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William Hendren, Sr.

William Hendren, Sr.

Male Abt 1740 - 1838  (~ 98 years)

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  • Name William Hendren  [1, 2, 3] 
    Suffix Sr. 
    Birth Abt 1740  , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Appointment 4 Feb 1779  , , Wilkes County (was Rowan), North Carolina Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    "Overseers of the Road...William Hendrin for John N. Smith" 
    Military: Revolutionary War 1777-1783  , , , Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 5, 6, 7] 
    He was a Sergeant in the 1 Regiment Light Dragoons of the Continental Troops. William was honorably discharged at the close of the war. 
    Census: State 1784-1787  , Captain Gordon's District-2nd Company, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    white male 21-60: Wm. Hendrin [at abt 46]
    white male under 21 & above 60 [Doven at abt 11]
    white male under 21 & above 60 [Taylor at abt 9]
    white male under 21 & above 60 [Oliver at abt 7]
    white male under 21 & above 60 [William Jr. at abt 5] 
    Census: Federal 1790  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    • male >16: Wm. Hendren [at abt 50]
      female [Sarah at abt 42]
      male >16 [Enos at 17]
      male <16 [Doven at 17]
      male <16 [Taylor at 15]
      male <16 [Oliver at 13]
      male <16 [William Jr. at 11]
    Census: Federal 1810  , , Iredell County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    • male >45: William Hendren [at 50]
      female 26-44 [Sarah at 42]
      male 16-25 [?]
      male 16-25 [George at 20]
      female 16-25 [Margaret at 18]
      male 16-25 [Elijah at 16]
      male 10-15 [Ambrose at 14]
      female 10-15 [Sarah at 12]
      female <10 [Cynthia at 8]
      male <10 [Richard at 5]
      male <10 [Solomon at 3]
      male <10 [Stephen at 3]
    1810-01-01 09-00-06.jpg    		 1810-01-01 09-00-06.jpg
    Census: Federal 1820  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    • male >45: William Hendrin [at abt 80], engaged in agriculture
      female >45 [Sarah at abt 52]
      male 16-26 [Ambrose at 24]
      female 16-26 [Cynthia at 18]
      male 10-16
      male 10-16 [Richard at 15]
      male 10-16 [Solomon at 13]
      male 10-16 [Stephen at 13]
      male <10 [Eli at 9]
      male <10
    1820-01-01 09-00-10.jpg    		 1820-01-01 09-00-10.jpg
    Census: Federal 1830  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    • male 80-90: William Hendren Sr. [at abt 90]
      female 60-70 [Sarah at abt 62]
      female 30-40 [Sarah at 32]
      female 20-30 [Cynthia at 28]
      male 20-30 [Richard at 25]
      male 20-30 [Solomon at 23]
      male 20-30 [Stephen at 23]
      male 15-20 [Eli at 19]
      male 10-15
      male 10-15
      male <5 [Joel at abt 5]
    1830-01-01 09-00-20.jpg
    1830-01-01 09-00-21.jpg
    Will Written 12 Sep 1831  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    • William Hendren's Will.
            In the name of God, amen, September the twelvth in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty one.  I William Hendren Senior of the County of Wilkes and State of North Carolina being weak in Body but of good sound perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of this mortal life and that all must yield to death when it shall please God to will them.  I do therefore make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following; that is to say, I design my body to the earth to be decently buried and my Soul to God, who gave it me and for the selling of my temporal Estate and such goods and chattels as it has pleased God to bestow upon me, I order and dispose of the same in manner and form following, and first I order that all my lawful debts be paid, next and secondly, I will and bequeath unto my wife Sarah all and every, of my goods or personal Estate during her life or widowhood for the raising or support of the children who are not of age at my death requesting and ordering that she give each child as they come of age by Law one horse beast of midling value or the value thereof, in other property provided they stay with their mother till they come of age, if not to have nothing until after my wifes death, then I request that an equal Division of what my Remaining may be made amongst each and every of my children or lawful heirs and I hereby appoint my wife Sarah and my son William Hendren executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking, disannulling, and making void all former wills and bequests by me made and declaring this only to be my last will and testament.  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and signed, sealed and acknowledged
      in presence of us.
      Test                                                         William (his mark) Hendren
      Wm R. Mitchell,
      David Williams (Junior)
    1831-09-12 09-00-00.jpg
    1831-09-12 09-00-01.jpg
    Death 7 Jan 1838  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Inventory & Appraisement Aug 1838  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    • Inventory of Wm Hendrens
          Estate                              211 acres of land, 11 head of cattle, 25 hogs, 18 sheep, 5 feather beds, 4 wheels, 2 cotton wheels, 2 flax wheels, 1 reel, 2 chests, 1 clock, 4 pots, 4 skillets, 2 ovens, 1 large house Bible, 1 large walnut table & c.
                                                          Wm Hendren junr Exr
      N. Carolina
      W. County   Aug term 1838
                    The foregoing return was received in open court
                                                          Teste           W. Mastin Clk
    Will Probated Aug 1838  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    • North Carolina
      Wilkes County, August term 1838
                     The within will was duly proven by oath of David Williams, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, ordered to be recorded and Wm Hendren duly sworn as Executor.
                                           Test                   W. Mastin Clk
    Biographical sketch 1982  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [12] 
    "William Hendren Family 673

    William Hendren I of Ireland settled in Rowan County with his three brothers sometime before the Revolutionary War. He was a short stocky Scotch Irishman. We do not know where his three brothers located, but due to fever in Rowan County, William I moved to the old John Parker farm, Brushy Mountain township in Wilkes County. He fought in the Revolutionary War and became a staff officer and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. he first married a Miss Taylor from Virginia (our line) and to this union was born nine sons. After their mother died they all left N.C. and went to Kentucky. Only the youngest, William II came back and settled in Wilkes County.

    William Hendren II went to Kentucky when a young man, but returned to N.C. and married Charlotte Ellis. Their children were Jabez, Elsie, Annie, Elbert, Jehu, John, Josiah, William III, and Jesse.

    Jabez Hendren was born in Wilkes County, August 4, 1805 and married Nancy Combs. Their children were Rebecca, Charlotte, Edward B, Hix, and Thenia. He died August 27, 1888 and is buried in the Hendren family cemetery near the old home place and near the headwaters of Rocky Creek, Brushy Mountain township, Wilkes County.

    Edward Bunyon Hendren was born in Wilkes County, March 22, 1836. He was a successful miller, carpenter, and former. He served in the Civil War and was wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg. He served as a Representative from Wilkes in the slate State Legislature in 1899. He first married Mary EAEM Queen on March 14, 1861. She was born Sept. 29, 1843. Their children were Vance, Jesse Hix, Lula Mae, William, Lillie, Dora, and Grace. After his first wife died he married Miss Dora V. Roberson. She was born Feb. 16, 1878. They were married on July 2, 1906 and their children were Lunda and Mattie. He died Nov. 5, 1909, and is buried in the Hendren family cemetery.

    Grace Hendren was born October 13, 1884 in Wilkes County. She married William Andrew Jennings on June 13, 1906. Their children were Vaughn Edward, Sallie Grace, and Madge Marie. She died Jan. 20, 1959, and is buried in Walnut Grove Baptist Church cemetery in the Pores Knob Community, Moravian Falls, NC.

    Sally Grace Jennings was born February 4, 1915, Pores Knob Community, Moravian Falls, NC. On August 3, 1935 she married John Greene Shepherd and they have three children: John Andrew, Carol Madge, and Robert Neil.

    The following is a quote from the book The School of Prophets by the late Rev. W. E. Linney of Wilkesboro. “The Hendrens were noted for their honesty and integrity and for religious inclination. Whenever a Hendren of this stock is found today there will be a path leading from this house to the nearest church. They are a sturdy stock, morally speaking, and as dependable and trustworthy a people as live on the Earth.”

    Sources: family, Bible, family, tradition, grave markers – Carol Shepard.


    William Hendren, Sr. 674

    Sometime before the Revolutionary War, a short stocky young Scotch–Irishman, by the name of William Hendren, came to this country. He first settled in Rowan County. He married Letty Taylor from Virginia, who was a cultured and educated lady. Due to the prevalence of fever in Rowan County, they moved to the Rocky Creek section in the Brushy Mountain township in Wilkes County, either just before or just after the Revolutionary War, for William fought in the war with the American Army. He became a staff officer and was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

    The farm upon which they lived was adjoined by land of an Oliver Hendren. Oliver may have been a brother or kinsman of William Hendren, but he did not remain an Wilkes County.

    William Hendren must have liked the mountains for he lived out his life in them. He taught the women how to weave fine figured coverlets and other fancy cloth.

    Sometime near the close of the 18th century his wife died and was buried on a hill near the old homeplace. She left nine sons. It is said they soon became very unruly and disobedient and shot holes in the fine coverlets and shot the eyes out of pictures on the walls. William, therefore, employed a Miss Sarah Mullis as housekeeper. She was industrious and saving, and had plenty of grit. William married her. This did not suit his sons, and as fast as they grew up, they left home and went to Kentucky. The youngest, William, Jr. came back to Wilkes County where he lived and died.

    William Hendren, Sr. was a quiet, unassuming man, well educated for his day. He was a loyal Baptist and generally a fine citizen. His marriage to Sarah Mullís seemed to be a happy one. Sarah was tall, dark and very robust, both physically and mentally. She was a devout church member and always attended regularly. She lived to be a very old lady. William died at the age of ninety-two. The names and births of their children are from the Family Bible owned by their daughter Sarah (Sally) Hendren, as follows:

    Stephen Hendren, born 12 September 1807, married Mary Cook, 14 August 1834. They had children, Enzer, Elbert, Jane, Amelia, Alsy, Eliot, Oliver, and Vina. Stephen died 4 March 1876." 
    1982-01-01 12-00-13.jpg    		 1982-01-01 12-00-13.jpg
    Burial Stephen Hendren Family Cemetery, Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I19  My Genealogy
    Last Modified 14 Sep 2023 

    Father John Hendren,   b. 1710, , Markethill, County Armagh, Province of Ulster, Northern Ireland Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Nov 1794, , , Rowan County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years) 
    Mother Margaret Ann Jesper,   b. 5 Dec 1714, , , Prince William County (was Richmond), Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 1788, , , Rowan County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years) 
    Marriage Abt 1738  , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F4  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Letitia Charlotte Taylor,   b. 1746, , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1783, , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 37 years) 
    Marriage Abt 1763  , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Children 
     1. John Hendren,   b. 1765, , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Sep 1849, , , Mercer County, Kentucky, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years)  [Father: natural]
     2. Nimrod Hendren,   b. 1767, , , Loudoun County, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1836 (Age 69 years)  [Father: natural]
     3. James Hendren,   b. 1769   d. Yes, date unknown  [Father: natural]
     4. Thomas Hendren,   b. 1771   d. Yes, date unknown  [Father: natural]
     5. Enos Hendren,   b. 15 May 1773   d. Yes, date unknown  [Father: natural]
     6. Doven Hendren,   b. 15 May 1773   d. 1848 (Age 74 years)  [Father: natural]
     7. Taylor Hendren,   b. 1775, , , Rowan County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1799 (Age 24 years)  [Father: natural]
     8. Oliver Hendren,   b. 1777, , , Rowan County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown  [Father: natural]
    +9. William Hendren, Jr.,   b. 1779, , , Rowan County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Jul 1868, , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 89 years)  [Father: natural]
    Family ID F9  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 13 Feb 2011 

    Family 2 Sarah R. Mullis,   b. Abt 1768, , , Rowan County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 6 Feb 1856, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 88 years) 
    Marriage 8 Nov 1788  , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. George Taylor Hendren,   b. 4 Jan 1790, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Apr 1831, , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 41 years)  [Father: natural]
     2. Margaret Hendren,   b. 16 Feb 1792, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 3 Sep 1849, , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 57 years)
     3. Elijah Hendren,   b. 16 Feb 1794, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown  [Father: natural]
     4. Ambrose Hendren,   b. 23 May 1796, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 1850, , Metropolis, Massac County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 53 years)  [Father: natural]
     5. Sarah Hendren,   b. 25 Jul 1797, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Feb 1898, , , Alexander County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 100 years)  [Father: natural]
    +6. Cynthia Hendren,   b. 16 Sep 1802, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 2 Mar 1879, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years)  [Father: natural]
    +7. Richard Hendren,   b. 11 Aug 1805, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Jan 1894, , Damascus, Iredell County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years)  [Father: natural]
     8. Solomon Hendren,   b. 12 Sep 1807, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 17 Jan 1872, , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years)  [Father: natural]
    +9. Stephen Hendren,   b. 12 Sep 1807, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 4 Mar 1876, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 68 years)
    +10. Eli Hendren,   b. 27 Nov 1811, , Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Mar 1897, , Clinton, Anderson County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 85 years)
    Family ID F10  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 13 Feb 2011 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - Abt 1740 - , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - Abt 1763 - , , Prince William County, Virginia Province, Colonial America Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsAppointment - 4 Feb 1779 - , , Wilkes County (was Rowan), North Carolina Province, Colonial America Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMilitary: Revolutionary War - 1777-1783 - , , , Virginia Province, Colonial America Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus: State - 1784-1787 - , Captain Gordon's District-2nd Company, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 8 Nov 1788 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus: Federal - 1790 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus: Federal - 1810 - , , Iredell County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus: Federal - 1820 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsCensus: Federal - 1830 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill Written - 12 Sep 1831 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 7 Jan 1838 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsInventory & Appraisement - Aug 1838 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill Probated - Aug 1838 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBiographical sketch - 1982 - , , Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Stephen Hendren Family Cemetery, Brushy Mountain Township, Wilkes County, North Carolina, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend<  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Reference  Gail Rich Nestor. "William Hendren, Sr.". A Family Tree from Roots to Buds. https://www.roots2buds.net/getperson.php?personID=I19&tree=nestortree (accessed April 27, 2024).

  • Sources 
    1. [S270] Sheila Anderson-Lewis, "1784-1787 North Carolina State census, population schedule," digital images, Wilkes County, North Carolina US Genweb, Wm. Hendrin household, Captain Gordon's District, page 181, sub-page 4.

    2. [S468] "Wilkes County Record of Wills 1811-1848, Vol. 3, 4," on microfilm in box NI-25, William Hendren Sr.'s will, vol. 4 (1821-1848), page 231.

    3. [S312] Mrs. W. O. Absher, editor, The Heritage of Wilkes County North Carolina, Volume I, 1982, page 262 by Carol Shepherd and pages 262-263 by Pat Andrews Poteat.

    4. [S994] Jo White Linn & Sam. Sporacio, Abstracts of the Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Rowan County, North Carolina, 3 volumes, 3:48 (citing 4:193).

    5. [S1202] "Compiled Service Records of Soldiers Who Served in the American Army During the Revolutionary War, 1775-1785," images online, subscription database, www.fold3.com, Continental Troops, First Regiment, Light Dragoons, service card for William Hendron: page 1, and for William Hindon: pages 1-7.

    6. [S1201] "Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," images online, subscription database, www.fold3.com, undated roll entry for William Hendron, folder 364 (Virginia), page 142, column 2, line 3, and page 262, column 2, line 6.

    7. [S1201] "Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," images online, subscription database, www.fold3.com, folder 2, page 6, Pay Roll of the 3d Troup Commanded by Lieutenant Henry Bowyer in the 1st Regiment of Light Dragoons for the Month of January 1783, "William Hindon" entry, no. 3.

    8. [S1676] North Carolina, Wilkes County, 1790 U.S. census, Ancestry.com, Digital images, M637, roll 7, p. 121, Wm. Hendren household, accessed 19 Jul 2008.

    9. [S424] 1810 U.S. census, Iredell County, North Carolina, population schedule, digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, William Hendren household, page 171; citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication M252, roll 40.

    10. [S1644] North Carolina, Wilkes County, 1820 U.S. census, Ancestry.com, Digital images, M33, roll 83, p. 540, William Hendrin household, accessed 19 Jul 2008.

    11. [S1613] North Carolina, Wilkes County, 1830 U.S. census, Ancestry.com, Digital images, M29, roll 125, p. 391, William Hendren Sr. household, accessed 19 Jul 2008.

    12. [S312] Mrs. W. O. Absher, editor, The Heritage of Wilkes County North Carolina, Volume I, 1982, pages 262-263.

    13. [S312] Mrs. W. O. Absher, editor, The Heritage of Wilkes County North Carolina, Volume I, 1982, page 262 by Carol Shepherd and by Pat Andrews Poteat.


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