 Rev. John Todd Sr., son of Robert Samuel "the Immigrant" Todd and Ann Smith.Born 1719 Ulster, Armagh, Ireland, died 27 Jul 1793 Louisa, Virginia, 73 or 74 years Married/ Related to: N.N. Child: 1. John "Reverend" Todd Jr.Born 1771 Ireland, died 23 Jul 1793 Louisa, Va, 21 or 22 years Emigrant, graduated Princeton 1749, licensed by New Brunswick Presbytery, ordained 1751. Probably immigrated with his family in 1729 or 1737. "Famed Presbyterian minister and an original member of the Presbytery of Hanover." This line is the ancestors to Mary Lincoln Todd. (David Todd b: 1723 brother to John, his son Levi Todd b: 1756, his son Robert Smith Todd b: 1791, and his daughter Mary Ann Todd b: 1818 m Abraham Lincoln November 4, 1842.) Mary's great, great grandfather Robert Todd b: 1697 is our direct line. Note: Excerpt from "Historic Families of Kentucky," by Thomas Marshall Green, Reprinted for Clearfield Co. by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, Md., 1996, originally published 1889, p. 209-210: "John Todd, the oldest son of Robert (the emigrant) by his first wife, graduated at Princeton in 1749, a member of the second class admitted to a degree by that institution; was licensed by the New Brunswick Presbytery in the following year, and ordained by same body 1751. He then went to Virginia on invitation of Rev. Sam. Davies, whom he assisted in ministering to the several congregations of which that patriotic divine was pastor. Parson Todd for many years taught a classical school in Virginia. Taking an active interst in the early settlement of Kentucky, his great solicitude was to provide for the educational and religious wants of the emigrants. He used his influence to obtain from the Virginia Legislature the charter for Transylvania Seminary, which was opened at the home of his friend, David Rice, in February 1785, and it was he who gave to that institution the first library ever brought to Kentucky. Though it is not known that he ever came in person to Kentucky, no account of the early times in the state will be satisfactory that does not commemorate his zeal and his virtue." From "Todd Family," by Emily Todd Helm, Kittochtinney Magazine, published by G.O. Seilhamer, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, No. 1 (January 1905), pp. 73-75: "JOHN TODD, (born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1719 -- died July 27, 1793) son of Robert and ------- (Smith) Todd, was brought to Pennsylvania by his father, in 1737. He was then a young man of eighteen years of age, and had probably received the groundwork of his education in Ireland. It is likely that he was brought up in the communion of the established Church in his native land, and there is no evidence that he ever studied at the Log College of Neshaminy. All that is known of his early years is that he was graduated at the College of New Jersey at Newark, with its second class, in 1749, when he was thirty years old. There is a tradition that in early life he was a weaver. That he enetered college to prepare for the Presbyterian ministry is clear from the fact that he was taken on trials by the Prespytery of New Brunswick, May 7, 1750. He was licensed No.v, 13, 1750, and went to Virginia on the pressing appeal of the Rev. Samuel Davies, pastor of the Presbyterian congregation in Hanover, Va., who asked the Presytery when he entered on trials to endeavor to prevail on him to engage in the work in Virginia, when licensed. Davies had a large field, having seven congregations -- three in Hanover, one in Henrico, one in Louisa, and two others then recently organized. In 1748 he sought the services of John Rodgers, just then licensed by the Newcastle Presbytery, but the General Court at Williamsburg refused to permit Rodgers to qualify under the Toleration Act. In spite of such illiberal restrictions Todd determined to apply for license when a call for him was laid before the Newcastle Presbytery, May 22, 1751, and he was ordained for his work. He was more fortunate with the General court than Rodgers, who had been warned not to preach in Virginia under penalty of a year's imprisonment. . . . The charge to which Mr. Todd was called was known as Providence. It was in Louisa County, and comprised 'the upper part' of Davies' field. He was installed in November, 1752, the Rev. Mr. Davies preaching the sermon. He remained with this charge during his whole ministerial life, a period of forty-two years. Besides his pastoral duties he taught a classical school for many years. He became interested in the early emigration from Virginia to Kentucky and used his influence to obtain from the Virginia Legislature a charter for Transylvania Seminary. Through the Rev. Dr. Gordon, of Stepney, London, he secured scientific apparatus and valuable books that he gave to the Rev. David Rice to aid in founding the seminary. . . . Mr Todd was for many years a leading man in the Presbytery east of the Blue Ridge. He was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Hanover, when it was constituted in 1755. To him vacancies looked for counsel, assistance and supplies. During the Revolution he was a staunch patriot. In his last years he was very infirm, and was unable fully to perform his ministerial duties. This led to a malicious report that he had so relaxed in discipline that he had admitted a gambler to the Lord's table. To wipe away the false imputation he thought it necessary to attend the meeting of the Presbytery at its meeting at the Cove meeting house in July, 1793. This was accomplished to his satisfaction and he then started home on horseback. 'I proceeded onward to my meeting,' the Rev. William Williamson wrote in his journal, Saturday, July 27th, 'and on the road was informed of Mr. Todd's death, that he was found in the road lifeless. Went on a saw him with whom I had dined the day before now in eternity.' Whether he had died from a stroke of appoplexy or a fall from his horse could not be determined. Mr. Todd married Margaret Thompson, (born in 1736 -- died at Paris, Ky., in 1809), daughter of John Thompson, a merchant, who was a native of Tavisdal, North Britain. Rev. John and Margaret (Thompson) Todd had issue: 1. DAVID, born in 1762; died unm., in 1781. 2. ROBERT, died in infancy. 3. JOHN, died in infancy. 4. JOHN, (xviii). 5. ANNE, married Gen. Robert Todd, (xxiii). 6. ELIZA, married Rev. Daniel McCall (xix). 7. MARY, married Dr. Andrew Todd, (xiii). 8. MARGARET, married Rev. James Moore, (xx) 9. SARAH, married the Rev. Mr. Purinton, a Baptist minister; they had one son, who died unmarried. Will of Joseph Shelton, 1784 - LOUISA COUNTY, VA OCTOBER 11, 1784 Pg. 29 Item I give and bequeath to Mr. Rev. Jn. Todd and to his heirs forever thirty pounds currency. | |||