Sobro in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Captain William Driver

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 4, 2025

1. Captain William Driver Marker

Inscription. Born 1803, in Salem, Massachusetts, and a sea captain at 21, William Driver retired in 1837. He came here with his three children and the flag given him by the girls of Salem. He nicknamed the flag “Old Glory”, the first known use of the term. This flag was flown from the State Capitol when Federal troops took Nashville in 1862. Capt. Driver died in 1886.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3A 46.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 36° 9.295′ N, 86° 46.491′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Sobro. It is on Rep. John Lewis Way South south of Peabody Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 511 Rep John Lewis Way S, Nashville TN 37203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: William Driver (here, next to this marker); Primo Bartolini / Primo Bartolini’s Home (a few steps from this marker); Frank Maxwell Andrews (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nettie Napier Day Home Club

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(about 600 feet away); Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Elm Street Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Captain Ryman's Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Immaculate Mother Academy (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Also see . . .
1. William Driver. On an 1831 voyage to the South Pacific, Driver's ship was the sole surviving vessel of six that departed Salem the same day. He subsequently escorted sixty-five descendants of the Bounty survivors from Tahiti back to their home on Pitcairn Island and is said to have been convinced that God saved his ship for that purpose. (Ophelia Paine, Tennessee Encyclopedia, Oct. 8, 2017) (Submitted on May 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. How the Flag Came to be Called Old Glory: New research may settle a family feud over the origins …. As a prominent Union symbol in a southern city, Driver's prized flag caused fractures within his family that still remained after 150 years. (Sally Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, October 2013) (Submitted on May 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 4, 2025

2. Captain William Driver Marker

Capt. William C. Driver, Sr. (1803-1886) image. Click for full size.

Salem Vessels and their Voyages, Vol. II, George Granville Putnam (1924) (Public Domain), circa 1870/80

3. Capt. William C. Driver, Sr. (1803-1886)

He displayed "Old Glory" every holiday, using a rope between his house and a tree across the street to hoist the large banner. During the Civil War, he had the flag sewn inside a coverlet to hide it from Confederates. The flag is now in the Smithsonian Institute.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.