Alexander McIntosh

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Alexander McIntosh was the son of John McIntosh of Holm and Janet Baillie. His grandfather was Angus McIntosh of Holm. His father was first married to Anne McGillivray which produced his half brother William McIntosh of Holm who never came to America. His brother, John McIntosh, did come to America as did Alexander. Alexander's aunt, Catherine McIntosh, married Lieutenant Benjamin McIntosh, son of the "old Brigadier of Borlum" who came to America in 1736 and whose descendants played a large role in Colonial Georgia and the Revolution. [1] Alexande12s father came to Georgia in 1736.[2] It is not clear whether Alexander came to Georgia with his father or was born in Georgia. Since his father married Janet Baillie in 1724, it is most likely he was born in Scotland and the family came nith John in 1736 or followed at some later date. Alexander McIntosh was a cousin to Lachlan Lia McGillivray on his mother's side. [3]

Alexander first appears in the record in 1767 where he is an elected member of the West Florida Commons House of Assembly representing the Mobile district. [5] To have been elected to the Assembly this early, he probably arrived soon after the British took possession of Florida in 1764. He served in every session from 1767 through 1772. Darlymple[6] writes that he began his career in West Florida as a Captain of Provincial troops about the time Major Farmer arrived as military commander. In 1768 Alexander McIntosh and John McGillivray were appointed to a commission to hear and adjudicate disputes that may arise on the duties imposed on slaves imported into the colony [7] By 1769 he was in the trading business under the name of Alexander McIntosh & Co. and was located in Natchez on the Mississippi River. He may have had some difficulty getting started, since John Fitzpatrick, the merchant broker at Manchac, would not accept his draft until it was confirmed by McGillivray & Struthers. [8] Apparently there was a business relationship between John McGillivray and Alexander. Alexander first appears in the record in 1767 where he is an

elected member of the West Florida Commons House of Assembly 

representing the Mobile district. [5] To have been elected to the 

Assembly this early, he probably arrived soon after the British took 

possession of Florida in 1764. He served in every session from 1767 

through 1772. Darlymple[6] writes that he began his career in West 

Florida as a Captain of Provincial troops about the time Major 

Farmer arrived as military commander. 

In 1768 Alexander McIntosh and John McGillivray were 

appointed to a commission to hear and adjudicate disputes that 

may arise on the duties imposed on slaves imported into the colony 

[7] By 1769 he was in the trading business under the name of 

Alexander McIntosh & Co. and was located in Natchez on the 

Mississippi River. He may have had some difficulty getting started, 

since John Fitzpatrick, the merchant broker at Manchac, would not 

accept his draft until it was confirmed by McGillivray & Struthers. 

[8] Apparently there was a business relationship between John 

McGillivray and Alexander. 

He was also at this time acting as an interpreter which indicates he had spent considerable time in the Indian country. Interpreters had to be fluent in the Indian language and acceptable to both sides, although sometimes each side had their own interpreter. They developed their credibility over many years by truthfully interpreting for both sides. Alexander was later doing business under the name of Miller McIntosh Co.[9] Alexander in 1770 was granted five hundred acres near Natchez and another five hundred acres in 1772 near Point Coupee just upriver from Baton Rouge. He was married to Anne Shell or Shield and they lived on their plantation near Point Coupee. They lived there for a few years before moving to Natchez and settling on a plantation there. They were living there when the Spanish captured the town in 1779.[10] He was also at this time acting as an interpreter which indicates

he had spent considerable time in the Indian country. Interpreters 

had to be fluent in the Indian language and acceptable to both sides, 

although sometimes each side had their own interpreter. They 

developed their credibility over many years by truthfully 

interpreting for both sides. Alexander was later doing business 

under the name of Miller McIntosh Co.[9] 

Alexander in 1770 was granted five hundred acres near Natchez 

and another five hundred acres in 1772 near Point Coupee just 

upriver from Baton Rouge. He was married to Anne Shell or Shield 

and they lived on their plantation near Point Coupee. They lived 

there for a few years before moving to Natchez and settling on a 

plantation there. They were living there when the Spanish captured 

the town in 1779.[10] 

Some prominent and wealthy traders got their start by trading rum "in the woods, " and no doubt Adair was resentful of these young upstarts invading his trading domain. Alexander was affiliated vvith McGillivray, Struthers, Swanson, Mackintosh and Company. He was responsible for escorting the skins to New Orleans and Mobile and returning väth merchandise and Indian trade goods. He would transport the skins downriver to the point of high tide and there they were placed aboard waiting schooners. In May 1770, he boarded a schooner under command of Captain Gerome. Fitzpatrick, wrote to John McGillivray, and said that Alexander, on his return from Mobile, became stranded on Cat Island for fourteen days due to the "carelessness" of the ship's captain. After running short of food, he made his way inland with the help of two "hired hands." He employed eight Indians and some Some prominent and wealthy traders got their start by trading

rum "in the woods, " and no doubt Adair was resentful of these 

young upstarts invading his trading domain. 

Alexander was affiliated vvith McGillivray, Struthers, Swanson, 

Mackintosh and Company. He was responsible for escorting the 

skins to New Orleans and Mobile and returning väth merchandise 

and Indian trade goods. He would transport the skins downriver to 

the point of high tide and there they were placed aboard waiting 

schooners. In May 1770, he boarded a schooner under command of 

Captain Gerome. Fitzpatrick, wrote to John McGillivray, and said 

that Alexander, on his return from Mobile, became stranded on Cat 

Island for fourteen days due to the "carelessness" of the ship's 

captain. After running short of food, he made his way inland with 

the help of two "hired hands." 

Perhaps earlier, but by 1773 McIntosh & Co. was in partnership Ivith McGillivray & Struthers. Fitzpatrick reported to McGillivray that Alexander was busy selling his skins for cash so he could settle his accounts. [14] Alexander owned some 3950 acres on the Tombigbee and Mississippi Rivers by 1773 and was to acquire much more over the next few years. By 1779 he owned an additional 6850 acres.[15] Alexander also attended to his social and civic duties by being a •witness to published banns in Mobile on 10 August 1770 where he is identified as an Indian trader .[16] He was also in the slave trade where he loaned money taking slaves as collateral.[17] Perhaps earlier, but by 1773 McIntosh & Co. was in partnership

Ivith McGillivray & Struthers. Fitzpatrick reported to McGillivray 

that Alexander was busy selling his skins for cash so he could settle 

his accounts. [14] 

Alexander owned some 3950 acres on the Tombigbee and 

Mississippi Rivers by 1773 and was to acquire much more over the 

next few years. By 1779 he owned an additional 6850 acres.[15] 

Alexander also attended to his social and civic duties by being a 

•witness to published banns in Mobile on 10 August 1770 where he is 

identified as an Indian trader .[16] He was also in the slave trade 

where he loaned money taking slaves as collateral.[17]