Marty and Karla Grant

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Samuel Hensley (1801-1852) and Nancy Johnston of Knox and Monroe Co., TN

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

Samuel Hensley was born 23 Aug 1801 (per family bible) in what was then Washington Co., VA, but is now Scott Co., VA. He was probably born in the area of Ketrons (Catherine’s) Creek or Cove Creek.

Samuel is a proven son of Larkin Hensley and Sarah Childress as named in an 1816-1828 Scott Co., VA court case which named all of Larkin’s heirs, including Samuel.

It seems highly likely that Samuel Hensley (1801) was named for his uncle, Larkin’s older brother, Samuel Hensley (1754-1842).

Samuel’s father Larkin Hensley died around 1805, while Samuel was only about 4 years old. His mother moved the family across the county and state line to Sullivan Co., TN by 1806 where she had her last child. Within two years they had moved further southwest into Knox Co., TN outside of what is now Knoxville apparently in the corner of the county that borders Blount Co., TN.

Samuel’s grandfather, Larkin’s father, William Hensley (c1730-1807) also went to Knox Co., TN around that time. Samuel’s uncle, Larkin’s probable half brother, Ichabod Hensley (c1780-1830s) also moved to Knox Co., TN around then. Descendants of Samuel’s brother Thomas Hensley (1806) recall Ichabod Hensley coming to visit them when they were later living in Monroe Co., TN. However, it isn’t clear if they were referring to Samuel and Thomas’s uncle Ichabod (c1780) or Samuel and Thomas’s brother, also named Ichabod (c1794). Could have been either one.

Samuel spent his childhood and young adulthood in Knox Co., TN.

On 28 May 1823, Samuel Hensley obtained a marriage bond in Knox Co., TN to marry Nancy Johnston. Aaron Hood was the bondsman. Not coincidentally, on the same date, Aaron Hood obtained a marriage bond to marry Samuel's sister Nancy Hensley.

Both couples were married the next day, 29 May 1823, by Robert McBath in Knox Co., TN. It seems reasonable to assume that Samuel and his sister Nancy married their respective spouses in a joint ceremony, or at the very least, in consecutive ceremonies.

Nancy Johnston (also Johnson) was born 6 Nov 1804 (per family bible) in Tennessee, probably in Knox County. Nancy is a proven daughter of Robert Johnson/Johnston (1759-1849) and Rachael Burnett.

However, before learning about Robert from newly found Johnson cousins, our family believed that Nancy’s father was named Samuel Johnson/Johnston. This was based on an old letter from the very early 1900s wherein the author, a descendant of Samuel Hensley, stated Nancy Johnson Hensley and her “twin” Milly Johnson Roddy were children of Samuel Johnston. The same letter seemed to say we were of the same family as President Andrew Johnson which while possible, seems unlikely.

That old letter had us barking up the wrong tree for a very long time. There was indeed a Samuel Johnson/Johnston in Knox Co., TN who was of the right age to be Nancy’s father, but we now know he isn’t her father.

Samuel Hensley and wife Nancy soon moved to nearby Monroe Co, TN settling somewhere just east of the Tellico River, possibly near the Ball Play community where his brother Thomas later moved.

Samuel and his brother Thomas were both in Monroe Co, TN as early as 1828 when, as members of the local Militia, they were witnesses to a murder that took place during one of the musters. The transcript of this case (shared by Laura Schreibman) gives their testimony about the case, and while interesting, gives no Hensley family data, other than showing that Samuel and Thomas were there together.

Samuel Hensley was listed on the 1830 census in Monroe Co, TN, just 5 houses from his brother Thomas Hensley. Samuel was also just two houses from his brother-in-law Samuel Roddy (married to Millie Johnston), and only 4 houses from Benjamin Johnson who was Nancy’s brother. Andrew Millsap was next door. One of the Hensley children would marry a Millsaps. William Roddy was also nearby. He was Samuel Roddy’s brother, and was married to Martha Childress, perhaps related to Samuel Hensley’s mother Sarah Childress Hensley. Also nearby were William and James Harrison, who would later have connections to the Hensleys and related families.

1830 Census, Monroe Co., TN p. 132, Samuel Hensly age 30-39 (1790/1800)

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Samuel Hensley and his brother Thomas Hensley were listed side by side on the 1836 tax list for Monroe Co., TN in the 17th Civil District. Neither had any land, but were each charged for 1 poll, and taxed 50 cents each.

Samuel Hensley, Thomas Hensley, Samuel Roddy and other relatives and neighbors in the 17th Civil District, signed a petition on 19 Nov 1837 to have the boundary with Blount County altered. Samuel Hensley and Samuel Roddy were listed as residents on the south side of the River (Tennessee River), and Thomas Hensley was on the north side of the river. ("History of Monroe Co, TN, Vol I, Part I", by Sarah G. Cox Sands, pg 371.)

Samuel Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Monroe Co, TN. This time he was not listed near his brother Thomas Hensley. He was listed between Solomon Akins and Henry Lowery and just two houses from brother-in-law Samuel Roddy. Brother-in-law Benjamin Johnston was just a few more houses away.

1840 Census, Monroe Co., TN p. 151, Samuel Hensley age 30-39 (1800/1810)

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Samuel Hensley signed an 1843 Petition for the formation of a new county. He signed as "Sam. Hensley", and immediately after his name was "Marshel Hensley", who could be son Joseph M. Hensley (1825). Many of the other names listed were their known neighbors and relatives. ("History of Monroe Co, TN, Vol I, Part I", by Sarah G. Cox Sands, pg 391.)

Samuel Hensley and family were listed on the 1850 census in Monroe Co., TN. They were listed between the households of Thomas Harrison and Michael Harrison. Daughter Sarah Millsaps was just a few houses away, and future son-in-law Lafayette George was just a few houses away also, home with his parents.

1850 census, Monroe Co., TN, 17^th Civil District, p. 104B, house 1458, family 1458

Something must have been going around in October 1852 for Samuel and Nancy died that month within ten days of each other, Samuel on the 7^th and Nancy on the 17^th. (Both dates from family bible.) He was 51 and she 47.

I don’t know where they were buried. It’s possible they are at the Ebenezer Church Cemetery in the Ball Play community where Samuel’s brother Thomas is buried, but that is just a guess for there are no markers there for Samuel and Nancy.

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Children

Samuel and Nancy had nine children as named in the Family Bible of their daughter Margaret Hensley Cooper (shared with me by Juanita Weaver). Several of these dates are confirmed by other sources as well. They had 5 sons, 4 of them died young, with Robert Hensley being the only son reaching adulthood. He never married so the Hensley name ended with this line. The 4 daughters all married. 3 of them left numerous offspring. Daughter Emaline had no children. Here is a transcript of the Family Bible record. The Hensley surname was spelled differently at times.

 

∙           Samual Hensly and Nancy Johnson were married May 29, 1823.

∙           Samual Hensley was born Aug 23, 1801.

∙           Nancy (Johnson) Hensley was born Nov. 6, 1804.

∙           Joseph M. Hensley was born March 4, 1825.

∙           Sarah C. Hensley was born June 22, 1826.

∙           Racheal B. Hensley was born Feb. 9, 1829.

∙           Emeline D. Hensley was born Nov 14, 1830.

∙           Robert J. Hensley was born Aug 16 1834.

∙           Luther H. Hensley was born Aug 8, 1837.

∙           Benjamin Hensley was born April 15, 1840.

∙           Margaret Anne Hensley was born April 26, 1843.

∙           John J. Hensley was born Jan 15, 1847.

∙           Samual Hensley died Oct 7, 1852.

∙           Nancy Hensly died Oct 17, 1852.

∙           Benjamin Hensly died Oct 3, 1857.

∙           John J. Hensley died March 18 1854.

∙           Joseph M. Hensley died July 4, 1847

 

1.         Joseph M. Hensley (1825-1847)

2.         Sarah Elizabeth Hensley (1826-1870s)

3.         Rachel Burnett Hensley (1829-1909)

4.         Emaline D. Hensley (1831-1896)

5.         Robert J. Hensley (1834-1906)

6.         Luther H. Hensley (1837-1840s)

7.         Benjamin Hensley (1840-1857)

8.         Margaret Ann Hensley (1843-1907)

9.         John J. Thomas Hensley (1847-1854)

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Joseph M. Hensley was born 4 Mar 1825 (per Family Bible), presumably in Monroe Co., TN, or possibly in Knox Co., TN. I'm not sure who he was named for, nor what the M initial might have stood for. It could be for “Marshall,” as there was a Marshel Hensley who signed an 1843 Monroe Co., TN petition just after Samuel Hensley signed. This person has been a puzzle for many years. At that time (1843), Joseph M. Hensley would have been 18 years old, so it really could be him.

Joseph was apparently home with his parents for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25) and apparently still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25).

Joseph M. Hensley died 4 Jul 1847 (per Family Bible) at the age of 22, and presumably unmarried. I'm not sure what his cause of death was, nor where he is buried.

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Sarah Elizabeth Hensley was born 22 Jun 1826 (per Family Bible), presumably in Monroe Co., TN, or possibly in Knox Co., TN. She may have been named, in part, for her paternal grandmother Sarah Childress Hensley. Her middle name could be in honor of her maternal aunt Elizabeth Johnson Davis.

Sarah (also known as Sally) was apparently home with her parents for the 1830 census (age under 5, born ca 1825/30) and apparently still home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

On 2 Nov 1841, Adam Millsaps obtained a marriage license in Monroe Co., TN to marry Sally Hensley. There was no “return” to indicate when they actually wed or by whom.

Adam Millsaps was born ca 1820/21 in Monroe Co., TN, a son of Michael and Martha (---) Millsaps. The Millsaps had been neighbors to the Hensleys for several years before and after their marriage.

Adam and Sarah and family were listed on the 1850 census in Monroe Co., TN, just 5 houses from her parents, and two houses from his widowed mother.

1850 census, Monroe Co., TN, 15^th Civil District, p. 194, house 1453, family 1453

Adam and Sarah and family were still in Monroe Co., TN for the 1860 census. They were in the 17^th District in the midst of many other Millsaps families. Adam's widowed grandmother Polly Millsaps was residing with them in 1860.

1860 Census, Monroe Co., TN, 17^th Civil District, Sweetwater PO, p. 300, House 1606, Family 1626

By 1870 they’d moved several counties west to Franklin Co., TN. Adam's widowed mother Martha was living with them on the 1870 census.

1870 Census, Franklin Co., TN, Civil District No 15, Tullahoma PO, p. 190B, House 157, Family 160.

What drew them to Franklin County, I wonder?

Moore County was formed in 1871 from a portion of Franklin County, and the Millsaps fell into the new county.

Sarah Elizabeth Hensley Millsaps died sometime between ca 1871 and 1880, presumably in Moore Co., TN.

Adam Millsaps was listed on the 1880 census in Moore Co., TN living with his married son Michael Millsaps and his family. Several of Adam and Sarah's unmarried children were living with them also.

1880 Census, Moore Co., TN, Civil District No 2, p. 484, Family 124, House 132

Adam Millsaps died sometime between 1880 and 1900, presumably in Moore Co., TN.

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Rachel Burnett Hensley (alternately Rachael Burnette Hensley) was born 9 Feb 1829 (per Family Bible and tombstone), in Monroe Co., TN. She was apparently named for her paternal grandmother Rachel Burnett Johnston.

Rachel was apparently home with her parents for the 1830 census (aged under 5, born ca 1825/30) and apparently still home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

She was still home with her parents for the 1850 census, listed as "Rachael" age 21. Her future husband was just a couple of households away.

On 11 Feb 1851, Lafayette George obtained a marriage license in Monroe Co., TN to marry Rachel B. Hensley. There was no official return with the date of the actual marriage, but from other sources we know they married on 13 Feb 1851.

Lafayette George was born 17 Feb 1830 in Blount Co., TN, son of Charles Noden George and Celia Smith, who were neighbors of the Hensleys in Monroe Co., TN beginning in the 1840's.

In the mid 1850s, Lafayette and Rachel moved eastward into neighboring Cherokee Co., NC where they remained. The section where they lived became Graham Co., NC in 1872.

Lafayette George died in Virginia during the Civil War in 1864 at the age of 34.

On 7 Nov 1873, widow Rachel Hensley George married a widower, James C. Cooper in Graham Co., NC. Jimmy Cooper was an uncle to William W. Cooper who was married to Rachel’s sister Margaret Hensley. Rachel and Jimmy had one child together, Robert A. Cooper (1873), probably named in part for her brother Robert Hensley.

James C. Cooper died in Graham Co., NC on 11 Jul 1904 at the age of 90. Rachel B. Hensley George Cooper died on 11 Sep 1909 at the age of 80. They are buried at the Cheoah Church Cemetery (“Old Mother Cemetery”) in Robbinsville, Graham Co., NC.

Rachel’s brother Robert Hensley is buried beside her in an unmarked grave.

Rachel Hensley and Lafayette George are my Great, Great, Great Grandparents.

I have a book on the George family. Get yourself one if you are interested.

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Emaline D. Hensley was born 14 Nov 1830 (per Family Bible) or 14 Nov 1831 (per an Indian Wars Pension Application and her tombstone). She was presumably born in Monroe Co., TN. I don’t know what her middle initial stands for.

Emaline was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35).

On 3 Nov 1849, Calvin Harrison obtained a marriage license in Monroe Co., TN to marry Emeline Hensly. They were married on 15 Nov 1849 by Thomas A. Harrison, Justice of the Peace, (Calvin’s brother) at her father Samuel Hensley’s house. (Location from her widow’s pension application.)

Calvin Harrison was born 20 Jan 1816 in TN, county not known, son of William and Nancy (Adams) Harrison.

Calvin and Emaline were listed on the 1850 census in Monroe Co., TN. They were not near her parents, but they were next door to William Harrison and wife Louisa George. William was Calvin's nephew, and Louisa George was sister to Lafayette George, who married Rachel Hensley, Emaline's sister the following year.

1850 census, Monroe Co., TN, 14^th Civil District, p. 75B, house 1045, family 1045

Calvin and Emaline were listed on the 1860 census in Monroe Co., TN near several relatives. Mary Bird, relationship unknown, was living with them.

1860 Census, Monroe Co., TN, 17^th Civil District, Sweetwater PO, house 1634, family 1654

They were still in the 17^th District for the 1870 census. A young Laura Delaney was residing with them. I don’t know who she is to the Harrisons. She later married Francis Logan Milligan. Her death certificate gives her name as Laura Eliza Angeline Milligan, and that her father was “Delaney” and mother “Don’t know.” Her husband was the informant, so apparently even he didn’t know who her parents were.

1870 Census, Monroe Co., TN District No 17, Citico PO, p. 152B, house 24, family 24

They were listed on the 1880 census in Monroe Co., TN.

1880 Census, Monroe Co., TN, Mulberry, Seventeenth Civil District, p. 150B, house 35, family 35

Calvin Harrison died on 6 Oct 1888 in Monroe Co., TN and is buried at Lower Chilhowee Cemetery in Blount Co., TN (this was just across the river from where they lived in Monroe Co., TN).

Calvin Harrison had been a Union soldier in the Civil War, and on 7 Aug 1890, Emaline applied for a widow's pension based on that. Here is one of the affidavits from that file, as shared with me by Laura Schreibman:

 

State of Tennessee, County of Monroe, On this 7th day of August, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Emeline Harrison, aged 58 years, a resident of the (blank) of Ipse, County of Monroe, State of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Calvin Harrison who enlisted under the name of Calvin Harrison at Madisonville, Tenn, on the 25 day of July A.D. 1864 in Company H, 3d Regiment, Tennessee Mounted Infantry and served at least ninety days in the late war of the Rebellion who was Honorably Discharged at Knoxville, Tenn November 30, 1864 and died Oct 6th, 1888. That she was married under the name of Emeline Hensley to said Calvin Harrison on the 15th day of November, 1849 by Thomas Harrison, Esq at Samuel Hensley's in 17th District, Monroe ... (more) Signed: Emeline Harrison, Witnesses Perry Johnson, F.T. Milligan.

Perry Johnson was Emaline’s 1^st cousin. “F. T.” Milligan could actually be “F. L.” Milligan, who married Laura Delaney who resided with the Harrisons in 1870.

Sometime after 1890 Emaline moved in with her younger sister Margaret Hensley Cooper in Cherokee Co., NC.

Emaline died on 6 Sep 1896 in Cherokee Co., NC and is buried beside her sister Margaret at the Peachtree Cemetery in Cherokee Co, NC. Her tombstone says “Emaline Harrison Born Nov 14 1831 Died Sep 6 1896.”

Calvin and Emaline died leaving no children. According to Laura Schreibman, there was a court battle over their estate, with the Harrison family attempting to claim it, and Emaline's brother Robert Hensley also attempting to claim it.

To do list: Find the Calvin and Emaline Harrison estate records. *****

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Robert J. Hensley was born 18 Aug 1834 (per Family Bible), in Monroe Co., TN. He was almost certainly named for his grandfather Robert Johnston. However, I don’t know for certain that his middle name is Johnson or Johnston. It could be something else entirely.

Some of his cousins (children and grandchildren of Thomas Hensley, as told to me by Laura Schreibman) remembered him as Robin Hensley. Others remembered him as Bob Hensley. Both “Robin” and “Bob” were common nicknames for men named “Robert,” however, “Robin” has long since fallen out of style as a nickname.

Robert was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35).

He was with them in 1850 as “Robert” age 15.

Robert was 18 when his parents died in Oct 1852.

Robert spent the next 50 years of his life doing ... something, somewhere. Whatever he was doing he somehow managed to avoid leaving any public records of himself. He is not on the 1860, 1870, 1880 or 1900 census, yet he lived until 1906!

According to family members who knew him, Robert never married.

I scoured the 1860 census for any Robert Hensleys who could be him. While there were many Robert Hensleys listed throughout the country, none of them were this one. I checked every one of them. His sister Margaret is also missing that year, so perhaps they were both residing with relatives or neighbors in Monroe Co., TN who failed to mention them to the census taker for some reason.

For the Civil war there is a Robert Hensley who enlisted on 13 Aug 1861 in Knoxville, TN in Company H, 29^th Tennessee (Confederate), as a private. No age or other identifying information was given.

There is a Robert Hensley who enlisted in Company H, the 9^th Tennessee Cavalry (Union), as a private on 1 Oct 1863 in Sevierville, TN. This could very easily be our Robert J. Hensley as Sevierville wasn’t far from Monroe Co., TN. Of course there were other Robert Hensleys in Tennessee who this might be instead.

I checked the 1870 census for Robert Hensley, and while I found many of that name scattered across the country, I didn’t find ours.

In 1880 I found two potential matches for him. The one most likely to be him, I think, is in Nashville, TN.

1880 Census, Davidson Co., TN, Eighth Ward (Second Division), Nashville, p. 251B, 499 South Market Street, house 57, family 82

Is the above our Robert Hensley? Ours would have been 46 not 49, but that’s pretty close. Was ours an Engineer?

The next one is even less likely to be him as he’s over 10 years too young, but I’ll include it just in case anyone can positively identify who this actually is.

1880 Census, Overton Co., TN, 7^th Civil Dist, p. 319B, house 103, family 109

Robert J. Hensley apparently lived with his sister Emaline Hensley Harrison at some point according to estate records for the Harrisons. I have not seen that yet. *****

I was unable to find Robert Hensley on the 1900 census, nor any potential matches. His only surviving siblings then were sister Rachel Cooper in Graham Co., NC and sister Margaret Cooper, in Cherokee Co., NC. He wasn’t living with either of them according to the 1900 census records, but he might have been there just not listed for some reason.

Robert J. Hensley died on 9 Feb 1906 in Graham Co., NC. His death was noted by Bob Colvard in his day book: Bob Hensley Uncle of Pate Wiggins wife Nancy died Feb 9th A. D. 1906.

Nancy Wiggins was Nancy Emaline George (1858-1914), daughter of Rachel Hensley George Cooper, Robert Hensley’s sister, thus the entry in Bob Colvard’s day book was correct.

Robert J. Hensley is buried in an unmarked grave next to his sister Rachel at the Cheoah Church Cemetery (“Old Mother Cemetery”) in Robbinsville, NC. We know he’s buried there because an old cemetery survey shows it. I’ve been there and I’ve seen what seems to be an unmarked grave beside Rachel.

It does not seem that Robert J. Hensley ever married.

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Luther H. Hensley was born 8 Aug 1837 (per Family Bible), in Monroe Co., TN.

I wonder who he might have been named for? I’m not aware of any relatives named Luther, so perhaps it was a neighbor or family friend? Or was it perhaps for Martin Luther? I’ve seen no indication the Hensleys were Lutherans though.

I don’t know what his “H” initial might stand for. If he was named Luther after a friend or relative, then perhaps that Luther’s surname began with an H and that would also be Luther H. Hensley’s middle name. Just guesswork at this point though.

Luther was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age under 5, born ca 1835/40).

Luther H. Hensley seems to have died between 1840 and 1850. However, his death isn’t recorded in the bible record for some reason. Perhaps he was born and died on the same day, and the apparent son with the family on the 1840 census isn’t him, but someone else instead.

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Benjamin Hensley was born 15 Apr 1840 (per Family Bible), in Monroe Co., TN.

While the name Benjamin is very common among the Hensleys, I don’t think this one was named for an older Hensley relative. It is much more likely he was named for his maternal uncle Benjamin Johnston/Johnson who lived near them in Monroe Co., TN.

Benjamin Hensley was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age under 5, born ca 1835/40).

Benjamin was home with his parents in 1850, listed as "Benjamin" age 12 (born ca 1837/38) which does not match the birth date given in his sister Margaret's Family Bible. He should have been 10 at census time. Margaret’s age was also wrong, and their youngest brother John was listed as “Thomas” all of which suggests that perhaps it was a neighbor or younger family member who provided the information to the census taker and got a few details wrong.

Benjamin Hensley died on 3 Oct 1857 (per Family Bible), at age 17, presumably in Monroe Co., TN. I don't know where he is buried.

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Margaret Ann Hensley was born 26 Apr 1843 (per Family Bible), in Monroe Co., TN. I’m not aware of any relatives named Margaret for whom she might have been named.

Margaret was home with her parents for the 1850 census, listed as “Margarett” age 10 (born ca 1839/40). However, she should have been 7 then, not 10.

Margaret's parents died when she was only 9 year old, and I don't know who raised her after that.

I did not find her on the 1860 census at all. She would have been 17 then. She may have lived with her sister Rachel Hensley George in neighboring Cherokee (now Graham) Co, NC, for she married in that county ca 1861 to William Wayne Cooper. No marriage record was found for them there, but the records are incomplete due to a court house fire at the end of the civil war.

William Wayne Cooper was born 21 Oct 1830 (per Bible), son of Thomas Jefferson Cooper and Frances Deaver. William was a nephew to James C. Cooper who later married Margaret’s older sister, Rachel Hensley George in 1873.

William and Margaret were in Valleytown Township of Cherokee Co., NC for the 1870 census next door to his parents.

1870 Census, Cherokee Co., NC, Valley Town Township, Valley Town PO, p. 356B, house 74, family 74

By 1880, they had moved back closer to Margaret's sister Rachel in Graham County, and they were listed there in Cheoah Township for the 1880 census.

1880 Census, Graham Co., NC, Cheoah Township, p. 243B, house 8, family 8

William and Margaret were back in Cherokee Co., NC for the 1900 census. The census taker listed the full birth dates for each person which is very helpful. They were next door to Joseph H. Millsaps (1860 TN) who is probably related to their brother-in-law Adam Millsaps, though I don't know how exactly.

1900 Census, Cherokee Co., NC, Murphy Township, p 42, house 162, family 164 (166)

W. W. Cooper died on 31 Mar 1903 and Margaret died on 8 May 1907, both are buried at Peachtree Cemetery in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Margaret's sister Emaline Hensley Harrison is buried next to her.

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John J. Thomas Hensley was born 15 Jan 1847 (per Family Bible), in Monroe Co., TN. His name in the family bible is listed as “John J.” for both his birth and death entry. However, on the 1850 census he was listed as “Thomas.” Is his full name John J. Thomas Hensley, or is it actually John Thomas Hensley, or is the 1850 entry actually in error? I noted earlier that Benjamin Hensley was listed as 12 on that record when he should have been 10, and Margaret was listed as 10 when she should have been 7. Perhaps a neighbor provided the information and got John’s name wrong as well as Benjamin and Margaret’s ages.

Who was he named for? He had a maternal uncle by marriage, named John Davis. I don’t know if that was his namesake or not.

What did John J. Hensley’s middle initial stand for? I have no clues so far, unless it’s Johnson or Johnston.

If Thomas is actually part of his name, or even just a nickname, it’s almost certain that’s in honor of his uncle Thomas Hensley.

Regardless, “Thomas” was on the 1850 census with his parents, age 3, which does work perfectly with John J. Hensley’s birth date.

John J. Hensley died on 18 Mar 1854 (per Family Bible), at age 7, presumably in Monroe Co., TN. I don't know where he is buried, though presumably near his parents.

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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: January 19, 2022

Copyright © 1996-2022 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.

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