Leonard Henley was descended from Reynold or Reginald Henley, who settled in James City county as early as 1661-See Land Patent Book 8, fol. 397 issued Oct. 26, 1694 to Leonard Henley for 360 acres in James City - "175 acres thereof, as heir to his father, REYNOLD HENLEY decd, to whom it was sold & assigned 15th Dec. 1661, by Thos. Holliday." - This Leonard m. Miss Richardson, by whom he had 4 sons, 1, Major Richardson Henley* of "Merry Oaks," James City; 2, Leonard Henley of Henrico; 3, Turner Henley of James City, father of Leonard, who m. Eliz Dandridge, and 4, William Henley whose descendants settled in Amherst.2168

*Ancestor of Judge Richardson Leonard Henley, of Williamsburg, VA.

Elizabeth Dandridge was the sister of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, the “first First Lady.”

Elizabeth Dandridge was born May 25, 1749. The old Bible, mentioned in this sketch, contains, on its cover, "Elizabeth Dandridge, 1749 [the year of her birth]." On the inside leaf is written, "Elizabeth Dandridge, her Bible, given her by her affectionate mother, March 6, 1773. [Just before her marriage.]" She married, first, John Aylett, as is recorded by the following: "John Aylett and Elizabeth Dandridge were married 10th April, 1773." "Married: Mr. John Aylett, Attorney at Law, to Miss Betsy Dandridge of New Kent." (Virginia Gazette, April 15, 1773.) John Aylett's death is recorded as follows: "On the 7th Feb'y 1776, departed this life my dear Mr. Aylett in the 29th year of his age." "Died: John Aylett Esqr. Attorney at Law, of New Kent, of Pleurisy." (Virginia Gazette, February 9, 1776.) Elizabeth (Dandridge) Aylett married, second, January 21, 1779, Leonard Henley, of James City County. He died November 19, 1798.3211