BLADEN COUNTY, NC - WILLS - William J. Cowan, 14 Apr 1855
====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.
		
	 The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives
	 to store the file permanently for free access.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: Rebecca McNeal	RMcneal337@aol.com
====================================================================
In The Name of God "Amen"
                         I William J. Cowan formerly a resident of Bladen 
County, North Carolina but at theis time of Washington City, district of 
columbia do make public and declare this as my last will and testament in 
manner and form following to wit.
     I give devise and bequeath to my step-son and friend James W. Lesesne 
after the payment of any just debets and funeral expenses, all my property 
both real and personal of which I may be due siezed or possessed or to which 
I may be in any way entitled  to him his heirs executors and assignes forever.
    And by these bequeats do herby constitute and appoint the above named 
James W. Lesesne executor of this my last will and testament,
         In witness there of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 
fouteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and 
fifty five. 1855.
Signed sealed and published and           Wm J. Cowen (seal)
declared by the testtor as
his last will and testament
and witnesed by us in his
presence and in the presence
of each other the day  and year
above mentioned.
                            Durrum Lewis
                            Elijah Knox
North Carolina
Bladen Co.    Court of pleas and quarters session
                       February Term 1864
A paper writing proporting to be the last will and testament or William J. 
Cowen deceased is eshibited in open court for probate by Durram Lewis one of 
the subscribing witnesses hereto and the dece'd execution thereof by the said 
William J. Cowen is proved by the oath and examination of Durram Lewis one of 
the subscribing wittnesses therof.
It is therefor considered by the ocurt that the said paper writing and every 
part to be considered to be last will.

Newpaper Wilmington N. Carolina Dec. 16, 1863
Cowan died in Washington City, died on 23 of November 1863, Gen. W. J. Cowan 
a native of Bladen Co.