Alexander Colden

Alexander – born August 13, 1716 in Philadelphia and he died in December 12, 1774 at age 58. He married Elizabeth, second daughter of Richard Nicholls, Esq. of New York City. Richard Nicholls (variations of the name exist, Nichols, Nicolls, etc). Richard Nicholls was the grandson of Captain Mathias Nicholls, a kinsman of a seventeenth century Governor of New York. Elizabeth died March 4, 1774 at Springhill. Both were buried in the family vault in the Trinity Church yard. Alexander was appointed Ranger of Ulster County in 1737 when Montgomery (Hanover) was part of Ulster. He also operated a store in Coldengham at an early age and by 1743, Alexander owned a Newburgh store, wharf, sailing ships and the first mill on the Quassaick Creek. He dominated Newburgh commerce and he operated the first ferry to New York City and Fishkill, across the Hudson River. He became a very wealthy man. In 1751, he was appointed joint Surveyor General of New York and he became acting Surveyor General when his father became acting governor in 1761. He also became Postmaster of New York and vestryman at the prestigious Trinity Church in NYC. Alexander’s will is dated September 24, 1773 and he gave valuable rings and considerable funds, horses, pistols and other property to his children, brothers and sisters and other relatives, including his brother-in-law, Dr. William Farguhar, widower of his sister, Jane. The children of Elizabeth and Alexander Colden are identified later in this document.