Alexander Family; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 10, No. 3, PP. 178-185 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Alexander Family William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 10, No. 3. (Jan., 1902), pp. 178-185. ALEXANDER FAMILY. During a late visit of the editor to Manassas, in Prince William county, he made some extracts from the records in the clerk's office relating to the Alexanders. The following throws light upon what has already appeared. In the name of God amen this 25th day of October 1677 I John Alexander of the County of Stafford Gent being sic &c Im primis I give and bequeath all my estate unto my sons Robert and Philip Alexander equally to be divided betwixt them that his to say my personal Estate Item I give unto John Dry a horse called Blackbeard and 500 acre of Land being the uppermost part of the 6750 acres in the Freshes of Potomack River Item I give to Samuel Hayward the colt that suckest of the ------ Mare Item I give unto my son Robert Alexander 500 acres of land and the House and Plantation where I now live. Item I give all the rest of my Lands to my sons Robert and Philip Alexander equally to be divided betwixt and to their heirs forever except what is hereafter given Item I give to Elizabeth Homes and to her heirs 200 acres of Land where John Coggins lives Item I will that my son Robert Page 179. Alexander shall not dispose of any of his estate before he comes of age without the advice of Samuel Hayward and I do nominate make ordain and appoint my son Robert Alexander to be the executor of this my will I will that the land at the head of Potomack Creek and the land at Attopin dam be sold and the produce be equally divided between my sons Robert and Philip Alexander Item I will that my estate given to my said sons shall not be appraised but equally divided by two honest men. Samuel Hayward Elizabeth Cather. Samuel Hayward and Elizabeth Cather maketh oath that the above written was delivered by Capt John Alexander as his last will and Testament but prevented by death in not signing it. Jura in Curia 14th Novr 1677, and the Recorded. Samuel Hayward & Elizabeth Cather Deposeth that Capt. John Alexander did give to Eliza Holmes a feather Bed saying I do not mean the best bed but the Bed I brought out of England. Samuel Hayward Eliza X Cather ur. in Curia 14th November 1677 A Copy Henry Tyler, C.S.C. (Henry Tyler, clerk of Stafford county, died about 1770). Needham L. Washington & Sarah A. his wife of King George & Gerard Alex- ander and Matilda Alexander his wife of the county of Campbell and Ashton Alexander & Sarah R. his wife of Baltimore to John P. Smith of Fauquier their interest in Greenwood farm in Prince William. Gerard Alexander & Matilda his wife of Clover Hill in Prince William Co to Wm A. G. Dade of Dumfries land conveyed to said Gerard by his father Gerard. Deed dated 1821. Jane Ashton Alexander, now of King George Co., late Jane Ashton Callis, formerly Jane Ashton Alexander, daughter of Gerard Alexander of Prince William Co., to Sidney Alexander of same County, another daughter of Gerard Alexander, her interest in Greenwood Farm, also such other portions as came and descended to her brothers Henry and Philip Alexander and by the death of her sister Mrs. Elizabeth Stuart intestate descended to her. Deed April 22, 1831. Jane Alexander's will. Gives to her daughter sidney all her slaves. Dated 4 Nov., 1825; proved 20 Oct., 1826. June 3, 1833, Needham L. Washing- ton qualified as adm. de bonis non with the will annexed. Division of the slaves of Jane Alexander, widow of Gerard Alexander. The appraisers met at Greenwood, the late residence of Mrs. Jane Alexander pursuant to order of court dated 5 Dec., 1826. The following persons received the slaves: (1) Ashton Alexander, (2) Gerard, (3) Needham L. Washington in right of his wife Susan, (4) Griffin Stith in right of his wife Mary, deceased, (5) Otho W. Callis in right of his wife Jane, (6) Sidney Alexander. Signed Wm. Foote, R. Foote, Howson Hooe. Deed of Gerard Alexander to his children Frances, Edward Clarendon, Henrietta, Sigismunda, Henry Ashton, Sarah Foote Alexander, Ann Foote Alexander, Lawrence Gibbons Alexander. Dated Aug. 25, 1819. Page 180. In his will in 1704 Robert Alexander states his son Robert as fifteen and Charles as six years. The publication of extracts from the register of St. Paul's Parish, Stafford county, in a late number of the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography enables me to give the births of several children of John Alex- ander and Susanna Pearson, daughter of Susanna Pearson, with more exactness. Issue: (1) Charles, born July 20, 1737, married Frances Brown; (2) John Alexander*, born January 15, 1739. (3) Ann, born February 9, 1741-'42. (4) Susanna, born April 12, 1744; (5) Gerard Alexander, born June 13, 1746. Lee Massey testified that he was seven years old in 1739, and fifty- two at time of deposition in Burch vs. Alexander, that he always understood from the two Alexanders, John and Gerard Alexander, and also from Townshend Date, that the lands within Howson's patent belonged to John and Gerard Alexander in their own right, and to Townshend and Baldwin Dade in right of their wives. (Prince William County Records.) It thus seems that Sarah Alexander named as (9) on page 252, Vol. IX., married Baldwin Dade. In St. Paul's register Francis, son of Baldwin and Sarah Dade, was born December 29, 1737. Sigismunda Mary Alexander, "relict of late William Alexander, of Effingham", made her will March 4, 1829, which was proved January 7, 1833. It names granddaughter Jane Alexander Slaughter, son-in-law William Foote of Fauquier, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, wife of son Lawrence G. Alexander, son Gerard Alexander, of Kentucky. CAMPBELL COUNTY. Gerard Alexander's will, dated 30 January, 1851, proved July 11, 1853: Beloved wife; children of dau. Frances Cole, dau. Sigismunda Rose, dau. Henrietta Ely, dau. Sally, dau. Ann Wallace, don Henry, son Lawrence Gibson, eldest son Edward, son George Douglass, who is given his mother's Bible and furniture, namesake and relation Gerard Jenks, friend Doctor Harris executor. Witnesses Wm. Jenks and Samuel G. Martin. The children of 32 GERARD5 ALEXANDER (Gerard4, Robert3, Robert2, John1), who married Jane Ashton, daughter of Henry Ashton and Jane Alexander, may now be confidently stated: (1) Dr. Ashton Alexander, (2) Elizabeth, married (i.) Thomas Lee, of Park Gate (see Lee of Virginia, p. 322), (ii.) Stuart. (3) Gerard, who married (i.) Elizabeth Ashton Alexander, (4) Sarah, married Needham Langhorne Washington, (5) Mary. ________________________________________________________________________ *In Wythe's Chancery Reports there is a suit which states that Gerard Hooe, John Alexander, Younger Kelsick, and Jonathan Beckwith married re- spectively Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary and Rebecca Barnes, daughters of Richard Barnes, who made his will 15 July, 1754. Page 181. married Griffin Stith, (6) Jane, married (i.) Otho W. Callis, (ii.) Traphegan. (7) Sidney, died single. Of these GERARD6 ALEXANDER, of Campbell county, Va., married (i.) Elizabeth Ashton Alexander, daughter of Col. William Alexander, of Effingham, and had issue as named in deed: (1) Frances, married William Cole (see Cole Pedigree, QUARTERLY), (2) Dr. Edward Clarendon, (3) Henrietta, (4) Sigismunda, (5) Henry Ashton, (6) Sarah Foote Alexander, (7) Anne Foote, (8) Lawrence Gibbons Alexander. Gerard6 Alexander married (ii.) Miss Forbes, and (iii.) Matilda Douglass, and by her had one son, (9) Douglass. 4 PHILIP2 ALEXANDER (John1) married Sarah Ashton, daughter of Capt. John Ashton and Grace his wife. It would seem that Frances, the wife of Philip's brother Robert was Frances Ashton, sister of Sarah, Philip's wife. Issue of Philip2 Alexander and Sarah Ashton, 49 Jane, born July 1, 1696, married Francis Dade; 50 Elizabeth, born Setpember 15, 1698, married Townshend Dade; 51 Sarah, born March 31, 1700, married Cadwallader Dade. She married, secondly, --- Mason; 52 Philip3, born July 22, 1704. It is the family statement that three Miss Alexanders married three Dade brothers, and this seems borne out by the entries of births in St. Paul's Parish, King George county. (Virginia Magazine). Sarah Alexander survived her husband Philip Alexander, and married, second, Thomas Clifton, third, McGill. As Sarah McGill, she made her will in Stafford, in November, 1748, which was proved 14 March, 1749. She names son Burden Clifton, son Philip Alexander, grandson Burden Clifton, granddaughter Elizabeth Dade, who was to have the mourning ring given me by my brother Henry Ashton, cousin John Alexander's daughter Ann Alexander a ring of 20 shillings, grandson Philip Alexander, making Burdet Clifton exor. Mr. Philip Alexander's appraisment was returned by Thomas Clifton and Sarah his wife. Names parlor, hall, parlor chamber, hall chamber, and diary. Division of Philip Alexander's estate recorded 11 Sept., 1706, by Richard Fossaker, W. Bunbury, and Charles Ellis, who met at the house of Mr. Thomas Clifton, viz., Jane Alexander, "eldest daughter", Elizabeth and Sarah, "two youngest daughters, and his son Philip Alexander. 52 PHILIP3 ALEXANDER (Philip2, John1), born July 22, 1704, died July 19, 1753, married November 11, 1726, Sarah Hooe Page 182. (daughter of Col. Rice Hooe) who died August 14, 1758. His will was dated July 18, and was proved August 14, 1753. His personal estate was appraised at L1558, 10s, 2 1/2d. His will names eldest son John Alexander, second son Philip, third son William, daughter Frances Stuart, daughter Jane Ashton, daughter Sarah Fendall as much money as will appear in Mr. John Fendall's account, his three sons to be kept at school till eighteen, and then bound out to a doctor, county court clerk, or lawyer; wife Sarah Alexander, son John Alexander, Mr. Richard Foote, Col. Henry Fitzhugh, Jr., and Rev. William Stuart executors. Issue, 53 Frances, born October 5, 1728, married February 16, 1749, John Stuart, son of Rev. David Stuart; 54 Jane, born January 12, 1730, married Feb. 23, 1748, Henry Ashton, and had Jane, who married 32 Col. Gerard5 Alexander; 55 Elizabeth, born December 23, 1731; 56 Sarah, born September 30, 1733, married John Fendall; 57 John4, born November 15, 1785; 58 Philip, born May 31, 1742; 59 William4, born March 3, 1744; 60 Robert, born August 1, 1746; died infant. (Hayden; Richmond Standard). 57 JOHN4 ALEXANDER (Philip3, Philip2, John1), born Nov. 15, 1735, married Lucy Thornton, daughter, it is believed, of William4 Thornton (William3, Francis2, William1) numbered as 29 in the Thornton Pedigree (QUARTERLY, IV., p. 92). They had 61 Mary, born November 26, 1756, married October 9, 1773, George Thornton*; 62 Lucy, born December 4, 1757, married (i.) January 24, 1774, John Taliaferro, Jr., married (ii.) Francis Fitzhugh, no issue; 63 Sarah, born November 17, 1758, married Seymour Hooe, issue (1) Alexander Seymour, (2) Lucy Thornton, married John Taliaferro, of Hagley, K. G. Co., (3) Ann, married George Ward. 64 Philip Thornton, born October 14, 1760, married (i.) Jane, daughter of Col. Lewis Willis and Mary Champe, and had (1) John Lewis, born July 31, 1780, died November 20, 1803; married (ii.) Lucy Brodkenbrough, and had (2) Philip Thornton, who married Lucy Brooke, his first cousin. _________________________________________________________________________ *George Thornton was the son of Francis Thornton and Frances Gregory, daughter of Roger Gregory and Mildred Washington, aunt of President Washing- ton. He was a member of the Convention of 1776 from Spotsylvania. He had, by Mary Alexander, (1) Lucy Frances, married Capt. John Posey, son of Gen. Thomas Posey, (2) Reuben, (3) George Washington (see Thornton Pedigree, Vol. V., p. 60). After Thornton's death, his widow, Mary Alexander, married Gen. Thomas Posey, father of Capt. John Posey. Page 183. 65 Frances, born Aug. 24, 1762, married Lawrence Brooke; 66 Alice, born June 10, 1764; 67 William Thornton, born June 21, 1768. 59 COL. WILLIAM4 ALEXANDER (Philip3, Philip2, John1), of "Effingham", in Prince William county, was born March 3, 1744, and died April 3, 1814. He married April 18, 1765, Sigismunda Mary (died April 18, 1832), daughter of Sigismund Massey and his wife Mary Stuart, daughter of Rev. David Stuart. He built "Effingham House", in Prince William county. His will, dated September 20, 1813, pro. P. W. Co. May 2, 1814. Names wife Sigismunda Mary A., sons Lawrence Gibbons, William Sigismund, granddaughter Jane Alexander Slaughter, minor; later he names five sons, Philip, Gerard, Lawrence, William A. and John Sugart A., also grandson Robert, son of Robert. Children: 68 John Stuart, born April 5, 1766, married Catherine Foote; had William, Kittie, married Triplett; Lucinda, married Carter. 69 Sarah, born November 22, 1767, married William Foote; had George, John, William, Nancy, Gibson, Richard, Philip, Mary, Sigismunda, Alexander, Frederick, Edward, Sarah. 70 Mary, born Jan.24, 1769, died 1779. 71 Frances, born March 11, 1770, died 1774. 72 Jane, born November 30, 1771, married Col. John Field Slaughter; had William, Lawrence, Joh, Eliza, Jane Alexander. 73 Elizabeth Ashton, born December 22, 1773, married her cousing, Gerard Alexander; had Frances, Edward, Clarendon, Henrietta, Sigismunda, Henry Ashton, Sarah Foote Alexander, Ann Foote Alexnader, Lawrence Gibbons Alexander. 74 Mary Stuart, born Feb. 8, 1775, married Thomas Harrison; had Alexander, Albert, Mary, Sigismunda, Sally. 75 Philip, born May 20, 1776, died May, 1833, married ------- Harrison; had Thomas, William, Frances, Gerard, Sigismunda, Sally, Virginia, Philip, Walter. 76 Frances, born April 5, 1778, married Langhorne Dade; mother and child died at birth of child. 77 Stuart, born April 5, 1778, died infant. 78 William, born September 17, 1779, died 1791. 79 Robert, born August 5, 1781, married Helen Brown. 80 Langhorne, born April 10, 1783, died 1793. 81 Gerard5, born June 25, 1784, died July 2, 1834. 82 Lawrence Gibbons, born October 6, 1785, died May 1, 1868, married (i.) ----- Harrison, d. s. p., (ii.) ----- McLean. 83 William Sigismund, born November 16, 1787, died August 27, 1836. (Hayden's Virginia Genealogies). Page 184. 81 GERARD5 ALEXANDER, born June 25, 1784, died July 2, 1834, married (i.) Eleanor, daughter of Thomas and Nellie (Brent) Lee; married (ii.) Elizabeth Henry, born -----, died August 15, 1860; daughter of Richard Barnes and Elizabeth (Whiting) Alexander. Junius B. Alexander owns portrat of Gerard A. and his wife. Children, first marriage: 84 Thomas Ludwell, born October 26, 1807; second marriage, 85 Eleanor Lee, born April 28, 1813; 86 Junius6 Brutus, born December 25, 1814; 87 Cecelia Geraldine, born September 13, 1816; 88 Armistead Mason, born April 16, 1819; 89 Andrew Jackson, born January 25, 1821; 90 Maria Beverley, born Jan. 24, 1824; 91 Gerard, born August 13, 1826; 92 Frances Harriet, born March 6, 1829; 93 Ricahrd Barnes, born March 8, 1831. 86 JUNIUS BRUTUS6 ALEXANDER, of "Effingham House", Staten Island, N.Y., born December 25, 1814, married December 22, 1836, Lucy Fitzhugh, daughter of General Lawrence Taliaferro Dade. Children: 94 Eleanor Lee; 95 Anita Mayo; 96 Lawrence Dade7; 97 Ludwell Brooke, d.s.p.; 98 Welcome Taylor, M.D.; 99 Armistead Mason; 100 Ernest Hopkins, died infant; 101 Francis Dade; 102 Lucy Fitzhugh; 103 Elizabeth Henry. 96 LAWRENCE DADE7 ALEXANDER, born May 12, 1843, married June 12, 1866, Orline, daughter of Newton St. John, of Mobile, Ala. He is a banker, 44 Broadway, New York; resides at Arrochar, Staten Island. Children: 104 St. John, 105 Clinton, died infant, 106 Orline, 107 Ernest; died infant, 108 Lucy, 109 Lawrence Dade. (Hayden's Virginia Genealogies.) EXTRACTS OF WILLS RECORDED IN KING GEORGE COUNTY. Will of Lucy Thornton Alexander, dated January 26, 1781, proved in King George county March 1, 1781. Names late husband John Alexander, Esq., youngest son William Thornton Alexander, a tract of land adjacent to Alexandria, oldest son Philip Thornton Alexander, granddaughter Lucy Thornton Hooe, daughter of Frances Alexander, daughters Mary Thornton and Lucy Taliaferro. Gives her harpsichord to her daughter Frances; mentioning George Thornton, Seymour Hooe, Joseph Ivey, Alexander Rose, and son-in-law John Taliaferro. Will of Philip T. Thornton, dated 4 Dec., 1783, names son John Lewis Alexander, wife with child, names Col. Lewis Willis, Dr. William Willis, Townsend Dade, exors., wife Lucy Alexander. Witnesses William Thornton, Henry Washington, Nathaniel Washington. Will of Susanna Alexander, of St. Paul's Parish, names daughter Page 185. Elizabeth, grandson John Luke, son and heir of John Luke, decd., daughter Susanna Chapman and her children, sons Robert, Thomas and William. Dated September 13, 1788. Will of Needham L. Washington, names daughter Jane W. Washington, wife of S. A. Washington, father of Lawrence Washington, son Needham, daughter Jane Wray Washington to have golden spectacles given my father by Gen. George Washington, three sisters Mary W. Stith, Ann Stith, and Frances Stith. Dated Oct. 5, 1833. Will of Ann Stith names Elizabeth Stuart, daugher of Col. Charles Stuart, nephew George Wray, niece Mary Washington Stuart and her children, her furniture to be divided between Mary Washington Stuart, Elizabeth Stuart and Henry Wray Stuart; the two pictures in the parlor to Mary Stuart, to Jacob W. Stuart, property of George Wary. Dated Aug. 20, 1806, proved Oct. 6, 1808. Will of John Lewis Alexander: Names brother Philip Thornton Alexander, children of Dr. Gibson Stuart, late of King George county, gives gold watch that "my grandfather Willis" now wears to my Hannah Battaile, makes John Taliaferro, Juh., and William T. Alexander exors. Dated May 11, 1802. Witnesses, John Corbin Turbervil, John B----, Byrd Cl. L. Willis. Proved Dec. 1, 1803.