In the name of God Amen, I John Owens of the County of Russell in the State of Virginia being very feeble and weak in body, but sound in mind and disposing memory I command my soul into the hands of Almighty God, who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in a decent Christian like manner.
First it is my will that my executor shall pay all my just debts and funeral expenses.
2 It is my will and desire for myself and my wife Nancy to live with my son Hiram Owens on my plantation so long as we may live and for the use of my farm my son Hiram Owens who now lives with me on my plantation is to support me and my wife and to furnish us with such necessaries as we need in our old and infirm situation so long as we may live or a good and comfortable maintenance.
I give and bequeath to my son Hiram Owens my plantation where I now live after my decease and if I should decease before my wife Nancy my son Hiram Owens is to treat her kindly and must furnish her with such necessaries of life as her old age and infirmity may require and if the said Hiram Owens fails to comply with the above comfortable maintenance he shall forfeit the above bequest of my plantation to him by me made as above stated.
3rd It is my will and desire that my wife Nancy shall have all my property, that is all my stock of all kinds and all my household and kitchen furniture to dispose of or retain as she may think proper, during her lifetime. And lastly I constitute and appoint Bernard Reynolds my executor of this my last will and testament, I also assreiate with Bernard Reynolds David Jessee Senr. whom I wish to visit us in our afflictions and infirmities during our life time and to see that the above obligation is complied with. In witness I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 8th day of May 1849.
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John X Owens (Seal)
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Atteste
David Jessee Senr.
Abram Nordyke
At a court held for Russell County at the courthouse on Tuesday the 5th day of September 1854, A writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Owens deceased was proven in court by David Jessee Senr. and Abram Nordyke the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
E. J. Culbertson, D.C.