A house built by Samuel Henderson was built in Vance County, cut off
from Granville County later on. The house was called Ashland. In a
booklet entitled "Historic Vance County and Happy, Healthy,
Hustling Henderson" written by John Bullock Watkins Jr., Henderson,
NC 1941 Set in type by the Henderson Daily Dispatch Company, Henderson,
NC. Most of the information in these paragraphs about this family were
taken from the pages of this book.
The reason the town of Henderson, NC got its name, was because of
this. In 1835 a railroad was started from Gaston. NC and reached Chalk
Level about 1836. Around 1836 a picnic was held at the home of Samuel
Reavis and at the time Rock Springs Methodist Church was there.
The object of the picnic was to sell stock in the railroad and to
name a new city. Reavis suggested the town to be named "Henderson"
in honor of Chief Justice Leonard Henderson who had died in 1833. He was
a son of Richard Henderson (1735-1785). Also, the town was named for
Leonard's son Lawyer Archibald Henderson, who was the principle speaker
at the picnic that day.
In 1820, the Lawyer Archibald Henderson married Annie Bullock.
"A Federalist of the Old School" North Carolina Booklet
XVII No.1, July 1917. Tells of Thomas Henderson emigrating from Dumfries
Scotland to Jamestown Virginia in the early 17 century.
The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, South
Carolina Historical Society, Vol. XXVIII. Williams and Walkins Company,
Baltimore 1927, pp. 108-111. General William Henderson compiled by B.F.
Taylor. According to this data he had only one child: Eliza M. Henderson
who married Simon Taylor as his second wife they moved to Opelousas LA
in 1818 and died there in 1821, leaving five children by E;iza and all
five children had children, among her descendants are a governor of LA,
and a U.S. Senator and Judges Lewis and Taylor of Louisiana.
Data in SAR-NS #130875, Massachusetts state # 1967 Application of
Raburn Blanc Monroe Kelly submitted in 1988.
"Col. Richard Henderson of the Famous Transylvania Company"
by Miss Susan S. Fowles January 1909
"Henderson Company Ledger" by Rev John D. Shane, in The
Filson History Quarterly, Vol.21 (1947) pp. 22-47+.
"The Transylvania Company and the Founding of the Town of
Henderson KY" by Archibald Henderson of the University of North
Carolina. Transylvania means "across the woods". "Conquest
of the Southwest" by Archibald Henderson
American State Papers, documents, Legislative and executive of the
Congress of the United States from the 1st to the 3rd session of the
13th Congress commencing March 3 1789 and ending March 3 1815. By Walter
Lowrie and Matthew St. Clair Clarke, Washington 1832, Pp. 32-33 and page
7 1789. Grant to William Henderson and Company for 100,000 acres at the
Mouth of the Green River. On page 24 a grant of 200,000 acres to Richard
Henderson and Company on Powel's and Clinch's Rivers. On page 614, 876,
and 880 under Public Lands, there is evidence that a William Henderson
claimed land for Squire Boone on the Homochita, on the Big Black and on
bayou Pierre, Thompson's Creek from 1788 to 1795 in the Mississippi
territory
"Colonel William Henderson Rises to High Military Rank" by
Dr. Archibald Henderson in the Charlotte Observer, Sunday July 8, 1928
p. 9. Article says he lived in Tennessee and had family there, died in
South Carolina in 1787-88. Wounded in battle of Eutaw Springs, which
occurred on 8th September 1781. This William Henderson was a son of
Samuel and Elizabeth Williams of Granville County NC. Born March 5, 1748
in Granville County.
Other children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams) Henderson were:
Mary who married Joab Mitchell who lived in Tennessee; John who married
on 4 June 1772 to Sarah Hinton the widow of Solomon Alston Jr.;
Elizabeth who married John Beackham. This John was an attorney and was
named in some Tennessee records settling land deeds for related
Henderson family members. Ann Henderson, Nathaniel Henderson (1736-1789)
lived in Hawkins County TN; Thomas Henderson (1753-1821) married Jane
Martin in NC lived in Rockingham County. Children of this couple were:
Jane Kindrish; Alexander; Polly Lacy; Thomas; Nathaniel and Fanny,
Thomas Henderson Will probated 1827 Rockingham County NC. There is no
proof that this Thomas Henderson ever lived in Tennessee. Some good
evidence indicates this William Henderson lived in Tennessee and had a
family in Tennessee. There was a marriage settlement between William
Henderson (1748-1788) and Leticia Nelson (see papers of Jules Raburn
Monroe, Louisana No. 2955) Recorded Marriage Settlement Book now in
files of South Carolina Historical Commission, Columbia. S C.
HAWKINS COUNTY TN
Some of the Hendersons who came to the area of Hawkins County, which
became the State of Tennessee, were members of a family of Hendersons
from Granville County NC. This family had been in America for a long
time prior to the Revolutionary War. While many genealogists claim the
family tradition is not true, nevertheless, old documents say that a
Thomas Henderson came from Dumfries, Scotland to Jamestown Virginia in
1607, living at Blue or Yellow Springs and being the father of several
children. He was a Burgess in 1619. One son, Richard Henderson moved to
Hanover County, Virginia, married a "Polly" Washer, a daughter
of Ensign Washer. Samuel Henderson (1700-1783) married in 1732,
Elizabeth Williams, who was 18 at the time, they moved to Granville
County about 1740. They had seven sons and four daughters: Richard
(1735-1785) married in 1763 to Elizabeth Keeling. They had many
children, some of which were: Archibald who moved to Salisbury and there
is a monument to him there; the youngest son was John Lawson; another
son William was a hero and killed in the battle of Eutaw Springs.
Pleasant was a Judge; Leonard had the city of Henderson NC named after
him.
A grant from VA of 200,000 acres to Richard Henderson and Company on
Powel's and Clinch's Rivers. (American State Papers, documents,
Legislative and executive of the Congress of the United States from the
1st to the 3rd session of the 13th Congress commencing March 3 1789 and
ending March 3 1815, on page 24). See also pp. 32-33 and page 7 1789 for
evidence of a Grant to William Henderson and Company for 100,000 acres
at the Mouth of the Green River. There is some evidence of another Grant
from North Carolina to Richard Henderson for another 200,000 acres of
land. This Richard Henderson died in 1785.
Nov 3 1790 when Gov. laid out Hawkins County NC (organized in 1786)
into Hawkins County in Territory of U.S. of America South of the River
Ohio - persons holding commissions in county of Hawkins under NC
authority: Thomas Henderson, J.P. & William Henderson, Lt., he was
also listed as officer in 24 Sep 1793. In 1800 on 26 Sep a Capt. William
Henderson was listed as being in Hawkins County, TN. As will be shown
this William Henderson was the son of Thomas Henderson Sr. who most
likely was from PA.
The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, South
Carolina Historical Society, Vol. XXVIII. Williams and Walkins Company,
Baltimore 1927, pp. 108-111. General William Henderson compiled by B.F.
Taylor. According to this data he had only one child: Eliza M. Henderson
who married Simon Taylor as his second wife they moved to Opelousas LA
in 1818 and died there in 1821, leaving five children by Eliza and all
five children had children, among her descendants are a governor of LA,
and a U.S. Senator and Judges Lewis and Taylor of Louisiana. Some other
sources of data on Richard Henderson and his kin are listed below.
Data in SAR-NS #130875, Massachusetts's state # 1967 Application of
Raburn Blanc Monroe Kelly submitted in 1988.
"Col. Richard Henderson of the Famous Transylvania Company"
by Miss Susan S. Fowles January 1909
"Henderson Company Ledger" by Rev John D. Shane, in The
Filson History Quarterly, Vol.21 (1947) pp. 22-47+.
"The Transylvania Company and the Founding of the Town of
Henderson KY." by Archibald Henderson of the University of North
Carolina.
"Conquest of the Southwest" by Archibald Henderson.
American State Papers, documents, Legislative and executive of the
Congress of the United States from the 1st to the 3rd session of the
13th Congress commencing March 3 1789 and ending March 3 1815. By Walter
Lowrie and Matthew St. Clair Clarke, Washington 1832.
"Colonel William Henderson Rises to High Military Rank" by
Dr. Archibald Henderson in the Charlotte Observer, Sunday July 8, 1928
p. 9. Article says "he lived in Tennessee and had family there",
died in South Carolina in 1787-88.
In my opinion this statement " he, Lt. Col. William Henderson
lived in Tennessee and had a family there" is most likely due to
errors published in Lucy Horton Hendersons book that was published in
1925. No evidence can be located to show that this William Henderson
ever lived in Tennessee, much less, had a family there. Despite this
opinion, other records are still being checked.
This William Henderson who was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Williams
of Granville County NC. Born March 5, 1748 in Granville County, NC. Was
wounded in battle of Eutaw Springs, which occurred on 8th September
1781.
There was a marriage settlement between William Henderson (1748-1788)
and Leticia Nelson (see papers of Jules Raburn Monroe, Louisiana No.
2955) Recorded Marriage Settlement Book now in files of South Carolina
Historical Commission, Columbia. SC.
One William Henderson who I think is often mistaken for Lt. Col.
William Henderson is as follows. A William Henderson did own land in
Greene County TN that was next to Isaac Taylor's land. William Henderson
purchased two land grants on Holley's Creek in 1781, this land was next
to land owned by a Isaac Taylor, the chain bearers on the land were
James Taylor and James Morrow. (Copies in my files).
A William Henderson was thought to have been in the Battle of Kings
Mountain in 1780 and most likely was the William Henderson who lived in
Greene County on Holley's or Henderson Creek as it was sometimes called
in land deeds.
In 1783 a William Henderson witnessed a deed in Greene County TN,
ref. William Murphy and Rachel Henderson land on the Nolichucky.
Later in early 1800's another William Henderson appeared at a probate
hearing in Sevier County TN where this same land in Greene County TN was
discussed.
Other children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams) Henderson who lived
in Tennessee: Mary who married Joab Mitchell who lived in Hawkins County
Tennessee.
Nathaniel Henderson (1736-1789) received a land grant of 640 acres in
Hawkins County. He was Entry taker for the lands of the Transylvania
Company and signer of the Cumberland Compact, 1780. Married first to
Mrs. Shugan Jones. They had one son, Nathaniel Henderson Jr.; his father
married a second time to Mrs. Morgan, children by this marriage were:
Samuel Henderson and Elizabeth Young Henderson. (See Bio Directory
Tennessee General Assembly Volume I page 357).
There are several errors in my opinion that start researchers off on
the wrong path while trying to trace their ancestors related to the
Henderson families. One of the greatest errors is on page 357 of Bio
Directory Tennessee General Assembly Volume I; when it states on page
357 that: "Thomas Henderson a member Constitutional Convention 1796
and of the General Assembly." This to me is completely false. On
the same page (357) it reads that Thomas Henderson born (ca1741-42 - ca
1827) was born in Augusta County VA a son of Thomas and Dorcus
Henderson. If he was, as stated a brother to Nathaniel (1736-1789), then
his parents should have been Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams) Henderson.
Another child of Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams) Henderson was Mary
Henderson who married Joab Mitchell. They lived in Hawkins County. Joab
Mitchell was killed by Indians, when he volunteered to go out from a
fort to procure salt. On his way back he was attacked by Cherokee and
mortally wounded. He succeeded in reaching the fort and his remains were
interred in a depression which, has since borne the name Mitchell's
Hollow. (See History of Tennessee, 30 Counties East Tennessee, published
by Goodspeed 1887, page 875).
Actually the brother of Nathaniel (1736-1789) was another Thomas
Henderson (1753-1821) married Jane Martin in NC lived in Rockingham
County. Children of this couple were: Jane Kindrish; Alexander; Polly
Lacy; Thomas; Nathaniel and Fanny, Thomas Henderson Will probated 1827
Rockingham County NC. There is no proof that this Thomas Henderson ever
lived in Tennessee.
Another major problem related to the above mentioned problem are the
errors and false assumptions made by Lucy Henderson Horton. She claimed
that a Samuel Henderson (1759-1828) was Nathaniel Henderson's son. This
is unlikely because Nathaniel Henderson was first married in 1763. There
are several other errors in her book and people should understand this
prior to quoting from its pages. The Horton book was closely studied by
people from Princeton University and declared utterly mixed up and wrong
about several pronouncements.
Different Samuel Hendersons in Hawkins County records. Samuel
Henderson son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams) may have been in
Hawkins County around 1807-1811. Another Samuel Henderson born 3 Dec
1783 in the area of today's Hawkins County died 1843 in Hawkins County.
He married on 15 Sep 1807 to Tabitha Galbreath. Another Samuel Henderson
was born in Hawkins County TN on 7 Sep 1813 and died in Arkansas in
1871.
One Samuel Henderson who got land grant of 250 acres Jul 29 1793
Hawkins County entered 10 Oct 1780.
There were three Samuel Hendersons in the 1840 Hawkins County TN
census.
On the 1850 Hawkins County TN record there is a Samuel Henderson born
ca1808 with Anna and children Gunidy born ca.1840; John G. born ca.
1841; Ann born ca.1842; Jesse born ca.1845; Samuel born ca.1847; Mary
born ca.1848; and Silas born ca.1849. Also in household in 1850 was a
Sarah born 1780 and Anna born 1827.
In the estate of Isaac Taylor deceased to Samuel Henderson Jr. (note
this Jr. status) this day came James Henderson before ----justice of
peace for Hawkins County ----oath --- heard Isaac Taylor Sworn to 19 Sep
1791 James White, J.P.
One James Henderson signed marriage bond for Samuel Henderson
(1759-1828) in Greene County TN when Samuel married Lucy Rychman or
Hickman.
If James Henderson signed bond in Greene County TN for Samuel
Henderson (1759-1828) James was kin to Samuel maybe his brother. The one
James Henderson in Greene County TN died in 1793. In the Morman Church
records there is a Samuel Henderson said to have been born in 1740 in
Knoxville TN.
And in "Tennessee Tidbits 1778-1914" Vol. I, by Fischer
reads: In 1799 a Samuel Henderson died in Blount County TN when his
heirs were summoned as witnesses (Blount County TN County Court Minutes
A-157)
Ruth Brown, who has studied the Henderson families for many years,
suggested that perhaps this Samuel who died in Blount County in 1799 was
the father of these people in early Greene County TN: John 1760-1825;
Samuel 1759-1828; James 1763-1793; and perhaps William ca 1765- ca1794
who was killed by Indians. There is some evidence to support this idea.
Greene County TN 12 Jan 1793 Samuel Henderson 100 acres North Side of
French Broad headwaters of Long Creek entered 16 Dec 1779. By 1794
Samuel Henderson of Knox County TN sold this land. Blount County TN was
cut off Knox County in 1795.
It has been written by Lucy Henderson Horton that "her"
Samuel moved to Hawkins County TN with his father Nathaniel. Then Samuel
married in Greene County and moved to Knox County.
Samuel Henderson according to Lucy Henderson Horton in her book "Family
History" on page 234 "The writer has, framed and hanging in
her home, an old land warrant which belonged to Samuel Henderson
(1759-1828) showing 100 acres in Hawkins County was conveyed to him in
1791 through Isaac Taylor. The warrant is dated Western Territory South
of the Ohio, Sep 19 1791. This old land warrant reads: The estate of
Isaac Taylor, desd to Samuel Henderson Jr. one 100 acre land warrant
Hawkins County." Note that it reads Samuel Henderson Jr.
This Samuel Henderson born 29 Nov 1759 died 5 Dec 1828 Williamson
County TN buried in Bethseda Williamson County TN. Married Lucy Rychman
born 16 Nov 1765 died 14 Jul 1843 buried in Bethseda also.
Their children were: Mary 21 Dec 1786; Anna 5 Nov 1788; Sally 20 Jan
1791; Elizabeth 14 Oct 1793; Levisa 25 Dec 1795; Mathilda 19 Sep 1798;
Lucy 23 Jan 1801; Samuel 8 Oct 1804 and Martha 3 Apr 1810. This is from
Samuel's family bible.
Lucy Henderson, Samuel's widow is on the 1830 census Williamson
County TN with two in the family.
Early Wills in Hawkins County TN
Samuel Henderson Will 1843 wb-1-254.
Evidence indicates a Mrs. Pleasant Henderson was Miss Louisiana A.
Amis, a daughter of James Amis (1790-1871) from Hawkins County TN. He
was in the Tennessee General Assembly 1825-27 representing Sullivan and
Hawkins Counties TN.
