DANIEL STEPHENS was born in Lancaster Co., SC, in 1809. He was the 9th of 10 children born to John and Elizabeth Joyner Stephens. Daniel was born Feb. 9, and his twin Michael was born Feb. 10. Their other siblings were: Sarah b. 1788, m. John Hodge; William b. 1792; James b. 1795; Middleton b. 1798; Eliza b. 1800, m. James Pollock; Boyer b. 1801; John b. 1803; and Thomas b. 1805.

Daniel’s parents had moved their family to the Duck River area in Bedford Co., TN by 1814. They bought 426 acres of land, and in 1820 owned 8 male Slaves and 8 female Slaves.
Daniel’s mother Elizabeth died between 1850-1860. His father John died in Coffee Co., TN, at the age of 100 in 1865.

Daniel became the 1st Mayor, and 1st Postmaster of Wartrace, TN. He was also a Magistrate in Bedford Co., as was his twin Michael in Manchester, Coffee Co., TN. Daniel was one of Wartrace's first merchants, with a general store near the train depot. He also farmed. Like his father, Daniel was a Slave Owner with 1 young male Slave in 1840.

Daniel was married 4 times and is said to have fathered 21 children, but only the names of 19 are known. His last two wives were younger than his oldest sons.

Daniel 1st married Nancy Couch in 1829, the daughter of Joseph Elijah Couch, Jr. and Catherine Patton.
Their 7 children were:
1. John Patton, 1830 - 1904, m. Rhoda Catherine Bramblett;
2. Joseph Erwin, 1831 - 1878, m. Elenor Perlis Kimsey;
3. Henry Michael*, 1833 - 1863, m. Margaret M. Lindsay;
4. James Middleton, 1834 – 1917, m. Emmaline Kelly;
5. William Joyner, b. 1836, m. Lizzie Maddox;
6. Martin D.**, 1837-1862, m. Elizabeth Ponder in Titus Co. Texas.
7. Nancy Catherine, 1838 - 1887, m. Willis Green Keller.

Two sons died in the Civil War:
*Pvt. Henry Michael Stephens, Co A, 19th Texas, CSA, captured at Oak Ridge, LA, died in the POW prison at Alton, IL
** Pvt. Martin D. Stephens, Co. I, H, 27th Texas Cavalry, CSA, killed in battle near Columbus, MO May 20, 1862.

Nancy Couch Stephens died on November 15, 1840.

Daniel married 2nd, in 1841, to Elizabeth Caroline Keller, the daughter of Joseph Keller and Ann Kelly.
Their 5 children were::
1. Robert Howell*, 1843 - 1912, m. Melvina Green;
2. Thomas, 1844, - 1877, m. Jane Cawthron;
3. Reuben Keller, 1846 - 1933, m. Tennie Williams;
4. Benjamin, 1848 - 1863, no spouse
5. Purnell Pruitt, b. 1850, m. Mattie Armstrong

*Pvt. Robert Howell Stephens also fought in the Civil War in Co. G, 17th TN Infantry, CSA

Elizabeth Caroline Keller Stephens died 1856.

Daniel married 3rd, about 1857, to Sarah Elvira McClure, daughter of Jim McClure and Rachel Keller.
They had 2 children:
1. Rachel, 1851 - 1924, m. George Shelton
2. Elizabeth “Bettie”, b. 1853, died July 1, 1924, m. John Throneberry

Sarah Elvira McClure Stephens died before 1864. Her burial location is unknown.

Daniel married 4th Elizabeth Jane Ayers, 1831-1909, on March 30, 1864 in Coffee Co., TN. She was the daughter of William Ayers and Nellie Ellen Kimbro.
Their 5 children were.
1. Sarah (Sallie), b. 1865, married Peter Thomas
2. Anna Narcissa, b. 1868, married Samuel Jones
3. Edmond Cooper, 1869 - 1959, m. Mary Helen King
4. George Rufus, 1870-1944, married Minnie Overall
5. Jerry, 1874 - 1876

Elizabeth Jane Ayers Stephens spent her last years living with son Edmond Cooper and his family, in the Knob Creek house originally built by her brother Tom Ayers. She died there in 1909. Her burial location is unknown.

Daniel Stephens died at the age of 85 on September 29, 1894.

SOURCES:
Bible of Elizabeth Joyner Stephens; Goodspeed’s History of Bedford Co. TN; Bedford Co. TN Census 1820 – 1880; Bedford Co. TN Cemetery book, by Marsh, pages 16, 17, record of Keller Cemetery.