I, Solomon Osborne, of the County of Russell and State of Virgina, do make and publish my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say.
First, I give my wife Cloe on half of the tract of land on which I now live I mean the tract known as the Old Osborne tract, containing four hundred acres, be the same more or less, to be held by her during her natural life. I also give to my wife my Negro woman Isobel and her son George and the future increase of said Negro woman and my Negro man Simon, to be held during her natural life. I also give to my wife two head of horses, such as she may make choice of, except my stud horses, and four of her choice of my milk cows, ten head of her choice sheep, fifteen head of choice hogs and two choice beds and furniture, two large kettles and such other household and kitchen furniture as she may need, to be selected by herself. All the above land and property I desire my wife to have during her natural life if she remains single, but if she marries again, then I desire that she shall give it all up as herinafter provided.
Secondly, I give to my youngest daughter Frances Safira Margaret Anivertiz Jones-affair William Hanks the other half of land on which I now live and at the marriage or death of my wife, I give her all of said tract of land together with all the Negros and other property above disposed of to my wife.
Third, to my son Samuel Osborne I give the boundry of land on which he now lives as marked out to him by George C. Gose and William C. Jackson in February last, by my directions. I give my Negro boy Joe to him and his heirs forever.
Fourth, I give to my son Squire Osborne the use for life of the tract of land I bought of James Smith, being part of the old John Smith Ttract, including the buildings and spring and part of the orchard, and at his death the same go to his Lawful children.
Fifth, I give to my son William Osborne the boundry of land where he now lives as marked out to him by George C. Gose and William C. Jackson in February last and also one Negro man named Andy to him and his heirs forever.
Sixth, I give to my son David Osborne the boundry of land on which he now lives as marked out to him by George C. Gose and William C Jackson in February last and also my two Negro boys Esau and Jacob, to him and his heirs forever.
Seventh, I give to my daughter Mima the wife of John W. Dorton, in addition to what I have heretofore given her and her husband, my Negro woman Juda and her future increase if she has any, and also four hundred dollars in money.
Eighth I give to my daughter Mary or Molly, the wife of Samuel May, in addition to what I have heretofore given her and her husband, about six hundred and thirty dollars in money which I have loaned to Samuel May and have his note for.
Ninth I give to my daughter Marha, the wife of John May, in addition to what I have heretofore given her, all the money for which I hold his notes and also one Negro man named Robert.
Tenth I give to my daughter Nicey Ann, the wife of Joseph Combs, the tract of land which I got from John Smith, the son of Capt John. and my Negro woman named Mary, and also all the money for which I hold Joseph Combs notes, say about three hundred and forty dollars.
Eleventh I give to my daughter Margaret Elizabeth, the wife of Oscar Stair, the tract of land known as the Burton Place. as marked off for her by George C. Gose, and Wm C. Jackson in February last and my Negro Boy named Patton.
Twelfth, To my grandchild Nancy Osborne, the daughter of my son John Osborne, Decd. I give the peice of land that I bought of David Banner, as part of the Capt. John Smith tract and also the sum of five hundred dollars in money which I give to said grandchild in place and in full satisfaction of all that is in my hands as her guardian and upon condition that my estate is fully relieved from and resposibilty as her Gaurdian.
Thirteenth, To my grandson Solomon Osborne, son of Samuel Osborne, I give my Negro boy Henry.
My old Negro woman Darkey, I desire shall belong to and serve with any one of my children that she may make choice of, I give one hundred and fifty dollars for her support, provided they agree to keep her for that and not let her be any further charge upon my estate.
To my daughter Mary, the wife of Samuel May, in addition to what I have herein before given her, I give my Negro Man, Guy Warick, upon condition that she pays to my daughter Martha, the wife of John May, the sum of five hundred dollars, which I consider half the value of said Negro man which five hundred dollars I give to my daughter Martha, in addition to what I have before given her.
I give to Tivis Lee, the son of my present wife, a piece of land I bought of Ichabod Horn and anouther I bought of Pleasent Horn. Beginning at a black oak in a hollow, a corner of the piece I bought of Icabod Horn, thence running with the line of a thirty acre tract southwardly and straight on to the main road and then with the road, including all on the north side of the road, west of the line aforesaid.
All remainder of my land, not herein before disposed of, I desire my executor to sell and convey it to the purchasers and hereby give him full power and authority so to do. I also wish my executor to sell my other property not herein disposed of, and the money ensuing from the sale of the land and property aforesaid, together with all the moneys that I have on hand and owing to me, besides what is herein before disposed of, I desire shall be equally divided between my sons Samuel, William, and David and my daughters Nicey Ann, the wife of Joseph Combs, and Margaret Elizabeth the wife of Oscar Stair, but out of the money aforesaid, I desire first that my executor shall retain five hundred dollars, which I desire that he shall loan out and let my son Squire have the interest of it as he may need it and pay him the principal of it anytime he may show promise of becomming a sober man.
Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my friend Wm B. Aston and my son Samuel Osborne Executors of this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made.
Witness my hand this the 7th day of March 1857
Solomon Osborne ( seal )
witnesses:
George C. Gose
Wm. C. Jackson