Now in 1998, I am 65 years old and retired. Since 1978 both my father
and I have studied and compiled a record of several generation of our
Henderson Family History. We have traveled to many states including
Tennessee several times. Our interests in family history have allowed us
to meet several Hendersons of our same line who still live in Sevier
County, other Tennessee counties and states. By exchanging information
with people researching other Henderson families and locating kinfolks,
we have learned a lot and some branches of our family have compiled
listings of family members. My father is now ninety-three and lives in
East Tennessee, near Erwin.
Aside from the two of us, some of the people who helped assemble this
history include: my wife, Karen Lee Henderson; and my fathers second
wife, Kate (Bailey) Henderson; Virginia Bengston of California; Fowler
Yett of Alabama; Beulah Linn of Pigeon Forge; the late Ruby Sims of
Sevierville; Paul and his brother, the late Conley Henderson who live
east of Sevierville; Reba Mitchell who now lives in Chattanooga; Ruth
Brown of Baton Rouge, LA. Don Henderson of Vanore; Henry Henderson of
Alabama; George Fox of North Carolina; Cheryl Henderson of Knoxville;
Carroll Henderson of Knoxville; Mrs. Paul Rogers of Cleveland; Bobbie
Manuel of Knoxville, Ava Horning of Sevierville; Rowena H. McFalls of
Sevierville, Lee Ann Radell of Texas, and many other descendants of the
early Henderson of Sevier County.
In 1980, after many years of searching, two of the first known family
historians, Fowler Yett and Virginia Bengston reported their findings.
They accumulated the first known family history of one early family,
that of William Henderson (1786-1860).
TOO MANY WILLIAM HENDERSON
It seems certain there was more than one adult in early Sevier County
history that was named William Henderson. There were three men living in
the Sevier County area between 1780 and 1800. One was William who
married Mary Bevans; one William Henderson who married Sarah Clack; and
one William Henderson who married Elizabeth and whom Indians reportedly
killed. This last William Henderson listed was the one related to our
family.
A LOT OF WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
Because of the passage of time, sorting out facts about our family
lines is difficult. And we have discovered that as family researchers
learn new facts about their family our perceptions change, often the
tendency is to put down information assumed to be correct, but as we
learn more, we found that sometimes we were mistaken. We have tried to
furnish proof of the contents of this text.
REFERENCES
You, the reader will find a number, such as (23) that refers to a
listing at the end of the text called "REFERENCES". Under that
heading you will find (23), there you will find the source we used to
make the statement in the text.
We realize some of this text may not be correct, however, we hope
other kin will continue to improve the information. There has been a
great increase in interest in tracing family histories, and with the age
of computers, maybe some of the younger generation, well trained in the
use of computers will take time to unravel these unknowns, realizing
some things may remain an unknown. The study of American history comes
alive when you study your own family history.
FIRES BURN SEVIER COUNTY RECORDS
Since the Courthouse burned down twice in Sevier County (once in 1854
and again in 1856) most all the records where lost and/or destroyed.
This really hinders our search. Some family member living in Sevier
County could perhaps uncover information not now known, such information
might be in records after 1856. But more likely could be found in old
abstracts, reunion reports, land deeds, family Bibles, or old papers
handed down.
EARLIEST KNOWN RECORD OF A HENDERSON
The earliest land record (1) of a William Henderson in the area that
became Sevier County Tennessee is found in a North Carolina Land Grant
for land in Tennessee and dated 24 February 1778. This Grant listed as
Number 1 was issued at Danbury North Carolina, and signed by Alexander
Martin. The land was located at the mouth of the Little Pigeon River
where it empties into the French Broad River. All together there were
four grants totaling 1050 acres granted to William Henderson for land at
this location. This land was first entered in 1778 and recorded on 15
February 1791 by a William Henderson.
A William Henderson lived at the mouth of the Little Pigeon River, at
its junction with the French Broad River, in Sevier County in 1790 (2).
At this time we are assuming this William Henderson was married to Mary
Bevans, (3) and (5) (perhaps Beavers) (4). This land was obtained in a
land grant from North Carolina marked Number 1 and dated in 1778. We do
not know if this William is the same person who obtained the land in
1778.
A John Henderson of early day Sevier County unaccounted for to this
day. His name appears in several records in the late 1700's and early
1800's. He was a chain bearer who on 17 August 1790 (6) helped survey
land at the mouth of the Little Pigeon River where it meets the French
Broad River in Sevier County, Tennessee.
We have a record where a James Henderson (7) wrote he was married
about 1793. James obtained land by having the land assigned to him by
William Henry of Botetourt County Virginia. James obtained the land in
1810 and the location of 310 acres was in the Boyd' s Creek area of
Sevier County. This James died about 1812 (9). This land was sold in
1821 (8) and (18).
A man by the name of Robert Henderson (6) was also a chain bearer
along with John Henderson on a survey. The survey was for a William
Henderson. We have located the following other records about the early
Robert Henderson of Sevier County (10) and (11). A Robert Henderson (12)
was then appointed Coronet in Sevier County militia in 1796. The Robert
Henderson of early Sevier County is identified with the William
Henderson (6) who married Mary Bevans and both lived on land at the
mouth of the Little Pigeon River where it joins with the French Broad
River. Robert Henderson land, 100 acres on Middle Creek in Sevier County
Tennessee, sold in 1803 for back taxes (10) and (13). We do not know if
he had died or moved from the county.
There was a Mary Henderson in the 1840 (14) census in Sevier County
born in Virginia and about 50-60 in age, so she probably would be too
young to be Mary (Bevans) Henderson. Since she was giving birth to her
children in the early 1770's (15). She was probably the wife of either,
James or Robert (9) and (16).
SEVIER COUNTY MILITIA 1790-1796
A William Henderson was appointed Lieut. in Jefferson County in 1790
by Gov. William Blount (17). Part of Jefferson County became Sevier
County in 1796; part of Jefferson County also became Cocke County.
The notice of the paymaster, as published in the Knoxville
Gazette (19) listed among others Militia Troops we find Lt.
William Henderson in 1793 and a Sergeant McClelland in 1793. Then in
1794 a McClelland was promoted to Lieut. it is possible that William
Henderson Sr. was killed in 1793 or 1794., but not likely in 1792.
We have located some material relating to who we think is Lt. William
Henderson of Sevier County who might have been the one referred to as
William Henderson Sr. One source (20) being a June 22nd 1793 in a letter
from Acting Gov. Smith, in Knoxville, to the Sec. of War "... after
writing the foregoing as I was closing the letter, Col. Dohorty arrived
here and brings me certain information of a large party of Indians being
in Wears Cove on the Little Pigeon ... they have cut down about a
quarter of an acre of corn killed one horse, stolen ten others, took
seven bags of meal out of Wears mill and broke to pieces such parts of
the Mill as they could with little Difficulty ... also killed two cows
and one hog. This was done in the night of the 19th instant, I have only
to remark that this mischief too quickly succeeded the unwarrantable
action at the Hanging Maws to have been occasioned by it ...and there is
the strongest reason to believe the perpetrators came from the town of
Telasee or another town above it. Col. Dohorty tells me Lieut. Henderson
who is in service with about thirty men were yesterday to set out in
pursuit of the enemy. I have not yet determined what further order to
take on the occasion but I shall restrict the Whites to defensive
measures only."
In another letter (20) dated July 19th 1793 from acting Gov. Smith,
in Knoxville, to Sec. of War, " The invasion of Indians into Wears
Cove on the 19th Ultimo which I mentioned to you in mine of the 22nd was
in two parties. A party of seven of Lieutenant Henderson Militia who
were vigilant in their duty ranging the Mountain discovered the Trace
where one of the parties went back with horses on the 20th and pursued
without knowing what damage the Indians had done. They soon overtook and
gave the an unexpected and well directed fire which it was afterwards
known killed two and its believed wounded others. The Indians ran off a
little distance leaving the horses tied but seeing there was so few of
the whites made a stand. The whit sut loose the horses and rode off with
them all except one which was shot down by the enemy. None of the whites
were hurt".
Another early record (20) pertaining to this same attack in Wear' s
Cove is found in the American State Papers, Class II, Indian
Affairs Vol. VI , pg. 463. It tells about an Indian invasion
into Wear' s Cove on the 19 of June 1793, and tells of how Lt.
Henderson' s militia fought with the Indians. In one report (21) it said
Lt. William Henderson was ranging the mountains with Lt. Tedford. In
another paragraph, it tells how a party of volunteers organized by
Samuel Ware and that Lt. Henderson joined them and thoughtlessly let Mr.
Ware take Command of the party, in number about 60 people. They pursued
the main body of Indians and killed sixteen of them.
On page 466 of the same source (22) tells of an Indian attack on
Henry' s Station on the 22nd of August 1793 two white men were killed,
Lt. Tedford being one, the other not named in this report. However, in
another source (23) about the same attack on Henry' s Station, this
source on page 77 states ----a man by the name of Henderson and Lt.
Tedford were killed in the attack. In the next sentence on the same
page, the author refers to the man as Jackson.
After searching all references, we could locate about the attack at
Henry' s Station 22 nd of August 1793, we concluded that a
Henderson was not killed that day at that place. Our records show that
we consulted these sources (23A), (24), (25) and (26).
WILLIAM HENDERSON AND SARAH CLACK
In 1789 a William Henderson married Sarah Clack, (27) perhaps the
daughter of John and Sarah Clack of Sevier County, TN (28). We have
learned much about this William Henderson; most from Sarah Henderson's
Claim for a pension based on what she wrote in the filed report in 1850
(27). It is not known where this family lived between 1815 and 1840;
perhaps they remained in Sevier County until about 1840 when they moved
to St. Louis Missouri.
William Henderson died in St. Louis Mo. in July 1848 (27). Sarah
obtained 160 acres (29) of land in Clinton County, Ill. in July of 1852.
The land description was NW 1/4 of Sec. 25, T 3, R 3. Sarah sold the
land soon after being awarded the land; a man by the name of James S. D.
Morrison of Belleville, Ill. signed the tract book. We have not
researched this further.
In the papers (27) we obtained from Washington D.C. Archives
different people wrote letters in support of Sarah' s claim, (these
people were from St. Louis). One person was a Doctor and he wrote that
he had known, Wm. and Sarah and their family for about 10 years. A Sarah
Henderson died in 1859 on the 10th of September. This Sarah was buried
in Bellefrontaine Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. On a certificate (30)
it reads, this Sarah Henderson was born in Ireland and was about 65
years old. If this Sarah Henderson was the same person who married
William Henderson in 1789, she was undoubtedly older than 65.
Further proof of Sarah' s claim is that there was a William Henderson
who was appointed Lt. in Sevier County in 1796 (31). It is likely, but
not proven, that this William Henderson was a son of William and Mary
(Bevans) Henderson who lived near the junction of the French Broad and
Little Pigeon Rivers. In the Militia records for Sevier County, there
was recorded in 1795, a William Henderson Sr. and a William Henderson
Jr. and a Robert Henderson (32). In 1799 a William Henderson resigned
from the Sevier County Militia (33). In the same year, 1799, a William
Henderson was appointed as a Sevierville town Commissioner. William
Henderson (1786-1860) would have been about 14 years old.
We compared the handwriting of each of these three William Henderson'
s of Sevier County. William who married Sarah Clack almost always signed
his name Wm. Henderson. The William involved in the Greene County /
Sevier County Probate Hearing, signed with an X and the William
Henderson (1786-1860) signed his name as William Henderson in good
penmanship.
One family historian, Mrs. Bengston contends that our William was
killed in a battle that took place at Crab Orchard in the late fall of
1792. Recorded history (34) shows that a Capt. Handley led his company
of forty-two men and fifty-six Indians commanded by a chief named Middle
Striker attacked them, near Crab Orchard. The Indians consisted of
Cherokees, Creeks and Shawnees. The Indians defeated the Militiamen and
Handley was captured and later released. The names of the dead and
wounded (34) did not include any William Henderson. In 1793 a Lt.
William Henderson was paid for services under Gen. John Sevier, in the
1793 Etowah Campaign (35), against the Creek and Cherokee Indians.
Always a major problem is trying to tell who is who among all the men
named William Henderson in early Tennessee history. At this same time
1780 - 1800 there were William Hendersons living in the areas that
became: Washington, Greene, Hawkins, Grainger, Knox, Blount, Jefferson,
and Blount Counties. At this same time there were the three William
Hendersons living in the area that became Sevier County Tennessee.
In 1794 on the 13th of May a Lieutenant McClelland (19) led
thirty-seven of Captain Evan's company when they were attacked on the
Cumberland path near Crab Orchard, eighteen miles from South-west Point,
(a military Fort located near Kingston, TN). About 100 Creek Indians
were involved in the attack. Four white men were killed, one wounded,
four missing. The dead (19) were identified, (William Henderson was not
listed); the missing returned and we assume the wounded person survived.
EARLY RECORDS OF PIONEERS
As time passed, from pioneering to settlement there was mass
confusion as to who owned which land (36). Sometimes more than one
person held papers that said they owned the same land. This came about,
mainly because; several governments issued land grants, often not
honored by another government. In time these problems were settled by
the establishment of clear titles the following data was found in
Sevier County Occupancy and Academy Land Grants (36),
printed 19 August 1976. In the absence of any census before 1830 these
occupancy grants help to bridge the gap between 1795 and 1830. Occupancy
grants were given to early settlers who maintained their land without
titles from 1783 to 1790. Here we find James Cannon with 954 acres. A
William Henderson with 157 acres and a William Henderson with 202 acres
and Jesse Moon with 168 acres. If person could own land in two
locations, that person could have been counted twice and appear to be
two people, when in reality there may have been only one person by that
name.
In 1806 Congress passed an Act (37) to authorize the state of
Tennessee to issue grants and perfect titles to certain lands. The act
made it possible for the inhabitants of a county to obtain title to the
lands on which they had lived for twenty years. Here (8) we find James
Henderson with 310 acres in the Boyd' s Creek area, and one William
Henderson Sr. (37) with 126 acres northwest of Sevierville. We also find
Samuel Henderson (37) and Rebecca Henderson both with land in Sevier
County. This Rebecca Henderson sold this land, (104 acres), in 1809
according to a record found in Jefferson County (38).
GREENE COUNTY CONNECTION IN SEVIER COUNTY
There is reason to believe that a William Henderson, who acquired
land in early day Greene County, may have been a relative of a William
Henderson's who lived in Sevier County. Three grants were given to a
William Henderson who lived on Holley's Creek southeast of Greenville,
Tennessee. This grant had several papers in an old envelope in the land
office in Raleigh, North Carolina when I copied these records. This
grant for 150 acres (39) was written in this way " State of N
Carolina Washington County January 4 1781 no 2713 ---- for William
Henderson on Holleys Creek adjoining Isaac Taylor land. Given at office
this 29th day of April 1797" signed by John Carter.
In this same envelope was a paper (39) that reads " July 7 1797
comes William Henderson into open court and made oath in due form of
fact that the purchase money of A certain warrant obtained from the
state of North Carolina, Washington county bearing date January the 4th
1781 no. 2713 for one hundred and fifty acres of land was duly paid in
the office from which said warrant issued - --- signed by William x
Henderson " (signed by mark not a x). Following this another
paragraph reads " State of Tennessee, I Samuel Wear Clerk"
(here a seal covers a County name which seems to read as same County on
the above paragraph; looks like Leacore County) then quote continues "
of Sevier County court hereby certify that the above probate---announced
(??) was executed duly in open court to the within warrant in testimony
whereas I have - -- --- my --- affixed the seal of my office this 7th
day of July 1797 signed Samuel Wear Clerk".
The land on Holley's Creek was in some way involved in a probate
hearing in Sevier County in 1801, when a William Henderson was then
present in court.
In 1845 a George Henderson, believed to be a son of Joseph Henderson,
both of Greene County sold land on Holley' s Creek (40). It is unknown
if this was the same land once owned by a William Henderson.
WILLIAM HENDERSON SR. AND ELIZABETH
We see that Ray' s Tennessee Cousins (41) did not
mention the given name of William's father. It was nearly 100 years
before the first surviving record was a written (42) of the given name
of WILLIAM for William' s father, after his reported death might have
occurred. Indians reportedly killed William Henderson Sr. We do not know
what year William's father was killed by Indians.
Records show that William Henderson (1786-1860) was born in the area
that was later referred to a Cocke County Tennessee.(42 ). The mother of
William Henderson (1786-1860) is believed to have had the first name "Elizabeth".
A Will (43) written in 1805 is Jesse Moon's. A copy of this Will was
found in the former home of Elijah Henderson' s (1820-1898), the same
house where his father Wm. (1786-1860) once lived. Jesse Moon was,
according to this Will, Elizabeth' s husband and she had a son William
Henderson. In the 1850 Sevier County census (44) there is listed a
female, who was then in the home of William and Mary Henderson; she was
Elizabeth, who was then 84 years old, born in Va., about 1766. We do not
know the death date or burial place of Elizabeth who was 84 years old in
1850. There is no known marriage record of Elizabeth marrying William
Henderson Sr. Some people assume Elizabeth' s maiden name was Cowan.
However, we have never located any proof of that as her maiden name.
There was a William Henderson in Jefferson County TN who married an
Elizabeth Cowan in 1821.
William Henderson (1786-1860) was born on the 12th of February, (45)
in the 1850 census in Sevier County the census taker recorded William
was born in Tennessee. However, in the 1860 census (46) record William
and Mary reported to have been born in Virginia. Then in 1870, Mary
Catherine Henderson, his wife, was still living the census taker
recorded in the census record (47) that she was born in VA.
William Henderson Sr. may have had middle name "Alexander",
but we are not sure. In three generations after Wm. Sr., sons born early
were named William Alexander. There was a custom practiced in many early
families, where the first son was named for the father' s father and the
second son named for the wife's father. Wm. Henderson (1786-1860) and
Mary Catherine (Cannon) (1786-1872) named their first son James;
perhaps, we assume after James Cannon, Mary's father. Their second son
was, named Wm. Alexander, perhaps, after William's father. This would be
a reversal of the custom. This gives us the idea that William Henderson
(1786-1860) father was named: William Alexander Henderson Sr. We are of
the opinion this is correct. But again there is no other proof.
Not knowing who the father or Grandfather of William Henderson
(1786-1860) was and coupled with 20 years of searching should allow an
educated guess. Most people think William' s roots go back to Augusta
County Virginia. William Sr. could have been a son of Alexander
Henderson who died in Bourbon County Kentucky in 1796. This Alexander
Henderson was connected with the early Augusta County Virginia
Hendersons. There was not a son, William, in this Alexander Henderson
Will, however, William Henderson Sr. could have been dead before 1796.
There was an Elizabeth Henderson who witnessed the Will of Alexander
Henderson of Bourbon County KY we have wondered who she was.
Mr. Jerry Ware, of the present day Sevierville, TN wrote a note to
FRH and called William Henderson Sr. father of William Henderson
(1786-1860), Lt. Col. William Henderson. That is interesting, in light
of the fact, that many Henderson kin in Sevier County Tennessee today
believe William Sr. was somehow related to Judge Richard Henderson (49).
It was this Judge Richard Henderson who hired Daniel Boone. Richard was
a son of Samuel Henderson (1700-1783) of Grandville, County, NC. One
brother of Judge Richard Henderson, was a Lt. Col. William Henderson.
This William Henderson is reported to have had a family in East
Tennessee (50). Most researchers claim he had one wife and one child in
South Carolina. However, Archibald Henderson noted North Carolina
historian, and member of the same family of Hendersons that Lt. Col.
William Henderson belonged to, was convinced that Lt. Col. William
Henderson did have a family in Tennessee (50). And for him to come to
this conclusion, he must have had very good proof. This Lt. Col. William
Henderson died in either 1787 (51) or 1788 (52). In his Will (53), he
had a settlement with his wife and daughter (53). This is not normal in
most Wills I have read. He also mentioned a stepson, William (53).
William Henderson (1786-1860) could have been related to the James
Henderson line in Greene County, Tennessee. Indians killed this James
Henderson in 1793 (55). Among his children there may have been a son
named William. This James Henderson' s father was a Samuel Henderson
born in 1740 (56) and may have died in Blount County Tennessee in 1799.
These Hendersons owned land in the area that became Cocke County,
Tennessee (57).
Mrs. Bengston (58) and (59) suggest there was an "H" in
William Henderson's (1786-1860) name, if there was such a middle name;
(no official record has been found) the "H" could have stood
for Houston. There was a family (60) of Henderson' s who tried for
several years to prove they were related to the John Houston line
through the early John Henderson in Sevier County. And in this tradition
they told of a William Henderson who was killed in Tennessee by Indians
near Crab Orchard (61). Later, this family decided the John Henderson of
Sevier County, Tennessee, was not the John Henderson of their family.
They encourage us to continue to search for the record, in the history
of the Houston Family where is tells about a William Henderson, (son of
John Henderson and Isabella Houston) killed by Indians near Crab Orchard
in Tennessee (51).
We located one record of a family with the father being a John
Henderson, wife' s name unknown and two children. A group of people who
were traveling in Tennessee, stopped to eat apples, and was attacked by
Indians. Two Henderson men were killed including John and his wife. The
children, a boy and a girl survived and when grown, the young man
returned to Tennessee and raised a large family (62).
Several references show that a William Henderson Sr. lived east of
Sevierville as early as 1783 (63) and (64). Cocke County lies east of
Sevierville and perhaps this William was indeed the father of William
Henderson (1786-1860), as most researchers assume.
In the 25 August 1794 Knoxville Gazette newspaper
a notice (65) appeared dated 04 August 1794 Jonesboro: Signed by John
Johnston. The notice announced that Johnston had purchased a tract of
land from John Henderson of Botetcourt County. Va. which Henderson had
purchased from William Spencer of Rockingham County, VA. The land was
along the East Fork of the Little Pigeon River.
Again in (66) Goodspeed's History of Tennessee
page 835 it states:" William Henderson, John Jenkins and Robert
Duggan also lived east of Sevierville". This was referring to
earliest settlers. We located a land transfer from a Thomas Henderson
Jr. to a John Jenkins in Sevier County in 1821 (66A). A John Jenkins
(67) was in the Unit Commanded by Capt. William Henderson during the War
of 1812. This was the William who married Sarah Clack in 1789 (67).
Being unable to locate any records that lead us to the truth, we
wondered if perhaps the William Henderson who married Sarah Clack in
Sevier County in 1789 was also William (1786-1860) father. There were 32
pioneers that went on a scouting trip in August of 1788 (68). The
pioneers found a crab apple grove and stopped to gather apples. In doing
so, they put their rifles on the ground. Indians, who sprang an attack,
surrounded the grove. Sixteen pioneers where killed. One person was
captured and his fate was not determined. In a book (69) written by
Roosevelt, he indicated that on the frontier it was not uncommon for a
pioneer to be captured and later released, going home to find his wife
remarried. Elizabeth could have married Jesse Moon and William married
Sarah Clack. Some historians think this William and Sarah stayed in the
Sevier County area until they went to St. Louis, MO in about 1840.
The book Biographical Directory of the
Tennessee General Assembly in Volume I 1796-1861, tells about
the service of William Henderson (1786-1860) representing Sevier County
as a member of the House in 1837-39. The biographical data about William
says his father was in the War of 1812. (70). We find it difficult to
understand how that author could make that statement since a history
book (71) written in 1886 says his father was killed by Indians.
AFTER 1800 LIFE BECOMES SOMEWHAT SAFER
Time wise our William (1786-1860) was about 20 years old in 1806 the
year he was married. The late Sevier County Historian Joseph Sharp
thought William (1786-1860) was then living (72), east of Sevierville on
the land his mother inherited from Jesse Moon.
We know that two large Henderson families lived in the Sevier County.
Both families were started about the same time in 1806 or 1807. The
first Federal Census to survive for Sevier County,
Tennessee was the 1830 census (73). Both families are listed in the
census of 1830.
One was that of Samuel Henderson (1786-1867) who married Nancy Blair
on the 5th of February 1807 in Guilford County, North Carolina. She was
a daughter of Samuel Blair and Mahala (Cannon) Blair who also lived in
Sevier County (74). In the 1830 census for Sevier County, Tennessee the
name Samuel is not listed. There is a blank given for the first name of
a Henderson. That was the Samuel Henderson family.
The other Henderson family was that of William Henderson (1786-1860).
He married Mary Catherine Cannon in about 1806. Samuel was born in
either February of 1786 (74) or 1787 (41). William was born in February
1786. A relationship between the two has not been proven.
Samuel Henderson (1786-1867) family tradition says Samuel was born in
Virginia and was brought to Tennessee when one year old (74). Nancy was
born 11 February 1788. Her father was Samuel Blair was born 14 June 1759
and married Mahala Cannon in 1780 in Guilford county, N.C. A Samuel
Henderson was commissioned as a Captain on August 3, 1812 in the 11
th Regiment from Sevier County, TN (75).
Samuel Henderson (1786-1867) lived in Sevier County until 1839, when
he moved to Monroe County Tennessee (74).
This Samuel Henderson (1786-1867) family had 12 children. The middle
names of these children do not match any of the middle names that our
William (1786-1860) gave his children. The middle names of Samuel and
Nancy's children were Taylor, E., C., Burns, Pascal, Morgan, Lawrence,
Cromwell, and Blair (74).
The middle names that William (1786-1860) and his wife Mary Catherine
(Cannon) Henderson (1786-1872) gave to their children were: Alexander,
McLin, Kennon, Bruster, and H. William and Mary Catherine (Cannon)
Henderson had 13 children. These are the only middle names known.
A record survives to this day of a store ledger belonging to William
Doherty's store (76) in Sevierville between 1796 and 1801. Many names
are listed on that ledger, among them are the following Hendersons:
William, Robert, James, and John. These Henderson' s where most likely
from the family of William and Mary (Bevans) Henderson.
On the George McCown Daily Ledger (77) kept in Sevier County during
1837 and 1838 list the following Henderson's: James; John; Mary;
Elizabeth: (William's daughter); Randal; George; William Sen.; Wm. Sr.;
Wm. Junior; and these Cannon's: James; and Henderson. By this date 1837,
William Alexander Henderson, a son of William (1786-1860) was about 27
years old, so he could be the William Jr. listed. The rest can also be
accounted for with William and Mary C. Henderson's family.
CHURCH RECORDS SEARCHED
In an effort to learn more about the William Hendersons of Sevier
County Beulah Linn, Sevier County Historian recorded (78) all references
to William Henderson in the Church-in-the-forks Baptist Church
Records between 1807 and 1876. William and Cathy Henderson
were members in 1807, we could assume this was William (1786-1860) and
his wife Mary Catherine (Cannon) (1786-1872). In 1812 August a William
Henderson was received by the church by experience. We doubt that this
is same person as the William who was a member in 1807. In February 1815
a William Henderson was present. The William Henderson (17??-1848) (79)
who married Sarah Clack was not mustered out of Service until 03 May
1815. In June 1829 William Henderson probably (1786-1860) was appointed
Deacon. On 11 October 1844 a Martha Henderson was received as a new
member. William and Mary Catherine (Cannon) Henderson had a daughter
named Martha. On the first Saturday of March 1846 these Hendersons were
members: William, George M, Polly, Martha, Sally, William Y, Mary, and
Amanda. All related to William Henderson (1786-1860).
On 27 September 1850 new members received included these Hendersons:
Henry, Mary And William. Most likely, these were the children of John
Kennon Henderson son of William (1786-1860). Saturday 03 March 1855
received by letter Sister Amanda Henderson, possibly the daughter of
James Henderson son of William (1786-1860). William Henderson Sr.
mentioned in church minutes on Saturday 05 May 1855. Received as member
Angelina Henderson on 01 October 1856.
HIDDEN HENDERSONS OF SEVIER COUNTY TENNESSEE
Between 1800 and 1870, several persons with the surname of Henderson
can be found in surviving county records. A Caswell Henderson (80) may
have been related to a James Henderson. He owned land on Boyd's Creek.
There was a Rufus Manson Henderson born (81) around 1830 in Sevier
County. He served as a Sergeant in Capt. James B. Sharp' s Union Army
Unit (82). Later on, this family moved to Texas. A brother of this Rufus
Manson Henderson was Joseph R. Henderson also born in the late 1820's in
Sevier County. He was in the same Unit in Civil War as his brother
mentioned above (82). This Joseph R Henderson married Sarah Jane Lyles
in 1865 (83). This Joseph later moved to Lyon County, Kansas, where they
lived for seven years at Admire, Kansas and died and are buried in
Emporia Kansas in 1898 (83).
There was a Christiania Henderson in Sevier County records (79); she
may have had ties in Blount county TN (84).
There was a Malvina Henderson, who might have been the mother of
Rufus Manson Henderson and Joseph R. Henderson. There was a Malvina
Henderson in the 1840 Census in Sevier, County TN (85A). (Viney may have
been a nickname for Malvina). There is a Will in Knox County Tennessee
for a Viney Henderson (86). Cody (85) studies the Rufus Manson Henderson
family. Cody is of the opinion, Malvina maiden name may have been
Chandler and Malvina may have married a Henderson first. Then Malvina
Henderson husband may have died young. By 1943, Malvina Henderson was
married to Andrew Jackson Chambers in Sevier County, TN (85).
About 1840 a family of Henderson's moved to Sevier County, was the
Harper Henderson family (87). The adults of that family were born in
South Carolina (87). We believe, this Harper Henderson was the same
Harper Henderson of Haywood County, NC (88).
His father was Henry Archibald Henderson (88). Harper was born in
Greenville, SC (89). And in about 1845 Harper moved to Sevier County.
Harper was to old to serve in the Civil war however he did travel to
Asheville NC. There joined by his brothers from Haywood County and they
joined the Confederate Army (89). Later Harper was dis-charged because
of his age and returned to Jefferson County where we find him in the
1870 census (90).
We have not been able to determine any relationship between Harper
Henderson and William Henderson (1786-1860). However, both Don Henderson
and the late Ruby Sims listed the nickname Harper Bill,
when we asks them to list the names of early Hendersons in Sevier
County who they thought were related to the William Henderson
(1786-1860) family.
In the 1850-60, an attorney, Samuel B. Henderson, lived in
Sevierville TN (93) and (94). He left a Will in Sevier County TN (91).
He was born and raised in Blount County, Tennessee, and he was a son of
William and Mary (Young) Henderson (92).
SUMMARY
This is an accounting of the early Hendersons of Sevier County
Tennessee. We would be pleased to hear from anyone who could provide
evidence, which would help us determine the parents of William Henderson
(1786-1860); or have additional information about Sevier County
Hendersons. Also, anyone interested in learning more about any Henderson
family in Sevier County, Tennessee would be welcome to contact us.
We are of the opinion all these early Hendersons were related. Most
likely, the William who married Mary Bevans was the father of the
William who married Sarah Clack, after he married Elizabeth and became
the father of William Henderson (1786-1860). We believe these Hendersons
came to the area that became Tennessee, from Virginia, in the area
somewhere north of Caswell County North Carolina. We believe this family
of Hendersons lived in America a long time prior to the Revolutionary
War.
LIST OF REFERENCES
1. Land Grant, State of North Carolina. 300 acres near mouth of
Little Pigeon River in Green County. 1790. Certified copy TN State Lib.
& Archives. Roll 7, book 6, page 518.
2. Land Grant, State of North Carolina. 300 acres near mouth of
Little Pigeon River in Green County. 1790. Certified copy TN State Lib.
& Archives. Roll 13, book 2, page 197. Original copy copied in North
Carolina bk. 74, p. 270.
3. Letter from Charles S. Northen, Birmingham, AL dated 3/26/82 where
in he send copy of James Madison Sharp/ John G. Ernest letter. Letter in
files of FRH July 1998 in Hamilton, KS.
4. Typed note from Reba Henderson Mitchell, not dated, written in
1985 describing the contents of a letter. Reba's note tells how she came
to determine Mary Bevans was Mary Beavers. In FRH files, July 1998,
Hamilton, KS.
5. Hand written letter to John G. Ernest from James Madison Sharp
(1844-1905) of Sevier County TN. The letter advises Ernest of his kin
and their relationship to one another. He wrote about William and Mary
(Bevans) Henderson. Copy of this letter in FRH files July 1998,
Hamilton, KS.
6. Copy of original North Carolina Land Grant to William Henderson at
Mouth of Little Pigeon River. Number 884, acres 300, Grant number 810,
Issued Sept 1790, Warrant No. 6, Entered 11 Sept 1783, Book no. 74, page
270. Copied in North Carolina Land Office. 1986. Copy in FRH files July
1998, Hamilton, KS.
7. Supreme Court Original Cases, 1800-1909. Bk. 12, Case #527 Avery
vs Walker & Holland. Deposition of James Henderson 1810. Sevier
County Tennessee. 3 1/2 pp.
8. Knoxville Register, July 3, 1821 Record of Land to be Sold for
Interest.. James Henderson (assignee of William Henry) 310 and ½
acres in Sevier County TN, list contributed by Betty Broyles,
Chattanooga TN to SMHS, Vol. XI, No. 1 Spring 1985 p.12.
9. Wilson's Knoxville Gazette. March 30, 1812. Notice: on Thursday
23rd of April next, sale of dwelling house of James Henderson ,
deceased. Administrators of the estate of James Henderson, deceased
where William Cannon and Major Beavours.
10. State of Tennessee Commission Book I, 1796-1801. Transcribed by
Cherel Henderson in SMHS Vol. XV, No.2, Summer 1989, p. 30-38. Robert
Henderson of the County of Sevier Commissioned Captain in the Regiment
of Cavalry of the district of Hamilton during good behavior, August
22nd, 1800. Vice William Henderson resigned.
11. In papers in John Sevier file, letters received 1796-1809 #530 at
Tennessee State Archives in Nashville. Robert Henderson mentioned in
letter written by James D. Puckett Letter dated April 27, 1796. Fight
with Indians Robert Henderson was shot through his hunting shirt,
without hitting him.
12. State of Tennessee Commission Book I, 1796-1801. Transcribed by
Cherel Henderson in SMHS Vol. XV, No.2, Summer 1989, p. 30-38 Robert
Henderson of the County of Sevier Commissioned Cornet in the Regiment of
Cavalry of the district of Hamilton during good behavior, October
4th,1796.
13. Genealogical Abstracts 1800-1812 Heritage Books, 1989. By.
Eddleman. Sale of land in Sevier County 1802 100 acres on Middle Creek
Robert Henderson p.290.
14. 1830 Federal Census Sevier County TN. Mary Henderson
00011-01011001
15. Reba H. Mitchell files Two daughters of William and Mary Bevans
Henderson were born in the 1770's and they married Cannon brothers,
William and John, in Sevier County.
16. Sheriff's Sale of Robert Henderson's land in Sevier County Tn.
October 6, 1803. Notice in Knoxville Gazette on July 18, 1803, 100 acres
on Middle Creek. He may have moved out of the county or died, we do not
know.
17. Territorial Papers of the United States. Clarence Edwin Carter.
Volume IV The Territory South of the River Ohio, 1790-1796. P. 466
proves Lt. William Henderson served from Sevier County area in 1793.
18. Sheriff's Sales As Announced in the Knoxville Gazette. By
Pollyanna Creekmore. Page 14. SMHS Vol. XXIV, No. 1. Spring 1998. James
Henderson of Sevier County dead before March 30, 1812.
19. Annals of Tennessee. By J.G. M. Ramsey. Page 590 -596.
20. American State Papers, Class II, Indian Affairs Vol. VI page 463.
21. The Territorial Papers of the United States. Compiled and edited
by Clarence E. Carter. Vol. IV The Territory South of the River Ohio,
1790-1796. Pp. 275-285.
22. American State Papers. Class II Indian Affairs Vol. I. August 29
1793 attack at Henry's Station. Two men killed by Indians. P.463.
23. Life as it is. J.W.M. Breazeale, Knoxville, TN 1842. Copy in
Sevier County Library in Sevierville, TN. p 77 and p. 93.
23A. American Militia in the Frontier Wars - 1790-1796. Murtie June
Clark. Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD.
24. Letter from Steve Cotham, McClung Historical Collection, Knox
County Public Library. Dated April 25, 1996.
25. Knoxville Gazette. September 29, 1793 refers to deaths of Lt.
(Joseph) Tedford and Samuel Jackson and describes the attack on Henry's
Station in some detail.
26. Draper Manuscripts. Lyman Draper. 15DD 62 has the best account of
the attack on Henry's Station written by David R. Kennedy to Draper from
Philadelphia, Tennessee in 1880.
27. Application File (BLWTI 3824-16-50) and all documents from the
compiled military service record of William Henderson, Captain, Mounted
Gunmen (Acting Spies), East Tennessee Militia, War of 1812.
28. The Family Chronicle and Kinship Book Maclin, Clack, Cocke,
Carter, Taylor, Cross, Gordon and Other Related American Lineages.
Octavia Zollicoffer Bond. Nashville, TN. 1928.
29. Bounty Land Award. Warrant number 13824 for 160 acres. May 7th,
1853. USDI. Bureau of Land Management, Eastern States Office, 350 South
Pickett Street, Alexandria, VA 22304.
30. Certificate for Bellefontaine Cemetery. Sarah Henderson. Date of
death 10th September 1859. Place of birth Ireland. Widow age about 65.
Letter dated October 20, 1981. Reference # 13-55. Cemetery founded in
1849.
31. Commission Book of Governor John Sevier 1796-1801. Tennessee
Historical Commission, Nashville, TN.
32. Blount Journal American History Magazine, Nashville. Vol. II.
213-277.
33. Record of Commissions of Officers in the Tennessee Militia
1796-1815. Compiled by Mrs. John Trotwood Moore. Genealogical Publishing
Co. 1977.
34. The History of Roane County. By Wells. P. 12.
35. Annals of Tennessee. J.G. M, Ramsey. P. 590 Etowah campaign.
36. Sevier County Occupancy and Academy Land Grants. 1796. Beulah
Linn. 19 August 1976. Lawson McGhee Library in Knoxville, TN.
37. Sevier County 1806 Grants and Perfect Titles. Beulah Linn. 19
August 1976. Lawson McGhee Library in Knoxville, TN.
38. Rebecca Henderson sells land. Jefferson County TN Courthouse,
Deed records 1814-1816 Vol. M, p. 209 Rebecca Henderson to John
Kimbough. And in Vol. O 1816-1819. P. 308, William Woods from Rebecca
Henderson 104 acres. In 1806 Rebecca Henderson owned 104 acres in
northeast Sevier County TN.
39. North Carolina Land Grant in Greene County on Holley Creek
40. Greene County Tennessee Records, Registers Office. Book No.21,
page 508 and noted in Book 1, page 60. George Henderson of Greene County
TN sells to John Robison of Greene County TN, 130 acres on Holley's
Creek in Greene County TN on 25 th day of April 1845.
41. Tennessee Cousins. Worth S. Ray. Genealogical Publishing Company,
Inc. Baltimore MD 1980. Page 113.
42. History of Tennessee, Thirty East Tennessee Counties. The
Goodspeed Publishing Company. Chicago and Nashville. 1887. Pp. 1099 and
1174.
43. Copy of Jesse Moon Will Sevier County Will Book I, p.56. Copy
given to FRH by Ruby Sims of Sevier County. Copy in FRH files July 1998
Hamilton, KS.
44. 1850 Federal Census Sevier County Tennessee. p.424.(532/532)
45. Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, Vol. 1
1796 - 1861. By Robert M. Mc Bride and Dan M. Robison. The Tennessee
State Library and Archives and the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Nashville. 1975. P 348,835.
46. 1860 Federal Census Sevier County Tennessee. p. 425. (639/631)
47. 1870 Federal Census Sevier County Tennessee p.383-B (101/100)
48. Hand written note from Jerry Ware to F. Robert Henderson not
dated. In files of FRH near Hamilton, Kansas in 1998.
49. Tennessee Cousins. Worth S. Ray. Genealogical Publishing Company,
Inc. Baltimore MD 1980. Page 420-422.
50. Colonel William Henderson Rises To High Military Rank. The
Charlotte Observer Newspaper. Charlotteville, North Carolina. Sunday
July 8, 1928. Section three, pp. 9 - 11?. Written by Dr. Archibald
Henderson.
51. Marriage settlement between William Henderson and Leticia Nelson.
See papers of Mrs. Jules Raburn Monroe, Louisiana No. 2955 NS SAR.
Recorded Marriage Settlement Book in files of South Carolina Historical
Commission, Columbia, S.C.
52. General William Henderson. B. F. Taylor. South Carolina
Historical Magazine, Vol. VII. Pp. 108-111..
53. Will of William Henderson. Dated 29th January 1788, probated 29th
February 1788. He left his step-son William "all property obtained
in marriage settlement I made with my wife."
54. Acres owned by William Henderson (1786-1860) 4000 acres purchased
in Sevier County between 1808 and 1860. Copies of deeds and other
records in FRH files.
55. . Supreme Court Original Cases, 1800-1909. Bk. 12, Case #527
Avery VS Walker & Holland. Deposition of James Henderson 1810.
Sevier County Tennessee. 3 1/2 pp.
56. Nauvoo Baptisms Book Morman Church Records, Book A., pp. 203-205
and 207-208.
57. North Carolina Land Grant. Number 377, p. 59. 200 acres in Greene
County on South Side of Nolichucky River. September 20 1787.
58. Henderson Family History. By Dr. Fowler Yett, Mobile, AL with
additions by Virginia Bengston Santa Cruz CA not dated estimated time
1978.
58A. Pioneer Henderson Families of Sevier County, Tennessee. Part I.
By Beulah D. Linn. SMHS, Vol. 9, No. 1, Spring 1983. Pp. 14-20.
59. The "Connection" in East Tennessee. Edwards and
Frizzell. OverMountain Press, Johnson City, TN. P. 389-90. William H.
Henderson (1786-1860).
60. Our Henderson Family. Lois Davis Plotts. Copy in Indiana State
Library, Indianapolis.
61. Copy of Letter from Lois Davis Plotts. Dated 0ctober 4, 1986. In
files of FRH.
62. The Mecklenburg Signers and Their Neighbors. Worth S.
Ray.Clearfield Publishing Company. 1997. Originally publ. 1946. P. 504.
63. Montgomery's Vindicator', Sevierville Newspaper, 14 March 1906,
20 Nov. 1918, 19 Mar 1919.
64. Sevier County Republican and Record', 29 June 1950.
65. Knoxville Gazette Newspaper Monday August 25, 1794. John Johnson
purchased land on the East fork of the Little Pigeon River in Sevier
County from John Henderson of Botetourt County VA. August 4th 1794.
66. History of Tennessee, Thirty East Tennessee Counties. The
Goodspeed Publishing Company. Chicago and Nashville. 1887. Pp.835.
66A. Tennessee Genealogical Records. By E. R. Whitley (1980). Pp. 141
and William Henderson and John Jenkins were petitioners in Sevier County
TN 1801 requesting railroad survey. On page 58 in October 1821 a Thomas
Henderson Jr. received a land warrant #965 from University of North
Carolina and assigned the warrant to John Jenkins.
67. A Sevier Countian in War of 1812. F. Robert Henderson in History
of Sevier County pp. 214-215.
68. Ambush At Sittico. Travis H. McDaniel. 1997. Pp. 1-9. 276 Mossy
Way, Kennasaw, GA 30152.
69. The Winning of the West. Teddy Roosevelt. 1889.
70. Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, Vol. 1
1796 - 1861. By Robert M. Mc Bride and Dan M. Robison. The Tennessee
State Library and Archives and the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Nashville. 1975. P. 835.
71. Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, Vol. 1
1796 - 1861. By Robert M. Mc Bride and Dan M. Robison. The Tennessee
State Library and Archives and the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Nashville. 1975. P. 348.
72. William and Mary Cannon Henderson Family. Mimo. 2 pages. By J.A.
Sharp. No date. Copy in FRH files July 1998 Hamilton, KS.
73. 1830 Federal Census Sevier County Tennessee
74. The Family Of Samuel Henderson 1786-1867 of Monroe County,
Tennessee. Reba Henderson Mitchell. 1980. Copy in FRH files.
75. Records of Commissions of Officers in the Tennessee Militia
1796-1815. Mrs. John Trotwood Moore. Genealogical Publishing Company
1997 first Publ. 1947 by Tennessee Historical Commission. P. 188. Samuel
Henderson of Sevier County TN was Captain, 11 Regiment on August 3,
1812.
76. Store account ledger of William Doherty's store 1796---1802)
William Henderson, Robert Henderson, James Henderson, and John
Henderson, were listed on the store's ledger in Sevierville, TN, between
1796 and 1802. SMHS Newsletter, Dec. 1979, p. 12. (in Special
Collections section of the Univ. of Tenn. Library).
77.. The George McCown store ledger (1837-1838) the following
Hendersons were listed in. This store was located in Sevierville. 3 Feb
1837 James Henderson 8 Feb 1837 John Henderson 10 Feb 1837 Mary
Henderson 10 Feb 1837 Elizabeth Henderson (Wm's daughter) 18 Feb 1837
Randal Henderson 18 Mar 1837 George Henderson 1 May 1837 William
Henderson Sen 6 May 1837 William Henderson (per lady) 11 Aug 1837
William Henderson Junr. 6 Sep 1837 James Henderson (per William) 28 Apr
1838 William Henderson Sr. (per Randal Henderson) 28 Jul 1838 William
Henderson Sr. (per Mitchell McCown) SMHS Newsletter, Autumn 1986, p.
66-71.
78. Letter from Beulah Linn, Sevier County Historian to George Fox
and Robert Henderson dated March 3, 1983. 13 pp written in long hand
about church records of the Church -in -the -Forks of the Pigeon,
Baptist Church between 1807 and 1850 regarding Hendersons.
79. Application File (BLWTI 3824-16-50) and all documents from the
compiled military service record of William Henderson, Captain, Mounted
Gunmen (Acting Spies), East Tennessee Militia, War of 1812.
80. Sevier County Land Records. January 3, 1826 #309 Levi Whittle and
Caswell Henderson Purchased Land.. 200 acres on Flat and Panther Creek
in Sevier County TN.
81. Sevier County Land Records. May 6, 1824 # 47 James Bruster
purchased 50 acres on Rellans Creek in Sevier County TN.
82. Civil War Papers. In 1865 RMH was 31 years old born in Sevier
County TN. He was a Sergeant in Captain James B. Sharp Company of the
9th Regiment of the Tennessee Cavalry Volunteers.
83. Widow's Claim for Pension. Reproduced at the National Archives
Washington, DC. JRH married Sarah J. Lyles 24 September 1865. JRH died
December 2, 1898 in Emporia, Lyons County Kansas. He is buried in the
Maple Wood Cemetery in Emporia. On the 4th of June 1890 JRH was 52 years
old. Abram Beals age 82 was a resident of Emporia and was from Friends
Station, TN.
84. 1830 Federal Census Blount County Tennessee. P. 295
85. Letter from Gwendell L. Cody. Dated December 3, 1988,
Sevierville, TN. She is related to Rufus Manson Henderson and a family
historian on that set of Hendersons.
85A. 1840 Federal Census Sevier County TN. Malvina Henderson
01-01001, SMHS Vol., XII No. 4, December 1981 p. 10.
86. Records of early Wills, Knox County Tennessee. Courthouse.
Knoxville..
87. 1850 Federal Census Sevier County Tennessee. SE 694-871. Harper
Henderson and family.
88. The Annals of Haywood County, North Carolina. By W. C. Allen.
(1935). Pp. 511-514.
89. Civil War Records. National Archives. Washington, DC. #47107778
with Card # 48061666, 48061854, 48061950, 48062042, 48062137, 48062239
and 48062364. Also see: North Carolina Troops 1861-1865 A Roster by
Weymouth and Manarin. (1977). Vol. VII Infantry. 22nd-26th Regiments,
Co. F, 25th. NC Inf.
90. 1870 Federal Census Sevier County Tennessee. 7th District.
91. Sevier County Tennessee Will Book 2 January 1897 - October 1922.
P. 234 S. B. Henderson. SMHS Vol. XXIII, No. 2, Summer 1997. P. 12.
92. Houston Family. By Rev. Sam'l Rutherford Houston, D.D. (1882).
Samuel B. Henderson, son of William Jr. and Polly (Young) Henderson of
Blount County TN. P. 74.
93. Samuel B. Henderson(ca1828-abt 1878) in mid 1850's was married to
Sarah S. Hodsden. P. 94 SMHS Vol. XVI, number 4, Winter,1988.
94. Other information about Samuel B. Henderson in Case files of
Applications from former Confederates for Presidential Pardons ("Amnesty
Papers") 1865-1867, Record Group 94 (Microcopy 1003, Roll 49), TN:
other sources of information on this person see SMHS Vol. XVI. Number 4
Winter 1988.
