Stephen Hensley (bef 1785) and Nancy Farley of Tazewell Co., VA; Cabell, Logan and Raleigh Co., WV

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26 Jan 2009 New page by Marty Grant, relationship unknown.

Stephen Hensley was born sometime before ca 1785. I base this on his firs record being an 1801 tax list which lists him as aged 16 or older. That means he was born ca 1785 or earlier. I have found no other records to help narrow down his age better than that. He was probably born in Virginia, county unknown.

I don't know who his parents are, but it seems likely he is closely related to the other Hensleys of Logan Co., WV, namely Daniel Hensley (c1774), William Hensley (c1774), James Hensley and Robert Hensley (c1777). They could all be brothers, but that isn't proven. They all may be children of the widow Catherine Hensley. Consider this article:

An article in an 1896 book states that Robert, William, Daniel and John are brothers and sons of a widowed Mrs. Hensley who married William Davis second:

The settlement at the mouth of Spruce, where Lewis Rutherford now lives, was made by Benjamin Sprouse. At just what time he settled there is not known, but he raised a large family of boys and girls, and with Reuben Thacker, a brother-in-law, moved further to the west, selling his place to William Davis, who came from Albermarle County, and claimed to be a first cousin of Thomas Jefferson. Davis married a Mrs. Hensley, of Russell County, who was the mother by her former marriage of four sons and one daughter. Three of the sons - William, Robert and John - and the daughter, whose name is forgotten. There was another son - Daniel - who had been captured by the Indians in 1790, and who remained with the Indians until 1807, when he joined the family and married a daughter of Thomas Davis, of Albermarle County, and niece of the William Davis above mentioned, settled at the mouth of Rockhouse Fork of Pigeon. Of the other Hensley boys, Robert married a daughter of Capt. Henry Farley, and settled at the mouth of Sugartree; William married a Miss Brewster, and settled opposite the mouth of Pond, on what is now known as the Lawson farm, and John married a Miss Davis and settled lower down the river. The daughter above mentioned married William Davis, a son of Thomas Davis of Albermarle, and nephew of the William Davis above mentioned, who settled near the mouth of Pigeon. William Davis, Sr., had one daughter by his first wife. William Davis, Sr., married a Miss Runyon, by whom he had two daughters, one of whom married Jess Stratredge and the other Jacob Runyon. (Ragland, Henry Clay, History of Logan County, W.Va. 1896)

The above article doesn't mention Stephen Hensley or James Hensley who were often associated with the others. Stephen and Robert married sisters, so that suggests a certain close relationship, though doesn't prove they are brotherse.

Stephen Hensley is listed on an 1801 tax list in Tazewell Co., VA. William Hensley and Robert Hensley ("Hansley") are listed also. Stephen is also listed on the 1803 tax list in Tazewell.

Robert Hensley and Stephen Hensley both sued William Taylor in Tazewell Co., VA in Oct 1804 and Jun 1805. (Tazewell Co., Court Records shared by Laura Schreibman).

Some of Stephen's probable siblings moved west before 1810 and were living in Floyd Co., KY per the 1810 census. Stephen wasn't listed on the 1810 census as far as I could find. He was probably with one of his brothers or his parents if they were still living then.

On 19 Apr 1814 Stephen Hensley married Nancy Farley in Cabell Co., VA (now WV), a daughter of Capt. Henry Farley:

The daughters of Captain Henry Farley were Judith, who married Thomas Thompson, and, who, after the death of Thompson, married Robert Hensley; Matilda, who married Carter T. Clark; and Mary, who first married Stephen Hensley, and afterwards married Pryyhus McGinnis. (Ragland, Henry Clay, History of Logan County, W.Va. 1896, pp. 52-53.)

Stephen Hensley died ca 1818 or 1819 in Cabell Co., VA (now WV).

Widow Nancy is listed on the 1820 census in Cabell as were her probable brothers-in-law : William Hensley, Daniel Hensley (c1774) and Robert Hensley. Other Hensleys listed included Joseph Hensley, Solomon Hensley (c1779) and Samuel Hensley (c1790). The census was alphabetical, so it isn't clear if any of the Hensleys were neighbors to each other.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Cabell Co., VA page 85 Nancy Hensley 100000-20100
Slaves=0000-1100

Analysis:

1 male 0-9	(1810/1820)	Stephen M. Hensley (c1819) son

1 Female 16-25	(1794/1804)	Nancy Farley Hensley (c1793)

2 females 0-9	(1810/1820)	1-Sarah Hensley (c1815) daughter

				2-Paulina Hensley (c1818) daughter

2 Slaves

Logan County was formed in 1824 from parts of Cabell, Giles and Kanawha Counties. Nancy and family fell into the new county.

Nancy is listed on the 1830 census in Logan Co., VA (now WV).

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Logan Co., VA page 275 Nancy Hensley 2100000000000-0111010000000
Slaves=000100-000000

Analysis:

1 male 5-9	(1820/1825)	Stephen M. Hensley (c1819) son

2 males 0-4	(1825/1830)	1-Son?

				2-Son?

1 Female 30-39	(1790/1800)	Nancy Farley Hensley (c1793)

1 female 15-19	(1810/1815)	Sarah Hensley (c1815) daughter

1 female 10-14	(1815/1820)	Paulina Hensley (c1818) daughter

1 female 5-9	(1820/1825)	Daughter? (1820/25)

1 Slave

Nancy Farley Hensley married Pyrrhus McGinnis in the 1830's in Logan Co., VA (now WV). He was born ca 1790/91 per his age on the 1850 census, born somewhere in Virginia (same source). He had been married prior to his marriage to Nancy to Betsy Ladd Barner (married 3 Dec 1812 Cabell Co., VA).

They are on the 1840 census in Logan Co., VA.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Logan Co., VA page 70 Pyrhus McGinnis 1221211000000-0011001000000
Slaves=000000-000000

Analysis:

1 Male 40-49	(1790/1800)	Pyrrhus McGinnis (c1791)

1 male 30-39	(1800/1810)	Son?

2 males 20-29	(1810/1820)	1-Son?

				2-Stephen M. Hensley (c1819) son

1 male 15-19	(1820/1825)	Son?

2 males 10-14	(1825/1830)	1-Son?

				2-Son?

2 males 5-9	(1830/1835)	1-Samuel McGinnis (c1830) son

				2-Gordon McGinnis (c1833) son

1 male 0-4	(1835/1840)	Thomas J. McGinnis (c1836) son

1 Female 40-49	(1790/1800)	Nancy Farley Hensley McGinnis (c1793) wife

1 female 15-19	(1820/1825)	Daughter? (1820/25)

1 female 10-14	(1825/1830)	Daughter?

0 Slaves

On 5 Sep 1842 Pyrrhus McGinnis and wife Nancy made a deed in Logan Co., VA (now Mingo Co., WV) to Elijah Hensley (c1794) by Special Commissioner, being land on Sandy River conveyed to Stephen Hensley on 19 Sep 1815. Nancy is referred to as widow of late Stephen Hensley. (Mingo Co., WV Deed Book A page 139, shared by Laura Schreibman).

On the same date (5 Sep 1842), William Hatfield and wife Sally; James Williams and wife Paulina, and Stephen Hensley, heirs of Stephen Hensley, deceased, by Special Commissioner, sold land (the same mentioned above) to Elijah Hensley. (Mingo Co., WV Deed Book A, page 142, shared by Laura Schreibman).

During the 1840's the family moved to neighboring Fayette County, and that section of Fayette became Raleigh County in 1850.

They are listed on the 1850 census in Raleigh Co., VA (now WV).

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Raleigh Co., VA PHF 5-60-60 The 57th District
Pyrus McGinniss	59	M	Farmer	1500	Va
Nancy	57	F			"
Samuel	20	M	Laborer		"
Gordan	17	M	"		"
Thomas	14	M			"
Catherine Massee	15	F			"

They are still in Raleigh for the 1860 census. Son Stephen Hensley was living with them.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Raleigh Co., VA PHF 944-13-13 The town and vicinity of Beckley Raleigh C H PO
Pyrhus McGinnis	68	M	Merchant	7000	1500	Virginia
Nancy	67	F	Matron			"
Sarah Handsley	13	F	Domestic			"
Thomas J. McGinnis	24	M	Farmer		125	"
Stephen M. Handsley	41	M	"	300	50	(Blank)

Nancy Farley Hensley McGinnis died in the 1860's, presumably in Raleigh Co., WV.

Her widowed husband is listed on the 1870 census in Raleigh living by himself.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Name	Age	Sex	Race	Occupation	Real $	Pers $	Birth Place
Raleigh Co., WV PHF 388-479-57 Town T.P. Marsh Fork PO
Pyrhus McGinnis	78	M	W	Farming	10000	25000	Va

Pyrrhus McGinnis died sometime in the 1870's in Raleigh Co., WV.

Children of Stephen Hensley and Nancy Farley. Stephen and Nancy had three children as proven by the 1842 deed mentioned above. That is Sarah, Paulina and Stephen. It appears from the 1830 census that there were three additional children, yet they were all born after the death of Stephen Hensley, and were not named in the 1842 deed. Therefore it isn't clear who they are, possibly nieces and nephews instead of their own children. Nancy and her second husband Pyrrhus McGinnis had a few children as well, and he had some by his first wife. I have not attempted to trace the McGinnis children.

Sarah Hensley (c1815)
Paulina Hensley (c1818)
Stephen M. Hensley (c1819)
Unknown Daughter (1820/25)
Unknown Son (1825/30)
Unknown Son (1825/30)

Sarah Hensley was born ca 1814/15 in Cabell Co., VA (now WV). She was apparently home with her parents for the 1820 census aged under 10 (1810/20), and in 1830 age 15-19 (1810/15).

Sarah married William Hatfield between 1830 and ca 1832, presumably in Cabell Co., VA, or perhaps in Pike Co., KY. He was born ca 1808/09 in Virginia (both per 1850 census).

They are listed on the 1840 census in Pike Co., KY.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Pike Co., KY page 277 William Hatfield 0100010000000-0000100000000
Slaves=000000-000000

Analysis:

1 Male 30-39	(1800/1810)	William Hatfield (c1809)

1 male 5-9	(1830/1835)	John H. Hatfield (c1833) son

1 Female 20-29	(1810/1820)	Sarah Hensley Hatfield (c1815) wife

0 Slaves

They were still in Pike County for the 1850 census.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Pike Co., KY PHF 475B-615-613
Wm Hatfield	41	M	Farmer	800	Va
Sarah	35	F			"
John H.	17	M	Farmer		"
Zatto Davis	14	M			"
James W.	9	M			"

By 1860 they had moved to Boone Co., VA (now WV), which had been part of Cabell, Kanawha and Logan Counties until 1847. They are listed there on the 1860 census. Two Hensley children are listed with them, belonging to Sarah's brother Stephen.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Boone Co., VA PHF 33-205-205 Ballardsville PO
William Hatfield	50	M	Farmer	1280	900	Cabell Co Va
Sarah	48	F				"
John H.	26	M	Laborer			Logan "
Sarah Ann	24	F				"
William S.	3	M				Pike Co Ky
James H. M.	6/12	M				Boone Co Va
Ackeless Hensley	10	M				Fayette "
Cinthia E.	9	F				"

They were still in Boone for the 1870 census, now living with their son John, listed here mistakenly as "James."

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Boone Co., WV PHF 329-61-62 Crook TP Baldknob PO
Jas H. Hatfield	36	M	W	Farmer	1400	400	Virginia
Sarah Ann	34	F	W	Keeping House			" "
Wm S.	13	M	W				" "
James H.	10	M	W				" "
John L.	8	M	W				" "
Albert J.	4	M	W				West Va
	3/12	M	W	[Jun]			" "
William Hatfield	60	M	W			1400	Virginia
Sarah	55	F	W				" "
Cynthia E. Hensley	19	F	W	Domestic Sevt			" "
Jas T. McGinniss	20	M	W	Farm Hand			" "

They are still in Boone for the 1880 census.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Boone Co., WV PHF 349-5-5 Crook Dist No 3
Wm Hatfield	W M	71	Head	M	Farmer	KY-WV-WV
Sarah	W F	68	Wife	M	Keeping House	VA-WV-WV
Elizabeth Hensley	W F	25	Niece	S	Helper	KY-WV-WV

I didn't find a death record for them, but they obviously died sometime after 1880, presumably in Boone Co., WV.

Paulina Hensley was born ca 1817/18 in Cabell Co., VA (now WV). She was apparently home with her parents for the 1820 census aged under 10 (1810/20), and in 1830 age 10-14 (1815/20).

On 29 Sep 1836 Paulina Hensley married James T. Williams in Pike Co., KY. The marriage record shows that she was a child of Nancy McGinnis.

They are listed on the 1840 census in Pike Co., KY.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Pike Co., KY page 274 James Williams 1000100000000-0000100000000
Slaves=000000-000000

Analysis:

1 Male 20-29	(1810/1820)	James T. Williams (1810/20)

1 male 0-4	(1835/1840)	Gordon F. Williams (c1837) son

1 Female 20-29	(1810/1820)	Paulina Hensley Williams (c1818) wife

0 Slaves

They are on the 1850 census in Pike Co., KY

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Pike Co., KY PHF 483B&484-
Jas T. Williams	35	M	Farmer	1500	Ky
Perlina	32	F			Va
Gordon F.	13	M			Ky
Wm H.	10	M			"
Achilles M. W.	8	M			"
Victoria M.	5	F			"
Nancy A.	4	F			"
James M.	1	M			"

I sought them on the 1860 census and found them still in Pike County.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Pike Co., KY PHF 883-404-399 Dist No 1 (Blank) PO
James T. Williams	45	M	Farmer	2000	800	Ky
Paulina	42	F				Va
W. H.	20	M				Ky
Achilas M.	18	M				Ky
Victoria M.	15	F				Ky
James M.	11	M				Ky
Juli A.	4	F				Ky

They are still in Pike for the 1870 census, though mistakenly listed as Williamsons instead of Williams (they had several neighbors of that name, so the census taker probably got confused).

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Name	Age	Sex	Race	Occupation	Real $	Pers $	Birth Place
Pike Co., KY PHF 102-89-89 Dist No. 8 Bent Branch PO
James T. Williamson	55	M	W	Farmer	2000	1000	Kentucky
Paulina	54	F	W	Keeping House			Virginia
James M.	21	M	W	Farm Laborer			Kentucky
Julia A.	14	F	W	At Home			do

I wasn't able to find them on the 1880 census.

Stephen M. Hensley was born ca 1818/19 per his ages on the 1860 census (41), 1870 census (51) and 1880 census (61). He was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census aged under 10 (1810/20), and in 1830 age 5-9 (1820/25). He is home in 1840 as well, aged 20-29 (1810/20).

He married Phoebe (---) before ca 1847, probably in Pike Co., KY, though I found no marriage record for him there. She was born ca 1826/27 in Virginia per the 1850 census. I don't know her maiden name.

They are listed on the 1850 census in Pike County.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Pike Co., KY PHF 470B-540-540
Stephen M. Hensley	21	M	Clerk	1000	Va
Pheeby	23	F			"
Sarah	3	F			Ky
Karless	1	M			Va

Phoebe (---) Hensley died sometime after 1850, either in Pike Co., KY or in Raleigh Co., VA (now WV) where Stephen was living in 1860. He was there with his mother and step-father. His daughter Sarah was in their household too, but his other children were with his sister Sarah Hensley Hatfield in neighboring Boone Co., VA.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Raleigh Co., VA PHF 944-13-13 The town and vicinity of Beckley Raleigh C H PO
Pyrhus McGinnis	68	M	Merchant	7000	1500	Virginia
Nancy	67	F	Matron			"
Sarah Handsley	13	F	Domestic			"
Thomas J. McGinnis	24	M	Farmer		125	"
Stephen M. Handsley	41	M	"	300	50	(Blank)

Stephen M. Hensley married Rebecca S. (---) in the 1860's in Raleigh Co., WV. I don't know her maiden name.

They are listed on the 1870 census in Raleigh

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Raleigh Co., WV PHF 359B-122-26 Marsh Fork T P Marsh Fork PO
Stephen Hensley	51	M	W	Farming	800	104	Va
Rebecca S.	48	F	W	Keeping House			Va

They are still in Raleigh for the 1880 census. A niece named "Snuffer" is with them. Since Rebecca's initial is "S" per the 1870 census, perhaps that is her maiden name?

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

Raleigh Co., WV PHF 140-96-99 Marsh Fork
Stephen M. Hansley	W M	61		M	Farming	VA-VA-VA
Rebecca S.	W F	54	Wife	M	Keeping House	VA-VA-VA
Eletha F. Snuffer	W F	3	Niece	S		VA-VA-VA

I don't know when they died, though obviously after 1880, and presumably in Raleigh Co., WV.

Researcher List

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Marty Grant, relationship unknown.

Register Report

First Generation

1. Stephen Hensley was born before 1784 in VA. He died about 1819 in Cabell Co, VA (WV).

Stephen married Nancy Farley, daughter of Captain Henry Farley, on 19 Apr 1814 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). Nancy was born in 1792/1793 in VA. She died in 1860/1870 in Raleigh Co, VA (WV).

They had the following children.

+ 2 F i. Sarah Hensley was born in 1814/1815. She died after 1880.

+ 3 F ii. Paulina Hensley was born in 1817/1818. She died after 1870.

+ 4 M iii. Stephen M Hensley was born in 1818/1819. He died after 1880.

Second Generation

2. Sarah Hensley (Stephen) was born in 1814/1815 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). She died after 1880 in Boone Co, WV.

Sarah married William Hatfield in 1830/1832 in Logan Co, VA (WV). William was born in 1808/1809 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). He died after 1880 in Boone Co, WV.

They had the following children.

+ 5 M i. John H Hatfield was born in 1832/1833. He died after 1870.

3. Paulina Hensley (Stephen) was born in 1817/1818 in Cabell Co, VA (WV). She died after 1870 in Pike Co, KY.

Paulina married James T Williams on 29 Sep 1836 in Pike Co, KY. James was born in 1814/1815 in KY. He died after 1870 in Pike Co, KY.

They had the following children.

6 M i. Gordon F Williams was born in 1836/1837 in Pike Co, KY. He died after 1850 in Pike Co, KY.

7 M ii. William H Williams was born in 1839/1840 in Pike Co, KY. He died after 1860 in Pike Co, KY.

8 M iii. Achilles M W Williams was born in 1841/1842 in Pike Co, KY. He died after 1860 in Pike Co, KY.

9 F iv. Victoria M Williams was born in 1844/1845 in Pike Co, KY. She died after 1860 in Pike Co, KY.

10 F v. Nancy A Williams was born in 1845/1846 in Pike Co, KY. She died after 1850 in Pike Co, KY.

11 M vi. James M Williams was born in 1848/1849 in Pike Co, KY. He died after 1870 in Pike Co, KY.

12 F vii. Julia A Williams was born in 1855/1856 in Pike Co, KY. She died after 1870 in Pike Co, KY.

4. Stephen M Hensley (Stephen) was born in 1818/1819 in VA. He died after 1880 in Raleigh Co, WV.

Stephen married Phoebe before 1847 in VA. Phoebe was born in 1826/1827 in VA. She died in 1850/1860 in Raleigh Co, VA (WV).

They had the following children.

13 F i. Sarah Hensley was born in 1846/1847 in Pike Co, KY. She died after 1860 in Raleigh Co, VA (WV).

14 M ii. Achilles Hensley was born in 1848/1849 in Fayette Co, VA (WV). He died after 1860 in Boone Co, VA (WV).

15 F iii. Cynthia Elizabeth Hensley was born in 1850/1851 in Fayette Co, VA (WV). She died after 1880 in Boone Co, WV.

Stephen also married Rebecca S in 1860/1870 in Raleigh Co, WV. Rebecca was born in 1821/1822 in VA. She died after 1880 in Raleigh Co, WV.

Third Generation

5. John H Hatfield (Sarah Hensley, Stephen) was born in 1832/1833 in Logan Co, VA (WV). He died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.

John married Sarah Ann in 1850/1857 in Pike Co, KY. Sarah was born in 1835/1836 in Logan Co, VA (WV). She died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.

They had the following children.

16 M i. William S Hatfield was born in 1856/1857 in Pike Co, KY. He died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.

17 M ii. James H M Hatfield was born in 1859/1860 in Boone Co, VA (WV). He died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.

18 M iii. John L Hatfield was born in 1861/1862 in Boone Co, VA (WV). He died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.

19 M iv. Albert J Hatfield was born in 1865/1866 in Boone Co, WV. He died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.

20 M v. Hatfield was born in Jun 1870 in Boone Co, WV. He died after 1870 in Boone Co, WV.