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Decendents of David1 Alexander of Maine
CONTENTS
First Generation
First Generation
1 David1 Alexander emigrated from Ulster, Ireland to Topsham, Maine in 1719. David was killed by Indians in "Lovewell's Indian War, about 1722 - 1725. The name of his wife is unknown. In 1731 deeds were entered for those residents of Topsham who retained possession of their land through the Indian Wars of 1722-1725. Among the 41 entries appears the name of William Alexander. His farm, consisting of 100 acres, was on the Cathance River. Since this was a part of the lands purchased by Robert Temple from Thomas Hutchinson, and settled by Scotch-Irish immigrants brought over in ships chartered by Temple, it is believed that David Alexander and his sons came with that group in 1719. Under the terms published by the Pejepscot company, 100 acres cost �25, provided a that house was built within one year and the lands were improved for three years. It could be paid in wood or timber ready for shipment to Boston. {30}
The story of David Alexanders's death has been published by James McKeen [reference not cited]. He relates that William Alexander "was remarkable when a youth for his agility and uncommon strength. In muscular vigor he far exceeded any of the lads in town who were anywhere near his own age. One day he and another boy by the name of Thorn were on the hill near the river, when suddenly a couple of stout Indians pounced upon them, each Indian singling out one of the boys. Their object was to run the lads off into the woods, where they would be comparatively safe from pursuit. The stout resistance, however, made by young Alexander, although a mere boy, made the Indian feel as if he had more than his hands full. At every step he encountered a resolute resistance, and, although a powerful Indian, he was making slow progress. The boy's outcries at length attracted the attention of the settlers up and down the river, and his father, being first to comprehend the true state of things, outstripped all others in going to the relief of his son, guided partly by the voice of the lad and partly by the zigzag trail of the furrowed earth, which was a conspicuous mark and was made by the boy's stubborn obstinacy and resistance. The father at length came in full sight of his son and was hastening to his rescue, when the Indian, letting the lad go, fired, killing Mr. Alexander, who fell instantly dead. The son, the moment he saw his father fall, ran, and the Indian, fearing pursuit, desisted from attempting his recapture. The inhabitants of the neighborhood, having provided themselves with guns, and guided by the Alexander boy, started off in pursuit. They found Mr. Alexander dead." {30}
Elizabeth Alexander was born about 1729 in Georgetown. Sinnett suggests that she was a daughter of David, however, she was born well after his death. Elizabeth married Joshua Philbrook {35}.
Children of David Alexander, born in Ulster, Ireland+ 2 i William, b abt 1706; d 1778; m abt 1736 Jennet Wilson + 3 ii James, b abt 1709; m - Second Generation 2 William2 Alexander (David1 ) was born about 1706 in Ulster, Ireland. He emigrated with his father in 1719. William married about 1736 in Harpswell, ME to Jennet Wilson. She was born about 1715 in Ulster, Ireland, the daughter of James Wilson. Jennet also emigrated from Ulster with her father in 1719. She died in 1778. William also died in 1778, age 72. {37} William Alexander is on the muster roll of Capt. Joseph Heath's company for the period 2 May to 14 November 1722. He is listed as "sent." or sentry, the equivalent of private. {37}
According to family tradition, William Alexander moved to Harpswell from Topsham about the time his eldest son was born, 1737. William settled in the northeast extremity of Widgeon Cove, building a small house within a hundred feet of the water. A spring bubbled up near the front door, while on either side, about 500 feet away, rose a ridge 50 feet high, heavily wooded with fir, hemlock, beech, spruce, and pine. Such a location protected the family from winter storms, and afforded them quick access to their boats in the event of Indian alarms. This house burned down and another larger house was built on the ridge. {30}
William Alexander signed the "petition of the Inhabitants in Kennebec River for Protection" on 22 April 1755 {38}.
William and Jennet Alexander are buried behind the First Church, Harpswell Neck, Harpswell, ME. {30}
NOTE: In the records of North Yarmouth (which included Harpswell) is found: "Alexander, William, wife Jane; children Samuel, b 28 July 1747; Hugo, b 21 Mar 1750." {39} Also in the North Yarmouth records is the marriage intention of Mary Alexander to Henry Burns, both of North Yarmouth, 11 Dec 1756.
Children of William and Jennet (Wilson) Alexander4 i David, b 1737; d 29 Oct 1792; m 1761 Anna Ewing + 5 ii James, b 1739; m 1757 Martha Mustard + 6 iii William, b 1741 + 7 iv Samuel, b 1743; m 1770 Rosannah Clark + 8 v John, b 1745; m 1768 Elizabeth Clark + 9 vi Hugh, b 21 Mar 1750F; d 8 May 1807; m1 1772 Catherine Ewing; m2 1788 Hannah Dunning 3 James2 Alexander (David ) was born about 1709 at Ulster, Ireland. He married and had at least 3 children. {30}
Children of James Alexander+ 10 i Robert {30} 11 ii William {30} 12 iii Margaret, m Robert Gower [Gowen] of Topsham {30} Third Generation 4 David3 Alexander (William2 David1 ) was born in 1737 at Harpswell, ME {30}. He married 27 Dec 1761 to Anna Ewing, the daughter of Joseph Ewing. Anna was born in 1736 {30}. David died 29 October 1792. Anna did 22 September 1809, age 73 years {30}. David was a shipbuilder and a farmer. He served in Capt. Nehemiah Curtis' company in the Revolutionary War.
Children of David and Anna (Ewing) Alexander+ 13 i William, b 13 Nov 1762; d 19 Oct 1847; m 1786 Betsey Campbell 14 ii Joseph, b 16 Mar 1765 {30} + 15 iii David, b 13 Mar 1767; m 1791 Sarah Dunning 16 iv Anna, b 3 Sept 1769 {30}; d 2 July 1805 Harpswell; m 14 Apr 1791 Benjamin Dunning; ch: DUNNING: (1) Jane, b 8 Feb 1792; (2) James, b 1793; (3) David, b 1796; (4) Obijah, b 1798; (5) Rebecca, b 1800; (6) Isaac, b 1802; (7) Charles, b 1804 17 v James, b 12 Oct 1771B; d Dec 1786 {30} + 18 vi Isaac, twin b 10 Oct 1774; m Mary Pennell 19 vii Isabel, twin b 10 Oct 1774 {30}; m 1 Jan 1796 Walter Merryman; ch: MERRYMAN: (1) David, b 1796; (2) Walter, 1798-1853; (3) Isaac, b 1801; (4) Robert, b 1803; (5) Shenbol, 1806-1829; (6) Ely, b 1808; (7) Anna, b 1810; (8) Thomas, b 1813; (9) Betsey, b 1817 20 viii Jennet, b 9 July 1777B; d 6 Dec 1830; m 15 Jan 1795 Nehemiah Curtis, Jr.; ch. CURTIS: (1) Margaret, 1796-1853; (2) Joseph, 1798-1874; (3) Rebecca, b 1801; (4) Nancy A., b 1803; (5) David, 1805-1872; (6) Nehemiah, b 1807; (7) Mary J., b 1809; (8) Adaline, b 1813; (9) Ainger, b 1815; (10) Isabel, b 1817; (11) Paul R., b 1819 21 ix Rebecca, b 10 Sept 1779 {30}; d 21 Aug 1797{30} 5 James3 Alexander (William2 David1 ) was born in 1739 at Harpswell, ME. He, of North Yarmouth, married (intentions 6 May 1757 North Yarmouth) Martha Mustard of Topsham {33}. She was the daughter of William Mustard of Harpswell {30}.
Children of James and Martha (Mustard) Alexander {30}22 i John, b 15 May 1758 23 ii Jennet, b 14 Jan 1760 24 iii James, b 4 Jan 1762 25 iv Elizabeth, b 14 Feb 1764 26 v Abigail, b 7 May 1765 27 vi William, b 27 Apr 1767 28 vii Catherine, b 13 Jan 1769 29 viii Elipha, b 16 Sept 1770 30 ix Joseph, b 20 Aug 1773 6 William3 Alexander (William2 David1 ) was born in 1741 at Harpswell, ME. He may have moved to the Boston area. There is mention of him in the Cumberland County records for a deed of land given in 1773. {30} 7 Samuel3 Alexander (William2 David1 ) was born in 1743 [28 July 1747 {39}] at Harpswell, ME. He married Rosannah Clark, 7 Feb 1770 {30}. She was the daughter of Josiah Clark of Harpswell.
Children of Samuel and Rosannah (Clark) Alexander {30}31 i Samuel, b 7 May 1771 {30} 32 ii Mary, b 15 Nov 1772 {30} 33 iii Abigail, b 27 June 1776 {30} 34 iv Elizabeth, b 17 Nov 1778 {30} 35 v Hannah, b 20 Dec 1780 {30} 36 vi John, b 8 Oct 1782 {30} 37 vii James, b 15 April 1784 {30} 8 John3 Alexander (William2 David1 ) was born in 1745 at Harpswell, ME. He maried Elizabeth Clark, 31 Mar 1768. She was born about 1750, the daughter of Joseph Clark of Harpswell. The children of John and Elizabeth Alexander are not recorded. {30, p. 88} 9 Hugh3 Alexander (William2 David1 ) was born 21 March 1750 [1751 {30, 35}; 25 Mar 1751 {31}] at Harpswell, ME {17, 39}. Hugh married first Catherine Ewing, 25 March 1772, at Harpswell {30, 35}. She was born on Great Island, Harpswell in 1732, the daughter of Joseph Ewing {35}. She was known for being kind and helpful {35}. Catherine died 1 Jan 1778 [1788?BG], age 56 years {35}. [Apparently she was much older than Hugh.] Hugh married second 29 Sept 1778 {30} [1788 {19, 35}] at Harpswell by Rev. Samuel Eaton to Hannah Dunning {19}. Hannah was born 22 Feb 1752 at Harpswell or York {35}, the daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Shepherd) Dunning {35}. She "was known far and wide for her helpful words and deeds." {35} Hugh died at Harpswell 8 May 1807, age 56 years {35}. Hannah died 8 Jan 1846 at Chesterville {35}. Hugh Alexander is called one of the most worthy citizens of Harpswell, a diligent farmer and helpful in all good works {35}.
Hugh resided in Harpswell, Cumberland Co., ME. In 1790 he was living there with 4 males under 16 [son?], 1 male over 16 [himself], and 3 females [wife, 2 dau.]. {1}
Hugh Alexander is buried in Harpswell behind the First Church.
NOTE: The IGI {17} gives both North Yarmouth and Cumberland as the place of birth of Hugh Alexander. Sinnett {35}lists Benjamin as the only child of Hugh and Hannah (Dunning) Alexander.
Children of Hugh and Catherine (Ewing) Alexander, born at Harpswell, ME38 i Margaret, b 16 Mar 1773 {30, 31} [16 Apr 1773 {35}]; d 19 Sept 1829 {35} [19 Feb 1829 {31}]; m1 Paul Randall; m2 Paul Curtis 39 ii Betsey, b 1 Mar 1774 {30, 35}; d 14 Mar 1848 Bowdoinham {35}; m 17 Jan 1796 William Curtis {35}
Children of Hugh and Hannah (Dunning) Alexander, born at Harpswell, ME40 iii Martha, b 14 Oct 1779 {30, 31} [4 Oct 1779 {35}]; d 1844 Brunswick {35}; m 21 May 1797 Timothy Merryman 41 iv Hugh, b 14 Dec 1781; d 30 Apr 1862; m 1809 Ann Wilson 42 v Joseph, b 12 Apr 1784 {30, 35}; d 12 June 1844 Brunswick {35}; m 23 June 1808 Pamela Curtis; was insane {31} 43 vi Benjamin, b 12 Apr 1790 {30, 35}; m Hannah Sewall {35} 10 Robert3 Alexander (James2 David1 ) . Robert, John, and William Alexander were residents of Topsham, ME in 1771 {22}.
Copyright � 2000, 2010 by Kurt A. & Mary A. Wilhelm