William L. Hensley (c1815/20) and Nancy --- of Wayne Co, TN

William L. Hensley was born ca 1815/20 in Wayne Co, TN. His birth date is based on his entry on the 1840 census, showing him age 20-29 then, born ca 1810/20. I've narrowed it down a little further, based on him being named after Mark H. Hensley (c1818) in a list of heirs, which usually, but not always, list them in birth order. The census records for Lemuel Hensley shows that he did have another son born ca 1815/20, so I feel that we can narrow William's birth down to that timeframe.

William L. Hensley is a proven son of Lemuel Hensley, and was named as an heir in a deed dated 3 Apr 1841 (Wayne Co, TN Deed Book E page 195). William is a son of Lemuel and his first wife, whose name I have not been able to find.

William L. Hensley was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and apparently with them in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20).

William married Nancy --- between 1830 and ca 1838 in Wayne Co, TN. I don't know what her maiden name was.

William L. Hensley was listed on the 1840 census in Wayne Co, TN. He was listed between Jones Brewer and Samuel Bromley (his brother-in-law). He was two houses from his father Lemuel Hensley.

William L. Hensley died sometime between 1840 and 1850 in Wayne Co, TN. His last known child was born ca 1842/43, so he must have died after ca 1842.

William's widow Nancy was listed as head of household for the 1850 census. They were next door to her brother-in-law Presley W. Hensley (c1823). Nancy had a Henry G. May (c1803) residing with her and her children. He could be an older brother, thus making her maiden name "May", but that is just a guess.

Nancy was again listed as head of household for the 1860 census in Wayne Co, TN. She was next door o her married son Anthony Hensley. This is taken from a transcribed version of the census found on the Wayne Co, TN GenWeb pages. Nancy's daughter Nancy and her husband W. R. Brewer were residing with them.

Nancy Hensley was listed on the 1870 census in Wayne Co, TN, with William Brewer age 9 residing with her. He was probably her grandson. Page 516: Nancy Hensley-54, William Brewer-9. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Children

William and Nancy Hensley had at least four children, only three have been identified.

Anthony W. Hensley was born ca 1837/38 in Wayne Co, TN. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40). He was home with his widowed mother in 1850.

Anthony W. Hensley married Elizabeth E. Hollis on or after 27 May 1859 (date of marriage bond) in Wayne Co, TN. I found Elizabeth home with her parents John and Elizabeth Hollis in 1850 Wayne Co, TN.

Anthony and family were listed on the 1860 census in Wayne Co, TN next door to his mother Nancy.

I don't have Anthony and family on the 1870 census yet. They were not in Wayne Co, TN, so might have moved away.

Unknown Daughter (1835/40). William L. Hensley had an apparent daughter this age with him for the 1840 census. She was not home with Nancy in 1850, so she must have married or died by then. She would have been between 10 and 15, so marriage is possible, but not as likely.

William P. G. Hensley was born ca 1838/39 in Wayne Co, TN. He was apparently not home with his parents for the 1840 census. His approximate date of birth is based on him being 11 years old in 1850. However, in 1860 he was 19 (c1840/41) and in 1870 he was 28 (c1841/42). It seems likely he was born later than 1838/39, and more likely ca 1840/41 or thereabouts.

William Hensley married Eliza --- between 1860 and ca 1866, presumably in Wayne Co, TN. I didn't find a marriage record for them. I don't know what her maiden name was.

They were listed on the 1870 census in Wayne Co, TN on the same page with his mother Nancy. Page 516: William C. Hensley-28, Eliza-24, William A-4, Emeley A-2. (From "Hensley Households" by Laura Schreibman).

Nancy K. Hensley was born ca 1842/43 in Wayne Co, TN. Her middle initial might be "R" instead of "K". She was home with her widowed mother in 1850.

Nancy married W. R. Brewer on or after 6 May 1860 in Wayne Co, TN. The marriage bond gave only his initials, and so did the 1860 census, so I'm not sure what his name was. There were many Brewers in 1850 Wayne Co, TN with a first name beginning with "W" (all named either William or Wiley). No idea which of them is the same person as W. R. Brewer.

W. R. and Nancy were listed on the 1860 census in Wayne Co, TN residing with Nancy's mother Nancy.

Researcher List

1. William L¹ Hensley , born 1815/20 in Wayne Co, TN; died 1842/50 in Wayne Co, TN, son of Lemuel Hensley and ? (---) . He married in 1830/38 in Wayne Co, TN Nancy (---) , born 1814/15 in TN; died aft 1870 in Wayne Co, TN.

Children of William L Hensley and Nancy (---) were as follows:

2 i Anthony W² Hensley , born 1837/38 in Wayne Co, TN. He married on 27 May 1859 in Wayne Co, TN Elizabeth E Hollis , born 1839/40 in Wayne Co, TN, daughter of John Hollis and Elizabeth (---) .

+ 3 ii William P G² Hensley , born 1838/39 in Wayne Co, TN. He married Eliza (---) .

+ 4 iii Nancy K² Hensley , born 1842/43 in Wayne Co, TN. She married W R Brewer .

Generation 2

3. William P G² Hensley (William L¹), born 1838/39 in Wayne Co, TN. He married in 1860/66 in Wayne Co, TN Eliza (---) , born 1845/46 in Wayne Co, TN.

Children of William P G Hensley and Eliza (---) were as follows:

5 i William A³ Hensley , born 1865/66 in Wayne Co, TN.

6 ii Emily A³ Hensley , born 1867/68 in Wayne Co, TN.

4. Nancy K² Hensley (William L¹), born 1842/43 in Wayne Co, TN. She married on 6 May 1860 in Wayne Co, TN W R Brewer , born 1836/37 in Wayne Co, TN.

Children of Nancy K Hensley and W R Brewer were as follows:

7 i William³ Brewer , born 1860/61 in Wayne Co, TN.