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This collection is intended for personal informational and educational use by genealogical researchers of this family and allied lines. Please do not redistribute these resources, or use them for commercial purposes or in publications without permission from the original sources or copyright holders.

The Artemus H. Henderson
Memorial Library
The Legacy Project

Little could my paternal great-grandfather have known when he encouraged daughter Thelma to research the Henderson family history decades ago, that we would still be at it today! His desire for her to dig up our roots resulted not only in a lifetime of work for her, but for me as well. This growing library of Henderson family resources collected in his honor contains documents, timelines, maps, photo albums, books, articles and other resources relevant to our Henderson ancestors and many allied lines. This library is a work in progress so check back often to see what's new.

 

Documents | Chronologies | Maps | Photos | Multimedia | Books |  Articles |  Resources

Documents and Records
 

A collection of digitized images of courthouse and library records, bible entries, and other original documents relating primarily to my Henderson family and allied lines.

 

Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula
(Northampton & Accomack Co VA, Somerset & Worcester Co MD, & Sussex Co DE)

 

 

Hendersons of Onslow County NC
 


Hendersons of Chatham County NC
 

 

Allied Lines
 

 

 

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Chronologies
 

  • Henderson Chronologies and Census Data
     

    • Chronology of the Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula (Eastern Shore)
      This is a living document - new material added as found. All occurances of James Henderson Sr of the Delmarva Peninsula (in Accomack, and Northampton Counties VA and Somerset and Worcester Counties MD) and his decendants through at least the third generation will be recorded in chronological order on this timeline as I become aware of them during my research (along with notes and observations). If you have a confirmed record pertaining to these first two generations of Delmarva Hendersons that does not appear on the timeline please email me with the text of the new entry and the source of the record.
       

    • Annotated Census Data for Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula (1660-1800)
      This is a living document new material added as found. Somerset County MD has the only complete set of annual tax lists for the time period. After Worcester County MD split from Somerset in 1742 the data picture becomes incomplete, but this annotated analysis of the Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula is the document which allowed us to observe the movements of the mariner Hendersons between Somerset Co MD and Onslow Co NC. I am continuing to update and annotate the census info as I find additional records. I have included brief notations of records (in chronological order) that allow us to place Delmarva Hendersons in corresponding counties from 1660-1723 (prior to the start of the tax lists) and from 1760-1800 (after the tax lists end).
       

    • Chronology of the James Hendersons (Senior and Junior) of Onslow Co NC
      This is a living document - new material added as found. All records of James Henderson (both Sr. and Jr.) of early Coastal NC and Onslow County will be added in chronological order as I become aware of them during my research (along with notes and observations). If you have a confirmed record pertaining to either of these two James Hendersons that does not appear on the timeline please email me with the text of the new entry and the source of the record.
       

    • Chronology for Captain David Henderson of Bertie Co NC
      This is a chronology of records pertaining to Captain David Henderson of Scotland, who died in Bertie Precinct, NC in 1735. Captain David was a close friend and associate of Thomas Pollock (twice interim governor of NC) and the Captain is frequently mentioned in Pollock's records. The timeline mentions of David's nephew George Henderson (also a resident of Bertie) and the Thomson family of Cambusdenny, Scotland (children of David's sister Janet or Jennet Henderson Thomson who was apparently still living in Scotland at the time of his death). If you know more about Captain David Henderson, his origins, or the descendants of his sister Janet Thomson, please email me. We have not been able to find a connection to this early NC Henderson but I continue to collect information on the family when it appears.
       

    • Chronology for Miscellaneous Hendersons in Old Albemarle Precinct NC (Albemarle Sound and NC Coast)
      This is a living document - new material added as found. This is a collection of records of Hendersons who appear in the very early records of coastal North Carolina in the region of the Albemarle Sound (incuding all areas of the original Albemarle Precinct as well as some records from the region that was Craven County). The origins of these Hendersons and their relationships to each other (if any) is not presently known, although it is believed that some or all of them may be connected to the Hendersons of Virginia's Tidewater region or to the Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula. If you can provide any information or additional records regarding this group of Hendersons, please email me with records and source citiations. Research is ongoing and there is circumstantial evidence pointing to both groups.
       

    • Biographical Dictionary of Supporting Characters for Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula and Onslow Co NC
      This is a living document - new material added as deemed applicable. This biographical dictionary contains summary information about the people who played supporting roles in the lives of the Hendersons of Delmarva and early coastal NC. It includes entries on neighbors, friends, relatives by marriage, and others who interacted with Hendersons from both regions during the early colonial through the early post-revolutionary period. Linking is fine, but please do not copy or redistribute information.


       

  • Chronologies for Allied Lines​

     

     

    • Chronology of the Barnaby Family, Merchants of London from ca 1600
      This is a living document - new material added as found. Thanks to a wonderfully detailed will written in 1630 and 1635 by Richard Barnaby, draper and merchant of London, I have been able to locate a number of old English records (including those of the East India Trading Company) which allow us to discover more about the Barnaby family and its allied lines. Follow the Barnabys from London merchant founder William Barnaby down to great-granddaughter Elizabeth Barnaby Henderson of Somerset County MD. This chronology includes a copy of Richard's will, as well as the epitaph from the grave of brother-in-law George Rookes (who received numerous letters of marque from Charles I). If you have records of the Barnaby Family not currently shown on the chronology please email them to me with source citations.
       

    • Chronology of the Bishop Family of the Delmarva Peninsula ca 1638 and coastal NC
      This is a living document - new material added as found. Henry Bishop Senior of St. Mary's City, MD is believed to be the progenitor of the Delmarva line of Bishops, some of whom later migrated to New Hanover and Onslow Counties, NC. Bishop may have arrived aboard the Ark or Dove with the first group of settlers brought to Maryland by Leonard Calvert. If you have additional information or insights into the Bishop family, or records not currently shown on the chronlogy, please email me.
       

    • Chronology of the Rhodes Family fo Onslow Co NC
      This is a living document - new material added as found. The Rhodes family is believed to be connected with James "Isaac" Henderson of Onslow Co NC through his wife, Mary. Henry Rhodes II was a known neighbor of the Hendersons on the New River and may have been a brother to Mary. If you have a confirmed record for this Rhodes family of Onslow Co NC that does not currently appear on the timeline, please email me with the text of the new entry and the source of the record

 

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Maps

 

 

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Photos

 

The Henderson family photo galleries are now being collected and stored on Flickr.com to facilitate sharing among family members and researchers.

 

You can begin browsing the full Henderson Family Photostream or select one of the albums below:

 

 

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Multimedia
 

Video (YouTube)
 

 

Sound Files (mp3)
 

These sound files were recorded in the late nineteen-forties and early nineteen-fifties by J. Van Henderson, and are the personal property of this site's author. They are intended for the enjoyment and entertainment of Henderson family members. Please do not redistribute without permission.
 

  • 1947 Oct 19  - Car Talk with John and J. Van Henderson 

    J. Van and John Henderson discuss John's car. John says that the car has no vibration, or at least you can't hear any vibration for the rattling. John tells us about his career "selling drugs" -- but not narcotics, as that might land him in "the clink". J. Van and John Henderson are the sons of Artemas H. Henderson and Esther Burgess Phillips Henderson.

     

  • 1947 Dec 24 -  Christmas Eve Massacre in Greensboro
    Radio News Bulletin: Tenant Joe DeSantis goes on a Christmas Eve shooting spree and kills members of his landlord's family, then commits suicide at the Central Fire Station on N. Green Street in Greensboro, NC. Charles Henderson, son of Artemas H. Henderson and Esther Burgess Phillips Henderson, was Assistant Fire Chief at the Greensboro Fire Department.
     

  • 1949 Sep 23 - Tower Rescue
    W-BIG in Greensboro NC broadcasts the story of the rescue of M. L. Harper, a painter who fell while painting the station's radio tower. Harper was recscued by Charles Henderson and Roma Fortune of the Greensboro Fire Department. Both men were presented with awards by Coronet Magazine, who carried the story. Charles Henderson, son of Artemas H. Henderson and Esther Burgess Phillips Henderson, was Assistant Fire Chief at the Greensboro Fire Department.
     

  • 1950 Feb 26 - What It's Really Like to Be a Fly On the Wall in Apartment B
    Thelma Henderson Schoolfield and Blanche Allred Henderson gossip about mutual acquaintances (Mr. M and Cabel) and what they've been doing ("Went down to Momma's and listened to a bunch of screamin' young'uns.") in the continuing saga of Apartment B. Thelma is the daughter of Artemas H. Henderson and Mary Ethel Carrico Henderson. Blanche Allred Henderson is the wife of J. Van Henderson.
     

  • 1950 Mar 11 - Blanche Goes to Chapel Hill on Business
    J. Van interviews his wife Blanche Allred Henderson about her recent business trip to Chapel Hill. Among the things he asks, "What did you have to drink?" (a "loaded" question) and "Are you nervous?" When she replies that she is, he tells her to "Just talk...". J. Van Henderson is the son of Artemas H. Henderson and Esther Burgess Phillips Henderson.
     

  • 1954 Jan 30 - "Pete" Henderson plays Shake a Hand
    Twelve-year-old Charles "Pete" Henderson serenades the family with a rendition of "Shake a Hand" played on a painfully out-of-tune piano. 
     

  • 1954 Jan 30 - Her Name is "Boss"
    Four-and-a-half year-old Tim tells us how his glasses got broken. When asked what his mother's name is, he replies "Momma...I don't know her name," but then the truth comes out: "Her name is Boss!" 
     

  • 1954 Aug 18 - J. Edwin Henderson Celebrates 17 Years at Schiffman's Jewelers in Greensboro
    Newly certified gemologist (CG) J. Edwin Henderson celebrates 17 years at Schiffman's Jewelers in Greensboro, NC. Ed is the son of Artemas H. Henderson and Esther Burgess Phillips Henderson.

 

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Books

 

  • Ye kingdome of Accawmacke, or, The Eastern Shore of Virginia in the Seventeenth Century, by Jennings C. Wise, 1911
    An invaluable resource for anyone researching Eastern Shore history and genealogy. Originally published 1911. Free eBook from Archive.org, available in a number of formats. This item is of interest to all descendants of Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula and Eastern Shore.
     

  • Rivers Of The Eastern Shore: Seventeen Maryland Rivers by Hulbert Footner, 1944
    This early 20th-century narrative includes chapters on the history and local color of the Pocomoke, Annemessex, Manokin, Wicomico and Nanticoke Rivers (among others).     Free eBook from Archive.org, available in a number of formats. This item is of interest to all descendants of Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula and Eastern Shore.

 

  • Anne Orthwood's Bastard by John Ruston Pagan, 2002
    From Amazon.com: "In 1663, an indentured servant, Anne Orthwood, was impregnated with twins in a tavern in Northampton County, Virginia. Orthwood died soon after giving birth; one of the twins, Jasper, survived. Orthwood's illegitimate pregnancy sparked four related cases that came before the Northampton magistrates -- who coincidentally held court in the same tavern -- between 1664 and 1686. These interrelated cases and the decisions rendered in them are notable for the ways in which the Virginia colonists modified English common law traditions and began to create their own, as well as what they reveal about cultural and economic values in an Eastern shore community." This item is of interest to all descendants of Hendersons of the Delmarva Peninsula and Eastern Shore, particularly to those descended from John & Elizabeth Barnaby Henderson since one of the primary characters, Col. William Kendall, was Elizabeth Barnaby Henderson's godfather.

 

  • The Commonwealth of Onslow, a History by O. G. Dunn, 1960
    From the foreword: "This book could properly be entitled 'Onslow's part in the history of North Carolina.' It consists of studies made from time to time on various subjects and makes no attempt at being a chronological history of the County. They have, however, been arranged for publication in as nearly that order as possible. In addition to history, there are appendices. They contain papers too valuable to be lost, of articles, letters and accumulated facts which the writer believes should be preserved. The history is authentic, the appendices are as they were originally written." Scanned and text versions viewable online, posted by the digital library of East Carolina University This item is of interest to the descendants of both lines of Onslow County NC Hendersons
     

  • J. Van Lindley, His Ancestors, Life and Legacy by Joseph C. Carlin
    From the website: "Several generations of the Lindley family were an integral part of early American and Quaker history. From 1615 to 1918 they participated in migrations seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity. This story follows their journey from England to Ireland as they became some of the first American Colonists of Pennsylvania and then central North Carolina. The Revolutionary War "Battle of Lindley Mill" that was fought on the land of Thomas Lindley, Sr. is detailed in this book. It continues following them to Indiana as some of the first settlers before returning later to North Carolina." This item is of interest to the descendants of Isaac R. Henderson and his wife Eliza Lindley Henderson

 

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Articles

 

I am writing new articles on an ongoing basis as research develops on this Henderson family. Visit the Henderson section of my research blog to read all Henderson-related articles.

 

 

 

 


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Additional Resources
 
Illustrations

 

  • 1666 "A Brief Description of the Province of Carolina"
    This leaflet printed in London in 1666 was meant to lure settlers to the Cape Fear by means of promoting the "Healthfulness of the Air; the Fertility of the Earth, and Waters and the great Pleasure and Profit [which would] accrue to those that shall go thither to enjoy the same." Imagine the settlers' dismay when they disembarked into a mosquitoe-infested wilderness.
     

  • 1713 "Early Settlers arrive in North Carolina"
    This early illustration shows a group of settlers arriving in coastal North Carolina. They appear to be traveling in canoes or dugouts, and are being rowed by natives.
     

  • 1736 "Possible Reconstruction of Onslow Court House"
    This pen and ink illustration from The Heritage of Onslow (1983) shows how the rebuilt Onslow County Courthouse probably looked (drawn from a described in court minutes). First court was held in this building in April 1737. The building burned in 1744. Here is an account of what they justices discovered when they showed up for the spring sessin of court: "At a Court Begun and Held for Onslow County at the place where the Court was formerly Held for said County on the First Tuesday in April 1744...Item 1) The court being met at the place where the courthouse formerly stood and finding the same by some malicious and evil disposed person was burnt, they were pleased to adjourn the court to the house of Ishmael Taylor."  

     

Research Resources

 

 

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  • Clan Henderson Regalia

    • ​The Scottish Heirloom Company
      I bought my ladies clan crest ring from this company. Nice pieces. Also have cufflinks, charms and other Henderson crested items.




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