The special commissioners shall, if deemed advisable, cause a survey to be made of the lands to be divided, in their presence, and shall divide the same into the number of parts or shares directed in the order containing their appointment, each part or share to contain one or more lots, as the special commissioners may think proper, having regard to the situation, quantity, quality and advantages of each part or share, so that they may be equal in value as nearly as may be, or according to the respective rights of the parties. If the bounds or title of any tract be controverted and the controverted part be valuable, the special commissioners shall separate it from the part not controverted, and make a partition of the tract or tracts in such manner that a portion of the controverted part may be allotted to each share, as well as a portion of the part not controverted. The special commissioners, or any one of them, previous to the survey, if any, shall administer an oath to the surveyors and chain bearers that they will honestly and impartially perform their respective duties.