Marty and Karla Grant

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William Hensley (c1730s-c1807) of Buckingham Co., VA and Washington Co., VA

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William Hensley is my 6 times great grandfather.

Special thanks to Laura Schreibman and Suzanne Baird for sharing records on this William Hensley.

Note that there were as many as four different William Hensleys in Washington Co., VA with some overlap. Refer to this page for my attempt to sort them out.

William Hensley was probably born in the 1730's. I base this on his oldest known children who were born in the early 1750's. Assuming William was at least 20 when the first was born (ca 1752), that puts his birth at ca early 1732 or before. I arbitrarily chose 1730.

We don’t know where William was born, though likely somewhere in Virginia. If his father is who I believe him to be, then William was probably born in King George Co., VA.

Buckingham County was created in 1761 from the south eastern portion of Albemarle. We know that William was in Buckingham by 1772, but we don’t know where he was before that. It is possible that he was in the parent county of Albemarle prior to Buckingham’s creation, however, no records have been found there to support that. Then again, perhaps he didn’t come of age until after 1761 when the new county was formed.

Although I can’t prove it, I think that William is likely a son of William Hensley (c1706-1777) of King George and Culpeper Co., VA. The younger children of that older William, and the children of this William (1730), and indeed, William (1730) himself, were all closely associated with each other in Washington Co., VA, after being in Culpeper and Buckingham before that.

William Hensley (1730) would have married in the early 1750's, I believe, possibly in Culpeper Co., VA. We have found no record of his wife’s name. It is possible he was married more than once. In fact, I strongly suspect he was married at least twice based on the 20+ year age span among his children.

It should be noted that Buckingham County has lost most of its early records. Only a few remain, so research there can be difficult.

On 10 Mar 1772, William Hinsley was listed as a Reader & Sexton of Buck & Doe Church in Tillotson Parish records. He was allotted 1250 lbs tobacco. (“The Vestry Book (1771-1774) of Tillotson Parish Buckingham County Virginia” transcribed by Vernon Perdue Davis and John H. Loving, 1974. Shared by Suzanne Baird).

On 2 Apr 1773, William Hensley was listed as a Reader & Sexton “near the North store” in Tillotson Parish records. He was allotted 1250 lbs tobacco. (“The Vestry Book (1771-1774) of Tillotson Parish Buckingham County Virginia” transcribed by Vernon Perdue Davis and John H. Loving, 1974. Shared by Suzanne Baird).

 

Wm Henslee is listed on the 1773 personal property tax list in Buckingham in John John’s district. He is taxed for one Tithable (himself, presumably). Zachariah Henslee is listed two names away. (Crouse, Randy F. McNew, "Personal Property Tax Lists of Buckingham County, Virginia 1764-1792", 2017.).

On 19 Dec 1773 a plat was made for James Southern, for land on Willis’s Creek adjoining William Hensley. (Buckingham Co., VA Plat Book 1762-1858, pg 24, shared by Suzanne Baird.) This shows that William had land already by 1773.

Wm Henslee is listed on the 1774 personal property tax list in Buckingham in John John’s district. He is taxed for one Tithable (himself, presumably). Zachariah Henslee is again listed two names away. (Crouse, Randy F. McNew, "Personal Property Tax Lists of Buckingham County, Virginia 1764-1792", 2017.).

On 31 Mar 1774, William Hensley was listed as a Reader & Sexton of Buck and Doe Church in Tillotson Parish records. He was allotted 1250 lbs tobacco. (“The Vestry Book (1771-1774) of Tillotson Parish Buckingham County Virginia” transcribed by Vernon Perdue Davis and John H. Loving, 1974. Shared by Suzanne Baird).

 

On 24 Nov 1774, William Hensly was listed as a Reader & Sexton of Buck & Doe Church in Tillotson Parish records. He was allotted 1250 lbs tobacco. (“Buckingham County Virginia Church and Marriage Records 1764-1822" Compiled by Mary Bondurant Warren, p. 13, shared with me by Laura Schreibman. Same record also listed in “The Vestry Book (1771-1774) of Tillotson Parish Buckingham County Virginia” transcribed by Vernon Perdue Davis and John H. Loving, 1974. Shared by Suzanne Baird).

The plat book shows that a 67 acre parcel of land on Sam’s Creek, a branch of Slate River, was acquired by Thomas Goodsey (Godsey?) on 28 Nov 1769, who transferred it to Thomas Newcome of Cumberland Co., VA on 16 May 1777. Newcome, in turn, transferred it to William Hensley on 11 Mar 1780. Hensley to Nathaniel Garratt on 7 Mar 1781. (Buckingham Co., VA Plat Book 1762-1858, p. 19, shared by Suzanne Baird).

Since William Hensley didn’t have this land very long, it seems unlikely he lived on it. However, he may have had other land adjoining it or nearby where he did live. This land was mentioned in a plat made for Capt. John Moseley on 4 May 1780, his land being 405 acres on branches of Slate River and Sam’s Creek on Moseley’s road adjoining Charles Moseley, William Hensley and Allen Tye. (Buckingham Co., VA Plat Book 1762-1858, p. 45, shared by Suzanne Baird).

William Hensley is listed on the 1782 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in John Moseley’s district with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1761), which was himself, and one tithe under 21* which is Fielding Hensley as stated explicitly on the tax record. He also had 9 head of cattle and 3 horses.

* Under 21, but probably 16 at least, so born between 1761 and 1766.

William Hensley was listed on the 1782 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres. (The Buckingham land tax list records were shared with me by both Laura Schreibman and Suzanne Baird.)

William Hencely is listed on the 1783 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in John Moseley’s district with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1762), which was himself, and 3 horses and 9 head of cattle. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Henceley is listed on the 1784 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1763), which was himself, and 2 horses and 5 head of cattle. Fealen Henceley (Fielding Hensley) was listed separately, the only other Hensley listed this year.

William Hencely is listed on the 1785 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1764), which was himself, and 2 horses and 8 head of cattle. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

On 26 Jan 1786 a plat for Judith Godsey for 275 acres was listed as adjoining Capt. John Moseley, William Hensley, Mr. Hancock, John Hooper, Mr. Pitman and Patrick Smith. (Buckingham Co., VA Plat Book 1762-1858, pg. 52, shared by Suzanne Baird).

William Hensley is listed on the 1786 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1765), which was himself, and 1 horse and 8 head of cattle. Larkin Hensley, his son, was listed separately, the only other Hensley listed this year.

A William Hensley appears in Washington Co., VA on the tax lists beginning in 1786. This is not the same William of Buckingham. I think that one is his son. This other William is in Washington for the 1786 through 1793 tax lists. However, in 1794 another William appears there which might be this same William from Buckingham. More on that later.

William Hensley was listed on the 1787 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Hensley is listed on the 1787 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one tithe over 21 (born prior to 1766), which was himself, and 1 horse and 9 head of cattle. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

On 6 Nov 1787 a petition was made by inhabitants of Buckingham to clear the Appomattox River. Signatories included Austin Godsey and William Hensley. (“Magazine of Virginia Genealogy,” Year, Volume, page, etc. not cited. Shared with me by Laura Schreibman.)

William Hensley was listed on the 1788 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Hensley is listed on the 1788 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 1 horse. They stopped recording the number of cattle. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley was listed on the 1789 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Henseley is listed on the 1789 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 1 horse. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley was listed on the 1790 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Henseley is listed on the 1790 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 1 horse. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

The 1790 census is lost for Virginia, but William would have undoubtedly been listed in Buckingham County for that census.

On 30 Oct 1790 a petition was made for maintenance of the court house. Signatories included William Hensley and Austin Godsey. (“Magazine of Virginia Genealogy,” Year, Volume, page, etc. not cited. Shared with me by Laura Schreibman.)

William Hensley was listed on the 1791 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Hensely is listed on the 1791 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 1 horse. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley was listed on the 1792 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Henseley is listed on the 1792 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 4 horses. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley was listed on the 1793 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Hensley is listed on the 1793 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 3 horses. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley was listed on the 1794 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 400 acres.

William Hensley is listed on the 1794 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 2 horses. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

In 1795 (—) Hensley (almost certainly William) sold 128 acres to Moses Flood. (“Buckingham County Virginia Records Land Tax Summarized & Implied Deeds 1782-1814, Vol. I” by Roger G. Ward. p. 151. Shared with me by Laura Schreibman.)

William Hensley was listed on the 1795 Buckingham Co., VA land tax list with 100 acres. Where was the rest of his 400 acres? He sold 128 that same year, which should have left 272 acres.

William Hensley is listed on the 1795 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 3 horses. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley was listed on the 1796 Buckingham Co., VA Buckingham County land tax list with 100 acres.

William Hensly is listed on the 1796 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 3 horses. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

William Hensley is listed on the 1797 Buckingham Co., VA Personal property tax list in Josias Jones’ District with one “free tithe” which was himself, and 3 horses. No other Hensleys were listed in this county this year.

In 1797 William Hensley sold 138 acres to Thomas Bondurant. (“Buckingham County Virginia Records Land Tax Summarized & Implied Deeds 1782-1814, Vol. I” by Roger G. Ward. p. 151. Shared with me by Laura Schreibman.)

The deed above was probably William disposing of his Buckingham land as he prepared to join his children in Washington Co., VA. The 1797 tax list was the last he appeared on in Buckingham. He begins appearing on Washington Co., VA tax lists the following year.

There were no Hensleys listed in Buckingham at all in 1798, 1799, 1800 or 1801. In 1802 a “W. George Hensley” was listed, but gone after that. None in 1803. By 1804 a Henry Hensley appeared. He remained there a number of years before moving to Tennessee. In 1806 William Hensley and wife Elizabeth Appleberry moved into Buckingham from neighboring Albemarle. This William appears on the tax lists for 1806, 1807, 1809 and 1810 as well as the 1810 census. I once thought the 1810 entry was my William still in Buckingham, but he was gone well before then. Thanks to Suzanne Baird for suggesting the 1810 William might be hers instead of mine. Together we were able to prove it was indeed her William who married Elizabeth Appleberry. They moved into Buckingham from neighboring Albemarle in 1806. My William had been gone from the county nearly 10 years by then.

William Hensley Sr is listed on the 1798 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one Tithable, himself. His sons Larkin and Fielding are listed in the same district as are several other Hensleys, relationship unknown.

William Hensly Sr and son is listed on the 1799 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. There are 2 tithes 16 and up (born before 1783). I don’t know who the son is for his name wasn’t given.

William Hensly Sr is listed on the 1800 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 3 horses. His “son” from 1799 is not with him this year, so either out on his own, or perhaps died.

The 1800 census is lost for Virginia.

William Hensly Sr is listed on the 1801 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 4 horses.

William Hensly Sr is listed on the 1802 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has one tithe above 16, himself and 4 horses.

William Hansly Sr is listed on the 1803 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s company. He has 1 white tithe and 6 horses.

William Hansly Sr is listed on the 1804 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s company. He has 1 white tithe and 4 horses.

William Hensley Sr is listed on the 1805 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Frederick Hamilton’s company. He has 1 white tithe and 4 horses.

William Hensly Sr is listed on the 1806 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has 1 white tithe over 16 and 4 horses.

William Hensley is listed on the 1807 tax list in Washington Co., VA in Matthew Willoughby’s company in the Lower District. He has 1 white tithe over 16 and 5 horses.

There was no taxes for the year 1808 so no tax list.

Only one William Hensley appears on the 1809 tax list and it seems it’s William Jr and not Sr. I base this on the 1810 census showing the same William there born ca 1755/1774 which is too young to be William Sr.

Therefore, William Hensley Sr either died between 1807 and 1809 or left Washington Co., VA for parts unknown. His son Larkin’s widow and children went to Knox Co., TN around this time. Perhaps he did as well. There is a land entry (# 843) in Knox County dated 1807 for 159 ½ acres in the name of William Hensley. He entered (claimed) the land by “right of occupancy” meaning he was living on it. It makes sense that his widowed daughter-in-law and grandchildren went there with him. The land was granted to William Hensley in Grant # 1388.

The 1810 census shows a widow Elizabeth Hensley (born before 1765) in Washington Co., VA. It is certainly possible she was William’s wife, but I have zero evidence to support that, just speculation. One of the two Ichabod Hensleys is listed on the 1810 census in Washington Co., VA with an older woman at home (born before 1765). That could be William’s widow perhaps, or if it’s the younger Ichabod, it would probably his mother Sarah Childress Hensley instead.

The 1810 census for Tennessee is lost, but if William was still living, perhaps we would have found him in Knox Co., TN that year.

On 14 Oct 1819, the State of Tennessee sold land that had been granted to William Hensley for back taxes, consisting of 159 ½ acres. This is the same as the 1807 entry mentioned above. Ichabod Hensley bid $7 for the land and won the bid. On 5 Oct 1820, Ichabod sold that same land to John Houser. It was described as in the District south of the French Broad & Holston Rivers on Stock Creek.

Ichabod was most likely a son of William Hensley Sr, so it makes sense he bid on the land. If Ichabod lived on it, he didn’t remain for long, for once he sold the land in 1820 he moved to Alabama.

There is a William Hensley (with a John Hensley) in 1817 Howard Co., MO where Ichabod C. Hensley moved the next year. The same William, I think, was in Boone Co., MO in 1821 along with Ichabod C. and Anthony Hensley. Is it possible this is William Hensley (c1730s)? If so he’d be in his 80s or 90s by then. It certainly could be the same William. Anthony could be his son, and Ichabod C. is definitely his grandson as he’s a proven son of Larkin, who is a proven son of William.

Children

Only two children are proven for William Hensley: Fielding and Larkin. Both were born in the 1760's, and both went to Washington Co., VA. Fielding is a proven son via the 1782 tax list which shows William and Fielding in the same household. Larkin is proven by a court case in Scott Co., VA in which it explicitly states his father was William Hensley.

Agnes (or Ankey) and Milly (Mildred) are not proven children of William’s, but it’s almost certain they are his for they lived in Buckingham at the same time he did and were closely associated with Fielding. Larkin named one of his daughters Agnes, presumably after this one.

There are several others who I believe are William’s children, but I can’t prove it. They were associated with one another in Washington Co., VA as well as with some of William’s younger half siblings. We may never find proper evidence to conclusively prove, or disprove, that these are all children of William Hensley (c1730s).

 

1.         Zachariah Hensley (c1752-aft 1774)

2.         Samuel Hensley (1754-1841)

3.         Fielding Hensley (c1761/63-1833)

4.         Ankey Hensley (c1763-1840s)

5.         Larkin Hensley (c1760/65-1805)

6.         Mildred Hensley (1760s-aft 1838)

7.         William Hensley (1760/65-1818)

8.         Ichabod Hensley (1780/82)

9.         Sampson Hensley (c1783)

10.       Anthony Hensley (c1791)

11.       Other Potential Children

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Zachariah Hensley was listed on the 1773 and 1774 tax lists near William. These two tax lists weren’t explicit as to whether a tithe had to be 21 or 16. If 21 and up, then Zachariah would have been born ca 1752 or earlier. If 16 and over, born ca 1756 or earlier. Either works for him as a son of William Hensley if William was born in the early or mid 1730's. William’s proven son, Fielding, named one of his Zachariah, presumably in honor of this one, who would be his brother if I’m correct. See his own page for additional information.

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Samuel Hensley was born 1754 in Culpeper and died 1841 in Washington Co., VA. He was associated with William himself and several of William’s children and William’s younger half siblings. Samuel was quite well-to-do and had many business dealings in Washington Co., VA. See his own page for additional information.

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Fielding Hensley was born ca 1761/1763. He is a proven son of William via the 1782 tax list. He was receiving land grants in Washington Co., VA by 1783. He married Nancy Cornett, either in Buckingham or in Washington. See his own page for additional information.

---

Anky/Ankey/Agnes Hensley was born ca 1762/63 per her age of 77 on the 1840 Pensioners Census. This date also works with an affidavit dated 1838 where she said she was 75.

She was probably born in Buckingham Co., VA where she married in 1779. Or, perhaps she was born in Culpeper Co., VA which is where I think her father was before moving to Buckingham.

I don’t have absolute proof that Ankey is a daughter of William Hensley, but it seems highly likely.

There is another Agnes Hensley of the exact same age as this one. They are closely related, I’m sure, but I don’t know how exactly. I think the other one is a half-aunt to this one.

Ankey, or Anky, is such an unusual name. Hensley researchers from before my time concluded that “Ankey” was a nickname for “Agnes” which would mean that Ankey Hensley is actually named Agnes Hensley. Perhaps she went by Ankey to avoid confusion with the other Agnes Hensley I mentioned earlier.

On the other hand, it’s entirely possible that Ankey Hensley is indeed this woman’s actual name. The only official records I’ve seen for her list her as Ankey or Anky, never Agnes.

Ankey Hensley married William Godsey on 14 Jan 1779 in Buckingham Co., VA. This is according to Revolutionary War Pension File W292 and her affidavit dated 23 Jan 1838.

William Godsey was born ca 1757/58 per an affidavit he made 22 Aug 1820 where he stated he was 62 years old. (Pension File W292.) His place of birth was not given, though I would assume somewhere in Virginia.

Other researchers give his parents as Thomas Godsey and Nancy (---), both of whom were killed by Indians in Tennessee in 1769. This story comes from an untitled, privately published family history on the Godseys, written by “B. Godsey” in 1961. The story, per Mr. Godsey:

 

Thomas [Godsey] Jr., with his wife, Nancy, & four youngsters, settled a few miles south of Cumberland Gap, on the Tennessee River in 1765. He, his wife & the two oldest children, Elizabeth & Blackburn, along with six other settlers, were massacred by Indians in 1769. They were all buried in one grave near Maynardsville, which is now flooded by Norris Lake. The two youngest sons, William & Austin were spared & returned to Buckingham Co., VA. (B. Godsey, p. 4.)

Maynardsville, Tennessee is in present day Union Co., TN which was created in 1850 from parts of Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger and Knox counties. At the time of the incident, 1769, this entire region was still Indian territory and it was actually against the law for whites to settle there. In 1777, the area became part of Washington Co., NC (now TN) until 1783 when Greene County was formed. It was part of the doomed state of Franklin for a few years, then part of Hawkins Co., NC (now TN) as of 1788. In 1790 North Carolina ceded this area to the Federal Government. It later became Tennessee.

Meanwhile, William Godsey and his brother Austin Godsey, had returned to Buckingham where they were apparently taken in by relatives still in that area.

B. Godsey’s book includes another tale, which supposedly took place about five years after the aforementioned massacre. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the story, but it is certainly interesting.

 

Six young men — teenagers — were lying prone on a knoll, about 50 yards away, & down wind from where a small band of Indians were camped. Their relative positions gave the boys a 360 degree view. They carried no firearms, but were formidably armed with knives & hatchets.

 

The youths had been lying in their positions for over 14 hours, disregarding flies & mosquitos.

 

At dawn, a group of 10 armed braves departed from the camp below — silent as shadows. Several minutes later, from the river, came the vacant hysterical laugh of a loon, given at various intervals. The sequence time was carefully noted by one of the boys, the leader. It was a signal to hit hard, fast, & get away. They had about five minutes to achieve a very exacting chore — there were no second chances.

 

The six youths acted swiftly with precision. Silently & as vicious as hungry jungle cats, they moved through the camp, striking & slashing. In less than five minutes it was over, all were dead — old men, women & children — except for a ten year old white girl who was gaged & carried away — she soon understood.

 

The young men & the girl ran for nearly 24 hours without stopping before reaching a settlement. It was then they knew their mission was a complete success.

 

William & Austin Godsey & five Hensley brothers had rescued Agnes (Ankey) Hensley. In doing so, it was necessary to avenge the massacre of their parents, who died on that vers spot five years before.

 

Epilogue

 

This story came from the Hensley family which turned out some real bloodthirsty Indian fighters.

 

William & Austin lived or associated with the Hensleys all their lives. Very likely the Hensleys took the two brothers into their home after the massacre.

 

(B. Godsey, 1961, pp 5-6.)

The above story, if true, is quite amazing. It is also appalling as well, but such was life in those days. The Indians massacred whites, the whites massacred Indians in retaliation. The Indians got revenge on someone else probably not long afterward. It was a violent cycle.

This story raises several questions. One, when and how did Ankey Hensley get captured by the Indians? Was it during the 1769 massacre? If so, then William Hensley must have settled there along with the Godseys, but avoided being massacred himself. Was she with the Indians for five years before her family was able to retrieve her? She was born ca 1763, so would have been ten ca 1773, so that math works, give or take a year.

How far back are the Hensleys and Godseys connected? We know that one Judith Godsey was associated with old William Hensley in Buckingham Co., VA. What is her connection to these Godseys? Is she perhaps the grandmother of William & Austin? I don’t know the answer to that. Perhaps a Godsey descendant can provide more information. The B. Godsey book does trace the family back a couple of more generations, but it doesn’t seem accurate to me. However, I have not looked into it enough to consider myself an expert on that subject.

I’ve done a smidgen of early Godsey research. For example, the 1764 tax list for Buckingham lists only one Godsey, Thomas Godsay (sic). He had one tithe (himself), and 400 acres of land. I would assume this is William’s father since William would have been about six years old at that time.

The 1773 tax list for Buckingham Co., VA shows a Thomas Godsay (sic) whose household includes an Augustine Godsay (sic). One could conclude they’re father and son or brothers at least. Thomas would be the older of the two since he paid the tax for them both. They were about a dozen households from William and Zachariah Henslee (sic).

About another dozen listings from the Hensleys was John Moseley who paid taxes for Henry Godsay (sic).

Finally, there was another Thomas Godsey listed, who also paid taxes for Austin Godsey. They weren’t near the Hensleys or the other Godseys, though probably still related.

If we ignore the B. Godsey writeup for a moment, I would conclude, based only on the 1773 tax list, that there were two Thomas Godseys in Buckingham at this time (fact), and one was the father of Augustine (likely) and the other was the father of Austin (likely). To be listed by name one had to be 21 and up, so each of these men would have been born ca 1752 or before.

William Godsey, born ca 1758, wouldn’t have been old enough to be listed by name in 1773.

Who then is Thomas to Austin? Didn’t Austin’s father, also named Thomas, die in 1769? Is the B. Godsey story wrong about the date? Is this some other Thomas in 1773? Perhaps an older brother to Austin? Or his grandfather possibly?

Who then is the other Thomas in 1773? The one who seems to be the father of Augustine?

Let’s move to the 1774 tax list. There is only one Thomas, with his apparent son Augustine. They are listed three lines from William Henslee (sic). Where did the second Thomas and Austin go?

Perhaps B. Godsey was mistaken about the massacre taking place in 1769, and it actually happened after 1773, for it seems that the other Thomas, with his son Austin, left Buckingham between 1773 and 1774.

Unfortunately, the next surviving tax list for Buckingham is 1782, so we can’t determine which Godseys where there in the interim.

William Godsey served during the Revolutionary War. His pension file contains details of his service but not much family data. It does prove that Austin Godsey is his brother. It also proves his wife Anky was a Hensley in her part of the pension filed after his death.

In 1782, Austin Godsey was listed on the Buckingham Co., VA tax list in John Moseley’s district. (That name should be familiar from the 1773 tax listing mentioned earlier). In fact, Austin was listed next door to him in 1782.

Henry Godsey was the only other of that surname listed in 1782. He was in a different district (Charles Patteson’s). He was the one who was living with John Moseley back in 1773.

William Godsey would have been married and over 21 by 1782, but he wasn’t listed in Buckingham. Perhaps he was living somewhere else at the time, or perhaps he was still serving in the military.

William was in Buckingham for the 1783 tax list. He was in Charles Patteson’s district. His brother Austin was in the same district though not listed nearby. A John Godsea (sic) was in Rolfe Eldridge’s district as an overseer for Robert Easley. Thus, William, Austin and John were the only Godseys listed in Buckingham that year.

Godseys continue to appear in the tax lists after 1783, but not William who we’re most interested in.

One would assume that William, Ankey, and their young family left Buckingham after 1783 and settled somewhere to the west. Several of her siblings moved to Washington Co., VA around this time. However, there are no Godsey listings there on the 1782 through 1789 tax lists.

They are in Washington Co., VA by 1790, for William Godsay (sic) is listed on the personal property tax list there that year. He is listed each year from 1790 through 1794 in Walter Preston’s district. 1795 through 1798 in Matthew Willoughby’s district, 1799 through 1801 in the “Lower District.”

In 1799, a Berryman Godsey begins appearing on the tax lists there as well, always in the same district. I don’t know who he is to William. Perhaps a nephew?

William was not listed on the 1802 tax list in Washington. However, Gilbert Godsey appeared for the first time that year.

William Godsey is back for the 1806 tax list. Where was he in the meantime? Others had gone to Kentucky during that period. Perhaps he did as well. However, it’s more likely they were actually closer to home than that, living just over the state line in Sullivan Co., TN.

William is on the 1807, 1809 and 1810 tax lists in Washington Co., VA.

William Godsey is listed on the 1810 census in Washington Co., VA, the only Godsey household there. Gilbert Godsey had moved to Nicholas Co., KY by this time.

William was listed between Henry Darnell Senr and Daniel Hartsock. Two houses away in one direction was apparent widow Elizabeth Hensley (bef 1765), and three houses in the other was Ichabod C. Hensley, who would be Ankey’s nephew, a son of Larkin Hensley.

1810 Census, Washington Co., VA p. 30/246, Wm Godsey age 45+ (bef 1765)

22011-11101-0-0

William Godsey was not listed on the 1811 Washington tax list but he was listed in 1812, but not in 1813-1815.

I assume they moved into neighboring Sullivan Co., TN around 1812 or shortly afterwards. Berryman Godsey, relationship unknown, was listed on the 1812 tax list in Sullivan Co., TN, the only Godsey there at the time. I don’t know what became of Berryman after 1812.

The 1820 census is lost for eastern Tennessee, including Sullivan County. They were in that county then for on 22 Aug 1820 William Godsey made an affidavit there for his Revolutionary War Pension.

William Godsey is listed on the 1830 census in Sullivan Co., TN.

1830 Census, Sullivan Co., TN, p. 314, Wm Godsey, age 70-79 (1750/60)

0000200001-000000001

William Godsey died in Sullivan Co., TN on 12 Feb 1831 (per his pension file W292).

On 16 Jan 1838, Milly Cornett of Clay Co., KY made an affidavit for her sister Ankey regarding William Godsey's Revolutionary War Service. (File W292).

For the 1840 census Ankey was listed in the pensioners column in Sullivan Co., TN living in the household of Jacob Miller, relationship unknown. I wonder if Mr. Miller’s spouse was a Hensley or a Godsey perhaps? Maybe one of William and Ankey’s daughters? There must be some connection.

1840 Census, Sullivan Co., TN, p. 133, Jacob Miller age 50-59 (1780/90)

00001001-0101001001

Revolutionary Pensioner: Ankey Godsey, 77

I was unable to find Anky Hensley Godsey on the 1850 census. She probably died in the 1840s.

I was unable to locate the Jacob Miller family in 1850 either, at least not in Sullivan Co., TN. I don’t know if he died also, or if they left that county. There are numerous Jacob Millers of similar age to him elsewhere. I have not attempted to sort them out.

William and Ankey had 11 children according to a statement he made in 1820. He also stated that by then they had all grown up and left. Their names were not given. The B. Godsey booklet lists their names as:

1.         William Godsey Jr, 1780

2.         Burton, 1782

3.         John, Dec 1783

4.         Austin, 1788

5.         James, Aug 1791

6.         Drury L., 1795

7.         Henry, 1801

8.         Samuel, 1802

9.         Elizabeth

10.       Sarah

11.       Harriett

Other researchers leave out John, Austin and James, substituting Burley, 1791, Jeremiah, 1799, and Martin, 1800. I don’t know which list is more accurate, or what the sources for any of them are. More research is needed on that subject.

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Larkin Hensley was born ca 1765. He is a proven son of William per court records in Scott Co., VA. He was in Buckingham in 1786, though had already been getting land in Washington Co., VA before then. He married Sarah Childress either in Buckingham or Washington. See his own page for additional information.

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Mildred “Milly” Hensley was probably born in the 1760s, likely in Buckingham Co., VA or perhaps in Culpeper. She isn’t a proven child of William Hensley, but she is a proven sister of Ankey Hensley Godsey. This from an affidavit she made in 1838 on behalf of her sister wherein she stated she’d been at the wedding of her “sister” Ankey Hensley and William Godsey in 1779 in Buckingham Co., VA.

She was listed as Milly Cornett on the 1838 statement. That is the only sure record I have a Milly at present. From the one statement we can conclude she was born before 1779, long before if she remembers being at the wedding. She was married to a Mr. Cornett before 1838 and resided in Clay Co., KY at that time.

Looking at the early tax lists for Buckingham we find a William Cornett there in 1782 and 1787, and a Nathaniel there in 1787. By 1788, William was listed in Washington Co., VA as were several other Cornetts.

William Cornett died in 1815 in Scott Co., VA. His heirs are proven by chancery court records. His wife Lucy and children:

1.         William Cornett (c1762-1836) married 1-unknown, 2-Mary Everage (1771-1852) in 1796. This can’t be Milly Hensley’s husband.

2.         Samuel Cornett (c1760s-aft 1820) married Mary Bennan in 1791. Can’t be Milly’s husband.

3.         Roger Cornett (1765/70-1840s), married to Zilpha —. This can’t be Milly Hensley’s husband.

4.         Nathaniel Cornett (bef 1772-aft 1820).

5.         Nancy Cornett wife of Fielding Hensley

6.         Mary Cornett

7.         Sarah Cornett wife of James Thomas

8.         Lucy Cornett wife of John Brown.

The 1788 tax list for Washington Co., VA shows Nathaniel Cornat (sic), Samuel Cornet (sic), William Cornet (sic), Rodger Cornet (sic), and “The old man Cornet” (sic), which is probably William Sr. Thus we can see the entire Cornett family left Buckingham Co., VA for Washington Co., VA in the 1780s.

Of the sons, one of them is almost certainly the husband of Milly Hensley. But which one? Nathaniel is most likely, but can we prove that? Let’s go over the records.

Washington Co., VA Tax lists:

1787 - No Cornett.

1788 - Nathaniel; Samuel; William; Rodger; and "The old man" Cornet.

1789 - Nathaniel, William Jr., Samuel. (Land: William, 400 acres)

1790 - Nathaniel, Roger, Samuel, William Sr. and William Jr. (Land: William, 400 acres)

1791 - Rodger, Nathaniel, Samuel, William Jr. and William Sr. (Land: William, 100 acres)

1792 - Nathaniel, William Sr., Samuel and Roger. (Land: William, 100 acres)

1793 - Nathaniel, William, and Samuel. (Land: William, 100 acres)

1794 - Nathaniel, William Sr., and Roger. (Land: William, 100 acres)

1795 - Nathaniel and Roger. (Land: William, 100 acres)

1796 - Nathaniel and Roger. (Land: William, 100 acres)

1797 - Roger, Nathaniel and William. (Land: William, 100 acres; Nathaniel, 220)

1798 - None. (Land: William, 100 acres; Nathaniel, 220)

1799 - None. (Land: William, 100 acres; Nathaniel, 220)

1800 - John and Nathaniel. (Land: William, 100 acres; Nathaniel, 220; William, 50)

1801 - John. (Land: William 100 and 50; Nathaniel, 220; Mary, 100)

1802 - None. (Land: Mary 100; William 100, 59, 50)

1803 - John, Mary, Nathaniel, and William. (Land: Mary 100; William 100, 59, 50)

1804 - John, William, Nathaniel and William. (Land: Mary 100, 50; William 100, 59, 50; Nathaniel 220)

1805 - Nathaniel, John, and Mary. (Land: Mary 100, 50; William 100, 59, 50; Nathaniel 220)

1806 - Mary, John and William. (Didn't check land records for them after 1805)

1807 - None

1808 - No list

1809 - John, William and William Sr.

1810 - William, John and Mary.

The 1810 census shows in Washington Co., VA: John Cornett (bef 1765) and spouse (1784/94), and William Cornett (bef 1765) and spouse (1765/84). This William is the one who died ca 1815 and is the father of all the others. His widow was named Lucy, so he obviously isn’t Milly Hensleys’ husband.

In 1810 in Clay Co., KY there is:

Lidia Cornett (1784/94)

Robert Cornett (1765/84)

Roger Cornett (1765/84)

Samuel Cornett (1765/84)

Will Cornett (bef 1765)

Nathaniel Cornett (bef 1765).

Of these we can exclude Lidia since she is a female. That leaves Robert, Roger, Samuel, Will and Nathaniel as possible husbands for Milly. In each case in 1810 the spouse was the same age group as the husband. We know who Robert, Roger, Samuel and William’s wives were, so again, Nathaniel is the best suspect to be Milly’s husband.

Clay Co., KY tax lists 1807-1820:

1807 Nathaniel Cornet, William Cornet, Robt Cornett.

1808 Robert Cornett, Roger Cornett, William Cornett, Nathaniel Cornett.

1809 Robert Cornet, Wm Cornet, Nathaniel Cornet.

1810 x

1811 Archibald Cornitt (sic), Nathaniel Cornitt (sic), Samuel Cornett, William Cornett, Robert Cornett.

1812 Archibald Cornet, William Cornet, William Cornet, Nathl Cornet, Saml Cornet.

1813 Archibald Cornett, Nathl Cornet, William Cornett Sr, William Cornett Jr, Saml Cornett, Roger Cornet.

1814 Saml Cornet, Nathl Cornet, William Cornet, William Cornet Jr, Archibald Cornet, Roger Cornet, Robt Cornet.

1815 William Cornet, Nathen Cornet, William Cornet Jr, Archibald Cornet, Samuel Cornet, Roger Cornet, Robert Cornet.

1816 Robert Cornet, Roger Cornet, Archabald Cornet, William Cornet Jr, William Cornet Sr, Jesse Cornet, John Cornet, Samuel Cornet, Nathaniel Cornet.

1817 Roger Cornet, Robert Cornet, Samuel Cornet, William Cornet Sen, Nathaniel Cornet, William Cornet Jr, John Cornet, Archibald Cornet, Jesse Cornet.

1818 Robert Cornett, Rodger Cornett, Archibald Cornet, Samuel Cornet, William Cornet Sr, William Cornet Jr, John Cornet, Nathaniel Cornet, Joshua Cornet, William Cornet? (Might not say Cornet.)

1819 Nathl Cornet, Archabld Cornet, Jesse Cornet, William Cornet, Saml Cornet, William Cornet, Roger Cornet, Robert Cornet.

1820 William Cornet Sr, William Cornet Jr, Robert Cornet, Roger Cornet, Nathaniel Cornet, Jesse Cornet, Archibald Cornet, Samuel Cornet.

For the 1820 census there were no Cornetts in Washington Co., VA nor in Scott County which was formed in 1814 from Washington. There were plenty in Clay Co., KY though:

Archibald Cornet (1775/84) and spouse (1794/1804)

Roger Cornet (bef 1775) and spouse (bef 1775)

Robert Cornet (bef 1775) and spouse (1775/94)

Nathaniel Cornet (bef 1775) and spouse (bef 1775)

Samuel Cornet (bef 1775) and spouse (bef 1775)

William Cornet Jr (1775/94) and spouse (1794/1804)

William Cornet Sr (bef 1775) and spouse (bef 1775).

Of these which was Milly Hensley's husband? Due to her age (born 1760s) we can eliminate Archibald Cornett (son of William), Robert Cornett (son of Nathaniel) and William Cornett Jr. That leaves Roger, Nathaniel and Samuel Cornett as prime suspects to be Milly’s husband based only on this census.

Clay Co., KY tax lists 1821-1830:

1821 Pages badly damaged. I couldn’t make out any Cornetts.

1822 Roger Cornet, William Cornet, Robt Cornet, Isaac Cornet.

1823 Robt Cornet, William Cornet, Isaac Cornet, Roger Cornet, Samuel Cornet.

1824 Robert Cornet, William Cornet, Isaac Cornet, Samuel Cornet, Roger Cornet.

1825 Samuel Cornet, Isaac Cornet, William Cornet, Roger Cornet, Henry Cornet.

1826 Roger Cornet, Robbin Cornet, Samuel Cornet, William Cornet, Isaac Cornet, Henry Cornet.

1827 x

1828 William Cornett, Robert Cornett, Henry Cornet, William Cornet Jr, Roger Cornett, Isaac Cornett, Saml Cornett.

1829 Samuel Cornet, Robert Cornet, Henry Cornet, Isaac Cornet, William Cornet, Roger Cornet.

1830 William Cornet, Henry Cornet, Samuel Cornet, Robert Cornet, Roger Cornet.

The 1830 census shows several Cornetts in Clay Co., KY:

William Cornet (1790/1800) and spouse (1800/10).

Henry Cornet (1800/10) and spouse (1810/15).

Roger Cornet (1760/70) and spouse (1770/80) and another woman (1730/40).

Robin (Robert) Cornet (1770/80) and two older women (1770/80) and (1760/70).

Henry Hensley (c1801) was just a few houses from all these Cornetts, relationship unknown.

Samuel Cornet (1800/10) and spouse (1800/10).

Of the above list the only one that fits is Robin (Robert) Cornet. He, according to others, is a son of Nathaniel Cornett, who was last found in 1820. One would assume that the older woman with him in 1830 was either his own mother or his wife’s mother. That could be Milly Hensley Cornett.

I read the 1831 to 1840 tax lists for Clay Co., KY in hopes of Milly herself being listed, but she was not. We do know she was alive in 1838 and living in this county according to the affidavit she made for sister Ankey Hensley Godsey. Unfortunately, the 1838 tax list, the one I was most interested in, is damaged and parts of it are illegible, so it’s possible she was listed that year, though unlikely. There is no 1839 list.

The 1840 census shows seven Cornett households in Clay Co., KY. Most were too young except Robert Cornet (1770/80) and wife (1770/80) and Rodger Cornet (1770/80), no spouse listed, but was apparently there per the total. An 1841 deed shows Rogers’ wife was named Zilphy or Zilpha. Robert’s wife was Charlotte per the same deed as well as the 1850 census.

William Wooten, who married a Polly Cornett in 1815, had a woman with him in 1840 age 60s, born 1770s. That’s not a perfect match for Milly, but it could be her if Polly was her daughter.

No sign of Milly Hensley Cornett on the 1850 census in Clay Co., KY nor elsewhere.

Is there proof somewhere that Milly Hensley was married to Nathaniel Cornett? If so, what is the proof?

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William Hensley was born ca 1765/70. He was associated with the Hensleys in Washington Co., VA. His wife was Mary.

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Ichabod Hensley was born ca 1780/1782, presumably in Buckingham. He isn’t a proven son of William’s, but two of William’s proven sons named sons of their own after him. He was also the bondsman for one of Larkin’s daughter’s marriage. Furthermore it is proven that William had other children this age, so he definitely fits. Also, Ichabod bid on, and won land that William Hensley had been granted earlier.

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Sampson Hensley was born ca 1782/83. I don’t know that he’s William son, but William did have an unnamed son with him on his 1799 tax list. He was aged 16 and up. Since he wasn’t listed as such in 1798, we can assume he just turned 16 in later 1798 or early 1799. This isn’t Ichabod above, for he was listed on his own in 1798 and 1799. On the 1800 tax list, William only had one tithe 16 and up, himself presumably. No new Hensleys were listed on the tax list that year who could be this son, so he either died or left the county by then. However, 1800 is the year Sampson began appearing in other records. I could be wrong about him being William’s son, but it should be noted that William (Jr) did name one of his sons, Sampson, perhaps after this one. That is another circumstantial reason to include the elder Sampson as one of William Sr’s sons.

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Anthony Hensley was born ca 1791 in Washington Co., VA. He too went to Knox Co., TN and also to Boone Co., MO (as did Ichabod C. Hensley). I don’t know that he is William’s son, but it’s very possible. If so, was he named for Anthony Head?

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Other Potential Children

There are undoubtedly other children for William Hensley and his wife/wives. It is also possible that one or more of the above are not his.

Possibilities include Nicholas Hensley (c1767), Geminey Hensley Castle/Casteel (c1770), Ann Hensley (1779), George W. Hensley (c1781), Jesse (c1786), Celia (1794), Terry H. Hensley (1796), John (c1798) among others. Those, other than Nicholas, would have to be from William’s 2^nd wife.

Look here and here for some “stray” Hensleys, some of whom could be William’s children or grandchildren.

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Family Group Sheet

Revised: March 11, 2022

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

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