William Browning
Russell Co. Virginia Will Book 5 Page 330I William Browning of County of Russell and State of Virginia do Make and
publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all
other wills heretofore made, by me either verbal or written.
First, I direct that my debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as possible
out of the first monies that shall come into the hands of my executor from the
sale of my personal estate, I also direct that after a fair appraisement of my
property that my beloved wife Mary shall have all my household and kitchen
furniture together with one head of her choice of horse beast. Out of my flock
of horses and two head of milk cows and six head of sheep and farming utensils
such as plows horse gearing_ to have during her natural life, and I further
direct that the residue of my personal estate be sold by my executor and credit
of twelve months the purchaser or purchases giving bond with approved security.
and I further direct that after my decease that my property be not sold till the
fall season of the year and the monies arising from the sale of said property
after the payment of my debts as aforesaid be equally divided between my two
children Nancy and Wilson. I also direct that my wife Mary have all my lands
during her widowhood and if she should marry again then her to only have one
third and the rest divided between my two children so that my son Wilson's
shares be worth one hundred dollars more than my daughter Nancy's share and at
the death of my wife I will and desire that the lands and property falling to
her by the direction of this my will be so equally divided between my two
children. I also direct that if my two children chose that they live on the
plantation with their mother till they attain the age of twenty one years and do
further direct that my children be well schooled under the direction of my wife
and the school fees paid by my executor and I do hereby appoint my brother and
friend James S. Browning my Executor of this my last will and Testament in
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this nineteenth
day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty two whereunto I
have hand and affixed my seal in the presents of us March the 26th 1842
William Browning seal
Vincent Browning
Abraham Thomas
Francis Browning Sr.
Virginia
At a court held for Russell County on the 5th day of July 1842.
This instrument of writing was exhibited in court an and for the last Will and Testament
of William Browning deceased and proven by the oaths of Francis Browning Sr. and
Abraham Thomas, two of the subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded.
And on the motion of James S. Browning executor therein named who made oath and
together with David Muncy and George Cowan his securities entered into and
acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $400 conditional as the law directs
certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of the said will in due form
Teste
James P. Carrell CRO