William Alexander (abt. 1646 - abt. 1715)

Born about 1646 in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1715 at about age 69 in New Munster, Cecil, Maryland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Hughey [send private message]

Caution

DNA proves without a doubt that William Alexander was not the sibling of James Alexander, Andrew Alexander, Joseph Alexander and Samuel Alexander. He never lived in Cecil County, Maryland, but remained in Somerset County, Maryland. However, his son William Jr. married a daughter of Elizabeth Alexander Wallace but there is no evidence proving she was a sibling of the four brothers just mentioned but circumstantial evidence give rise to the fact that William Jr. had land dealings with the area known as Cecil Country, Maryland.

Documented Facts below are not necessarily for the same person(s) and not necessarily the same as those in the data field, i.e. this appears to be a Somerset County settler, not a Cecil County settler.Day-1904 23:04, 23 December 2018 (UTC)

Biography

William Alexander was born in Ireland.

William Alexander migrated from Ireland to Colonial America.

William Alexander was a Maryland colonist.

1646 Name and Birth

Pippenger simply indicates that William Alexander, Sr, was born about 1646 without identifying a place, ^[1]

William Alexander II, son of William, was born about 1646. Some records show a middle initial "A" for him.^[2]

An unsourced Ancestry family tree states that William Alexander was born in 1646 in County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland. ^[3]

In 1689 William Alexander joined more than 300 other residents of Somerset County, most of them Presbyterians, in an "address of Loyalty" to William and Mary. ^[4]

1690 Marriage

Pippenger notes that William Alexander married Ann Liston, probably the daughter of Rev. William Liston, of Letterkenny, Ireland and perhaps his wife Victoria. ^[1]

He married Ann Liston. There was a Rev. Wm. Liston who served as a Presbyterian minister in Letterkenny, County Donegal, Ulster. His name was listed under the "Meeting of Lagan" in March of 1689. This gentleman might have been Catherine Ann Liston's father, or some other sort of a relative. ^[5] His son married a Catherine and Arimenta Liston was a completely different person than Ann Liston. This marriage summary is a mixing of several different people

Immigrated to Maryland

Robert Barnes lists William Alexander as among those who immigrated to Maryland ^[6]

1670 Real Estate Transactions

William Alexander II, and his father William Alexander I, bought and sold land together in Somerset Co, MD. They both signed the paperwork for numerous real estate transactions, between 1670 and 1675. Therefore they were both of adult age by the year 1670. William Alexander, II and his son known as William Alexander, III, continued buying and selling land together, after his father (William Alexander, I) died in 1688. ^[7]

"William Alexander, prob came from Scotland before 1675, settled in Somerset County, Maryland, where he was an extensive land trader in land; He m. and had issue of record: (1) William Alexander, engaged in land deals with his father. A William, perhaps his son,, is listed as a corporal in Talbot's Co. Md. Militia in 1748. There was a large colony of Alexander's in this Eastern Shore country as early as 1665; they resided there for about a century and finally dispersed to other sections, some to Cecil County, MD." ^[7]

1670 Purchase of Cattle Mark in Somerset County, Maryland

On November 9, 1670, William Alexander transferred a cattle mark from Thomas Stanbridge. ^[8] This could refer to William Alexander I or II, both of whom were living at this time. "This is one of the first records available, that might help to pinpoint the arrival of the "Infamous Nine" in Somerset Co, MD. Purchasing a cattle mark/brand would be a quick way to acquire a herd of cattle."

1689 Pledge of Loyalty, Somerset County

On November 28, 1689, a William Alexander and a William Alexander, Jr. both signed an "Advice of Loyalty." The date of 1689 makes it likely that this pledge was taken by William Alexander, II/Jr. who was one of the "Infamous Nine" siblings, and his son William Liston Alexander, (who was also sometimes called by the name of William Alexander, III). ^[9]

The oath of allegiance was taken to King William and his wife Queen Mary in 1689 as they took over control of Maryland from Lord Calvert. Most of the men who signed this oath in Somerset County, MD in 1679 were members of the Presbyterian church, including Wm Alexander, John Steell, and John Miller. ^[10]

Death

Pippenger states that William Alexander died by 1707 in Somerset County, Maryland, ^[1]

1725 First Will

William Alexander, II wrote out a will in 1725, and later wrote a second will in 1732 after his son James passed away early. In his will, he stated that he was a resident of Somerset Co, MD. ^[2] William Alexander II, son of William, died in 1725. ^[2]

1732 Second Will

William Alexander made a second will in 1732. ^[11] In his will, he mentioned leaving some land to his sons which belonged to his father named William Alexander. This is more evidence that his father moved to Somerset Co, MD and owned land there.

The will is dated 3/7/1732, Somerset County, Maryland ^[12]

Manokin Presbyterian Church

A William Alexander was said to be a financial Trustee for the Manokin Presbyterian Church, but it is not clear if this was the original William Alexander, I, or William Alexander, II of this memorial page, or his son William Alexander, III who was also identified as William Liston Alexander. ^[13]

Gravesite

William Alexander, II was said to have a gravesite near the town of Manokin Hundred, where he and his father, William Alexander, I, both lived. It is unclear whether that meant that he had a gravesite at the Manokin Presbyterian Churchyard, or on the family farm the near Manokin Hundred. No headstone has been found yet, for any of the three William Alexanders. ^[2]

The early records of the Manokin Presbyterian Church are missing, prior to 1747. The session records for Manokin and its sister church Wicomico might have burned in a fire around 1717. Coincidentally, virtually all of the earliest Presbyterian church records in Maryland and North Carolina were accidentally destroyed in fires as well. Only a few government records remain from the colonial era, to tell the tale of the "Seven Brothers and Two Sisters" Alexanders in America. ^[2]

Children

Note that the birth dates and places of some of these children conflict with some of the marriage and immigration dates and places shown above. Also, Find a Grave cannot be considered a valid source for an individual so early in the Colonies.

The Find-a-Grave site shows the following children for William Alexander, II and his wife: ^[2]

1. William Liston Alexander (who was also known as William Alexander, III); William Liston Alexander (1670–1745)
2. James Alexander;
3. Samuel Alexander;
4. Moses A. Alexander;
5. Eliza Alexander;
6. Samuel Liston Alexander;
7. Mary Alexander; and
8. Agnes (Alexander) Akins. Agnes Alexander Akins (1712–1748)

Linked on WikiTree

1. John Alexander, born Raphoe 1670
2. Liston Alexander, born Raphoe 1671
3. William Alexander (III) , also William Alexander, Jr, was born about 1674, probably Somerset County, Maryland, He married Catharine Wallace and died 1735 in Somerset County, Maryland, ^[1]

Research Notes

Pippenger Says Further Ancestry is Speculative

Pippenger notes that further ancestry beyond William Alexander, Sr, is unproven. However, he notes that some speculate that ^[1]

1. William Alexander, Sr. was a son of a
2. William Alexander who in turn was a son of
3. John Alexander of Eredy.

Pippenger believes that William's wife Ann Liston was a daughter of Rev. William Liston (d. c.1695) of Letterkenny, Ireland, and perhaps his wife Victoria (d. c.1698). The wills of Rev William Liston and Victoria Liston were once part of the records of the Diocese of Raphoe, now lost. ^[1]

Pippenger notes that Rev. Charles Rogers, in his book "Memorials of the House of Stirling and House of Alexander," suggests John of Eredy came from Tarbert Kintyre, Scotland, and his son John Alexander, Jr.'s will had the seal of the House of Kintyre MacAlisters. Rogers' work also suggests that Rev. James Alexander was the son of William Alexander, and grandson of John Alexander of Eredy, and thus brother to William Alexander of Somerset Co., Md. There is a connection of John Alexander of Eredy to County Donegal, Ireland. ^[1]

Early Alexander Immigrants

Skordas ^[14] shows the following Alexanders, re-arranged by arrival date:

• Alexander, Henry, Transported 1658
• Alexander, A, Son in law of Lawrence Symond, Transported 1663
• Alexander, Charles Transported 1664
• Alexander, Thomas, Transported 1665
• Alexander, Thomas, Immigrated 1667
• Alexander, James, Transported 1678
• Alexander, John, Transported 1679

Note that (1) Transported means someone else paid their way, suggesting they were either family members or indentured servants; immigrants paid their own way; and (2) the dates are the dates land grants were awarded based on their arrival, not necessarily the same year they arrived. Day-1904 22:55, 23 December 2018 (UTC)

Coldham, 1679-1700^[15]

• Alexander, Elizabeth, wife of Capt. Henry, "Yowell", 50 acres,Talbot County, 16 Feb 1685
• Alexander, Capt Henry. "Alexander's Chance" 250 acres, Talbot County, 16 Feb 1685
• Alexander, Thomas, Talbot County, assigns land in June 1679
• Alexander, William. "Hog Quarter, 100 acres, Somerset, and "Rapho", 200 acres, Somerset. 10 November 1695. Note that naming property "Rapho" provides association with Raphoe, County Donegal. Codham, 1701-1730. ^[16]
• Alexander, Samuel. "Sligo", 200 acres, Cecil County, 10 Dec 1714
• Alexander, William. "Daintry", 300 acres, 17 Aug 1728 and "Good Luck", 40 acres, 10 Dec 1715, Somerset County.

Biography Concerns

Our Early Alexander Ancestors

CAVEAT: These family sketches are guidelines, not primary source material. Although the authors have attempted to be accurate, the content represents their opinions or best guesses and should be independently verified by serious researchers.

Seven Brothers, Two Sisters: Ireland to MD Most researchers of this large group of Alexanders who settled in early Somerset County and the New Munster area of Cecil County, MD have believed that they were seven brothers and two sisters who emigrated from County Donegal, Ireland, to Maryland, with a possible stop in VA or elsewhere, starting about 1685. The "seven brothers" have been identified as:

1. William Alexander (ca 1646 - ca 1707) m. Ann Liston

2. Andrew Alexander (ca 1648 - ca 1692/1700) m. Jane McKnitt

3. James Alexander 'weaver' (ca 1652 - 1735) m. Mary Steele

4. John Alexander (ca 1652 - ca 1718) m. Mary Barbary

5. Francis Alexander (ca 1654 - bef 1701) m. Rebecca Unknown

6. Samuel Alexander (ca 1657 - 1733) m. Mary Taylor

7. Joseph Alexander 'tanner' (ca 1660 - 1730) m. Abigail McKnitt

Their "two sisters" have been identified as:

1. Elizabeth Alexander (ca 1650 - ca 1692) m. Matthew Wallace

2. Jane Alexander (ca 1665 - 1693) m. John McKnitt Sr.

Over the years, many researchers have attempted to identify the father of the Seven Brothers, Two Sisters, but none of the commonly mentioned candidates have been shown to be connected through primary source documentation. Before the American Revolution, descendants of the Seven Brothers, Two Sisters migrated to different parts of Maryland and into nearby Pennsylvania. Large branches also migrated to North Carolina in the same time period.

Participants in the ADNA Project have paper trails to Andrew, James, Joseph, and Samuel. These participants match each other closely in their YDNA profiles and also match a few others who apparently descend from these brothers or close cousins also but have no paper trails to them. These participants found roots through this project.

The "Spartanburg Confused Bunch" was long said to descend from James Alexander (known as the weaver); however, DNA evidence appears to rule this out. (See Seven Brothers, Two Sisters: Ireland to MD.) However, they have been connected to another James, James Alexander, Sr, who was b. about 1730, place unknown, and died probably after 1810 in either Spartanburg County, SC, or Blount or Roane County of eastern TN. James and wife, apparently named Mary, lived in Rowan County, NC, inthe 1750s and were in Spartanburg County, SC, by the time of the American Revolution, either by their move or by a move of the colony boundary.

Most members of this DNA project, all of whom match each other closely, descend from James Sr's son James Jr, his son Matthew, and apparently his son William; however, a few participants who are certainly members of this group and match the others very closely may descend an unknown brother or cousin of James Sr instead of one of his sons. The descendants of James Jr and Matthew have paper trails to James Sr, while the probable descendant of William has no paper trail to him but can rely on family tales in his family and Matthew's family claiming kinship between the two groups. The other participants with matching DNA found their kinship through the DNA project; however, their earliest know ancestors lived near James Sr's home county in SC a few years after he was known to live there.

The grouping of The Lancaster, VA, Limb is a result of DNA testing. Two early members of this family group are James Alexander, b. in VA about 1732, d. in VA about 1778, and Anguish Alexander, who died in VA, probably 1742, (will written 28 Feb 1742, recorded 8 Feb 1743); however, it's currently unknown exactly how Anguish relates to James. From information posted by Donna Suzawith: Abstracts Lancaster County, Virginia Wills 1653-1800, W.B. #13, p.321; the Anguish Alexander will mentions: wife Mary, sons James, Jesse, John, Robert, and William; dau. Hannah. Extrx, Wife. Wits. Jno Rogers and Jas. Monro.

The will of James Alexander, b. 1732, was probated 13 July 1778 in St. Stephens Parish, Northumberland, VA. Two members descend from him through his son William, who served in the Revolutionary War.

One member descends from Jesse Alexander, probably the Jesse mentioned in Anguish Alexander's will. Now that the DNA project has brought them together, it is hoped that they can combine family knowledge to help each other.

Additional Notes

[hjackwells3--John MacAlister Alexander.FTW]The Charlotte Mecklenburg Story

" WILLIAM ALEXANDER [Jr.?], who was in Somerset about 1685, acquired HUNTING QUARTER (100 acres) in 1687,8 and HOGG QUARTER (100 acres) at the head waters of Wicomoco Creek (at that time called river) and Manokin River was surveyed for him 25 April 1689. In 1692 he was an assistant to the court in laying out the boundaries for the original parishes in Somerset, as was also his neighbor Matthew Wallace, who was probably his brother-in-law. In September 1690 he witnessed a deed of gift from Reverend Thomas Wilson to his sons Ephraim and Thomas Wilson. The date of his death is not of record, nor the name of his wife. One descendant of his has said that her Christian name was Ann. She may have been a daughter of Reverend William Liston of Letterkenny, for we find that the unusual name Liston was given to one of the grandsons of William Alexander. The only known child of this couple was William Alexander, Jr., whose dates were 1670-1735.8 He married Catherine Wallace. One of his tracts was named RAPHOE.

• 1 A copy of these records in three volumes is in the library of the Presbyterian Historical Society, Witherspoon Bldg., Philadelphia.
• 2 Opus cit., V01, I, 96.
• 3 Somerset County Deed Liber 06, p. 879.4 9 Rent Rolls 156, being Volume I for Somerset and Dorchester Counties ,in the

Land Office at Annapolis.

• 5 Old Somerset, 153.
• 6 ibid, 232.7 Mrs. Jane Zellner Gladney, Stamps AR, in VI Compendium of American Genealogy 248.
• 8 In the Somerset Judicials, 1725-1730, he deposed in January 1725/6 th athe was"aged about 56 years." His will was probated 1735, Somerset Registry of Wills Liber E B pp. 134, 137.
• 9 Somerset County Deed Liber 021, p. 152.10

This was surveyed for him 20 May 1689. It contained 200 acres "in the fork of the Southern most branches of the Rockiawakin There is a well established tradition that seven Alexander brothers, Presbyterians from Scotland who had sojourned a while in the north of Ireland, probably at Raphoe.Co., Donegal, and Sligo,Co., came to Somerset Co. Md. before going on to Cecil Co. If we may judge from the circumstantial evidence remaining, then along with the brothers came two sisters: one, the wife of Matthew Wallace; the other Jane, who married John McKnitt.

Preyer, pg 8-9 has info on the early William. He says that "Lord Baltimore having granted religious toleration, during the 1670's William and his now grown children moved from Virginia and established homes in Somerset County Maryland's Eastern Shore. Also moving from Northampton were Brevard, Davidson, Harris, McKnitt, Polk, Steele and Wallace families." He thinks that William Sr. died soon after the signing the pledge in Somerset which was in Spring of 1689. Also this was signed by William Alexander junior.

Wesley Pippenger. "a page 7 on our Somerset Alexanders - Another Eastern Shore Family line.

It says" as the author is a descendant of the Alexander Family of Somerset County who claim as their ancestors William Alexander and his wife Ann Liston of "Raphoe" plantation in Somerset Co. This William Alexander was by 1666 assigned property in Somerset Co by Thomas Strawbridge.

William Alexander was transported by Peter Gill and Henry White who were granted a patent of 1000 acres on the south side of Chickahominy Creek by a great branch running down same & upper side of land of Thomas Spencer & Hickman, Charles City Co. Va for transporting a William Alexander and 20 other people on 15 Feb 1663 This William b c 1646 and died before 1707 in Somerset Co Md. had a great -grandson John Alexander son of David of Penn (1705-1764) or Robert of Va (1711-1764)

PA Genol Mag Pg 85 to 86 William Alexander, Sr., of Somerset, had a grandson named for William Liston.

Tepper p.7 says "William Alexander & Ann Liston of Raphoe Plantation in Somerset Co.Md, by 1666 assigned property by Thomas Strawbridge.

This William b. 1646 died before 1707 in Somerset. had a great -grandson John Alexander who died c 1767 in Northumberland Co

Nugent Va.'s Cavaliers and Pioneers, starting in Vol. 1 out of 7, first grant was issued in 1623, William among ten other Alexanders that received grants or patents. and these were grants and patents issued between 1623, ( that's 16 years after The Early English stepped ashore in 1607 - William Alexander, who was granted the 50 acres in St. Charles County, Va

DAR Evans " William Alexander . Settled in Somerset Md.abt 1665. Acquired "Hunting Quarter" (100 Acres) in Nov 12,1687 (Somerset Co. DeedLiber 0 6,p.879) and " Hogg Quarter" (100 acres) at the head waters of Wicomoco Creek (at that time called river) and Monilin River, Was surveyed for him 2 5 April 1689.(Rent Rolls) In 1692 he was assistant to the court in laying out the boundaries for the original parishes in Somerset, as was also a neighbor of his sister Elizabeth and brother in law Matthew Wallace (Old S omerset, 153)

It is believed that his wife was Ann Liston of Letterkenny ,Ireland, the dau. of William Liston, minister of the Laggan Presbytery in Northern Ireland. He owned the area in Somerset Co. known as "Raphoe" 300 acres .& ???"Trouble " 200 Acres at the head of the Wicomico River owned by Thomas Strawbridge but possessed by William Alexander (13 Oct 1677) "Daventry" 150 acres owned by John Parsos on south side of head of Wicomico river possessed by Wm. Alexander(19 July 1677)

He had only one son William born 1669/70 who Married Catherine Wallace (Deeds Somerse7) & died in 1735 (one of his sons was given the name of Liston.)

Sister:Margaret Clelland of Scotland , Cousin:Mary Donaldson of Scotland. ( From William's will Stepson, Ephraim Augustine Herman.)

Somerset Co. Md Rent Rolls 1662-1723 compiled by Ruth "Dryder "William Alexander 1 50Acres Tract Surveyed dt/by 18 Dec 1678 Wollen Hardshif. South side of Pocomoke rt side of Humphrey Roads.

William Alexander Jr. 100acres"Troubel " 13 Oct 1677 ( Wicomico 100 Pg 17). William Alexander or son" Hunting Q " Mar 1680 (Wicomico 100 Pg 18).

William Alexander jr."Rapho " 2 0 May 1687 (Nanticoke 100 Pg 78).

William Alexander sr." HoggQ " 28 A pr 1689 ( Wicomoco 100.) Registered his cattle mark in SomersetCo MD. on 3 Mar 1687. THEY LIVED IN SOMERSET: 17TH Century Marylanders from <http://rootsweb.com/~mdsomers/lus1a.htm>

"Alexander, William 1670/11/09 LIV Transf. cattle mark from Thomas Stanbridge "Alex Kin "On page 5, Chapter I of Alex Kin " States William Alexander his cattle mark registered 1687, his son Wm. Jr. and his wife Ann,probab ly Ann Liston, dau of Wm. Liston. dau of William Liston an Ulster Presbyterian minister."

Alex Memorials "The first records of the Alexanders in Maryland, was the birth record of William Jr., s/o Wm Sr. and wife, Ann, b. 1674 Somerset County, Maryland. Ann was believed to have been d/o Rev. William Liston, of Letterkenny, IRE.

Vicus First Families pg 248 " William Alexandr sr. m. Ann Liston dau .Rev. William Liston from Letterkenny Ire."

Tepper p.7 says "William Alexander & Ann Liston of Raphoe Plantation in Somerset Co.Md, by 1666 assigned proprerty by Thomas Strawbridge. This William b. 1646 died before 1707 in Somerset had a great grandson John Alexander who died ca 1767 in Northumberland Co. John Alexander moved to Northumberland when he was quite aged.."

Virkus Vol V p 42 under Arnold, " William Alexander came from Scotland before 1675 and settled in Somerset Co. Md. Issue as known, William jr. m to Catherine.< Tepper pg 3>

A William Alexander sr. and William Alexander jr.eventually resided in Somerset County, MD. No doubt one of these was William Alexander and Ann Liston of Raphoe Plantation in Somerset County MD. William Alexander Sr. was an early settler in Somerset between Aug 1666 and 1700'

Additional Research

Information that might be for this William Alexander...

Maryland State Archives

Somerset Judicial Records 1692-96, Abstracts with Selected Transcriptions

Volume 535, Page 17

MSA C 1774-10

NOVEMBER COURT 1692

99 ~ Petition from certain “Inhabitants of the forest”, who have been ordered to clear a highway, asking that a different route be considered since the present plan was done wholly for the convenience of the overseer; petition granted; signed by John Callwall (Caldwell), Nicholas Tayler, Andrew Speir, Robert Callwall, James Wallace, James Callwall, Matthew Wallace, Andrew Callwall, Robert Wallace, Andrew Wallace, William Wallace, Michael O’Neal, William Wallace, Jun., William Wallace. (See Transcription).

99 ~ Persons appointed to assist Justices in dividing County into Parishes on 22 November;

Mattapony: Thomas Purnell, Henry Hall, William Stevenson, Richard Holland

Pocomoke: John Cornish, John Starett, Alexander Maddux, William Noble

Annimessex: Capt. William Coulbourne, William Planner, Thomas Dixon, Charles Hall

Monokin: Arnold Elzey, Rich Chambers, Capt. Richard Whitty, John Strawbridge

Mony: George Betts, John Laws, John Renshaw, John White

Wiccocomico: Daniel Hast, William Elgate, William Alexander, Matthew Wallis

Nanticoke: Robert Collier, James Weatherly, John Bound, Capt. William Piper

Sheriff ordered to summon them to appear.

https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000535/html/am535--17.html

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Wesley E. Pippenger. Alexander Family Ancestry of Wesley E. Pippenger Revised September 7, 2012. Accessed November 9, 2018 jhd
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} Find A Grave: Memorial #130618261 William Alexander, born 1646. Created by: MarthaHopscotch. Added: 30 May 2014. Accessed December 23, 2018 jhd
3. ↑ Database online. Record for Ann (Araminta) Liston. Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.
4. ↑ Somerset County MDGenWeb 1689 Address of Loyalty from Somerset County Inhabitants to William and Mary Accessed 24 May 2021 jhd
5. ↑ The Find A Grave narrative says, "See the printed page of 520 in the Appendix of the ebook link listed below: [1]
6. ↑ Robert W. Barnes. Maryland Settlers and Their Origins in Europe. In The Maryland & Delaware Genealogist, vol. 5:2 (Apr. 1964), p. 34; vol. 5:3 (July 1964), p. 54; vol. 5:4 (Oct. 1964), p. 74
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} David Hughey cited by Find A Grave
8. ↑ Maryland Gen Web cited by Find-a-Grave.
9. ↑ Maryland Gen Web cited by Find a Grave
10. ↑ Maryland Gen Web, cited by Find a Grave
11. ↑ Frances Alexander Butterworth, "Records of the Family of the House of Alexander", pages 8 and 9.
12. ↑ book E. B. 9, folio 174; David Hughey
13. ↑ E-Book page 7, cited by Find a Grave
14. ↑ Gust Skordas. Early Settlers of Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1968, page 5
15. ↑ Peter Wilson Coldham. Settlers of Maryland 1679-1700. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1995, page 2-3
16. ↑ Peter Wilson Coldham. Settlers of Maryland 1701-1730. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co, 1995, page 2