| Notes |
- Hennessee Family History states "Reared his family near Harrison Ferry." This goes right along with the stories told by Warren County historians who tour at The Audley Harrison House on the Warren County fairgrounds. They tell that Audley Harrison and James Hennessee lived on adjoining plantations and were big gamblers and this is how Harrison's Ferry became the property of James Hennessee and Hennessee Creek became the property of Audley Harrison. [7, 8]
- Last Will & Testament of James Hennessee of the County of Warren and the State of Tennessee
I, James Hennessee, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, I being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following: That is to say
Item First:
I have heretofore given my oldest son, Thomas Hennessee, one tract of land lying in Warren County on the waters of Collins River worth two hundred dollars, also one negro girl worth three hundred dollars, one horse, bridle and saddle worth fifty dollars, one bed and furniture, one cow and calf worth sixteen dollars and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Item Second:
I have given my son, Patrick S. Hennessee, on tract or parcel of land worth two hundred and fifty dollars, one horse, bridle and saddle worth fifty dollars and one cow and calf and one bed and furniture worth sixteen dollars and also one other negro girl, named Hannah, worth two-hundred and fifty dollars and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Item Third:
I have given my daughter, Alsey Christian, one negro woman named Betty, worth five hundred dollars, one cow and calf and one bed and furniture worth sixteen dollars and two horses worth thirty dollars each
and that is all I ever intend to give her.
Item Fourth:
I have given my son Archibald W. Hennessee one tract or parcel of land on the waters of Collins River in the County of Warren worth two hundred dollars, one mare, bridle and saddle worth fifty dollars, and one cow and calf, bed and furniture worth sixteen dollars, and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Item Fifth:
I have given my son Alfred Hennessee one tract or parcel of land in County of Warren on the waters of Collins River worth two hundred dollars, one negro boy worth four hundred dollars and one bed and furniture and one cow and calf worth sixteen dollars and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Item Sixth:
I have given my son Alexander Hennessee one tract of land lying on the waters of Collins River worth two hundred dollars and two negro girls worth two hundred and fifty dollars each and one bedstead bed and furniture worth ten dollars and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Item Seventh:
I have given my son Henry Hennessee one negro boy and one negro girl worth three hundred dollars each, one bed and furniture and one cow and calf worth sixteen dollars and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Item 8:
I have given my son James W. Hennessee one tract of land in the county of Warren on the waters of Collins River worth two hundred dollars and one negro girl worth two hundred dollars and one horse, bridle and saddle worth eighty-five dollars, one bed and furniture worth eight dollars and that is all I ever intend to give him.
Now as touching my free hold estate which I am lawfully seized and possessed of at this time. First, I give to and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Hennessee ten acres of land including by dwelling houses and all other out-building running from the bank of Collins River west to the branch, also the seventh part of forty acres of land in the County of Warren and west of my dwelling house and formerly known as school land,
also the seventh part of all my household furniture and here saddle which she now is in possession of and the seventh part of my stock.
Item 2nd:
I give to my son John Hennessee ten acres of land on the upper end of my land next to the river including a small field, also his saddle and also the seventh part of all my stock and household furniture and the seventh part of the above mentioned school-land, and lastly as to all the rest residing and remainder of my real and personal estate goods and cattle of whatsoever kind, the one I give and demise to Polly Ann Hennessee my oldest daughter, Samuel M. Hennessee, Ester Hennessee, Anderson L. Hennessee and Eliza Jane Hennessee in the following manner, that is to say the same shall be equally divided amongst the five last
mentioned children.
I hereby appoint my wife Jane Hennessee and P. S. Hennessee sole executrix and executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made and my said wife Jane Hennessee shall remain in full possession of all that part of the land then divided to my last mentioned six children during her widowhood or until the youngest child becomes of age my said executrix and executor give theirs of their portion as mentioned in my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of March in the year of our Lord one-thousand-eight-hundred and forty-eight. The above division shall be made after all my just debts is paid.
Signed: James Hennessee
Note: A Codicil was signed by James Hennessee on February 2, 1851, affirming "Item 2nd" of his will. On April 19, 1851 a commission was appointed to sell the property
[9]
- James came to McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee about 1805 from North Carolina. All the Hennessee families in Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and California came from James. [3]
- Note: Some internet sources list James' place of birth as Virginia. 1850 Census for Warren County, Tennessee indicates his place of birth was North Carolina. [4]
- 1850 Census indicates James' son Alexander, from a another marriage to Sally Wilcher, was also living nearby with his wife Tabetha and thier five children. See: Alexander Hennessee [4]
- 1850 Census indicates James and Jane were living in Warren County, Tennessee on September 27, 1850 with their four youngest children: Samuel who was 19, Esther who was 17, Anderson who was 14 and Eliza who was 11. The Census also shows James and his son Samuel were farmers, James owned property valued at $800 and James was blind. It also states a 25 year old laborman, William Harpen was living with them. [4]
- Hennessee Family History indicates James was a farmer. [3]
- Note: Some internet sources list James' middle name as David. This researcher has been unable to confirm this middle name. Years later the question is, where did I get the middle name Robert?
Hennessee Family History by D. A. Hennessee references: Revised Edition: "Burke: The History of a North Carolina County, 1777-1920", by Edward William Phifer, Jr., cites James as "James David". After checking this book in my personal library the only reference I found of this was on page 228 where it states "Blacksmiths in Morganton Township were James David Hennessee (1832-1900)" This could not be our James Hennessee as he died in 1851. [8, 10]
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1766 - 1851 (85 years)
[2, 3, 4] 
