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State of North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Book 1, page 142
Dated 5 February 1784
In the name of God amen: I Benjamin Alexander of Tyrrell County in the state of North Carolina being weak and low in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for it, knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do constitute and ordain this my last Will and Testament do disannul and revoke all former Wills Gifts or incumbrances whatever,
First I recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and as to my worldly goods I give as followeth Viz:
1st- I give to my wifes daughter Elizabeth Johnston one heifer earling
2ly- My will and desire is that my well beloved wife Martha Alexander may have the use of all the remainder of my Estate both real and personal during her widowhood to raise my son Joshua Alexander. She is not to sell to make any waste of it and after her marriage to be as hereafter mentioned.
3ly- My will and desire is that my wife have the use of the third part of my moveable Estate during her natural life and at her marriage for my Executors to take the remainder into their care and dispose of it as hereafter shall be mentioned.
4thly- I give to my beloved son Joshua Alexander at his coming to the age of twenty one years all my Estate both real and personal to him and his heirs forever.
5ly- My will and desire is that if my son Joshua Alexander should die before he comes to age or leaves no heir lawfully begotten of his body that Ludford Alexander son of Isaac Alexander have one cow and calf and the rest of the Estate to be equally divided between my well beloved wife Martha Alexander and my two sisters Ann Bly and Christian Mann to them and their heirs forever. I do hereby disannul all other Wills Gifts or incumbrances whatever and do constitute this, and ordain it to be my last Will and Testament - I nominate and appoint my two friends Isaac Alexander and Thomas Hopkins Executors to this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixt my seal this fifth day of February Anno Dom. One thousand seven hundred and eighty four.
Signed Sealed and Delivered
In presence of
Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
July Session 1784
Appeared Martha Alexander in open court and exhibited the last will and testament of Benjamin Alexander deceased proved by the oath of Dorcas Basnett ordered to be recorded.
Appeared in open court Martha Alexander and prayed administration on the estate of Benjamin Alexander deceased granted and give Miles Pierce and Rufus Perisho securitys.
October Session 1787
Ordered that Benjamin Mead be appointed guardian to the orphan of Benjamin Alexander named Joshua Alexander and give bond with 40 pounds Hezekiah Spruill and John Gibson Esqr. securities.
Ordered that Benjamin Mead guardian of Joshua Alexander orphan of Benja. Alexander sell the perishable part of said deceaseds estate and should the perishable property not be sufficient to support the orphan of said deceased that the said Benja. Mead also sell the land or so much thereof as will support the said orphan.
July Session 1788
Thomas Stewart and Hezekiah Spruill Esquires appointed to audit and inspect and settle the accounts of guardians administrators and administratrix accounts of the deceased estates which is accordingly done as per entrys following to wit - Benjamin Mead guardian to Joshua Alexander orphan of Benja. Alexander deceased and find a balance due said Joshua Alexander orphan of 3 pounds & 7 shillings filed - Martha Alexander administratrix of Benjamin Alexander deceased and find that said administratrix hath fully administered and oweth nothing.
North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.01), Box 1
Alexander, Benjamin, 1784
Bond dated 4 Oct 1787 in the amount of forty pounds appointing Benjamin Meads guardian to Joshua Alexander son & minor orphan of Benj. Alexander, Hezekiah Spruill & John Gibson securities.
Account of the estate of Benjamin Alexander deceased dated 2 Apr 1788. Includes payment to his widow Martha Alexander for nursing & clothing his child for three years and two months.
Transcriber's Notes:
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Martha Alexander to Philip Hunnings on 30 Jan 1790, Elisha Martin security. Since Benjamin Alexander and Martha Alexander only had one child who was fairly young at the time of Benjamin Alexander's death, it is likely that Martha Alexander remarried.
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