I NANCY COWAN of Russell County and state of Virginia do hereby make my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say.
1st I desire that my Negro woman named Bess at my decease do make choice of one of children to whom she would rather live with and the said child is to be bound in an obligation to my Executors hereafter maintained for a decent support to the above named Negro Bess during her natural life and is to receive and to have one hundred dollars as a compensation from my son George Cowan twelve months after my decease which the said George Cowan executed his note to me for the above sum the 3rd of Sept 1832.
2d I give to my Negro boy named Sam my bed and bedclothes and twenty dollars in money out of a part of the money that is coming from my son David Cowan due me next March as a compensation for his diligent attention to me.
3d I desire that after all my first debts and funeral expenses be paid that the remainder part of my Estate be equally divided between my living children.
And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my son John T. Cowan and George Cowan Executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all other or former wills or testament by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 7th day of October 1832.
Signed: Nancy (her mark) Cowan
Signed, sealed, published and declared by Nancy Cowan as and for this last will and testament in the presents and hearing of us who as her request an in this presence have subscribed our names as witnesses
Wm. Daugherty
Francis Boardwine
Virginia:
At a court held for Russell County on 5th day of December 1832. This instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last will and testament of Nancy Cowan deceased, and proven by the oaths of William Dougherty and Francis Browning the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded.
Teste James P. Carrell CRC