James Alexander and Rosa Reed
Husband James Alexander 1 2 3 4
Born: 1726 - County Armagh, Ireland 3 5 Christened: Died: 1791 5 6 Buried: - West Kishacoquillas, PA
Father: John Alexander (Abt 1700- ) 3 5 7 Mother: Margaret Glasson ( - ) 3 5 7
Marriage: - Cumberland Co, PA
• Biographical Sketch: John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 114.
To read this brief biographical sketch of his life and career, click here.
Wife Rosa Reed 3 5
AKA: Rosey Reed 1 8 Born: Christened: Died: 1792 1 5 Buried:
Father: Robert Reed ( - ) 1 3 Mother: [Unk] Garner ( - ) 1
Children
1 F Jane Alexander 6 9 10
Born: 1763 6 9 Christened: Died: 17 Oct 1841 - Stone Valley, Huntingdon Co, PA 11 Buried:Spouse: Col. Alexander Brown ( -1791) 10 12Spouse: David Semple ( -1841) 11 Marr: 16 Aug 1791 11
2 M Robert Alexander 5 6 9
Born: Oct 1766 5 6 9 Christened: Died: Aug 1843 6 13 Buried:Spouse: Elizabeth McClure (1768-1832) 6 13 14 Marr: 8 Apr 1790 6 13
3 F Elizabeth Alexander 6 9
Born: 1768 - Kishacoquillas Valley, PA 6 9 Christened: Died: 1842 - ? Kentucky 15 Buried:Spouse: John Wakefield (1758-1812) 16 Marr: 1786 16
4 M John Alexander 6 9
Born: 1769 6 9 Christened: Died: 16 Sep 1820 17 Buried:Spouse: Annie Taylor (1774-1853) 17 18 Marr: 1791 17
5 M James Alexander 6 9
Born: 16 Feb 1772 6 19 Christened: Died: 17 Apr 1847 20 Buried: - West End Presbyterian ChurchSpouse: Jane Adams (1776-1834) 19 Marr: 1792 19
6 M Hugh Alexander 6 9
Born: Nov 1773 - Kishacoquillas, Mifflin Co, PA 6 9 Christened: Died: 22 May 1843 21 Buried:Spouse: Christiana Baum (1787-1874) 21 Marr: 1803 21
7 M Joseph Alexander 6 9
Born: 1776 6 Christened: Died: Buried:Spouse: Did Not Marry
8 F Rachel Alexander 6 9
Born: 8 May 1780 6 22 Christened: Died: 12 Nov 1833 22 Buried:Spouse: David Sample ( -1827) 22 Marr: 4 Aug 1804 22
9 M William Brown Alexander 6 9 23
Born: 27 Mar 1782 - Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin Co, PA 6 24 25 Christened: Died: 30 Mar 1862 - Bigler Twp, Clearfield Co, PA 25 26 Buried:Spouse: Nancy Davis (Abt 1787-1861) 23 27 Marr: 23 Apr 1806 23 27
10 F Rosanna Alexander 6 9
Born: 15 Apr 1784 - Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin Co, PA 6 28 Christened: Died: Aft 1878 Buried:Spouse: John Taylor (1778-1843) 28 Marr: 19 Feb 1801 28
11 M Reed Alexander 6 9
Born: 1786 6 Christened: Died: Buried:
General Notes: Husband - James Alexander
He was ten years of age when the family came to America.
He possessed an indomitable spirit of energy and enterprise. He longed for more "worlds to conquer," and resolved to explore Pennsylvania, which was, at that time, a pathless wilderness. Undaunted by the warnings of his less courageous neighbors, the young pioneer began his perilous journey. He first ascended the Susquehanna river, then along the Juniata, and following the course of the roaring waters of Kiskacoquillas, soon found himself in the heart of a mighty wilderness, over one hundred miles from home, an easy prey to the prowling brute or lurking Indian foe. He had ascended the latter stream but a short distance, when a beautiful and fertile valley, hemmed in by mountains and covered with heavy timber, greeted his delighted eyes. Here he determined to found a new settlement, and in 1755 took out the patent for 1,000 acres of mellow, limestone soil, in the beautiful but lonely wilderness. On returning to Carlisle, he pictured in glowing colors the beauties and advantages of the country, but his enthusiasm failed to infuse the necessary courage for so hazardous an enterprise. One friend, however, proved himself a kindred spirit, so accompanied by their families and chattels, William Brown and James Alexander took possession of the fertile valley. Mr. Brown located near the entrance, and James settled five miles west, his nearest neighbor having been Logan, the famous chief of the Mingo tribe. With stout arms and hearts the heroic pioneers fell to their herculean task of clearing away the forest, which was only accomplished after many years of toil. Although deprived of church and educational privileges, the truest heart-worship was found in these lowly homes, for as Bryant has truly said, "The groves were God's first temples; ere man learned to hew the shaft and lay the architrave, here he worshiped," and more sincere worship never rose to the Creator, than ascended from the humble altars of the pioneers. The cabin of James Alexander was indeed a very Bethel-morning and night the word of God was read, and the sacred notes of song and prayer rose to the pure sky above. The Sabbath was a time of rest, and prayerful study of the Bible, the catechism and confession of faith, and every evening a veritable "Cotter's Saturday Night." In this wild country a little church was finally, erected, with which James Alexander was prominently identified. The whole valley was at one time known as Armagh township, in honor of his birthplace.
Soon after Mr. and Mrs. Alexander had settled in the valley, the Mingo chief, Logan, visited their cottage during the absence of the husband, and having won the confidence of a little son, carried him away to his own cabin, the terrified mother not daring to resist. Several hours passed, and the almost frantic woman decided to follow and attempt to rescue her child, when to her unutterable relief she met the friendly chief returning with the little fellow in his arms, his tiny feet shod with beautiful beaded moccasins made by the distinguished warrior.
During the winter of 1777-78 James Alexander served in the commissary department of the Colonial Army at Valley Forge, receiving for that service 1,600 acres of land, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
He served under Gen. Washington during the memorable winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777-78, as an officer in the Commissary Department. He settled in Kishacoquillas Valley, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, part now Mifflin County. Having heard from John Reed, an old hunter and trapper, a favorable report of the lands lying on Clearfield creek, he in 1784 took out warrants for four tracts of land. The first, which he entered in his own name, cornered on the creek at what was then a small ash sapling, but grew to be a large tree, which was washed away some time in the "eighteen-seventies." Upon it were legible the letters, "J. A." and "J. R.," which were cut there at that early day as the initials of his own name and that of his friend, John Reed. This ash tree was the oldest land mark on the creek, and had an important part in the court trials concerning lands in that region, because the James Alexander warrant, being the oldest, was the starting point to determine other surveys and warrants. This tract began at the head of the narrows, and lay mostly on the northeast side of the creek. On the opposite side he lo-cated the John McConnell tract, and farther up the creek he located the John McGill and Cullen tracts. His friend, William Brown, located six other tracts still further up the creek, extending to what was called the Crab Orchard.
About midsummer of the year 1785, James Alexander returned again to his lands on Clearfield creek, accompanied by his eldest son, Robert. They went by way of Lock Haven, then Great or Big Island on the Susquehanna river, and procured there a flat-boat which they pushed with poles and dragged partly by means of a horse all the way to Muddy run, a tributary of Clearfield creek. With them they took provisions for a somewhat protracted stay. The exposure endured on this trip is said to have had a serious effect upon the health of James Alexander, though he did not die until six years later, in 1791. John Reed, the hunter, was in their company during a part of the journey, having crossed the mountains by an Indian path to meet them at a point on the Susquehanna river. While ascending the Clearfield creek at a place now unknown, John Reed and Robert Alexander crossed over a hill, while James Alexander kept to the stream with the horse and boat. In crossing the hill they discovered a shining ore, some pieces of which John Reed put in his shot pouch. He afterward reported, that having sent this ore to Philadelphia, the mint had returned a silver coin; many persons saw this coin, which he alleged had been made from the discovered ore. In the years following, many a treasure seeker sought diligently but vainly for the spot where the ore was found.
When dividing his lands, James Alexander gave his four younger sons-Hugh, Reed, Joseph and William B.-the four tracts on Clearfield creek. [CBRCP-CCJC, 676]
He was buried at the brick Presbyterian church at West Kishacoquillas.
Besides the children listed, there were others who were deceased in youth.
1 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 114.
2 —, History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Philadelphia, PA: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886), Pg 617.
3 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 30.
4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 444, 676.
5 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 444.
6 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 31.
7 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 11.
8 Addams S. McAllister, The Descendants of John Thomson, Pioneer Scotch Covenanter (Easton, PA: The Chemical Publishing Company, 1917), Pg 179.
9 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 122.
10 —, Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley (Chambersburg, PA: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897), Pg 590.
11 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 125.
12 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 123.
13 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 127.
14 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 445.
15 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 134.
16 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 133.
17 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 147.
18 —, History of the Susquehanna and Juniata Valleys (Philadelphia, PA: Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886), Pg 620.
19 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 155.
20 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 157.
21 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 169.
22 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 172.
23 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 677.
24 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 173.
25 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 676.
26 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 176.
27 John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 175.
28
John E. Alexander, A Record of the Descendants of John Alexander (Philadelphia, PA: Alfred Martien, 1878), Pg 180.
Home | Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List
This Web Site was Created 15 Apr 2023 with Legacy 9.0 from Millennia