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Below is a family biography included in The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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B. B. Edwards, clerk and master of the chancery court of Weakley County, Tenn., is a son of Thomas C. and Paulina Bransford (Bondurant) Edwards, who were born in North Carolina and Virginia, in 1800 and 1809, and died in 1872 and 1883 respectively. Nathan Edwards, our subject’s grandfather, came from North Carolina to Tennessee, in 1800, when the latter State was almost an unbroken wilderness. He died in 1832. Thomas C. Edwards was educated in Gallatin, Tenn., and when about twenty-one years old began studying medicine. He traveled in several of the Southern States a few years, and in 1826 came to Dresden, Tenn. He married the following year, and eventually became one of the leading physicians of Weakley County. He retained a lucrative practice until old age compelled him to abandon active life. He was a man universally respected and esteemed, not only for his qualities as a physician but as a neighbor and friend. Seven of their children lived to be grown, namely: Mary C. (Mrs. H. C. McCutcheon), Benjaman B., Nathan N., L. B., Thomas C. a D. D. S., Charles E. and Alfred G. The last four live in Texas. Our subject was born in 1830, where he now resides, and was academically educated at Dresden, At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, continuing two terms. In 1849 he became a disciple of Blackstone, his preceptor being Hon. Emerson Etheridge. In 1851 he was admitted to the Tennessee bar and immediately began practicing. In September, 1856, he wedded Martha Morilla Cotton, who was a native of Sumner County, Tenn. She died the following year, and in October, 1860, he wedded Miss Hugh Allie Sutton, daughter of Benjamin and Lovey Sutton. She was born in 1840, in Sumner County, and is the mother of six children: Latham N., Morie, William T., Paulina, Nathan and Benjamin. While the war was going on, Mr. Edwards taught school two years. January 12, 1875, he was appointed clerk and master of the chancery court to fill the unexpired term of W. R. Ross, and at the end of the term was re-elected for six years, and in 1883 was again re-elected. As a lawyer he is regarded by his legal brethren and constituents as an able advocate and a safe counselor. He has always been a Democrat in politics and belongs to the K. of H.

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This family biography is one of 108 biographies included in The History of Weakley County, Tennessee published in 1887 by Goodspeed.  The History of Weakley County was included within The History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley & Lake Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Gibson, Obion, Dyer, Weakley, and Lake Counties of Tennessee

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