Jerry and Linda Butler

David B. Funderburk was born in South Carolina in 1805. David moved to Perry (now Decatur) Co. TN some time before 1837. He appears on the Perry Co. tax role in 1837 and is listed in the 1840 census along with his wife. His nephew David S. Funderburk joined him in Decatur Co. some time around 1869.

David was one of the early leaders of Decatur Co. Along with many others, he signed the petition to have Decatur Co. established as a county separate from Perry Co. After Decatur County was formed in 1846, Samuel McLeod, Samuel Brasher, Balsam Jones and David Funderburk purchased 25 acres from John McMillan and 10 acres from Burrell Rushing to provide the site for the town of Decaturville. David was the first Circuit Clerk serving until 1856 when he was succeeded by Hiram Lacy. He was also active in the Methodist Church in Decaturville where in 1871, he is listed as one of the church trustees negotiating the purchase of land along with W. H. Johnson, D. M. Scott, O. P. Trim, and J. M. Porterfield. David and his wife Sophia had one daughter, Louisa, who died at age 10. Sophia preceded David in death and David lived out his final days in the home of his nephew, Daniel A. Funderburk. All of these early Funderburk's except Sophia are buried at the Decaturville City Cemetery.

• sources: Decatur Co. Genweb site, Perry Co. Genweb site, Decatur County, Tennessee History and Families, 1846-1996, page 63, 1840-1880 census records

The 1840 census shows:
The 1840 census shows:
1 males 30 to 40 - D. B. Funderburk
1 female 20 to 30
no slaves

Slave schedule, 1850 census, Decatur Co. TN
D. B. Funderburk, slave owner

1. 16, F, B

Slave schedule, 1860 census, Decatur Co. TN
David B. Funderburk, slave owner

1. 27, M, B
2. 23, M, B
3. 20, F, B
4. 3, M, B
5. 1, F, B

In the 1860 census, M. Perry, age 20, domestic female is living in the David Funderburk household.