tax list for 1831. He had 200 acres on Slate (Creek) 1 white male over 21, 3 blacks over 16, 6 blacks in all, and 4 horses.

Joseph Hensley died before Aug 1832 in Montgomery Co., KY for that is when his Will was probated. In the Inventory of the estate (31 Dec 1832), widow Nancy Hensley received 45 acres as her dower. It also mentioned slaves Mahala, Julia and Caroline. (Montgomery Co., KY Will Book D page 346)

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1833 tax list in Montgomery Co., KY.

I didn't find widow Nancy on the 1840 or 1850 census. She may have died or remarried to someone unidentified or moved away to be with her Lacy children.

Children

Joseph Hensley and his first wife Jane (---) had seven children as proven by various deeds in the 1830's dividing up the land of Joseph Hensley after he died. These were: William, Susanna, Benjamin, George, Lucy, Wesley, and Elizabeth. Two other probable (but unproven) children are Elijah and Joseph Jr. Fielding Hensley is included in his family by some, but I think he’s a nephew instead, a son of William Hensley (1765).

It does not appear that Joseph and second wife Nancy had any children together. She had at least one child (William P. Lacy living in Cape Girardeau Co., MO in 1821) by her first husband Mark Lacy.

 

1.         William Hensley (c1772)

2.         Elizabeth Hensley (c1770/80)

3.         Benjamin Hensley (c1776)

4.         Elijah Hensley (c1780)

5.         Lucy Hensley (c1782)

6.         Wesley Hensley (c1784/87)

7.         Susanna Hensley (c1780/90)

8.         George Hensley (c1780/90)

9.         Joseph Hensley (c1789)

---

William Hensley was born ca 1771/72 in VA. He is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1835 Deed in Montgomery Co., KY.

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Elizabeth Hensley was born ca 1770/1780 in VA. She is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1835 deed in Montgomery Co., KY. An 1809 chancery court case also proves she was a child of Joseph Hensley.

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Benjamin Hensley was born ca 1775/76 in VA. He is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1835 deed in Montgomery Co., KY.

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Elijah Hensley was born ca 1780 in VA. He is not a proven child of Joseph Hensley as far as I’ve seen, however, it seems highly likely he is part of this family.

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Lucy Hensley was born ca 1781/82 in Virginia. She is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1834 deed in Montgomery Co., KY.

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Wesley Hensley was born ca 1784/87 in VA. He is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1835 deed in Montgomery Co., KY.

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Susanna Hensley was born ca 1780/90 in VA. She is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1833 deed in Montgomery Co., KY.

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George Hensley was born ca 1780/90 in VA. He is a proven child of Joseph Hensley per an 1834 deed in Montgomery Co., KY.

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Joseph Hensley (Jr) was born before 1789 in VA, presumably. He is not a proven child of Joseph Hensley, but it seems highly likely he is part of this family.

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For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database page for Joseph and Jane (—) Hensley.

Revised: October 28, 2021

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

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