Obit - William "Tailor Billy" Henry
B. 5 Apr 1760 in Scotland
D. 20 Apr 1833 in New Hanover County, North Carolina
3rd Great Grandfather
Upon the death of William "Tailor Billy" Henry in 1833, an obituary in a Wilmington, NC newspaper read: "...a native of Scotland, but for the past fifty years an inhabitant of this country."
According to handwritten entries in an old family document, William "Tailor Billy" Henry was born April 5, 1760 in Scotland, the son of Neal and Margaret. This document currently is owned by descendants of Tailor Billy's daughter, Hannah. (See details below under Confession of Faith)
C.A. Colvin, a nephew of Elizabeth, daughter of Tailor Billy's son, Neal, wrote a letter in 1911 in which he stated that "...William Henry came from New York just before or right after the Revolutionary War (1775-1785) and settled on a tract of land granted to him lying on the east side of the east prong of Colvin's Creek..." (William would be in his early 20's at this time).
Other records have indicated that William married Jenett "Jane" Wiley of Long Island, NY. This certainly hints that William came first to New York from Scotland and met his future wife while living there. To date, no immigration records have been found.
WILLIAM HENRY is found in the Colonial America Census Index for New Hanover county in 1767 and again in 1786, the latter in Upper Sound District. Tailor Billy is too young to be the first entry but could well be the one in 1786. William had a nickname, Tailor Billy, to distinguish him from others named William Henry who were living in New Hanover County in the same time period. Since William was a farmer, it seems plausible that his nickname derived from his father's trade as a tailor. Quite possibly William had apprenticed as a tailor back in Scotland.
The Confession of Faith Church of Scotland, a document handed down through the descendants of Hannah Henry has these entries written in ink:
William Henry, son of Neal Henry and Margaret, was born April 5, 1760. Jane Henry his wife was born March 5, 1767.
Neal Henry, son of Wm Henry and Jane Henry was born July 23, 1785.
John Henry was born Mary 23, 1790
Mary Henry was born January 7, 1792
Margaret Henry was born September 29, 1794
Catherine Henry was born August 21, 1796
Andrew was born January 22, 1798
Elizabeth was born July 1, 1799
William was born Mary 22, 1801
Nancy was born March 19, 1802
Hannah was born September 24, 1804
Will of Wm Henry
In the name of God Amen, I, William Henry of the State of North Carolina and County of New Hanover do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament being weak in body but of sound mind thanks be to God.
First I give and bequeath unto Robert Henry, my son, a piece of land including my plantation. Secondly, I give to Andrew Mc Henry, a piece of land in the fork of the creek joining Luke Register. Also, to William Henry, Forty Five acres of land the upper piece of my land on the East side of the Creek. Also, to Alexander James Henry the lower piece joining William Colvins land. Also to Neal and John Henry, the land called formerly the Herring land it being their distributive share.
My daughters Ann, Hannah, Isabella Wiley to have equal possession of my house so long as they may live single with my son Robert. My daughter Jane to have Ten dollars, Margaret (Henry) Peterson Ten dollars, Mary (Henry) Register and Catharine (Henry) McAlister also Ten dollars each.
All my stock of horses, cattle and hogs are to be sold; my debts, if any, there shall be paid and my three daughters Ann, Hannah, Isabella W. (Wiley) to have equal share of the sale of said stock my daughters Ann, Hannah, Isabella W (Wiley) to have a bed each of them reserved all my plantation tools household and kitchen furniture to be sold and equally divided between my daughters Ann, Hannah, Isabella W (Wiley). I appoint Robert Henry and Luke Register sole executors to this my last Will and Testament. In testimony where I have set my hand and seal May 15th, 1833.
Signed in the presence of us - Robert Henry, William H Register, A. J. Henry.
Codicil to this my last Will To my son Robert Henry who I have to provide for my daughters Ann, Hannah and Isabel Wiley, I do by this Codicil except the sale of a Sorrel Horse and give him to my son, Robert Henry. I give to Angus MacMillian, the husband of my daughter Elizabeth (deceased) Five dollars. I appoint Robert Henry and Luke Register sole Executors to this Codicil. Witnesses to my hand and seal May 16th, 1833.
William Henry
Witness: Robert Henry; William R. Register
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