An American Family History

William Hendry

William Hendry was born about 1760 in Frederick County, Virginia. He was the son of George Hendry and Debora Borden.

William Hendry did not marry Elizabeth Jones.  According to that William Henry's Revolutionary War pension (W364-1832), he lived in Jones Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee.

William's first wife was named Chloe.

Mary Ann Hendry (1775, married John Beagles),
Eli Hendry (1775, married Sarah Howard),

Nancy Hendry (1788, married John McEfee/McAfee), and
Sarah (Sally) Hendry (1792, married William McCray).

He had children with Rachel Grubb.

Joseph Hendry (1793, married Massy Jane Dodd) and
Thornton Hendry (1796, married Rachel Dyer).

[1819] A petition of William Hendry, praying that his two illegitimate children, Thornton and Joseph Grubs may be changed to Thornton and Joseph Hendry, and make them his legitimate heirs. (from Senate Journal Tennessee General Assembly)

In 1794 William and Chloe sold Zaddock Conner of Shenandoah County a tract of land on Flint Run containing 150 acres and joining the side of a mountain.

In 1799, William and Chloe, sold their share of his brother, George's estate in Frederick County, Virginia.

On October 2, 1805, William Hendry bought 100 acres from Abram Williams on Lick Creek in Greene County, Tennessee.

1806, William bought 45 acres in Washington County on Reedy Branch from Rachel Grubb and then sold it to David Brown.

He also had children with Rose (an enslaved woman)

Delfey Hendry (1808, married Charles Robinson),
John Hendry (1811, married Ester)

William and Chloe Hendry divorced on September 2, 1813 in Washington County, Tennessee.

On April 26, 1816, William married Sarah (Sally) Palmer (Parmer) in Greene County, Tennessee.

In 1818, Joseph McNinn sold William Hendry 57 1/2 acres near the head of Lick Creek joining the lands the land William already owned.

Greene County Tennessee Petition 11483304 read: 

Twenty-five residents of Greene County represent that William Hendrey gave John McFee, his son-in-law, "a Cartin Calored Gal by the name of Delfe" in 1827 and that said McFee "Sold hur to hur mother a black woman for the Sum of thre hundred Dollars;" McFee “gave hur mother a firm bil of Sail for Delfy and She was to Set hur free."

The mother could notemancipate her daughter owing "to an act of the General assembly prohibiting the amancipation of Slaves."The petitioners therefore pray "your Honourable body to pass a law authorising the County Court of Green to emancipate the sd Delfey." They further avow that Delfy "is a garl of good Charactor."

At the time of the 1830 census his son-in-law, John McEfee was in Washington County, Tennessee. The household consisted of

a man between 50 & 59
a woman between 40 & 49
2 men between 20 & 29
a girl between 15 & 19
a girl and a boy between 10 & 14
2 girls between 5 & 9
2 girls under 5
an enslaved boy and girl between 10 & 23

William died in 1838 in Greene County, Tennessee.

At the time of the 1840 census, his son John was in Greene County, Tennessee. They were designated "free colored." The household consisted of

a man and a woman between 24 & 35
2 boys and 2 girls under 10

In 1840, his son Thornton was in Greene County. The household consisted of:

a woman between 50 & 59 (Sally?)
a man between 40 & 49
2 boys between 15 & 19
a girl between 10 & 14

At the time of the 1850 census, Joseph and Massey, Thornton and Rachel were still in Greene County. Eli and Sarah were in Washington County.

At the time of the 1860 census John B. Hendry was living in Greenville, Greene County, Tennessee with his wife, Esther, and daughter, Susan and John was a stone mason. In 1870 he was still in Greenville and was a well digger.