Alexander Craighead was born in Donegal, Ulster, Ireland on March 18, 1705. He emigrated to North America with his father, the Reverend Thomas Craighead. Review Alexander Craighead was born in Freetown, Massachusetts in 1715, died March 1766 in Rocky Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
He was the youngest son of Review
Thomas Craighead and Margaret Holmes. Their mother was Margaret Holmes who was born in Scotland.
He was the brother to my ancestor, John Craighead. Her brother, William Holmes" son Robert Holmes married Mary Franklin whose brother was Benjamin Franklin, Patriot, Statesmen, Scientist, and Signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Also, "Simpson and Allied Families", by Dennis William Simpson 1985.
He preached at the Middle Octorara Church, along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, during the 1730s, but continued to move south and west to the frontiers of colonial civilization.
After a stay in Augusta County, Virginia, at Windy Cove, he moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. A prolific writer and leader in his faith, he published numerous works, including Renewal of the Covenants, National and Solemn League.
A Confession of Sins. An Engagement to Duties.
And a Testimony; as they were Carried on at Middle Octorara in Pennsylvania, November 11, and The reasons of Mr.
Alexander Craighead"s receding from the present judicatories of this church.., 1743, both published by Benjamin Franklin. He often preached to his flock to resist threats to their independence, and he held the rights of the common man as sacred as that of kings. He is counted as the spiritual father of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which was allegedly written nine years after his death.
