In the name of God, Amen. I, James G. Martin, of Russell County and state of Virginia being of sound mind and memory and feeling that the time of my departure is close at hand, do make this my last Will and Testament, to wit;
1st. After all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret Martin the land on which I now live with all its appurtenances household and kitchen furniture and also I give her two cows and one old horse, old Joe, and one two year old heifer to use as she may think proper as long as she lives and after her death the said tract of land to be the property of my son Harvey W. Martin. I also give to my wife Margaret and my two sons John W. Martin and Harvey W. Martin jointly all the grain of every description and the hogs, sheep, leather, meat and bees? to divide as they may think proper.
2nd. I desire that my son John W. Martin sell privately four head of cattle and add the amount to moneys now on interest which I suppose to be about $700.00 take from this debts and funeral expenses. I give and bequeath to my wife Margaret Martin $300.00 out of the above amounts and the remainder to be equally divided among or between my four daughters after the $300.00 are taken out. I give to Nancy P. Taylor's three children Polly J. Adison, Margaret A. Taylor and John W. Taylor heirs of Nancy P. Taylor to have one fourth part of the above moneys, Sally P. Burk one fourth, Prudence A. Ascue one fourth, Martha J. Chapman one fourth. I desire that John W. Martin to collect all moneys coming to me and divide the same as above directed.
Given under my hand and seal this Eighteenth day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and [fifty] seven and witnessed in my presence.
James G. Martin
This being acknowledged
before us the undersigned
as being his Last Will and
Testament. Given under
our hands this 8th [18th?]day of
August 1857.
Samuel Robinson
Thos. S? Johnson
At a court held for Russell County on the 5th day of October 1858. The last Will and Testament of James G. Martin dec'd was produced in court and proved by the oath of Samuel Robinson and Thomas ? Johnson the two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And there being no executor named in the said Will, on the motion of John W. Martin who took the oath of an administrator with the Will annexed prescribed by law and entered into and acknowledged his bond in the sum of $1500.00 with Samuel Robinson and Harvey W. Martin as his securities conditioned as the law directs by certificate, is therefore granted herein for obtaining letters of administration with the Will annexed in due form.
Teste
R. H. Lynch C.C.