Last Will and Testament
Virginia L. Browning
Washington County, Virginia
Book 32 page 385-386
15 February, 1926
I, Virginia L. Browning, Being of sound mind, do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills heretofore by me made:
First: I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid.
Second: I give devise and bequeath to my son, J. Richard Browning, the fifty acres of what is known as the lower place to be laid off on the Northwest portion of said tract, which fifty acres is given to him as his share of my estate and also in consideration of his services and help to me.
Third: I give devise and bequeath to my son, Joseph Alderson Browning for and during the period of his natural life, and at his death to his child or children, the residue of said lower place containing about twenty-six acres. Should my son Joseph Alderson Browning die leaving no child or children surviving him, the said land shall then go to such of my other children as may then be living, or their heirs if dead; such heirs to take interests in said land per stirpes.
Fourth: All the residue of my property of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situate, I give and devise and bequeath to my son, Preston lee Browning and my daughter Mary Nebraska Browning.
Fifth: The debts to be paid by my executor including any balance due the Federal Land Bank of Baltimore shall be paid first out of any money or other personal property, and any residue shall be paid out of the portion of my estate devised and bequeathed to my son Preston Lee Browning and my daughter Mary Nebraska Browning.
Sixth: I nominate and appoint my son J. Richard Browning and my brother-in-law, Halsey W. Browning, executors of this my last will and testament and request that no security be required on their bond as such.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 9th day of February 1926
Virginia L. Browning (Her Mark)
Signed by W. W. Potts at the request of Virginia L. Browning and mark affixed by
Virginia L. Browning
Signed, sealed, published and declared by Virginia L. Browning as and for her
last will and testament in the presence of us, who in her presence at her
request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as
witnesses this 9th day of February 1926.
S. H. Yokeley
E. W. Potts.
At a Circuit Court continued and held for Washington County, Virginia, at the Court House thereof on Monday the 15th day of February, 1926
The Honorable John J. Stuart, Judge, Presiding
A writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Virginia L.
Browning, deceased, was this day produced bon open court, and said writing and
the signature thereto was proved by E. W. Potts, one of the subscribing
witnesses thereto, and the signature and due attestation of S. H. Yokeley, the
other subscribing witness thereto, was also proven by the oath of the said E. W.
Potts. It is therefore ordered that the said writing be recorded as and for the
true last will and testament of the said Virginia L. Browning, deceased.
Thereupon J. Richard Browning and Halsey W. Browning, who are named as the
Executors in said will appeared in open Court and took the oaths of executors
prescribed by law, and entered into and acknowledged a bond as such executors in
the penalty of $3500.00, conditioned according to law, the Testatrix directing
that no security be required on their executorial bond. A certificate is
therefore granted the said J. Richard Browning and Halsey W. Browning for
obtaining probate of said will in due form.
Teste: P. J. Davenport