| Notes |
- Adam Alexander 23 Sept 1728 – 13 Sept 1798:
Adam Alexander was one of the original signers of the Meckenburg Declaration of Independence.
He, like most of the men reported to be signers, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His family was from Ulster, Ireland, and they are interrelated to many of the Alexanders in Mecklenburg County. He spent his early years in Maryland, where he was born, and Pennsylvania. Adams’ father, William, was a captain. Adam was a colonel and served in the Clear Creek militia, along with Charles Polk and James Harris.
Mary Shelby of Frederick County, Maryland, became his wife on 8/4/1752. Mary’s parents owned a large tract of land near Hagerstown, Maryland. Her brother was Gen. Evan Shelby, an officer in the French and Indian War. Her nephew was Col. Isaac Shelby, a hero of King’s Mountain, who later became governor of Kentucky. Adam and his brother, Charles, were both officers in the Revolutionary War and reportedly signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. They are also related to the two other Alexanders who are considered signers. He settled in the Clear Creek area of Mecklenburg County and had a Presbyterian minister visit in his home there on Sunday, 10/12/1775.
Adam served as a delegate to the Catawba Indians. He owned a store and a mill, as well as a home in another location. Justice of the Peace, member of the Mecklenburg County Court and Elder of Clear Creek Presbyterian Church were just some of the titles given him during his lifetime.
Although he had no will, when his property was evaluated at the time of his death, he had more than 30 books, a large collection for this time period.
When the debate began over whether the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence existed, his son, Isaac, who was 19 years old in 1775, certified to the State Legislature team investigating the document that he was present in Charlotte on May 19th and 20th, 1775, and that the men known as the “signers” met to take action and withdraw their allegiance from the King of Great Britain.
(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.
Adam Alexander, son of William and Agnes Alexander, grandson of Elias and Sophia Alexander and great-grandson of Joseph Alexander of Cecil County, was born in Somerset County, Maryland, September 23, 1728. He died in the Clear Creek Section of Mecklenburg, November 13, 1798. On August 4, 1752, he was married to Mary Shelby (daughter of Evan and Catherine Davies Shelby), who was born on August 8, 1735, and died in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, November 26, 1813. Both are buried in the old Rock Springs graveyard near which was the first building of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, where the congregation of that church worshiped before the Revolution and where Adam Alexander was one of the first elders.
Adam Alexander was a large landowner, a man of influence in the County, a churchman, patriot, and soldier. He was a Justice of the Peace and a member of the County Court, being known as "Justice Alexander" as early as 1755. In 1756 he was a Captain of a Company of Militia and took a prominent part in a conference concerning Indian Raids.
He was a Signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20, 1775, and thereafter was a brave and energetic military officer -- Lieutenant-Colonel of Minute Men in 1775 and Colonel in 1776. He took part in almost every campaign in which the men of Mecklenburg opposed the enemies.
Adam Alexander died intestate. His wife, Mary, in her will dated Feb. 8, 1810, mentions "my five children" but names only one of them, Isaac, whom she appointed Executor of her estate. From available records we know that the children of Adam and Mary Shelby Alexander were:
1. Isaac S., b. 6/7/1756; d. 9/2/1823; m. Ruth Reece, b. 1753, d. 10/26/1825.
2. Catherine, b. 1759; m. before 7/31/1779, John McCoy, b. 1753.
3. Sarah Shelby, b. ---; d. 10/11/1842; m. 1777, Capt. John Springs, b. 10/27/1751; d. 6/25/1818.
4. Charles Taylor (Administrator of his father's estate), b. 8/9/1764; d. 8/26/1828; m. 12/28/1796, Margaret Means b. 12/30/1777; d. 7/17/1845.
5. Evan Shelby, b. 1767; d. 10/28/1809; unmarried.
6. Mary ("Polly"), d. 8/19/1838; m. Dr. Cunningham Harris, b. 8/31/1768; d. 1/10/1814.
Note: These children of Adam and Mary Alexander may not be listed in the order of their birth.
Sources: --Mecklenburg, the Life and Times of a Proud People by Howard and Ruth White
states "Adam and Charles were sons of Elias and Sophia's son, William Alexander, born Somerset, Md. d. 1772 Meck. co NC, married Agnes Alexander his cousin. Their first child was Col. Adam Alexander, signer, b. 23 Sept. 1728 Somerset Md., d. 13 Nov 1798, buried Old Rock Springs Burying Ground. m. 4 Aug 1752 Mary Shelby, dau of Evan Shelby and Catherine Davies. Adam was an elder at Philidelphia Pres. Church and a Col. of Minute Men 1775-6. Another son was Charles Alexander, Signer m. Jean---. Served under Cols. Polk and Adam Alexander---was a militia man until 1785. He also had sons named Adam and Charles Alexander--also sons George, Abdon and daus. Margaret, Casandra and Jane."
"My Great Grandmother was Margaret Alexander. I have a very poor copy
of a Daughters of the American Revolution Certificate of Membership
dated January 9, 1908. Margaret married Edward Oscar McCreight born
1849, died 1905. From my grandmother's trunk I have an original issue
of a 1931 Charlotte Observer that describes the Alexanders of
Mecklenburg and the history of the declaration, ca. half of the front
page. I also have an original copy of a short history of the
declaration from the early part of the century (do not have the date
in my head). My Uncle in North Carolina has a self portrate of an
Alexander dressed in the clothing of the 1700s or early 1800s.
These documents have a lot of information, but few dates and
connections. The following is a summary of what they say about the
Alexanders: 'William Alexander 1580 was Secretary of State of
Scotland and later Nova Scotia (including Canada and the northern part
of the USA).' (It does not say he is connected to the North Carolina
Alexanders)
Between 1610 and 1688 Alexanders went from Scotland to northern
Ireland as part of an English plan to settle protestants in Ireland.
They were very successful, but taxes and bad government administration
forced seven Alexander brothers to immigrate to America. They landed
on Manhattan Island and made their way to Maryland. Some later went to
North Carolina in 1750. Among these was Abraham Alexander born in
Cecil County Maryland, 1717, died 23 April 1786, his wife Dorcas, his
brothers Adam, Charles and Ezra and his cousins Hezekiah and John
McKnitt.
Abraham's children were: Elizabeth, Cyrus, Abraham, Nathaniel, Ezra,
Isaac (a surgeon), Marcus and Joab. Elizabeth married John Cambell
and Isaac married two Cambell sisters.
Julius M Johnson married Margaret Moore Alexander, but I am not sure
where Margaret comes form. They had 4 children Margaret Alexander
Johnson, Sarah, Virginia and John.
Cyrus left 5 children.
The newspaper mentioned some Alexanders were alive in 1931 when the
article was written.
The history of the declaration is said to be as follows:
'The Alexanders left Ireland because of bad tax and administrative
policy and then found themselves in the same boat in North Carolina.
The Alexanders decided to petition the king on two grievances: 1)
They wanted their own church officials to marry them, not a British
bureaucrat; and, 2) they wanted to found their own university. To
soften up the king they named the County Seat Charlotte and the County
Mecklenburg because the king had just married Charlotte of Mecklenburg
(Northern Germany on the Baltic Sea). The king rejected the petition
out of hand. This was just another blow in a long list of grievances
that infuriated them. They wrote the Mecklenburg Declaration of
Independence one year before the Thomas Jefferson declaration. All of
the Alexanders signed it, in fact almost everyone in the county. It
was taken and presented to the Continental Congress, which declared it
premature. Later the Thomas Jefferson declaration used some of its
wording.'
What surprised me is it was written in German, although they were
Scots and spoke English.
I find this a fascinating story and would like to know the connection
between my great grandmother Margaret and Abraham as well as the
ancestors of Abraham. I would also like to find a copy of the text of
the declaration...
Regards,
William McCreight
22 Jun 1998"
From: "Simpson & Allied Families" Author: Dennis William Simpson, pg.
181: Adam was for many years a magistrate and member of the county
court from Mecklenburg. In Sep 1775, he was appointed lieutenant
Colonel under Colonel Thomas Polk, who fought against the Tories in
South Carolina, Succeeding Col. Polk in April,1776, he led his force
against the Cherokee Indians at the head of the Catawba River. His
Daughter Sarah married Captain John Springs Jr., the wealthiest land
owner and slave holder in Mecklenburg Co. of that time. (Marylanders,
pg 3) .
As early as June 1770, Adam Alexander was living in the eastern part
of Mecklenburg Co and was a member of the Clear Creek congregation. He
was a prominent magistrate and member of the County Court, and in 1775
he signed the Mecklenburg Declaration. In Sep 1775 he was appointed
lieutenant Colonel under Colonel Polk in what was called the Snow
Campaign against the Tories in South Carolina. In April 1776 he was
chosen to command one of the Mecklenburg Continental Regiments
succeeding Colonel Polk. He led his forces against the Cherokee
Indians at the head of the Catawba in 1776 under General Ratherford.
Colonel Adam Alexander was living on Rocky River near the mouth of
Clear Creek in 1755-1756 when Rev. Hugh McAden passed through the
country on his way south and is mentioned as Colonel Alexander in the
minister's Journal.
DAR Mag on Adam Alexander: "He and his wife Mary Shelby are both
buried in the old Rock Springs graveyard near the First Philadelphia
Presbyterian church where he was one of the First elders. He was a
large land owner, a churchman, patriot and soldier. He was a Justice
of the Peace and a member of the county court, being known as "Justice
Alexander". He was Captain of a company of the militia and took in
several Conferences concerning Indian raids. He was a signer of the
Mecklenburg Declaration and a Colonel of the Minute Men during the
Revolutionary War."
Brevard " Adam Alexander son of Agnes Alexander (signer of Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence)."
Alexander Memorials: "Agnes who m. her cousin William, s/o Elias &
Sophia, and was mother of Col. Adam and Charles Alexander, who were
signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration.
Marylanders: " Adam Alexander was born in Cecil County, MD in 1728
and died in Mecklenburg Co., NC on Nov 13 1798 at the age of 70 years
7 months as noted on his tombstone in the Rock Springs burial grounds.
His wife was Mary Shelby who died on Nov 26 1813 at the age of 78
years, x months and x days as noted on her half of the tombstone they
shared."
DAR Magazine: "Adam Alexander was born in Somerset Co MD Sept 23
1728. His father William Alexander, born in Somerset Co., MD died
1772 in Mecklenburg Co., NC was undoubtedly a son of Elias and Sophia
Alexander and a grandson of Joseph Alexander of Cecil Co Md. He was
the father of Adam and Charles Alexander --- Signers of the
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
Brevard: "William left a Will in Mecklenburg Co., NC (Will Book A pg
6) 22 Mar 1772 and died in Mecklenburg Co. His Will names wife Agnes
and son Adam"
Maryland Families, p.66,67: " Adam Alexander b. Sept 28, 1728 Cecil
Co MD "
MD Heraldic Families, pg 64: " 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.)
Wheeler's History: " Col. Adam Alexander, one of the signers of the
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, and further known to history
by his military service, was born in Cecil Co., MD 24 Sept 1728 of
Scotch-Irish parents.
DAR Magazine: " Adam Alexander on Aug 4 1752 married Mary Shelby
(daughter of Evan and Catherine Davies Shelby) born Aug 8 1735 and who
died in Mecklenburg Co., NC Nov 26 1813. Both are buried in the old
Rocky Spring graveyard."
Alexander Descendents: " Adam Alexander died intestate. His wife,
Mary, in her Will dated Feb 8 1810 mentions "my five children" but
names only one of them, Isaac, whom she appoints her Executor of her
estate."
Wheelers History: "Col. Adam Alexander settled in what is known as
Clear Creek neighborhood, NC where his family worshiped at Rock
Springs Church. He died 13 Nov 1798, Patriot and Soldier. He and Sarah(?) SHELBY had six children: Evan Shelby, Isaac, Charles Taylor, Sarah, Catharine and
Mary. (inaccuracies here)
Alexander Heritage, 1978 by Clarence D. Alexander: Adam
Our "Alexander, s/o William and Agnes Alexander, and grandson of Elias
and Sophia (Alexander). Agnes was d/o Wm. Alexander Jr. and Catherine
Wallace. He was b. in Somerset Co., MD on 23 Sept 1728. He d. in
Clear Creek section of Mecklenburg Co., NC 13 Nov 1728. He was m. on 4
Aug 1752 to Mary Shelby, who was the d/o Evan and Catherine Shelby. b,
8 Aug 1735, d. 26 Nov 1813. They are both buried In the old Rock
Springs graveyard near the First Philadelphia Presbyterian Church
where he was one of the first elders.
Adam was a large land owner, a churchman, a patriot and soldier. He
was Justice of the Peace and member of the county court, being known
as 'Justice Alexander'. He was Capt. of a company of militia and took
in several conferences concerning Indian raids. He was a signer of the
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and a Colonel of the Minute
Men during the Revolutionary War. They were parents of six children:
1) Isaac S. Alexander was born on 7 June 1756. He died on
September 1823 at age 67.
2) Catherine Alexander was born in 1759.
3) Sarah Shelby Alexander died on 11 October 1842.
4) Charles Taylor Alexander was born on 9 August 1764. He died on 26
August 1828 at age 64.
5) Evan Shelby Alexander was born in 1767. He died on 28 October1809.
6) Mary (Polly) Alexander died on 19 August 1838."
Alexander Notebooks: "The NC Colonial Records contain a list of the old
men who formerly were in Capt. Adam Alexander's Company. Daniel
Alexander, Lieutenant; Moses Shelby, Sergeant; Privates Andrew
Alexander, Aaron Alexander and Moses Alexander. Endorsed by Robert
Harris, Clerk Feb 24 1756. The Capt. Alexander mentioned was days was
Colonel of the Mecklenburg Militia.(ref. NC State Records, Vol. 12 pp
396-97-98). Identity of these old men were as follows: Moses Shelby
was the son of Evan Shelby of Frederick Co. MD and the oldest brother
of Mary Shelby wife of Col. Adam Alexander…"
Richard B. Alexander: " Adam Alexander married Mary Shelby. He was
buried at Old Rocky Spring graveyard Philadelphia Presbyterian Church,
Mecklenburg Co.. He was born on 23 September 1728 at Somerset Co., MD.
He died on 13 November 1798 at Clear Creek Sect, Mecklenburg Co., NC,
at age 70.
MD Heraldic Families Pg 58: "Daniel Alexander father of William served
under Capt Adam Alexander before 1766. He is listed as one of the "old
men" and was a lieutenant. (Colonial Records Vol 22 pg 397)"
Colonel Elias Alexander, by Mattie M. Brunson, in the American
Magazine: "He was in the battle of Kings Mountain, in S.C., and a
very effective commander.
In the appointment by the Council on Dec. 21, 1775, of district
officers, Adam was appointed lieutenant Colonel for Mecklenburg
County. He had the following children: Mary, (?)Elias, Evan Shelby,
Catherine, Charles Taylor, Adam and Sarah. Mary Alexander was born
about 1748, some records say, in Ireland, but most probably he was
born in Pennsylvania. Elias lived on Floyd's Creek, Ford County,
North Carolina. He was married in 1770 to Annie (Nancy ) Mc Call, a
sister to the grandmother of James K. Polk."
MD Heraldic Families Pg 67: "William Alexander m--Agnes Alexander;
issue, Adam, Colonel, 1728-1793, m. Mary Shelby, 1735-1813; issue
Evan, bachelor; Isaac, m. (?) Means; Charles Taylor, m. (?) Irwin;
Adam Rankin, m. Leah Ragan or Reagan; Sarah, m. Capt. John Springs
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1728 - 1798 (70 years)