Genealogy by Martha

Cross - Love - Culpepper - Herron - Mordecai - Shelby - Cobb

James Alexander

Male Abt 1624 - 1664  (~ 40 years)


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  • Name James Alexander 
    Nickname father of the Immigrants 
    Born Abt 1624  Eredy, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 1664  Raphoe, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I10081  MyTree
    Last Modified 24 Jun 2014 

    Father John Alexander,   b. 1587, Ayrshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F6054  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Unknown 
    Married Abt 1645  Raphoe, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. William Alexander, Sr.,   b. Abt 1646, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Between 1707 and 1715, Manokin Hundred, Somerset County, Maryland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 61 years)
    +2. Andrew Alexander, (the farmer),   b. Abt 1648, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1700, Somerset Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 51 years)
    +3. Elizabeth Alexander,   b. Abt 1650, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1716, Manokin Hundred, Somerset Co., Maryland Colony Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 66 years)
    +4. James Alexander, (the weaver),   b. Abt 1650, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1717, New Munster Manor, Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 67 years)
    +5. Francis Alexander,   b. Abt 1654, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1719, New Munster Manor, Cecil Co. MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 66 years)
    +6. Samuel Alexander,   b. Abt 1657, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Jun 1733, New Munster Manor, Cecil Co. MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 76 years)
    +7. Joseph Alexander, (the Tanner),   b. Abt 1660, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 9 Mar 1730, New Munster Manor, Cecil Co. MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 70 years)
    +8. John Alexander, (the Carpenter),   b. Abt 1662, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1718, New Munster, Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 57 years)
    +9. Jane Alexander,   b. Abt 1665, Raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ulster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Mar 1692, Manokin Hundred, Somerset Co., Maryland Colony Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 27 years)
    Last Modified 17 Jul 2017 
    Family ID F4131  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 

    • THE DESCENDANTS OF JOHN ALEXANDER
      Source: http://www.fold3.com/profile/cooldago/
      23 Feb 2008 — Los Angeles, CA
      John Alexander, earliest known ancestor of the Alexander's who migrated to Somerset County, Maryland. He was born about 1587 in County Ayrshire, Scotland, and died after 1665 in Eredy also known as Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. The names of his parents are not known. Between the years 1580 and 1609, the surname Alexander does not appear in any surveys taken of the owners of land or baronies in the province of Ulster. What is recorded is the land in County Donegal, it was purchased by Sir James Cunningham from County Ayrshire, Scotland, who rented out this newly acquired property to several Scottish settlers. One of these early settlers was John Alexander who migrated from County Ayrshire, Scotland to County Donegal, Ireland as a tenant farmer.
      19 Jul 1610: Commissioners granted letters-patent to Sir James Cuninghame of Glengarnock, County Ayrshire, Scotland. Conferring on him and his heirs two thousand acres in the precincts of Portlagh, Barony of Raphoe and County of Donegal. The parcels of land were designated Moragh, Dryan, Magherybegg, Magherymore, Tyran, Carickmore, Grachley and two portions of land called Eredy.
      26 Feb 1613: Robert Alexander of Stirling, a scion of the House of Menstry, was granted a loan of 200 merks to James Cuninghame, to whom Sir Cuninghame was elated, alike by internship and marriage. To enable him to complete the purchase of his lands in Donegal. Sir William Alexander granted to Sir James Cunningham a loan of 400 pounds sterling, for which, on February 26, 1613-14, he obtained a mortgage on the lands.
      01 May 1613: Sir James Cuninghame granted legal tenures on his land in Donegal to thirty-nine persons who had made settlements thereon. That portion called Eredy was divided among nine settlers, one of whom was John Alexander. The name Eredy according to Rogers resembles Eradall, one of the merk lands in south Kintyre, granted by James III in 1484 to a Tarlack MacAlexander of Tarbert. (Rogers assume the Alexander's living in Eredy, Ireland were connect to Clan MacAlister's, but further research proves this assumption to be incorrect. However, Alexander's "Lord Stirling" was related to the MacAlister's as well as to Sir James Cunningham by marriage).
      24 Jun 1618: Sir James Cunningham's creditors continued importunate, Sir William Alexander (Stirling) proceeded to foreclose on the mortgage and take sasine of the lands. However, this proceeding was only intended for his friend's protection. 1623: Sir James Cunningham died leaving a widow. This lady, a daughter of James, seventh Earl of Glencairn, was pursued by her husband's creditors, from whom she was successfully defended, through the efforts of Sir William Alexander. 1629: Sir John Cunningham, son of the original patentee, obtained the superiority of his father's lands and had them erected into a manor with power to create tentures.
      There-upon the original settlers, including John Alexander of Eredy received new titles to their lands, and taking the oath of supremacy obtained denization. 1659: John Alexander recorded in the first census of Ireland. He probably arrived at a much earlier date, with his landlord, James Cunningham, Esquire, from Ayrshire, Scotland and settled in the Barony of Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. 1662: John Alexander is in the parish of Taghboyne, assessed for 4 pounds, 18 shillings. 1663: John Alexander styled himself as "John Alexander of ye Dukes Land." (John Alexander of Eredy occupied several holdings. In the Hearth Tax Roll he is styled, "John Alexander of ye Dukes land." Dukes=Duke of Lennon. He appears to have had several sons, I.e., Archibald, Robert, John Jr., William and Andrew. Burke's Irish Records & Memorials, Vol. II, Pages 63-64). 1665: John Alexander living with his son William Alexander were living in the Parish of Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. John Alexander and his wife, whose name is not set out in record, fathered at least five sons, all born in County Donegal, Ireland. They are recorded in the above note.
      The family to which this history is continued is through a younger son of John Alexander named William Alexander. William was born about 1614 in Eredy, County Donegal, Ireland, and died about 1668 in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. About the time our ALexander's arrived on the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia, there was already established several other Alexander's living in America. The first Alexander of record was Captain John Alexander of "Gartmore," Scotland. He came to Virginia and granted land in Westemoreland County, where he built his come "Caledon." John Alexander died 1677. The first wife of John Alexander was a Miss Graeme, who probably came to Virginia with him. His second wife, Mrs. Tabitha Smart, daughter of Edmund and Mary (Littleton) Scarborough of Accomack County, Virginia. The second unrelated Alexander purchased 6,000 acres of land opposite the present city of Washington, D.C. In 1670, John Alexander built his home "Abingdon," which is located just north of the city of Alexandria, reputedly named for an earlier Alexander.
      William Alexander whom this history is regarding, was born about 1614 to John Alexander living in Eredy, County Donegal, Ireland. He died in 1668 at Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland. 1662: William Alexander was recorded int he Hearth Tax Roll in the Parish of Clonleigh, County Donegal, Ireland. 1665: William Alexander was last recorded in the Hearth Tax Roll in the Parish of Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland.
      Dr. Alvah M. Stafford in his unpublished work "Alexander Notebooks," on the Alexander's describes the family as follows: "The Alexander pioneers who settled in Somerset County, Maryland were: Andrew, Francis, James, John, Samuel and William. It is reasonably certain that they all came from Ulster, in the North of Ireland and were of pure Scottish blood. It must be concluded that several of the Alexander's recorded here, were brothers, if not, they were undoubtedly a cousinal relationship between them. Probably some of these Alexander's were of County Donegal--possibly from the Parish of Raphoe. Their lineage has not been firmly established. Later in his statement, Dr. Stafford mentioned there were others of the name who may also be considered as of the first generation. These were among the original grantees of land in New Munster, Cecil County, Maryland in 1714 and 1718. The others named were: Joseph Alexander, "Tanner;" Arthur Alexander, "Farmer;" and David Alexander, "Weaver. William Alexander (John1) and his wife, whose surname name is not known, had the following children, all born in Eredy, County Donegal, Ireland.
      1. William Alexander, born about 1646, and died between 1707-1715, in Somerset County, Maryland. He married Ann Liston, daughter of Rev. William and Victoria Liston, about 1673, probably at Raphoe, Ireland. (NOTE: numerous researchers mistakenly claim Ann Liston is the same Araminta Liston who married five times including William Alexander of Raphoe, Ireland. However, Araminta was not a Liston, but a Veazey, born about 1705 and who died 1765. Araminta married firstly, Ephraim Augustus Herman; secondly, John Young; thirdly William Alexander, who was born about 1700 and who died about 1736. This is the marriage that confuses so many researchers, but he was born several years after William Alexander Jr of Somerset County, Maryland and he died without an heir, leaving a will, he left the majority of his estate to his wife and provisions to a cousin and a sister still living in Stirling, Scotland. After his death Araminta married fourthly, John MacKey and fifthly, George Catto). William and Ann (Liston) Alexander had Issue: A. William Alexander, III, was born in 1674 in Somerset County, Maryland, and died before 30 Mar 1735 in Somerset County, Maryland. William married his paternal first cousin, Catherine Wallace, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Alexander) Wallace. about 1690 in Somerset County, Maryland.
      2. Andrew Alexander, born about 1648, and died between 1700-1702, in Somerset County, Maryland. The name of Andrew Alexander's wife is not known. They had issue both born in Somerset County, Maryland as follows: A. Abigail Alexander, was born 15 Sep 1677. B. Elias Alexander was born 26 February 1679, and died 1747 in Frederick County, Maryland. He married his paternal first cousin, Sophia Alexander, daughter of Joseph Alexander.
      3. Elizabeth Alexander, born about 1650, and died at her home in New Munster, Cecil County, Maryland. She married before 1665, Mathiaas or Matthew Wallace, "yeoman" in North Ireland. He was the son of John Wallace and Margaret Thomson. Matthew and Elizabeth (Alexander) Wallace are known to have had at least seven children, the first three were born in Raphoe, Ireland and the remainer all born in Somerset County, Maryland. The children are as follows: A. Hannah Wallace was born about 1665. B. Samuel Wallace was born about 1667. C. James Wallace was born about 1669, and died after 31 Jan 1740 in Kent County, Maryland. He married 2 Feb 1720, Sarah McKnitt, daughter of John McKnitt and Martha Dale at St. Stpehens Parish, Cecil County, Maryland. D. Matthew Wallace, Jr was born 1672 in Somerset County, Maryland, and died 3 May 1751 in New Munster, Cecil County, Maryland. He is buried in the Head of Christiana Church Cemetery, New Castle County, Delaware. E. Jane Wallace was born about 1674 in Manokin Hundred, Somerset County, Maryland, and died about 1698 in Manokin Hundred, Maryland. F. Catherine Wallace was born about 1676, and died before 2 Mar 1734 in Somerset County, Maryland. Catherine married her first cousin, William Alexander, III, son of William and Ann (Liston) Alexander Jr about 1690 in Somerset County, Maryland. G. William Wallace was born about 1678. H. David T. Wallace was born about 1680, and died about August 1751 in Murderkill, Kent County, Delaware. I. Robert Wallace was born 1681. J. Richard Wallace was born about 1682. He married Grace White, daughter of John White of Somerset County, Maryland. K. Thomas Wallace. L. John Wallace was born 24 June 1687 in Manokin Hundred, Maryland. He married 24 Feb 1730, Mary Hollins in Cecil County, Maryland. M. Dorothy Wallace was born about 1689, and died about 1747. N. Ann Wallace was born about 1690. She married her maternal first cousin, Arthur Alexander, son of Francis and Rebecca Alexander.
      4. Francis Alexander, born about 1655, and died before October 101, in Manokin Hundred, Somerset, Maryland. He married Rebecca, whose surname is not known and had two known sons both born in Somerset County, Maryland as follows: A. Henry Alexander was born about 1680, and died before March 1722 in Manokin Hundred, Maryland. B. Arthur Alexander, known as "Farmer" was born about 1682, and died before 1771 in Cecil County, Maryland. He married his paternal first cousin, Ann Wallace, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Alexander) Wallace.
      5. Samuel Alexander, born 1657, and died April 10, 1733, in Cecil County, Maryland. He was buried beside his wife in the Bethel Cemetery, Chesapeake City, Cecil County, Maryland. Samuel married Mary Taylor, daughter of Elias and Comfort (Anderson) Taylor. They were the parents of seven children, in or near Pocomoke, Somerset County, Maryland and are as follows: A. James Alexander, known as "Farmer" was born 01 Jan 1685 in Annemessex. He died 17 Jun 1717 in New Munster, Cecil County, Maryland. B. Martin Alexander was born 18 Mar 1687 in Annemessex, Maryland, and died 16 Aug 1751 in Cecil County, Maryland. C. Sarah Alexander was born 28 Aug 1690 in Pocomoke, Maryland. She is buried in Frederick County, Maryland. D. Francis Alexander, known as "Weaver" was born 28 Mar 1693 in Annemessex, Maryland, and died 14 Aug 1760 in Carroll's Delight, Frederick County, Maryland. He was buried beside his wife in the Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, at Highland, Adams County, Pennsylvania. (NOTE: This Francis Alexander is sometimes confused with his brother James Alexander's son, also named Francis Alexander. James' son married twice first to Jane Blair's sister then to Eleanore Simonton. Francis of Carroll's Delight was married but one time). E. Mary Alexander was born 1695 in Pocomoke, Maryland. F. Andrew Alexander was born 1697 in Pocomoke, Maryland, and died after 24 May 1782 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. G. Samuel Alexander was born in 1699 in Pocomoke, Maryland, and died before 9 Mar 1730 in Cecil County, Maryland.
      6. Joseph Alexander, born about 1659, and died before March 9, 1730, in New Munster, Cecil County, Maryland. He married first about 1679, Jane McKnitt, in Somerset County, Maryland. Jane was the daughter of John McKnitt and Elizabeth Wallace. They were the parents of the following children, all born in Somerset County, Maryland. A. Sophia Alexander was born 26 Feb 1680, and died after 13 Dec 1726, in Slate Hill, Cecil County, Maryland, but now in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She married her paternal first cousin, Elias Alexander, son of Andrew Alexander, about 1705 in Cecil County, Maryland. B. Francis Alexander was born about 1689, and died in 1781 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. C. Jane Alexander was born about 1691. She married Muley Mackey. D. Abigail Alexander was born about 1693, and died in 1781 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. She married Francis Clapham. E. James Alexander, known as "Yeoman" was born about 1695 in Manokin Hundred, Maryland, and died before 31 May 1779 in Cecil County, Maryland. Joseph Alexander married as his second wife, Abigail McKnitt, sister of his first wife, Jane McKnitt, daughters of John McKnitt and Elizabeth Wallace. The records do not show any children born to this marriage.
      7. James Alexander, born about 1660, and died about 1755, in Cecil County, Maryland. James was twice married, the names of his first and second wives are not known. By his first wife, he had issue at least one son as follow: A. David Alexander, known as "Weaver" was born about 1680 in Somerset County, Maryland. He died after 23 Oct 1769 in Cecil County, Maryland. By his second wife, Joseph had the following known children, all born in Somerset County, Maryland. B. James Alexander Jr., born about 1690, and died after 1755. C. Moses Alexander, born about 1693, and died before 1 Dec 1762, in New Munster, Maryland. He was buried in the Head of Christiana Church Cemetery, Newark, New Castle County, Delaware. D. Sophia Alexander, born about 1697, and died after 1755, in Cecil County, Maryland. She married John Gardner. E. Mark Alexander, born 1700. Mark married his paternal first cousin once remove, Mary Wallace, daughter of Matthew Wallace and Sarah Alexander, and granddaughter of Samuel Alexander and Mary Taylor.
      8. John Alexander, born about 1662, and died in Maryland after 13 Mar 1735. John married Mary Barbary about 1692 in Annemessex, Maryland. They were the parents of two known children as follows: A. Esther Alexander was born 18 May 1693 in Pocomoke, Maryland. B. Henry Alexander. He was mentioned in the will of Philip Kacey, planter of Talbot County, Maryland. The testator makes legacy to Henry, son of John Alexander, and mentions that after his wife, Mary Kacey's death, the residue of his estate is to be divided between John Alexander and Edmond Kacey.
      9. Jane Alexander, born about 1665 and died March 28, 1691, in Manokin Hundred, Somerset County, Maryland. She married about 1683, John McKnitt Jr., in County Donegal, Ireland. John was the son of John McKnitt and Elizabeth Wallace. Upon their arrival in North America, Jane and John McKnitt settled in Somerset County, Maryland. They later migrated with several members of their family to Cecil County, Maryland, where Jane died and John married as his second wife to Jane Wallace, then after her death, he married Martha Dale as his third wife. Jane and John McKnitt had the following known two children, both born in Manokin Hundred, Maryland. A. Robert McKnitt was born 4 Jun 1685, and died before 7 Apr 1769 in New Castle County, Delaware. B. John McKnitt, III, was born 8 Sep 1687, and died before 13 Jun 1733 in Cecil County, Maryland.
      Current DNA research has been conducted on these and several other descendants of early American Alexander's. The above Alexanders are closely related, but several other Alexander descendants who originally claim descent from the 9 siblings living in Maryland and North Carolina, found their DNA blood type different from the above Alexander's. Especially true of the Alexander's who migrated to South Carolina from North Carolina.
      Known descendants of the above Alexander's include Elizabeth "Bess" Wallace, wife of President Harry S. Truman; Gov. Adlai Stevenson of Illinois. Lamar Alexander, former Governor of Tennessee, Secretary of Education under President George Herbert Walker Bush, and currently US Senator from Tennessee. During the 1992 primary election, Lamar ran against Senator Robert Dole of Kansas. Senator Dole's wife Elizabeth is also a descendant of the above Alexander's. Other's include, Aviator/Billionaire Howard Hughes, who is also alleged to be a descendant.

      In Maryland there seems to have been a colony of Scots about 1670 under Colonel Ninian Beall, settled between the Potomac and the Patuxent, and gradually increased by successive additions. Through his influence a church was established at Patuxent in 1704, the members of which included several prominent Fifeshire families. Many other small Scottish colonies were settled on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, particularly in Accomac, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. To minister to them the Rev. Francis Makemie and the Rev. William Traill were sent out by the Presbytery of Laggan in Ulster. Upper Marlborough, Maryland, was founded by a company of Scottish immigrants and were ministered to by the Rev. Nathaniel Taylor, also from Scotland.



      I have noticed several sources recently reporting that Mary Steele was wife of James "the Weaver" Alexander. However in research reported in "Alexander Kin" by Virginia Alexander there is a will dated July 12, 1717 filed in New Castle Co. Del., Book C Vol I, P. 103 by James Alexander that names wife Mary, father-in -law John Steele, yeoman of New Castle Co. Del., brother Francis Alexander "Weaver" of Cecil Co., Md. and sons John, Joseph and Francis. This appears to be the James "the farmer" Alexander married to Mary Steele and he was a son of Samuel Alexander the brother of James "the Weaver". In deed book 5 p.97, Cecil Co., Md. dated April 1, 1735 records James Alexander and son Moses, and Mary wife to ye said Moses selling a part of their land to William Sample. On page 235 of same book James Alexander releases to his son Moses the remainder of the tract purchased by them from Thomas Stevenson. Thus it appears James"the weaver" father of Moses Alexander was still alive and well past the date of 1717 when James the husband of Mary Steele died. I haven't checked these documents myself but this all sounds reasonable.

      History records the name of Hezekiah Alexander as an administrator and councilor. He held the post as Magistrate from the first appointed one in the county and historians have said "He was one of the most clear headed Magistrates in the County before the Revolutionary War and following the Declaration of Independence was named one of the members of the State Councul [sic] of Safety. His most important contribution to Mecklenburg County was his participation in the Declaration Convention and his signing of that immortal document, The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
      During the Revolutionary War, he was paymaster of Col. Thomas Polk's regiment. Hezekiah Alexander's first purchased [sic] of land was recorded in May of 1765. He later purchased land in April of 1767 from Lord Selwyn on Alexander's Creek. He purchased 400 acres on the Broad River, now Gaston County from William Minter.
      His home was two stories high and built of stone with a full basement where Mary Alexander stored food for her family of eleven children. The story is told how English soldiers raided her basement one day and what food they could not carry they destroyed. It was necessary at times for her to hide her sons in the weeds to prevent them from being kidnapped and held as hostages by the British Soldiers.

      My line came from James Alexander born 1624 in Bughall, Scotland who moved his family to Northern Ireland and died there in 1704. Some time in the late 1600's, James sent his 7 sons and 2 daughters to the New World. They settled in Cecil county Maryland. A G-Great grandson, Hezekiah, moved to the Cumberland valley in western Pennsylvania around 1750 only to be ran out by Indians in the French and Indian war. He moved to Mecklenburg county North Carolina where, in 1774, he built his house on the grounds which is now the Charlotte Historical Museum.

      James Alexander ("the carpenter")
      b. c.1690 d. 1779
      married: 1) Margaret McKnitt (daughter of John McKnitt) b. December 26, 1696 d. between 1736 and 1744

      Issue of James and Margaret McKnitt Alexander:

      1. Theophilus Alexander b. March 13, 1714, in Cecil County MD d. 1768 in Cecil County Maryland
      married: Catherine Wallace b. ? d. 1775 buried in Hopewell Pres. Church Cemetery, Huntersville NC

      2. Jemima Alexander b. February 10, 1716 d. young

      3. Francis Alexander b. 1717 married: Eleanor Simonton

      4. Keziah (Kesiah, Kizia) Alexander b. May 9, 1720 d. young

      5. Hezekiah Alexander b. January 13, 1722 Cecil County MD d. January 10, 1801 Mecklenburg County NC
      signer of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20, 1775 married: Mary Sample, June 12, 1752 in PA

      6. Edith Alexander b. January 10, 1725 d. young

      7. Jemima Alexander b. January 9, 1727
      d. September 1, 1797 married: Thomas Sharpe

      8. Amos Alexander b. January 13, 1729
      d. [1780 Cecil County Maryland] married: Sarah (Sara) Sharpe

      9. John McKnitt Alexander b. June 6, 1733 Cecil County MD d. July 10, 1817 Mecklenburg County NC
      signer of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 20, 1775 married Jean Bane (Bean, Bain), 1759

      10. Margaret Alexander b. June 6, 1736 Cecil County MD d. young
      -------------
      James Alexander ("the carpenter") -- cont.
      married: 2) Abigail (I didn't know Margaret and Abigail were sisters)

      Issue of James and Abigail Alexander:
      1. Elizabeth Alexander b. November 17,
      1746 d. August 1, 1822 married: William Sample

      2. Abigail Alexander b. May 24, 1748 d. September 23, 1817 married: Francis Bradley

      3. Margaret Alexander b. March 30, 1750 d. ? Rutherford County TN married: Beaty McCoy

      4. Josiah Alexander b. August 3, 1752 d. July 14, 1818 in Centre County PA

      5. Ezekiel Alexander b. October 21, 1754
      d. after 1832 in Wilson County TN
      married: Jemima Esther McCoy

      6. Ann Alexander b. c.1737 d. March 3, 1802 (date on tombstone in Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Huntersville NC) married: Moses Moore b. c.1731, d. October 30, 1782


      Hezekiah South Alexander

      the very famous Alexander family of New Munster in Cecil Co. MD and Mecklenburg Co. NC. Colonel Amos was a FULL brother of Hezekiah and John McKnitt Alexander who signed the Mecklenburg Declaration. Amos did not move to NC with others of this family, staying in MD. he is buried at Head of Christiana Presbyterian Church Cemetery in what is now New Castle Co. DE, beside his oldest brother Theophilus, my 5x great-grandfather. There's lots of information about this family is you'd care to correspond. Cordially, David

      P.S. There were 15 siblings altogether, 10 children of James the yeoman Alexander by his first wife, Margaret McKnitt, and 5 more by second wife Abigail MNU.

      According to some family history passed down to me, sources quoted where known, here is what I have on the Alexanders:

      The Clan McAllister was a collateral branch of the Clan Donald, and it is of this branch of the clan – the Allister of Tarbert – that the "Alexanders" were a part. One of the most outstanding Alexanders was Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling. He was a favorite at the Court of King James…monarch wrote together a metrical version of the Psalms.

      Sir William Alexander was a poet of note in his day, and three volumes of his work are preserved in the British Museum, as worthy examples of the poetry of his time. He was granted large tracts of land in America, chiefly Newfoundland and Canada. He was Secretary of State of Scotland and held may other offices. He was very ambitious, politically, thereby incurring heavy expenses, and at his death was greatly involved in debt. Some of his kinsmen settled on the encheated lands in Ireland, many of them later emigrating to America.

      One branch of these Alexanders settled in New Jersey, and from that branch descended William Alexander, "Lord Sterling," who was one of Washington’s generals. Another branch settled in Pennsylvania, Archibald Alexander, and they were the Princeton Alexanders.

      Foote’s HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA tells of the emigration of seven Alexander brothers and their widowed mother from Ireland to the eastern shore of Maryland. Unable to endure the persecution preceding the revolution of 1688, they decided to come to America where they could worship in peace. Before leaving Ireland, they sent back to Scotland for their minister to come and bless the voyage and administer the Lord’s Supper. Everything was ready, and all the families were on board the vessel partaking of the Lord’s Supper, when a company of English soldiers boarded the ship, broke up the meeting and took the minister to jail. All were distressed over the plight of the preacher, and none knew just what steps to take. Finally, an aged woman who had been piously covenanting all day for her grandchildren, suggested that they wait until nightfall, then raid the jail, rescue the preacher, and take him to America with them. Her plan was acted upon and before dawn, the ship was at sea with the minister on board. Having no family, he cheerfully proceeded to America with the colony.

      These seven brothers joined a settlement of Scots in Somerset County, Maryland, later removing into Cecil County, Maryland, at the head of the Chesapeake, "on the main fresh of the Elk River," across from New Castle in Delaware. This was the scene of George Talbot’s ambitious project of founding his "County of New Ireland," Talbot was the alert Irish cousin of Cecil Calvert, the third Lord Baltimore. He had come into the Maryland Colony in 1680 from County Roscomon in Ireland, with Baltimore. Lord Baltimore was soon to learn, if he did not already know, that the English Stewarts wwere about to pay a debt to Willimam Penn with the same land which their father, Charles I, had granted Baltimore. Consequently, this land at the head of Chesapeake Bay was in dispute for many years, being claimed by both Maryland and Pennsylvania. The certificate for the settlement of the "New Munster" tract in the New Ireland Colony was issued by George Talbot in 1863 in these words:

      "Surveyed for Edwin O’Dwire and fifteen other Irishmen by virtue of
      warrant from his Lordship, August 7, 1683…a certain tract of land called New Munster lying and being in the County of Cecil…on the main fresh of the Big Elk…containing 6,000 acres more or less…."

      The Cecil County, Maryland, records (Deed Book 2, J.D., 2 pg 28, 81, 82, 83) show deeds from Thomas Stevenson and his wife, Sarah, of part of this tract called "New Munster" to a group of Alexanders who were led into the colony by Matthew Wallace. This deed stated that the land had originally been granted to Edwin O’Dwire and others. Those purchasing from Stevenson were:

      Matthew Wallace
      James Alexander, farmer
      Arthus Alexander, weaver
      David Alexander, weaver
      Joseph Alexander, tanner, and his son, James
      James Alexander, weaver, and his son Moses

      This deed speaks of Matthew Wallace and "his company," indicating that Matthew Wallace, whom we know from the records to have been living in Somerset County, Maryland, on the eastern shore of Maryland, led this company (probably relatives) into Cecil County to settle on this New Munster tract. The first deed was a –ase [possibly lease?] deed dated 1714, and set forth that the settlers had been on this land for some years, as the improvements which they had made were taken into consideration of the price. As Matthew Wallace gave Power of Attorney to his kinsman, William Alexander, back in Soemrset in 1707 to sell his land there, this migration must have taken place very much earlier. These Alexanders who came with him were probably some of the seven brothers mentioned by Foote, or their sons, Ross McKendrick states:

      "To Mecklenburg county, N.C., a great wave of Scotch-Irish migration flowed directly from New Munster in Cecil County, Maryland, through the Shenandoah Valley. Numerous descendants of George Talbot’s tract had brought their families and taken up lands (in North Carolina) prior to 1732. Wills of certain Alexanders of New Munster, indicate that this family was strongly represented in the North Carolina settlement. The importance of Maryland’s part in the settlement of N. C. may be drawn from the story of the famous Mecklenburg Convention of May 31, 1775 ----of the seven signers, more than half may be directly traced to Cecil County, Maryland, and adjacent settlements. This action (The Mecklenburg Resolves) anticipated more than a year before the actual Declaration of Independence by Congress, and reflected the spirit which emigrated from George Talbot’s County of New Ireland. The Maryland immigrants to North Carolina only made great asserveration of purpose, but were to be found in the thick of the flight at King’s Mountain…."

      In this compilation, we are concerned only with "James Alexander" and his son, "Moses Alexander," both of whom were weavers and farmers.

      JAMES ALEXANDER

      James Alexander was probably from Ulster, North of Ireland. The date of his birth is not known. It is reasonable to assume that he was the same James who "transported" to Somerset County on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1678 (Index of Early Settlers, Vol. I, Land Office, Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland). This James Alexander, of Cecil County, was probably a brother or near relative of William Alexander, Sr., Andrew and Samuel, of Somerset County, as well as a brother of Joseph Alexander of Cecil County, who was a tanner.

      Assuming that James Alexander was the one who "transported" in 1678 to Somerset County, he was doubtless one of the Alexander group who removed to the "Head of ye Bay" and for whom George Talbot, Surveyor General, surveyed the New Munster lands in 1683. The fact that he had a son, Moses, old enough in 1714 to received title to land, proves that he was of middle age and could have been in Cecil County for many years.

      James Alexander and his son, Moses, both were weavers and farmers. The name of his wife does not appear in the records, nor any reference to her birth or death.

      In 1718, Thomas Stevenson confirmed each of the purchasers of his land in a separate deed. James Alexander and his son, Moses, had land located in the New Munster division known as Milford Hundred.

      There are no further records of James Alexander until 1735 when we find him selling this land:

      "DEEDS, CECIL COUNTY, MARYLAND, BOOK 5, p. 97, APRIL 8, 1735

      This indenture the 8th day of April 1735, between James Alexander with Moses his son, and Mary, wife to ye said Moses, of the one part…and William Sample, of Chester County, Pennsylvania of the other part….
      The said James Alexander, Moses Alexander, and wife Mary, do sell unto the said William Sample, a parcel of land being a part of the 92 acres purchased from Thomas Stevenson, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania…1718.

      Wit: Signed: James Alexander
      David Alexander Moses Alexander
      John McCallmont Mary Alexander

      Then came Captain James Alexander, Moses Alexander, and Mary, wife of the said Moses….
      ------------------------
      DEEDS, CECIL COUNTY, MARYLAND, BOOK 5, p. 235 1736

      James Alexander, Gentleman, of Milford Hundred, releases to his son, Moses Alexander, the remainder of the tract of land jointly purchased by them from Thomas Stevenson.

      James Alexander disappears from the record about 1740, and it is supposed he died about that time, but no will or administration has ever been found for him.

      He probably married in Ireland, and his wife may have been dead when he came to America.

      Children of James Alexander

      As for children: We know he definitely had one son, Moses, and he seems to have had a son, James, Jr.

      David Alexander, weaver, bought land adjoining his, but whether this David was his older son, or whether he was a brother, is not known.

      MOSES ALEXANDER

      Moses Alexander, son or James Alexander, was born probably about 1690-1693. His wife was Mary. She seems to have been Mary Wallace, the daughter of Jane Wallace, a widow with two daughters, who died in 1736. In her will, Jane Wallace mentions two daughters: Mary Alexander and Hannah, who married George Welsh. Mary Alexander is buried in the churchyard of the Head of the Christian Church. The tombstone inscription reads:

      "here lies the Body of Mary Alexander, wife of
      Moses Alexander
      Dyed ye 25th, of October, 1758
      Aged 58 years"

      It is possible that this Mary may have been his second wife. In his will, Moses Alexander singles out a granddaughter named Hannah for a special bequest, not naming any of his other grandchildren. She may have been named for his first wife. Mary also seems to have been quite a few years younger than her husband. Moses Alexander died in Cecil County, Maryland, 1762. His will, dated 2 February 1762, was filed December 1762 (Source: Hall of Records, Annapolis, Maryland, Book 31, p. 820). No wife is named, as she preceded him.

      Children of Moses and Mary (Wallace) Alexander
      1. Nathaniel Alexander: His wife was Elizabeth. ---To N.C.
      Two known sons: George Alexander
      Nathaniel Alexander

      2. Abraham Alexander: (No record)

      3. Pricilla Alexander: Married ** White. Had a daughter, Hanna White

      4. James Alexander: Married Mary Steel, daughter of James Steel, who died 1751.

      5. Zebulon Alexander: Died 1784 in N.C. Married (first) Hanna Hodgson, daughter of Phineas Hodgson; Married (second) to Jane McClung.

      6. Moses Alexander: Died about 1772; Married Sarah Taylor Alexander. One of their sons, Nathaniel Alexander, born 1756. graduated from Princeton in 1776, studied medicine and was a surgeon in the Continental Line from 1778 to 1782. After the Revolution Nathaniel practiced medicine in South Carolina, but returned to N.C. He filled many political offices, was elected Governor of N. C. in 1805, resigned in 1807. He died in 1808, and is buried at Charlotte, N.C. No children.
      Moses was one of the most outstanding men of his community. He was a colonel in the British Army before 1776. He was High Sheriff in 1763, and filled many offices of trust and distinction.

      Following data is my source for disapproving the Rev James Alexander as the father of the seven original Alexander of New Munster
      Norris W. Preyer; Hezekiah Alexander and the Revolution in the Backcountry; Charlotte, NC, 28207.ph: 704 334-5022 Heritage Printers,Inc. Charlotte,N.C. second Printing Charlotte, North Carlonia Sept 1998 Charlotte, NC, 28207 Lib ref E 263.N8 A357 1987
      Noris W.Preyer pg 5 " The Alexander forebears came to Raphoe, Ireland, as tenants of Sir James Conningham, as Scottish nobleman from Ayrshire, and settled on lands granted him in Donegal County in Laggan district. In 1640's William Alexander their son left Scotland to seek a better life fro himself in America .He first settled in on new lands opened up in Eastern Shore of Va, Northamptons County In 1670 William and his children left Va and moved to Somerset Co Md
      Norris W Preyer pg 11 " William Alexander who came to America was a first cousin or brother to a John jr.,William, Archibald, Robert, and Rev.Francis Alexander who remained in Donegal County. Herdon wrongly has the Somerset Alexanders descended from the Rev.James Alexander of Raphoe who died without offspring. (see Raphoe,54) unlike Herndon's claim that Rev. James was the father of the seven brothers, that Susie Ames states in her document that Rev. James had no heirs. The reference is: " The Reunion of Two Virginia Counties", Journal of Southern History 8 Nov 1942: 536-48
      MEMORIALS OF THE EARL OF STIRLING", and or the HOUSE OFALEXANDER", by the Rev. Charles Rogers, LLD, and Chart by Francis Thomas Anderson Junkin, LLD.,ChicagoVol I Edinburgh William Paterson, 67 Princes Street Published Scotland 1877 referring to Raphoe, Donnegal, Ulster, Ireland, looking for Rev James Alexander I found a Rev. James Alexander "at Raphoe", who was a Presbyterian minister there from when he was ordained on 12 Dec 1677 until he died 17 Nov 1704 (Reid's Irish Presb. Church, reference given in book). It says that he left a will dated 13 Mar 1702 (Probate Court record) naming his wife Marian Shaw as executrix and sole "legatee". She left a will dated 1711 with a bequest to a niece, Elizabeth Shaw. The book states he died without issue. Your/our Samuel Alexander could have been a contemporary of his, judging from the dates, but not his son.
      Historical Society of Cecil County: "The "infamous nine" came over with their father, William. William's father, John(Sir William Alexander's son), migrated to Virginia with some of his children in 1659. They apparently decided that Maryland was a better place and migrated there from Virginia about the same time that William and the nine arrived in 1670. Thus, a father was reunited with a son, siblings were reunited, and some of the younger nieces and nephews met their aunts and uncles for the first time.
      Register of Maryland's Heraldic Families by Alice Norris Parran, "Alexanders", Vol 1 and 2 Pub. H. G. Roebuck and Sons 1935, Baltimore AD pages 57-73 contains information on early lines of Alexander, mentions Samuel, William Sr. and Jr. and Andrew of Somerset and Cecil Co. lines.
      Register MD Heraldic Families pg 64 " One William Alexander came from Scotland before 1675, and with his son William II bought lands in Somerset County, Md. The first deed to land recorded in that county is made to William Sr. Ch--of William Sr. unknown but for William Jr., who m- Catherine. (Will dated 3/7/1732, Somerset Co., Md., book E. B. 9, folio 174; made 2nd will after death of his son, James.) Issue--James, m-- (???) (Will dated 3/30/1725. Somerset Co., Md., book W. B. 9, folio 174.) Samuel; Moses, issue--Mary; Eliza; Samuel. Liston (???); Mary (???); Agnes, m--William Alexander, her cousin, parents of Col. Adam Alexander, with line proven.
      "The Great Historic Families of Scotland" Bibliography: Taylor, James. The Great Historic Families of Scotland. London: J.S Virtue & Co., 1889. : "William Alexander, Earl of Stirling to John Alexander, b.c 1590, Tarbert,Kintyre, Scotland whose children were William, and seven other sons . William, son of John had the 7 boys and two girls who came to Somerset. and Cecil Co."
      John McNitt Alexander, a signer of the "Mecklenburg Declaration", and Secretary to the meeting, was born in 1733, in N.W. Cecil County, Md., where his father James Alexander, settled on a tract of land called "New Munster", in the year 1714. James Alexander shortly thereafter, married a sister of John McNitt, an early emigrant to Cecil County. John McNitt Alexander migrated to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 1754, when he was about 21 years old, after he had served his apprenticeship to a tailor He was accompanied on this move by his brother Hezekiah, (who was also a signer) his sister Jemimah and her husband Major Thomas Sharpe, also of Cecil County, Md. JOhn McNitt Alexander is said to have married Jane or Jean Bane in 1759. Jane or Jean may have been from Pennsylvania.
      One of John McNitt Alexanders' grandsons was the Hon. J.G.M. Ramsay of Tennessee, another set of grandchildren were from the daughter who married Rev. Samuel C. Caldwell and a third from Rev. James Wallis, famous minister of Providence Church, who sent "Pioneer Empire" bulders to Alabama and Texas, "where they played important roles in history".
      He and Jane bane are buried in the Hopewell Presbyterian Church yard, he died July 10,1817, at the age of 94.

      Thanks to Richard L. Brown for sending us this information
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