Russell Hensley (c1804) and Susan Null of Lawrence Co, TN and Independence, Izard and Johnson and Van Buren Co, AR

Russell Hensley was born ca 1803/04 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina (per 1850 census). I don't know what county he was born in, but it seems very likely he was born in Buncombe or Burke County.

I don't know who Russell Hensley's parents are, but it is possible he is a child of Lucinda Hensley (c1781), though this isn't proven. I base it on the fact that she was living in Lawrence Co, TN at the time Russell was married there, and that one of her two other sons named a son "Russell", and that both of her other sons, James Hensley (c1800) and Hickman Hensley (1806) were both born in NC also, and that all three (including Russell) married in Lawrence Co, TN, then moved to Independence Co, AR at the same time, then to Izard Co, AR, then James and Hickman moved to Tishomingo Co, MS together (but not Russell). None of this is conclusive, but it loosely ties them all together. I have also theorized that Lucinda Hensley was the widow of Washington Hensley (1774/84), and if true, that would make him Russell's father.

Russell Hensley would have been about 6 years old by the time of the 1810 census, so if listed, he would be in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1800/10). I don't know whether his family was still in NC then, or had already moved to Tennessee. Washington Hensley (1774/84) in 1810 Buncombe Co, NC had three apparent sons in this age group (perfect for James-1800, Russell-1804 and Hickman-1806). There were several other Hensleys in 1810 Buncombe with at least one apparent son this age, though for various reasons, I don't think any of them are Russell's parents.

By the 1820 census, Russell would have been about 16 years old, so he should be enumerated in the age 16-25 category (born ca 1794/1804), or possibly in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1804/10). I don't know if his family was still in NC then, or had already moved to TN. The 1820 census for Tennessee is lost for all of the Eastern counties, but still exists for the western counties. There was only one Hensley in Lawrence County that year, and he was Michael Hensley (c1785), but he had no children Russell's age. Washington Hensley (1774/84) was in Wayne County, TN in 1820, and he did have sons of the right ages to match James-1800, Russell-1804 and Hickman-1806. Lawrence and Wayne County border each other.

Russell Hensley was in neighboring Lawrence County by 1826, for on 22 Dec 1826 he obtained a marriage bond to marry Susan Null. The bondsman was Alexander Dunahoo (Donahoo), who was married to Charlotte Hensley in 1823. This leads to the assumption that Charlotte Hensley may be Russell's sister. Susan Null was born ca 1807/08 in South Carolina (both facts per 1850 census). I don't know who her parents were.

Russell Hensley and family left Lawrence Co, TN for Independence County, Arkansas ca 1829-1830.

Russell was listed on the 1830 census in Independence Co, AR next door to probable brother Hickman Hensley (1806).

By 1831, Russell Hensley was in neighboring Izard County, Arkansas, and listed on the tax list there that year, as was brother Hickman Hensley (c1806).

By 1838, Russell Hensley had moved south west to Pope County, Arkansas, and was listed there on the tax list that year.

By 1839, Russell had moved (yet again!) to neighboring Johnson County, Arkansas, and was listed there on the 1839 tax list.

Russell Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Johnson County, Arkansas, the only Hensley there that year. He was listed between Anderson Cooksey and Daniel Callihan.

By 1850, Russell and family had moved from Johnson County, eastward to Van Buren County, Arkansas. They were listed there on the 1850 census in Union District next door to Sampson Hensley (c1819), who is likely a cousin, though I don't know what their connection is. Sampson was a son of Larkin Hensley (1779) who was a son of Hickman Hensley (1759) who was a brother to Henry Hensley (c1753) who was father of Washington Hensley (1774/84), possible father of Russell. If this lineage for Russell is correct, then he and Sampson were 2nd cousins, however, I don't know if it is correct.

Widow Susan Null Hensley was still in Van Buren for the 1860 census just three houses from son Fielding, and 3 more from cousin Sampson Hensley (c1819). Son Jefferson seemed to have a wife and child residing with them in the same household.

Children

Russell and Susan had at least five children per the various census records. The eldest, Fielding, is not proven, but I'm fairly sure he belongs here. The rest were home with Russell in 1850.

Researcher List

1. Russell¹ Hensley , born 1803/04 in NC; died 1850/60 in Van Buren Co, AR, son of (---) Hensley and Lucinda (---) . He married on 22 Dec 1826 in Lawrence Co, TN Susan Null , born 1807/08 in SC; died aft 1860 in Van Buren Co, AR.

Children of Russell Hensley and Susan Null were as follows:

+ 2 i Fielding² Hensley , born 1828/29 in Lawrence Co, TN; died aft 1860 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married Elizabeth (---) .

3 ii Valentine² Hensley , born 1830/31 in Independence Co, AR; died aft 1850 in Van Buren Co, AR.

+ 4 iii Jefferson² Hensley , born 1838/39 in Johnson Co, AR; died aft 1860 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married Elizabeth (---) .

+ 5 iv Nathaniel Andrew² Hensley , born 1844/45 in Van Buren Co, AR; died aft 1880 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married Mary (---) .

+ 6 v Russell² Hensley , born 1848/49 in Van Buren Co, AR; died aft 1880 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married Sarah (---) .

Generation 2

2. Fielding² Hensley (Russell¹), born 1828/29 in Lawrence Co, TN; died aft 1860 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married bef 1849 in Van Buren Co, AR Elizabeth (---) , born 1831/32 in AR.

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

7 i Lucinda³ Hensley , born 1849 in Van Buren Co, AR; died 1850/60 in Van Buren Co, AR.

8 ii William R³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Van Buren Co, AR.

9 iii James H³ Hensley , born 1855/56 in Van Buren Co, AR.

10 iv Alsey G³ Hensley , born 1857/58 in Van Buren Co, AR.

4. Jefferson² Hensley (Russell¹), born 1838/39 in Johnson Co, AR; died aft 1860 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married in 1850/55 in Van Buren Co, AR Elizabeth (---) , born 1834/35 in AR.

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

11 i Susan³ Hensley , born 1854/55 in Van Buren Co, AR.

5. Nathaniel Andrew² Hensley (Russell¹), born 1844/45 in Van Buren Co, AR; died aft 1880 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married in 1860/66 in Van Buren Co, AR Mary (---) , born 1848/49 in TN.

Children of Nathaniel Andrew Hensley and Mary (---) were as follows:

12 i William V³ Hensley , born 1865/66 in Van Buren Co, AR; died 1870/80 in Van Buren Co, AR.

13 ii Eliza A³ Hensley , born 1867/68 in Van Buren Co, AR.

14 iii John R³ Hensley , born Dec 1869 in Van Buren Co, AR.

15 iv Russell W³ Hensley , born 1871/72 in Van Buren Co, AR.

16 v Freeling T³ Hensley , born 1874/75 in Van Buren Co, AR.

17 vi Joshua³ Hensley , born 1877/78 in Van Buren Co, AR.

18 vii Elizabeth³ Hensley , born 1879 in Van Buren Co, AR.

6. Russell² Hensley (Russell¹), born 1848/49 in Van Buren Co, AR; died aft 1880 in Van Buren Co, AR. He married in 1860/70 in Van Buren Co, AR Sarah (---) , born 1851/52 in AR.

Children of Russell Hensley and Sarah (---) were as follows:

19 i Susan E³ Hensley , born Jan 1870 in Van Buren Co, AR.

20 ii Mary A³ Hensley , born 1870/71 in Van Buren Co, AR.