My Owsley Family History

Robert Housley and Lydia Ann

Robert Housley, born ABT 1759, Loudoun County, Virginia. He married Lydia Ann ________ , born ABT 1763, died 1843/50, probably Hamilton County, Tennessee. Robert died 1835/40, probably Jefferson County, Tennessee.

Robert Housley (Owsley) was the second son of John Owsley and Ann Stephens. He was born about 1759 in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Robert Housley was a Revolutionary War soldier. He entered the War in 1776, when he was drafted as a Minuteman inLoudoun County, Virginia. He served under Colonel Triplett, Captain Combs, and Lieutenant Hously for six months. OnJune 11, 1833, while a resident of Jefferson County, Tennesseee, he applied for a pension (R.5267) which was subsequently granted. John Ousley of Claiborne County, Tennessee, provided an affidavit stating he knew of Robert's war service and served with him. Robert Housley was listed on the 1835 Tennessee Revolutionary War Pension Roll, aged 75 years old.

Robert's widow, Lydia Ann, applied for a widow's pension on May 6, 1843, while residing in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Letters written with the pension application state "at the request of her grandson," the person visited Lydia Ann, who "has been living in this county for some two years and upward and she is aged eighty _____," and she remains a widow of Robert Housley, etc. The papers said her husband had been dead for several years. Lydia Ann's pension application was rejected because it was stated that Robert didn't serve six months. Lydia Ann's grandson mentioned in the application is believed to have been George W. Housley Junior, who was residing in Hamilton County, Tennessee in 1843.

Robert Housley (Howsley) was living in Rowan County, North Carolina in 1780. He was the Bondsman at the marriage of his sister, Ann Howsley, to Matthew Adams on February 20, 1780, in Rowan County, North Carolina. It is believed Robert married Lydia Ann in the late 1770's or early 1780's. No records have been found, which would provide Lydia Ann's maiden name.

By 1796, Robert and Lydia Ann had moved to Sullivan County, Tennessee. Robert Housley is listed on the 1796, 1797 and 1812 tax lists of Sullivan County, Tennessee. Robert and his family settled in the Hickory Tree area of Sullivan County near the present site of the South Holston Dam. Their land was located next to the beautiful Holston Mountain.

On December 25, 1801, Robert Housley purchased (for $450.00) 100 acres of land from John Buckles (Sullivan County, TN Deed Book 3, Page 453). The land was located on the south side of the Holston River. On March 10, 1806, Robert sold the 100 acres of land to William Odell (Sulllivan County, TN Deed Book 3, Page 781).

In February of 1806, Robert Housley and his son, John Housley, were indicted by the Sullivan County, TN Grand Jury. Robert Housley, John Housley, and several other men, were charged with committing a riot by "fighting and breaking the peace against the dignity of the Commonwealth." The alleged incident occurred on December 25, 1805. Robert and John were both found guilty of the charge, but later appealed the decision.

On March 7, 1807, Robert Housley purchased (for $1,000.00) 174 1/2 acres of land from Jacob Weaver (Sullivan CountyDeed Book 5, Page 50). The land was located on the south side of the Holston River. On May 14, 1808, Robert sold the land to Thomas Rockhold for $750.00 (Sullivan County, TN Deed Book 5, Page 110).

On November 17, 1810, Robert Housley purchased (for $500.00) 100 acres of land from John Shell and Andrew Shell (Sullivan County, TN Deed Book 6, Page 156). The land was located on the south side of the Holston River. On May 19, 1821. Robert Housley of Sullivan County, TN and his son, John Housley, of Jefferson County, TN, sold the 100 acres of land to Jacob Boyd and Andrew Boyd (Sullivan County, TN Deed Book 9, Page 210). This was the land Robert had purchased in 1810. It appears this was the time Robert and Lydia Ann moved from Sullivan County, Tennessee toJefferson County, Tennesseee. Robert and his family settled in the Strawberry Plains area of Jefferson County near theHolston River.

On March 14, 1825, Robert Housley, Jacob Dick, and Reed Cox were held accountable in a Jefferson County Maintenance Bond for the sum of $500.00. The condition of this Bond is that "Jacob Dick hath been charged with being the reputed father of a base begotten child on the body of Rebecca Housley." Robert signed the Bond with an X. Apparently, he could not write.

On July 19, 1826, Thomas Housley, by his father and next friend, Robert Housley, sued Edward Stiff for a stolen horse inJefferson County. The court found in favor of Thomas Housley.

According to census records, Robert Housley was living in Jefferson County, Tennessee in 1830. Robert Housley applied for his Revolutionary War pension in 1833 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Robert died before 1840.

According to census records, Lydia Ann was living with her daughter, Rebecca Housley, in Sevier County, Tennessee in 1840. Lydia Ann was living in Hamilton County, Tennessee in 1843, when she applied for a Revolutionary War widow's pension. It appears LydiaAnn died before 1850.

Several Housley families, descended from Robert and Lydia Ann, moved to Hamilton County, Tennessee around 1840. They settled north of Harrison in the Long Savannah area of Hamilton County. A few of the families lived in nearby BradleyCounty.

CHILDREN OF ROBERT HOUSLEY AND LYDIA ANN

I. John W. Housley, born 1780/90, probably Sullivan County, Tennessee. He married Sarah Carper, 22 JAN 1814, inJefferson County, Tennessee, born 1796, Tennessee (daughter of Jacob Carper and Mary Peck), died AFT 1850, probably Jefferson County, Tennessee. John died AFT 1850, probably Jefferson County, Tennessee.

John W. Housley was probably the oldest son of Robert Housley and his wife, Lydia Ann.

In February of 1806, John Housley and his father, Robert Housley, were indicted by the Sullivan County, TN Grand Jury. Robert Housley, John Housley, and several other men, were charged with committing a riot by "fighting and breaking the peace against the dignity of the Commonwealth." The alleged incident occurred on December 25, 1805. Robert and John were both found guilty of the charge, but later appealed the decision.

On November 17, 1810, Robert Housley purchased (for 500.00) 100 acres of land from John Shell and Andrew Shell (Sullivan County, TN Deed Book 6, Page 156). The land was located on the south side of the Holston River. On May 19, 1821. Robert Housley of Sullivan County, TN and his son, John Housley, of Jefferson County, TN, sold the 100 acres of land to Jacob Boyd and Andrew Boyd (Sullivan County, TN Deed Book 9, Page 210). This was the land Robert had purchased in 1810.

In 1817, John Housley obtained a lease to keep an ordinary (tavern) in his house in Jefferson County, Tennessee.

In 1818, John Housley of Jefferson County, TN, sold a slave named "Dance" to Christopher Hanes for $500.00.

According to census records, John Housley and his wife, Sarah Carper, were living in Jefferson County, Tennesseein 1830 and 1840. They were living in Sevier County, Tennessee in 1850.

II. Rebecca Housley, born ABT 1800, Sullivan County, Tennessee, died AFT 1850, probably Hamilton County,Tennessee.

It appears Rebecca was a daughter of Robert and Lydia Ann and was never married.

1830 Jefferson County, Tennessee Census (Page 323) Robert Housley 1 male age 60-70, 1 male age 10-15, 2 males age 5-10 1 female age 60-70, 1 female age 30-40, 1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 15-20, 1 female age 0-5

1840 Sevier County, Tennessee Census Rebecca Housley 1 male age 15-20, 1 male age 10-15, 1 male age 5-10, 1 male age 0-5 1 female age 80-90, 1 female age 70-80, 1 female age 60-70, 2 females age 30-40, 1 female age 15-20, 2 females 0-5

1840 Hamilton County, Tennessee Census (Page 180) G. W. Housley 1 male age 20-30, 1 male age 0-5 1 female age 30-40

III. Thomas Housley, born 1800/10, Sullivan County, Tennessee. He married Eliza Hodges, 22 MAY 1827, in Jefferson County, Tennessee, born 1800/10, (daughter of Calloway Hodges and Anna Thurman). Thomas died 03 JAN 1846,Jefferson County, Tennessee.

On July 19, 1826, Thomas Housley, by his father and next friend, Robert Housley, sued Edward Stiff for a stolen horse in Jefferson County. The court found in favor of Thomas Housley.

According to census records, Thomas Housley and his wife, Eliza Hodges, lived in Jefferson County, Tennessee in 1830 and 1840.

Thomas Housley served as a Private in Adam Meeks Company of the 3rd Tennessee Mounted Militia in the Cherokee war in 1836 and 1837.

Thomas Housley was murdered in Jefferson County, Tennessee in 1846 by William Wilson. Thomas Housley's father-in-law, Calloway Hodges, offered a $150.00 reward for the arrest of Wilson.

IV. James B. Housley, born ABT 1804, Sullivan County, Tennessee. He married Sarah G. J. (Sallie) Burrow, 06 AUG 1829, in Carter County, Tennessee, born ABT 1812, Tennessee, died AFT 1889, probably Buchanan County, Missouri. James died BET 1860-1870, probably Kansas.

James B. Housley may have been the youngest son of Robert Housley and his wife, Lydia Ann. He was a very close neighbor of Howell Housley in Carter County, Tennessee in 1830 and 1840. There is a possibility that James was a grandson of Robert and Lydia Ann, instead of their son.

James and Sallie moved west and were living in Clay County, Missouri in 1850 and Doniphan County, Kansas in 1860. In 1870, Sallie was listed as a widow and living in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri near her daughter, Martha Housley Jerome. In 1880, Sallie was living with her daughter, Martha Housley Jerome in Buchanan County,Missouri. Sallie was also listed as a resident in the 1889 St. Joseph, Missouri City Directory.

James Housley served as Bugler in Joseph Powell's Company of the 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry in the Cherokee War in 1836 and 1837.

1830 Jefferson County, Tennessee Census

(Page 323)

Robert Housley

1 male age 60-70, 1 male age 10-15, 2 males age 5-10

1 female age 60-70, 1 female age 30-40, 1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 15-20, 1 female age 0-5

(Page 323)

Thomas Housley

1 male age 20-30, 1 male age 0-5

1 female age 15-20

(Page 325)

Robert Howsley

1 male age 20-30, 1 male age 0-5

1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 0-5

(Page 327)

John W. Howsley

1 male age 30-40, 1 male age 15-20, 1 male age 10-15

1 female age 30-40, 1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 10-15

1830 Carter County, Tennessee Census

(Page 3)

Howell Housley

1 male age 20-30, 1 male age 10-15, 1 male age 0-5

1 female age 20-30

(Page 37)

James Housley

1 male age 20-30

1 female age 15-20

1840 Jefferson County, Tennessee Census

(Page 305)

Thomas Housley

1 male age 30-40, 1 male age 10-15, 1 male age 0-5

1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 5-10

(Page 327)

J. W. Howsley

1 male age 50-60, 3 males age 20-30, 1 male age 15-20

1 female age 30-40, 1 female age 20-30

1840 Sevier County, Tennessee Census

Rebecca Housley

1 male age 15-20, 1 male age 10-15, 1 male age 5-10, 1 male age 0-5

1 female age 80-90, 1 female age 70-80, 1 female age 60-70, 2 females age 30-40, 1 female age 15-20, 2 females 0-5

1840 Hamilton County, Tennessee Census

(Page 180)

G. W. Housley 1 male age 20-30, 1 male age 0-5

1 female age 30-40

1840 Carter County, Tennessee Census

(Page 193)

Howell Housley

1 male age 30-40, 1 male age 20-30, 1 male age 10-15, 1 male age 5-10, 3 males age 0-5

1 female age 20-30, 1 female age 5-10

(Page 192)

James Housley

1 male age 30-40, 1 male age 10-15, 1 male age 5-10

1 female age 30-40, 1 female age 5-10