A. G. ODAM, I Arnstard/Anistaid [not clear] G Odam do make Ye and publish this as my last Will and will and testament hereby remaking and making void all other wills by me at any time made. First,I direct that my funeral expences and all my debts be paid as soon after my Death as possible And of any Monies that I May die possessed of Or May first come into the hands of my Executer. Secondly I Will that my Children have four chaise Beds and Bed steads clothing and my Negro girl Louisa to wait on them and take Care of them but if she will not do so peacably but becomes contrary and can not be controlled without whipping Then I want her sold together with all my property in a credit of Twelve Months Except my land which is to be sold on a credit of one and two years payable in two equal enstallments and after the money is collected I wish It to be retained in the hands of my Executer or to be loaned out and the Interest to be applied to the support and Education of my Children and If the Interest is not Sufficient for that purpose then to use such an amount of the principle as may be necessary. Thirdly I wish that my Father James S Odam take my children and take care of them and see that they are educate for which I wish him to be paid out of the proceeds of my Estate. Lastly I do hereby Nominate and appoint my Father James S Odam my Executer. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 13th of December 1855. A G Odam seal Signed Sealed and published in our presents and we have subscribed Our Names hereunto in the presents of the testater this the 13th Day of December 1855 E M Owen seal J J Odam seal ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This will was deciphered and recorded as found, to the best of our abilities, by Betty (McCormick) ST. DIZIER of Amarillo, TX and Gloria Odom of PA - April 1996.
A copy of the hand written will was sent to Gloria by Luther Wayne "Wayne" ODOM of Arlington, TX in 1983. Wayne is now deceased.
Betty’s will came from the County Clerk at Woodbury, Cannon Co., TN.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Armstead is said to have died & buried in Waxahachie, TX about 1855. His will was dated & recorded in Cannon Co., TN in Dec. 1855, so I haven't figured this out. This information regarding death in TX has yet to be proven. Armstead was the son of James S. ODOM and Mary FRANCIS. Apparently his wife Elizabeth or Eliza BOGLE had already died by 1855, as Armstead's father is given guardianship of the kids. Both Eliza & Armstead seemed to have died fairly young. I would like to find more information about this couple and their descendants. E-mail Gloria ODOM if you have any more information.