JAMES TODD

The following bio was taken from page 415 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Claudia Schuster

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

An 1808 tax list shows his name, and he was appointed overseer of the road on which he lived. In 1809, he bought land; in 1810 he served on the jury; and he later served on many juries; therefore, it is believed that he lived not far from the county seat and must have been a regular to the Courthouse.

James Todd was married to Frances (?), and after his death between May 30, 1823 and July 29, 1823, she inherited his property but died about 1828. The property was then divided among their children: Henry, Smith, Martin, William, Holston, Elizabeth Tedder, Nancy Sellers, Eliza, Harriett and, Patsy; James’ will states: "To my beloved son, Williamson Todd, 5 shillings."

After the estate was divided, all the Todd children except Elizabeth Tedder had left Roane County, Tennessee by 1830. Williamson moved to Benton County, Alabama. He is the ancestor of Rusk County Todds. He was born January 12, 1792 in Virginia and was married to Dicey Tedder about 1815. Her birth date was July 26, 1792.

Orville Todd of Rusk County has in his possession a Bible belonging to Williamson Todd which was brought to the County by one of Williamson’s sons. It could have been either James Calvin Todd or Christopher Columbus Todd. The Bible was published by Kimber and Sharpless of Philadelphia. It is so old that a clipping found in it naming the U.S. Presidents lists only eight, ending with Martin Van Buren, 1837.

The children of Williamson and Dicey, all born in Tennessee, were: Maria L., born February 27, 1816; James Calvin November 7 1817; William Franklin, February 19, 1820 and died early; John Matterson, January 25, 1822; Christopher Columbus, January 21, 1824; Marthey Jane, December 10, 1825; Frances M., February 27, 1828; and Benjamen Williamson, September 7, 1830.

The Todds were not on the 1850 Rusk County census, but in 1860 there were many named as living in the Cottonwood or Peatown Communities, maybe Monroe. They must have come either in 1859 or early 1860, because all of James Calvin’s children were born in Alabama, and the youngest, Emory, was only eight months old.

The 1860 census lists the family, giving the ages and birth places as follows: James Calvin Todd, forty, Tennessee; Melissa Ann, thirty-eight, Georgia; Francis Monroe, fourteen, Alabama; Fielder, ten, Alabama; George, eight, Alabama; Emory, eight months, Alabama: James Calvin Todd, November 17, 1817-February 6, 1874; and Malissa Ann (Boles) Todd, July 13, 1824-February 26, 1867. James Calvin and Melissa Ann are both buried in the Hickory Grove Cemetery.

Other Todds found on the 1860 Rusk County census include James Todd, and his family and Christopher Columbus Todd and his wife, Harriet, and their children.

A great tragedy took place in this family in 1873 when in only a few months time ten of the Todds died. They all are said to have had small pox. Christopher Columbus and his wife, Harriett, were two of the victims. If they were buried at Hickory Grove, there are no markers for them.

Submitted by Margaret Brown