Lawrence Hensley (c1809) and Cecelia --- of Buncombe, Yancey and Madison Co, NC

I don't know who Lawrence Hensley's parents were. There are several suspects to choose from.

Lawrence Hensley would most likely be home with his parents for the 1810, and 1820 census. In 1810 he should be in the "under 10" category (born ca 1800/10), and in 1820 in the age 10-15 category (c1804/10). That helps narrow down the suspects a little bit, but not enough to come to any conclusions.

In 1820, there were only four Hensley households with at least one male age 10-15 (c1804/10), which might be Lawrence Hensley: James Hensley (c1780), John Hensley (c1794/1800), Benjamin Hensley (c1790), and Berry Hensley (c1783). That narrows down the list of suspects considerably, but still does not prove who Lawrence's parents were.

Lawrence Hensley married Cecelia --- ca 1829/1830 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. I don't know what her maiden name is.

They were listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe Co, NC, in the area that became Yancey County (in 1833) and later became Madison County (in 1851). Their neighbors were Daniel Carter and William Profit. William A. Hensley (1798) was the nearest Hensley, but a full page away.

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from the section of Buncombe where the Hensleys lived.

Lawrence Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Yancey Co, NC. He was next door to George Wilson and William Angel. The nearest Hensley was Dorcas Hensley on the same page, but many houses away.

Lawrence Hensley was listed on the 1850 Yancey Co, NC census. They weren't real close to any other Hensleys, though Jesse Hensley (c1804) was 20 houses away. One of Lawrence's children married one of Jesse's, and Lawrence named one of his sons "Jesse", possibly indicating Lawrence and Jesse are brothers.

In 1850, Lawrence Hensley's next door neighbors were William Furgerson, and James Angel. Lawrence had Emelia Sprouse (c1825) and Louisa J. Sprouse (c1849) residing with him in the same house, but with a different family number. I don't know if she is somehow related. She is not his daughter, I believe, but perhaps she is related somehow. She was in the public records as having a Hensley child out of wedlock (see page for Margaret L. Hensley (c1845)). I don't know who the child's father was, but her living with Lawrence makes him seem a possible suspect.

Lawrence Hensley died between 1850 and 1854 in Yancey Co, NC. In Yancey County Court for July 1854, an order was issued for a years provision to be laid off for Celia Hensley, widow of Lawrence Hensley, deceased. (Yancey Co, NC Court Minutes, thanks to Sandra Fender for sharing this record).

Some of their children were in Madison Co, NC for the 1860 census, so I'm not sure if the family had lived in that area before (Madison was formed in 1851 from Yancey), but since Lawrence died in 1854 in Yancey, then perhaps they moved around a little, or lived near or on the line.

I did not find Celia Hensley on the 1860 census, neither in Yancey or Madison County, NC.

Children

Lawrence and Celia had four children in 1850, and possibly one more per the 1840 census (a male born ca 1835/40).

Vina Hensley was born ca 1831/32 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. She was apparently home in 1840 (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35), and still home in 1850 ("Vina" age 18). In 1860 she was with her brother Jesse in 1860.

Jesse Hensley was born ca 1833/34 in Yancey Co, NC. He was apparently home in 1840 (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35), and still home in 1850 ("Jesse" age 16).

Jesse Hensley married Dorcas Hensley on 30 Aug 1852 in Yancey Co, NC. Dorcas was born ca 1827/28, daughter of Jesse and Matilda --- Hensley, a likely 1st cousin.

Jesse (Jr) and Dorcas were in Madison County, NC (formed from part of Yancey in 1851) for the 1860 census. Vina was Jesse's sister. I don't know who James L. Hensley (c1843) was.

Unknown Son (1835/40). Lawrence had an apparent son this age with him in 1840 (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40), but gone by 1850, so probably dead by then or just living elsewhere (too young to be married yet).

Sarah E. Hensley was born ca 1838/39 in Yancey Co, NC. She was apparently home in 1840 (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40), and still home in 1850 ("Sarah E." age 11).

Sarah was listed on the 1860 census in Madison County with the James Ray family, relationship unknown.

Eliza J. Hensley was born ca 1842/43 in Yancey Co, NC. She was home with her parents in 1850 ("Eliza J." age 7).

Researcher List

1. Lawrence¹ Hensley , born 1808/09 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died bef Jul 1854 in Yancey Co, NC. He married bef 1830 in Buncombe Co, NC Cecelia (---) , born 1815/16 in NC; died aft 1854 in Yancey Co, NC.

Children of Lawrence Hensley and Cecelia (---) were as follows:

2 i Vina² Hensley , born 1831/32 in Buncombe Co, NC.

+ 3 ii Jesse² Hensley , born 1833/34 in Yancey Co, NC. He married Dorcas Hensley .

4 iii Sarah E² Hensley , born 1838/39 in Yancey Co, NC.

5 iv Eliza J² Hensley , born 1842/43 in Yancey Co, NC.

Generation 2

3. Jesse² Hensley (Lawrence¹), born 1833/34 in Yancey Co, NC. He married on 30 Aug 1852 in Yancey Co, NC Dorcas Hensley , born 1827/28 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC), daughter of Jesse Hensley and Matilda (---) .

Children of Jesse Hensley and Dorcas Hensley were as follows:

6 i John H³ Hensley , born 1852/53 in Madison Co, NC.

7 ii Andrew J³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Madison Co, NC.

8 iii Benjamin A³ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Madison Co, NC.

9 iv Sallie J³ Hensley , born 1858/59 in Madison Co, NC.