William H. Clayborn
Eighth Child of James T. Clayborn
31 March 1857 - c. 1904

William Howard (or Horace) Clayborn was born on 31 March 1857 in DeKalb County, Tennessee [1900 U.S. Census. Civil District 19, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T623_1567 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 51.]. He was still living at home with his parents in 1880, at the age of 23 [1880 U.S. Census. Liberty, De Kalb, Tennessee; Roll: T9_1252; Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Family History Film: 1255252; Page: 124.4000; Enumeration District: 27.. Roughly three years later, on 1 July 1883, he married Matilda Driver (born in July of 1866) in DeKalb County [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. Together William and Matilda had six children, all listed in greater detail below. William, Matilda and their six children were living together in DeKalb County during the 1900 census [1900 U.S. Census. Civil District 19, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T623_1567 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 51.], but within a year Matilda would die and William would remarry.

William married (2nd) Mahaley Tramel Vanderpool (25 Dec 1866 - 02 July 1932) on 9 February 1901 [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.] and together they had a child, Tina Clayborn, born 17 Mar 1902. William was alive at least long enough to father this child, but died in November of 1902 [From research by Russell Lindon Hill in 1993-1995]. Mahaley Vanderpool Clayborn married Thomas Newby Smith on 3 September 1905 [Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. Mahaley and Thomas had one child together, Jesse Smith (27 May 1906 - 4 July 1978) [Jesse is buried in Snow Hill Baptist Cemetery and his tombstone lists his birthday as 27 May 1906 and his date of death as 4 July 1978.]. Presumably Mahaley and Thomas divorced because on 9 February 1907 (less than a year after Jesse was born) Thomas married Delily Fish [Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.].

After William's death his six children by his first wife Matlida Driver Clayborn - Eva, Charlie, Maudie J., Bonnie Etta, Clay Evans, and William Elijah - were raised by Matilda's sister Mary Etta "Minnie" Driver Parker (25 Oct 1872 - 19 Sep 1954) and her husband William M. "Bill" Parker (10 Jul 1865 - 25 Jan 1951). Although Bill and Minnie Parker had no children of their own, they reared these six Clayborn children as their own [Obituary of Mrs. Etta Parker, Smithville Review Newspaper, 22 Sep 1954 Issue.]. "They were father and mother to the Clayborn children after their parent's death." [Obituary of William Parker, Smithville Review Newspaper, 31 Jan 1951 Issue.]

Pedigree Chart

						Joshua Clyburn c. 1758 - c. 1799
				Ephraim Claybourn 1788 - 1850
						Sarah
		James T. Clayborn 1822 - 1900
				Mary "Polly" Browning 1792 - 1874
						Sally Browning
William H. Clayborn 1857 - c. 1904
		Melinda K. Scott b. 1827

Descendants

William and Matilda had the first six children listed below [Unless otherwise noted, most information on William and Matilda's descendants comes from Wm. Freddy Curtis, their great-grandson, as well as Harriette Threlkeld's accounts as recorded in The Claybourn Family, 1st Ed. ], with the second born to William and Mahala:

1. Eva Clayborn (click name for separate biographical sketch) was born on 05 April 1886 in DeKalb County, Tennessee and died on 30 Oct 1958 [1900 U.S. Census. Civil District 19, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T623_1567 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 51. ].

2. Charlie Clayborn was born in March of 1888 in DeKalb County, Tennessee [The birthdate is based on Charlie's tombstone, but the 1900 U.S. Census gives 1890 as the birth year. See 1900 U.S. Census. Civil District 19, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T623_1567 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 51.]. He married Edna Stanley (born in 1888) on 18 January 1907. A marriage license was issued on 27 August 1921 in DeKalb County to a Charlie Clayborn and Mandie Vanattie [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. According to family tradition, Charlie may have been married as many as five times (or more) after his marriage to Edna Stanley. One such marriage was to Cora Sandlin on 12 Nov 1922. Charlie died in 1957. He and Edna had five children together:

   1. Matilda M. Clayborn married William Floyd Martin on 8 April 1922.

   2. William C. Clayborn was born on 5 June 1908 in DeKalb County. On 21 April 1929 he married Ella O. Malone (born on 14 June 1913). William died in October of 1981 and Ella followed on 30 March 1997 in Alexandria in DeKalb County. Together they had two children, including Bobby Kenneth Clayborn (7 October 1932 - 16 January 2000).

   3. Daisy B. Clayborn

   4. Livie L. Clayborn married R.Y. Talley.

   5. Clay Edward Clayborn was born on 18 March 1917 [Social Security Death Index, Number: 409-58-5265; Issue State: Tennessee; Issue Date: 1954.]. He married Loretta Parkerson (born on 25 March 1920) on 5 December 1936 [Social Security Death Index, Number: 409-30-1582; Issue State: Tennessee; Issue Date: Before 1951.] [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. Clay died on 26 December 1984 and Loretta followed in death on 15 March 1995 [Social Security Death Index, (Clay E. Clayborn) Number: 409-58-5265; Issue State: Tennessee; Issue Date: 1954. Social Security Death Index, (Loretta Parkerson) Number: 409-30-1582; Issue State: Tennessee; Issue Date: Before 1951.]. Together they had at least two children.

3. Maudie J. Clayborn (click name for separate biographical sketch) was born in March of 1890 and died on 29 Oct 1979 [The birthdate is based on Maudie's tombstone, but the 1900 U.S. Census gives 1890 as the birth year. See 1900 U.S. Census. Civil District 19, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T623_1567 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 51.].

4. Bonnie Etta Clayborn was born on 26 January 1892 [The birthdate is based on Bonnie's tombstone, but the 1900 U.S. Census gives 1890 as the birth year. See 1900 U.S. Census. Civil District 19, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T623_1567 Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 51. Bonnie's niece, Dianna, also noted that Aunt Bonnie had the same birthday as Dianna's husband, Fred E. Curtis, on 26 Jan."]. A marriage certificate was issued to Martin Braswell and Bonnie Clayborn on 18 August 1909, however this wedding was never officiated and the wedding license not returned. She married (1st) C.H. Dodd on 8 August 1914 and later divorced him. Later in life, on 29 Aug 1958, she married (2nd) Lon Crook [This marriage license was issues in Cannon County, Tennessee. In it Bonnie gives her middle name as "Etta" and lists "Bill Clayborn" as her father. See Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. Lon was born on 21 May 1889 and died on 2 Feb 1966 [Social Security Death Index, (Lon Crook) Number: 411-24-5664; Issue State: Tennessee; Issue Date: Before 1951. The death date differs from the Social Security records and is based upon an obituary in the Smithville Review Newspaper, 10 Feb 1966 Issue.]. Bonnie followed in death on 24 Nov 1967 and is buried in the Dismal Cemetery near Liberty, Tennessee.

5. Clay Evans Clayborn was born on 15 October 1894 and worked as a farmer [United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Registration Location: Dekalb County, Tennessee; Roll: 1852979; Draft Board: 0.]. Clay married (1st) Nettie Neal (born on 13 October 1899) on 16 December 1915 [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. Nettie died on 11 January 1929 [Nettie Neal Clayborn has a nice tombstone and marker at the Dismal Cemetery. It is believed that she is still buried there yet her name is listed on a tombstone at Salem Cemetery. If she had been re-interred at Salem the tombstone likely would have been relocated to Salem.]. Clay married (2nd) Tabbie May Colwell on 18 July 1931 [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.] and married (3rd) Mattie Driver Vanatta on 24 May 1937 [Mattie Driver Vanatta Clayborn was born on 28 September 1910 to Ned Driver and Clara Neal Driver (married 26 Oct 1905). Thus, her maiden name was Driver (a common name among this branch's spouses) but prior to marrying Clay she married first to Charlie Vanatta on 30 Aug 1923. For records regarding Mattie and Clay's marriage, see Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. Clay died in June of 1983 and his third wife, Mattie, died on 08 January 2000 [Mattie's date of death is based upon her tombstone.]. Clay and his first wife Nettie had four children together.

   1. Hubert P. Clayborn was born on 19 January 1917 and married Desivata Taylor on 24 December 1935 [Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2008. Original data: Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.]. They had at least one daughter, Grace Ann Clayborn, who was living in Yonkers, New York in 1983. Hubert died on 14 May 1983 and is buried beside his father at Salem Cemetery in Liberty, Tennessee.

   2. Bertie Mai Clayborn was born on 23 March 1920. She married Ed Driver (born on 9 Feb 1914) on 17 March 1934, just before her 14th birthday. Ed died on 3 Sep 1968 and is buried in Salem Cemetery in Liberty, Tennessee. Bertie later married William Lillard of Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee.

   3. Jim Clayborn was born in 1922.

   4. Lula Clayborn was born on 22 Sep 1924. She married Ernest Hayes on 27 Nov 1940, and later Robert Snyder (born on 31 May 1913). Lula died on 1 Sep 1984.

6. William Elijah Clayborn (called "Lige") (click name for separate biographical sketch) was born on 10 June 1898 and died on 20 April 1961 [Based on Lige's tombstone.].

7. Tina Melinda Clayborn was born on 17 Mar 1902 to William and Mahaley Clayborn [Copied from Tina Vanatta Hill tombstone at Salem Cemetery, Liberty, Tennessee.]. Tina Clayborn married Clarence Vanatta (09 Apr 1894-10 Nov 1922) [Dates based on information from tombstone.] on 04 Jul 1919 in DeKalb Co., Tennessee by E. H. Hass, JP; her mother Mahaley Tramel Vanderpool gave permission for her to marry. Tina and her husband Clarence are listed in the 1920 census as living with Tina's mother Mahaley and Tina's half-brother Jesse Smith [1920 U.S. Census. Civil District 24, De Kalb, Tennessee; National Archives and Records Administration, Roll: T625_1737; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 142; Image: 537.]. Clarence died on 10 Nov 1922 from pneumonia with complications of over heat from fighting a brush fire [Clarence Vanatta Death Certificate - State of Tennessee, State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics.]. He was burried at Snow Hill Cemetery, near Smithville, Tennessee.

   Tina had two children from her marriage to Clarence. They were Buford Vanatta, listed below, and Othal Buford Vanatta (10 Feb 1922 - 10 Jul 1925) who died from flux (bowel disorder), and was buried at Snow Hill Cemetery, near Smithville, Tennessee. Tina and Buford also almost died from this ailment [Research from Russell Lindon Hill 1993-1995.].

   Tina would marry later in her life to Sam Russell Hill (18 Dec 1905 - 06 Nov 1971) [Copied from Sam Russell Hill tombstone at Salem Cemetery, Liberty, Tennessee.] and they lived in Alexandria, Tennessee in 1967. They would have seven children, all listed as the youngest seven children below. Tina Clayborn Vanatta Hill died on 17 May 1980 and was buried in Salem Cemetery, Liberty, TN [Obituary of Tina Hill, Smithville Review Newspaper, 28 May 1980 Issue.].

   1. Buford Vanatta was born as the son of Tina and Clarence Vanatta. He married Jessie Lee Robinson. He died 22 Dec 1998 at University Medical Center in Lebanon, TN and was buried in Salem Cemetery in Liberty, TN. He was a World War II veteran and worked for the Veterans Administration in the Maintenance Department as a painter for 26 years. He was a member of the Upper Helton Baptist Church and was ordained a deacon there in 1962 [Obituary of Buford Vanatta, Smithville Review Newspaper, 30 Dec 1998 Issue.]. Buford and Jessie Lee had four children:
      1. Jerry Paul Vanatta
      2. Joyce Vanatta
      3. Patsy Vanatta
      4. Kristie Vanatta

   2. Gertie Mae Hill was born 11 Mar 1928 to Tina and Sam R. Hill. She married a man with the last name of McGee and lives in Lebanon, TN.

   3. Paul Hill was born and died in December 1929 to Tina and Sam R. Hill.

   4. Russell Lindon Hill was born on 26 May 1931 to Tina and Sam R. Hill. Russell married Corinne Netherton (born 25 Sep 1931) on 20 Jan 1951 in Rossville, GA. They had one child, Brenda Hill, born 22 Dec 1953. Brenda married Billy Nixon, and they live near Watertown, TN. Brenda and Billy have one daughter, Rachel Nixon. Russell died on 12 December 1996.

   5. Clarence Edward Hill was born 23 Aug 1932 to Tina and Sam R. Hill and lives in Watertown, TN.

   6. Silas Vincent Hill was born 08 Mar 1934 to Tina and Sam R. Hill and lives in Watertown, TN.

   7. Bobby Gene Hill was born 15 May 1935 to Tina and Sam R. Hill.

   8. Viola Ann Hill was born 28 Mar 1937 to Tina and Sam R. Hill. She married a man with the last name of Davenport and lives in Knoxville, TN [Obituary of Buford Vanatta, Smithville Review Newspaper, 30 Dec 1998 Issue.].