The office of Probate Judge was created by the seventh section of Article IV of the New Constitution, and the first election held to fill said office on the second Tuesday in October, 1851, tho official term to be three years. It is a court of record in the fullest sense, and belongs to that class whose records import absolute verity, that are competent to decide on their own jurisdiction, and to exercise it to final judgment without setting forth the facts and evidence on which it is rendered. The Probate Judge has jurisdiction in probate and testamentary matters, the appointment of administrators and guardians, the settlement of the accounts of executors, administrators and guardians, and such jurisdiction in habeas corpus, the issuing of marriage licenses, and for the sale of land by executors, administrators and guardians, also such other jurisdiction in any county as may be provided by law. The first to hold this office in Madison County was Nathan Bond, who served from 1852 to February, 1858; B. F. Clark succeeded him, serving from February, 1858, to February, 1864; J. H. Kennedy, February, 1864, to February, 1876; Oliver P. Crabb, February, 1876, to February, 1885, on which date his last term expires.