My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ROBERTS was born on July 18, 1810, on Little River in what was then Christian County, now Cadiz Precinct, Trigg Co. He is a son of John and Nancy (Atkins) Roberts. The father was born in Buckingham County, Va., in 1759. His father died when he was quite young. At the age of sixteen John Roberts volunteered to go as a guard to a party who were coming West. The party came to what is now Nashville, Tenn., and Mr. Roberts was one of a number who helped erect the block-house that stood where the capitol building now stands. He lived at this point for some time, and there his first wife was killed and scalped by the Indians. He came to this county in 1804, and settled near Cerulean Springs. In the early part of the year 1814 he came to Little River, and purchased a tract of land from David McKee, and which is now included in the Cadiz Precinct. Here he resided until his death which occurred on January 7, 1838. The mother died here on October 7, 1837. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject was the eldest of four brothers: William, Robert R., David L. and Phineas E. Of this number, David L., now in Mississippi, and William (subject), are the only ones living. William remained at home until after his mother’s death and then commenced life for himself and settled on Little River in this precinct. In 1841 he came to his present farm, where he has since resided. He now owns 220 acres, of which eighty-five are in cultivation. Mr. Roberts was married on July 9, 1833, to Miss Nancy Malone, a daughter of Booth and Martha A. (Darnell) Malone, natives of Montgomery County, Tenn. Mrs. Roberts was born in that county in 1813. To her and husband have been born eight children, of whom three are now living: John W. (at home), Richard B. Roberts (a merchant in St. Louis, Mo.), and Susan A. (wife of Irving Branden, of Wallonia). Mrs. Roberts died on January 7, 1859, and subject was next married to Mrs. Medas J. Nelson, a daughter of Mahala and Rebecca (Randolph) Ingram. Mrs. Roberts was born in Claiborne County, Miss., on August 15, 1822. Mr. Roberts is a member of Roaring Springs Lodge, A. F. M., also a member of the Methodist Church. He cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President, and has since then been a strong Democrat.