WILLIAM TODD's WILL, TN, 1857

... ran across the little Todd genealogy book of my Weakley Co, TN Todd's.

Here is the will of William Todd, my ancestor, who is the line of my ggrandmother, Nancy Todd Cantrell. Nancy m. Jack Cantrell of Weakley and Henry Counties and she is the dau James Todd and "Spicy" Virginia Breedlove. Wm. was b. in NC 4 Oct 1799 and d. in Weakley Co., TN 18 Dec 1856.

The William Todd Will dated 22 January 1856 had so many names of the family which makes it interesting as follows:

WILLIAM TODD'S WILL
State of Tennessee
Weakley County

Know all men by these presents that I William Todd of the County of Weakley and State afore said, being weak in body strength but sound and perfect in mind and memory, doth make and publish this my last will and Testament revoking and making void all others by me at any other time made in the name of God Amen

... It is my will and desire that MY Executor hereafter named shall pay off all of my lawful debts so soon as possible after my death out of any moneys that may come in their hands
... Secondly it is my will that my beloving wife Elizabeth Todd shall have all of my land and plantation.
all of my slaves  to wit:
... Ioresy Ann  a negrro girl,
... Misiah  a girl,
... Morretter. a girl,
... Pricilla,a girl,
... and Franky a woman,
... all of my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, all of my farming utensils to have during her natural life, also my  household kitchen furniture and everything else that is on my  plantation that she may want to keep during her life, but it is my will and desire that my wife shall give off
........ to my son,  Samuel W. Todd at any time after my death property sufficient to make him equal with what I have give off to my three children that has moved off
... and it is also my will that my son John C. Todd shall have a horse, saddle and bridle and property or money sufficient to make him equal with my other children at any time when my wife sees cause to give it over to him or when he wants it.
... I want my Executars hereafter mentioned to take all of my money notes and accounnt and collect them and put them out on interest during my wife's lifetime.
... It is my will that my Executors shall at any time let my wife have what money she may want or stand in need of at all times
... and it is my will and desire after my wife's death, that all my estate both real and personal estate of every description
........ shall be equally divided among my five children George S. Todd and my son-in law Thomas J. Lovelace and his wife Mary Ann, and my son William M. Todd, and my son, Samuel W. Todd, and my son, John C. Todd.
... Now I do nominate and appoint my loving son-in law, Thomas J. Lovelace, and my son, William M. Todd my Executors to this my last will and testament making all others null and void by me at any time made.
... In testamony whereunto set my hand and sealed, signed sealed and acknowledged in our presence this the twenty second day of January A D one thousand eight hundred and fifty six.

William Todd      {Seal}

Test - - I. R. Taylor

Joseph A. Fowler

State of Tennessee, Weakley County Court, February Term l857

I, E. J. Looney, Clerk of said County Court, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing written instrument was established by the said County Court at its February term 1857 as the last will and Testament of William Todd  Dec'd, and orders the same to be Recorded and filed.

Witness my hand at office on this lst Monday in February l857, E. J. Looney, Clerk

[Surrogated court records of Weakley County, Tenn., Will and Record Book No. 1840, page 400 - 4Ol]

I have done no research on this Todd line, but perhaps this will help out another Todd Researcher.
If anyone has a list of burials for Metheny Cemetery where most of these folks are buried, please let me know... Shirley

Contributed by: "Shirley"  bobert@panacom.com