1) To claim or recognise as one’s own.
1679 upon notice given by the clarke or pindor, that they doe come and owne their fence, Kirkheaton
1698 found a parcel of turf in Josias Cowper’s house which Elizabeth Parkin owns to be hers, Slaithwaite. In 1681, after the theft of a brewing pan at his house, Oliver Heywood was asked by the constable to come and own it, Northowram. It could also be used meaning to admit or acknowledge: 1607 having owned himself the father of Barbary Anderson’s base child, shall pay 20s yearly, Hinderskelfe
1687 does owne that he sold the foure sheepe to Thomas Lee, Flockton
1718 George Myers own’d that he stole the hanks of yarn, Knaresborough
1789 Edmond Littlewood owned that he ... graved the turfs, Meltham.