History's Hendersons
American Edition

I definitely need to preface this work. This research is very simple and by no means a definitive research. Like most information on this website it is a starting point to entice people to do further study. If there are any corrections or additions please feel free to contact me with the information. Another disclaimer, as Clan Henderson Society of the US we assume no responsibility, liability, nor condonation of the actions of the Hendersons listed below. We have merely listed these as people of Henderson origin who have come to fame one way or another, some by positive means and you know the rest.

Archibald Henderson (January 21, 1783, Colchester, VA - January 6, 1859, Washington, D.C.) was the Brevet Brigadier General who was the fifth Commandant of the Marine Corps. He served in that capacity for 38 years which is longer than any other person in history. He also captained the marine detachment on the US Frigate Constitution during the War of 1812 which brought him to prominence. He is called "The Old Man (or Granddaddy) of the Marines" by the Corps to this day and is still celebrated as their most influential leader.

James McHenry (November 16, 1753 Co. Antrim, Ireland - May 3 1816 Baltimore Co. Maryland) as an immigrant found himself in pre-Revolutionary America. He studied and became a doctor prior to the outbreak of war. After many different assignments, including Gen. Washington's assistant secretary, he was assigned as a major to Gen. Lafayette staff. After the war he spent time in Congress and served as a staunch federalist at the Constitutional Convention. President George Washington also appointed him as Secretary of War. During his tenure he established a standing army and constructed Fort McHenry, his namesake which came to fame as the subject of Francis Scott Key's "Star-Spangled Banner."

Richard Henderson (1735 - 1785) was a colonizer and judge. He was born in Hanover County, VA but became a judge in North Carolina. He created the Transylvania Company to colonize the American West, at the time that was Kentucky and Tennessee. He hired Daniel Boone to cut the Old Wilderness Road and help establish his colony after making a treaty with the Cherokees for 17 million acres of Kentucky. The Virginia legislature, who claimed Kentucky as a county of Virginia, however reduced this to only 200,000 acres. This still places him as one of the most important figures in founding Kentucky.

John Brooks Henderson (November 16, 1826, VA - April 12, 1913, Washington, D.C.) was the writer of the thirteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution which abolished slavery. He was a senator from Missouri who humbly grew up an indentured servant after his parents untimely deaths. He became a lawyer by age 20 and joined the legislature by age 22. His career as a United States Senator spans seven years in which he was a very influential member. In addition to authoring the amendment he was also an advocate against the secession of Missouri from the union as well as voting to acquit President Andrew Johnson in his impeachment hearing. This latter act ended his political career. However, his legacy lives on in the absolute freedom that we appreciate to this day.

Alexander Henderson (1738 - 1815) immigrated to Colchester, VA from Scotland around 1756. He was father to Archibald Henderson of Marine Corps fame. He served in the Virginia militia during the American Revolution. After the war he moved to Dumfries, VA and opened up a store. His enterprises grew and he is considered the father of the American "chain store" after opening up outlets in Colchester, Occoquan, and Alexandria.

Archibald Henderson (1877 - 1963) was a professor of Mathematics at the University of North Carolina. He is related to the same family as Richard Henderson the colonizer. Archibald's works include biographies of George Bernard Shaw and Mark Twain. While going over to England to meet with Shaw, Archibald met Mark Twain on the ship he was travelling on sparking Henderson's interest in that great man. He is still honored for his mathematics as well including a prize given at UNC for mathematical excellence.

Mary Henderson Eastman (1818, Warrenton, VA - February 24, 1887, Washington, D.C.) was a writer best known works involved Native American culture. She gained first hand knowledge of her subject after marrying Lt. Seth Eastman, who was an Army officer, and being stationed in outposts in the Old Northwest. Her works prove an interesting insight into the American opinion of Native American cultures during the time period of their greatest persecutions. She also penned Aunt Phillis's Cabin which was an answer to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.