James Alexander

James Alexander, a famous lawyer, and Mary Alexander, a merchant, conceived William Alexander, who was born in New York City on Christmas Day, 1726. With both parents and their thriving occupations, Alexander grew up in more privileged circumstances than most. And as he got older, his mother decided that it was time to expose him to the business aspect of life. At the age of 22, James Alexander married Sarah Livingston, with who he had two children.

Now with a family to take care of, Mr. Alexander decided to find himself a decent job outside of his parents' businesses. With the connections of the Livingston family he landed a job as secretary for Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts. Alexander was also hired along with many other business partners as army contractors during the Niagara Campaign of 1755-1756. But when Shirley did not succeed, his political rivals saw this opportunity as a way to criticize his failures. Alexander and his business partners were dragged down along side Shirley by being accused of making an excessive, unfair profit, which meant they would not receive the sums that were due to them. In an effort to stick up for his mentor, Shirley, and collect the sums due to the Niagara contractors, he tagged along with Shirley to England. He successfully won the case for the sums due to him and his business partners, but he failed in Shirley's defense, which led to the removal of Shirley as the Massachusetts governor.

While in England Alexander had a petition to pass gradually into the Scot earldom of Stirling, in which he spent lots of money to ensure. Some still refused his petition. But no matter what his peers felt or thought, he considered himself the sixth earl of Stirling. His friends soon began to address him as such. In his return back to America, he decided to quit being a merchant, and live similar to that of the "English country gentry." During that time he splurged money and began drinking heavily. Despite his problems his still was able to serve on the Councils of both New York and New Jersey, the council Board of Proprietors of East Jersey, and he supported quite a few organizations.

When the Revolutionary War broke out, Alexander was of course in support of the American provinces. Serving as a colonel, his unit seized an armed British transport. This act moved him up to general. As general he wanted to strengthen the defense of New York City, so that it could withstand against Britain forces. In an effort to welcome the new general, General George Washington, the job was handed over to him. With out this task, Alexander was ordered to defend the right wing at Long Island. His unit was unable to successfully defend the right wing. They were attacked and Alexander was taken captive. After he was "exchanged," he was took charge over another unit. Alexander was even promoted to major, two months after fighting at Trenton.

Through all of Alexander's