Hugh Alexander

Descendants, p. 115

DAR# A001163

Hugh Alexander,

Farmer, Carpenter, and Assemblyman

Early years as a Carpenter and Farmer

Hugh was born in 1724 in Glasgow, Scotland. Little is known about his early childhood in America as his family’s house and papers were burned by the Indians in 1754. During these early times the family fled from Indian raids several times, fleeing Sherman’s Valley and returning to their old home on the “Eastern Shore of Maryland” and then returning to find their habitation burned.

As the custom of the day to learn a useful trade, Hugh learned those of a wheelwright and carpenter. At the age of 18, Hugh had an apprentice named William Brown whom he helped learn the trade. Hugh practiced his trades in Nottingham, Chester, Co., PA and was also engaged in agriculture. He married Martha Edmiston in 1752 in Sherman’s Valley. Various records show his activity between 1753-1766 in the area. He had a tract of land surveyed in Sherman’s Valley and warranted land the day the land office opened. About 1758 Hugh established himself permanently on his farm in Sherman’s Valley, Cumberland County, on his tract of 1100 acres and built a stone house in 1766. The cornerstone of Hugh and Martha’s house still stands. (This area is now in Madison Township, Perry Co.) See photo of cornerstone sent by the historical society. The A is evidently the initial of the family name, Alexander, and the H and M on a lower line probably refer to the first initials of the builders, Hugh and Martha. The date probably is connected with the early occupation of the lands. The S. and N. evidently refer to the directions of the compass, and the stone was evidently used to mark their claim.

During this time frame Hugh made with his own hands for his brother James, a secretary with drawers below, and slip and pigeon-holes above for books and papers with hinged lid to close and lock upward or to open for a writing desk. The drawers were bordered with vine work of inlaid wood of lighter color. At the time the Alexander book was written in 1878, this heirloom was still preserved in the old homestead of James by his grandson Napoleon B. Alexander of Kishacoquillas Valley.

He was a Colonel during the Indian Wars and about the close of the wars in 1763 he was driven from his home in Sherman’s Valley; fleeing with his young family to Nottingham, in Chester County. Upon his return he passed through Paxtang and his route would have taken him on the Harris Ferry (now Harrisburg) and over the Blue Mountains.

In September 1766 Hugh Alexander and a group of men in trust for the Centre Presbyterian Church took up the lands upon which the church stands. It is the oldest church still in regular use in Perry County.

Hugh’s energy and success were evident by the fact that in 1777 he had acquired, besides his farm, tracks of land in Lost Creek and Kishacoquillas Valleys and on the North Brand of the Susquehanna.

His first wife Martha passed away in 1771 and he remarried about 1773 Lettice Thompson, a widow.

The children of Hugh and his first wife Martha were: Margaret, John, Mary (our ancestor), David, and Hugh. By the second marriage he had a son, James and a pair of twins, William and Emily.

Hugh’s later years as an Assemblyman for Cumberland County

The Pennsylvania Constitution and Hugh Alexander

Hugh Alexander’s name appears on a list published in a newspaper “Pennsylvania Packet” that includes deputies attending a meeting at Carlisle Jan. 1, 1775. At this meeting they supported measures passed by the Continental Congress in April of 1974. And Hugh was a very big part of the Declaration of Independence of 1776. On June 18, 1776 he was one of the deputies for the Committee of Safety from Cumberland Co. who by the order of the Colony of Pennsylvania met in the city of Philadelphia.

The Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania declared their sense of right and convictions of duty for themselves and their constituents: “We the deputies of the people of PA, assembled in full conference, now in this public manner declare our willingness to concur in a vote of Congress declaring the united colonies free and independent States.”

He was a signer of the Pennsylvania Constitution of Sept. 28, 1776. The President was Benjamin Franklin. As a provision of this Constitution, he was elected by the people as a member of the first free Legislature. They met in Carpenter's Hall, November 38, 1776. Hugh Alexander, William Clarke and James Brown were the first Assemblymen from Cumberland. (As the colonies prepared for a revolution in 1775, Pennsylvania faced a conflict of its own. Dissatisfaction with its conservative governing body, which had not supported any proposals for independence, had led to the formation of local “committees” that were demanding major change. In June 1776, committee representatives traveled to Philadelphia to elect delegates, including Benjamin Franklin, to draft the state’s first constitution.

Hugh’s career as a legislature was short lived as he died in 1777/1778 and Lettice became a widow for the second time. The last-born children, William and Emily, were born nearly nine months after the death of their father.

The family moves on and his legacy continues.

According to his daughter, Margaret, Hugh Alexander’s death occurred as follows:

“His wife and family were against his return to the Assembly (he had come home to see his son, John back from the Revolutionary War), but he went anyway along with his son John, to aid him in case of need. He reached the hall just before the hour to organize, was taken suddenly worse from fatigue and was carried to his lodgings, where he died shortly after. His parents bought a spot for sixty dollars in the old Spruce Street burying-ground, and buried him there. He was moved to an unknown location in 1832 or 1834.”

After the death of Hugh, Lettice moved with her children James and Emily to McKeesport, Allegheny County, PA. When these children married, she moved and lived in Butler County, PA. with a son by her first marriage.

Steve’s ancestor Mary married Robert Clark from another notable Colonial family in the area and her story can be found with the Clark family.

Hugh’s son Hugh became a prosperous farmer in Tuscarora Valley, now in Juniata County, PA. He also served as a ranger on the frontiers in Cumberland County militia in 1781. He was one of the founders of Tuscarora Academy, the first secondary school in Juniata County that has been restored as part of the “Pennsylvania Trail of History”.

His eldest son John volunteered to reinforce Washington’s army on the Delaware in Dec. 1776 and participated in the capture of Hessians at Trenton on December 26. (The crossing of the Delaware!) He married Margaret Clark from the same colonial family of Clarks that Steve’s ancestor Mary married into.

Hugh’s brother James served in the Commissary Department of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge in the memorable winters of 1777-78.

Note: During this time and through the 1800’s counties in this area of Pennsylvania and Maryland grew, new townships were formed and counties were divided, reducing the original area. Perry County was part of Cumberland and did not become a county until 1820. In 1754 lands within Cumberland County, now Perry County became a new township Sherman’s Valley. Later a new township, Madison was formed

His signature can be found on the 2nd page of the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776. Presiding President was Benjamin Franklin.

From "Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey" for Shangle:

Hugh Alexander, the pioneer ancestor of the family of which Mattie A. (Alexander) Shangle is a representative, was the eldest son of John of Lanark, and was born either in Scotland or in County Armagh, Ireland. He was probably a lad of twelve years when his father's family emigrated to America, 1736. Hugh Alexander learned the trades of wheelwright and carpenter, and practiced these trades in West Nottingham, Chester county, on the Octorara, in connection with agricultural pursuits. Prior to his residence in Nottingham, in 1757, he was the owner of land in Tyrone township, Cumberland county (now Perry county), in Sherman's Valley, Pennsylvania. There is a reliable tradition that Mr. Alexander and his wife fled several times from Sherman's Valley back to their old home on the eastern shore of Maryland from Indian raids, and returned to find their habitation burned. About 1758 he established himself permanently on his farm in Sherman's Valley. His tract contained eleven hundred acres. In 1777 he acquired tracts of land in Lost Creek and Kishacoquillas Vallevs, and on the north branch of the Susquehanna. Hugh Alexander was one of the deputies from Cumberland county to the Continental congress, and this conference of deputies issued an address to the Associators or Patriotic Volunteers of Pennsylvania, made a declaration in favor of Independence, passed resolutions for raising six thousand troops for the "Flying Camp" of ten thousand, and made arrangements for the election of delegates from the counties to a constitutional convention. Hugh Alexander, William Clarke and James Brown were the first assemblymen from Cumberland. Mr. Alexander took his seat in that body January 13, 1777, and January 27, he was

on a committee which reported a bill on excise, license and taxes, which passed into a law. His labors in the assembly were destined to a speedy termination, as his death occurred either in February or March, 1777.

Hugh Alexander married, 1752, Martha Edmiston, born 1733-34, of Lower West Nottingham, Cecil county, Maryland, daughter of David and Margaret (Donnel) Edmiston, the former of whom was born in 1700, died November 2, 1771. Their children were: Margaret, John, see forward; Mary, David and Hugh. Hugh Alexander married (second) Mrs. Lettice Thompson, about 1773, who bore him three children: James, William and Emily, twins.

John Alexander, eldest son of Hugh and Martha (Edmiston) Alexander, was born either in Nottingham, Chester county, or in Sherman's Valley, then in Cumberland, but now in Perry county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1756. His childhood and youth were spent on his father's farm in Sherman's Valley, near Landisburg, on the waters of Sherman's creek. He hastened with other volunteers to reinforce Washington's army on the Delaware in December, 1776, and participated in the capture of the Hessians at Trenton, December 26, which turned the tide of victory and revived the desponding spirit of the nation. After the death of his father, in 1777, the settlement of his estate and the care of the younger children fell upon John and his step-mother, who were named as executors. In 1787, accompanied by his wife and three children, John Alexander removed to a tract of about one thousand acres in Little Valley, Pennsylvania, which lay four miles northeast from Lewistown, the county seat of Mifflin county, and one mile east of Freedom Iron Works. He was one of the founders of the Little Valley church, and for many years and until his death was an active ruling elder.

John Alexander married, about the year 1780, Margaret Clark, of Sherman's Valley, who bore him the following children: Frances. Hugh, Samuel Edmiston, see forward; Martha, Thomas Clark, Margaret, Mary and John. The father of these children died November 23, 1816, aged about sixty years and his wife died November, 1834, and both are buried in the graveyard of the Stone (now Brick) Presbyterian Church in East Kishacoquillas. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Alexander lived a widow for eighteen years in the homestead with her youngest son, John Alexander.

Hon. Samuel Edmiston Alexander, second son of John and Margaret (Clark) Alexander, was born in Sherman's Valley, January 17, 1785. He was called after Dr. Samuel Edmiston, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, who was a brother of his maternal grandmother, Martha Edmiston. He was two years of age when his parents removed to Little Valley, near Lewistown. Besides farming, he also learned in his youth to use the tools of the smith and carpenter, but employed this skill only for private purposes. After his marriage he established himself on a portion of his father's tract, which was mostly a forest, and this he cleared and improved, making of it one of the best cultivated farms in that section of the country. He sought no public offices, yet his fellow-citizens entrusted him with those of county commissioner and associate judge. He was an active and efficient elder of the Presbyterian church for forty years, taking an interest in all that pertained to its temporal and spiritual prosperity, giving liberally, attending punctually, and delighting to entertain the clergy, who often enjoyed his generous hospitality.

Hon. Samuel E. Alexander married, December 28, 1809. Mary Alexander, daughter of James Alexander, of West Kishacoquillas; they were second cousins. Their children were: Belinda, born November 16. 1810. Jane Adams, January 12, 1813. John Edmiston. June 2, 1815, see forward. Margaret Ann, September 22, 1817. James Hamilton, November 19, 1819. Emily, January 22, 1822. Mary Elizabeth, March 25, 1824. Frances Martha, February 14, 1826, died September 22, 1846. ' Samuel Hugh. January 27, 1828. William Annan. August 19, 1830. Milton Clark, September 28. 1832, died September 5, 1840. Harriet Rosanna, December 15, 1834. Henrv Price, September 22, 1837. David Bingham. July 27, 1838. Thomas Howard. July 2, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander celebrated their golden wedding, December 28, 1859, ar|d there were present a number of children, grandchildren, other relatives, friends and neighbors, who enjoyed the ceremonies and festivities. Samuel E. Alexander died January 17. 1862, on his seventy-seventh birthday. His wife died December 9, 1869, in the seventyseventh year of her age, and was buried with her husband and children in the graveyard of the Little Valley Presbyterian Church.

John Edmiston Alexander, eldest son of Hon. Samuel E. and Mary (Alexander) Alexander, was born June 2, 1815, died April 4, 1902. His early youth was spent on his father's farm in Little Valley, Pennsylvania. Manifesting a fondness for study he became a pupil at Lewiston Academy, and later entered Jefferson College, where he graduated under the presidency of the eldei Dr. Brown, 1839. Having become a Christian in the second year at college, he changed his choice of a profession from law to divinity, and entered Princeton Theological Seminary, 1839, and graduated under Drs. Archibald Alexander, John Miller, Charles Hodge, and Joseph Addison Alexander, 1842. After being licensed by the Huntingdon Presbytery in June of the same year, he supplied the Presbyterian church of Indiana. Indiana county, Pennsylvania, for four months. In the autumn of 1843 he received a unanimous call to the pastorate over the churches of Washington and Senecaville, Guernsey county, Ohio, containing an aggregate of three hundred and twenty communicants. He served this large and 'laborious charge for ten years, with gratifying success, until compelled, by severe bronchial disease, to resign his pastorate and to seek the benefit of a milder climate, in Florida, 1852. Having returned from the south improved in health, but still disabled for the pulpit, he was appointed principal of the Miller Academy by the Presbytery of Zanesville, 1853, m which he had good success until the school was closed, 1862, by the effects of the Civil war. In the spring of 1863 Mr. Alexander removed from Ohio to New Jersey, and founded the Hightstown Classical Institute, over which he presided for nine years. Here he made a specialty of aiding and educating young men preparing for the ministry. July 8, 1872, he removed to Elkton, Maryland, and conducted the academy there for two years, and April 1. 1875, moved to Ridley Park, Delaware c-ountv. Pennsylvania, and for six months taught in Ridley Park Academy and preached to a small congregation slathered at that place. Having received a call from the Presbyterian church of Greeneville, East Tennessee, he removed to that place Octobr 15, 1875, taking charge of the church. He was also principal of Washington College at Greeneville. Tennessee. In July. 1876, he compesed and published a "Historical Sketch of Greeneville Church," one of the first organized wes' of the Alleghanies.

Rev. John E. Alexander married (first), November 22, 1842, Mary, born October 22, 1820, in Kishacoquillas Valley, died December 5, 1854, daughter of Robert Milliken, an elder of the East Kishacoquillas church. Their children were: I. Samuel Milliken, born in Ohio, March 29, 1844, married Emma Norris, of Hightstown, has five children: Benjamin Franklin, born January 27, 1867; Mary Ann, July 12, 1868; James Norris, May 8, 1871; Sarah Blanche, December 18, 1872; Raymond, January 8, 1875. 2. Anna Mary, born in Ohio, November 28, 1847, died August 17, 1868, buried in the cemetery at Hightstown, New Jersey. 3. Robert Wilson, born April 14, 1846, married Helen Phelps, two children: Albert Wilson and Mary Milliken Alexander. 4. Martha A. (Mattie), born November 26, 1849, a" forementioned as the wife of John Rogers Shangle. 5. John E., born April 26. 1854, died at his father's residence in Elkton, Maryland. Rev. John E. Alexander married (second), December 28, 1858, Catherine Milligan Potter, of Steubenville, Ohio, daughter of Daniel Potter, son of the Rev. Lyman Potter, who had emigrated from Vermont to Ohio in 1800. Her father was long a ruling elder in the first Presbyterian church in Steubenville. Her mother was Mary (Milligan) Potter, a daughter of John and Catherine Milligan, and a native of Cecil county, Maryland. Mrs. Alexander was a member of the Presbyterian church of Steubenville, and a graduate of the Female Seminary under Dr. and Mrs. Beatty. Their children were: Katie, born in Washington, Ohio, May 20, 1861. Daniel Potter, born in Washington, Ohio, March 5, 1863. Susan, born in Hightstown, New Jersey, June 5, 1865. William, born in Hightstown, New Jersey, September 18, 1868.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1776. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS MEMBERS.(Pennsylvania Consitution)

RY WM. H. EQLE, M.D.

[From the time of William Penn to the Declaration of Independence, the government of Pennsylvania was administered under the Royal Charter granted to the founder, and the several concessions made by him to the settlers. The prosperity which was attained under this form of government endeared it to the majority of those living in the Province, and all attempts failed to change it in any of its vital points.

The most perilous period of its existence was the decade of years following the defeat of Braddock. At the time of that event, the inhabitants of the western frontier counties, having no scruples about bearing arms, were clamorous for the adoption of measures to prevent the incursions of the French and Indians. The Assembly, however, was under the influence of the Friends, and an anti-proprietary party, which opposed the expenditure of money for any purpose unless the estates of the Penns were subjected to the same taxation as those of others. Under these circumstances it was with the greatest difficulty that the Province was placed upon a war footing, and a feeling of uneasiness and anxiety was awakened that could not be allayed even by retreat of the Proprietaries from the stand they had taken, or the successful close of the war—the confidence of many having been shaken in the belief that the existing form of government was the best that could be devised for the Province.

By 1774, quiet had in a great measure returned to the legislative councils of Pennsylvania. In that year the conduct of Tories in the Assembly, under the lead of Galloway, awakened the ill feeling against the Proprietary Charter, which had well nigh died out, and the sins of those who acted under it were visited upon the instrument itself. The people lent a more willing ear to the dictates of the Committees of Safety, and to the wishes of the Continental Congress than to the Assembly, and the government soon became a mere semblance of authority.

The advice of Congress, in May, 1776, that governments sufficient to the exigencies of affairs should be established in such Colonies as they did not already exist, was seized upon by the zealous Whigs of Pennsylvania as the excuse for the abrogation of the old government. A conven tion to form a new Constitution was called early in July, and it is to the biographical sketches of the members of that body, that we now invite the attention of our readers. We will not attempt to say aught regarding the merits of their labors, as opinions regarding them could probably be debated with as much warmth to-day as they were daring the last century. That the necessity for some change in the government was thought indispensable is obvious from the faint resistance that was made to the choosing of delegates.

When the work of the Convention was made public, it called forth the opposition of a number of Whigs, who had not lost faith in the old government. While giving a hearty support to the cause of the Revolution, they thought the true interests of Pennsylvania could be best served by the election of men of undoubted patriotism to office under its original charter. The views of this class will be found expressed in Charles Thomson's letters to William Ileury Drayton (pensa. Mao., vol. ii. p. 420), and they never appear to have changed their'opinions in the case. Gen. John Cadwalader, one of the number, was so opposed to the constitution of '70, that he became a citizen of Maryland ruthur thau live under it.

The motives of the men who formed the Convention have remained unquestioned. Unlearned in statecraft, they framed what they thought the best form of government for the people they represented, and as their lives will show gave many anxious days for its protection and support.—Ed.]

Alexander, Hugh, of Cumberland Co., the eldest son of John Alexander and Margaret Glasson, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in the year 1724. His parents came to America in 1736, and settled in West Nottingham, Chester County —but prior to 1753 removed and took up land in Sherman's Valley, now Perry County. Mr. Alexander was a deputy to the Provincial Conference of June, 1776, and a member of the Convention which met on July 15 of that year. Under the first Constitution he was chosen a Member of the Assembly, taking his seat on November 28th. His public life was brief, for he died while a member of that body, in the early part of the year 1777, in Philadelphia, and was interred in the Spruce Street burying-ground. He married, first, in 1753, Martha Edmeston, daughter of Dr. David Edmeston, of Fagg's ';Manor, by whom they had—Margaret, b. 1754, m. Capt. John Hamilton, of Fermanagh, in 1772; John, b. 1756, m. Margaret Clark, of Sherman's Valley, in 1780; Mary, b. 1760, m. Robert Clark in 1780; David, b. 1762, m. Margaret Miller in 1780; Hugh, b. 1765, m. Jemima Patterson, of Juniata Co., in 1787. Secondly, Mr. Alexander married Mrs. Lettice Thompson, and had—James, b. 1775, lived and died at McKcesport, Pennsylvania; William and Emily, b. 1777. Mr. Alexander was a staunch Whig, and took Vol. in.—7

a very active part in the organization of the Associators of Cumberland County. A rigid Presbyterian of the Rev. George Duffield's congregation; he was a man of pure and high character, and his memory is held in esteem by numerous descendants, scattered through the West and South.

HRONOLOGY for Hugh ALEXANDER (1724-1777) -

1724 The eldest son of John ALEXANDER and Margaret GLASSON, was born near Glasgow, Scotland.

1736 His parents came to America and settled in West Nottingham, Chester Co., PA. Learned trades of wheelwright and carpenter. An indenture dated 13 Oct 1757 has Hugh ALEXANDER of West Nottingham contracting to teach his trade to a William BROWN.

1752 Married Martha EDMISTON, daughter of David EDMISTON, of Cecil Co., MD. The same David EDMISTON took out an order of survey, No. 1990, on the 27th of November, 1766, for 300 acres adjoining Hugh ALEXANDER, although he never live on the tract.

31 Mar 1753 The oldest document pertaining to his business, in the possession of the writer (Rev. John E. Alexander), is a receipt for 50 bushels of wheat which he delivered to one Henry Willis. ["A Record of Descend. of John Alexander".]

1754 In consequence of the burning of his house and papers by the Indians, little can be known of his early youth.

3 Feb 1755 Warranted 344 acres in Tyrone Twp.(became Toboyne twp in 1763), Cumberland Co. (now Perry), which became the Bixler mill tract and a large portion of the farm owned by John Flickinger's heirs. Alexander's tract was surveyed by George Armstrong in 1755 (need document!) [History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys, ...]

Note: When Toboyne was first formed, it included the townships later known as Madison and Jackson.

It is somewhat uncertain whether he came to "Perry" to live before 1757, although there is a tradition that his oldest child, Margaret, was born in Sherman's Valley in 1754, "and that in her childhood her parents fled several times from Sherman's Valley back to their old home, on the 'eastern shore of Maryland', from Indian raids and returned to find their habitation burned."

About 1758, he established himself permanently on his farm in Sherman's Valley. Note: Perry Co. created in 1820 from part of Cumberland Co. [History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys, ...]

1766 Jacob Bixler tore down the old Alexander house in 1840. It was a two-story log house, with three apartments on the first floor and the same number above. The corner-stone of the old house, now lying as a relic in the mill-room, has the initials "H.M.A." neatly carved upon it, and between the "H" and "M", which are on a line, is the date 1766, and just above the figures is placed the letter "A", which means that the house was erected by Hugh and Martha ALEXANDER in the year 1766. [Hist. of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys,...]From the historical society.."The cornerstone does still exist with the property that the mill was on. Our library has a picture of the stone on file. The area that the mill was on is locally called "Bixler". It is not a town just a crossroads with a couple of houses. If you look at a map of Perry County it is in Southwest Madison township close to the road called Fort Robinson or Rt 850."

Death of 1st wife, Martha.

1773 Married Mrs. Lettice Thompson, widow of James THOMPSON.

"We find the names of these three members from Cumberland Co. registered as taking part in the proceedings of the provincial committee, holding their meeting in Carpenter's Hall (while the Assembly was deliberating in the State House). The important matter resting on the Provincial Committee, was to impress Assembly with the necessity of calling a congress of deputies from all the colonies, and to make the appointment of such from Pennsylvania at once. The Assembly heeded this importunate plea, and as a consequence the first Continental Congress was held in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1774. Cumberland Co. was again represented by nine deputies at the Provincial Council in 1776. The important place occupied by Middle Spring, and her influence in the valley at that time, can be judged from the fact, that three of those nine deputies were members of her communion. These staunch defenders, John MACLAY, Hugh MCCORMICK and Hugh ALEXANDER ..." Note: Middle Spring Congregation in Shippensburg organized in 1739. [Swope, Belle. "History of the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church".]

"Mr. ALEXANDER was a deputy to the Provincial Conference of June 1776, and a member of the Convention which met on July 15 of that year. Under the first Constitution he was chosen a Member of the Assembly, taking his seat on 28 Nov.

His public life was brief, for he died while a member of that body, in the early part of the year 1777, in Philadelphia, and was interred in the Spruce Street burying-ground .... He was a staunch Whig, and took a very active part in the organization of the Associators of Cumberland Co. A rigid Presbyterian of the Rev. George Duffield's congregation ..." [The Penn. Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. III.]

Hugh ALEXANDER represented Cumberland Co. at the Provincial Conference of Committees, of the Province of Penn., held at Carpenter's Hall at Philadelphia, June 18-25, 1776. (The Pennsylvania Assembly which met at the State House was adjourned from June 14 to Sept 24.) The members of the Provincial Conference Committee met because they did not believe that the sitting government was competent to handle affairs.

Hugh Alexander was elected to represent Cumberland Co. in the Convention of the State of Penn. which met from July 15 to Sept 28, 1776. According to a pencil note on the page listing the representatives, he did not appear until July 22, 1776.

Hugh Alexander was chosen to represent Cumberland Co. in the new Assembly which met Nov. 28, 1776 at the State House. However, he did not appear until Jan.13, 1777. The entry for that day reads:

   The House met.

Hugh Alexander a member from Cumberland county, appeared here this day, being the first time, was qualified and took his seat.
On Monday, Jan 27, 1777 he was appointed with two others to be a committee to "bring in a bill to regulate tavern-licences, and for collecting the excise."
The last mention of his name in the Journals is on Wednesday, Feb 5, 1777 when he voted "Nay" with the minority on whether "wages of the delegated who may represent this state in congress, be fixed before they are chosen." His name is not mentioned on Friday, Feb 7, 1777.
[letter from Barbara Deibler, Rare Book Librarian at the Penn. State Library]

[Journal of the House of Representatives....Philadelphia: Dunlap, 1782. Located at the State Library in Harrisburg.]

[Biographical Dictionary of Early Penn. Legislators, 1682-1790. Hist. Soc. of PA]

Feb/Mar 1777 He was taken suddenly ill, was removed to his lodgings where he died. Intered in the Spruce Street Presbyterian Church yard. In 1832 or 34, his remains were removed and reinterred in some other place unknown to his posterity.

1777 His property was appraised "in pursuance of an order of the Orphan's Court, at and for the sum of seven hundred and eight pounds, eleven shillings and nine pence beyond the costs and expenses of valuation". Hugh's daughter, Margaret, who had married John HAMILTON, inherited the property.

• * *

As a resource, see "A History of Pennsylvania" By Philip S. Klein, Ari Hoogenboom

Desk (Slant-front desk) Category: Furniture

Creator (Role): Hugh Alexander (Cabinetmaker)

Place of Origin: Nottingham, Chester, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date: 1745-1760

Materials: Walnut; Holly; Sumac; Cedar, red; Chestnut; Tulip poplar; Brass

Museum Object Number: 1961.0278

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 7 2020, 5:57:02 UTC

ll show gave many anxious days for its protection and support.?Ed.]
The Constitutional Convention of 1776
Author(s): Wm. H. Egle
Source: The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography , 1879, Vol. 3, No. 1 (1879),
pp. 96-10

Alexander, Hugh, of Cumberland Co., the eldest son of

John Alexander and Margaret Glasson, was born near Glas

gow, Scotland, in the year 1724. His parents came to America

in 1736, and settled in West Nottingham, Chester County

?but prior to 1753 removed and took up land in Sherman's

Valley, now Perry County. Mr. Alexander was a deputy to

the Provincial Conference of June, 1776, and a member of

the Convention which met on July 15 of that year. Under

the first Constitution he was chosen a Member of the As

sembly, taking his seat on November 28th. His public life

was brief, for he died while a member of that body, in the

early part of the year 1777, in Philadelphia, and was in

terred in the Spruce Street burying-ground. He married,

first, in 1753, Martha Edmeston, daughter of Dr. David Ed

meston, of Fagg's Manor, by whom they had?Margaret, b.

1754, m. Capt. John Hamilton, of Fermanagh, in 1772 ; John,

b. 1756, m. Margaret Clark, of Sherman's Valley, in 1780 ;

Mary, b. 1760, m. Robert Clark in 1780; David, b. 1762, m.

Margaret Miller in 1780; Hugh, b. 1765, m. Jemima Patter

son, of Juniata Co., in 1787. Secondly, Mr. Alexander mar

ried Mrs. Lettice Thompson, and had?James, b. 1775, lived

and died at McKeesport, Pennsylvania ; William and Emily,

b. 1777. Mr. Alexander was a staunch Whig, and took a very active part in the organization of the Associators of

Cumberland County. A rigid Presbyterian of the Rev.

George Duffield's congregation ; he was a man of pure and

high character, and his memory is held in esteem by numer

ous descendants, scattered through the West and South.