Person:Denton Driver (1)

Denton's sons, John and George, helped build the Watersville Methodist Church. In the 1860 census he was listed with real estate valued at $1,400 and a personal estate of $700. According to the 1880 census, Denton was living with his son John while his wife was with their other son, George, next door. Only one of his grandchildren was born in Ohio, perhaps while on a visit.

Denton was the only son of James and Lucy (Hobbs) Driver to stay in Maryland; probably because of his mother-in-law. She owned land in Baltimore County (later Carroll Co) and Ann Arundel (later Howard Co). After Nancy's father died, her mother sold this land and moved to another tract near Poplar Springs that had also previously been owned by the Warfields (the land Denton later owned). The Warfield and Lansdale families were heavily involved in Maryland's Industrial Revolution.

Denton owned a 100 acre farm on the Howard County side of the Patapsco River between Watersville and Woodbine. He was a qualified voter of the 4th District, Howard Co April 1867, along with James W. Driver (his son).

The Howard County, Maryland Directory for 1878 lists Denton Driver in Poplar Springs, which is 2 1/4 miles from Woodbine; soil, red clay, principally cleared; is worth $25 per acre, and produces 15 bus. wheat, 25 corn, 1,400 lbs. tobacco and 2 tons hay. Church and a public school. Population 40.

There is still a road near Woodbine named Driver Road or Lane.

from Bill.Hilton@@ssa.gov

I don't know of any family pictures from the Driver line. My 83 year old father and his 85 year old sister talk often of their Grandma Lucy who was the great grand daughter of Lucy Hobbs and grand daughter of Denton. Lucy's husband George Francis Hilton died at a young age and Grandma Lucy struggled to raise her two sons on the family's farm. I gather from them that the family was entirely too poor to afford what would have been a luxury to them like a photograph.

An invention in Denton's lifetime

Canned food was invented for the British Navy in 1813, by Peter Durand. The cans were made of solid iron and usually weighed more than the food inside them. Mr. Durand forgot something however - how to get the food out of the sealed cans! The instructions were cut round the top near the outer edge with a chisel and hammer.

In the 1860’s, when thinner steel cans began being used, the can opener was invented. Ezra Warner’s large curved blade was driven into a can’s rim, and then worked around its edge with great force. This first can opener never left the grocery store (thankfully!). A grocer had to open each can before it left the store.

In 1870 the modern can opener was invented by William Lyman; including a cutting wheel to roll around the rim. The next change occurred on 1925 with the introduction of a jagged wheel for rotating the can by a San Francisco company. This basic idea continues to be used on today’s can openers, and was the foundation for the first electric can opener, invented in December 1931.

Denton Driver owned a 100 acre farm on the Howard Co unty side of the Patapsco River between Watersville and Woodbine. Ref: (Howar d County Atlas of 1878). source: Robert E. Lyons, Baltimore, MD

---from "The Driver families in America : James Driver, 1765-1849, Vol. 2 " by Lucille Driver, page 72:

Denton Driver married Nancy Ann Lansdale about 1837. She was the daughter of John H. and Nancy Ann Warfield Lansdale. Denton owned a 100 acre farm on the Howard Co. side of the Patapsco River between Watersville and Woodbine. Denton was the assistant pastor of the Watersville Methodist Church and George W. Driver and John W. Driver helped build the church. In 1850 he was listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $1,400. and a personal estate of $700. Denton was listed as living with John W. Driver in the 1880 Census while Nancy Ann was listed as living with George W. Driver, their sons. Hannah A. and her husband John J. Fleming are both buried in the Poplar Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. Nancy Ann Warfield Lansdale and her husband John H. Lansdale owned land near Hoods Mills that later became part of "Warfield Forest" and this land later was owned by Denton Driver. Denton Driver was the only son of James and Lucy Hobbs to stay in Maryland; probably because of his mother-in-law Nancy Ann Warfield Lansdale. Baltimore Co. (later Carroll Co.) and Ann Arundel (later Howard Co.) She sold this land after her husband's death and moved to another tract near Poplar Springs that had also previously been owned by the Warfields; it was this piece of land that Denton was to eventually own. The Warfield and Lansdale families were heavily involved in Maryland's Industrial Revolution. John W., James W., George w. and Joshua Sanders Driver will be considered later. REF: 1850 Census for Ann Arundel Co., Md. Fische Microfilm N-0216 -- LDS Library 1880 Census for Howard Co.,Md. Howard Co. Atlas of 1878 Fleming Family records Denton Driver owned a 100 acre farm on the Howard Co unty side of the

Birth: Apr. 7, 1813 Death: Jun. 19, 1894

He is buried with his wife, Nancy A. Driver. Their headstone reads at the bottom: We have fought a good fight. We have finished our cause. We have kept the faith. 2 Timothy. At the very bottom is Driver.

Burial: Morgan Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery Woodbine Carroll County Maryland, USA

1. ↑ Researcher
   The Archer Association Genealogy.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;)
   Year: 1880; Census Place: Lisbon, Howard, Maryland; Roll: T9_511; Family History Film: 1254511; Page: 400.3000; Enumeration District: 104; Image: 0727.

   Name: Denton Driver Birth Date: abt 1813 Birth Place: Maryland Residence Date: 1880 Residence Place: Lisbon, Howard, Maryland, United States

3. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census. (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;)
   Year: 1850; Census Place: Howard, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Roll: M432_278; Page: 510; Image: 485.

   Name: Denton Driver Birth Date: abt 1813 Birth Place: Maryland Residence Date: 1850 Residence Place: Howard, Anne Arundel, Maryland