The Heritage Lady

 

 

The Robert Hobdys, together with the Thomas Cottons came by wagons to Sumner County, Tennessee, from Halifax, North Carolina in 1795 or 1796. The Hobdys settled on acreage and established the Hobdy plantation, near the Kentucky line, in the present 13th district of Sumner County. The first tract of land, that is recorded as purchased by Robert Hobdy, was “86 acres on Drake’ s Creek, purchased from John Payton, 15th of January, 1796, for $50.”

His wife’s maiden name was Talitha Cotton. She was the older sister of Capt. Thomas Cotton, a Revolutionary soldier, who in 1795 first settled on a land grant and founded Cottontown, Tennessee. They were cousins, once removed, from John Cotton, who came with John Donelson and helped found Nashville, Tennessee.

The above info is from the book “Some Early Settlers of Upper Sumner County, Tennessee: The Hobdy, Cotton, Durham, Gillespie, Perdue, Absher, Mattox, Cochran and Mayes Families”

Robert Hobdy/Hobday was born in Gloucester Co. VA in 1744 to Sarah Hobdy and an unknown father. In other words, there is no father listed in the Abingdon Parish Register. This could imply that his father was deceased, that for some reason his father’s name was just not listed, or that he was born out of wedlock and that his mother’s (maiden) name is Hobday.  However, I did not find Robert listed in any Bastardy Bonds, so I have doubts that his mother was unmarried. There WERE other names listed with only father’s listed, and while it’s possible that those children were born to mothers who died in childbirth, so only a father’s name is listed, it would seem more likely that in some cases only one parent’s name was listed. We do know his grandparents were Thomas and Sarah Hobdy and he may have inherited slaves from them. He was a carriage maker by trade. He married his 1st wife, name unknown, in VA and had 4 children by her. By 1780 Robert was in Northhampton Co. NC, near Halifax, where he married his second wife Talitha Cotton. Talitha Cotton was the daughter of Thomas Cotton, Sr. and Patience Bridgers and he may have inherited slaves from them.

Robert Hobdy moved his family (and slaves) to northern Sumner Co. TN in the 1790s. They settled on Drake’s Creek, probably in the area now known as Fountain Head. Talitha’s brother, Thomas Cotton, Jr., traveled with the Hodbys and founded Cottontown in Sumner Co. TN

Talitha Cotton Hobdy remarried in 1810 to Dempsy Powell. Because of her remarriage in 1810, the slaves she had inherited were then divided between her daughters Patience, Telitha and Tabitha. Assume this means the slaves Hardy and Rose and all of Rose’s children who were born between 1797 and 1810.

Migration of the children of Robert Hobdy who inherited his slaves were:

1. Thomas Cotton Hobdy married Elizabeth Brackin in TN and moved to Butler Co KY.

2. William Hodby married Elizabeth Scruggs (daughter of Drury Edward Scruggs, and died in Sumner Co TN in 1857. William’s Will makes no mention of his slaves.

3.  John (Jack) Hobdy married 1st Nancy Cummings in 1817, then 2nd Elizabeth Clay Hodges in 1835. He died in Sumner Co TN in 1835. His Will stated that “all my other property”, i. e. slaves, be sold if his wife died or remarried. But Elizabeth Hodges Hobdy did not die until 1899 in Allen Co KY, so hopefully these slaves were freed at Emancipation.

4. Richard (Dick) Hodby married Elizabeth Cotton in 1819. He died in Sumner Co TN in 1851. His Will ordered that all his slaves be sold at the death of his wife. Do not know if she died before or after Emancipation.

5. Talitha (Lethy) Hobdy married William Byrn in 1808 and lived in either Davidson or Sumner Co TN.

6. Tabitha (Bethy) Hodby married Willis Howell in 1810 and moved to Benton, Scott Co. MO about 1830..

7. Patience Hobdy married Jacob Cartwright in 1803 and died in 1838 in either Davidson or Sumner Co TN.

8. Elizabeth Hodby married John C. Rhodes in Sumner Co in 1800. They moved to Carroll and Haywood counties TN. Under the terms of her father’s Will, Elizabeth may have inherited ROSE, if she was still alive, when her mother Talitha Cotton Hobdy Dempsey died between 1830 and 1840 in Davidson Co TN.

From a TN researcher: I read a letter of one of Middle Tennessee’s settlers (not my family, but connected) written in 1778. It was describing a trip from VA into the Holston area (upper East TN). It described how there was only a foot/horse trail and that they were having to await the cutting and clearing of a wagon road. The settler had been supplying beef to an outpost of Continental Army Soldiers in western VA, who were there to fight the uprising native tribes, the Creeks.
Source: Sumner County, Tennessee & Butler County, Kentucky Records

Descendants of Thomas Hobday/Hobdy

1 Thomas Hobday
.. +Sarah ?
….. 2 ? Hobday
……… +Sarah ?
…………. 3 Robert Hobday b: 13 May 1744 in Abington Parish, Gloucester Co., VA d: 16 Nov 1797 in Sumner Co., TN
…………….. +? m: in Virginia
…………. *2nd Wife of Robert Hobday:
…………….. +Talitha Cotton b: Bet. 1743 – 1745 in Bertie Co., North Carolina m: 1770 in Halifax, NC d: 16 Nov 1846 in Sumner Co., TN
……………….. 4 Edmond Hobday

…………………… +Nancy Harrell

……………….. 4 Elizabeth Hobday

…………………… +John Rhoads

……………….. 4 Hannah Hobday

…………………… +Wyriott Blount m: 1793

……………….. 4 John W. Hobday d: 31 Dec 1852

…………………… +Nancy Cummings m: 04 Oct 1817 in Sumner Co., TN

……………….. *2nd Wife of John W. Hobday:

…………………… +Elizabeth Clay Hodges m: 22 Sep 1835 in Sumner Co., TN d: 13 Jul 1899

……………….. 4 Patience Hobday

…………………… +Jacob Cartwright m: 1803

………………………. 5 Alexander Cotton Cartwright

……………….. 4 Ripsy Ann Hobday

…………………… +John Wimberly Harrell m: 1792

……………….. 4 Robert Hobday

……………….. 4 Thomas Cotton Hobdy b: Abt. 1780 in Halifax, Northampton Co., NC d: Aft. 1850 in Morgantown, Butler County, Kentucky

…………………… +Elizabeth Brackin b: 1780 in Orange Co., N. C. m: Abt. 1799 d: Aft. 1850 in Morgantown, Butler County, Kentucky

………………………. 5 Cotten Hobdy b: 1812 in Tennessee d: Aft. 1870 in Butler County, Kentucky

………………………….. +Emaline James b: 1818 m: 12 May 1833 in Butler Co., Kentucky

………………………. *2nd Wife of Cotten Hobdy:

………………………….. +Rebecca Kessinger b: Abt. 1822 in KY m: 12 Jul 1849 in Butler County, Kentucky

……………………………… 6 Frances Hobdy b: Abt. 1847

………………………. *3rd Wife of Cotten Hobdy:

………………………….. +Elizabeth Reynolds b: 1825 in Kentucky m: 28 Nov 1859 in Butler County, Kentucky d: Aft. 1870

……………………………… 6 Septimus Hobdy b: 1851 in Kentucky

……………………………… 6 Amos Hobdy b: 1853 in Kentucky

………………………. 5 Elizabeth “Betsy” Coffee Hobdy b: 01 May 1815 in Tennessee d: 02 Dec 1879 in Ohio Co., KY

………………………….. +Mosby “Mode” James b: 15 Jan 1812 in Ohio Co., Kentucky m: 25 Dec 1832 d: 11 Jan 1873 in Ohio Co., Kentucky

……………………………… 6 Minerva James b: 1834

……………………………… 6 Melvina “Elvina” James b: 03 Aug 1835 in Ohio Co., KY

…………………………………. +George W. Taylor m: 04 Jul 1856

……………………………………. 7 Florence Taylor

……………………………………. 7 Mary D. Taylor

……………………………………. 7 Cornett R. Taylor

……………………………… 6 Robert Clinton James b: 01 Mar 1837 in Ohio Co., KY

…………………………………. +Elnora Gardner

……………………………………. 7 Samuel M. James b: 1879

……………………………………. 7 Adron V. James b: 1883

……………………………………. 7 Gilbert C. James b: 1897

……………………………… 6 Agnes E. James b: 04 Sep 1842 in Ohio Co., KY

…………………………………. +Vibella James b: 1844 in Ohio Co., KY d: Bef. 1863

……………………………… *2nd Husband of Agnes E. James:

…………………………………. +Walter S. Dunn m: 29 Mar 1860

……………………………… *3rd Husband of Agnes E. James:

…………………………………. +Luther Rogers m: 23 Oct 1863

……………………………… *4th Husband of Agnes E. James:

…………………………………. +Luther Rogers m: 28 Oct 1863

……………………………… 6 Lycurgus James b: 04 Sep 1842 in Ohio Co., KY

…………………………………. +Elizabeth Rogers m: 20 Oct 1863

……………………………… 6 Samuel L. James b: 11 Aug 1844 in Ohio Co., KY d: 02 Feb 1855

……………………………… 6 John H. James b: 25 Oct 1846 in Ohio Co., KY d: 16 Dec 1884

…………………………………. +Sally Shaver m: 12 Oct 1875

……………………………… 6 Margaret M. James b: 1849 in Ohio Co., KY

…………………………………. +James A. Fleener m: 24 Oct 1866

……………………………… 6 Eudora Frances “Martha” James b: 27 Oct 1851 in Ohio Co., KY d: 23 Oct 1876 in Butler Co., KY

…………………………………. +William Mosby “Brud” James b: 17 Jul 1849 d: 01 Feb 1911

……………………………………. 7 Martha Addie James b: Abt. 1875 d: 17 Sep 1928

……………………………………….. +Robert C . Butler b: 1873 d: 13 May 1947

………………………. 5 Alexander Hobdy b: 1818 in Kentucky d: Bef. 1880 in Butler Co., KY

………………………….. +Sarah Ann “Sally” James b: 1825 in Butler County, Kentucky m: 26 Jun 1843 in Butler County, KY d: Aft. 1880

……………………………… 6 Acrater Hobdy b: 13 Apr 1844 in Butler County, Kentucky d: 08 Mar 1872 in Ohio Co., KY

…………………………………. +William Earlis Hudson b: 21 Feb 1838 in Sumner Co., TN m: 15 Mar 1859 in Ohio County, Kentucky d: 29 Aug 1887

……………………………………. 7 Elizabeth Hudson

……………………………………. 7 James A. Hudson

……………………………………. 7 Olive C. Hudson

……………………………… 6 Evelyn Hobdy b: 28 Jan 1846 in Ohio Co., KY d: 16 Apr 1938 in McHenry, Ohio Co. KY Burial: 16 Apr 1938 Warren’s Mill Cemetery. Butler Co., KY

…………………………………. +Samuel Francis Warren b: 07 Aug 1834 in Garrard or Butler Co., KY m: 04 Feb 1863 in Corning, Clay Co., AR d: 09 Dec 1911 in Warren’s Mill, Butler Co., KY Burial: 09 Dec 1911 V77, C30605), Warren’s Mill Cemetery. Butler Co., KY

……………………………………. 7 Sarah M. Warren b: 23 Aug 1866

……………………………………….. +Jesse Bennett

…………………………………………… 8 Ethel Bennett

………………………………………………. +Carl Brown

…………………………………………… 8 Betsy Bennett

…………………………………………… 8 Ernest Bennett

……………………………………. 7 Robert Elvis Warren b: 05 Feb 1867

……………………………………. 7 Alexander Arthur Warren b: 16 Apr 1868 in Butler Co., KY d: 15 Nov 1947 in Jacksonville, IL Burial: Kane Cemetery, Kane, Greene County, IL

……………………………………….. +Martha A. Short b: Abt. 20 Feb 1874 in Missouri m: 02 Jan 1894 in Greene Co., IL d: 04 Feb 1899 in Warren’s Mill, Butler Co., Kentucky

…………………………………………… 8 Catherine Evelyn Warren b: 12 Jan 1895 in Warren’s Mill, Butler Co., Kentucky d: 07 Oct 1983 in St. Louis, MO Burial: 10 Oct 1986 Memorial Park, St. Louis

………………………………………………. +Ora Ezrah Hatfield b: 08 Dec 1897 in Elsberry, Lincoln Co., Missouri m: 10 Apr 1917 in Alton, Madison County, IL d: 14 Mar 1944 in San Francisco, CA

…………………………………………… *2nd Husband of Catherine Evelyn Warren:

………………………………………………. +Louis G. Rieker b: 25 Aug 1890 in St. Louis, MO m: 27 Dec 1927 in St. Louis, MO d: 09 Sep 1954 in St. Louis Missouri

…………………………………………… 8 Clifford Earless Warren b: 16 Jul 1897 in Warren’s Mill, Kentucky d: 14 Oct 1971 in Sacramento, CA

………………………………………………. +Sada Shields m: 1922

…………………………………………… 8 Samuel Everett Warren b: 30 Dec 1898 in Warren’s Mill, Kentucky d: 06 Feb 1953 in Kane, Illinois Burial: Feb 1953 Kane Cemetery, Greene County, Illinois

………………………………………………. +Elsie Christina Perkins b: 20 Mar 1901 d: 26 Jul 1986 in Alton, Illinois 62002

……………………………………. 7 Mary Frances Warren b: 15 Feb 1870 in Butler County, KY d: 28 Jun 1931 in McHenry, Ohio County, KY

……………………………………….. +Henry Euphratus James b: 16 Feb 1866 in Ohio County, KY m: 07 Oct 1894 in Butler County, KY d: 30 May 1945 in McHenry, Ohio County, KY

…………………………………………… 8 Jesse James

…………………………………………… 8 Favorite James

………………………………………………. +Alvin Albin

…………………………………………… *2nd Husband of Favorite James:

………………………………………………. +? Bethel

…………………………………………… 8 James O. James b: 1895 d: 1925

………………………………………………. +May Hudson

……………………………………. 7 Ida Jane Warren b: 15 Feb 1872 in Butler County, KY d: Bef. 1900

……………………………………….. +Robert Butler

……………………………………. *2nd Husband of Ida Jane Warren:

……………………………………….. +Robert E. Butler m: 1896

…………………………………………… 8 ? Butler b: Bef. 1900 d: Bef. 1900

……………………………… 6 Sally A. Hobdy b: 1849 in Butler Co., Kentucky

……………………………… 6 Mary Idel Hobdy b: 15 May 1855 in Kentucky

…………………………………. +Lewis P. James d: 1932

……………………………………. 7 O. F. James b: 1873 d: 1879

……………………………………. 7 J. P. James b: 1875 d: 1875

……………………………… 6 Frances Hobdy b: 17 Dec 1857 d: 1882

…………………………………. +Robert Fulton Arbuckle b: 1856 m: 21 Nov 1877 in Butler County, Kentucky d: 1902

………………………. 5 Talitha Hobdy b: 11 Sep 1800 in Sumner Co., Tennessee d: Mar 1879 in Appanoose County, Tennessee

………………………….. +Joseph Hays m: 10 Oct 1817 in Sumner Co., Tennessee

………………………. 5 James Hobdy b: 1803 in Tennessee d: Aft. 1837 in Ohio County, Kentucky

………………………….. +Nancy ? b: 1804 in Kentucky

………………………. *2nd Wife of James Hobdy:

………………………….. +Tabitha ? m: Bef. 16 Feb 1836 in Ohio County, Kentucky

………………………. 5 John Hobdy b: Abt. 1803

………………………. 5 Richard C. Hobdy b: 03 Jan 1815 in Sumner Co., Tennessee d: Apr 1870 in Ohio Co., Kentucky

………………………….. +Sarah Jane Porter b: 1824 in Logan Co., KY m: in Ohio County, KY d: Bet. 1865 – 1868 in Ohio Co., Kentucky

……………………………… 6 John Hobdy b: 1842 in Tennessee

……………………………… 6 Mary E. Hobdy b: 1845 in Tennessee

……………………………… 6 Permelia Ann Hobdy b: 02 Jan 1844 in Ohio Co., Kentucky d: 03 Jul 1880 in Ohio Co., Kentucky

…………………………………. +? m: 01 Jan 1866 in Ohio Co., KY

……………………………… 6 Nancy J. Hobdy b: 1852 in Kentucky

……………………………… 6 William Hobdy b: 1854 in Kentucky

……………………………… 6 Vibella Hobdy b: 1857 in Kentucky

……………………………… 6 Richard M. Hobdy b: 1860 in Kentucky

………………………. 5 Thomas Hobdy Jr. b: 03 Jan 1815 in Tennessee

………………………….. +Lucy Ann McKinney m: 10 Apr 1843 in Butler Co., Kentucky

………………………. 5 Emiline Hobdy b: Abt. 1818 in Kentucky

……………….. 4 William Hobday b: 17 May 1787 d: 04 Jan 1857 Burial: Hobdy Family Cemetery, about one-mile north of Sengtown, in Sumner Co TN. W. D.’s parents and three of his children are buried with him and Rebecca in this cemetery

…………………… +Elizabeth “Betsey” Scruggs m: 20 Dec 1810 in Sumner Co., TN Burial: Hobdy Family Cemetery, about one-mile north of Sengtown, in Sumner Co TN. W. D.’s parents and three of his children are buried with him and Rebecca in this cemetery

………………………. 5 William Donalson Hobday b: 04 Jan 1829 d: 05 Nov 1876 Burial: Hobdy Family Cemetery, about one-mile north of Sengtown, in Sumner Co TN. W. D.’s parents and three of his children are buried with him and Rebecca in this cemetery

………………………….. +Rebecca Ann Hargiss b: 02 Oct 1838 in Tennessee m: 14 Apr 1857 in Sumner Co., TN d: 06 Mar 1908 Burial: Hobdy Family Cemetery, about one-mile north of Sengtown, in Sumner Co

……………………………… 6 Jerome B. Hobdy

……………………………… 6 Eliza Hobdy b: 22 Feb 1858 d: 08 Apr 1924

…………………………………. +Henry Cornelius Mayes m: 27 Jun 1874

……………………………… 6 William “Willie” D. Hobdy b: 22 Feb 1860 d: 27 Feb 1926

…………………………………. +Kora F. Tucker m: 25 Dec 1894

……………………………… 6 Thomas Hobdy b: 12 Jan 1863 d: 12 Jan 1868 Burial: Hobdy Family Cemetery, about one-mile north of Sengtown, in Sumner Co TN.

……………………………… 6 Moore Cotton Hobdy b: 25 Jan 1864 d: 25 Sep 1923

…………………………………. +Ada M. Fowler m: 31 Dec 1893

……………………………………. 7 Joseph Cotton Hobdy

……………………………… 6 Nannie Hobdy b: 03 Sep 1866 d: 30 Dec 1895

…………………………………. +Marcus Bates Perdue m: 28 Feb 1886

……………………………………. 7 Willie Perdue

……………………………………….. +J. W. Dorris

…………………………………………… 8 Mildred Perdue

……………………………… 6 Harriett “Hattie” Hobdy b: 26 Mar 1869 d: 19 Mar 1960

…………………………………. +John Louis Hill m: 15 May 1892

……………………………………. 7 Hugh Bennett Hill

……………………………… 6 Fountain E. Hobdy b: 17 Dec 1871 d: 30 Jul 1937 in Portland, Simpson Co., TN

…………………………………. +Addie G. Sarver m: 26 Dec 1894 d: Aft. 1937

……………………………………. 7 Allene Moore Hobdy b: 18 Nov 1902

………………………. 5 Jerome Bonaparte Hobday

………………………….. +Louisa McGlothlin

………………………. *2nd Wife of Jerome Bonaparte Hobday:

………………………….. +Nancy McGlothlin

………………………. 5 Napoleon B. Hobday

………………………….. +Signey Jane Hollis m: 23 Oct 1841 in Sumner Co., TN

………………………. 5 Vienna Hobday

………………………….. +Reuben Wright

………………………. 5 Eliza Jane Hobday

………………………….. +John Frazier

………………………. *2nd Husband of Eliza Jane Hobday:

………………………….. +Friar Trail m: 30 Jan 1836 in Sumner Co., TN

………………………. 5 Moore Cotton Hobday b: 20 Nov 1820 d: 08 Jun 1903

………………………….. +Matilda Harrell m: 13 Nov 1842

……………………………… 6 James Wallace Hobday b: in Sumner Co., TN

…………………………………. +Estella B. Edwards

……………………………… 6 William Rabey Hobday b: in Allen Co., Kentucky

…………………………………. +Amanda Belle Horn

……………………………………. 7 Nathan Wilkins Hobdy

……………………………… 6 Joseph Cotton Hobday b: 10 Sep 1848 in Allen Co., Kentucky d: 31 Jul 1928 Burial: 1928

…………………………………. +Mary F. Hinton b: 17 Aug 1856 m: 17 Nov 1874 d: 07 Jun 1880

……………………………………. 7 Leslie Hobday b: 20 Oct 1875 d: 08 Jan 1876

……………………………………. 7 Cora Hobday b: 14 Jun 1877

……………………………………….. +Benjamin Denton Harris

……………………………… *2nd Wife of Joseph Cotton Hobday:

…………………………………. +Fannie M. Wilkins b: 30 Mar 1855 in Franklin, Simpson Co., Kentucky m: 11 Sep 1883

……………………………………. 7 Mary Francis Hobdy b: 20 Jun 1884

……………………………………….. +Alfred J. Carpenter

……………………………………. 7 Anna Thomas Hobdy b: 20 Apr 1886

……………………………………….. +Benjamin F. Harris

……………………………………. 7 Nathan Wilkins Hobdy b: 06 Dec 1891

……………………………………….. +Nancye Elizabeth Helm

…………………………………………… 8 Mary Virginia Hobdy

…………………………………………… 8 Nancy Elizabeth Hobdy b: 01 May 1915

………………………………………………. +Clay Cornwell Law m: 16 Dec 1934

……………………………… 6 Martha E. Hobday b: in Allen Co., Kentucky

…………………………………. +Joseph S. Chaney

……………………………… 6 Girl Hobday b: 1856 in Allen Co., Kentucky d: 1857 in Allen Co., Kentucky

………………………. 5 Mary D. Hobday

………………………….. +William Smith Mayes m: 16 Jul 1839 in Sumner Co., TN

………………………. 5 Harriett W. Hobday

………………………….. +John W. Hollis m: 02 Jul 1843 in Sumner Co., TN

………………………. 5 Elizabeth D. Hobday

………………………….. +Erasmus D. Fonville m: 11 Apr 1848 in Sumner Co., TN

……………….. 4 Richard D. Hobday b: 22 Apr 1791 in Sumner Co., TN d: 02 Jul 1851 in Sumner Co., TN Burial: Jul 1851 Cotton Cemetery, at Cottontown, TN, 300 yds northwest of Station Camp Creek on Hwy 25. Cemetery is on S. side of road beside an old brick house.

…………………… +Elizabeth “Betsy” Cotton m: 03 Mar 1819 in Sumner Co., TN

………………………. 5 ELEVEN Hobday

……………….. 4 Tabitha Hobday b: Abt. 1792 in Bertie Co., North Carolina

…………………… +Joseph Hays m: 10 Oct 1817 in Sumner Co., TN

……………….. 4 Talitha Hobday b: 1792 in Bertie Co., North Carolina

…………………… +William Byrn m: 1808

………………………. 5 Jane Byrn b: 1812

………………………. 5 Harriet Byrn b: 1812 in ca 1860

………………………. 5 Preston Byrn b: 08 Mar 1813

………………………. 5 Elizabeth Ann Byrn b: 1814 in ca 1835

………………………. 5 Mary P. Byrn b: 1820 in 1850

………………………. 5 Jackson Byrn

…………. 3 Thomas Hobdy b: 04 Nov 1748 in North Carolina d: 05 Jun 1795 in Cottonwood, TN

…………….. +Priscilla Cotton

 
From The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

HOBDAY, ROBERT Ancestor #: A056004 Service: NORTH CAROLINA Rank(s): PATRIOTIC SERVICE, CIVIL SERVICE Birth: 13 May 1744 GLOUCESTER CO VIRGINIA Death: (POST) 16 Jan 1797 SUMNER CO TENNESSEE Service Source: NC REV ARMY ACCTS VOL 8,BOOK F,P 785, #1157 BERTIE CO NC COURT MIN 1763-1780 HAUN P 50 #158Service Description: 1) FURNISHED SUNDRIES 1776 TO THE MILITIA; 2) APPOINTED SEARCHERS FOR THE TOWN OF WINDSOR MAY 1776 ; Residence: 1) WINDSOR – BERTIE CO – NORTH CAROLINA

The Will of Robert Hobday

Sumner Co TN County Court
Clerk’s Office
Will Book – Vol. I
July 1789 – Aug 1822
Pages 42 and 43
In the name of God Amen: I Robert Hobdy of the County of Sumner and State of Tennessee, being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be God – do this 16th day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven, make publish this my last will and Testament, In the manner following that is to say:

First I lend unto my wife all my land and plantation during her natural life, at her death I do give and bequeath the same land unto my youngest son Richard Hobday, if he lives to the age of twenty years, but if he dies before that age to return to my son John Hobday to him and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my before mentioned son, Richard Hobday one large negro boy named Cain. I likewise do give and bequeath unto my son John Hobday one negro boy named Brit. I likewise give and bequeath unto my son William Hobday one negro boy named Ceasor. I likewise give and bequeath unto my son Thomas one negro boy named Abram to them and their heirs forever. Likewise I lend unto my wife Talitha Hobday one negro woman by the name of Rose, also all of her children also one negro man by the name of Hardy and one boy by the name of Abram during her natural life, also all my household and kitchen furniture one sorrell mare one Horse by the name of Buck and all my plantation utensils also one Horse by the name of Frosend Head, during her natural life, after her death, I give to my son Thomas Hobday the aforesaid negro name Hardy to him and his heirs forever, if my negro Rose, doth live and have children, I desire the first three she has from this time to belong to my three little daugthers vis: to Patience, Talitha and Tobitha to them and their heirs forever. I likewise give unto my daughter Elizabeth Hobday after the death of my wife, one negro woman by the name of Rose to her and her heirs forever. Likewise I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Hobday twenty shillings to him and his heirs forever. Likewise I give unto my son Edmond Hobday twenty shillings to him and his heirs forever. I give to my daughter Ropsy Anna twenty shillings to her and her heirs forever. I give unto my daughter Hannah twenty shillings to her and her heirs forever. I also lend all the rest of my estate to my wife during her life after her death to be equally divided amongst all my children. I do appoint my wife and friend James Cryer and Moore Cotton my sole Executors.

Signed sealed in the presence of
Robert Hobday (Seal)
William Carr
Peggy Carr
Moore Cotton

Talitha Cotton Hobdy remarried in 1810 to Dempsy Powell. Because of her remarriage in 1810, the slaves (Hardy & Rose) she had inherited were then divided between her daughters Patience, Telitha and Tabitha.

From a book “Tennessee Records & Marriage Bonds” pg. 175 – Bible Records – Tombstone Inscriptions; Under heading: “Record of Alexander Cotton Cartweight, Davidson County, Tennessee, in possession of Mrs. E. E. Pearson, Nashville, TN” — “Talitha Cotton and Robt. Hobdy, married near Halifax, N.C. ; came to Sumner County, Tenn., in 1791, in wagons. Robt. Hobdy, died about 1800, and Talitha Hobdy married Dempsey Powell.”

Sources:

* Abingdon Parish Register 1677-1761, Glouester Co., Virginia as part of the William Carter Stubbs Papers II, copied by Mattie & Amy at Valley Front, Gloucester Co., Virginia in 1908. Photos of this register taken by me at the Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary, Department of Special Collections, Manuscript Division,

 * Death cert for Samuel Warren; Death cert of Evelyn Hobdy Warren; 1880 census, Butler Co., KY; 1870 census, Butler Co., KY showing Samuel, Evelyn, & Alexander Warren; 1850 census of Butler Co., KY; Middle Tennessee Genealogy, pg. 143; Cemeteries of Butler County (KY), Anita Dann, The Butler Co. Gen. & Hist. Soc. 2002, pg. 540; * 1900 Census of Butler Co., KY; 1880 census of Butler Co., KY; Deed 1859, Ohio Co.,KY; Marriage Bond, Butler County, KY for Alexander Hobdy & Miss Sarah Ann James dated 26 June 184, from Butler Co. Marriage Book No. 1, 1810-1865; Ohio County Deed dated 1859 that says Sarah Sally Ann is wife of Alexander Hobdy; 1870 Census of Alexander & Sally Hobdy (looks like Hody);

* Will of Robert Hobday, TSL&A Microfilm, Roll #91, Probate Records (County or Chancery Court), Wills Vol. 1-5, July 1789-July 1904; Transcript of Will of Robert Hobdy, Transcribed by Jan J. Barnes, 2002; THE  REGISTER OF ABINGDON PARISH, GLOUCESTER CO., VIRGINIA 1677-1780, compiled by Robert Robins, Honford House, pg. 91; SOME EARLY SETTLERS OF UPPER SUMNER COUNTY, TENNESSEE — THE HOBDAY, COTTON, DURHAM, GILLESPIE, PERDUE, ABSHER, MATTOX, COCHRAN AND MAYES FAMILIES by Lee Absher, M.D., The Portland Herald, 1909-1910, Knoxville, Tennessee 1966; TENNESSEE RECORDS, BIBLE RECORDS AND MARRIAGE BONDS, Jeannette Acklen, Clearfield, 1994 , pg. 175; FIRST FAMILIES OF TENNESSEE, East Tennessee Historical Society, pg. 178;

Will of Thomas Cotten, 18 Apr 1787, Hertford Co., NC, Private Manuscript Collection of John Vann 1817-1911, PC 122.1-5, Hertford Co., NC, North Carolina State Archives; Transcript of Thomas Cotton’s Will

 

* Some Early Settlers of Upper Sumner County, Tennessee: The Hobdy, Cotton, Durham, Gillespie, Perdue, Absher, Mattox, Cochran and Mayes Families