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Ezra Alexander

Male 1720 - 1800  (80 years)


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  • Name Ezra Alexander 
    Born 26 Feb 1720  Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 6 Jul 1800  Pineville, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Ezekial Polk Farm, Pineville, NC Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I1221  MyTree
    Last Modified 18 Jun 2011 

    Father Elias Elijah Alexander, Sr.,   b. 26 Feb 1679, Somerset Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1749, Slate Hill, Cecil Co., MD. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 71 years) 
    Mother Sophia Alexander,   b. 26 Feb 1680, Somerset Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 13 Dec 1726, Slate Hill, Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age > 46 years) 
    Married Abt 1700  Slate Hill, Cecil Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F5024  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary Polk,   b. Abt 1745, Near Carlisle, Lancaster Co., PA (was Chester Co. until 1730) Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 Sep 1814, Pineville, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 69 years) 
    Married Abt 1762  Sommerset Co., MD Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
    +1. Eleazer Alexander,   b. 23 Nov 1763, Lancaster District, SC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Oct 1810, Maury Co., TN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 46 years)
    +2. James Alexander,   b. 1765, Mecklenburg Co., N.C. Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Oct 1804, York Co., SC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 39 years)
     3. Dorcas Alexander,   b. Abt 1767, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. Abdon J. Alexander,   b. Abt 1770, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Augustus B. Alexander,   b. 20 Aug 1772, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Margaret Henderson Alexander,   b. Abt 1773, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 May 1774, Pineville, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 1 years)
     7. Mary Ann Alexander,   b. 31 Aug 1774, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    +8. Paris Alexander,   b. 17 Sep 1775, Mecklenburg Co, NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1 Jun 1850, Denmark, Madison Co., TN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age < 74 years)
     9. Redempta Alexander,   b. Abt 1778, Mecklenburg Co., NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 17 Jul 2017 
    Family ID F4364  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Ezra Alexander 26 Feb 1740 - 6 Jul 1800:
      Ezra Alexander was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence.
      His parents married in Somerset County, Maryland, then moved to Cecil County, where he was born. He moved with other members of his family to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in 1754. Ezra settled in the southwestern part of the county in an area now known as Pineville.
      In addition to being known as one of the Mecklenburg Declaration signers, he also served in the Continental Army, was a member of the Committee of Safety and fought at the battles at Ramsour’s Mill and Hanging Rock, a skirmish in Lincoln County and was promoted to Captain. After the war, he was appointed an overseer of roads in 1778.
      He married his neighbor’s daughter, Mary Polk, and is buried next to her in the Polk Cemetery in Pineville. Prior to his death, he fathered Eleazer, James, Dorcas, Abdon, Augustus, Paris, Redempta and Polly Ann and mentions them in his will. Ezra owned a large piece of property on the west bank of the Little Sugar Creek and was a slave owner. He also bought land in Tennessee from his father-in-law, Ezekiel Polk.
      (Source: Lives and Times of the 27 Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775, by Victor C. King, Charlotte, NC, 1956)

      Ezra Alexander is identified by the will of Arthur Alexander (Mecklenburg County, N. C.) as the brother of Abraham Alexander. He was, therefore, also a son of Elias and Sophia Alexander of Somerset County, Maryland, and a grandson of Joseph Alexander of Cecil County. He was born in Maryland, probably Frederick County, and died in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. His tombstone, uncovered a few years ago in the Polk family grave-yard, near Pineville, North Carolina, gives the date of his death as "July 6, 1800, aged 60 years." On the same stone we read that "Mary Alexander died September 8, 1814." This Mary -- his wife -- was evidently closely related to the Polk family.
      Ezra Alexander was living in Mecklenburg County in 1763 when his brother Arthur -- in his will -- appointed him guardian of his son, Elias. He was granted several hundred acres of land on McAlpine and Sugaw Creeks and established his home not far from the present town of Pineville -- with the Polks, Barnetts, and Smarts among his neighbors. He was appointed an Overseer of Roads in 1778. During the Revolution he served as a soldier in several campaigns, taking part in the battles of Ramsaur's Mill and Hanging Rock. He was a Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775.

      The inventory of his estate (dated July 30, 1800), an account of the sales of the estate (August 19, 1800), and a map showing division of his lands (October 1800) are to be found in the Department of Archives and History in Raleigh, North Carolina.

      His will, dated Feb. 16, 1798, and filed in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Book A Page 14) mentions the following children:

      1. Eleazer, b. 11/23/1763. Removed to Maury County, Tenn.
      2. James, one of the Executors of his father's will, d. 10/15/1804, aged 39 years. Buried in Polk Graveyard.
      3. Dorcas.
      4. Abdon.
      5. Augustus, b. 8/20/1772; d. 9/25/1849. Buried at Sharon Presbyterian Church; m. (1) Dorcas Culp, b. 2/11/1779; d. 9/20/1836; m. (2) Sarah Glass.
      6. Paris, b. 9/17/1775. Removed to Madison Co., Tennessee; m. Dinah Eugenia Neely, b. 8/21/1777.
      7. Redempta.
      8. Polly Ann.

      Family Data Collection - Individual Records
      Name: Ezra Alexander
      Parents: Elias Elijah Alexander, Sophiah Alexander
      Birth Place: Co, Frederick, MD
      Birth Date: 3 Dec 1720 (contradiction in birthdate)
      Death Place: Mecklenburg, N, CO, C
      Death Date: 6 Jul 1800

      1800 United States Federal Census
      Name: Ezra Alexander
      Township: Salisbury
      County: Mecklenburg
      State: North Carolina
      Free White Males Under 10: 3
      Free White Males 26 to 44: 1
      Free White Females Under 10 : 1
      Free White Females 26 to 44 : 1
      Number of Household Members Under 16 : 4
      Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
      Number of Household Members: 6


      Will Book A, pg 14, Mecklenburg Co., NC
      Will of Ezra Alexander
      16 Feb 1798, prb in Jul Ct. 1800
      son, Eleazer Alexander
      son, James Alexander
      dau, Dorcas Alexander
      son, Augustus Alexander
      son, Paris Alexander
      dau, Redemption Alexander
      dau, Polly Ann Alexander
      Exrs; son James Alexander and friend Ezekiel Polk
      Wit; Sam and William Polk



      Burial record for Ezra Alexander:
      Ezra was a Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence
      From Tombstone in Polk Family Cemetery: (the stones are now kept at the James Knox Polk Museum in Pineville, Mecklenburg Co., NC - MCM 2002)

      Ezra Alexander, 26 Feb 1740 - 6 Jul 1800
      Alexander Ezra 2/26/1740 Cecil County, MD
      (Note: If birthdate is correct, Ezra can not the son of Sophie Alexander, but must be the son of Mary Taylor - MCM 2002)

      Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots
      Name: Ezra Capt Alexander
      Cemetery: Sugaw Creek Cem
      Location: Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co NC 18
      Reference: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.1, p. Serial: 7601; Volume: 6

      LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, dated February 16, 1798, Mecklenburg County, Book A, page 14
      Be It remembered that I, Ezra Alexander of Mecklenburg County in the State of North Carolina being in my perfect senses do make this my last Will and Testament.
      Im Primis; I give and bequeath to my beloved wife a bed and furniture, a chest, a spending wheel, a saddle and $24 per annum to be paid in the manner and form as shall be hereafter described, together all my Dresses and kitchen furniture, one cauldron the only exception.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my son Eleazer Alexander the sum of $60 which sum he shall retain in his hands as a note from him to me due now in my possessions.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my son James Alexander a parcel of land on the East side of Little Sugaw Creek beginning at the Northwest corner of the old field that lies on the East side of the Creek and running west to the Creek, thence down the Creek and down the skirts of the high land so as to include the bottom as far down as my land extends down the said Creek, thence by the hickory corner which stands in the old field and thence East as far as my land extends and all the land included in my lines South of these boundaries.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my daughter Dorcas the sum of $5 to be raised and levied out of my estate.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my son Abdon the sum of $60 to be raised and levied out of my estate.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my son Augustus all my land lying North and West of the line beginning on the East bank of Little Sugaw Creek at a point East of the Northeast corner of the rye patch fence and running West to the said corner thence along said line.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my son Paris all the remaining part of the Plantation or tract of land on which I live.
      Item; it is my Will that if my son Augustus do fail to make and convey to my son Paris all the land held by him within my Inclosure and also all that he holds on the West side of the Branch between my enclosed ground and William Alexander's line, in case of such failure or refusal the said Augustus shall forfeit as much of the land bequeathed to him lying most contiguous to my Improvement as may be contained within the said boundaries which forfeited land shall revert to to my son Paris.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my daughter Redempta a bed and furniture and $250 to be raised and levied out of my estate together with a spinning wheel and saddle.
      Item; I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Ann a bed and furniture, a spinning wheel, a saddle and $250 to be raised and levied out of my estate.
      Item; Further, is my Will that if any surplus remain after discharging the above legacies the said surplus be divided between my sons of Augustus and Paris.
      Lastly; it is my Will that my sons James, Augustus and Paris do on my decease pay to my beloved wife the sum of $8 each year as long as she shall live, and that my son James Alexander and my friend Ezekiel Polk be hereby appointed my whole and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby utterly revoking, disallowing and disannulling all other Wills, Legacies and Bequests by me heretofore made, Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 16th day of February, A.D., 1798.
      Signed, Sealed and Published and pronounced and declared by the said Ezra Alexander to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names. Witness, Sam Polk (father of President James K. Polk) and William Polk, together with the seal of Ezra Alexander.112

      Ezra Alexander - a marker for him stands at his son's grave in Sharon Presbyterian Church Cemetery. He is buried in the Alexander - Polk Cemetery, Pineville, NC.