I Malcom McCown of the County of Putnam in the Commonwealth of Virginia, do make this my last will and testament as follows, First. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha McCown the land and tenaments which I now reside upon and which I purchased from Parrett J. Caffery, containing 150 acres be the same more or less, to her and heirs forever. Second. I request my executrix and executor hereinafter names; one year after my death to sell the following lands of which I am possessed Viz. a tract of 196 purchased of John Bowyer, also, 59 acres purchased of Reuben Taylor which two tracts or parcels of land are now in the occupancy of John Meeks, also, tract of 100 acres adjoining the two former tracts purchased of Reuben Taylor and now occupied by Alexander Dodd, also a tract of 136 acres purchased of William Tracy and now occupied by John J. Bean, the terms of the sale I submit to the sound discretion of my Executrix and Executor, and out of the money arising from such sales to pay the same in nine parts, as follows, Viz, to the heirs of my deceased brother Mathews McCowen one part, to by brother James McCowen, one part, to my sister Margaret Carter one part, to the heirs of my deceased brother Francis McCowen, one part, to the heirs of my deceased sister Mary McCallister one part, to the heirs of my deceased brother Joseph McCowen one part, to by brother Sylvester McCowen one part, to by brother William McCowen one part, to Martha Morris wife of Joshua S. Morris one part. Third I give and bequeath to by beloved wife Martha McCowen all my personal property including such moneys or debts as may be due me, wil will and intention being that after the payments of any debts which I may owe being made out of such moneys as may be due me on such personal property as I have, then the balance of all such personal property whether in money, debts, stock or furniture I give and bequeath to my said wife Martha McCowen to be used and desposed of as she may think proper. Fourth, I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Martha McCowen and my friend Thomas Sumers to be my Executor and Executrix of this my las will and testament and it is my will and desire they be not required to give security, and I do herby revoke and make void all former (Malcon McCowen) wills by me at any time heretofore mad, and do declare these presents to be and contain my last will and testament, on witness wherodf, I the siad testator Malcob NckCowen, have to this, my last will and testament, set my hand and seal, this 28th day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty. Malcon McCowen, (SEAL) Signe, sealed, published and declared by the testator Malcon McCowne, as his last will and Testamen, in the presence of us, who in his presence, at his request, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. William Millan J.R. Middleton William J. Middleton Putnam County Court August Term 1851: The last will and testament of Malcon McCown, deceased, was this day proved according to law by the oaths of William Millan & Hohn R. Middleton witnessed thereto, and is ordered to be recorded. And Thomas Summers one of the executors named in said will appeared in Court and refused to take upon himself the burden of the execution thereof: and on motion of Martha McCowen, executrix therein named took the oath of executrix, and certificate is granted the said Martha McCowen for obtaining probate of said will. It being the request of the testator that his Executor be not required to give bond and and security no security was required. Teste: H.H. Forbs, Clerk. WEST BIRGINIA, PUTNAM COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE: June 10th, 1915 I, J.M. Henson, Clerk of the County Court of Putnam County, West Virginia certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the will of Malcon McCowen and the certificate thereto annexed, as transcribed by me from original Will Book No. 1, Page 6. Teste: J.M.Henson, Clerk. Copyright 1996 James Denning Thanks to James Denning for submitting this file for the WVGenWeb Archives. This file may be freely copied but may not be sold.