Whirlwind In Appalachia
Chapter 10
Robert Hensley
One Of Logan County’s Earliest Settlers
The forget-me-not flower after a name indicates that this was a direct ancestor of the author, Dodie E. (Smith) Browning
COPYRIGHT 1987-2011 By Dodie E. Browning
Posted especially for Peggy and all my Hensley cousins.
Robert ” Robin” Hensley was born in what is present day Tazewell County, Virginia, 1775. He was the son of Chrisley Hensley and Mary (last name not known.) Nothing is known about the childhood nor the origin of Robert’s father, Chrisley Hensley. He may or may not be the Lt. Hansley shown in military records for Botetourt County 1760, at Dunkard Bottom on the New River.
We know for certain that Chrisley was on James Robertson’s list of Tithables for the
year 1770-1771 (a tithe was a tax paid on white males over age 16.) The records show that
Christley Hensley paid tax in July 1771 on one tithe (himself), indicating that he was probably at least twenty-one years old. Chrisley Hensley was one of the first settlers of what is present day Tazewell County Virginia, which was at one time a part of Botetourt County. According to Pendleton’s History of Tazewell County Virginia, page 233, Chrisley is known to have settled there by 1773 and his land was at Jeffersonville, where the town of Tazewell is now located. More in-depth research reveals that his land was in fact at Rich Mountain. Chrisley apparently settled the land in about 1770- 1772, when it was still in Botetourt County. In Kegley’s Early Adventures On The Western Waters, page 116, we find that the location of his land was at Jump Mountain. Kegley’s research shows that Chrisley was assigned the land by Beverly Miller, who was the assignee of Samuel Ferguson, ” 300 acres at the Jump Mountain, on the north side to be divided by a line to be run about half the distance between James Walker and his own improvement.” It was actually 338 acres and was located at Rich Mountain.
He is probably the Christopher Hensley who is shown in a Spotsylvania County Virginia
record in 1769. In Will Book D, page 398 of Spotsylvania County, we find that on 30 October 1769, Christopher Hensley apprenticed himself to Peter Tallifero to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner.
By 1777, he is shown in Montgomery County records, when he took the Oath of
Allegiance for the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War. He is shown on the list of James
Robertson. The Montgomery County Militia was formed in 1777. Militia records for
Montgomery County Virginia for the years 1777-1790 show Chrisley Hensley in Captain James Maxwell’s Company. (James Maxwell was the grandfather of Sarah Marrs, who would later become the wife of Moses Workman, another early settler of Harts Creek in Logan County). The deposition of Lawrence Murray, taken 11 October, 1816 in Cabell County Virginia in a lawsuit involving land of Samuel Short, mentioned that about the year 1779, Chrisley “Hinchley” (sic) was a spye (sic) from the Clinch River in Virginia and his ” bounds to spy was from the mouth of a creek called Tug, which empties into Dry Branch of the Tug Fork of the Sandy River, about 100 miles above the main forks and across to the head of Big Pidgeon (sic) Creek, about sixteen miles and across the head of Kittle Creek, now called Gilbert Creek.” (This reference was abstracted from Cabell County records by Evelyn Syphers Jackson and appeared in The Tree Shaker, Volume XI NO. 3, July 1987. The Tree Shaker is the quarterly published by the Eastern Kentucky Genealogical Society). Being a spy indicates that this was then Indian land. The area above mentioned is exactly the area where two of Chrisley’s sons later settled and lived out their lives.
In 1782, Chrisley is shown on the Montgomery County tax list with one tithe (probably
himself), six horses and thirteen cattle. This gives us a clue that Chrisley was rather well off for the time period. There were two other Hensleys on the tax list that year; Benjamin had no tithe (probably indicating that he was exempt from the tithable tax either from old age, disability, a member of law enforcement or that he was a minister.) Ben had 1 horse and 1 “cattle.” Charles Hensley paid tax on one tithe, one horse and 1 “cattle.”
In Lewis Preston Summer’s book, Annals of Southwest Virginia, page 769, we find that
on 7 May 1782, “Crisby” Hensley produced sufficient proof that he should be paid two shillings for dieting (feeding) a soldier from Captain Stephen’s Company of Militia when he was on duty two days. He also asked to be paid for himself and his horse for seven days for carrying provisions for the use of the Militia. (Same Reference, page 800) Crisley received money from the State of Virginia for providing a hog on 20 June 1783, apparently to feed the soldiers.
In January 1783, Chrisley received a land grant for 300 acres, on the north side of Rich
Mountain, on the Clinch River. This was more than likely the same land where the family had lived for at least ten or twelve years; probably longer. The grant finally made the land legally his own.
There is a petition where the date is not legible, that was published in The Virginia Historical Magazine, Volume V, pages 33, 34, and 35 which shows that Christy (sic) Hensley along with his neighbors along the Clinch River, were being summoned for a Court Martial because they did not march as they had been ordered, against the British Army in NC (this had to be either the Battle of King’s Mountain (SC) or the Battle at Long Island Flats, which is present day Kingsport Tennessee). The petition “begged leave” of the court, because they (the petitioners) were rendered liable at all times to an invasion from the “savages” who they said had never failed to visit some part of their settlement the beginning of every season for several years past, and through the mildness of the past winter and present spring that they had been expecting them for the past two months.
From the wording on the petition, it seems that this was shortly after the Battle of King’s
Mountain. There was a Robert Hensley who was at the Battle of Kings Mountain and it is
believed by this writer that Robert was very closely related to Chrisley. Robert was born in
Pennsylvania, according to his pension application. There was also a Samuel Hensley who was at the Battle of Kings Mountain. In-depth research has not produced proof of a relationship to either of these men but they were almost surely relatives.
Even though we can only guess at the origin of the ancestors of Chrisley Hensley, we do
know that the Hensley surname goes back to England, and originated with the House of Hensley in Somerset England, where the name is still prominent today.
Chrisley Hensley never appeared on a tax list for Tazewell County, which was formed in
1799. The tax records for Tazewell County are extant, beginning in 1800. Apparently Chrisly died sometime prior to 1799. None of the Hensley boys were on the tax list that year and all certainly were old enough to be paying taxes. They were either not in the area or were enumerated in someone else’s household. Robert is shown on the personal Property tax list in 1801, with 1 tithe and 1 horse. He would have been twenty-six years old at this time. The first reference that we find of Robert was on a petition to form Tazewell County from parts of Russell and Wythe. The first petition was in 1793 and the only Hensley on the list was William. In 1795 William and James Hansley (sic) signed the petition. In 1796 we find William, James, George and Robert Hansley (sic) on the petition. In 1798, we find Daniel, James, William and Robert. Since Chrisley didn’t sign the petition, it is believed by this writer that he was either dead by then or that he had another name. On 15 September 1803, Daniel Hensley was shown in Tazewell County Court records as the plaintiff against Patton Thompson and Henry Farley, on a bond for
forthcoming property. (Our ancestor Henry Farley sure was a wheeler-dealer)!
According to tradition and Ragland’s History of Logan County West Virginia, the mother of the Hensley boys married William Davis after their father died. There are other records
in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia to support this.
Ragland’s history incorrectly shows that the Indians held Daniel Hensley captive for the
above period of time. It is not likely that a “captive” would be signing petitions and selling
property in Tazewell County.
As evidenced above, the records are sketchy at best for the young adult years of the
Hensley boys, Robert, Daniel and Stephen, which is only one reason that leads me to believe that there is truth to the family tradition that at least two of them (Daniel and Robert) were captured by the Indians and remained with them for many years, thus adopting the Indian way of life.
Family tradition dictates that Robert was captured by the Indians as a small child, and
that he was “raised” by the Indians. Tradition also dictates that his first wife was an Indian. Most people believe Judy Farley to be the mother of Robert’s sons Steve and George, but I do not think so. It is my belief that the mother of Robert Hensley’s son Stephen, was in fact a full blood Native American of the Iroquois Nation from the Ohio region, or what is more commonly (and erroneously) called the Mingo Tribe. It is also my belief that this is the Indian tribe that did in fact capture Robert as a young boy and who first gave him the name “Robin.”
The oral history in the Hensley family was that Robin never did lose his Indian ways and
that it was a thorn in the side of Judy Farley, who had been accustomed to a life of privilege and comfort. It is said that he preferred to spend his time in the woods hunting, as opposed to working on the farm. We will never know if this is fact or fiction, but from what we can piece together of “Robin” Hensley’s adult life from public records, it does seem to fit the pattern mentioned. He definitely displayed the characteristics of a nomad, as will be shown in the following story of Robin’s life.
As stated previously, Rob first appeared on the Tazewell County Tax list in 1801,when
he was twenty-six years old. He then disappeared from Tax lists until 1806, when he is shown in Kanawha County on the Personal Property tax list. He did, however, show up in court for several appearances between 1804 and 1806. He appeared in Tazewell County court records consistently for almost two years, when he and his brother Stephen were plaintiffs in a lawsuit against William Taylor. The records show that he was in court regarding this case, beginning 14 August 1804. The chronology of the court records being: 13 October 1804, 16 March 1805, 28 June 1805 and 28 November 1805. The court case was finally settled 26 June 1806. By this time Andrew Perry had been added to the court case as a defendant, along with William Taylor. The court ruled in favor of Robert and Stephen Hensley. The plaintiffs (Robert and Steve) were noted on a forthcoming bond to deliver property, and the defendants, William Taylor and Andrew Peery were to pay $134.04 for the “property.” The record does not state whether this was real property
(land) or personal property. Ultimately, they settled for payment of $71.15 and the case was discharged.
Apparently 1806 is when Rob permanently moved to the part of Kanawha County that
later became Cabell County, then became Logan County and then later became Mingo County. He did appear once more in Tazewell County on the Personal Property Tax list for the year 1810.
We have no record of a marriage for Robert during this period in his life, and no children.
He did sign the marriage bond of his brother Daniel and Jemima Davis, who were married in Floyd County Kentucky 24 July 1809. In Floyd County Kentucky marriage records, 26 April 1816, we find a record for an application for a marriage license for Robert Hensley to Sarah_____. No last name was given for Sarah, and the marriage bond, for some reason was never returned. One older descendant many years ago, stated that Robert Hensley’s first wife was a “Dogwood.” There is no such surname to be found in the area. It is quite possible that was the reason no last name was listed in the marriage records. No documentation has ever been found for Sarah “Chitwood” either, who was later to supposedly become Robert Hensley’s mother-in-law.
It is not known what happened to Rob’s first wife. Perhaps she died in childbirth, or if in fact, she was an Indian, perhaps she went back to her own people. He did however have at least two children by her, George Hensley and Stephen Hensley. We will never know the full story in this lifetime.
According to Clyde Runyon’s transcription of Floyd County KY marriages, On 26
December 1817, Robert married Judy (Farley) Thompson, (Floyd County KY marriage records, file 262. Some sources show that it was 27 December 1816.) Judy was the widow of Patton Thompson. She had been a widow since some time prior to 1815. She is shown on the Personal Property Tax List of Cabell County with no Tithables, indicating that her Thompson male children were all under age sixteen in 1815. The last time that Patton Thompson appeared on a tax list was in 1810. Most people show him as Thomas Patton Thompson, but there is absolutely nothing in public records in Virginia nor in West Virginia to indicate that his name was anything other that Patton Thompson. We do know that he died sometime between 1810-August 1814 and that Judy remained a widow for at least two years before she married Robert Hensley.
The 1820 Census of Cabell County (W) VA shows Robert Hensley and his wife, (Judy)
as both being between ages 26-45. They had one white male, age 10-16. This would have to be William Patton Thompson, who was born 1799. They had three white males under age ten. This would account for George and Steve, Robert’s sons, and John Thompson (who has not been proven beyond doubt to be Judy and Patton Thompson’s son). There is a white female, age 16-26 in the household. This would account for Mary “Polly” Judy’s youngest daughter by Patton Thompson, Polly’s sister Sarah “Sally” had already married Richard Evans, 27 June 1820 in Floyd County KY.
The 1824 Personal Property Tax List of Logan County shows both John Thompson and
William Thompson each with one tithable, and Robert Hensley with one tithable, (himself) one horse and one black person, over age 16. We have no record of him ever buying nor selling slaves, but this may be the slave that ended up with Rob’s brother Daniel and his wife Jemima. A female slave, age 80 was still with “Mima” Hensley in 1860.
Robert is also on the 1827 Personal Property Tax List for Logan County, where he is
shown with one white tithable (himself), one black person over age 16 and 3 horses.
By the time the 1830 census was taken, Judy had apparently died, (Sometime between
1827 and 1830) because she is not on the census in 1830.
Robert had moved once again, because he is shown on the 1830 Cabell County census with two white males between the ages of 10-15 (George and Steve Hensley). Judy’s Thompson children were grown and married by this time, therefore, Rob was left alone, to care for his children. It is not known what happened to the black person who would be at least thirty years old by 1830, but as stated previously it may be the same person in his brother’s household by 1850. Robert Hensley was not on the 1833 Personal Property Tax for Logan County.
We can see that Robin had land and horses and possibly even a slave while Judy was
living, but he just never seemed to care about owning anything. If in fact the free black person in Rob’s household had been a slave, the slave had more than likely belonged to Judy’s father, Henry Farley. It might also have been an Indian, because Indians were enumerated as “black” on early tax lists and census records.
We know that Rob had land in what is present day Mingo County, on Marrowbone
Creek. That is where he spent most of his adult life. In 1838, he received a land grant for 50 acres on the Smokehouse Fork (of Harts Creek) in Logan County (W) VA. (Book 1, page 312). In 1842 he received a Land Grant (Book 2, page 9) for 59 acres on the Smokehouse Fork (of Harts Creek) in Logan County (W) VA. In the same book, page 27, he is shown as receiving another land grant for 45 acres on the White Oak Fork (Harts Creek) in 1842. He apparently gave all of this land to his son Steve as soon as he obtained it. We find that Stephen Hensley sold the 50-acre tract on Smoke house and the 45-acre tract on White Oak to George Hensley, 10 February 1843. The deed stated that the Smokehouse tract ran “to the mouth of Crawleys Creek” Steve also sold two tracts of land on Smokehouse to Garland Conley Jr. in 1843. Stephen signed the deeds by signature, so this lets us know that he could read and write.
Robert Hensley was not shown on the personal property tax list in 1843. Apparently he was exempt from personal property tax by this time, due to his age. In 1855, he received yet another grant for 80 acres on Trace Branch. It is believed this is the same land that was actually on Marrowbone Creek in present day Mingo County West Virginia, probably the same land where the family had lived for many years before moving to Harts Creek.
On 15 August 1852, before the land grant was finalized, Rob gave the Marrowbone land
to Steve. The deed stated, “In consideration of the natural love and affection he embraces for Stephen Hensley, his son, conveys 75 acres on Marrowbone (Creek) from the death of the said Robert, during the natural life of the said Stephen and to be held and enjoyed by the children of said Stephen after his death.” Robert Hensley signed the deed by signature, indicating that someone had seen to his education.
Robin Hensley is shown on the 1860 Logan County Census, living with James Brewster
and wife Margaret. His age was shown as 83 (he was at least 85) and that he was a pauper. The Brewsters lived in the part of Logan County that is present day Mingo County.
First impressions might be that “Robin” was a “nere do well” by being shown as a
pauper. When I first saw that “title” assigned to him by the census taker, I felt very sad. Once I studied the life of Robert Hensley, it just reinforced the oral history in the family about Rob never losing his Indian ways. He never remarried after Judy (Farley) Thompson Hensley died. The stories passed down in the family were that Judy resented Robin’s children by his Indian wife, and that she was abusive to Steve, the youngest Hensley boy. The oral history was that Judy was “uppity” and thought she was better than Robin. We do know that Judy had a temper, as evidenced in a very early public record in Montgomery County VA. But that is another story….
Apparently Robin Hensley died circa 1874 because that is when his son Steve sold the
land on Marrowbone that his father had given him in 1852. This deed was signed by some of Steve’s children, Henry, Pyrrus, Polly, Stephen and Robert. The land was sold to William T. Meade.
It is not known why Robin didn’t live with his own children, especially Steve, since he
was obviously Robin’s favorite son. We can only speculate as to the reasons, and this is just
another chapter in the life of Robin that can never be written.
Robert “Robin” Hensley is probably buried on that same land at Marrowbone Creek, in
present day Mingo County, where he seemed to be most at home and more than likely where he lived with his Indian captors as a young child in the 1700s. All of his family remained in Logan County, on Harts Creek.
The Family Of George and Juda (Conley) Hensley
H-1. George Hensley, the son of Robert “Robin” Hensley was born 1814-1815, probably in what is present-day Mingo County WV. Juda (Farley) Thompson Hensley may or may not have been his mother, but she was the only mother he ever knew. George Hensley, according to an article in the Logan Banner in 1932 was “said to have been among the first white men in this section.” That was certainly true of his father, Robert “Robin” Hensley who definitely was one of Logan County’s earliest settlers. George Hensley first came on the Personal Property Tax list in 1837. He had no personal property to be taxed except himself. He also paid tax in 1843, still no horse nor other taxable property except himself. He apparently married between 1837 and 1841 to Juda Conley, the d/o of Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Farley) and Garland Conley.
The children of George and Juda (Conley) Hensley:
H-1(1).Stephen Hensley, born circa 1842, married Cordelia Bryant.
H-1(2) William Hensley, born circa 1843.
H-1(3) Juda Hensley, born circa 1844, married Alexander “Uncle Zan” Bryant.
H-1(4) Robert Hensley born circa 1848, married Malinda Hensley, d/o Steve and Polly
(Runyon) Hensley.
H-1(5) Mary Elizabeth Hensley, born circa 1852.
(More on some of the previously mentioned Hensley families under Corbin Bryant descendants.)
Stephen & Polly (Runyon) Hensley
H-2 Stephen Hensley was born circa 1815, the son of Robert “Robin” Hensley. He married Mary “Polly” Runyon circa 1845, probably in Logan County, but possibly in Russell County Virginia. Polly’s family lived in Russell County for a few years. Polly was the daughter of James Parris Runyon and possibly an Indian wife, before he married Sarah Sheppard. James Parris Runyon never owed land and this made the family very difficult to trace. The family moved frequently. It is said that Polly Runyon was part Indian, but nothing except her looks has been found to support this claim. She certainly looks Indian and it appears that she even has a feather in her hair in the picture below. Her mother was possibly Sarah (Sheppard) Runyon, who was the daughter of Frederick Sheppard of Montgomery County VA. James Parris Runyon, was probably the son of Adam and Elizabeth “Poor Betty” Runyon. who came to Logan County from Tazewell County VA. James Parris Runyon was in Logan County (his family lived on Pigeon Creek in what is present day Mingo County) in 1840 and then in Russell and Tazewell Counties VA. Both James Parris Runyon and Sarah died in Tazewell County. It was probably when the family lived on Pigeon Creek that their daughter, Polly met Steve Hensley, because Steve lived in the same area (Marrowbone Creek). This places them in the same area at the same time and the parents of Polly were supported through circumstantial evidence and the process of eliminating other Runyon families as her parents. I have seen published genealogies showing Polly as the daughter of Alexander Runyon and Sarah Starr. This is not correct. Alex Runyon was Polly’s uncle. Alex did have a daughter named Polly, but she did not marry Stephen Hensley. There are various records to support this fact, but I will leave that to the descendants of Alex and Sarah.
Polly Runyon Hensley
Other published “genealogies” show that James Runyon who married Sarah Sheppard was the son of Richard and Hannah (Corder) Runyon, but I have found absolutely nothing to support this assumption.
Steve Hensley and Polly (Runyon) had most of their children when they lived on Marrowbone Creek, (present day Mingo County WV) according to their children’s birth records. They lived on the Smoke House Fork of Harts Creek when they died. Polly was born circa 1824 according to early census records. She lived to be in her nineties. Some say she was over a hundred years old when she died, but it is a matter of arithmetic and tracking her in each census record. She was living with her daughter Hester Ann and her son -in-law General Bryant in 1900. She was shown as age 70. Actually, she was age 76 in 1900 (born 1824). Apparently she was living with her son Parris “Perr” and his wife Mary Ann (Thompson) when the above picture was taken, circa 1908-1909, so she was close to ninety when the above picture was taken. I went to the cemetery where they are buried on Buck Fork of Harts Creek. The stones for both show the death dates, but not their birth dates. Polly died in 1917 (age 93) and Steve died 04 August 1897.
The children of Stephen and Polly (Runyon) Hensley:
H-2(1) James Hensley born circa 1846; died 1857, at age eleven.
H-2 (2) William Henry Hensley born circa 1848, married Ann Eliza Conley, 08 October 1880. Eliza is shown in various records as Eliza Ann. She was the daughter of Garland B. Conley and Polly (Farley), d/o William Farley.
H-2 (3) Robert “Robin” Hensley, born March, circa 1849, was still living at home unmarried in 1880. The 1900 census shows his birth as March 1850, but according to the 1850 census, he was already one year old. By 1900, he was married to Caroline M. (was she a Stollings?) Based on the ages of their children, they were married circa 1884. Seven of their six children were living when the 1900 census was taken. Partial issue:
H-2 (3a) Stephen Hensley, born March 1885
H-2 (3b) George Hensley, born October 1886
H-2 (3c) Minerva Hensley, born June 1892
H-2 (3d) Henry Hensley, born July 1894
H-2 (3e) Ellen Hensley, born March 1897
H-2 (3f) Patton Hensley, born May 1899
(There may have been other children born after 1900, but I did not trace the family after 1900.)
H-2(4) Parris “Per” Hensley born 27 January 1845, according to tombstone, but according to Census records, he was born 1852; Married 1st Louisa Fowler, d/o Theophilus and Elizabeth Fowler, 28 January, 1873. Purr married 2nd Mary Ann “Sook” Thompson, d/o of Jeff and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Tomblin) Thompson. Mary Ann ”Sook” was born 9 May 1847: died 22 August 1954. (Dates taken from tombstones by Dodie Smith Browning.)
“Preacher Purr” Hensley. This was because he was a beloved mountain preacher for most of his adult life. He led many lost souls to Christ and performed the marriage ceremonies for many of his relatives and neighbors and preached many funerals on Harts Creek. “Preacher Perr” died 12 June 1932 in Logan County
The children of Parris “Per” and Louisa Fowler Hensley:
H-2(4a) Thomas B. Hensley, born circa 1873, married (1st) Elizabeth Vanderpool, April 1895, married (2nd) 05 Dec. 1909, Minerva Dalton.
H-2(4b) John H. Hensley, born circa 1875, married 07 Oct. 1901, Bessie Skaggs, d/o James & Adie (Dingess) Skaggs.
Apparently, according to marrige records, Purr had a son named John by each wife. John H. is shown as s/o of Pur and (Louisa) Ann Fowler., while John Edward is shown as s/o Pur & Mary Ann Thompson.
H-2(4c) Elizabeth Hensley, born circa 1878. Some people say that Purr didn’t have a daughter Elizabeth, but if you will check the 1880 census, you will find that Elizabeth Hensley, age two, was living with her grandparents Theopholus and Elizabeth Fowler. It is believed by this writer that Louisa, the mother of Elizabeth, probably died as a result of complications from childbirth when Elizabeth was born and that Louisa’s parents took the baby to raise.
Children of Parris and Mary Ann (Thompson) Hensley:
H-2(4d) John Edward Hensley, born Dec. 1879, married 1st 08 Oct. 1905, Dollie Bryant, d/o Anthony and Julia (Conley) Bryant. Married 2nd 14 Jan. 1917, Mary Ellen Tomblin, d/o Thomas and Rosella (Bryant) Tomblin.
H-2(4e) Peter M. Hensley born October 1881, married 22 Jan 1908, Eva Conley, d/o Thomas & Patsy (White) Conley.
H-2(4f) Pricy Hensley, born circa 1883, married John Bryant, s/o Alexander and Juda (Conley) Bryant.
H-2(4g) George W. Hensley born November 1884, married 1st 27 Oct. 1907, (Georgia) Belle Nestor, d/o John Nelson; Married 2nd 08 March 1921, Leona (Stephens) Payne (widow), d/o Apps & Sarah (McCloud) Stephens
H-2(4h) Alpha Hensley, Born January 1886, married 28 Sept. 1906, Josiah Tomblin, s/o William & Hannah (Pack) Tomblin.
H-2(4i) Mary Ann Hensley, born April 1888, married Rufus Tomblin, s/o William & Hannah (Pack) Tomblin, 22 Feb 1906. Married by Alvin Hill. Mary Ann died about 1924-1925.
H-2(4j) Martha Jane Hensley, born May 1890, married 28 Oct. 1907, Moses Tomblin, s/o William & Hannah (Pack) Tomblin.
H-2(4k) Polly Hensley, born September 1891, married 13 November, 1910, Thomas Tomblin, s/o Thomas and Rosella (Bryant) Tomblin.
H-2(4L) Omey Hensley, born June 1897, married 12 May 1921, David Bryant, s/o Alexander and Juda (Conley) Bryant.
H-2(4m) Parris Hensley Jr., born September 1899, married 18 March 1920, Violet Adkins, d/o John & Emma Adkins.
H-2(4n) Fannie Hensley, born circa 1901, married 03 Dec. 1919, Stonewall Hensley, s/o G.W. & Rosa (Hall) Hensley.
H-2(4o) Wealthy Hensley, born circa 1902-1903 married a Bryant
H-2(4p) June Hensley born circa 1908 married a Hall.
H-5. Sarah “Sally”Hensley 
born May 6, 1854 at Marrowbone Creek (present day Mingo County) WV. Married 1st Sam Stollings (common law), married 2nd 12 August 1882 in Logan Co. WV to Allen Tomblin, (born 5 June, 1853). Sally Hensley Tomblin died 09 September 1925 at Shegon (Verdunville), where she is buried. She was called ”Black Sal” by some people because of her dark skin and Indian ancestry.
The only child of Sally Hensley & Sam Stollings:
H-5(1) Susan Stollings born 26 November, 1872 Smoke House Fork of Harts Creek, Logan County WV. Susan was the only child of Sally Hensley and Sam Stollings. Sam had a number of children by his second wife and Sally Hensley had a number of children from her marriage to Allen Tomblin. Susan was raised as a Hensley, but her name was Stollings. She did not see her mother Sally often, after Sally married Allen Tomblin and moved to Mud Fork. Susan married Preston Bryant. They were my grand parents
The children of Sally Hensley and Allen Tomblin:
H-5(2) Mary Elizabeth “Elizzie” Tomblin born Nov. 1880, married Chester Hager, s/o G. & Elizabeth (Oxley) Hager, 1 March 1907.
H-5(3) Jean Tomblin born 1881-1882
H-5(4) John Tomblin born June 1883, married (1) Wilda Workman, married (2) Rhoda (Mullins)Baisden (widow) Rhoda was the d/o Joseph Mullins and Virginia Belle Smith.
H-5(5) Isabelle Tomblin born Aug. 1885
H-5(6) Polly Tomblin born Aug. 1887, married Edward Dalton, 27 July 1911. Edward was the s/o Moses and America (Thompson) Dalton
H-5(7) Albert Tomblin born Nov. 1889, married Augusta Smith,17 October 1916. Augusta was the d/o Harve Smith and his first wife, Hester Ann Collins. Albert gave his birthplace as Kentucky. (?) (See more on this family in Harve Smith section of this work).
H-5(8) Chloe Tomblin born April 1892, married Elijah Williamson, 26 May 1911. Elijah was the s/o P. M. & M. Williamson.
H-5(9) Christina Tomblin born March 1895
H-5(10) Allen Tomblin born 30 July 1900.
Reverand Allen Tomblin- Half brother of Susan Stollings (My maternal grandmother) (Picture probably taken at Mud Fork)
H-6. Mary “Moll” Hensley born March 1857, married “Stonewall” Jackson Leander Conley, s/o Garland B. and Polly (Farley) Conley, 25 August 1879. “Moll” and “Lee” were the parents of Edward Conley who was the first husband of my mother, Shirley Bryant.
The children of Moll Hensley and Jackson Leander “Lee” Conley:
H-6(1) Molly Conley born October 1881
H-6(2) Nimrod “Nim” Conley born July 1882, married Minnie Bryant
H-6(3) Garland “Bogue” Conley born April 1884
H-6(4) Henry Conley born July 1886
H-6(5) Edward Conley born 14 September 1889, died 6 December 1952, buried Forest Lawn Cemetery, Pecks Mill WV. Married 1st Shirley Bryant (12 Aug 1913) d/o Preson & Susan (Stollings) Bryant. Ed and Shirley were divorced and Ed married 2nd Leatha Shadd. (No children by that marriage, which also ended in divorce.) Shirley Bryant married 2nd Paris Smith.
H-6(6) Matilda Conley, born August 1890
H-6(7) Leander “Lee” Conley born February 1893
H-6(8) Willard W. Conley born July 1894
H-6(9) Rosa Ann Conley born Oct. 1897
H-7. Elizabeth Hensley born 28 May, 1858, Sandy River (Marrow Bone Creek), died the same day
H-8. Patton Hensley born circa 1859; married 1884 to America Bryant, d/o Corbin & Patsy (Thompson) Bryant. The children of Patton and “Merick” Bryant who were born prior to1900:
H-8(1) Sophie Hensley, born February 1885
H-8(2) Henry Hensley, born July 1888
H-8(3) Preston W. Hensley, born December 1891
H-8(4) Parris Hensley, born April 1895
H-8(5) Lewis Hensley, born August 1898
H-9. General George Washington “Uncle Tucker” Hensley & Rosa Hall.
General George Washington “Uncle Tucker” Hensley, the son of Steve and Polly (Runyon) Hensley, was born 14 August, 1860, at Marrowbone Creek in what is present day Mingo County, WV. His tombstone gives a different date, but I believe this is the correct birth date. Uncle Tucker married first to Rosa Hall; He married 2nd Alice Priest, 7 June 1910; He died 28 August 1947. I remember Uncle Tucker well. He was a framer, but he also “caned” chairs for a living. He used to come to our house when I was a little girl and replace the seats in our chairs. He used different kinds of wood that he whittled by hand. He would visit with different families and stay sometimes for a week, repairing all the broken or worn out chairs for families up and down Harts Creek. Mother always asked him to use oak strips for our chairs. It was always a treat to have him come to visit. He told lots of stories about the “old days.” I was always excited when I learned he was coming and would sing, “Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man; he washed his face in a frying pan.” When he arrived, he would always hold me on his knee and sing the song to me. (I associated his nickname “Uncle Tucker” with the old song.) He had a long white beard and it was like having Santa Clause stay at our house. Everyone loved him. Uncle Tucker Hensley used to tell us stories about his grandfather, who had been captured by the Indians when he was just a baby and was raised by them as one of their own.
George W. “Uncle Tucker” Hensley & Dave Bryant
Picture from the Bev Hudnall collection.
The children of Uncle Tucker and Rosey (Hall) who were born prior to 1900:
H-9(1) James Hensley, born May 1884, married Hester Collins (Hester was divorced from Harve Smith.
Children of James and Hester Collins Hensley:
H-9(1a) George Hensley, married Linda___
H-9(1b) Major Hensley, married (2nd) Ellen Hensley
H-9(1c) Cora Hensley, married Lawrence Bryant, s/o of John & Pricy (Hensley) Bryant.
H-9(2) David Hensley, born March 1886, married 24 July 1904, Arminda Collins, d/o Francis M. & Mary Collins.
H-9(3) Harriett Hensley, born July 1887, married James Carter, s/o Barnette & Mahulda (Mullins) Carter.
H-9(4) Alexander Hensley, born May 1890, married Oma Smith, d/o Harve Smith and Hester Collins.
H-9(5) Stonewall Hensley, born August 1893, married Fannie Hensley
H-9(6) Mollie Hensley, born May 1896
H-9(7) Betsy Hensley, born June 1899, married Peter Carter.
H-10. Caroline “Lennie” Hensley born circa 1863
H-11. Nancy Hensley born 1865; married William H. Conley, 9 September, 1883
H-12. Malinda Hensley born circa 1866, married Robert Hensley, s/o George & Juda (Conley) Hensley.
H-13. Hester Ann Hensley born February 1869, married General Bryant, s/o Corbin & Patsy (Thompson) Bryant, 11 March 1888; Hester died 12 February 1924. (See Corbin Bryant descendants for more on this family).
H-14. (Stephen ?) Lewis “Buck” Hensley, born September 1871.
Dodie ;
I remember an elderly neighbor in Chapmanville named John Henry Hensley. I estimate he was born sbout 1770, to 1880. He had two sons named Lace, and Bruce.
I did not see any of those names on your list. Who did John Henry marry ?
I don’t know them, Shelby. I only researched the the ones descended from Robert Hensley. I did not research the later generations.
Thank You so much….I am a descendant of Robert Hensley an , Parris or Per Hensley would be my great grandfather my grandfather was George W. Hensley and my father was Lawson Hensley I have just started looking into the genealogy of my family and found your information on Whirlwind amazing……my mothers maiden name was Mullins and she is from the same area….again thank you
Hello Cousin! Glad you enjoyed the Hensley history. Who was your Mullins mother and grandparents?
My mothers name was Phyllis Mullins her father was George W Mullins her mothers name was Gracey”Pearl” and she was a Mullins from Kentucky
We are probably cousins through our Mullins lines as well as Hensley, but I didn’t research the Ky Mullins lines.
I wish “Whirlwind” were in print and would be for sale. It’s an awesome body of work, Dodie. Genealogy is a fascinating pursuit. Giving flesh to the bones of those who came before us in an honorable endeavor. Attagirl.