Marty and Karla Grant

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Samuel Hensley (c1730s-c1791) and Lilly Ann — of Bedford Co., VA

Hensley pages [Hensley Home] - [Table of Contents] - [Virginia] - This page [Children]

Special thanks to Laura Schreibman, Suzanne Baird and others for data shared on this family.

Samuel Hensley’s exact birth date has not been found. There is a 1745 road order that mentions Samuel. If that is the same person, then he was probably at least 16 then in order to be mentioned by name. That would put his birth at ca 1729. If more like 14, then born ca 1732. However, if that isn’t the same Samuel, then the best I can estimate is ca early 1740s. His oldest known child was a son born ca 1763, so if we assume that Samuel was at least 18 when that child was born, then he himself had to be born ca 1745 or earlier.

We don’t know who Samuel’s parents were with any certainty. The 1745 record I mentioned above is the only one in which he is listed in conjunction with any other Hensleys.

On 23 Apr 1745 Richard Hammack made a motion in court for road work to be done. Those ordered to do the work were Benjamin Hensley, John Hensley, George Davis, Gideon Carr, Timothy Moony, Stephen English, John Moony, John Hammack, Charles Smith, John Maccaulay, Joseph Martin, Samuel Hensley, William Maib, Richard Davis, John Wilmer, James Hoderurds, John Wood and John Dowell. The road was to be cleared from Richard Hammack's Plantation to Ambrose Smith's. These men listed here would all be neighbors and live in that region where the road was.

From other records we can determine that the above Benjamin is clearly Benjamin Hensley (c1706-aft 1765) who married Elizabeth Hickman. John is probably Benjamin’s son. How about Samuel? Two questions. One, is it the same Samuel who later went to Bedford? Two, regardless of the answer to the first question, is this Samuel a son of that Benjamin?

He could be a son of that Benjamin. That would certainly explain the proximity. However, it may be notable (or not) that Samuel wasn’t listed near the other two Hensleys, but obviously in the same general neighborhood since he was called to work on the same road. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it could be a clue that Samuel isn’t Benjamin’s son but perhaps a nephew instead. However, that’s a lot to read into this one record.

So, is Samuel a son of Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth Hickman? They married in 1731, so it could work age-wise. However, other than this 1745 record, we have nothing at all to associate this Samuel with Benjamin et al, nor any other Hensleys for that matter.

My original theory was that Samuel was a son of William Hensley (c1706-1777) of Culpeper. I have zero actual proof of this, just speculation, so use this linkage with caution. My main reason for thinking this was that Benjamin Hensley (c1730s-1788) of Albemarle was supposed to have a brother named Samuel Hensley. This Samuel of Bedford is really the only one we know of in Virginia who could be that Benjamin’s brother, age-wise. It is also speculative that this Benjamin is a son of William (c1706), but that’s why I listed Samuel as a son of the same William, on the possibility that he is Benjamin’s brother. However, the source we have for Benjamin having a brother named Samuel isn’t a primary one.

For this family we start with an article written in 1876 for the book A History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri. As with all family histories of this sort, we can’t be 100% certain the author knew what they were talking about, but we do know they were much closer to the subject matter and ought to know something about the family in question.

HENSLEY, Samuel and Benjamin Hensley were sons of an English family that settled on the Potomac river in Va. at an early date. Samuel married a Miss Landers, and they had Samuel, Jr., and William. His first wife died and he was married again to Susan Taplett , by whom he had several children. William, son of Samuel, Jr., by his first wife, married Elizabeth Appleberry, of Va., and they had James, Benjamin, William Jr., Thomas, Fleming, Judith and Elizabeth.

The first thing I should note about the above article is that it incorrectly attributes Samuel as the husband of Miss Landers and Miss Taplett and the father of those children. In fact, Benjamin was the one as proven by other sources. So, if the article was wrong about that, maybe it was wrong about there being a brother Samuel in the first place?

There are really only two possibilities for where this Samuel belongs, assuming he was born between ca 1729 and 1740:

 

1.         Benjamin Hensley and Elizabeth Hickman

2.         William Hensley (c1706-1777)

Just on a gut feeling I think William is the more likely father. I can’t prove it of course, so use this with caution. William and Benjamin are brothers, I think, so if William is Samuel’s father, then Benjamin would be his uncle.

Samuel Hensley’s birth place is unknown. King George or Spotsylvania County are potential locations.

I already mentioned the 1745 road order. That was the first record for this Samuel, assuming it’s the same Samuel (and it pretty much has to be).

On 26 Jun 1757, Samuel Hensley was listed as a member of the Culpeper Co., VA militia. To be a militiaman one must be at least 16, so from that record we can determine Samuel was born ca 1741 or earlier which fits with the one we are seeking. (Virginia Colonial Soldiers p. 93 shared by Suzanne Baird.)

Samuel was next found on 5 Jul 1762 in Amherst Co., VA when he witnessed a deed between Robert Barnett and John Farrar for land on the Rockfish River near the Blew (Blue) Mountains. Witnesses were Samuel Henslee, Matthew Harris, and Theobold Maighan. (Amherst Co., VA Deed Book 1, p. 50, shared by Suzanne Baird.)

Amherst was a brand new county at this point, having just been formed the year before from the southern portion of Albemarle. This was several miles south of where he’d been in Culpeper in 1757. We can probably safely assume he was living near the location mentioned in the 1762 deed. Although I can’t pinpoint it, the land in question was in what is now Nelson County. This is the northern part of Amherst (at the time) near the Albemarle border.

Samuel Hensley married Lilley Ann (---) sometime before ca 1763 (birth year of son James). The marriage may have been in Amherst (now Nelson) Co., VA or perhaps it was prior to the move there.

On 13 Feb 1767, John Washer and wife Elizabeth, of Louisa Co., VA sold a plantation to Benjamin Henslee of Louisa. The land was 86 acres on Locust Creek. Witnesses were John Henslee, Mary Landers (signed with mark) and Samuel Henslee (signed with mark). (Louisa Co., VA Deed Book D, pp. 9-11, shared by Suzanne Baird).

The above probably isn’t this same Samuel we are studying, but more likely it’s Benjamin’s son, Samuel, who was born ca 1750. Then again it’s difficult to say. We do think the Samuel (1730s) is a brother of that Benjamin, so it could be him witnessing the deed.

At some point over the next few years, Samuel Hensley moved to Bedford Co., VA. Bedford was the next county down the line of mountains below Amherst. It was formed in 1753 (effective 1754) from Albemarle and Lunenburg.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1782 personal property tax list for Bedford with himself being the taxpayer and a tithable, and one male over 21 (which is probably his son James (c1763), and one between 16 and 21, which was probably his son Benjamin (c1764).

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1783 personal property tax list for Bedford with two tithes over 21, one being himself, the other probably James. This list didn’t record tithes between 16 and 21.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1784 personal property tax list for Bedford with three tithes over 21, one being himself, the other two probably James and Benjamin. This list didn’t record tithes between 16 and 21.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1785 personal property tax list for Bedford with three tithes over 21, one being himself, the other two named as James and Benjamin. This list didn’t record tithes between 16 and 21.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1786 personal property tax list for Bedford with three tithes over 21, one being himself, the other two named as James and Benjamin. This list didn’t record tithes between 16 and 21.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1787 personal property tax list for Bedford in Thomas Logwood’s district with two tithes over 21, one being himself, the other probably being Benjamin, because James was listed in his own entry this time.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1788 personal property tax list for Bedford with two tithes over 21. It isn’t clear if he himself is included. If not, one is James and the other is Benjamin. He also had one tithe between 16 and 20, which is probably Samuel. There is no way to be positive without accurate birth dates for the sons.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1789 personal property tax list for Bedford with three tithes over 21. It isn’t clear if he himself is included. If not, one is James, one is Benjamin and one is Samuel. He also had one tithe between 16 and 20, which is probably John. There is no way to be positive without accurate birth dates for the sons.

The 1790 census is lost for Virginia, but it’s clear he should have been listed in Bedford.

Samuel Hensley is listed on the 1790 personal property tax list for Bedford with three tithes over 21. It isn’t clear if he himself is included. If not, one is James, one is Benjamin and one is Samuel. He also had two tithes between 16 and 20, which is probably John and William. There is no way to be positive without accurate birth dates for the sons.

His entry in 1790 was dated 13 Mar 1790, and that is the last record I have for him. He was not listed on the 1791 tax list so it seems he died before then. His son James was listed with three tithes which included two of his oldest brothers, presumably. This list didn’t ask about males between 16 and 20 which is where the younger two would have been. James’s entry was dated 29 Apr 1791, so from this we can presume that Samuel died between 13 Mar 1790 and 29 Apr 1791.

On 11 Aug 1791, one his daughters married in Bedford. Lilley Ann gave her consent. Samuel wasn't mentioned. That was the marriage of John Sled and Milley Hensley. James Hensley was bondsman.

On 26 Dec 1791, an appraisal (inventory) of the estate of Samuel Hensley, deceased, was returned to the court and ordered to be recorded. The appraisal itself was dated 11 Nov 1791 by Charles Harris, Charles Jones and Peter Wikerson. No heirs or land was listed among the estate items. (Bedford Co., VA Will Book 2, p. 74.)

Widow Lilly Ann was not listed on the 1791 or 1792 tax lists. She was probably living with James those years and not listed on her own. However, she was listed on the 1793 personal property tax list for Bedford as “Lelan” Hensley. Her taxable property consisted of 3 horses.

Lillian Hensley was listed on the 1794 personal property tax list for Bedford with 3 horses.

She was not listed on the tax list in 1795, but was “back” for the 1795 personal property tax list for Bedford as “Lilean Hensley,” now with only two horses.

She was not listed on the tax list in 1797, but was “back” for the 1798 personal property tax list for Bedford as “Lelean Hensley,” with two horses.

Lelean Hensley was listed on the 1799 personal property tax list for Bedford with 2 horses.

The 1800 census is lost for Virginia.

She was not listed on the tax list in 1800, but was back for the 1801 personal property tax list for Bedford as “Lilean Hensley,” now with only one horse.

She was not on the 1802 tax list, but on 25 Oct 1802 Gilliam King obtained a marriage bond to marry Nancy Hensley daughter of Lilley Ann. Benjamin Hensley was bondsman.

Lilly Ann was not listed on the 1803 through 1809 tax lists. She was back for the 1810 tax list as Lilley Hensley (May 17^th), taxed for two horses.

She was not listed on the 1810 census, though still living according to the tax list. She was probably living with one of her children.

Lilly Ann was not listed on the 1811 through 1815 tax lists in Bedford. I didn’t read beyond that.

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Children

Bedford County marriage bonds prove that Lilley Ann is the mother of Nancy Hensley and Milly Hensley. James, John, Samuel, Benjamin and William Hensley were all associated with each other and with Lilley Ann's proven daughters, so it is reasonable to conclude they are all her and Samuel’s children.

 

1.         James Hensley (c1763)

2.         Benjamin Hensley (c1764)

3.         Nancy Hensley (c1765/75)

4.         Samuel Hensley (1766/70)

5.         John Hensley (bef 1771)

6.         Milly Hensley (1775/84)

7.         William Hensley (c1775)

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James Hensley was born ca 1762/63 per his age on his 1849 death record (86). James was associated with Lilley Ann and Milly in 1791, Samuel (Jr) in 1795, and he named one of his sons Samuel. That all proves a close connection. See his own page for more information.

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Benjamin Hensley was born ca 1764. He was associated with Nancy and Lilley Ann in 1802 and with William in 1829. See his own page for other information.

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Samuel Hensley was born ca 1766/1770. He was associated with John in 1792, and James in 1795. It seems very likely he is a son of Samuel and Lilley Ann. See his own page for other information.

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Nancy Hensley was born ca 1765/75 in Bedford Co., VA. She is a proven child of Lilley Ann per her marriage bond.

On 25 Oct 1802 Gilliam King obtained a marriage bond in Bedford to marry Nancy Hensley daughter of Lilley Ann. Benjamin Hensley (brother) was bondsman. They were married on 15 Nov 1802 by Jeremiah Hatcher.

They are listed on the 1810 census in Bedford.

1810 Census, Bedford Co., VA p. 470, Gilliam King age 26-44 (1765/1784)

00010-01010-0-2

They are still in Bedford for the 1820 census.

1820 Census, Bedford Co., VA p. 43, Gilliam King age 26-44 (1775/1794)

011101-00101, Slaves=00100-1000

Nancy Hensley King must have died before 1822 for on 7 Nov 1822 Gilliam King married Nancy Lane Tucker Ownsley.

Gilliam King died 9 Jan 1830 per Jesse Tucker's Revolutionary War Pension File.

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John Hensley was born before 1771. He was associated with Samuel Hensley (Jr) in 1793. I have very little else on John, but it seems very likely he is a son of Samuel and Lilley Ann. See his own page for more information.

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Milly Hensley was born ca 1775/84 in Bedford Co., VA. She is a proven child of Lilley Ann per her marriage bond.

On 9 Jul 1791 John Sled obtained a marriage bond in Bedford Co., VA to marry Milley Hensley. James Hensley (her brother) was bondsman. Lillay Hensley gave her consent. They were married 11 Aug 1791 by William Dameron.

John Sled is listed on the 1800 tax list in Bedford. He has one white tithe (himself) and two horses.

I didn't find him on the 1810 census in Bedford. There is a John Sled in neighboring Amherst Co., VA that could be the same one except that they are both listed as age 45 and up, or born before 1765. That doesn't work for Milly for she wasn't that old.

There is a John Sledge in 1810 Bedford. Could that be the same person? Perhaps.

1810 Census, Bedford Co., VA p. 481, John Sledge age 45+ (before 1765)

21001-11010-0-8

They are in Bedford for the 1820 census.

1820 Census, Bedford Co., VA p. 48, John Sledd age 45+ (before 1775)

010101-20110, Slaves=1301-3110

I didn't find them on the 1830 census. I found a John Sledd in neighboring Campbell Co., VA in 1830, but he is too young to be the same person.

Bedford County Marriage records prove several of John and Milly's children.

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William Hensley was born ca 1774/75. He was associated with Benjamin in 1829. See his own page for other information.

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Click here for family group sheets of this family. Other notes and sources might be listed there.

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Revised: October 31, 2021

Copyright © 1996-2021 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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