I David Cowan the County of Russell and State of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit; First my will and desire is that just debts and funeral expenses be paid by my executor herein after named out of any money I may have on hand or out of any of the proceeds of my estate. 2nd I give to my two neffues David Cowan and Chas H. Cowan, sons of my brother George (Deceased) all my land that I may die possessed of in Glade Hollow and I furthermore give to my two neffues above named my tract of land known as the Bloomer place adjoining the land of Leonard Shoemaker. I also give to them the tract of land known as the Riley place lying north of Clinch River. 3rd I give to my neffue George R. Cowan whatever interest I may have in my brother Jno T. Cowan's land. 4th I give to Beverly a black man formerly a slave of mine one thousand dollars ($1000) and whatever kind of a wagon I may have at my decease and also the harness belonging to the same. 5th I give to a black woman Lidia, formerly a slave of mine & her two boys Melvin and Parris one thousand dollars also my buggie and harness. 6th I give to Fountain a black man formerly a slave of mine three hundred dollars provided he survives me if not he is to have no part of the estate. 7th my desire is that all my household and kitchen furniture with the exception of two corner cupboards one in the house & the other in the dining room both of which I give to my neffew George R. Cowan and the balance I give to my three former slaves before mentioned. Bevely, Lidia and her two children and Fountain. And my further desire is that Osker's four children, Elbert, Sarah, Marian and Margaret have an equal share in the household and kitchen furniture with the balance. 8th My further desire is that whatever stock I may die possessed of consisting of hogs sheep & cattle farming utensils of every description not otherwise disposed of I divide equally between Beverly, Lidia & her two children, Fountain and Osker's four children above named. 9th my desire is if I should die possessed of a horse that Charles formerly a slave of mine is to have one horse. 10th I desire that at my desease whatever property or money I may have not otherwise disposed of be equally divided between my brother George Cowan's children that may be living at my death. 11th My desire is that my executors pay to the persons named in my will their respective amounts as soon as the money can be collected so as my land heretofore disposed of shall not be liable in any way - and lastly I constitute and appoint George R. Cowan and Charles H. Cowan executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other or former wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13th day of November A. D. 1865.
David Cowan (Seal)
Signed sealed and delivered in our presents and in the presents of each other by the said David Cowan as his last will and testament and desired us to witness the same as such.
Aaron Hendricks
Isaac Vermillion
At a Court of quarterly session held for Russell County at the court house on the 6th day of March 1866. The last will and testament of David Cowan deceased was this day produced in court and proved by the oaths of Isaac Vermillion and Aaron Hendricks the two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And upon the motion of George R. Cowan & Charles H. Cowan the executors therein named who took the oath of an executor proscribed by law, and entered into and acknowledged their bond in the sum of twenty five thousand dollars with Albert G. Smith, N. B. Gray, J. B. Gilmer, A. M. Ferguson and William Sample as their securitys thereto conditioned as the law directs, a certificate is therefore granted them for obtaining probate of said will in due form. The estimated value of said estate was stated on oath by George R. Cowan to be $24,000.
Teste
George R. Cowan C.C.