Sarah Hensley (c1812) of Jefferson Co, TN

Sarah Hensley was born ca 1811/12 (per 1850 census) in Tennessee, county unknown. It seems very likely that she was a single mother (with at least 5 children), though their is a slim possibility that she was a widow, but the evidence seems to suggest single mother.

Sarah's father isn't yet known, but her mother was apparently Elizabeth Hensley (c1765) who was living with her and her apparent brother Robert Hensley (c1800) in 1850 Jefferson Co, TN. In 1850, Sarah and her children were residing in the same house with Robert, though listed with a different family number, but the same house number, meaning they were under the same roof.

Sarah was probably with her parents for the 1820 census (lost for Eastern Tennessee). She was probably home in 1830 as well, though I don't know where to look for her at that time. There were no Hensleys on the 1830 census in Jefferson County, Tennessee.

She seems to have had her first child ca 1838 (John William Hensley), though it is possible that he was not her son, but a nephew instead. Her next apparent child was born ten years later so that means it is possible that John was not her child.

Sarah Hensley was probably on the 1840 census with her parents, though I have no record of them that year. Her brother Robert was in Grainger County, Tennessee that year, so she was probably there also living with another family, perhaps a married sister.

Sarah was with her apparent brother Robert Hensley (c1800) for the 1850 census in Jefferson Co, TN in the same house, but under a different family number.

Sarah was still in Jefferson County, Tennessee for the 1860 census just a few houses from son (or nephew) John William Hensley. Edith Hensley (ca 1808 NC) was just a few more houses away. I don't know how she is connected, but could be a widowed sister-in-law, or a sister.

Children

John William Hensley was born ca 1837/38 in Tennessee. He might be a nephew of Sarah's instead, or else her oldest child. He was with her for the 1850 census ("John" age 12).

On 28 Mar 1859 "John W. Hensley" obtained a marriage bond in Jefferson County to marry Mary Rickard. They married the next day on 29 Mar 1859. This record was the last I found using "John", from then on he went by "William", evidently his middle name.

Mary Rickard was born ca 1833/34 (per 1860 census) in South Carolina, county unknown. I don't know who her parents were.

William and Mary were listed on the 1860 census in Jefferson County just 2 houses from his mother Sarah. "F. Rickard", probably Mary's brother, was living with them.

In 1870 William was listed on the census in Jefferson County. His sister Ella (or "Emma") was apparently with them. The abstract gives: William Hensly-31 TN, Mary-30 SC, Margaret E-7 TN, Emma-13 TN. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

In 1880 William and family were still in Jefferson County. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

William H. Hensley was born ca 1847/48 in Tennessee. It is very possible that he is the very same person as "Joseph M. Hensley (c1850)" listed below. My reasoning for this is that William was not listed on the 1850 census, though he should have been home, and about 2 years old or under. He was not listed in 1850, but in 1860 he was home with his mother. In 1850, Joseph M. Hensley (age 3 months) was listed at home, but no there is no further record of him. Joseph was born ca 1850 (per 1850 census). This age agrees perfectly with William's 1880 census record giving him as "30" (but disagrees with William's 1860 and 1870 records). Put it all together, and it looks to me like Sarah named her son "Joseph M." at first, but shortly afterwards, changed his name to "William H." while he was still an infant. If this is not true, then for some reason William H. Hensley was not listed on the 1850 census with his mother for reasons unknown.

William H. Hensley married Lockie Jane Sharp in Jefferson County between 1860 and 1870 (probably real close to 1870). I base her maiden name on them living with her probable parents James B. Sharpe and Sarah Ann (---) Sharpe in 1870. Lockie was born ca 1849 in Jefferson Co, TN (she was with her parents there on the 1850 census, just several months old).

William and Lockie were on the 1870 census in Jefferson County, Tennessee. As mentioned, they were with Lockie's parents , as was an apparent brother (John B. Sharpe) and sister (Mary A. Sharpe). ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

William and Lockie were on the 1880 census in Jefferson County, just two houses from John Hensley (c1841) son of Elizabeth Hensley (c1821). ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Joseph M. Hensley was born ca 1850 (3 months old in 1850 census) in Jefferson Co, TN. It is very possible that he is the very same person as "William H. Hensley" listed above. My reasoning for this is that while Joseph was home in 1850, William was not, though apparently the same age (or slightly older), but William was home in 1860, but Joseph was no longer found then. Either they are the same person, and Sarah changed his name while he was still an infant, or else Joseph died young, and for one reason or another, William was just left off the 1850 census record.

M. L. Hensley was born ca 1853/54 (per 1860 census) in Jefferson Co, TN. He was home with his mother for the 1860 census. I have no record of him after that. I don't know what his initials stood for.

Ella Hensley was born ca 1856/57 (per 1860 census) in Jefferson Co, TN. She was home with her mother for the 1860 census. In 1870 an "Emma" Hensley age 13 was with her brother John W. Hensley in Jefferson County. They are probably one and the same person, though it isn't clear which name is correct, whether "Emma" or "Ella".

Researcher List

1. Sarah "Sally"¹ Hensley , born 1811/12 in TN; died aft 1860 in Jefferson Co, TN, daughter of (---) Hensley and Elizabeth (---) . She married Not married (---) ? .

Children of Sarah "Sally" Hensley and (---) ? were as follows:

+ 2 i John William² Hensley , born 1837/38 in Jefferson Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Jefferson Co, TN. He married Mary J Rickard .

+ 3 ii William H² Hensley , born 1847/48 in Jefferson Co, TN. He married Lockie Jane Sharp .

4 iii Joseph M² Hensley , born 1850 in Jefferson Co, TN.

5 iv M L² Hensley , born 1853/54 in Jefferson Co, TN.

6 v Ella² Hensley , born 1856/57 in Jefferson Co, TN.

Generation 2

2. John William² Hensley (Sarah "Sally"¹ Hensley), born 1837/38 in Jefferson Co, TN; died aft 1880 in Jefferson Co, TN. He married on 29 Mar 1859 in Jefferson Co, TN Mary J Rickard , born 1833/34 in SC.

Children of John William Hensley and Mary J Rickard were as follows:

7 i Margaret E³ Hensley , born 1862/63 in Jefferson Co, TN.

3. William H² Hensley (Sarah "Sally"¹ Hensley), born 1847/48 in Jefferson Co, TN. He married in 1860/70 in Jefferson Co, TN Lockie Jane Sharp , born 1849 in Jefferson Co, TN, daughter of James B Sharp and Sarah Ann (---) .

Children of William H Hensley and Lockie Jane Sharp were as follows:

9 i Laura B³ Hensley , born 1870/71 in Jefferson Co, TN.

10 ii Marna C³ Hensley , born 1872/73 in Jefferson Co, TN.

11 iii Anna B³ Hensley , born 1876/77 in Jefferson Co, TN.

12 iv Nina M³ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Jefferson Co, TN.

13 v Minnie L³ Hensley , born 1878/79 in Jefferson Co, TN.