The following is the will of John Alston. The spelling may not be accurate, but done as the original will.

In the Name of God, Amen. September 17th, in the year of our Lord God one thousand Seven hundred and fifty four, I, John Alston of Chowan County and province of North Carolina being in perfect health and sound and perfect mind and memory thank be to almighty God for it. Calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory Life, and that all flesh mush Yield unto Death when it shall please God to call, Doe make Declair ordain, appoint this my last will and testament in Manner & form following and principally I Recommend my Soul to God that gave it to me in full hope I shall receive full pardon for all my Sins Past by the merits and meditation of our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my body to be buried in such Christian Like manner as shall pleas my Executor hereafter naimed and appointed, and secondly I doe by these presents frustrate and make null and void all other or former wills by me made or Declaired Either by word or writing and this to be taken for my Last will and testament and no other. Thirdly my will is that all My Debts Duly that I owe in the right or concience to any maner of persons What Ever Be Justly Contested and paid in Sum convenient time after my Death By executor hereafter nam'd and now as such worldy Estate as it hath pleased God to Bestow upon me I Give & dispose of the saim in manner and form following---

Item. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Joseph John Alston my Land at White Oak River and other personall Estate By me all ready delivered to him and a tract of land containing two hundred and fifty acres being in Chowan County Joining to Mrs. James Willson Line Beginning at a hickory standing on Benit's Creek Sides I also Give to my son Joseph John Alston one Gold Ring about fifteen Shillings worth I say aforesaid Land and Estate to him and His heirs for Ever.

Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Son Solomon Alston a Negro woman named Sarah which he has in his possession and other personall Estate all ready delivered to him by me I say the aforesaid Negro and Estate to him and his heirs for Ever.

Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Son William Alston in his lifetime that part of my Estate I allotted for him and now his heirs has it in their possession.

Item. I give to my Beloved Son Phillip Alston one Negro man names Seser now in his possession and one Negro man named Robin and what Else of my personall Estate he has had of me before now in his possession I say the aforesaid Negro's & Estate to his heirs forever.

Item. I give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Mary Seward one mulato woman named Moll and what Else she has had of me befor to her and her heirs forever. I also mean the use of my Dwelling Hous and garden to her Durin her naturall life.

Item. I give & Bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Elizabeth Williams, one Negro woman nam'd Moll and her increase to her and her heirs forever and what else of my personall Estate she has had all Ready.

Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Sarah Kearny one Negro woman named fanny and her increase now in her possession and what else she has had of my Estate before the aforesaid Negro and Estate to her and her heirs forever.

Item. I Give to my Beloved Daughter Chasity Dawson one Negro woman named faney and a Negro boy nam'd Jupiter and a negro garl named cats (??) and a Negro garl nam'd nancy I say the aforesaid Negros to her and her heirs an assignes for Ever.

Item. I mean my Dear wife Mary Alston to have the use of my Estate as vis Dick fanney peter Robin & Easup and Diner all so my plantation stock & household Goods During her naturall Life But at her Death to returned in manner hereafter mentioned.

Item. I Give to John Alston Son of Solomon Alston one Negro boy named Peter to him and his heirs for Ever.

Item. I Give to Elizabeth Alston Daughter of William Alston Deceased one Negro boy named ned to her and her heirs for Ever.

Item. I Give to Paty Alston Daughter of Joseph John Alston one Negro Girl named Pru to her and her heirs for Ever.

Item. I Give to William Alston Son of Philip Alston one Negro boy named hary to him & his heirs for Ever.

Item. I Give to John Alston Son of James Alston one Negro woman nam'd Diner and her increase and one Negro boy nam'd Robin to him and his heirs for Ever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Son James Alston one Negro man nam'd Dick one Negro man named peter and one melato man nam'd Esaop all so my plantation whereon I know live and all the Land adjoining thereunto I also give him the Rest and Residue of my whole Estate Both raill and personall I say the aforesaid Land and Estate to him and his heirs & assigns for Ever I also leave him my whole and sole Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand seall the 20 day of Feb'y 1755

                        John Alston

Seasbrook Wilson
Thomas Byrd
Jospeh (his X mark) Parker

Edenton 2nd December 1758
Then personally appeared before me Seasbrook Wilson & Joseph Parker two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Will who make oath that they saw John Alston the Testateor sign seal and deliver and declare the foregoing as & for his last will and Testament and that the said John Alston was at that time to the best of their judgment & belief of sound an disposing Memory & understanding and that they together with Thomas Byrd subscribed their names to the foregoing will as witnesses thereto.

At the same time James Alston Executor before named took the Oath of an Executor. Let Letters Testamentary issue thereon.                         Arthur Dobbs