1. REV. JOHN ALEXANDER'S WILL.

Thinks it proper to

Da Præcepta, Familiæ Tuæ, nam Tu crive moriturus es. Forasmuch as the last scene of life seems hastening on, make a will. 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:

his daughters.

Imprimis-I give and bequeath to my two Daughters, Property willed to 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 emFowered to make a will, the surviving sister inherits the whole.

cate poor children.

Should both decease, before the laws capacitate to will, If daughters should then, my remaining property is to be wholly converted to to be used to edueducating the poor children within the counties of Hertford and Bertie; under such regulations as my executors shall think fit. My body I bequeath to the earth, whence Funeral directions. it originated. My Soul, Immortal, and unallyed to dust, I commend to the Father of Mercies. The manly, masculine 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-Be

Kind of education to be given his daughters.

Wishes he could free his slaves.

seeching 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 a 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 rank 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.

Bertie, Apl. 4 1795.

JOHN ALEXANDER.1

The above will was probated at August term of Bertie County

Court, 1799.

1798

1. WARRENTON ACADEMY ASKS STATE AID.

2. DAVID CALDWELL ASKS FOR EXEMPTION OF HIS STUDENTS FROM MILITARY DUTY.

History of the incorporation.

1. WARRENTON ACADEMY ASKS STATE AID.

The Memorial and Petition of the Trustees of the Warrenton Academy, respectfully,

SHEWETH, That in the year 1786 an Act passed in the General Assembly of this State, directing an Academy to be erected and established for the Education of Youth, under the Name, Stile and Title of "The Warrenton Academy":-At the same Time Trustees were nominated and appointed thereto, and incorporated after the usual Form and with Similar Powers that other Bodies politick and corporate are by Law vested and established: And in Order more effectually to further this Salutary Measure, the aforesaid General Assembly authorized and empowered the Trustees of the said Academy to raise by Way of Lottery the Sum of One Thousand Pounds Currency, to assist in defraying the expense of Buildings and other Contingences. Your Memorialists beg leave to represent, that altho' much Pains were taken to carry the said LotLottery authorized tery into effect, yet they proved abortive, as the Number of Tickets contained therein could not be disposed of within the limited time; of Course no publick aid has been virtually given to this laudable Institution; which Independant of so great a disappointment, has through the means of Individual dona private donations and individual exertions flourished with

in 1786 proved abortive.

tions supported

school for ten years; prepares students for the University.

Buildings much decayed; appara

great Reputation upwards of Ten Years. Your Memorialists mean not to raise any Competition with similar Institutions. They know their value, and how justly they deserve encouragement:-Yet they venture to affirm none has been more eminently useful, nor is any one better calculated to promote the desirable purpose of preparing Youth for our State Seminary:-A circumstance they humbly conceive that cannot fail of attracting Attention, and inducing Consent to their present prayer.

The Building of the Academy is in so decayed a state

that it cannot be repaired to be made fit and suitable for the reception of the Number of Students who wish to resort there. Your Memorialists with great deference further represent, that the Institution is already furnished with a great variety of Mathematical and Philosophical apparatus, all of which were obtained through the repeated exertions of liberal Individuals, and some small private donations. Those resources are now exhausted, and the Institution needs publick patronage. To whom then can they so properly apply, as to the Representatives of a Free Aid from State People, who know the value and beneficial Consequences resulting from an early Education? They are the more emboldened to do so, from a Hope and Belief that the Present General Assembly being animated with a Zeal to cherish every useful Institution any former one thought proper to establish, will, after this Representation made to them of the existing State of the Warrenton Academy, direct such Aid from the Treasury as in their Wisdom they deem meet.

And your petitioners will pray, etc.

J. G. BREHON, Chairman.

In House of Commons 4 December 1798 read and referred to the Committee on Finance.

treasury asked.

Clerk's entry on memorial.

The Committee on Finance to whom was referred the Aid refused. Memorial of the Trustees of the Warrenton Academy, requesting a Donation from the General Assembly to enable to erect buildings &c.

REPORT,

That the State of our finances will not authorize granting the said Donation; They, therefore, recommend that the Trustees aforesaid, have leave to withdraw their Memorial.

-From Unpublished Legislative Documents, 1798.