Halifax County, Virginia
Will Book 7, page 263, 264

Will of William Owen

In the name of God Amen I William Owen of Halifax county being
sick and weak but of perfect sence and memory thanks be given to
god for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of life I
make and publish this my last will and testament; to follow that
is to say after my just debts is paid I give to my son John Owen
four negroes named Druscilla, Henry, Charles and Wallis, and an
equal part of my household and kitchen furniture together with an
equal part of all my stock to him and his heirs forever.  Item. I
give to my son Hatcher Owen four negroes named Ben, Edy, Bidy and
Lucy, and an equal part of all my stock household and kitchen
furniture to him and his heirs forever.  Item. I lend to my son
Thomas Owen four negroes named Bobb, Milly, Vicy and Simon and an
equal part of all my stock household and kitchen furniture during
his natural life and after his death to the heirs of his body. 
Item.  I lend to my daughter Susanna Brady one hundred acres of
land that I bought of Richard Wan also three negroes named Sarah,
Silvy and Delcy and an equal part of all my stock household and
kitchen furniture during her natural life and after her death to
the discression of my executors to dispose of the same equally
amongst the lawful heirs of her body.  Item. I lend to my
daughter Lucy Powel one hundred acres of land that bought of
Richard Wan also three negroes named Jessee, Betty and Viny and
an equal part of all my stock household and kitchen furniture
during her natural life and after her death to the discression of
my executors hereafter named to dispose of the same equally
amongst the lawful heirs of her body.  Item. I lend to my
daughter Agnes Thomas three negroes named Temp, Isaac and Ginny
during her natural life and after her death to the discression of
my executors hereafter named to dispose of the equally amongst
the lawful heirs of her body.  Item.  I give to my grandson
William Owen son of Thomas Owen my house and land whereon I now
live that I bought of James Bruce and John Pannill during his
life; and if he dies underage, or not married having a lawful
heir of his body then the same house and land shall descend to my
grandson William Owen son of Hatcher Owen to him and his heirs
forever.  All the rest and residue of my estate that is not above
mentioned is to be equally divided amongst my surviving sons and
daughters.  My desire is that my estate may not be appraised nor
my executors bound to give security.  I do appoint my two sons
Hatcher Owen and Thomas Owen with my neighbor John Abbott
executors to this my last will and testament and I do hereby
utterly disallow of, revoke, and disannul, all and every other
former testaments wills legacies bequests; and executors, by me
in anyways before named willed and bequeathed; rattifying and
confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
seal this the eleventh day of August A.D. eighteen hundred & six
- 
Witness
John Abbott, Salley Madison, Elizabeth Phelps, Ann Madison
(Signed) William Owen L.S.  

At a court held for Halifax county the 22nd day of September
1806.  The within written last will and testament of William Owen
senr deceased was presented in court by Hatcher Owen and Thomas
Owen two of the executors therein named and the said executors
moved the court that the said will might be proved by the
witnesses thereto, and admitted to record according to law. 
Whereupon came George Nelson Junr and John Nelson grandsons of
said decedent and prayed leave of the court to be ______
defendants to contest the validity of the said will which for
reasons appearing to the court was accordingly ordered and that
the same be continued until the next court.  They the said
defendants paying to the said executors the costs of such
continuance - And at another court continued and held for said
county the 28th day of October 1806 The said will was again
exhibited in Court by Hatcher Owen and Thomas Owen two of the
executors therein named and the same being proved by the oaths of
four witnesses thereto subscribed in manner prescribed by law ws
ordered to be recorded - and further; that George Nelson Junr and
John Nelson, who were _____ defendants for the purpose of
contesting the validity of the said will, pay to the said
executors their costs by them incured by occasion of such
defence.  Thereupon John Abbott the other executor named in the
will came into court and refused to take upon himself the burthen
of the execution thereof.  Whereupon on the motion of the said
Hatcher Owen and Thomas Owen, who made oath thereto according to
law certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in
due form, they giving security.  Whereupon they together with
Thomas Donoho, William Fourqurean, Augustine Miles, Joel Thomas
and John Owen their securities entered into and acknowledged
their bond in the penalty of twenty thousand dollars conditioned
as the law directs.  Teste John Wimbish and Samuel Williams 


JoLee      spearsj@nando.net

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