In the name of God, Amen, I, M.B. Bowden of the County of Franklin and State of North Carolina, being in feeble health of body but of sound mind, memory and understanding, praise be God for the same, do make this, my last will and testament in manner and form following:  I give to my wife Annalisa Bowden this my home, house and tract of land containing fifty acres her lifetime, also house hold and kitchen furniture, one horse, one cow, one sow and pigs and farming utensils for one house.  The balance of my personal property at my death is to be sold and pay my just debts if any or divided among my children equally.

At the death of my wife, Able Bowden my youngest son is to have fifty acres of land home tenet.  The house hold and kitchen furniture, crop, stock farming utensils of every kind is to be divided among my children equally as they see fit.  Able Bowden must pay one hundred dollars at my death to the other children.  I give to W.D. Bowden thirty acres of land south of the house bought of R.D. Bowden also the acres taken from home tract on the west side, line to begin at W.D. and J.L. Bowden's corner running a north west corner, or a different course if agreeable.  W.D. Bowden must pay thirty five dollars at my death to the other children.  I give to J.B. Bowden nineteen acres of land at the old place, one acre more or less on the east side of home place to straiten his line, also forty dollars. 

I give to Mitty Ann Hays twenty five and once half acres of land at my old place on the lower side, line to run east and west or any way as the parties agree, also twenty five dollars.

I give to Lucy J. Medlin seventy dollars.

And I do nominate, constitute and appoint J. B. Bowden executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all and every other will or wills at any time heretofore made by me, and do declare this to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I, the said M.B. Bowden, have hereunto set my hand this Feb 22, 1898.

xM.B. Bowden
witnesses:
T.W. Stokes
W. H. Stallings