The narrative traces the history of the Todd family of Shelby County, Texas, from their origins in northern England, through colonial Virginia and North Carolina, Georgia, to the colony, republic, and finally the state of Texas, including family members' experiences in the American Revolution, Texas Revolution, civil conflicts in East Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. The account includes the history of families who joined these Todds by marriage: Bunch, Burkett, Cake, Cannon, Carlisle, Dunbar, Exum, Filgo, Holder, Norris, Ross, Smith, Truitt, and Wright.