In the name of God, Amen. I Francis Davis of the county of Russell and State of Virginia being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for men once to die, in consideration of which therefore I make this my last Will and Testament as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I give demise and dispose of in the following manner and form 1st after all just debts are paid I bequeath and give unto my beloved wife Nancy Davis all the property I have for the purpose of mentaining herself and my children, such of the children as have not arive to a mature to age to be mentained out of the estate untill they become to be of lawful age, that is if they remain with their mother or under her jurisdiction, the remainder of the property that are not expended in mentaining the family I give to my wife Nancy Davis to live on during her natural life or to dispose of as she may see proper, excepting one dollar that I give to my oldest daughter Mariah Low as her part of my estate to be paid to her at the decease of my wife Nancy Davis, and also if there remain anything more than pays that dollar that she has not otherwise diposed of I give it to Henry Davis, Allen Davis, Henry Davis, Jesse Davis, Francis Davis, Bushrod Davis, Mitchell Davis and Nancy Davis to be equally divided among them 2d. It is my desire that my property shall not be appraised nor exposed to sale except such of it as may be necessary for payment of just debts. Given under my hand and seal this 16th day of January 1826. Signed sealed and published pronounced and declared by s'd Francis Davis as his last Will & Testament in the presets of us when in his presents and in the presents of each other have hereunto subscribed our names.
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Francis X Davis (Seal)
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Test
Virginia
At a court held for Russell County the 7th day of March 1826
This Instrument of writing was exhibited in Court as & for the last Will and Testament of Francis Davis deceased and proven by the oaths of Benson C. Davis and Thomas Davis two of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded: and no executor being named in the said Will, on the motion of Nancy Davis widow and relict of the Testator who made oath and together with Larkin Herndon and Thomas Davis her securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $500 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted the said Nancy Davis for obtaining letters of administration on the said decedent's estate with his will annexed in due form.
Teste
James P. Carrell C.R.C.