Among the early colonists, the Alexander family was conspicuous for worth, ability and service toward the progress and establishment of the nation. The history of the family is necessarily brief.

1. John, Lord of the Isles—Margaret Stewart, daughter of Robert II, King of Scotland. From this marriage are descended all of the Alexanders. Their third son, named Alexander, had issue, Alexander, second son, who married, 1480, and his son, Thomas Alexander obtained "Menstrie," 1505.

Andrew Alexander, son of Thomas Alexander of "Menstrie,"—Catharine Graham, 1500, and had Alexander Alexander, who married Elizabeth Douglas, and their youngest son, Andrew Alexander, succeeded to "Menstrie," 1544. His son, Alexander Alexander of Menstrie—Elizabeth Forges. Their eldest soil was William Alexander of "Menstrie," whose eldest "son—Marion Contee, 1567, and their only son, William Alexander, Lord of Stirling—Janet Erskine. Their son, John Alexander, was the emigrant to Virginia, 1659. This complete Scotch history is taken from the "House of Alexander," a rare old Scotch book, down to the advent of John Alexander in Virginia, who purchased all of the land lying between "Hunting Creek" in the South, and the little falls of the Potomac on the North, including the sites of Hunting Creek Warehouse and Arlington

William Alexander, of Menstrie, bore for arms per pale ar. and sa. a chev. and in base a crescent, all counter charged, quartering McDonald. Crest —a bear sejant, erect ppr. Motto:"Per mare, per terras." Arms of Alexander of Menstrie, first Earl of Stirling, from whom the Virginia family is deduced. He was born 1580, died in London, 1640; knighted, 1613; created Earl of Stirling, 1633.

For the purpose of encouraging the formation of settlements in Canada, Charles I founded the "Order of Nova Scotia Baronets" in Scotland, and Sir William Alexander Lord Stirling was created Viscount Canada, and made Secretary of State for Scotland. Sir William Alexander was a poet of some merit. His son, William Alexander, married and died, 1638 (in the lifetime of his father), leaving in infant William Alexander, who became the second Earl of Stirling, but dying in 1640, the title passed to his uncle, Sir Anthony Alexander, third Earl of Stirling, who, dying without an heir, the title passed to his brother, Sir Henry Alexander, fourth Earl of Stirling, in whose family it remained until it passed to the descendants of his brother, John Alexander, who had emigrated to America and died, 1667. His son, John Alexander married Miss Grahame, sold his home, Gartmore, in Scotland, emigrated to America, 1660, and settled in Stafford county, Virginia. His son, John Alexander, called Capt. John Alexander probably came over with his father, and obtained Howson's patent in 1669, which embraced all the land from "Great Falls of the Potomac to Great Hunting Creek." He married, had two sons, the "eldest sonne and heire," Robert Alexander, married Frances, daughter of Charles Ashton, will probated 1704. Their son, Robert Alexander, born 1688, died 1735, married Ann (daughter of Col. Gerard Fowke, of Maryland). Issue: John, Gerard Alexander, Sarah and Parthenia. (Will on record). Gerard Alexander, son of Robert and Ann Fowkes, died 1761, married Mary Dent. In will proved in Halifax, names wife, Mary Dent, daughter, Nancy Alexander , sons, Robert, Philip, George Dent Alexander, Gerard, and daughter, Mary Ann. George Dent Alexander died without issue. Gerard married Elizabeth Ashton, daughter of Col. William Alexander, of Effingham, and wife, Massey; Nancy married Fielding, eldest son of Col.Fielding Lewis and wife, Betty Washington,, sister of President George Washington. The will of George Dent Alexander, who died without issue, shows legacies left to the sons of Fielding Lewis (his nephews). Nancy Alexander married Fielding, son of Col. Fielding Lewis and Betty Washington, and had children: John, George, Charles, Robert, Elizabeth, Catharine, Nancy and Lucinda.

• http://wvancestry.com/ReferenceMaterial/Files/Some_Alexander_Family_Records.pdf
• Rogers, Rev. Charles LL.D., 1877, Memorials of the Earl of Stirling and of the House of Alexander, Vol.,