Re: Alexanders PA/MD/NC 1700s
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In reply to:
Alexanders PA/MD/NC 1700s
8/28/99
Beau:
I came across the information below about Robert Alexander, the loyalist. What interests me is that the information is that he inherited land from William Alexander – clearly identified as the William who was the husband of Arminta. It is this relationship with William that I would like more information about. Do you have any information or specific details about Robert and/or others who inherited from William Alexander (aside from his wife and her son by a previous marriage)?
From History of Cecil County by George Johnston, published by Genealogical Publishing Co, Inc. in 1989 – originally published Elkton, Maryland 1881.
Page 335: “ . . . . Robert Alexander is believed to have joined the enemy. He belonged to an aristocratic family that formerly owned a large tract of land at Elkton lying between the hollow and the Far Creek which he inherited from William Alexander the third husband of Araminta Alexander who afterwards married George Catto and who was one of the most aristocratic ladies that ever lived in the county. This man Alexander joined the British fleet when it was in Elk River and went away with it and never returned. He left a wife and several children who then and for many years afterward resided in Elkton. His son, William Alexander, studied law, and was for some time State’s attorney. He is spoken of by those who knew him as being both amiable and eloquent. Robert Alexander who lived in the house now occupied by Daniel Bratton is said to have prepared a fine entertainment for the British officers and to have gone down the river to welcome them to town but while he was away upon that errand the Americans came to Elkton and the feast fell into their hands. [Footnote to this paragraph:Robert Alexander resided in Baltimore for some time before the Revolutionary war and represented Baltimore County in the provincial convention from June 1774 to June 1776 and was chosen to represent the State in the Continental Congress in 1776 but never took his seat in that body for this reason that though he opposed the aggressions of the mother country he was not in favor if independence. He acted as agent for the Tories from the State of Maryland who in 1778 claimed compensation from the British Government for their confiscated property. See Sharf’s “History of Maryland” volume 11, page 297]”
Thank you!