DeKalb Trails - The Early Drivers

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: DeKalb, Tennessee, United States
Surnames/tags: Driver Roberts

Shortly after being designated as a county, the first tax list of DeKalb was completed in 1839, consisting of 980 taxable individuals, not all living in DeKalb. This was followed shortly after by the 1840 population census showing an estimated 927 families in the area. In general, these records contain the names of the heads of households, providing a broad understanding of the relationships between neighbors.

Although these records are subject to errors in their recording and transcription, they help give us a general idea of the founding families at DeKalb’s inception. Some of these lineages were in the area as early as 1797 when Adam Dale from Maryland built a mill on Smith Fork Creek. Easily seen are long-standing names in DeKalb such as the Bain’s, Bates, Braswells, Cantrell, Drivers, Fites, Robinsons, Vanatta’s, and Wauford.

The early Drivers noted in the 1839 DeKalb tax list were written as Redmond, Littlebury, Thomas, and Benjamin; shortly after, in the 1840 census, we find the Driver’s noted as Asa, John, Reddick, Giles, Thomas, Erwin, and Benjamin. In addition, we mention them in earlier census records of surrounding counties, and it is suspected it is them in Barren County, Kentucky in 1810.

John Driver

Thomas Driver(1814-abt 1880), son of Benjamin Driver(est 1775-1850), was first married to Malinda Johnson, and they would have four children, Little Berry, Elizabeth, John, Burrel, and a daughter. Malinda likely passed away about 1854, and Thomas would remarry to Sarah Roberts on the 27th of December, 1857, in DeKalb County. They would have five children; Matilda, Mary, Thomas, Erwin, and an unknown Driver.

In 1849 Thomas would purchase 100 acres from Isaac Warford; the land would be adjacent to Randolph Sandlin and William Fouch. It is believed part of this land would later be sold to Matlock and Zilpha Roberts.

Thomas’s father Benjamin would pass away on the 27th of May 1850, with Benjamin’s will probated in 1852 –

Thomas D. Driver, executor, reports settlement of the estate of Benjamin Driver, dec’d. Amount due the legatees: Littleberry Driver $34.05. Thomas D. Driver 34.05. Burel Driver 34.05. Erwin Driver 34.05. Melvina Parkerson 34.05. The above named being all the heirs of Benjamin Driver, dec’d.

Burrel Driver , Gillie Ann (Scott) Driver, and Burrell "Dib" E Driver

Thomas and his family lived in the Alexandria/Liberty area for many years, with his real estate in 1860 valued at about $2,000. Thomas signed his will on the 26th of December, 1882, and probate completed about 1885. His land would be adjacent to that of Tilmon Crook, and David and Pallis Smith. An interesting note in his will follows:

“My children are not to dispose of the land herein bequeathed, only in the following way. They may sell one to another and reinvest in other lands and in no way, Roads, passages are to be allowed over the entire farm, where they will do the least damage for the benefit of my wife and children.

I’ve often wondered if the land is still in the family and if a road was put through it.

When Thomas passed away about 1883, Sarah would remarry to Tillmon Joines, and they would have one child Acie. Thomas’s exact burial location is unknown; however, he may be in the Hayes Cemetery, as Sarah is noted as buried there, and Tillmon in the Cathcart Cemetery.

Thomas’s son John Driver, from Thomas’s first wife Malinda, would first marry Diannah Roberts on the 6th of September 1863 in Smith County, Tennessee, and they would have Columbus. Diannah’s exact date of death is not known but is estimated to be about 1868, and it is plausible she is buried in the Dismal Cemetery. After Diannah passed away, Thomas would marry her younger sister Amanda Roberts on the 5th of June, 1870, in DeKalb county. They would have Teria, Thomas, Sarah, Dove, Alonzo, Virginia, and Nannie.

Randolph Driver and Teria Katherine Driver

It is important to note that before 1920, vital records such as birth or death certificates, for the most part, did not exist. Relationships are built by the evidence that supports them in probate records, court documents, and other extant evidence. New evidence such as family bibles or letters between family members may provide a new understanding of family relationships.

In 2017 I changed how I do genealogical work and started focusing on communities; in understanding them, you build a much more compelling understanding of your true roots. This has lead to a one-place study of several communities in DeKalb, with a goal to document the individual lives of those who lived near Alexandria and Liberty prior to 1920.

When there in November, I took the opportunity to document 11,000 images of court documents, tombstones, vertical files, and other research materials that I am slowly working through. If you have family bibles, photos, or other family records you’d like to share, I would love to see them. I can be reached at Kris Wheeler.

Mary Etta Driver Parker and William M Parker