Marty and Karla Grant

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Larkin Hensley (c1765-c1805) and wife Sarah Childress, of Buckingham, Washington and Scott Co., VA and Knox Co., TN

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Larkin and Sarah Hensley are my 5 times great grandparents.

Larkin Hensley was born ca 1765. This is based on his first appearance on the tax lists in 1786 listed as 21 and up. That means born ca 1765 or earlier. Since he wasn’t listed on the 1785 or earlier tax lists, it’s safe to assume he’d just recently turned 21 by 1786.

We don’t know what county he was born in for we don’t know where his parents were living in the mid 1760's. We do know they were in Buckingham Co., VA by 1772. Buckingham was formed in 1761 from the southern portion of Albemarle, but I don’t know if they ever lived in Albemarle. I think it’s possible they were actually in Culpeper prior to Buckingham, but I have no primary evidence of that.

Larkin Hensley is a proven son of William Hensley (c1730s-c1807) of Buckingham and Washington Co., VA. The proof is in the court case of Larkin’s heirs vs. Gilbert Godsey heirs, et al. wherein it is specifically mentioned that Larkin’s father was named William Hensley.

We don’t know who Larkin’s mother was, for William’s wife or wives have not been identified. We also don’t know the source of his given name. He was the first Hensley to have that name, but certainly not the last. Several Hensleys were named that later, some possibly in honor of him, but others perhaps by coincidence. For example, the next known Larkin Hensley (1779) was a son of Hickman Hensley (1759), relationship to our Larkin unknown, though I think thy may be 2^nd cousins. That’s far from proven though. At that distance one might think the naming of a son “Larkin” was a coincidence and not done in honor of the older man.

There is no evidence Larkin Hensley participated in the American Revolution (1775-1781), mainly because he was too young. He would have been just 15 or 16 when it ended.

On 5 Apr 1782, Larkin Hensley was issued a land warrant as an Assignee of Loven Bledsoe, for 89 acres on Ketron's Fork in Washington Co, VA. "Assignee" means that although Lovin Bledsoe was the one entitled (or qualified) to receive this land, he transferred his rights to Larkin Hensley for some reason. Are they related? Or was this Bledsoe's way of settling a debt? This does show that Larkin was in this area at this time, and that he was probably at least 16 in 1782. This land was not actually granted to him until 1797. (Washington Co, VA Land Warrant # 8473).

The 89 acre patent was the only land Larkin Hensley had and he apparently lived on it, and 15 years later the same land was finally granted to him by the State of Virginia. Ketrons Fork is in the extreme southeastern corner of present Scott County, Virginia (which was formed from Washington County in 1815) and the head waters are still in present Washington County, but most of its course is in Scott County. It runs only about 2 miles from the Sullivan County, Tennessee line. It would seem that Larkin and family resided on the part of the creek that is now in Scott County, Virginia since a lawsuit related to this land was filed in Scott County some years later.

Larkin Hensley did not appear on the 1782, 1783, 1784 or 1785 tax lists in either Washington or Buckingham County or elsewhere as far as I've found. This makes sense if he didn’t turn 21 until 1786 when he does first appear on a tax list.

Larkin’s father, William Hensley, is listed on the 1782, 1783, 1784 and 1785 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax lists. It is likely Larkin was residing with him there during those years, or perhaps he was living in Washington Co., VA with his brother Fielding during that time.

Larkin Hensley is listed on the 1786 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1765), which was himself, with no slaves, no horses and no cattle. His father William was listed also, but it’s impossible to say if they were neighbors on this particular list. This is the first and last record found for Larkin Hensley in Buckingham, so it seems he went to Washington Co., VA permanently just after this.

Larkin was not listed on the 1787 tax list in Washington Co., VA. Certain other Hensleys were missing there that year as well, including his brother Fielding, suggesting perhaps part of the tax list was lost. Neither of them were in Buckingham that year either. It is also possible some members of the family moved into neighboring Tennessee briefly and that’s why they weren’t listed.

Larkin Hensley married Sarah ca 1787/1788, presumably in Washington Co., VA or perhaps in Buckingham Co., VA. No marriage record has been found, nor any other document proving where they both were at that time. She is indeed his wife as proven by the court case, Sarah Hensley et al vs. heirs of Gilbert Godsey, 1818-1828 Scott Co., VA. The records in this case prove she is Larkin’s widow. They do not give a marriage date, place or any clues to her maiden name.

Laura Schreibman shared two different family records, written by two granddaughters of Thomas Hensley (son of Larkin and Sarah), one of which stated: “Major Thomas Hensley mothers name was Emmie Childress.” That one was written by Dollie Bradley Hensley (1873-1945). The other document was nearly identical except it listed her surname a tad differently: “Tommie Hensley mother, Emmie Chillies.” This one was written by Nancy Hensley Harris, born 1865.

What do we make of those documents? First we must consider they aren’t primary source documents for those two ladies were born over 50 years after the death of the person they were describing. Thus, they never knew her personally. However, they were much closer to her, generation-wise, than we are, so we shouldn’t ignore it.

The second issue is that they both referred to her as Emmie or similar. That is a nickname for Emaline. Several primary source documents show that Larkin Hensley’s wife was named Sarah. Of course it is entirely possible her full name was Sarah Emaline though that was unlikely for someone born in the 1760s or 1770s, though not impossible. Middle names were very rare in those days. Was Larkin married more than once? That’s certainly possible, but it wouldn’t matter because these girls were from Thomas Hensley’s line, and he was the youngest child, born in 1806, right around the time Larkin died, thus Larkin’s widow Sarah had to be Thomas’s mother.

The third thing to consider is the surname they listed. “Chiles” or “Childres” are similar, but are they the same? From my limited amount of research I find that Chiles, Childes, Childs, Childers and Childress are often used interchangeably on the early records, so yes, they are the same, in the way Hensley, Henslee and Hensly are the same, however, one would think that Chiles and Childress are pronounced very differently. Perhaps back then, with the thicker accents, they did sound the same, more or less.

I checked the personal property tax lists for Buckingham and found a John Chilis there in 1764. Also listed that year are Abraham, Abraham Jr., Francis and John Childers.

In 1773 there were Francis, John, and William Childress. In 1774 the same three were listed (William as “Willis” that time).

By 1782 Buckingham had: Francis, John, John, John, John (yes 4 of them!), Joseph and Thomas Childress. In 1783 there was Francis, John (just 1), Pleasant, Thomas, and William Childress. In 1784 there was Francis, John (2), Joseph, and William Childress. In 1785 there was Francis, Pleasant, John (2), Joseph and William Childress. In 1786 there was John (2), Obadiah and Thomas, William Childress. In 1787 there was John (2), Joseph, Elizabeth, Pleasant, Thomas, and William Childress. In 1788 there was John (2), Joseph, Eliza, Thomas and Ware Childress.

Moving on to Washington Co., VA, there were no Childress or similar names on the Washington County tax lists 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786 or 1787. However, in 1788 a Roland and Henry Childs were listed in John Lathim's District. That same year Patterson Childers was listed in the other district. That was his one and only entry on the tax lists, he didn't appear after that. Their surname was spelled various ways, Chiles, Childs, Childes. I don't know if there is any connection between them and Larkin's wife, but it is worth noting. Rowland and Henry Chiles / Childes appear on the tax lists through 1794. That is the last entry for Rowland, but Henry continues to appear through at least 1802 and perhaps later. A John Childes appears in 1795. In 1799 a Gideon Childers shows up on the tax lists. Henry Childs was listed on the land tax lists as well, and by 1803 the spelling of his name had evolved to "Childers" though on the personal property list of that same year he was spelled "Childs."

I don’t know if any of the above connect with Sarah, wife of Larkin Hensley, for we don’t know for certain that Childress is even her maiden name. If any of them are her relatives, the first one I’d suspect is Thomas Childress of Buckingham for that would explain the name of Sarah’s youngest child, Thomas Hensley.

Maybe it’s a coincidence, or an apocryphal story, but descendants of Thomas Hensley claim that when he was going to school (college?), he often had to traverse the yard of future president James K. Polk to get there. Normally stories associating any of our ancestors with a president can be taken with a grain of salt. However, is it a coincidence that James K. Polk’s wife was named Sarah Childress (1803-1891)? Is she somehow related to Larkin Hensley’s wife, also named Sarah Childress? Our Sarah was considerably older than the future First Lady, so could be a potential aunt to the younger woman. The younger Sarah was a child of Joel Childress and Elizabeth Whitsitt. They lived near Mufreesboro, Rutherford Co., TN. Murfreesboro (now a suburb of Nashville) is roughly in the center of Tennessee, several counties (about 180 miles) to the west of Knoxville where Sarah Childress Hensley was last known to live. Of course it’s possible our Sarah sent her son Thomas Hensley to Murfreesboro for higher education, and it had nothing to do with any connection to Sarah Childress Polk.

Much more research is needed to sort out our Sarah Childress Hensley’s ancestry.

Larkin Hensley was listed on the 1788 tax list in Washington Co., VA in John Lathim’s district with 1 white tithe (himself) and 1 horse.

Larkin Hancley was listed on the 1789 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), no horses and 1 cow.

Larkins Hancley was listed on the 1790 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), and 2 horses.

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

Larkins Hancley was listed on the 1791 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), 3 horses and no cows.

Larkin Hencley was listed on the 1792 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe (himself), and 3 horses.

Larkin Hancley was listed on the 1793 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 tithe and 2 horses.

Larkin Hencley is on the 1794 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Walter Preston’s district with 1 white tithe and 3 horses.

Larkins Hensley is listed on the 1795 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has one Tithable white male over 16 (himself) and 3 horses.

Larkin Hensly is listed on the 1796 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has one Tithable white male over 16 (himself) and 2 horses.

Larkins Hensly is listed on the 1797 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company. He has one Tithable white male over 16 (himself) and 3 horses.

On 4 Sep 1797, Larkin Hensley, assignee of Loven Bledsoe, received a State Land Grant for 89 acres on Ketron's Fork, a branch of Cove Creek, on the waters of the North Fork of Holston River. This is the same land he received a warrant for in 1782. This land is in present Scott County, Virginia just a little west of Bristol. (Land Office Grants No. 37, 1796-1798, p. 392 (Reel 103) from the Library of Virginia.)

In 1798 Larkan Hensley was listed as a Militia Man (probably a private) in the 2nd Battalion, 70th Regiment. (Clark, Gerald H. The Militia of Washington County, VA Officers 1777-1835 Militia Men 1798-1835. 1979)

Larkins Hensley is listed on the 1798 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one Tithable, himself. Horses weren’t listed.

Larkins Hensly is listed on the 1799 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithable (himself) and 3 horses. He is also listed on the land tax list for this year with 89 acres. This is the land from 1782 finally showing up in his name. It was officially granted to him in 1797.

Larkins Hensly is listed on the 1800 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 1 horse. He is also on the land tax lists with 89 acres.

The 1800 census is lost for Virginia.

Larken Hensly is listed on the 1801 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 2 horses. He is also on the land tax lists with 89 acres.

Larkin Hensly is listed on the 1802 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself, and 2 horses. He is also on the land tax lists with 89 acres.

Larkin Hansly is listed on the 1803 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s district. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 2 horses. He is not listed on the land tax list this year, nor any after 1802.

Larkin Hensley is listed on the 1804 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s district. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 2 horses.

Larkin Hensley is listed on the 1805 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s district. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 1 horse.

It seems Larkin Hensley died between the taking of the 1805 tax list and the 1806 tax list.

Sarah Hensly is listed on the 1806 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. She has no white tithes, and 1 horse.

Sarah, nor Larkin, appear on any further Washington Co., VA personal property tax lists after 1806. She moved to neighboring Sullivan Co., TN around that time it seems.

Larkin and Sarah's last child was born on 17 Mar 1806, and his birth was reported as being in Sullivan Co., TN. As Larkin’s property wasn’t far from the Sullivan Co., TN border, it might have been a very short move. There were several Childress families in Sullivan around that time, perhaps her relatives.

Sarah and her children apparently moved from Sullivan to Knox Co., TN by 1808. That year her daughter Agnes was married in Knox, and the following year, daughter Rhoda married there also. I don’t know why they moved there. However, Larkin’s father William Hensley moved there around that time too, so perhaps they all went together. William had land on Stock Creek which is southeastern Knox County, east of Knoxville, east of the Tennessee River. The creek flows southwesterly into the Little Tennessee River. There is a Casteel Branch which may signify about where the Hensley’s lived as two of the Hensley daughters married Casteels. This is very close to the Blount County line.

Unfortunately, the 1810 census for Tennessee was lost, so I can't tell if Sarah was living in Knox at that time. Since her children were marrying in Knox Co, TN in 1808, 1809, and 1816, I strongly suspect she was still there during those years. Her son Ichabod apparently returned to Virginia at some point for a time, but the rest seemed to stay in the Knox area a number of years.

Meanwhile, back in Virginia, Scott County was formed from the western part of Washington County in 1815. This included the majority of Ketrons Creek where the family had previously lived, though a small portion (about 1 mile) of the creek remained in Washington County. They no longer lived there, but this change is important as you will see in the following court case.

In September or November 1816, Sarah Hensley, Larkin’s widow, and Larkin’s children, brought a suit against the heirs of Gilbert Godsey, deceased. The case revolved around the 89 acres of land that Larkin had entered back in 1782 which was granted to him in 1797. The case was continued for many years and the final disposition isn’t very clear. I’ve transcribed the most relevant parts. I’ve highlighted names that were mentioned. At no point in the case does it state where Sarah and the children resided. Some parts of this are filed in the Scott County Court Minutes (Volume 1, p. 385 for example), but the bulk of it is in Virginia Chancery Records, Scott County case 1828-005 Sarah Hensley and others vs. the heirs of Gilbert Godsey etc. Anything in [brackets] is not part of the verbatim transcript but a note added by me.

 

To the Worshipful Court of Scott County in Chancery sitting. The bill of complaint of Sarah Hensley, Abednego Casteel and Agness his wife, Daniel Casteel and Rhoda his wife, Susana Hensley, Polly Hensley, Katherine (otherwise called Katsy Hensley, Samuel Hensley, Nancy Hensley, Ichabod Hensley and Thomas Hensley, humbly represents that Larkin Hensley before his death, which took place on the — day of — 18– sold a tract of land to one Berryman Stokes, the said Stokes afterwards sold to Samuel Hensley who afterwards, sold the same land to William Hensley the father of the said Larkin and it was then eventually agreed between all four that the said Larkin should make the said William a title as no conveyance had yet been made. The said Larkin afterwards, departed this life without having made any deed so that the legal title descended upon his heirs. Some time thereafter our Oratrix Sarah Hensley the widow of the said Larkin bought the said land from William Hensley who then owned the equitable title and paid for the same with the proceeds of the estate of said Larkin, the most of his children then being infants under 21 years of age. Your complainant Sarah afterwards sold the said land to Gilbert Godsey for the sum of $— but retained the title until the purchase money would be paid up. The said Gilbert Godsey as your complainants have heard, sold the land to one Thomas Johnston, and he sold it to one William Benham as these complainants have understood, but whether the said Johnston paid any part of the purchase money is unknown to these complainants. They have been informed that the said Benham has not paid all the purchase money.

 

About the – day of — 18– Gilbert Godsey departed this life intestate and no one has administered his estate as your complts have understood leaving Elizabeth his widow and Abraham, Jane, Sarah & Elizabeth his children & heirs.

 

About the – day of – 18– Thomas Johnston departed this life leaving Catherine (or Caty) his widow and one child called Jane.

 

The said William [Benham] has enlisted and gone to parts unknown but whether he yet lives your Complts do not know. Your Complts would further state that Abednego Casteel was lawfully married to Agness Hensley a daughter of said Larkin and that Daniel Casteel was lawfully married to Rhoda another daughter of sd Larkin, that Sarah is the widow and that the other complainants are the children and co heirs of the said Larkin, deceased.

 

[Some stuff not transcribed]

 

... William Benham if living and if dead that Polly his wife, and John, Samuel, Caty, Joel, Sampson and Isaac his children may be made defendants to this bill ...

Notations show that the case was first presented in November 1816, but was continued repeatedly month after month, year after year until Dec 1828 when it fizzles out, apparently due to lack of security (bond) from the complainants.

Note that an entry in the county court minutes index lists the names again, but a little differently, most notably giving Ichabod Hensley a middle initial, this probably to distinguish him from the other, older, Ichabod Hensley in the area.

 

(In Chancery) Feb T 1819

 

Hensley Sarah, Abednego Casteel and Agness, his wife, Daniel Casteel and Rhoda, his wife, Susannah Hensley, Polly Hensley, Catherine Hensley, Samuel Hensley, Nancy Hensley, Ichabod C. Hensley, and Thomas Hensley, Complts.

 

vs. Polly Benham, widow of William Benham, deceased. John, Samuel, Catherine, Joel, Sampson, Isaac Benham, heirs of said William Benham, deceased. & Elizabeth Godsey, widow of Gilbert Godsey, deceased, Abraham, Jane, Sarah & Elizabeth, heirs of said Gilbert Godsey, deceased. Catherine Johnston, widow of Thomas Johnston, deceased and Jane Johnston, his heir at law. Defts.

 

Rule awarded against said defts to give security and as to nature of said cause (Scott Co, VA Court Minutes Index.)

The fuller entry of the above has some interesting information in it. However, my copy of it is slightly cropped, so I couldn’t transcribe it completely.

 

Sarah Hensley, Abariah Abednego Casteel and Agness, his wife, Daniel Casteel and Rhoda, his wife, Susanna Hensley, Polly Hensley, Chatherine Hensley, Samuel Hensley, Nancy Hensley, Ichabod C. Hensley, and Thomas Hensley, Pltffs

vs.

Polly Benham, widow of William Benham, decd. John, Samuel, Catherine, Joel, Sampson, & Isaac Benham, heirs of said William Benham, decd. Elizabeth Godsey, widow of Gilbert Godsey, decd, Abraham, Jane, Sarah & Elizabeth, heirs of said Gilbert, decd. Catherine Johnston, widow of Thomas Johnston, decd & Jane Johnston, his heir at law. Defendants

 

in --- the deponents Elizabeth Godsey, widow of Gilbert Godsey, decd, Abraham, Jane, Sarah & Elizabeth, heirs of said Gilbert, decd. Catherine Johnston, widow of Thomas Johnston, decd & Jane, his heir at law. not having ent--- their appearance and given security according to the a---- assembly and the rules of this Court & it appearing --- the satisfaction of the Court that the said --- defendants is not inhabitants of this Commonwealth --- Condition? of the Complainants by their Counsel i--- ordered that the said defendants do appear here on --- second Tuesday in May next and answer the bill --- said Complainants and that a copy of this order ------------ in same publick news paper ----- [several parts missing from my copy] ---- Benham Decd, John Samuel Catherine Joel & Isaac Benham heirs of the said William Benham --- failing to file their answers within this month --- the said plaintiffs had filed their bills having --- served with a a Subpoena at least Nine? months by --- said lin for filing their answer. On motion of --- complainants by their Counsel it is ordered that --- Complainants bill be taken for Confesse? as to those --- said defendants & this Court will procede at --- to de??? the matters and things therein contain--- the said defendants shall on or before the first of ---- Court next after they shall have been served will --- of this order appear and shew cause to the Con---- (Scott Co, VA Court Minute Book 1 page 385)

Sarah Childress Hensley was still alive as of 1816, based on the Court records above. The case continued through 1828, but we don’t know that she was still alive through then. The court probably thought so or it would have mentioned it.

The 1820 census was lost for all of Eastern Tennessee, so I can not locate Sarah and her children, though it seems obvious from other records that they were in Knox Co., TN then. I did find a "Saray Hansley" on an 1820 tax list in Morgan Co., AL, however, I have no idea if this was our Sarah. It should be noted that the older Ichabod Hensley (not Larkin’s son) moved to that county about that time, and he is probably Larkin’s younger half brother. This could very well be the same Sarah, but I don’t have enough data to be sure.

In 1822, Sarah's daughter Mary Hensley married in Blount Co., TN (borders Knox Co., TN). This could indicate a temporary move to that county as it was customary to marry in the bride’s county of residence.

In 1823, Sarah's children Samuel and Nancy Hensley were married in what appears to be a double ceremony in Knox Co., TN.

Unfortunately we can’t narrow down Sarah’s death any better than between 1816 and 1828, probably in Knox Co., TN. Of course it’s possible she lived beyond 1828, but her name appears on no records after that year as far as I’ve seen.

Children

Larkin and Sarah had 9 children as proven by the 1816-1828 court case, Sarah Hensley and others vs. Gilbert Godsey and others. This record was invaluable in identifying their children.

All the children were presumably born in Washington Co., VA in the part that later became Scott County, except for Thomas (1806) who was born in Sullivan Co., TN, probably not long after his father’s death.

Furthermore, the court case seems to have the children listed in their proper birth order except for Ichabod who seems out of place. In the initial court filing, his name was left out of the listing, then written in above (in the same hand writing), between Nancy and Thomas, suggesting that’s where he fit within the family. However, that doesn’t seem to be the right place for him. Keep in mind it wasn’t Sarah who was writing this down, but a lawyer or a friend with legal expertise, thus one might understand why the children could be slightly out of order. It wasn’t a legal requirement to list them in descending age order, but it was often done that way, with more emphasis on who was the first born.

 

1.         Agnes Hensley (1780/90)

2.         Rhoda Hensley (1780/90)

3.         Susannah Hensley (1790/1800)

4.         Ichabod C. Hensley (1792/1794)

5.         Mary "Polly" Hensley (c1798)

6.         Catherine Hensley (1790/1800)

7.         Samuel Hensley (1801)

8.         Nancy Hensley (1800/05)

9.         Thomas Hensley (1806)

---

Agnes Hensley was born 1780/1790, in Washington Co., VA now Scott Co.,VA. I base her birth year on census analysis:

∙           1830 Census, aged 40-49 (ca 1780/1790)

∙           1840 Census, aged 50-59 (ca 1780/1790)

∙           1850 Census, aged 59 (ca 1790/1791).

The only way to reconcile all three of those is if she was born in the year 1790. That excludes the possibility of the 1850 census being in error, which it might be. She was always listed first among the heirs in the 1816-1828 court case, suggesting she was the oldest. But her next sibling was Rhoda, born 1780/1790. If Agnes was born in 1790, then Rhoda would be older than her if she was born between 1780 and 1790. However, we only have one record to go on for Rhoda, her 1830 census entry. My conclusion is that Agnes’s 1850 census entry is in error by a couple of years. This is a very common census problem.

It seems very likely Agnes was named for Agnes Hensley Godsey (c1763), her probable aunt.

Agnes (1780/90) apparently moved with her widowed mother to Knox Co., TN between 1806 and 1808.

On 26 Apr 1808, Abednego Casteel obtained a marriage bond in Knox Co, TN to marry Agnes Hensley. Daniel Casteel (his brother or 1st cousin) was the bondsman. Presumably, they married on or just after that date. Abednego Casteel was born ca 1780/90. I don't know who his parents were, but someone told me he was a son of an older Abednego Casteel. I don't have any other data on this.

Special thanks to Terri Casteel for data shared on this family.

The 1810 and 1820 census records are lost for Knox County, Tennessee, but presumably, Abednego Casteel would have been listed in Knox Co, TN those years. There was a Casteel branch of Stock Creek, presumably named for these Casteels.

Both Abednego Casteel and wife Agnes were named in the aforementioned 1816-1828 Scott Co., VA Court case.

Abednego Casteel was listed on the 1830 census in Knox Co., TN next to Susanna Hood (Agnes' sister) who was next to Daniel Casteel (married to their sister Rhoda Hensley). William Childress (1750/60) and James Childress (1770/80) were nearby as well, perhaps related to their mother Sarah Childress Hensley (c1760s).

1830 Census, Knox Co., TN p. 359 Abednego Casteel age 40-49 (1780/1790)

0012101000000-1300101000000

Agnes and family moved to neighboring Blount County during the 1830's, probably between 1833 and 1835 based on marriage dates and places of their children. It should be noted that there were Casteel’s in Blount County going back to 1800. They could all be Abednego’s relatives.

Abednego Casteel was listed on the 1840 census in Blount Co., TN. No known Hensley relatives were nearby.

1840 Census, Blount Co., TN p. 96 Abednigo Casteel

0000100100000-0121101000000

Abednego Casteel died in the 1840-1850 time-frame, presumably in Blount Co., TN.

Agnes Casteel was listed on the 1850 census in Blount Co., TN in the 10th Civil District, with several of her children living with her. She was listed between the households of William Scribner and Barton Warner. No known relatives were listed nearby.

1850 Census, Blount Co., TN p. 84B, House 1216, Family 1216, 10 Civil District

I was unable to find Agnes on the 1860 census, so she may have died in the 1850s, possibly in Blount Co., TN.

---

Rhoda Hensley was born ca 1780/90 in Washington Co., VA, now Scott Co., VA. Her birth range is based solely on the 1830 census which gave her age as 40-49 (born ca 1780/90). I have no other records to compare this with. She was listed second on the 1816-1828 Scott County, Virginia Court case, after her sister Agnes.

I don’t know who Rhoda might have been named for, if anyone.

She apparently moved with her widowed mother to Knox Co., TN between 1806 and 1808.

On 26 Apr 1808, Daniel Casteel was bondsman for the marriage of Abednego Casteel and Agnes Hensley in Knox Co., TN. Daniel and Abednego were either brothers or first cousins. Daniel would soon marry Rhoda.

On 18 Sep 1809, Daniel Casteel obtained a marriage bond in Knox Co, TN to marry Rody Hensley. The bondsman was Ichabod Hensley, (Rhoda’s uncle, I believe, as her brother of this same name was too young at this time.)

Daniel Casteel was born ca 1790/1800 (per 1830 census). Casteel researchers list his parents as Francis and Mary (---) Casteel. I don't know if that is proven or not for Daniel was not named in the Will of Francis Casteel. If that connection is correct, then Daniel Casteel is a first cousin to Abednego Casteel, who at this point, became his brother-in-law also as he was married to Agnes Hensley.

The 1810 and 1820 census records are lost for Knox County, Tennessee, but presumably, Daniel Casteel would have been listed in Knox those years.

Both Daniel Casteel and wife Rhoda were named in the aforementioned 1816-1828 Scott Co, VA Court case.

Daniel Casteel was listed on the 1830 census in Knox next to Susanna Hood (Rhoda's sister) who was next to Abednego Casteel (married to their sister Agnes Hensley). William Childress (1750/60) and James Childress (1770/80) were nearby as well, perhaps related.

1830 Census, Knox Co., TN p. 359 Daniel Casteel

1100010000000-2222001000000

The Daniel Casteel family, along with many of his kin, left Knox Co., TN for Illinois between 1830 and 1834. Tradition has it that Daniel and Rhoda got sick with cholera and died en route while in Kentucky, however, other sources say they died in Bond Co., IL. In either case they were dead by July 1834. Their children were then taken in by the Casteel relations.

Guardian records in Bond Co., IL show their children, Franklin (or Francis), Stephen, Charlotty, Nancy Jane, and Melviny Casteel. Calvin Henley was appointed guardian. I don't think that is a typo. This man wasn’t a Hensley as far as I’m aware. I think it might be Calvin Henley (also Hanely) (c1810) who later lived in Pike Co., IL where many of the Casteels also went. Coincidence? There was also an Alfred Henley who married Mary Casteel in Knox Co., TN in 1832. I would assume they are part of the same extended family.

 

“Mr. [Francis Casteel] was born in Knox Co., Tenn., in 1822, the son of Daniel Casteel who settled in Bond Co., Ill., where he died July 1834. The same year Francis came to this county and settled north of Detroit, where he resided 8 years. [...] [Stephen Casteel] ... is the son of Daniel Rhoda (Hensley) Casteel, both natives of Tennessee; ...” From “History of Pike County, Illinois” 1880, pp 574-575.

Apparently a woman named Mary Casteel Wills left something to Daniel Casteel’s children when she died in 1855. I don’t know who she was to them, perhaps an aunt? More research is needed on that subject.

As noted earlier, the Casteel children were in Bond Co., IL in 1834. However, by 1836 they’d all moved north west to Pike Co., IL where most remained. Calvin Henley, their guardian from 1834, also went to Pike County. Although he was their guardian in the legal sense, it doesn’t necessarily mean they resided with him, though they certainly could have at some point. However, they were not with him in 1840 census. By 1850 all the Casteel children were grown and living in their own households in Pike Co., IL except for Lucinda, the only one not yet married by 1850, who was residing with one of her sisters.

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Susannah Hensley was born ca 1790/1800 in Washington Co., VA, now Scott Co., VA. Her birth range is based solely on the 1830 census which gave her age as 30-39 (born ca 1790/1800). I have no other census records to compare this with.

I don’t know who Susannah might have been named for, if anyone.

She was named in the 1816-1828 Scott County, Virginia Court case as a child and heir of Larkin Hensley.

Her family moved to Knox Co., TN between 1806 and 1808.

The 1810 census was lost for Tennessee, but Susannah would most likely have been home with her widowed mother in Knox Co., TN that year.

On 6 Nov 1816, James Hood obtained a marriage bond in Knox Co., TN to marry Susanna Hensley. The bondsman was Luke Hood, probably a close relation to James.

James Hood was probably born in the 1790s also, but I don't know that for sure as I have no census or other records on which to guess his age. He is a proven son of Aaron Hood Sr of Knox Co., TN.

The 1820 census was lost for all of eastern Tennessee, including Knox County, so we have no listing for James Hood that year.

James Hood died sometime ca 1825/30 in Knox Co., TN.

Susannah was listed as head of household on the 1830 census in Knox Co., TN between the households of Abednego Casteel and Daniel Casteel, both of whom were married to Susannah’s sisters. She is listed as "Wood" instead of Hood by mistake, however, I’m 99% sure this is actually the same person as Susannah Hood. William Childress (1750/60) and James Childress (1770/80) were nearby as well, perhaps related. Andrew Hood (clearly written Hood) was nearby as well, perhaps related to James Hood.

1830 Census, Knox Co., TN p. 359 Susanna Wood age 30-39 (1790/1800)

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I did not find Susannah Hensley Hood on the 1840 census. She was apparently still alive then, so where was she living?

In an Equity or probate case filed on 8 Mar 1847 in Knox Co., TN, the heirs of James Hood, deceased, are named in regards to the estate of his father Aaron Hood. The record shows that James Hood had died (no date given), and that his widow was Susan Hensley, and children were Sarah Hood, wife of Guilford Nester; Eliza Hood, wife of Benj. Chapman; Jourdon Hood and Margaret "Peggy" Hood, wife of Sale Chapman. All of whom were listed as residents of Knox Co., TN, except Guilford and Sarah Nester, who weren't, but their residence was unknown. (The full document is online at the Knox Co, TN GenWeb site contributed by Suzy Machamer.)

I did not find Susannah Hensley Hood on the 1850 census. If she was still living in 1847 (as the above mentioned document implies), then she may have still been living in 1850, but she was not listed in Knox Co., TN or elsewhere as far as I could find.

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Ichabod C. Hensley fits here, I believe. In the 1816-1828 court case he seems to have been left off the list of heirs initially, but then written in above and between Nancy and Thomas Hensley. Assuming all the children were listed in their proper age order, that would put him born between 1800 and 1806 if he fits where listed. However, other evidence strongly suggests he was older than that.

This subject is a bit involved, so I’ve created an entire page devoted to sorting out the various Ichabod Hensleys. Click here to look at that information.

To summarize, there were four men of this name, three of whom were part of the same extended family. The oldest Ichabod (c1782) was Larkin’s half brother, I believe. The next one (c1794) was Larkin’s son. The next one (1810) was not closely related as far as I can determine. The youngest (1813) was Larkin’s nephew, a son of Fielding Hensley.

Larkin’s son used his “C” middle initial on most records to distinguish himself from his uncle Ichabod who didn’t have a middle initial as far as we know. Fielding’s son had no middle name either. However, perhaps coincidentally, the other one who wasn’t so closely related was also Ichabod C. Hensley, though he usually went by his nickname of Bird Hensley.

See each of their pages for more information.

∙           Ichabod Hensley (1780/82-1830's) - probably Larkin’s half brother.

∙           Ichabod C. Hensley (1792/94-1840s) - the one I believe is Larkin’s son.

∙           Ichabod C. “Bird” Hensley (1810) - Not closely related as far as we can tell.

∙           Ichabod Hensley (1813) son of Fielding. - Larkin’s nephew.

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Mary "Polly" Hensley was born ca 1797/98 (per 1850 census) in Washington Co., VA (also per 1850 census). She was listed on the 1816-1828 Scott Co., Virginia Court case as “Polly Hensley.” (“Polly” is a very common nickname for “Mary”).

Special thanks to Jackie Bullock and Anita Kopetski for data shared on this family.

The 1810 census was lost for Tennessee, but Polly would most likely have been home with her widowed mother in Knox Co., TN that year, and also in 1820, which was also lost for Knox County.

On 15 Apr 1822, Frederick French married Polly Hensley in Blount Co., TN. They were married by James Gillespie, Justice of the Peace. Frederick French was born 6 Jan 1801 in Botetourt Co., VA (place per 1850 census). Researchers of this line give Frederick's parents as Peter French and Rosanna Rule.

For years, no one in my branch of the family was sure if this was our Polly Hensley or not. However, we all included her and Frederick French as being in our line, mainly due to them having married in Blount Co., TN, which is right next to Knox Co., TN, in fact, our Hensley's apparently lived in that corner of Knox that bordered Blount, so it seemed reasonable that this Polly Hensley French was the same as our Polly Hensley. For years though, we had no additional data on them. That changed when I was contacted by Jackie Bullock, a French descendant, who had a great deal more on Frederick and Polly's family. Her data, including their 1850 census entry, helped cement the fact that this Polly was ours. The 1850 census record (in Edgar Co., IL) conveniently included the county of birth for everyone. For Polly French, it showed her born in Washington Co., VA. This was not outright proof that this Polly was the same Polly (child of Larkin), but it was very strong circumstantial evidence. Add to that the fact that the first few children born were born in Knox Co., TN (also proven by 1850 census), and it seems a sure thing that this was the same Polly Hensley. It isn’t know whether the Hensleys actually lived in Blount County in 1822, but it was customary to marry in the bride’s county of residence, so perhaps they did.

They were in Knox Co., TN by 1824 and remained there at least until 1830 per the birth places of their children. I did not find them listed on the 1830 census though. There was a Jacob, George, Peter and Michael French all listed near one another in 1830 Knox. They were near Elijah Johnson, who as a Justice of the Peace, performed the marriage of one of the Hood children, thus this was probably the same neighborhood. However, there was no sign of Frederick French on this census. Since they were soon in Indiana, it’s possible they were already en route at census time and not listed anywhere.

By 1832 they had moved to Vigo County, Indiana and remained there at least until ca 1838, again per the birth places of their children on the 1850 census.

Between 1838 and 1840 the French family moved to Edgar Co., IL, and were listed there on the 1840 census. There was an extra adult male in the household. Could be a brother of Frederick's, or someone else. No way to know for sure. Samuel Hensley (1790/1800) and William W. Hensley (1810/20) on the same page, relationship unknown.* Aaron Hood and family were also in Edgar Co., IL at this time.

* This page is really faded and it’s entirely possible these aren’t Hensleys at all. The indexers at Ancestry.com indexed them as Samuel Hansey (or Masey) and William W. Hudson.

1840 census, Edgar Co., IL p. 99 Fred French

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Frederick and Polly and family were listed on the 1850 census in Edgar Co., IL next door to a Matthew French (c1826) who was born in Blount Co., TN. He could be a son, for Frederick did have an apparent son that age with him on the 1840 census.

1850 census, Edgar Co., IL p. 153, House 525, Family 525, District Nineteen

They were still in Edgar Co., IL for the 1860 census.

1860 Census, Edgar Co., IL, Elbridge Township, Sandford, IN PO

p. 147, House 1069, Family 1026

I had trouble finding them on the 1870 census, but I think I finally found them in Moultrie Co., IL. I’m not 100% sure it’s them for both his and her names are wrong, but their son William was there with them and other members of their family also went to Moultrie Co., IL. Their daughter Rosanna Glazebrook was next door, but her listing was also off somewhat.

1870 Census, Moultrie Co., IL, The Township of Sullivan, Sullivan PO, p. 97 house 170, family 175

Mary “Polly” Hensley French died sometime between 1870 and 1880 in Moultrie Co., IL.

Frederick is listed on the 1880 census in Moultrie Co., IL, widowed, living with a married daughter.

1880 Census, Moultrie Co., IL, p. 370, no township listed, house # 164, family # 165

Frederick French died on 4 Aug 1887 in East Nelson Township, Moultrie Co., IL. (Illinois Statewide Death Index Pre 1916.)

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Catherine Hensley was likely born ca 1799 or thereabouts. I have no real evidence of this as a birth year, except that she was listed after her sister Polly (c1798), but before brother Samuel (1801) in the Scott Co., VA court case. Assuming they were in proper age order, that gives only ca 1799 or 1800 as a likely birth year for Catherine. However, since Ichabod seems to be out of order, it could be that Catherine was as well.

I don’t know who Catherine might have been named for, if anyone.

The 1810 census was lost for Tennessee, but Catherine would most likely have been home with her widowed mother in Knox Co., TN that year, and also in 1820, which was also lost for Knox County.

She was listed on the 1816-1828 Scott County, Virginia Court case as "Catherine Hensley" alias “Catsy” Hensley. I don’t recall ever seeing “Catsy” as a nickname for Catherine before, but that’s what the document said.

I have found no additional records on Catherine Hensley. There were no marriage records for a Catherine Hensley in any of the areas where our Hensleys lived. She may have died unmarried, or if she did marry, perhaps the record was lost, or never filed properly.

There is a Catherine Hensley who married John W. Brittain (Britton) on 22 Sep 1822 in Washington Co., TN by Lewis Anderson, MG (Minister of the Gospel). In 1822 the bulk of the family was residing in Knox and perhaps Blount Co., TN, a good distance south and west of Washington County.

I originally dismissed Catherine Hensley Britton as a possible match for our Catherine considering how far Washington County is from where her family lived at the time. I also considered the fact that Washington County was soon filled with Hensleys from the western NC branches of the family, and assumed she must have been one of them, arriving before the rest of them. In fact, her 1822 marriage is the first (of many) Hensley marriages in that county. However, it was 10 years (1832) before another Hensley marriage was recorded in Washington Co., TN. Of course it has to be noted that Washington Co., TN is pretty much on the route from Knox and Blount Co., TN if say, our Catherine were visiting relatives in Scott Co., VA and spent some time in Washington Co., TN, or at least long enough to wed there.

Researcher Jonathan Brown tells me that John & Catherine moved to McMinn Co., TN and later to Greene Co., MO where Catherine died ca 1837, and John died ca 1840. Their 1830 census entry (McMinn) shows them both in their 20's, so born ca 1800-10. The age is right for this to be our Catherine. More research is needed to be sure one way or the other.

1830 Census, McMinn Co., TN p. 182, John Brittain age 20-29 (1800/1810)

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John is listed on the 1840 census in Greene Co., MO. This is the same John according to Jonathan Brown.

1840 Census, Greene Co., MO p. 285, John Britton age 30-39 (1800/1810)

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I found some potential children of theirs still in Greene Co., MO in 1850, though I don’t know for sure they belong to John and Catherine. They were George Britain (1827-1909), Lafayette Britain (1829-1863) and James M. (1833-1911). Other researchers list them as John and Catherine’s children, so it may be true. There is also a Thomas Britain (c1830) who could be another child. He was also born in TN and in the same area of Greene Co., MO as the others in 1850. 

Keep in mind that we don’t know for certain that Catherine Hensley, wife of John Brittain, is the same person as Catherine Hensley daughter of Larkin Hensley. They very well could be one and the same, but thus far I’m not 100% convinced yet.

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Samuel Hensley was born 23 Aug 1801 (per Family Bible) in Washington Co., VA. His family moved to Knox Co, TN between 1806 and 1808.

Samuel was probably named for his uncle Samuel Hensley (1754-1842).

The 1810 census was lost for Tennessee, but Samuel would most likely have been home with his widowed mother in Knox Co, TN that year, and also in 1820, which was also lost for Knox County.

Samuel Hensley was listed on the 1816-1828 Scott County, Virginia Court case as “Samuel Hensley.”

Samuel Hensley married Nancy Johnston on 29 May 1823 in Knox Co., TN. They moved to nearby Monroe Co., TN soon after marriage and remained there until their deaths in 1852.

These are my ancestors.

See their own page for additional information.

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Nancy Hensley was born ca 1800/10, and more likely ca 1800/1805, presumably in Washington Co., VA, though possibly in Sullivan Co., TN instead.

I don’t know who Nancy might have been named for, if anyone.

Her family moved to Knox Co., TN between 1806 and 1808.

The 1810 census was lost for Tennessee, but Nancy would most likely have been home with her widowed mother in Knox Co, TN that year, and also in 1820, which was also lost for Knox County.

She was listed on the 1816-1828 Scott County, Virginia Court case as "Nancy Hensley".

On 28 May 1823, Aaron Hood obtained a marriage bond in Knox Co., TN to marry Nancy Hensley. This was the same date Nancy's brother Samuel Hensley obtained a marriage bond to marry Nancy Johnston (with Aaron Hood acting as bondsmen for them). James Hood was bondsman for Aaron and Nancy. He is Aaron's brother. Aaron Hood and Nancy Hensley and Samuel Hensley and Nancy Johnston married on the next day, 29 May 1823, by Robert McBath, quite possibly in a double ceremony.

Aaron Hood was born ca 1799/1800 in Tennessee, a son of Aaron Hood Sr. He was a brother to James Hood who married Nancy Hensley's sister Susannah Hensley back in 1816.

The Hoods left Knox Co., TN and moved to Vigo Co., IN before 1830 and were listed there on the 1830 census. Luke Hood, Aaron’s brother, was also in Vigo that year.

1830 census, Vigo Co., IN, p. 96 Aaron Hood

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Nancy Hensley Hood's sister Mary Hensley French and family moved to Vigo County shortly after 1830, or perhaps during that very year.

It seems that the Hoods did not remain in Vigo for long, and very shortly moved to Edgar Co., IL where they were found on the 1840 census.

1840 Census, Edgar Co., IL p. 65 Aaron Hood

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Nancy Hensley Hood died sometime ca 1840/41, presumably in Edgar Co., IL.

Aaron Hood married again on 3 Apr 1841 to Cynthia McIntosh in neighboring Coles Co., IL. Cynthia was born ca 1819/20 in Indiana. I don't know who her parents are. I don't know if Aaron Hood had moved to Coles County, or if he just married there because that is where Cynthia resided.

Sometime in the 1840's, the Hoods moved over to Shelby Co., IL, which borders on the west of Coles County. They were there for the 1850 census.

1850 Census, Shelby Co., IL p. 111B, House 209, Family 209, Cockren Grove

Aaron Hood died ca 1858 in Shelby Co., IL.

I was unable to locate Cynthia on the 1860 census. She may have died, remarried or moved away by then.

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Thomas Hensley was born 17 Mar 1806 in Sullivan Co., TN (both facts per his Indian War Pension application). He was the last child born to Larkin Hensley, likely born after his father’s death in 1805. Further proof that Thomas was the last child is found in his being the last named heir in the 1816-1828 court case. He was the only child not known to be born in Washington Co., VA.

Thomas married Elizabeth Watson.

See their own page for more information.

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Revised: December 27, 2021

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