The majority of information shown on these pages (other than individual contributors as noted), comes from the writings of Snyder E. Roberts, and his wife, Pauline Halburnt Roberts. The most frequently-quoted book is his Roots of Roane County, TN –1792-, published in 1981. Also his first book, Roberts Families of Roane County, TN, published in 1969—now out of print. (Reprints of Roots available from Oliver Springs Historical Society). [This may not be current as of 2025.]

He did a series of articles for local newspapers, and later compiled those articles into the Roots book, and four volumes about Oliver Springs, Tennessee. In the Introduction to the Roots book, he says: “Where do you get all of that stuff?” is a question often asked. He goes on to list Roane County official records, TN State Library and Archives, National Archives and Records Service, Roane County Historical Society (articles), East TN Historical Society (mentioning Dr. MacArthur, the Director of the McClung Collection at that time) and Jesse Mills, Director of TVA Technical Library, the Oak Ridge City Library, Harriman City Library, and miscellaneous books, pamphlets and newspapers from various sources.

Thousands of letters, hundreds and hundreds of telephone calls and personal interviews have all been utilized. He goes on to mention some specific people:

There has been no intent to deceive or plagiarize in the issuance of these articles. In general, the writing of Roots of Roane County has been a cognitive process in which the writer has read widely from a vast number of books and other materials, mentally digested the same, and the product that came from his mind and pen has been this series of articles. It is impossible to name all the individuals who have contributed. Among those who deserve special mention and credit are:

Roane County historians Captain W. E. McElwee and Mrs. Emma M. Wells made a great impact on local history. Mrs. Marilyn McCluen, former Roane Historian has made her large collection and files available. She has personally [shared her materials and time]. More importantly, her personal encouragement has been a considerable factor in pursuing the project to a conclusion.

I was not living in the area when my parents were doing their research. But I do know that in the beginning, my aunt, Mrs. Minnie E. Roberts Welcker did a great deal of work on the Roberts, Webster and related families. In later years, I believe S.E.R. was in contact frequently with Babe Parker, former County Historian, and undoubtedly gathered information there. He collaborated with Mrs. Bonnie Eden on a manuscript of the Frost family, and he relied heavily on her contributions and organizational skills.

Also, he spent many hours with C. S. “Sonny” Harvey, who is the former Chairman of the Oliver Springs Historical Society, and with whom he left all his research papers.

Snyder E. Roberts was born March 16, 1908 at Elverton in Roane County. He was the 10th child of Samuel Henry and Martha “Patsy” Webster Roberts, who married in 1887. Sam Roberts was a descendant of Elias and Rebecca Brashear Roberts who settled on the present-day Oak Ridge K-25 plant site ca 1794.

His grandfather, William Monroe Roberts (1834-1910) was a Civil War veteran, and although it is doubtful S.E.R. would have remembered him, older siblings would have known him and family history was passed along.

S.E.R., and his direct ancestors before him, lived all his life in the Oliver Springs area of Roane County. An honors graduate of the University of Tennessee, he taught school, coached, was principal of elementary school, worked at Oak Ridge during the War II era, and retired from his last job as a History teacher at Clinton High School (where he also wrote a book on the history of the school). Undoubtedly new information has developed since the publication of his writings, but I choose to present them as written and make notes as needed.

Through his research, personal memories, and interviews with older local people, a “treasure of Roane information” was gone when Snyder E. Roberts died in 1994, from complications of an earlier stroke.