John Browning
Clintwood, Dickenson County Virginia
Will Book 2 Page 101-102
I, John Browning, of Clintwood, Virginia, being of sound and disposing mind, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament; hereby revoking all wills by me at any time heretofore made,
I give my body back to the dust from whence it came, and commend my soul to god who gave it.
First. I desire that my body may be decently buried without needless expense, in a manner corresponding to my estate and my situation in life.
Secondly. I direct that all my just debts be paid as soon after my decease as conveniently may be and to that end charge my whole estate, real and personal, with the same.
Thirdly. I give and devise to my dear daughter, Bertha Surratt, the dwelling houses and two and one half acres of land surrounding same so as to include the garden and barn and right of ways to same, of that certain tract of land situated on Laurel Branch of Georges Fork in Dickenson County, Virginia, and being part of the same tract of land on which I now live and which was conveyed by John Mullins and wife to me, containing at this time sixty-four (64) acres more or less, and all my household goods, excepting three feather beds, this gift and devise being in consideration of her affection, care and service given me in my last years and sickness.
Fourthly. I desire that the remainder of the aforesaid tract of land upon which I live after deducting the par6t devised to Bertha Surratt be sold after my death and the proceeds of said sale be divided as follows: $50.00 of which amount to be paid to Wyoma Browning, my granddaughter, in consideration of her services and kindness to me in my last illness; $1.00 of which to be paid to Arnold Browning, and the remainder of the proceeds of the said sale be equally divided among the following children and heirs of by body, namely; Ellen Vanover, Laura Mullins, Bertha Surratt, Arthur Browning, Jane Large, Lura Buchanan, Tivis Browning, Gilmer Browning and George Browning, and in addition Laura Mullins, Jane Large and Lura Buchanan on feather bed each.
Fifthly. I give unto Luther Surratt my watch.
Sixthly. I do appoint T. B. Trivitt to be executor of this my last will and Testament, and that he be required to give bond in the sum of $1,000.00,
Witness my hand this 30 day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1929.
James Browning
Signed and published by John Browning as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have unto subscribed their names as witnesses
W. B. Trivitt
J. C. Smith
VIRGINIA:
IN DICKENSON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE:
The foregoing writing, bearing date of the 30th day of April 1929, signed by
John Browning, and purporting and proven to be the last will and testament of
the said John Browning, deceased, by and upon the oaths of W. S. Trivitt and J.
C. Smith two of the subscribing witnesses, thereto, was this day produced before
me Lee Stanley Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County aforesaid, and the same
is this day probed admitted to record and recorded in will Book No. 2 at pages
101-2. of the record books of said County in my said office.
Given under my hand this 26th day of January 1931.
TESTE: LWW STANLEY CLERK
by (signature of K.E Fuller) D. C.
VIRGINIA:
In the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Dickenson County, Virginia:
It appearing to me, Lee Stanley, Clerk, of the Circuit Court, for Dickenson
County Virginia, that on the 21st day of January 1931, at or near Clintwood
Virginia, John Browning, departed this life, and at the time of his death the
said John Browning had a mansion house, and known place of residence at or near
Clintwood Virginia, Dickenson County Virginia, and writing purporting to be the
true, Last Will and Testament of the said John Browning, deceased, bearing the
date of the 30th day of April 1929, having been this day produced before me the
said Clerk of the County aforesaid. and having been proven according to law,
upon the oaths of W. B. Trivitt and J. C. Smith two of the subscribing witnesses
thereto, thereupon motion it is ordered that the said Writing be, and the same
is hereby established, Probated and admitted to record as and for the True Last
will and Testament of the said John Browning, deceased.
Given under my hand this 26th day of January 1931.
TESTE: Lee Stanley CLERK
By (signature of K. E. Fuller) D. C.