Pleasant Hensley and Elizabeth --- of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC and Washington Co, TN and Clay Co, KY.

Pleasant Hensley was born ca 1798/99 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). This approximate birth year is based on his age on the 1850 census (age 51).

I don't know who Pleasant's parents might have been. Many list him as a child of James Hensley and Nancy Anderson, however this seems highly unlikely. First of all, I can see why some might think this to be true, mainly because Pleasant was next door to James on the 1830 census. They both moved to Washington Co, TN by 1840, then both went to Clay Co, KY ca 1841. This does show they were related, but does not prove they were his parents. Those are the "pros", however the cons are major. First, James and Nancy didn't marry until ca 1800/1805. Nancy was only 11 years old in 1799, so couldn't be Pleasant's mother. Also, the 1810 and 1820 census records for James Hensley show no male child who was Pleasant's age. It is possible that James was married prior to Nancy Anderson, and that Pleasant was from that first marriage, and raised by other relatives. This is just a wild guess though.

Presumably, Pleasant would have been at home with his parents for the 1800, 1810 and 1820 census.

In 1800, Pleasant Hensley would have been approximately 1 year old, so he would have been enumerated in the "Under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800). The 1800 Buncombe Co, NC census shows a total of six Hensley households, with five of them having a male his age, including: Colbert Hensley (1760/65), Henry Hensley (bef 1755), Hickman Hensley (1759), John Hensley (1765/74), and Washington Hensley (1774/84). This does not mean that one of the above has to be his father, but it is a place to start.

In 1820, Pleasant would have been approximately 21 years old, so should be enumerated in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1794/1804). In 1820 Buncombe, only Henry Hensley Sr had an apparent son age 16-25. For various reasons, I think I already know who that child was, and that it was not Pleasant.

Pleasant Hensley married Elizabeth --- ca 1820/25 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC). I don't know what her maiden name might have been. Elizabeth was born ca 1799/1800 in TN, perhaps Washington Co, TN (just a guess).

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County, clearly in the part that would become Yancey County in 1833. He was next door to James Hensley (c1780) and also "B. Hensley" (probably Blasengim Hensley). This might be one reason folks think that James was Pleasant's father. The fact they were next door just proves they were neighbors, and suggests some kind of close relationship. They could be brothers, or Uncle - Nephew, or cousins.

Yancey County was formed in 1833 from part of Buncombe County, including where most of the Hensleys lived.

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Washington Co, TN. They were not too close to any other Hensleys, but many others were in the county then.

Pleasant Hensley moved to Clay Co, KY ca 1841. He was listed on the 1841 tax list in Clay County, and taxed for one white male over 21 (himself). (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley was also listed on the 1842 Clay Co, KY tax list and taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself). (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1843, 1844, 1846 Clay Co, KY tax list and each time taxed for 1 white male over 21 (himself) and 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

For the 1847 tax list, Pleasant added 50 acres on Bear Creek to his taxables. He still had 1 white male over 21 and 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

In 1848, Pleasant had no land listed on the tax list, but 1 white male over 21 and 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

For the 1849 and 1850 Clay County tax list, Pleasant Hensley was taxed for 1 white male over 21, and for 2 horses. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1851 tax list in Clay Co, KY and taxed for 1 white male over 21, and for 2 horses. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1852 tax list in Clay Co, KY and taxed for 1 white male over 21, and for 3 horses. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1853 tax list in Clay Co, KY and taxed for 1 white male over 21, and for 2 horses. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1854, 1855, 1856, and 1857 tax list in Clay Co, KY and taxed each time for 1 white male over 21, and for 1 horse. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

For the 1858 tax list, Pleasant was listed as Pleasant Hensley "Sr", and another Pleasant was listed as "Jr". This other one was probably Pleasant Washington Hensley, his son or grandson. Sr was taxed for 1 white male over 21. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Only one Pleasant Hensley was listed on the 1860 tax list in Clay Co, KY, so I'm not sure if it was Sr or Jr, but he was taxed for 1 white male over 21. (Thanks to Laura Schreibman for the Kentucky Tax Lists).

Pleasant Hensley and family were listed on the 1860 census in Clay Co, KY, residing with Edmond Houp who married their daughter Zana Hensley. I did not see the original census for this, but got it from a transcript on the USGenWeb pages, and it lists Pleasant's age as "8", so I'm sure this is a misreading of the census, or possible the original is messed up as well. I'll have to determine that when I can. In the meantime, consider this census record questionable. They were next door to William Hensley (c1823). They were three houses from Henry Hensley (c1802).

I have no data on the family beyond this point. I know Pleasant (Sr) and Elizabeth were still living in 1870, and still in Clay Co, KY but I don't have the census records yet.

Children

Pleasant and Elizabeth had at least six children per the 1830 through 1860 census records.

Unknown Son (1825/30). Pleasant Hensley had an apparent son this age with him for the 1830 and 1840 census, but not with him in 1850, so probably had married or died in the 1840/50 timeframe.

There were two male Hensley's in 1850 Clay Co, KY who fit this age category. The first was James Hensley (c1829). He was born in TN though, and Pleasant was still in NC then. The other was A. J. Hensley (c1829), born in NC. So that makes him a better suspect, being born in NC.

However, I don't know if either of those was a son of Pleasant and Elizabeth Hensley. There were no other likely candidates in Clay Co, KY in 1850.

Unknown Daughter (1825/30). Pleasant Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1830 census, but not with him in 1840, so probably had married or died in the 1830/40 timeframe.

Assuming she didn't die, if she married in Buncombe or Yancey Co, NC in the 1830/35 timeframe, then no marriage record will likely be found. However, the family moved to Washington Co, TN by ca 1835, so if she married ca 1835/1840 in that county, there may be a record.

There was a Washington Co, TN marriage dated 16 Nov 1839 between "N. Hensley" (bride) and "J. Harris". That was Nancy Hensley daughter of Benjamin Hensley, so not a suspect.

There was a Washington Co, TN marriage dated 6 Nov 1832 between Sarah Hensley and Edmonson Casey. This seems too early to be a likely suspect.

Those were the only two female Hensley marriages recorded in the 1830's in Washington Co, TN.

There was a Nancy V. Hensley born ca 1824/25 in NC, who married Thomas Houp on 17 Aug 1841 in Clay Co, KY. Her age, and birth place are a good fit. And Thomas Houp might be a brother of Edmond Houp who married Zana Hensley (see below). Thomas and Nancy were just a few houses from Pleasant Hensley in 1850 and next door to them in 1860. This isn't solid proof, but it makes it seem likely.

Unknown Son (1830/35). Pleasant Hensley had an apparent son this age with him for the 1840 census, but not with him in 1850, so probably had married or died in the 1840/50 timeframe.

I don't know who this could be. I didn't find any likely suspects in 1850 Clay Co, KY. However, in 1860 Clay Co, KY there was a Sneed Hensley (c1834) listed, born in TN. I did not find him anywhere in 1850, so that could mean he is a likely suspect to be a son of Pleasant. He was living next door (in 1860) to Squire Hensley (c1832), son of Levi Hensley (c1816).

Zana Hensley was born ca 1833/34 in either TN (per 1850 census) or NC (per 1860 census). If Tennessee, then in Washington County. If North Carolina, then Yancey County.

Zana was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census. In 1850 she was listed with them, but her name was hard to make out, it looks like it said "America".

They were listed on the 1860 census in Clay Co, KY with her parents residing with them (see above for this census record).

Eliza Jane Hensley was born ca 1836/37 in Washington Co, TN. She was apparently home with her parents in 1840, and with them in 1850 and 1860.

Pleasant Washington Hensley was born ca 1845/46 in Clay Co, KY. He was with his parents in 1850, listed as "Washington". I didn't find him in 1860 (yet).

I don't have the listing, but I believe he was listed on the 1870 census in Clay Co, KY with his parents, listed as "Pleasant Hensley", with a wife and family. I'll have to verify that.

Researcher List

1. Pleasant¹ Hensley , born 1798/99 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) He married in 1820/30 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Yancey Co, NC) Elizabeth (---) , born 1799/1800 in TN.

Children of Pleasant Hensley and Elizabeth (---) were as follows:

+ 2 i America Zana² Hensley , born 1833/34 in Washington Co, TN. She married Edmond Houp .

3 ii Eliza Jane² Hensley , born 1836/37 in Washington Co, TN.

4 iii Pleasant Washington² Hensley , born 1845/46 in Clay Co, KY.

Generation 2

2. America Zana² Hensley (Pleasant¹), born 1833/34 in Washington Co, TN. She married on 30 May 1853 in Clay Co, KY Edmond Houp , born 1822/23 in TN.

Children of America Zana Hensley and Edmond Houp were as follows:

5 i Emily³ Houp , born 1854/55 in Clay Co, KY.

6 ii Francis³ Houp , born 1856/57 in Clay Co, KY.

7 iii Theophilus³ Houp , born 1857/58 in Clay Co, KY.

Pleasant Hensley (c1799) and Elizabeth --- of Buncombe and Yancey Co, NC and Washington Co, TN and Clay Co, KY.

Children

Researcher List

Register Report