┌── Nicholas Hancher │ 1705-1777 │ │ William Henshaw ──────┤ B: 1736 │ D: 1799 │ └── Rebecca Smith c1707-? M: Agnes Ann Anderson ├── Nicholas Henshaw (1763-1821) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ├── Levi Henshaw (1769-1843) 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9 ├── Hiram Henshaw (1771-1845) 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,10 ├── Adam Stephen Henshaw (1772-?) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,11 ├── Jonathan Seman Henshaw (1773-?) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ├── Ruhamah Henshaw (1778-?) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ├── Washington Henshaw (1779-1853) 2,3,4,5,6 ├── William Slaughter Henshaw (1783-1836) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ├── Uriah Springer Henshaw (1786-1859) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ├── Rachel Henshaw (1789-?) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 └── Rebecca Henshaw (1790-1799) 1,2,3,4,5,6,12
William Henshaw [ID 00304] | Click here to switch to Ahnentafel view: |
William Henshaw1,2,4,13,14 [William Hancher15, William Handcher16].
Born Mar 6 1736, Mill Creek, Frederick County, Virginia.1,2,4,5,13,14,17
On 4 Mo. 5 1762 at Hopewell Friends MM, William was complained of for having assisted his sister Hannah in her marriage out of unity.16,18 On 8 Mo. 2 1762 at Hopewell Friends MM, William was disowned for having assisted his sister Hannah in her marriage contrary to discipline and having danced at weddings.19,20
On 4-5-1762 Hopewell Friends MM recorded:21
At our monthly meeting of Hopewell held the 5th Day of the 4th month 1762 the representitives being Called they appeard
...
The testimony Signed against Hannah Berry formerly Hancher has been read at the Close of a first Days meeting and is returnd to be recorded
...
The preparitive meeting brought a Complaint to this meeting that William Hancher has assisted in his sisters marrying out from among friends and has been guilty of Dancing at Several wedings, therefore the meeting appoints William Dillon and Henry Rees to treat with the said William Hancher respecting his outgoings and report to next monthly meeting.
On 5-3-1762 Hopewell Friends MM recorded:21
At our monthly meeting of Hopewell held the 3d Day of the 5th month 1762 the Represenatives being Cald they appear'd.
...
The friends appointed to treat with William Hancher Report they have taken an oppertunety with him but that he appears to them not to be in a Capacity to Condemn his outgoings nither Did he incline so to do therefore the meeting appoints William Dillon to Draw up a Testimony against the said William Hancher and bring to next Monthly Meeting for approbation.
On 6-7-1762 Hopewell Friends MM recorded:21
At our monthly meeting of Hopewell held the 7th Day of the 6th month 1762 the representitives being Cald they appear'd.
...
at this meeting there was a testimony signd against William Handcher and the meeting appoints William Dillon to read it to him and give a coppy if he incline to appeal but if not to read it at the Close of a first Days meeting and return it to be recorded
The Meeting appoints William Dillon to assist the women friends in Drawing a testimony against Elenor Brownfield formerly Archer She having gon out in marriage and produce to next monthly meeting for approbation
On 8-2-1762 Hopewell Friends MM recorded:21
At our monthly meeting of Hopewell held the Second Day of the 8th month 1762 the representitives being Calld they appear'd.
...
The testimony Signd against William Handcher has been read at the Close of a first Days and is now returnd to be recorded
...
William Dillon is to Continue his Care in assisting the women and publishing the testimony Signd against Elenor Brownfield
He married Agnes Ann Anderson1,4,5,14,17 [Ann Anderson2,3,5, Nancy Anderson2,3,5,6], Jan 30 17681,4,5,14,17, Mill Creek Twp., Frederick County, Virginia1,4,5,14,17. Agnes, daughter of William Anderson & Mary Lauren, was born about 1745, Anderson's Bottom, Hampshire County, Virginia.1,2,3,5,22 She was familiarly known as "Ann" or "Nancy".2,3
Mr. William Hancher, Merchant of Berkeley County, Virginia, was listed 1771-1772 as a subscriber to "Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England" (Philadelphia), reprinted from British copy and printed for the subscribers by Robert Bell at the Union Library, 3rd St., Philadelphia.15
William was one of the most active agents in having the new county of Berkeley established in 1772, and was prominent in its early civil and judicial history.2,3,5 He was a man of wealth, as evidenced by his being bondsman for General Adam Stephens, the first sheriff of Berkeley County.2,3,5
Having a grist mill on his plantation, William wanted good road access to his mill to encourage local commerce. On May 19 1772, William petitioned the court "Praying that a road may be opened from his mill leading into the road between Campbell's and William Cochraine, passing by the Plantation which formerly belonged to Robert Davis".
Again on Jun 16 1772, "Upon the petition of William Henshaw praying that a road may be opened into the road leading to Watkins Ferry, ordered that David Morgan, Thomas Cowan, Isaac Heaton and Jonathan Seeman, or any three of them, being first sworn, do view the land and report".
He was at the battle of Point Pleasant, October 10, 1774, and was also present at the signing of the peace treaty with the Indians at Camp Charlotte near Chillicothe, Ohio in 1774.2,3,5
William joined the Virginia Continental Army at the first call for troops in 1775 as a lieutenant in Colonel Hugh Stephenson's regiment. He later became a captain in the Virginia Continental Army.1,2,3,13,23 He never collected any compensation for his services.1,3 He is listed in the "Patriot Index" of the Daughters of the American Revolution.13
On 2 Mo. 11 1773 at Hopewell Friends MM, William Handshaw witnessed and signed the marriage certificate of John Wright and Phebe Barrett.24
On 4 Mo. 5 1780 at Middle Creek MH / Hopewell, William Hancher witnessed and signed the marriage certificate of Stephen Thatcher and Ruth Forknere.24
On 11 Mo. 15 1792 at Hopewell Friends MM, William Hancher, Ruhamah Hanshaw and Hiram Hanshaw all witnessed and signed the marriage certificate of David Griffeth and Ruth Butterfield.24
In 1793 William Henshaw purchased two thousand acres of land in Kentucky as an investment.5 This land was later deeded by William and Ann to their two sons, Levi and Hiram, in equal portions.5 William might have also purchased land in Pennsylvania, as a William Hanshaw was recorded in a list of settlers in 1772 Tyrone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania25 (note that son Nicholas settled in Fayette County, Pennsylvania).
William Henshaw died Jul 8 1799, Berkeley County, Virginia.3,13,17 Note that the exact date of death is somewhat unclear: William's headstone and Bunker Hill cemetery records show only 1799.17 The following sources show the date as July 8, 1799:
William was buried in the graveyard of the old Mill Creek Protestant Episcopal Church, at Bunker Hill, about a mile down Mill Creek from his home (this church later became known as Christ's Protestant Episcopal Church).2,3,5,27 In 1843, his son Levi was buried beside him.2
William's son Levi arranged for a sermon at his father's funeral:2,3,5
June 1799. Received of Levi Henshaw for a sermon delivered at the burial services read at the funeral of William Henshaw, deceased, ten dollars. Given under my hand the 14th day of April, 1800.
Winchester,
Frederick county$10.00
Alexander Balmain
The Rev. Alexander Balmain above, who read the sermon at William's funeral, was a chaplain in the Continental Army and was married to a relative of President James Madison.2
Captain William Henshaw's will, proved April 2 1800, lists as his heirs: his wife Nancy, sons Levi, Hiram, A. Stephen, Jnomon (Jonathan?), Washington, Wm. Slogh, Uriah, Nicholas; daughters Rachel, Rebecca and Rhuomey.6 His will is as follows:28
I William Henshaw of sound Mind and Memory as the Almighty God has blessed me with some property in this World and as all men are mortal and I being some what advanced in years and having a large family of children some of which I have provided for as for my fortune would admit the other part of my Estate I wish to devise as followeth. First that I should be buried in the earth decently and all my just debts paid then I devise my Estate as followeth the whole of my Estate both real and personal to be sold as soon as convenient after my Death, five hundred pounds of which I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy [sic] for her proper use, likewise one feather bed, bed and bedding fornortore, horse and saddle with thirty pounds. The other part of my estate to be equili devide between my seven sons to wit, Levi, Hiram, A Stephan, Jnomon, [sic] Washington, Wm Slough, & Uriah Henshaw. My reason is this as I have given my son Nicholas a tract of land in Readstone Settlement some years ago, I now will him Five Shillings. Also my three daughters Rachel, Rebecca & Rhuomey having Given them what my Circumstances would admit of, I will and bequeath unto each of them Five Pounds each, the Moveable Estate will be brought forth by my Execu'rs my negroes except obliged to be Sold to pay my Debts, Easter & Patrick to Serve no person by their Mistress. I now wish to give a detail of my real property my Lands on Mill Creek containing two Surveys and parts of three. Also one entire tract on Readstone called Mount Tonner and part of another purchased from one McIntyre but this is business.
The will was proved April 2, 1800:
At a Superior Court continued and held for the District comprising the Counties of Frederick Berkeley & Shenandoah at Winchester the 2nd day of April 1800. This Instrument of Writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of William Henshaw was produced to the Court and there being no subscribing witnesses thereto the same was proved to be in the hand writing of the Testator by the oaths of Samuel Boyd, Alexander Anderson and William Askew and ordered to be recorded.
By the Court
J. Payton C W D C
On Oct 30 1799 the following notice was published in the Virginia newspaper "The Berkeley Intelligencer":29
Henshaw, William, deceased, his administratrix, Anne Henshaw, will sell 10 slaves, 144-gallon still, farming equipment, and 120 acres of grain in the ground belonging to his estate at his late mansion house.
Agnes died before Jul 21 1806, Berkeley County, Virginia.17,22
Ann (Agnes Ann / Nancy) Henshaw's will, Jul 21, 1806, shows sons Washington, William and Uriah. Will Appraisment Jan 26, 1807.30
There is an extensive biography of William Henshaw in the source: "Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County Pennsylvania", Volume II. John W. Jordan & James Hadden, editors. Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1912.31
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