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Capt. William Sample Alexander

Male Abt 1752 - 1826  (~ 74 years)


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  • Name William Sample Alexander 
    Prefix Capt. 
    Nickname White Billy 
    Born Abt 1752  Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 20 Oct 1826  Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Will Probate 15 Jan 1827  Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Rocky River Church Cemetery, Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I10280  MyTree
    Last Modified 21 Jun 2011 

    Father Hezekiah Alexander, Sr.,   b. 13 Jan 1722, Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jul 1801, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Mother Mary Sample,   b. 1735, Cecil Co., Maryland Colony, MD Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 May 1806, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years) 
    Married 12 Jun 1752  Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F2920  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Elizabeth Alexander,   b. 19 Feb 1754, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Nov 1796, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 42 years) 
    Married 1779  Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Dorcus Alexander,   b. Abt 1780, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Died Young?, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Elias Alexander,   b. Abt 1781, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Died Young?, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location
     3. Marcus Alexander,   b. Abt 1782, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Died Young?, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location
    +4. Alphonso Alexander,   b. 13 May 1783, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Jun 1852, Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)
    +5. Teressa Alexander,   b. Abt 1784, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1826 (her heirs listed in father's will), Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location
    +6. Philander Alexander,   b. Abt 1786, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Sep 1833, Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 47 years)
    +7. Dionysius Alexander,   b. 10 Mar 1787, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jan 1864, Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years)
    +8. Osmund Alexander,   b. Abt 1792, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Jul 1840, Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 48 years)
    Last Modified 17 Jul 2017 
    Family ID F5508  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Sarah Cynthia Rogers,   b. 19 Feb 1754, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Nov 1799, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 45 years) 
    Married 2 Apr 1798  Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 17 Jul 2017 
    Family ID F5554  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Martha Nicholas,   b. Abt 1792, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Sep 1853, Garrard Co., KY Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 61 years) 
    Married Abt 1800  Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Koususko Alexander,   b. Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Martha Alexander,   b. Cabarrus Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location
    Last Modified 17 Jul 2017 
    Family ID F5555  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 

    • U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
      Name: William Sample Alexander
      Gender: Male
      Birth Place: NC
      Birth Year: 1756
      Spouse Name: Elizabeth Alexander
      Spouse Birth Place: NC
      Spouse Birth Year: 1755
      Marriage Year: 1779
      Marriage State: NC
      Number Pages: 1

      1790 United States Federal Census
      Name: William S Alexander
      County: Mecklenburg
      State: North Carolina
      Number of Free White Males Under 16: 3
      Number of Free White Males 16 and Over: 1
      Number of Free White Females: 2
      Number of Slaves : 4
      Number of Household Members: 10

      1800 United States Federal Census
      Name: William Alexander
      Township: Salisbury
      County: Mecklenburg
      State: North Carolina
      Free White Males Under 10: 5
      Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
      Free White Females Under 10 : 2
      Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
      Number of Household Members Under 16 : 7
      Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
      Number of Household Members: 9

      1820 United States Federal Census
      Name: William Alexander
      County: Mecklenburg
      State: North Carolina
      Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
      Free White Males - 45 and over: 1
      Free White Females - 45 and over: 1
      Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
      Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
      Total Free White Persons: 2
      Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 2

      U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
      Name: William Sample Alexander
      Gender: Male
      Birth Place: NC
      Birth Year: 1756
      Spouse Name: Martha Nicholas
      Spouse Birth Place: NC
      Spouse Birth Year: 1792
      Marriage Year: 1780 (incorrect) (I think it was 1800)
      Marriage State: 18
      Number Pages: 1

      North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004
      Name: Sarah Rogers
      Spouse: William S. Alexander
      Marriage Date: 2 Apr 1798
      Marriage County: Cabarrus
      Marriage State: North Carolina
      Source Vendor: County Court Records at Concord, NC
      Source: County Court Records at Concord, NC

      Family Data Collection - Individual Records
      Name: William Sample Alexander
      Spouse: Sarah Rodgers
      Parents: Hezekiah South Alexander, Mary Sample
      Birth Place: Mecklenburg, Co., NC
      Birth Date: 1751
      Death Place: Mecklenburg, N, CO, C
      Death Date: 26 Oct 1826

      Marylanders to Carolina - Migration of Marylanders to NC and SC Prior to 1800, by Westminster, MD: Family Line Publications. 1994 Pg. 7:
      William Sample Alexander little is known about his childhood, though it is probable that he grew up in Penn. frontier region. There are indications that William used his relatives Home in Cecil Co., MD as a 'Home away from Home' conducting activities in town in varying directions, returning 'Home' in between. William's diary also contains a section that was evidently kept by his father, Hezekiah, that records transactions from 1770 to 1778. William's role in the war effort, delivering provisions and rations to local companies in 1777, is also clearly stated. It seems he served in The war as a supplier and wagon master, an extension of his earlier peacetime activities. William was married three times, though he waited until after he was 30 before he did so. Little else is known of William. His will was recorded on Jan 15 1827 in The Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions of Cabbarrus County, NC.
      When William Sample Alexander, son of Hezekiah and Mary Sample journeyed back to Cecil Co. on a business trip in 1776, he mentioned his uncle "Amos and Aunt Sarah' and sold deer skins at Appleton crossroads for 6 shillings and 4 Pence each. On June 1, 1776,he went to his cousin Walter Alexander's Home to attend a muster of men Walter did soon lead into The American Revolution. On June 3 he visited The town of 'Head of Elk', modern Elkton, with Walter but returned, probably later that day. After attending services at Head of Christiana Church on June 4, William spent the day with Walter. However, on The 5th he stayed with Uncle Amos, but left on the 6th to go to Newark where he visited James Black, Joseph England, and one of the leaders of the community, Robert Kirkwood. He visited George Alexander, son of Theopilus on June 9, and returned to Amos Alexander's on Saturday, June 16, but continued to Head of Elk to attend a muster, presumably of Walter Alexander's company. During the Revolutionary War, Walter was a leader of a patriot guerrilla group who continuously raided and harassed British and their Tory Allies.

      History of Alexanders, says: 'Capt.William Sample, commonly found as William S., and known as 'White Billy', lived in the Rocky River section. The records of the Rocky River Presbyterian Church give the death of William S. Alexander as of Oct 20 1826 aged 70 Years thus he was born in 1756.

      History of Joseph Alexander pg 79: His Will was recorded on Jan 15 1827 in The Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Cabarus Co NC.

      Mecklenburg The Life & Times of a Proud People, by Howard White and Ruth White, 1992,
      page 72: Hezekiah and Mary Sample Alexander were The parents of Captain William Sample Alexander, married Elizabeth Alexander.
      Page 378: same reference.
      Capt. William Sample Alexander, Wagonmaster. Called "White Billy" because of blonde hair. b. 1752-56 d. 26 Oct. 1826 age 75 m. Elizabeth Alexander, a second cousin, daughter of Col. Abraham Alexander and Dorcas Amelia Wilson (by tradition). William Alexander and Elizabeth are both bur. at Old Rocky River Church Cemetery. (in Cabarrus County, NC)

      MD Hearldic Families, Pg 60: Nathaniel m. Jane Harris, and Elizabeth, b 1754, m. 1770 William Sample Alexander, son of Hezekiah.

      Will of Hezkiah Alexander names the heir's wife Mary, son William, son Amos , son Joel, son Oswald, dau Esther Garrison, granddaughter Caroline Garrison and dau Kezia.

      DAR Mag 1952: William Sample, son of Hezekiah Alexander and Mary Sample, died 20 Oct 1826 aged 70 ? years, m. 1) Elizabeth Alexander; m. 2) Sarah Rodgers; m. 3) Martha Nicols.

      Richard Alexander: William Sample Alexander married Sarah Rodgers . He married Martha Nichols. He married Elizabeth Alexander , daughter of Abraham Alexander and Dorcas Wilson. He was born in 1754 in PA. He died on 20 October 1826.

      Will of William Sample Alexander:
      "In The name of God Amen! I, William S. Alexander of The State of
      North Carolina and County of Cabarrus, being advanced in age and
      somewhat in declining circumstances of health but, by divine goodness,
      of sound mind and memory, and moreover remembering that it is
      appointed to all men to die, do publish this my last Will and Testament, in
      manner and form as follows, viz:
      Imprimis: I commit my body to the dust, to be buried in a decent
      manner at the discretion of my Exs., and my soul to God, who gave it,
      hoping and confiding on the mercy of God, Christ according to The
      terror (?) of The new and well ordered covenant; and as touching that
      portion of wordly substance that God, in his good Providence, has
      bestowed upon me, I dispose of it is manner and form as follows, viz:
      Imprimis: It is my will and pleasure that my wife Martha retain
      possession and enjoy without let or molestation her bed and furniture
      and all other property which she possessed at The time of her marriage, to
      which property I relinguished at that time by a written agreement or contract
      now in my possession, all clain; and further to enable my dear and beloved wife,
      Martha to have an independent Home and that she and Family may be in
      comfortable circumstances when I am dead and gone, I will and bequeath to my
      said wife Martha for her comfortable maintenance and for The comfortable
      maintenance of her family, and to enable her suitably to educate her children, all
      that plantation, known by the name of the Newell Plantation, including the
      Reed Tract, containing each about 130 or 140 acres; also including the
      McLelland tract of 50 acres; also including two lots of Robert Davis' Plantation,
      containing 45 acres each and adjoining to each other; also all the aforesaid
      tracts adjoining together and supposed to contain in all about 420 acres; two
      horses, her choice; her saddle and bridle; four milk cows, her choice of my
      stock; six head of sheep; all my hogs that are at the Robb Plantation; two
      ploughs; and two pair of horse gears to serve two ploughs; one pair of iron
      hung double trees; two single trees and three clevises; one ax; four hoes and
      one mattock and one walnut chest of drawers; one square walnut table, viz., my
      common dining table; six Windsor chairs and two common chairs; one fire
      shovel and tongs; one pair of fire dogs and loom and tacklings; all the cupboard
      and kitchen furniture; one big wheel and one little spinning wheel; one check
      reel; one candlestick and snuffers; six silver table spoons and six silver tea
      spoons; one large oak chest, one bible and two medical books, viz: Buchan's
      Family Physician and Ewell's Ladys Companion and one Confession of Faith; also
      in addition to the preceding farming utensils, two bull-tongue ploughs, in order
      to the profitable use of the above landed property & c. I further will and
      bequeathe to my said wife Martha the following Family of negroes, Smith and
      his wife Fanny and their five children (viz) Abigail, Abraham, Caroline, Adaline,
      and Henry during her natural life or widowhood, or until my children by her
      shall come of age or marry in the same manner, and under the same conditions
      all the previous devises made to my wife is to be understood. Should my wife
      Marry again my will that all the property, hitherto to her devised revert
      back into my estate and be reserved as a fund for the maintenance, and
      final advancement of my children by my said wife Martha.

      Item: I will and bequeathe to my beloved son Koususko, his heirs and
      assigns forever, all that parcel of land consisting of the several
      tracts hitherto specified and set apart for the use of my wife and
      younger children, still allowing to his mother during her remaining my
      widow all that interest necessary for her maintenance and comfort.

      Item: I devise that my daughter Martha be maintained and educated out
      of the proceeds of the property above decised and when she shall have
      come of age and married that she be furnished a feathr bed and
      furniture, a horse and saddle, a cow and a negro girl, viz: Caroline
      or Adaline.

      Item: I devise that my Sossaman Plantation, consisting of 200 acres,
      be sold at the discretion of my executors and the monies put to
      interest and reserved as a fund for the liberal education of my
      youngest son Koususko provided that measure shall be advisible.

      Item: I devise that upon the extermination of The right of my wife to
      the property hitherto devised, either by marriage or by death, then
      that all the remainder of the finally undevised perishable property be
      divided between my above named son and daughter in that proportion
      that my son possess two-thirds of The whole and my daughter one third.

      Item: My will is that if in the judgement of my executors the
      capacity of my youngest son Koususko shall be promising for a liveral
      education and the measure forbidded by no special reason, that in that
      case, he be put to a grammer school under the direction of my
      executors, and his education duly prosecuted to the above issue.

      Item: I devise that if one of my above named children die before he
      or she shall come of age that rhe survivor shall be the sole heir or
      heiress, and should neither survive to come of age that then the whole
      property revert into my estate to be divided amongst my children,
      accounting my daughter Theresa Family one.

      Having disposed of my wife and younger children as their interest and
      endowment are necessarily involved with hers, I proceed to the case of
      my elder children.

      Imprimis: I devise to my beloved son Alphonso all that plantation on
      which I now live, consisting of ten surveys, one of 108 acres; one of
      50 acres, one of 39 acres, one of 11 1/2 acres also a deed from John
      Weddington of 200 acres, containing five surveys adjoining the above;
      also one of 16 acres, adjoining the Weddington Tract on the N.E.; also
      one of 97 acres, adjoining the Weddington and McMurray Tracts,
      containing in all 497 1/2 acres, except as follows viz: the 97 acre
      survey to be divided by a line beginning at the W.O. The 10th corner
      from the beginning of the said survey, thence N. 75 E. 80 ps. to a
      hickory the 16 corner of said survey; also one lot of negroes
      according to the devise in the following part of this instrument. The
      above property consisting of land and negroes, is devised and
      bequeathed to the said Alphonso his heirs and assigns forever.

      Item: I devise to the legal heirs of the body of my daughter Theresa
      Harris, one Family of negroes, viz: Kate, Garrison, Allison, Alfred,
      Frank, and Washington, together with all the said Kates present and
      future increase, to be equally divided amongst the legal heirs, born
      of her body, by Laird H. Harris, their father, to them, their heirs
      and assigne forever.

      Item: I devise to my beloved son Dionysius, his heirs and assignes
      forever, all that plantation on which he now lives, known by the name
      of the McMurray Tract, consisting of three surveys, containing 281
      acres; also a part of the 97 acre tract, as divided off and specified
      in Alphonso's bequest; also one lot of negroes, made out as hereafter
      directed.

      Item: I devise to my beloved son Philander, his heirs and assigns
      forever, that plantation on which he now lives, known by The name of
      Clear Creek Plantation, containing 400 acres; also one lot of negroes
      to be made out as hereafter directed; also one horse, one cow, one ox,
      one mattock, one iron wedge, which he now has.

      Item: I devise to my beloved son Osmond, his heirs and assigns
      forever, all that plantation on which he now lives, known by the name
      of the Robb Place, consisting of five surveys, containing 340 acres;
      also one lot of negroes to be made hereafter directed. The above
      devise being large it is made on the condition that the said devisee
      my said son Osmond relinquish all claims of debt on me and my estate
      and shall assist my son Alphonso to finish the new house built on the
      Newell Place in manner and style necessary for a comfortable
      residence; let it be understook that the devise to my son Alphonso is
      conditioned the same way as far as respects the finishing of the above
      house, viz: that he jointly with Osmond, shall contribute his equal
      part to the finishing the house.

      Item: I direct that all my negroes not hitherto specially devised be
      divided into four equal lots, or as equal as possible by two or more
      men appointed by my executors for that purpose, and that each of my
      four elder sons, viz: Alphonso, Dionysius, Philander, and Osmond have
      and hold one of these lots, to their own proper use, their heirs and
      assigns forever, in addition to their landed devises.

      Item: I devise to Jane Harris Bain, daughter of Cecilia Russell, The
      sum of fifty dollars, to be paid to her by my executors out of The
      proceeds of my estate.

      Item: I direct that the balance of my undivided property be sold at
      public sale and that out of the proceeds of the same that all my just
      debts be paid, and that the balance, if any remain, be equally divided
      between my five legatees (viz): Alphonso, Dionysius, Philander, Osmond
      and the legal heirs of the body of my daughter, Theresa counting as
      one. Finally, I do hereby substitute and appoint my true and trusty
      friends, viz: my sons Alphonso and Philander and my son-in-law Laird
      H. Harris, Esq., The true and lawful Executors of this my last Will
      and Testament."

      To be The last Will and Testament of William S. Alexander deceased as
      to his personal estate, and not to his real estate, and that he did
      bequeathe as therein mentioned. Whereupon The Court adjudged that The
      same be admitted to probate, and Laird H. Harris came into open court
      and renounced his right to execute said Will and Alphonse Alexander
      and Philander Alexander, The other Executors therein named, were duly
      qualified and letters testamentary ordered to issue to them.

      The above will was presented in The Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Cabarrus Co. in The Courthouse of Concord in The Sessions beginning The 15th day of January, 1827.
      Location of will: Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC, Cabarrus Co. Minute Document, William S. Alexander 1826-27