Background
Alexander was born in 1755 in Virginia into an Ulster-Scots family who moved to New Castle County, Delaware when he was a small boy.
Alexander was born in 1755 in Virginia into an Ulster-Scots family who moved to New Castle County, Delaware when he was a small boy.
He attended Newark Academy, and studied medicine under Doctor Matthew Wilson.
With the coming of the American Revolution, Alexander wanted to be the middle of the action. He first served in the state militia, but soon joined the 10th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army as a surgeon. After 2 years of fighting with them, he left the army to serve as a privateer out of Norfolk.
Eventually his ship was captured and he was taken prisoner, serving out the remainder of the war in a prison ship in New York Harbor.
After the war he returned to New Castle County and practiced medicine. He was also active in the Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican Party, being its first candidate for Governor of Delaware in 1795.
He also led the effort to have a controversial bridge built over the Christiana River at Christiana, Delaware. Elections were held the first Tuesday of October.
Delaware Senators had a three-year term and State Representatives had a one-year term.
Election results
Delaware Historical Society website 505 Market Saint, Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
University of Delaware Library website 181 South College Avenue., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965.
He was a veteran of the American Revolution and a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January.
