REV. JOHN ALEXANDER'S WILL.
Da Praecepta, Familiae Tuae, nam Tu crive moriturus es.
Forasmuch as the last scene of life seems hastening on,and the curtain ready to fall; I think it prudent, before I make my final exit off the stage, whereon I have sometime acted, to dispose of the few trifles fortune has bestowed me, manner following to wit:
Imprimis?I give and bequeath to my two Daughters, Martha and Rachel, all and every part of my property whatever, to be equally divided between them, and to their lawful heirs forever. On the demise of either, before empowered to make a will, the surviving sister inherits the whole.
Should both decease, before the laws capacitate to will, then, my remaining property is to be wholly converted to educating the poor children within the counties of Hert?ford and Bertie; under such regulations as my executors shall think fit.
My body I bequeath to the earth, whence it originated. My Soul. Immortal, and unallyed to dust, I commend to the Father of Mercies. The manly, mascu?line voice of orthodoxy, is no longer heard in our land. Far, therefore, from my grave be the senseless Rant of whining Fanaticism; her hated and successful rival. Cant and Grimace Dishonour the dead, as well as Disgrace the living. Let the monitor within, who never Deceives, alone pronounce my Funeral Oration; while some friendly hand Deposites my poor remains close by the ashes of my beloved Daughter Elizabeth, with whom I trust to share a happy Eternity.
And of this my last will and Testament I Constitute and appoint Captn. George West, George Outlaw, Esqr. and Mr. Edward Outlaw, my Executors?on whose Probity, Honor, and Disintered Friendship I entirely rely for the faithful Discharge of the trust I repose in them Beseeching them, as they would approve themselves to him who is the Father of the Fatherless, to use all possible means of Inspiring my children with the love of virtue, and an abhorrence of vice ? Restraining them from all places and persons Dangerous to their virtue or Innocency?Giving them an Education to their ranks in life suitable and becoming?Let their books, and their needles be their principal companions and employ. I could wish the laws enabled me to do more for my wretched and unfortunate slaves than that of recommending them to lenity and mild treatment.

Be to their faults a little blind-
Be to their virtues ever kind.

John Alexander
Bertie, Apl 4 1795

(The above will was probated at August term of Bertie County Court, 1799.
(Source: The beginnings of public education in North Carolina : a documentary history, 1790-1840 (1908)
Author: Coon, Charles Lee, Vol 1, Submitted by Chris)