Will Book __, Page 77
March 4, 1851
Proven: Dec. Term, 1851

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Mary Burns, being of sound and disposing mind and memory but feeble in health, do make, publish and declare the following to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making entirely void all other wills which I have at any time heretofore made.

First. It is my will and desire, and I so direct that after my decease, I shall be buried according to the mode of Christian burial, and that my Executors hereinafter named shall pay all the expenses attending my funeral.

Secondly. I will and bequeath unto my sons William and John all my interest in a land warrant which has not as yet come to hand, for 160 acres of land, on account of service rendered by my deceased husband Robert Burns in the Army of the United States in the War of 1812, and whereas I have heretofore executed a Power of Attorney to Samuel Powel, my son-in-law authorizing him to do all the business necessary to procure said land warrant and to obtain a pension.

It is my will and desire that the business be taken out of the hands of Samuel Powel and that my Executors hereinafter named and appointed shall have the sole and exclusive control of the whole business and that the said Powel shall have nothing further to do with said business.

Thirdly. It is my will and desire and I so direct that out of the money which nay arise from the sale of said land warrant that my Executors pay unto my daughters Jane E. Davis and Sarah Ann Powel each the sum of five dollars.

Fourthly. It is my will and desire that if I should obtain a pension from the Government of the United States, that the same be equally divided between all my children, share and share alike.

Fifthly. I will and bequeath to my son John Burns my bed and furniture. Sixthly. I will and bequeath unto my daughters Jane E. Davis all of my clothing of whatsoever kind or character that I may possess at my death.

And Lastly. I do hereby nominate and appoint my two sons John & William my Executors of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I do to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this 4th day of March, 1851.

Mary [X] Burns (seal) (her mark)

Signed, sealed and published in our presence and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presence of the Testator. This 4th day of March, 1851.

George R. Powel
J. R. Armstrong

This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by one of the following volunteers:  Audrae Mathis; Gary Fletcher; Betty Mize; Diana Arney; Karen Negron, Kathey Welder.