Henley Family Papers
This collection houses legal documents (including land grants, powers of attorney, wills, land surveys, receipts, tax assessments, and various contracts), letters, an IOU, a stock certificate, and a notebook documenting the Henley and Bayles (also spelled Bailes and Bayless) families in Tennessee. Most of the materials in the first folder show the Bayles family, particularly Reuben, Ervin (sometimes given as Erwin), Daniel, and Milton. The majority of the items in the second folder document the Henley family, particularly Isaac and Thomas. Many of the letters are from the California lawyer hired to handle Jonathan Henley's estate. James Johnson, D. W. Carter, and Ella Rhea are also represented.
Dates
- 1772 December 29-1906 March 2
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.
Extent
1.0 Linear Feet (2 oversize folders)
Abstract
This collection houses legal documents (including land grants, powers of attorney, wills, land surveys, receipts, tax assessments, and various contracts), letters, an IOU, a stock certificate, and a notebook documenting the Henley and Bayles (also spelled Bailes and Bayless) families in Tennessee. Most of the materials in the first folder show the Bayles family, particularly Reuben, Ervin (sometimes given as Erwin), Daniel, and Milton. The majority of the items in the second folder document the Henley family, particularly Isaac and Thomas. Many of the letters are from the California lawyer hired to handle Jonathan Henley's estate. James Johnson, D. W. Carter, and Ella Rhea are also represented.
Biographical/Historical Note
Reuben Bayless was born on June 21, 1754. He married Margaret Lucas (1751-1828) and they had eleven children:
Daniel Lucas (1777-1867), John L. (1780-1860), Mary (Bayless) Wood, George L., Reuben L., Elizabeth (Bayless) Henley (1789-1869), Margaret (Bayless) White, Rebecca, Ann, Leatha/Luthy, and Hannah. Reuben Bayless died on November 7, 1826.
Isaac Henley was born on January 5, 1785. He married Elizabeth Bayless on October 28, 1819 and they had at least six children: Luther Rice (1820-1895), Jonathan, Thomas L., Louisa (Henley) Tucker, Mary, and Isaac Barton (1831-1903). Isaac Henley died on December 4, 1846.
Arrangement
This collection consists of two folders.
Acquisition Note
Several members of the Henley family donated these papers to Special Collections in 1970.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository