Alexander Addison and Jean Grant

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Husband Alexander Addison ^{1 2}

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           Born: 1758 - Morayshire, Scotland 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 24 Nov 1807 - Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA 3 4
         Buried: 

       Marriage: 25 Sep 1786 4

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Wife Jean Grant ⁴

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           Born: 24 Jul 1763 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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Children

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1 M John [1] Addison ⁴

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           Born: 19 Jul 1787 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 30 Jul 1787 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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2 F Elizabeth Addison ⁴

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            AKA: Eliza Addison 3
           Born: 22 Aug 1788 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Dr. Peter Mowry (      -      ) 3

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3 F Ann Addison ^{3 4}

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           Born: 2 Feb 1791 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 6 Oct 1855 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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4 M James Addison ⁴

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           Born: 10 Jan 1793 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 8 Dec 1795 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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5 M John [2] Addison ⁴

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           Born: 24 Jan 1795 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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6 F Mary Addison ^{3 4}

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           Born: 27 Jun 1797 4
     Christened: 
           Died: Apr 1822 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Samuel Hughes Fitzhugh (      -      ) 3

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7 M Alexander Addison ⁴

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           Born: 10 Sep 1799 4
     Christened: 
           Died: Feb 1822 - Washington, Washington Co, PA 4
         Buried: 

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8 M William Addison ⁴

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           Born: 28 Dec 1801 4
     Christened: 
           Died: Abt 26 Mar 1862 4
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Harriet Inglis (      -      ) 4

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9 F Jane Addison ⁴

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           Born: 4 Jan 1804 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Alexander Johnston (      -      ) 3

         Spouse: Benjamin Darlington (      -      ) 3

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10 M Francis Addison ⁴

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           Born: 7 Feb 1807 4
     Christened: 
           Died: while young
         Buried: 

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General Notes: Husband - Alexander Addison

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He was a descendant of the father of Joseph Addison, of the "Spectator."

He was born in Morayshire, Scotland, and although of English descent was most decidedly a Scotchman in his cast of mind. He received a very thorough education, in 1775 graduating from the University of Aberdeen, and in 1777 received the degree of Master of Arts. Studying divinity, he was licensed to preach in 1781. To his many attainments he added a very perfect knowledge of Hebrew, French and Italian languages. In 1787 he emigrated to America, and in 1791 was appointed a judge, which office he held until 1803, when he was deposed in consequence of an impeachment for high treason. This charge was due to the political intrigues of the times. So highly was Alexander Addison esteemed by his contemporaries that Aaron Burr, when impeached for high treason, selected him for his counsel, a responsibility which Judge Addison was unable to assume.

Alexander Addison was commissioned President-Judge of the newly formed Fifth Judicial District, and for thirteen years discharged its duties. He was a native of Scotland; had been educated for the ministry, and had, for a short time, been engaged in preaching. He had, however, studied law and been admitted to the bar, and practiced a few years. Judge Addison devoted himself with great assiduity to the organization of the courts in the several counties comprising his large judicial district. No successor has ever surpassed him in the ability and fairness with which his duties were discharged. He had little legislation to guide him, and no precedents of former courts of this State. His own vigorous common sense had to apply the maxims of the common law to the usages of this new and rapidly-growing community, as a basis of civil and criminal law. Some portion of his labors is to be found in a volume, known as "Addison's Reports," often referred to, even now, as the basis of Pennsylvania law. This volume also contains several charges to Grand Juries during the prevalence of the Whisky Insurrection, out of which resulted a series of political persecutions, ending in his trial and removal from office. The darkest page in the legislative history of Pennsylvania is that which records the shameful persecution and conviction of Alexander Addison. The charges upon which he was tried (even admitting them to be true) involved only a breach of courtesy towards one of his lay associates on the bench. No corrupt motive was alleged; no injury to any suitor in his court. The Legislature, out of political spite, refused him the right to call a single witness at public expense, to disprove or explain the testimony of the prosecution. He, in turn, became so indignant, that he employed no counsel to defend himself. His own argument overwhelmingly proves that the high prerogative of impeachment never was meant to apply to so trivial a case. The case had, however, been set up as a political move, and the Senate, to its everlasting disgrace, found him guilty. He was in feeble health, and lived but a few months thereafter. The Legislature was, however, so much ashamed of this example, that no attempt has ever been made to apply the principle to any other Judge.

1 —, History of Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1876), Pg 68.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 143.

3 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 244.

4 John W. Jordan, LL.D, A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People, Vol. III (New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1908), Pg 144.