- The children were to be driven.
- Nicholas was not to be of the party.
The first sentence is passive, of course. Its form describes the future from the viewpoint of the past. These structures can refer to a past action, intention, or plan when its realization or intended realization still lies in the future.
Consider:
Mr. Klein was to be our representative at the meeting, but it was canceled.
The dean was about to arrive when a terrible argument broke out at the meeting.
She was to become a prima ballerina.
Cynthia knew she was to be fired, but the method still came as a surprise. (passive)
Cynthia knew that her boss would fire her, but the method still came as a surprise. (active)
There was to be a meeting that day, but it never happened.
The second sentence is active and negative.
Consider:
Nicholas was not to be part of our group.
Something that did not happen. Seen from the viewpoint of the past.
*These examples are mine.