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In the name of God amen - I Bryan Ward Nowlin of Pittsylvania County Virginia,
being of sound judgement and in perfect health do make, constitute and ordain
this to be my last Will and Testament in the manner following. I bequeath my
soul to God my Maker and my body to the earth to be decently interred at the
discretion of my executor's hereafter named.
IMPRIS - I will and desire that all my just debts be duly paid out of a rising
crop and the sale of my stock of all kinds and household furniture, except
that which I leave my beloved wife during her life. If that should be
deficient I desire that my mill and three acres of land whereon the mill
stands be sold at the usual credit for as much money as will be wanting for
the payment of my debts and the balance to be on credit until my son Sherad
comes of age twenty one years which will be November 13, 1810. The three acres
to begin at a Spanish Oak corner tree in the dividing line between Thomas
Thompson and me - run a straight line to the east side line for three acres
and should any line leave any part of the dam on the south side of the creek,
the purchaser to continue the dam and dig dirt and rock for the use there of
on the land I now possess adjacent to the dam.
ITEM - I give to my wife Mildred Nowlin, one Negro woman named Luna with her
future increase, to her and her heirs forever - also my right and title of a
Negro woman named Esther which she has received from her father with her
present and future offspring, the present increase as follows to wit: Isaac,
Mary Jane, Lucretia and Ben and at her death to go to Will of her father
Christopher Hutchings, also one bedstead and furniture, one side saddle, two
pine chests, clothing which she brought with her to her heirs forever. I lend
to my beloved wife Mildred Nowlin, one hundred and fifteen acres of land
beginning on the east side line of the first branch below the Plantation
crossing the creek at the mouth of the branch thence a straight line to the
dividing line between the widow Thompson and myself including the house and as
much of the Plantation as will be within the boundary whereon I now live with
the following furniture to wit: one bed, bedstead, black walnut chest, two
black walnut tables, one corner cupboard, and all the furniture belonging
thereto. All table and kitchen furniture, also two work horses and geld, two
ploughs, a yoke of oxen and cart, four cows and calves, a beef, four ewes, two
sows and pigs, six hundred weight of pork, two axes, four hoes - which at her
death or marriage to be sold at twelve months credit and the money arising
from the sale thereof to be equally divided among my children in after named.
ITEM: I lend to my daughter Elizabeth Devin, a Negro girl named Hannah and her
offspring during her natural life and at her death my will and desire is that
the said Negro and increase be equally divided by lot or by sale as best may
suit the children of my daughter Elizabeth Devin, which she now has or may
hereafter have lawfully begotten, to them and their heirs forever which she
has agreed to take as her part of my estate.
ITEM: I have formerly given my son Bryan Ward Nowlin as much of my estate as
he was satisfied with for his part then and forever but as a token of the love
that I bear him I will give him five pounds Virginia Currency to be paid out
of the money arising from sale of my stock at the division of my estate.
ITEM: My will and desire that my eleven Negro's to wit: Pat and daughter
Esther with her two children to wit: Peter and Lisa: Phyllis and her five
children, Candace, Wheeler, Frances, Milly and Calvert and Davie with future
increase of the females be divided by equal lot having them valued separate or
by lot as the case may best fit at the time between my eleven children, Peyton
Nowlin, Lucy Bennett, Susan Devin, James Nowlin, David Nowlin, Nancy Mahan,
Richard Wade Nowlin, Cathy Berger, Samuel Nowlin, Anne Nowlin and Sherad
Nowlin and their heirs forever. The division to take place as before
mentioned. At the division these eleven children must account for what they
have or may hereafter receive of my estate before the division to bring it
equal to prevent dispute on that day. I will endeavor to estimate what each
child has received.
ITEM: My son Peyton Nowlin has received twenty pounds, thirteen shillings
value.
ITEM: My daughter Lucy Bennett has received twenty three pounds value.
ITEM: My daughter Susan Devin has received sixteen pounds value
ITEM: My son James Nowlin has received fifteen pounds value.
ITEM: My son David Nowlin has received twelve pounds value.
ITEM: My daughter Mary Mahan has received eight pounds value.
ITEM: My daughter Cathy Berger has received twelve pounds value not charging
her for the Negro that died on her hands as she was sick when she received
her.
ITEM: My son Richard has received four pounds value.
ITEM: My will and desire is that my father be kindly treated and continue to
have his house and bed and be supported as usual and should he survive until a
division take place among my children then to be supported out of the rents of
the land, mentioned. After the death or marriage of my wife I desire that my
land the residue of all stock, household and kitchen furniture, Plantation
utensils lent to my wife be sold and the money arising from the same be
equally divided among my aforementioned eleven children with the residue of
the money arising from the rents of my land after the maintenance of my
father.
ITEM: My will and desire is that at the division of my estate my wife shall
have forty barrels of grain with sufficient fodder and forage for her
livestock until she can raise another crop.
ITEM: Lastly I hereby contiture and appoint my three sons; James Nowlin, David
Nowlin and Samuel Nowlin executors of this my last Will and Testament, hereby
revoking all former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. In witness
where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal.
ITEM: No security required of executors. Bryan Ward Nowlin (SEAL) |
