Thomas Henderson of Grainger  County, Tennessee was one of the Founders of Tennessee as he is on the Tennessee Constitution .

He is on the 1796 Tennessee constitution . My (Rachel Kent) family has had the land in Grainger from 1796 until the 1920s when her great-great-great grandfather Thomas Henderson sold it.

Here is the breakdown of my family tree:

Me
mom
grandmother
Great-grandma: Rachel Henderson
William Henderson (her father)
Thomas Richard Henderson (his father)
Stephen Henderson (his father)
William Henderson (his father)
Thomas Henderson (one of the founders of Tennessee)
Thomas Henderson (born in Scotland)
William Henderson married Martha Bruce. They had several children, including Thomas Henderson. William Henderson came from Frodell Castle, Fife, Scotland

William Henderson - Albemarle County and Louisa County - information

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From the Tennessee Cousins book, page . 415 it states this about William Henderson :

"William Henderson did not remain in ORANGE COUNTY long, apparently as of May 30th, 1755, he sold his land to James Nuckols, of Louisa County and was then living in Albemarle County where a son of Thomas Henderson,etc.."
NOTE 1: The book says on page . 418 that Thomas Henderson was a son of William Henderson and grandson of William Henderson, the emigrant of 1660-6. He was married to Elizabeth and he died on May 9th, 1769 in Louisa County, Virginia

NOTE 2 : my personal note is this, since this book was written in 1950, I wish people would stop quoting this book because, while a few things in there are accurate but the family lines are not accurate and one major one is "Thomas Henderson".

From a previous post I blogged about.. Thomas Henderson is a brother to William Henderson. I also know that in 1740, he stated that he immigrated from Ireland or Scotland (he was married in 1740 and was a headright in 1738,. . I will blog about this later)

point is: why is "TENNESSEE COUSINS" inaccurate? Simple. they did not have the resources like we have today.

okay going back to what the book said about WIlliam Henderson. I found this in a Louisa County Deed book :

Louisa Co. DB B-65-66 30 May 1755 William Henderson of Albemarle Co.,
Planter, to James Nuckols of Louisa Co., Planter, 10 pds currt. money, 200 acres
on south side of the Southanna River ... Wyatt's line, formerly Venables.
(Davis, p. 107)

 
on May 1st 1775, William Bibb and wife Sarah, AC, to William Henderson, AC, for 65 acres coves on the ridge at head of middle fork of Rucker's Run. Orig. del to Joell Ponton, 7 Feb 1789

Henderson's from Augusta, Virginia to Louisa County, Virginia, - 1700s information

Here are some interesting things about "Henderson's" who resided in Louisa County, Virginia in the early to middle 1700s :

Notice: William Henderson, Thomas Henderson, John Henderson and Alexander Henderson

Book: D, Page: 454, Grantor: Dorothy Johnson, Grantee: John Fretwell, Date: 21-Aug-1772 Dorothy Johnson of St. Paul Parish, Hanover Co. relict and executrix of Col. Richard Johnson, dec'd. to John Fretwell of St. Martins Parish Louisa Co. ?55 currt. money land and plantation in St. Martins parish bounded by David Johnson, William Priddy, William Henderson, Thomas Henderson, dec'd. and Col. Dudley Digges and William Johnson containing 200 acres. Sig. Dorothy Johnson. wit. John Sanders, John Thomson, Alex. Henderson.
Book: D, Page: 454, Grantor: Dorothy Johnson, Grantee: John Fretwell, Date: 21-Aug-1772 Dorothy Johnson of St. Paul Par., Hanover county, relict and executrix of Colo. Richard Johnson, dec'd. to John Fretwell of St. Martins Par, Louisa County; ?55 for tract in St. Martins adj. David Johnson, William Priddy, William Henderson, Thomas Henderson, dec'd Col. Dudley Digges and William Johnson containing 200 acres. Sig. Dorothy Johnson.
Book: D1/2, Page: 454, Grantor: Dorothy Johnson, Grantee: John Fretwell, Date: 08-Mar-1773 Deed 21 Aug 1772 Dorothy Johnson of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover county, Relict and executrix of Col. Richard Johnson, Dec'd., to John Fretwell of St. Martin's Parish, Louisa Co.; 55 Lbs. current money; parcel of land and plantation of Col. Richard Johnson in St. Martins Parish, Louisa co. bounded by David Johnson, William Priddy, William Henderson, Thomas Henderson, Dec'd., Col. Dudley Diggs and William Johnson; containing by estimation 200 acres, all houses, orchards, buildings, etc. Sig. Dorothy Johnson. wit. John Sanders, John Thomsson, Alex. Henderson. 55 Lbs. paid by John Fretwell 21 Aug 1772. Rec. 8 Mar 1773

Book: D1/2, Page: 537, Grantor: Charles Farris (x), John Bourn, John Bradley., Grantee:  , Date: 27-Aug-1772 Charles Farris (x), John Bourn, John Bradley wit. to deed 27 Aug 1772 Benjamin Branham Sr. to Louisa to John Boswell and Thomas Johnson. DB D1/2 p 403 404 Charles Farrish, Alexander Henderson, Jr. and Joseph Isbell wit. to deed 1 Sep 1770 John Boswell Gt. of Hanover co. as Exor of Robert Tenham late of Louisa to Benjamin West and Mary his wife of Louisa. bounded by the River and the lands of David Johnson, col. Digge and Peter Shelton. 

William Henderson - Orange County, Virginia and Augusta, Virginia Connection

I was reading some information about a "William Henderson" who was an Under Sheriff in the early 1700s, according to old Orange County, Virginia Documents .

I was curious because in 1747, both William and John purchase land at "William Beverly " the same year and same month and same day  : 13 August 1747 .
And we know that Thomas Henderson purchased land in 1738 . When I looked at Orange County, Virginia records, I find it interesting both William and John were involved with the community -- and lived in Orange County, Virginia before coming to Augusta County, Virginia. William being an "Under Sheriff" which is a Deputy

Now comes the interesting part, there is a book called Tennessee Cousins by Ray, Worth S. p. 415, a book that a lot people are quoting :


WILLIAM HENDERSON (who was the son of WILLIAM and the grandson of the emigrant, WILLIAM HENDERSON) - and who had gradually moved up the country from New Kent and King & Queen County, was sworn in as undersheriff of ORANGE COUNTY, when the county was organized in 1??34 at the first court. He had probably been a resident of SPOTTSYLVANIA Co. for many years until the territory comprising ORANGE had been taken for that purpose. His brother JOHN HENDERSON, then about 21 years old, had patented 500 acres in SPOTTSYLVANIA in 1728, had sold a small part of it and bought some more from an adjoining tract to add to what he had left, which another brother, SAMUEL HENDERSON had purchased from HENRY FOX, one of his father's old King & Queen County neighbors. The JOHN HENDERSON lands (patented 1728) even at this late day, still belong to Henderson descendants. However, as new counties came into existence this same land now lies in LOUISA County. Two other brothers, THOMAS and RICHARD HENDERSON settled over in LOUISA COUNTY, together with a cousin named WILLIAM HENDERSON with a wife named MARTHA.
WILLIAM HENDERSON did not remain in ORANGE COUNTY long, apparently as on May 30 1755 he sold his land to James Nuckols, of Louisa County, and was then living in ALBEMARLE. where a son of THOMAS HENDERSON. JOHN HENDERSON (who had married one of the Bennetts, from King & Queen Co.) had settled a short time before,buying lands from Dr. Arthur Hopkins.By this time, evidently. William Henderson's wife was deceased, and it is believed that some of his children remained in Orange or CULPEPPER. 

Other websites have :

WILLIAM HENDERSON was born 1675 in Hanover Co.,VA, and died 1763 in King and Queen Co.,VA. He married MARY WOOLFOLK, daughter of RICHARD WOOLFOLK and ELIZABETH ROSEWELL. She was born 1680 in Jamestown, VA, Baptism: January 14, 1699/00, Gloucester Co.,VA and died 1738

The problem we have is : We know that William Henderson is a brother to Thomas Henderson and John Henderson. We also know that Alexander Henderson is another relation and we do know that John Henderson's father is Capt. William Henderson and Margaret Bruce, according to Lyons who had information written on a piece of paper.

Another interesting piece of information is this : 

Louisa County, Virginia : Book: D, Page: 454, Grantor: Dorothy Johnson, Grantee: John Fretwell, Date: 21-Aug-1772 Dorothy Johnson of St. Paul Parish, Hanover Co. relict and executrix of Col. Richard Johnson, dec'd. to John Fretwell of St. Martins Parish Louisa Co. ?55 currt. money land and plantation in St. Martins parish bounded by David Johnson, William Priddy, William Henderson, Thomas Henderson, dec'd. and Col. Dudley Digges and William Johnson containing 200 acres. Sig. Dorothy Johnson. wit. John Sanders, John Thomson, Alex. Henderson. 

A few blog entries ago, I blogged that people have quoted over and over and over again that Thomas Henderson died in 1772 and his Will was in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. While Thomas had land there and in 1771, he gave some of his land to his son, Thomas Henderson, Jr.  I will post in the next entries about Henderson and Louisa County, Virginia connection.

My point is, the book  Tennessee Cousins just like many books written before Internet i.e. when people wrote without going in depth when researching... because they did not have the sources available ..., is not 100% accurate and I will explain further as I blog my thoughts.

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Proved only 1 'Henderson' lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

I read on various message boards that there was a Thomas Henderson living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the 1700s before coming to Virginia....

I was curious if that was true... so I purchased a book : Lancaster County Pennsylvania : Land Records 1729-1750 and Land Warrants : 1710-1742

I looked up 'Henderson'

and there was no Thomas Henderson living there at that time period. In fact Thomas Henderson came over to Virginia but not by Pennsylvania..

One name shows up : John Henderson p.142 :

it reads : 6 Feb 1739 :  William Rogers and John Henderson 200A on which settlement was made about 13 years ago in Upper Octoraro .


I will do more research on this ...but for those who think that Thomas Henderson (the guy from Tennessee, the Hawkins County guy) 's father was from Penn... the truth is, he wasn't. He lived in Virginia, purchased land in 1738, etc. I will blog about this soon.

Mystery Solved : Stephen H. Henderson's father is William Henderson -look!

I know it has been a bit since I posted last for my Henderson's of Grainger County..but that is usually what happens to me. I get into history and stop when I am stuck and get into it again.

But I have made a new discovery about "Stephen H. Henderson" .. that is where I had my starting point. He was born about 1809/1810 in Grainger County, Tennessee... but who his father was? Is still up in the air.

Many have said it was George Henderson who married Nancy Larimore (even I was convinced) ...but looking at the '1836 tax records' for Grainger County.. I see something interesting:

District 9 :

Henderson, Nancy
Henderson, Stephen
Henderson, E.J.

"E. J. HENDERSON : Full Name : Etheldred J (J I am guessing is for Jefferson) Henderson :
born : March 13, 1810
died : October 29, 1836"

 -He had a son who was : William A. Henderson . His wife was :   Emeline. He has a tombstone that reads :  "Two departed ,Two to follow" that is probably has to do with EJ 's passing and his daughter, Mary Ann's death in 1875.

 So what does this tell you :
EJ and Stephen were probably brothers. Also means Stephen was probably born in 1809 . Why am I suggesting this ?  Because these people stayed in the district. If  I am right, then Nancy Henderson is William Henderson's wife. William's father is Thomas , check this out :

William Y. Henderson to Nancy Windham
02 MAR 1803, Grainger Co., TN, bond John F. Jack, neighbor


Here:
1. WILLIAM Y.3 HENDERSON (THOMAS (THETENNESSEE PIONEER)2, THOMAS (THE ELDER)1) was born Bef. 1770 in Near US 25 W And And Highway 11, Grainger Co., TN, and died 1810 in Grainger Co., TN. He married (1) DIANA COULTER Bef. 1790, daughter of JOHN COULTER and UNKNOWN. She died Abt. 1795. He married (2) UNKNOWN Bet. 1800 - 1803 in Grainger Co., TN. He married (3) NANCY WINDHAM 02 Mar 1803 in Claiborne Co., TN, daughter of REUBEN WINDHAM and RACHEL UNK. She was born Bet. 1786 - 1790, and died Bet. 1850 - 1853 in Grainger Co., TN.

Notes for WILLIAM Y. HENDERSON:
Lived German Creek at Rocky Springs, TN near Bean Station

note: my family had lived on the land , from Stephen H. Henderson until my great-great-great grandfather, Thomas Henderson (he sold the land to his daughter in the early 1900s) . It is sad that none of my family was recorded in any family history books.. or books for that matter.

Here is another interesting fact:
Grainger County was established in 1795 from Hawkins & Knox Cos TN: “That the said counties of Hawkins and Knox be divided by the following lines: Beginning on the main road leading from Bull's Gap to HAINE'S iron works on Mossy creek, at the house of Felps READ [REED], leaving said house in the new county, running a direct course to the Kentucky road, on the north side of Holston river, a quarter of a mile above the house of Thomas HENDERSON; thence north fifty degrees west to the line that divides this state from the state of Viriginia; thence west with said line to a point, north west of the end of Clinch mountain; thence a direct course to the end of Clinch mountain; thence with the ridge that divides the waters of Richland and Flat creeks to Holston river, at the upper end of the first bluff above BOYLE'S old place; thence up the meanders of said river to the mouth of Panther Creek; thence up said creek to the head spring thereof, near the house of John EVANS; thence along the main waggon road to the beginnning. (Roulstone, Laws of the State of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1803)

For 1836 in Grainger County, the map (I will post later) it shows "District 9 " right at "Clinch Mountain" and that is Thomas Henderson's land.... from the late 1700s . 

Henderson's who fought the French and Indian War: - Roster

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LAWS OF VIRGINIA, SEPTEMBER 1758−−32d GEORGE II.

The SCHEDULE to which this Act refers.
To the Militia of the County of Augusta, and for Provisions furnished by sundry Inhabitants of the said County, viz.
l.   s.   d.   To captain Alexander Sayers for his pay, and the pay of his officers and company of militia to the last day of August, 1758 inclusive, as per muster- roll, 246 14 3 To captain Abraham Smith, Sampson Archer, lieutenant, James Henderson, ensign, Benjamin Kinley, serjeant, Jonas Friend, corporal, Robert Tremble, do. 5 2 1 1 1 1 8 5 18 1 2 4 8

LAWS OF VIRGINIA, SEPTEMBER 1758−−32d GEORGE II.

l.   s.   d.   To John Shill, Matthew Patten 11 9 To Richard Wilson, Hugh Diver, Daniel Henderson, James Ramsay, and John Johnston, 12 shillings each 3 00 00

To

Henry Peninger, William Gragg, James Fowler, Richard Wilson, Hugh Diver, Daniel Henderson, James Ramsay, and John Johnston, for five days work at 5s. each,

2

00

00

To

James Bell, and express, Thomas Black, horse hire, Joseph Mais,             do. Loftus Pullon, do. and provisions, Captain William Christian, Lieutenant James Henderson, Michael Henderson, serjeant,

2 2 1

11 5 16 10 10

4 7 8

To

Samuel Henderson, James Allen, jun. 14s. each,

1

8

read the full text on this website, this is where I got the information from