Background
Alexander Murray was born on July 12, 1755, in Chestertown, Maryland, one of eight children of Dr. William Murray and Ann Smith. Of Highland-Scotch descent, the Murrays emigrated to America after a residence in Barbados.
Alexander Murray was born on July 12, 1755, in Chestertown, Maryland, one of eight children of Dr. William Murray and Ann Smith. Of Highland-Scotch descent, the Murrays emigrated to America after a residence in Barbados.
Alexander was regularly bred to the sea and at the age of nineteen commanded a vessel trading with Europe. On the outbreak of the Revolution he obtained a lieutenancy in the 16t Maryland Regiment and rose to the rank of captain, taking part in Washington's campaign of 1776 - 1777 in New York and New Jersey. As he was a mariner by profession, he applied for a lieutenancy in the navy and was promised one by John Hancock and other members of Congress. While awaiting his appointment he entered the privateer service and commanded successively the General Mercer, Saratoga, Columbus, and Revenge. He captured several British merchantmen and privateers and was himself twice captured, losing the Saratoga and the Revenge.
On July 20, 1781, he finally obtained a naval lieutenancy and a few days later went to sea on board the frigate Trumbull. He was wounded when that ship was captured by the frigate Iris, after a severe engagement. On being exchanged he went to Richmond, Virginia, took command of the privateer Prosperity, and sailed for the West Indies with a cargo of tobacco. On this voyage he displayed skill and courage in a fight with a privateer of superior force.
In 1782 he took part in a joint Spanish-American expedition that effected the capture of New Providence. Returning to the Continental Navy as a lieutenant in the Alliance, he remained in the service until 1785, one of the last officers to leave it. After the Revolution Murray established himself in Philadelphia as a merchant, a calling that he followed with much success.
In 1794 when the navy under the Constitution was organized he offered his services to President Washington and early in the war with France was appointed captain, taking rank from July 1, 1798. Ordered to the Montezuma, he cruised for nine months in the West Indies, capturing one small prize and convoying many merchantmen. He contracted yellow fever and was compelled to give up his ship.
He next went to sea as the commander of the Insurgente, with a roving commission, and made an extended cruise, visiting, among other places, the Azores, Lisbon, Cayenne, Jamaica, and Havana.
In the last year of the war he cruised in the West Indies as commander of the Constellation, and for a time served as commander of the Santo Domingo station. Retained under the peace establishment of 1801 and ranking sixth in the list of captains, Murray in 1802 - 1803 commanded the Constellation of the Mediterranean Squadron, and for some two months blockaded Tripoli. On one occasion he attacked the Tripolitan gunboats, doing them considerable damage.
In the latter part of 1805 he commanded the Adams and cruised off the Carolina coast for the protection of American commerce. This was his last sea duty. After serving as president of the Chesapeake and Leopard court of inquiry, he in 1808 was made commanding naval officer at Philadelphia, an office that he held until his death on October 6, 1821, which occurred at his country residence near that city.
Alexander Murray was one of the few naval officers to be an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
On June 18, 1782, Alexander Murray married to Mary Miller of Philadelphia, by whom he had two sons.