Alexander Henderson, Sr.

First Henderson to come to America in 1756 from Glasgow, Scotland.

Henderson was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He moved to Colchester, Virginia in 1756.

Henderson served in the Virginia militia during the American Revolution. He represented Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Delegates 1783–1784 and Prince William County 1789–1790. He was a Virginia delegate to the Mount Vernon Conference in 1785 which led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He also served as a vestryman at Pohick Church and a magistrate of Fairfax and Prince William Counties.

Henderson moved to Dumfries, Virginia in 1787, where his home still stands. There he opened a store with additional outlets later opening in Colchester, Occoquan, and Alexandria and leading him to be considered the "father of the American chain store."

Henderson was the father of Archibald Henderson, the longest-serving Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, who served from 1820 to 1859.

In the 1770's there were over twenty men acting as justices at the court in Alexandria. During their career the justices rotated through most of the county offices. At most sessions of Court in 1771, the following prominent Fairfax gentlemen sat at the bench -- George William Fairfax, Alexander Henderson, George Mason, and George Washington. Another justice, John West, recorded the minutes. The court met once a month with sessions lasting for about two days with all cases for the month being called. Apparently not much time was spent on any given case as George Washington was home in time for supper most sessions and was occasionally home for dinner (lunch). (taken from https://hendersonhallwv.com/history.html)

Owned land in Prince William and Fairfax Counties in Virginia

Owned a farm on Pignut Ridge in Fauquier County and property at Reedy Creek and Cow Creek

Virginia General Assembly 1783-85 representing Fairfax County

                                        1789-90 representing Prince William County

Started out as a Factor of John Galsford of Scotland, later to become partners with him.

Owned stores in Colchester, Occoquan, Alexandria, and Dunfries Virginia

Virginia delegate to the “Compact of 1785”. Partially held at Mount Vernon, at the behest of George Washington, the meetings resulted in guaranteed free navigation of the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay. This “compact” laid the ground work for the Annapolis Convention of 1786, which resulted in the famous Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Will dated 2/24/1815

Historic Henderson House still stands on Duke Street in Dumfries.

Plaque on house reads:

Henderson House

Built 1785

Alexander Henderson

Patriot of American Revolution

Placed by the Bill of Rights Chapter

Daughters of American Revolution

1978

On September 21, 2003, the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter, Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution commemorated the patriotism of Alexander and Sarah Henderson. Two of Henderson’s descendants were in attendance.

GEDCOM Note

Scots Colonists: America, 1612-1783, Surnames, G-H, Page 131 Henderson, Alexander, b. 1737, merchant, edu. Glascow Univ. 1748, res. Blantyre, Lanarkshire, pts, Rev. Richard Henderson, sh, 1756, sett. Colchester and Dumfries, Va, m. Sarah

Scots on the Chesapeake, 1607-1830, Surnames, G-H, Page 68 lists Henderson, Alexander , b. 1737, s. of Rev, Richard Henderson, res. Blantyre, Lanarkshire, merchant and tobacco factor, edu. Glascow Univ.1748, sett. Colchester, Occoquan, and Dumfries, Va., m. sarah