What are the origins of Johann Nicholas Biehl?
Last week we continued our Biehl research project with the end goal of identifying the German origins of Johann Nicholas Biehl. I continued research on the first generation, which is Mary Jane Beal. You can find that post here.
This week we review the information that the 1850 through 1870 censuses provided. Mary Jane’s tombstone provided a date of death of 8 November 1876; before the 1880 census, so the 1870 census was the last one she was enumerated in.[1]
1850 Census[2]
Locality | West Fork Township, Washington County, Arkansas | |||||||||
Enumeration Date | 29 November 1850 [Official Date: 1 June 1850] | |||||||||
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| Description |
| Real | Birth | |||
Page | House | Family | Name | Age | Sex | Occupation | Estate | Place | ||
752 | 30 | 30 | James Henry | 28 [Est. 1822] | M | Blacksmith | 300 | Ala. | ||
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| Mary Henry | 22 [Est. 1828] | F | [Blank] | [Blank] | Ten. | ||
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| Roxana Henry | 1/12 [Est. Apr/May 1850] | F | [Blank] | [Blank] | Ark. | ||
In 1850, the Henrys resided in West Fork Township, Washington County, Arkansas. James Henry was a blacksmith and owned $300 in real estate. He was born in Alabama and Mary was born in Tennessee. It appears that Roxana was their first child and was born about April or May 1850 in Arkansas. The census included a column noting those that married within the year; 1 June 1849 to 30 May 1850. This was not marked, so their marriage should have occurred before 1 June 1849. This is the only Henry household in West Fork Township. There is one other Henry household in Prairie Township, Washington County, Arkansas, headed by a James Henry born about 1805 in South Carolina.[3]
1860 Census[4]
Locality | Maysville Post Office, Beatie Township, Benton County, Arkansas | ||||
Enumeration Date | 2 July 1860 [Official Date: 1 June 1860] | ||||
Names | Age | Sex | Occupation | Real/Personal Property | Birthplace |
James Henry | 38 [Est. 1822] | M | Farmer | [Blank]/600 | Ala |
Mary Henry | 32 [Est. 1828] | F | [Blank] | [Blank]/[Blank] | Tenn |
Roxania Henry | 9 [Est. 1851] | F | [Blank] | [Blank]/[Blank] | Ark |
John Henry | 8 [Est. 1852] | M | [Blank] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
Albert Henry | 5 [Est. 1855] | M | [Blank] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
Elmina Henry | 5 [Est. 1855] | F | Twins | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
Caladonia Henry | 4 [Est. 1856] | F | [Blank] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
Theodocia Henry | 8/12 [Est. Oct 1859] | F | [Blank] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
In 1860, the Henrys resided in the area of Maysville post office, Beatie Township, Benton County, Arkansas. James Henry was a farmer and owned no real estate and had $600 in personal estate. He was born in Alabama and Mary was born in Tennessee. There were six children aged 8 months to 9 years and were probably the children of James and Mary Henry. One was a set of twins. All were born in Arkansas. This is the only Henry household in Beatie Township in 1860.
1870 Census[5]
Locality | Fayetteville Post Office, Clear Creek Township, Washington County, Arkansas | ||||
Enumeration Date | September 1870 [Official Date: 1 June 1870] | ||||
Names | Age | Sex | Occupation | Real/Personal Property | Birthplace |
James Henry | 42 [Est. 1828] | M | Farmer | 1000/700 | Ala |
Mary Henry | 42 [Est. 1828] | F | Keeping House | [Blank]/[Blank] | Tenn |
D. E. Henry | 19 [Est. 1851] | F | At home | [Blank]/[Blank] | Ark |
John L. Henry | 18 [Est. 1852] | M | “ [At home] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
A. B. Henry | 15 [Est. 1855] | M | “ [At home] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
R. A. Henry | 15 [Est. 1855] | F | “ [At home] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
L. C. Henry | 13 [Est. 1857] | F | “ [At home] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
T. A. Henry | 11 [Est. 1859] | F | “ [At home] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
B. A. Henry | 8 [Est. 1862] | F | “ [At home] | [Blank]/[Blank] | “ [Ark] |
In 1870, the Henrys were back in Washington County, Arkansas, and resided in Fayetteville post office, Clear Creek Township. James was born about 1828 in Alabama and Mary was born about 1828 in Tennessee. James’ age is not consistent was the information in the 1850 and 1860 census nor his tombstone. He owned $1,000 in real estate and $700 in personal property. Personal estate referred to movable property, such as cash, bonds, stocks, jewelry, livestock, and household furnishings.[6] There are seven children aged 8 years to 19 years living in the household. There was more than one Henry family living in Clear Creek Township at this time.
Census & Neighbor Analysis
Reviewing the information across all three censuses, we note:
· The inconsistent age of James Henry in 1870, which is not consistent with his tombstone date, the 1850, or the 1860 census enumerations.
· The different name for Roxania and Elmina in 1870. Since initials are used, perhaps this was another copy and errors were made. The sexes and ages of the children are consistent across the three censuses. Mary Henry’s age and birthplace are also consistent across all three census enumerations.
· The Henrys moved back and forth between Washington and Benton counties in Arkansas. I will need to conduct research in both counties. It was not a matter of a county forming around the Henrys. Washington County was organized on 17 October 1828.[7] and Benton County was organized on 30 September 1836. While Benton County was formed from Washington County, it was well before the Henry’s moves.[8]
1850 Census West Fork Twp., Washington Co., AR | 1860 Census Maysville PO, Beatie Twp., Benton Co., AR | 1870 Census Fayetteville PO, Clear Creek Twp., Washington Co., AR |
James Henry, 38 [Est. 1822], Ala | James Henry, 38 [Est. 1822], Ala | James Henry, 42 [Est. 1828], Ala |
Mary Henry, 22 [Est. 1828], Tenn | Mary Henry, 32 [Est. 1828], Tenn | Mary Henry, 42 [Est. 1828], Tenn |
Roxana Henry, 1/12 [Est. April/May 1850], Ark | Roxania, 9 [Est. 1851], Ark | D. E. Henry, 19 [Est. 1851], Ark |
| John Henry, 8 [Est. 1852], Ark | John L. Henry, 18 [Est. 1852], Ark |
| Albert Henry, 5 [Est. 1855], Ark (Twin) | A. B. Henry, 15 [Est. 1855], Ark |
| Elmina Henry, 5 [Est. 1855], Ark (Twin) | R. A. Henry, 15 [Est. 1855], Ark |
| Caladonia Henry, 4 [Est. 1856], Ark | L. C. Henry, 13 [Est. 1857], Ark |
| Theodocia Henry, 8/12 [Est. Oct 1859], Ark | T. A. Henry, 11 [Est. 1859], Ark |
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| B. A. Henry, 8 [Est. 1862], Ark |
3 | 8 | 9 |
Below are the neighbors of the Henrys for the three censuses. I have bolded the entries for James Henry and those of immediate interest.
1850 Census[9] | 1860 Census[10] | 1870 Census[11] | |||
Luke Standifer | 64, VA | Ann [Louks?] | 34, Germany | Louelza Stone | 37, TN |
James Mothrin | 28, AL | Elias McFadin | 47, TN | [Purny?] Lynch | 40, IL |
Jeremiah Turnlow | 42, TN | Wiley McFadin | 46, TN | James Johnson | 57, KY |
David F. Nelson | 47, SC | Ambros Hedges | 33, IN | James Henry | 42, AL |
Peter Beal | 49, MD | P. R. Marshall | 43, TN | James Soloman | 43, VA |
James Henry | 28, AL | Albert Beal | 27, TN | Geo. Ellington | 33, TN |
Jacob St. Clair | 47, TN | James Henry | 38, AL | John Miller | 78, KY |
Conrad Ewes | 46, TN | Peter Burres | 40, TN | Joseph Babb | 50, TN |
Ellis Hutchins | 45, NC | [Adenz Ripstoe?] | 40, TN | John Pearson | 56, IN |
William Northern | 54, NC | Larkin Davis | 38, IN | J. N. Pearson | 21, AR |
Martin C. Northern | 29, KY | E. M. Davis | 34, TN | B. W. Holmsley | 26, AR |
Henry Heather | 38, VA | [Edom Ripstoe?] | 41, TN | Isaac Means | 34, AR |
William Kelly | 48, VA | [Press Rippetoe?] | 38, TN | Saml Porter | 35, MO |
Madison Painter | 46, VA | John [Grazham?] | 22, MO | Porter Owenby | 44, GA |
Arthur Crawford | 45, GA | John Cox | 30, MO | A. H. Searcy | 46, NC |
John St. Clair | 30, AR | Duke Cox | 25, MO | Alex Moore | 39, TN |
Z. Harrison | 47, IA | Perry Wells | 45, NC | Amanda Rice | 42, AR |
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| B. F. Curly | 30, IL | Sarah Long | 24, MS |
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| A. G [Wack?] | 26, IL |
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| E. Patton | 45, MO |
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| J. A. Price | 49, SC |
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| Jesse Goodman | 45, TN |
In 1850, the household of Peter and Elizabeth Beal are enumerated adjacent to James Henry’s household. Peter and Elizabeth Beal are the alleged parents of Mary Jane Beal. This proximity would support that relationship. Another person of interest, who was enumerated close to the Beals and Henrys is Madison Painter. The maiden name of Peter Beal’s wife, Elizabeth, was allegedly Painter. There is only one Beal household enumerated in West Fork Township, Washington County.[12]
In 1860, James Henry is enumerated adjacent to Albert Beal, aged 27, who may be Mary’s younger brother. The only Henry household in Beatie Township is the one headed by James Henry.[13] Albert Beal is the only Beal in Beatie Township.[14]
In 1870, James Henry is not enumerated near any other recognizable individuals of interest.
Future Research
· Search for a marriage record prior to 1 June 1849 starting in Washington County, Arkansas.
· Search for the $300 in real estate that James Henry owned in 1850 probably in Washington County, Arkansas.
· Search for the $1,000 in real estate that James Henry owned in 1870 probably in Washington County, Arkansas.
Next up: Continuing the research on Mary Jane Henry and her husband, James, as noted in “Future Research” above.
[1] Jane M. Henry tombstone, Original Cemetery Section, Friendship Cemetery, Springdale, Arkansas; photographed by Debra A. Hoffman on 26 August 2024.
[2] 1850 U.S. census, Washington County, Arkansas, population schedule, West Fork Township, p. 752 (penned), dwelling 30, family 30, James Henry; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 October 2025).
[3] 1850 U.S. Census, Washington County, Arkansas, 48, 48, James Henry, Prairie Township, page 18 (penned), 31 Oct 2025.
[4] 1860 U.S. census, Benton County, Arkansas, population schedule, Beatie township, Maysville post office, p. 78 (penned), dwelling 491, family 489, James Henry; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 October 2025).
[5] 1870 U.S. census, Washington County, Arkansas, population schedule, Clear Creek township, Fayetteville post office, p. 1 (penned), p. 102 (stamped), dwelling 4, family 4, James Henry; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 October 2025).
[6] Ninth Census, United States, 1870, Instructions to Assistant Marshals (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1870), p. 10; digital image, United States Census (https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/technical-documentation/questionnaires/1870/1870-instructions.html : accessed 3 November 2025).
[7] “Washington County, Arkansas Genealogy,” FamilySearch Wiki (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Washington_County,_Arkansas_Genealogy : accessed 3 November 2025).
[8] “Benton County, Arkansas Genealogy,” FamilySearch Wiki (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Benton_County,_Arkansas_Genealogy : accessed 3 November 2025).
[9] 1850 U.S. census, Washington County, Arkansas, population schedule, West Fork Township, pp. 751–3 (penned), dwellings 25-41; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 October 2025).
[10] 1860 U.S. census, Benton County, Arkansas, population schedule, Beatie township, Maysville post office, pp. 77–9 (penned), dwellings 485–502; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 October 2025).
[11] 1870 U.S. census, Washington County, Arkansas, population schedule, Clear Creek township, Fayetteville post office, pp. 1–3 (penned), dwellings 1-22; digital image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 October 2025).
[12] “1850 United States Federal Census,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 October 2025), search for the surname “Beal” in “West Fork, Washington, Arkansas.”
[13] “1860 United States Federal Census,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 October 2025), search for the surname “Henry” in “Beatie, Benton, Arkansas.”
[14] “1860 United States Federal Census,” database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 30 October 2025), search for the surname “Beal” in “Beatie, Benton, Arkansas.”
