LEONARD HENLEY: M. D.
Dr. Henley was born in Williamsburg, April 11, 1821, and has always
lived in that city. He was educated at William and Mary College, and
graduated in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 1847. After
that he practiced in Blockley Hospital for seven years, then came to
Williamsburg where he has been in practice ever since, except when in
military service. He entered the Confederate States army in 1861,
sergeant in the 32d Virginia regiment, and in the same year was appointed
assistant surgeon, serving after that most of the time in hospital
at Petersburg, Virginia. In 1865 he was appointed superintendent of
the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, where he remained until the Federals took
possession. In 1887 he was appointed assistant physician at the Asylum
and is so serving now.
He is a son of Leonard Henley, who was born in James City county,
Virginia, and died in 1831, aged forty-two years, and Harriet T. (Coke)
Henley, also now deceased. The paternal grandfather of Dr. Henley
was also named Leonard, and his great grandfather bore the same name.
The latter came from England to Virginia. The wife of Dr. Henley is
Rebecca, daughter of Henry Harrison, Commodore United States Navy,
and Elizabeth (Ruffin) Cocke, both now deceased. She was born in Prince
George county, Virginia, and they were married in that county on
November 29, 1855. They have one daughter, Elizabeth R., and one
son, Leonard. Dr. Henley is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Dr. Leonard Henley is a direct descendant of the old and honored
family of Cokes, of Trusley, Derbyshire, England, which estate is now
in their possession. The family history goes back to 1343. Among the
representatives of this family were Lord Chesterfield; Lord Palmerston,
Premier; Lord Melbourne, Premier; Lord Cowper, late of Ireland.
