State of North Carolina  }
    Currituck County       }

 I James BOWDEN SR. of Knotts Island of the State and county aforesaid, being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say --

I lend to my beloved wife Julia all my tract of land whereon I now live so as to include my dwelling house all out houses and all other improvements thereon - to have and to hold to her the said Julia for and during her natural life but at the death of my wife Julia the said tract of land with all improvements thereon to my son James BOWDEN.

Item 2.  I give to my beloved wife Julia any and all other real estate except the aforesaid home tract in fee simple including all my property consisting of horses hogs cattle wagon cart household furniture and farming utensils with full power to dispose of as a means of subsistence.  My will and desire is that my home tract of land and the residue of all my estate go to my son James BOWDEN at the death of my wife Julia.  Should my son James die without a lawful heir begotten by him then said property to go to my nearest relation and I nominate and appoint my said wife sole executrix of this my last will and testament and do declare this to be my last and only will and testament.

In witness whereof I, the said James BOWDEN SR. have hereunto set my hand this the 3^rd day of February March 1886.
             /s/ James [his x mark] BOWDEN    Seal

Signed by the above named James BOWDEN as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.  This 3^rd day March 1886.
     A.J. ANSELL
     A.J. SMITH    

  North Carolina  }    In the Superior Court
Currituck County}     May 3^d 1886
     A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James BOWDEN was this day offered for probate and the execution of the same duly proven by the oath and examination of A.J. ANSELL and A.J. SMITH, subscribing witnesses thereto: -- and it appearing on the said examination that the said James BOWDEN was of full age to make a will, of sound mind and disposing memory and under no restraint or undue influence, that they witnessed said will at the request and in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other by subscribing their names thereto and at the time said testator signed his name or made his mark to the same.

Therefore it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said James BOWDEN.  Let if be recorded and filed.
     H.B. ANSELL    Clerk Superior Court

[Source: Microfilm G.030.1548672 - Currituck Co., NC Wills (original) 1841-1924; Vol. Ansell-Woodhouse]

This will was contributed by Kay Midgett Sheppard. No part of this document may be used for any commercial purposes. However, please feel free to copy any of this material for your own personal use and family research. If you find anything in these records that pertains to your families, it is strongly suggested that you look at the original record on your own to check for errors or possibly other additional and helpful information. Thank you!

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