Note

• We now are hoping with a descendent to help MTDNA which will allow us to then work with Cullum Descendents to see if we can confirm this link.

Names given by children on death certificate for their mother:

• Milton Roberts
• Matlock J Roberts
• Martha J Roberts
• Annie Roberts
• Sarah Roberts
• Washington Roberts Sylphia Roberts
• Diannah Roberts
• Catherine Roberts
• Jane Jennie Roberts
• Paschal Charlie Roberts
• Amanda P Roberts Zilpha Pendery
• James Henry Roberts -daughter Minnie said Bain

• has been under the last names of Bain, Bane, Pendergrass

MTDNA Matches

See Category: Wheeler-13722 Kris Wheeler - MTDNA H3b-G16129A Matches

Biography

This profile is part of the Dismal, Tennessee One Place Study.

The early years

We have estimated Zilpha's birthdate of 1810 based on the census records and birth of eldest child.

Have seen two different last names for her on her children's death certificates and other records. My great grandmother said it was Bain

Bane Pendergrass

We do have potentially both Bane's/Bain's, Pendergrass's both married into the famiy. So it could be people confused, or it could be she is linked to both.

We also see her first name spelled differently on documents and census as well, I have chosen the one given to me by great grandmother until I find more stable documents.

Family life

Zilpha opted to marry Matlock Roberts around 1826^[1]. Together they had at least 13 children:

• Milton Roberts(1827-1901)
• Matlock J Roberts(1831-1883) ^[2]
• Martha J (marther) Roberts(1835-1910) ^[2]
• Annie Roberts(1835-1914)
• Sarah Roberts(1837-1917) ^[2]
• Washington Roberts(1837-1924)^{[3] [2]}
• Diannah Roberts ^[2][4]
• Catherine Roberts ^[2][4]
• Jane Jennie Roberts ^[2][4][5]
• Paschal Charlie Roberts ^[2][4]
• Amanda P Roberts^[4]
• James Henry Roberts^[4][5]

Throughout the years

They would grow old together, with neither remarrying. In looking at the census records we find:

In 1830 Lincoln, Tennessee, USA. ^[6] He is in Liconln, Tennesee with 3 persons in the house - 1 male under 5, one male 15-19, 1 female 15-20, 3 family members this would be Matlock Zilpha and Milton. Name Mallock Roberts Home in 1830 (City, County, State) Lincoln, Tennes

In 1836 they are in Cannon, Tennessee, United States. ^[7], they owned no land or slaves and only minimal taxes were required to be paid

In 1840^[8] they were in District 3, Jackson, Tennessee.

Name Mallock Robertson Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Jackson, Tennessee

In 1850 North of Cumberland and East of Caney Fork Rivers, Smith, Tennessee. ^[2] They are living North of Cumberland and East of Caney Fork Rivers in Smith, Tennessee. In the home are Matlock 40, Zelpha 40, Matlock Jr 19, Martha 15, Sarah 12, Washington 12, Catherine 9, Dianna 8, Jame 6, Pashal 2.

In 1860 District 11, Wilson, Tennessee. ^[4] he confirms he was born in Kentucky, and their closest post office is Shop Spring, they are living i District 11 Wilson, Tennessee and he is 50 years old. In the home are Zilpha 50, Catharin 20, Diana 13, Jennnie Pink 13, Paschal 11, Amada 7, James 4. He confirms his parents are born from Kentucky, and again they state he comes from Tennessee, however evidence leads me to choose Kentucky with the court case, and the 1850 and 1880 census both confirmed Kentucky, this matches also the biography of Absalom Roberts.

In 1870 District 2, DeKalb, Tennessee, USA. ^[5] He was living next door to his daughter Jennie in 1870. He is a farmer, living in DeKalb County, his personal estate is valued at about $600 and his real estate at $400. He is 60 and Zilpha is 55 however states he was born in Tennessee, this leads to me believe he didn't answer the census taker, perhaps James Henry did or a neighbor.

And in 1880 ^[9] they were living next door to son James Henry. He lists himself as 70, with Zilpah 69. He confirms he was born in Kentucky and both parents hailed from South Carolina.

County Court Clerk to W.F. Malone 36 acres owned by Milton Roberts and his wife. Said parties are legal represetatives of Matlock Roberts and wife. 4 Mar 1892(Pp. 444-445 Deed Book T)^[10]

Death

Zilpha likely had passed away between 1890- 1894, as there is no mention of her in Matlock's settlement papers, but she is mentioned in his Land Document in January of 1890^[11]

It is believed she was interred on the family farm, where Matlock was buried on the family farm^[12]

Land Exchanges

David Johnson identified a Land deed granted in DeKalb, Tennessee to Zelpha Roberts, the first document identified for this land

Deed_Isaac Warford to Thomas D Driver_Dekalb County Deed Book D

Isaac Warford Deed to 100 acres of Land Thomas D DriverItalic text

I Isaac Warford have this day bargained and sold and do hereby transfer and convey to Thomas D driver and his heirs forever for the consideration of one hundred and sixty six dollas to me paid a Tract of land in the State of Tenneessee in DeKalb County and District No 11 containing by estimation one hundred acres be the same more or less and bounded as follows. Beginning on a ash and oak therein south to a ?? and ?? South to a rock  ?? west to a beach the beginning Corner of an entry made by Randolph sSandlin then north with William Fouchs East Boundary line to Hollow Creek to a ?? in the creek there with the ?? of the creek to the beginning to have and to take hold the same to the said Thomas D. Driver his heirs and ?? forever I do covenant with the said Thomas D Driver that I am lawfully siezed of said law have a good right to convey it and that the same is unincumbered I do ?? the covernent and bind my self & my heirs and representatives to warrant and for ever defend the title to the said land and every tract there of to the said Thoams D Driver his heirs and ?? against the Lawful claims of all persons.

Whatever this the 10th Octobr 1849 - Isaac Waford Executed and elivered in our presense - ?? John Warford & Sollomon Scott proven 3rd June 1850.

Know all men by thee persons that Jane Johnson, John Warford and benjamin warford do bind ourselves our administrators and ?? that will not meddle or interfeere with a certain tract or parcel of land it being a part laid off to Isaac Warford as in ?? in the Deed Oct 15.

This is later followed by the sale of the land to Zilpha Roberts

DeKalb Deed books, 1838-1897

Know all men by these present that m Pea?? David Johnson & others on the 7th day of January 1867 in our ?? ?? of DeKalb County pettit?? (pettion?) against Berry Driver and others pr?? in ?? to sell certain lands set forth and described in law p??? belonging to the estate of Jane Johnson d?? and whereas ?? ?? ?? are ?? ?? at the June ?? of our ?? Court to witt on the 20th day of June 1867 upon the report of the clerk ?? pleadings in the ?? when the court ?? ?? to order and decree a sale of said lands on a credit of one and two years after the ?? should be ?? and ?? into two trails by John C ?? ?? surveyor appointed for that purpose.

And whereas said ?? came on again for ?? upon report of sale by the clerk of said ?? and plaits of saw lands filed by ?? surveyor off??? when A app?? to the Court (to witt at the feburary Turn of ?? Court 1868) that M Roberts for the use and benefit of his wife zelpha roberts ?? ?? the purchasors of Lot No 2 of ?? land containing 36 acres and 80 ?? set forth and described in the following plat and  ?? ?? ?? ?/ to ?? Lot no 2 containing thirty six acres and eighty ?? beginging at the Chestnut ?? in ?? ?? line ?? North of 81 (degree) west 36 ?? to a chestnut oak ?? south 81 (degree) west 39 ?? to Lisa s??? there North 59 9degree) west 6 ?/ to 4 chestnuts in ?? ?? ??

With his ?? South 43(degree West 24 ??, there South 47 % ?? 34 ?? to a ?? ?? his garner there South 20 (degree) east 8 ?? to a ?? oak there south 23 (degree) west 4 ?? to his ?? in the original old line there north ?? line east 117 poles to a ?? John ?? ?? therein North 52 poles to the begining ?? the ?? of (365$) three hundred and sixty five dollars all of which has been duly paid and satisifed.

All of ?? ?? ?? are not fully understood by the court and ?? ?? to ?? by the court in all things ?? & ?? ?? ?? & vi?? the title to said land ?? of the heirs of said Jane Johnson ?? & in the said M Roberts the purcahsor and ordering a ?? made accordingly on payment of the ?? money (all of which has been paid as aforesaid and whereas the said m roberts request that said deed be made to the sale and ?? use of hiw wife the said Zilpha Roberts ?? of J N christian Clerk of our ?? Court of DeKalb county by the authority in me vested a such clerk and ?? of said sum of three hundred and sixty five dollars paid as ?? do hereby transfer & ?? to the said Zilpha Roberts and her heirs, forever to her sale ?? use all the right title claim and ?? that the ?? heirs of said Jane Johnson has in the ?? ?? described tract of land in as file & ?? a ?? ? clerk can or ?? to do but no further or otherwise in ?? ?? hereunto set my ?? & affixed seal done at office in Smithville this 16 day of April 1870. State of Tennessee, DeKalb County

peronsally appear before ?? the county court of ?? said county and the

Later the land dead is completed

Zilpha Roberts Image 2

Notes

1. There is a strong Cullum or variation of the name match among many of Zilphas descendents, this appears to be an X match - It is now viewed that this line may be coming through her daughter in law Malvina's line - more work is required.
2. It has been ruled out that she is the Zilpha Roberts mentioned in the Will of Susannah Carraway(last name varies) of Wayne County, North Carolina^[13] as that Zilpha married an H. Roberts and was born earlier then ours.

Sources

1. ↑ calculated using birth year of first child Milton
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} Year: 1850; Census Place: North of Cumberland and East of Caney Fork Rivers, Smith, Tennessee; Roll: M432_896; Page: 223A; Image: 334 Page Year: 1850; Census Place: North of Cumberland and East of Caney Fork Rivers, Smith, Tennessee; Roll: M432_896; Page: 223A; Image: 334 File
3. ↑ Washington's Death Certificate
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6} Year: 1860; Census Place: District 11, Wilson, Tennessee; Roll: M653_1280; Page: 343; Family History Library Film: 805280 Page Year: 1860; Census Place: District 11, Wilson, Tennessee; Roll: M653_1280; Page: 343; Family History Library Film: 805280 File
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Year: 1870; Census Place: District 2, DeKalb, Tennessee; Roll: M593_1524; Page: 123B; Image: 35059; Family History Library Film: 553023 Page Year: 1870; Census Place: District 2, DeKalb, Tennessee; Roll: M593_1524; Page: 123B; Image: 35059; Family History Library Film: 553023 File
6. ↑ 1830; Census Place: Lincoln, Tennessee; Series: M19; Roll: 177; Page: 203; Family History Library Film: 0024535 Page 1830; Census Place: Lincoln, Tennessee; Series: M19; Roll: 177; Page: 203; Family History Library Film: 0024535 File
7. ↑ Tennessee, Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895
8. ↑ Year: 1840; Census Place: District 3, Jackson, Tennessee; Roll: 524; Page: 257; Family History Library Film: 0024545
9. ↑ Year: 1880; Census Place: Liberty, DeKalb, Tennessee; Roll: 1252; Family History Film: 1255252; Page: 124C; Enumeration District: 027 Page Year: 1880; Census Place: Liberty, DeKalb, Tennessee; Roll: 1252; Family History Film: 1255252; Page: 124C; Enumeration District: 027 File
10. ↑ DEKALB COUNTY, TENNESSEE DEED BOOK Q-Z 1885-1900 Thomas E. Partlow, Print Year 1999, page 79
11. ↑ See image of Land document
12. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #191553615 Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 21 July 2018), memorial page for Zilpha Roberts (1810–1892), Find A Grave Memorial no. 191553615, citing Matlock Roberts Cemetery, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA ; Maintained by Kristina Wheeler (contributor 49355154) .
13. ↑ "Wayne, North Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:SQWF-X6VR-9?view=fullText : Jan 17, 2025), image 49 of 254; North Carolina. County Court (Wayne County),North Carolina. Division of Archives and History. 004772499