Lewis Hensley and Nancy Howard of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC and Harlan Co, KY

I have no direct proof as to who Lewis Hensley's parents were, but I strongly suspect he was a son of Henry Hensley Sr and Barbara Angel. Other researchers place him there as well, but so far, I've seen no direct evidence this is true.

There are really only a few choices though, using the 1790 and 1800 census records as a list of suspects.

In 1790, there were five Hensley households in Burke County, four of which had sons in the "under 16" category, or born ca 1774/1790, which is where Lewis would be (born ca 1784/90). The suspects were: Benjamin Hensley, with 3 sons under 16; Henry Hensley with 5 sons under 16; Hickman Hensley with four; and James Hensley with two. Of these, we can eliminate Hickman, based on other considerations, so that leaves Benjamin, Henry and James as suspects. James can be eliminated because he only had 3 living heirs alive in the 1830's, so that leaves Benjamin and Henry, with no direct evidence to eliminate either.

In 1800, Lewis Hensley would probably be in the age 10-15 category (born ca 1784/90), though possibly in the 16-25 category (c1774/84).

In 1800, there were six Hensley households in Buncombe County, and two in Burke. Of these, only Henry, Hickman, and James Hensley (in Buncombe) had sons in the 16-25 age group, (born ca 1774/84), while in Burke, Benjamin Hensley had a son in that age group. Henry and Hickman also had sons in the 10-15 age group (c1784/90). That really only leaves Henry Sr as a suspect, since I don't think Henry (1781) lived in Burke at all (Benjamin lived in that section of Burke that later became McDowell County).

So, assuming that I'm correct in my analysis, then Lewis (1784/90) was home with Henry Sr for the 1790 census in Burke Co, NC (in the region that soon became Buncombe County), and home with him for the 1800 census in Buncombe County.

Lewis Hensley married Nancy Howard on 1 Sep 1803 in Knox Co, KY (now Harlan Co, KY). The date might be the date of a marriage bond, and not the actual date of the wedding. I'm not sure. Nancy was born ca 1789/90 in VA, and was a daughter of Samuel Howard and Chloe Osborne. Nancy's sister Mary Howard, married Lewis Hensley's brother Henry Hensley ca 1803, probably in Knox Co, KY as well.

Besides the marriage record (listing Nancy as a "Hoard"), there is direct evidence that Nancy's maiden name was Howard, and that she was a child of Samuel and Chloe. A deed dated 27 Dec 1820 was made by Samuel Howard Sr (Samuel "Hord") in Harlan Co, KY, selling (for $1) land to his children, including "Mary Hensley wife of Henry Hensley and Nancy Hensley wife of Lewis Hensley of Buncombe Co, NC". This proves that connection very nicely. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for that information).

Lewis and Nancy (as well as their siblings Henry and Mary) moved back to NC after marriage, leaving the Howard family in KY.

Lewis Hensley was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co, NC. They were not listed near any other Hensleys. Their next door neighbors were William Barrett and Joseph Walker. Based on these and other neighbors, I'm fairly sure they were in the section of Buncombe County that later became Yancey County (in 1833).

For some reason, I have not been able to locate Lewis Hensley on the 1820 census. Perhaps not a coincidence, I have not been able to find his brother Henry Hensley in 1820 either. The aforementioned deed from his father-in-law Samuel Howard, was dated December 1820, and listed Lewis' residence as Buncombe Co, NC, so he should be there (though the census was taken earlier in the year, and Lewis could have been in KY at that point, and returned to NC later, but before December). I have checked the 1820 census for Buncombe County, NC several times through, and still did not locate Lewis Hensley. His father was listed in 1820. There are a few possibilities to consider for his whereabouts in 1820. If he moved into Eastern Tennessee, then he would have been enumerated there, but the 1820 census is lost for east TN. Another option is that he was in KY or en route to KY and not enumerated anywhere (I didn't find him in KY in 1820 either). The other possibility is that he was just missed by the census taker in 1820, but still living in Buncombe County.

As mentioned before, on 27 Dec 1820, Lewis and wife Nancy were named in a deed made by her father Samuel Howard Sr ("Samuel Hord Sr") in Harlan Co, KY.

Lewis Hensley was listed in Buncombe Co, NC for the 1830 census. He was not near any other Hensleys, but his next door neighbors were Jesse Radford and Polly Philips.

In 1833, Yancey County was formed from part of Buncombe, including where the Hensley's resided.

Lewis Hensley was not listed on the 1835 tax list in Harlan Co, KY, but he was listed on the 1836 list, so he must have moved there around that time. In 1836, he was taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 3 horses. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1837, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1838, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse and for 3 children over 7 but under 17 years old. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1840, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

Lewis Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Harlan Co, KY. He was listed between Jesse Helton and Jesse Jenkins (or Jenkins Jesse). His three probable sons, Andrew, Samuel and Washington Hensley were listed on the previous two pages.

In 1841, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself). (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1842, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1843, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1844, Lewis Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and for 1 horse and 1 child age 5 to 16. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

Tom Howard (a descendant of Samuel & Chloe Howard) shared some information with me on this family. According to Tom, there are court records in Harlan Co, KY showing that Lewis Hensley was killed by his brother-in-law Samuel Howard in ~~1846~~ 1844 during an altercation. In Court, Samuel Howard was acquitted, apparently due to it being self defense. (Thanks to Tom Howard for this data).

Sherry Cross shared a court record that shows Samuel Howard stabbed Lewis Hensley to death on 27 Mar 1844.

The 1845 tax list shows his widow Nancy Hensley charged with taxes, for 3 children age 5 to 16 and 2 horses.

In 1846, Nancy Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 child age 5 to 16 and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

In 1847, Nancy Hensley was on the Harlan County tax list, and taxed for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists)

I haven't yet found widow Nancy Howard Hensley on the 1850 census in KY. I didn't see her in Harlan Co, KY that year. Since her last tax record was dated 1847, perhaps she moved to another county after that. I checked Harlan, Clay and Breathitt Counties for her, but did not locate her in any of them.

I have no additional data on this family. Yancey County, NC and Harlan County, NC records may reveal a great deal more about them.

Children

Lewis and Nancy Howard Hensley had quite a number of children, based on the 1810 through 1860 census records. However, to my knowledge, none of their names are proven, with the probable exception of son Samuel, since Nancy was residing with him in 1860.

Unknown Son (c1800/10). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1810 census. Lewis was missing in 1820, but this child was gone from Lewis' household by 1830.

I suspect this could be Andrew Hensley (c1809/10), who is listed by many as a son of Lewis Hensley. I don't know if there is any direct proof that he is a son of Lewis, but he does fit based on circumstantial evidence. See his own page for more information.

Unknown Daughter (c1800/10). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1810 census. Lewis was missing in 1820, but this child was gone from Lewis' household by 1830.

Unknown Daughter (1810/20). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1840 census. Lewis was missing in 1820, so I don't know if she was home in 1820, but she was not there with Lewis in 1830.

One strong suspect for this daughter is Lucinda Hensley (c1815) who was listed as head of household in Harlan Co, KY in 1850. She was either a widow, or a single mother. She had 7 children with her in 1850. It is possible that these children were her younger siblings and not her own children. The ages of her children who were born before 1840 are a perfect match for the "extra" children in Lewis Hensley's household on the 1840 census. Lucinda herself was not listed on the 1840 census (as a head of household), so I strongly suspect that she was with Lewis then, and all of these children with her. Her ages, and their ages, fit perfectly in Lewis' 1840 household.

Samuel Hensley was born ca 1817/18 in Buncombe (now Yancey) Co, NC. He was probably with his parents for the 1820 census (which hasn't been located yet), and was apparently with them in 1830. He came with his parents to Harlan Co, KY and married Mary Howard there in 1837.

The "proof" that Samuel was Lewis and Nancy's son, was that Nancy was living with Samuel in 1860. He fits based on circumstantial evidence as well.

Unknown Son (1820/25). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 census, but he was gone by 1840.

I feel that this is probably George Washington Hensley (1820). I don't know if there is any direct proof that Washington is Lewis' son, but other researchers place him there as well. He fits based on circumstantial evidence. He married Sarah Noe in Harlan Co, KY in 1844.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 and 1840 census, but she was not found in 1850, so probably had married or died in the 1840's in Harlan Co, KY.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 census, but she was gone by 1840 unless enumerated in the 1825/30 age group that time. This seems likely to me that it is the same person in 1830 and 1840, and that she was probably born ca 1825 (which lets her fit well in both categories). She was not found in 1850, so probably had married or died in the 1840's in Harlan Co, KY.

Unknown Son (1825/30). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1830 and 1840 census, but he was gone by 1850, so probably had married or died in the 1840's in Harlan Co, KY.

There was a John Hensley (c1827) in 1850 Harlan Co, KY who could be this child, though that is far from certain. There was also a John Hensley (c1828) in Breathitt Co, KY who could be this child.

Unknown Son (1830/35). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1840 census.

This could be Jackson Hensley (c1835) who was with Lucinda Hensley (c1815) in 1850 Harlan Co, KY.

Unknown Son (1835/40). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1840 census.

This could be Franklin Hensley (c1837) who was with Lucinda Hensley (c1815) in 1850 Harlan Co, KY.

Unknown Son (1835/40). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1840 census.

Unknown Daughter (1835/40). Lewis Hensley had an apparent child this age with him in the 1840 census.

This could be Sally Hensley (c1840) who was with Lucinda Hensley (c1815) in 1850 Harlan Co, KY.

Researcher List

1. Lewis¹ Hensley , born 1784/90 in Burke Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died 27 Mar 1844 in Harlan Co, KY, son of Henry "Harry" Hensley and Barbara Angel . He married on 1 Sep 1803 in Knox Co, KY (now Harlan Co, KY) Nancy Howard , born 1789/90 in VA; died aft 1860 in Breathitt Co, KY, daughter of Samuel Howard and Chloe Osborne .

Children of Lewis Hensley and Nancy Howard were as follows:

+ 2 i Andrew² Hensley , born 1809/10 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married Happy Pink Howard .

+ 3 ii Samuel² Hensley , born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married Mary "Polly" Howard .

+ 4 iii George Washington² Hensley , born 1819/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died in Harlan Co, KY. He married Sarah Noe .

Generation 2

2. Andrew² Hensley (Lewis¹), born 1809/10 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married in 1830/38 in Harlan Co, KY Happy Pink Howard , born 1819/20 in KY.

Children of Andrew Hensley and Happy Pink Howard were as follows:

5 i Rebecca³ Hensley , born 1838/39 in Harlan Co, KY. She married on 14 May 1857 in Harlan Co, KY William Lewis .

6 ii Mary³ Hensley , born 1840/41 in Harlan Co, KY.

7 iii Eliza³ Hensley , born 1840/41 in Harlan Co, KY.

8 iv Nancy³ Hensley , born 1844/45 in Clay Co, KY.

9 v Theophilus³ Hensley , born 1847/48 in Clay Co, KY.

10 vi John³ Hensley , born 1850/51 in Clay Co, KY.

11 vii Barnett³ Hensley , born 5 Aug 1853 in Harlan Co, KY.

12 viii Henderson³ Hensley , born 1853/54 in Clay Co, KY.

13 ix William³ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Harlan Co, KY.

14 x Samuel³ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Harlan Co, KY.

3. Samuel² Hensley (Lewis¹), born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). He married on 2 Nov 1837 in Harlan Co, KY Mary "Polly" Howard , born 1822/23 in KY.

Children of Samuel Hensley and Mary "Polly" Howard were as follows:

15 i Elizabeth³ Hensley , born 1838/39 in Harlan Co, KY.

16 ii Louisa³ Hensley , born 1840/41 in Harlan Co, KY.

17 iii Lewis Gocen³ Hensley , born 1844/45 in Harlan Co, KY.

18 iv Martha³ Hensley , born 1847/48 in Harlan Co, KY.

19 v Nancy³ Hensley , born 1849 in Harlan Co, KY.

20 vi Drucilla³ Hensley , born 15 Sep 1852 in Harlan Co, KY.

21 vii America³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Harlan Co, KY.

22 viii Andrew J³ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Harlan Co, KY.

23 ix Cordelia³ Hensley , born 1856/57 in Breathitt Co, KY.

4. George Washington² Hensley (Lewis¹), born 1819/20 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC); died in Harlan Co, KY. He married on 2 Sep 1844 in Harlan Co, KY Sarah Noe , born 1821/22 in KY.

Children of George Washington Hensley and Sarah Noe were as follows:

24 i Jennings³ Hensley , born 1844/45 in Harlan Co, KY.

25 ii Milton³ Hensley , born 1845/46 in Harlan Co, KY.

26 iii Wilkinson³ Hensley , born 1847/48 in Harlan Co, KY.

27 iv Susan³ Hensley , born 1850/51 in Harlan Co, KY.

28 v John L³ Hensley , born 4 Jul 1853 in Harlan Co, KY.

29 vi Calvin³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Harlan Co, KY.

30 vii Josiah³ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Harlan Co, KY.