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Welcome to the East Tennessee Raby Family History Page!
I have always wondered about my family history but knew very little about my Raby ancestors. I knew they came to Tennessee from North Carolina and that Sam Raby was one name in my heritage. The reasons for lack of information are several but primarily because my grandfather died when my father was only four and I was raised near my mother's side of the family.
My grandmother Nettie Rash Raby never remarried after her husband Frederick Samuel Raby died in 1922. Fred Raby was from a place called Scarbro in Anderson Co, TN. That community no longer exists as a result of World War II. In September of 1942, 60,000 acres were claimed to create America's secret city of "Oak Ridge," Tennessee. I grew up next to an employee of Oak Ridge and we learned early the work done there was secret and we should not even ask. For this reason, and the scattering of uncles, aunts and cousins displaced by the government, a lot of family history is yet untold.
I have always wanted to know more and even asked questions throughout my youth about Raby family history. Now, with my postal career about half completed and the availability of the internet for easier communication, I know a great deal about this branch of the Raby family.
Sometime in 1998 I was looking into history for a friend and I became intrigued by what I learned and began to apply the time and effort to discover where my family came from. We were always told we were of Scotch-Irish heritage and that was enough to know. Curiosity has always been stronger with me and I want to know more. There is always the risk of "skeletons and black sheep" in the closet but anyone who fears that should not take a look into the past. We all have a history that includes things we would prefer to forget but it is our record and our ancestors deserve to have their records exposed to our curiosity in honor and memorial. We have these wonderful tools of discovery and ability to share our findings to the furthest places and now we have set out to do just that.
The earliest Raby ancestor I have found is JAMES RABY who lived in the Fork of the Yadkin, Rowan County, North Carolina in the 1820 census . He had a wife of the same age, four male children and one female. In 1830, James Raby is found in Knox County Tennessee along with Sherwood Raby and Robert Raby who also have families. They are settled in west Knox County in the area known as Campbell's Station. In 1840, the Raby census includes the families of James, James Jr, Robert, Sherwood, John and Squire. There are also families of two Raby daughters, Elizabeth (married William Young 1822) and Nancy (married James Hood 1837). Nearly all Rabys in East Tennessee descend from these five brothers. You are welcome to visit with us as we document how these families are related. Please contact me if you have information to add or questions about some detail you see. I desire to learn more, to correct errors and to fill vacancies in this history.
Thank you, Donald Ernest Raby
These records are the result of my personal research
along with collaboration from many helpers and may not be
copied or reproduced in any manner for monetary gain.
of Rowan County, North Carolina & Knox County, Tennessee
A Thumbnail of my Tree
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This page was created 22 Oct 2001