Not only did the three Brewster sisters, one of whom was my g-g-g-g-grandmother, serve their country during the American Revolution, but some of my researcher cousins are investigating the evidence of Revolutionary War service of one of their husbands. Steve Hofer wrote on 26 Aug 2002:
Deb Umbdenstock and I have been doing some research in an effort to correct an earlier statement about the military service record of William J. Alexander, the husband of Agnes "Nancy" Brewster. You may recall from the e-mail and attachment of June 11, 2002 that it had been stated that William Alexander served in the Second Virginia Regiment under the command of Col. Peter Davis and Samuel Haws. However, it now appears that this earlier information was inaccurate. Based upon lineages and other information, none of the William Alexanders who applied for pensions under the Revolutionary War Claims Act of 1831 appears to be our ancestor. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that Agnes, as William's widow, could have applied for a pension because one had to be destitute to qualify for a pension under the 1831 Act and William's 1818 last will and testament indicates that he was rather well-to-do...
At this point, Steve continued with a discussion of Alexander's possible involvement in the Stafford county (VA) militia. He has since informed us that he does not believe the Alexander who was in that militia to be his ancestor. In a more recent communication, Steve says:
I know, with certainty, that William Alexander died between April 7, 1818 and August 1818 in Fayette County, Kentucky.1 I also know that William Alexander married Agnes (nicknamed "Nancy") Bruster on November 22, 1785 in Rockingham County, Virginia.2 Agnes Bruster was born April 25, 1763 in Augusta County, Virginia, the daughter of James and Elinor Bruster, and she died August 25, 1830 in Bloomington, Monroe County, Indiana.3 Further, I know from his will that William Alexander and his wife, Agnes, had seven surviving children, five sons named William [Jr.], James, John, Robert and Henry and two daughters named Mary (nicknamed "Polly") and Rachel. And finally, Alexander descendants and family researchers commonly report, without any source attribution as far as I am aware, that William Alexander was born about May 1765 in Augusta County.4
In an earlier e-mail which is a part of the discussions of our Brewster, Dunn, Alexander, etc., forum, Steve had mentioned that the DAR regards our William Alexander as a Patriot Ancestor because they believe he is the same person listed in Chalkley's Chronicles as having served in 1783 in Captain John Dickey's Augusta County militia company alongside his father, James Alexander, and in Gwathmey as having served in Dickey's company in 1782. If further research demonstrates these aren't "our" Alexanders, then the DAR's acceptance of William Alexander as a Patriot Ancestor will be subject to dispute. For now though, Steve believes the 1782-3 Augusta County militia connection to be correct.
Deb reported her own findings in Sep 2002. While much of this is negative, we at least know which areas have already been searched...
- Revolutionary War Land Warrants No William Alexander listed
- Revolutionary War Records of Virginia William Alexander listed p. 220 He served in Infantry (document 44(18)) William's name was listed on the names of the army register but did not receive any bounty land. This may be our William, but there is no proof that this is ours.
- Virginia Colonial Militia 1651-1776 William Alexander allowed 200 acres for serving as a non-commissioned officer in Col. Byrd's 2nd Virginia Regiment Rockbridge County November 1779. This is a possible but again not exact proof
- Alphabetical Listing of Officers in Continental Army p, 66 Virginia William Alexander (VA) Captain Va. Militia 1781. No proof again
- Revolutionary War Pensions Index No William Alexander listed
- Revolutionary War Service Record 1775-83 William Alexander rank Pvt.; William Alexander Rank Private, Virginia; William Alexander Sgt. VA.
- US Army Historical Register 1789-1903 Vol 1 No William
- same as above Vol 2 No William
- US Colonial Soldiers p. 17 William Alexander
- Revolutionary War Records
- Sec 2 (18) Doc #44 (18) list of non commissioned officers & soldiers whose names on Continental establishment, whose names appear on army register & who have not received Bounty Land Richmond 1835: William Alexander Infantry; William Alexander Cal.
- Section 3(21) Va. land Warrants p. 649 William Alexander soldier 3 years.
Thank you, Steve and Deb, for your investigative efforts. We welcome additional information from any other descendants of William Alexander who might visit this page. As Steve's research progresses, we will post the results here.
Virginia land transactions. In July 2007, another cousin writes to share the results of her research into William Alexander's background in Virginia. Connie Shotts says:
I am going to attach the transcriptions and plats that I have for William Alexander's family in Augusta County VA. I believe that these come as close as possible to showing that the William Alexander who married Agnes Brewster was the son of James and Rachel (maiden name unknown) Alexander, and that James was the son of William Alexander. James also had a brother named John Alexander who lived in Augusta County at the same time and appears to also have gone to Kentucky at about the same time as did James, Rachel, William and Agnes (Brewster) Alexander.
I believe that the grandparents of James and John Alexander were William and Martha (maiden name unknown) Alexander who settled in Augusta County VA in 1746, buying their land from Hugh Campbell. This Hugh Campbell may be an ancestor of the Hugh Campbell who married Mary/Polly Alexander, a daughter of William and Agnes (Brewster) Alexander and possibly the father of Charles Campbell who married a Mary Alexander, possibly our William's sister or aunt.
Let me know if you would like further information or if you would prefer me to put this information into a different format. I would love to see some of this material, either in this form, or in a more condensed form, on the website if you choose to use it. Please note that I attempted to preserve spelling, capitalization and punctuation as possible in the transcribed documents.
Thank you, Connie, for providing this information. It's about as legible as these centuries-old land transfer records ever can be. We've preserved the documents pretty much as you sent them to us. The first document describes the acquisition of a tract of land in 1746 by Hugh Campbell:
Hugh Campbell
Virginia Land Patent Book 24
400 acres
[page 427]
George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King Defender of the Faith viz - To all to whom these presents shall Come Greeting - Know ye that for devers good Causes and Considerations but more especially for and in Consideration of the sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful money for our use paid our Receiver General of our Revenues in this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia, We have given, Granted and Confirmed and by these presents for us our Heirs and Successors do Give, Grant and Confirm unto Hugh Campbell one Certain Tract or parcel of Land containing four Hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Augusta on the Waters of a Branch of Shanando called naked Creek and bounded as followeth to wit ----
Beginning at three white oaks corner to Michael Dickeys Land thence with the said Dickeys Line North forty seven Degrees East two hundred and seventy six poles to a red Oak and white Oak corner to Ditto Hence North forty three Degrees West two hundred and eighty poles to a white oak and red oak hence south forty seven Degrees West two hundred poles to a Hiccory, red oak and Spanish Oak hence South forty three Degrees East one hundred and seventy four poles to a black Oak hence South forty seven Degrees West seventy six poles to three white Oaks on a Ridge Hence South forty three Degrees East one hundred and six poles to the Beginning With all Woods, underwoods, Swamps, Marshes, lowgrounds, Meadows, Feedings [?] and his due share of all Veins, Mines and Quarries as well discovered as not discovered within the Bounds
[page 428]
aforesaid and being part of the said Quantity of four hundred Acres of Land and the Rivers, Waters and Water Courses therein Contained together with the privileges of Hunting, Hawking, Fishing, Fowling and all other profits, commodities and Hereditaments whatsoever is the same or any part thereof belonging or in any wise appertaining To have hold, posses and Enjoy the said Tract or parcel of Land and all other heretofore Granted premises and every part thereof with their and every of their Appurtenances unto the said Hugh Campbell and to his Heirs and Assigns forever To the only use and behoof of him the said Hugh Campbell his Heirs and Assigns forever. To be held of us our Heirs and Successors as of our Mannor of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in free and Common soccage and not in Capite or by Knights Service Yielding and paying unto us our Heirs and successors for every Fifty Acres of Land and so proportionately for a lesser or greater Quantity than Fifty Acres the Fee Rent of one shilling yearly to be paid upon the Feast of Saint Michael the Arch Angel and also Cultivating and Improving three Acres part of every Fifty of the Tract above mentioned within three years after the date of these presents provided always that if three years of the said Fee Rent shall at any time be in Arrears and unpaid or if the said Hugh Campbell his Heirs & Assigns do not within the space of three years next coming after the date of these presents Cultivate and Improve three Acres part of every Fifty of the Tract above mentioned then the Estate hereby Granted shall Cease and be utterly determined and thereafter it shall and may be Lawful to and for us our Heirs and Successors to Grant the same Lands and premises with the Appurtenances unto such other person or persons as we our Heirs and Successors shall think fit.
In Witness whereof we have caused these our letters patent to be made Witness our Trusty and wellbeloved William Gooch Esq. our Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Colony and Dominion at Williamsburg under the seal of our said Colony the twentyfifth Day of September One Thousand seven hundred and forty six In the twentieth year of our Reign.
[signed] William Gooch
The following document records the 1751 transfer of the same property from Hugh Campbell to William Alexander, whom we believe to be the grandfather of William James Alexander:
Augusta County VA Deed Book 3
Hugh Campbell to William Alexander
400 acres
10 April 1751
[page 241]
This Indenture made the 10th day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty one Between Hugh Campbell of the County of Augusta of the one part and William Alexander of the aforesd County Farmer of the other part Witnesseth that the sd Hugh Campbell for and in
[page 242]
Consideration of the sum of five Shillings Current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the sd William Alexander on or before the sealing and Delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold And by these presents doeth Grant Bargain and Sell unto the sd William Alexander one Certain tract or parcel of Land Containing four hundred Acres Lying and being in the County of Augusta on the waters of a brach of Shanado Called naked Creek and bounded as followeth to wit - Beginning at three white Oaks Corner to Michael Dickey's Land thence with the Dickey's line North forty Seven Degrees East two hundred and seventy six poles to a red oak and white Oak Corner to Ditto hence North forty three Degrees west two hundred and eighty poles to a white Oak and Red Oak thence south forty seven Degrees west two hundred poles to a hickory red Oak and Spanish Oak thence South forty three Degrees East one hundred and seventy four poles to a black Oak thence south forty seven Degrees west seventy six poles to three white Oaks on a Ridge thence south forty three degrees East one hundred and six poles to the beginning and all houses Buildings Orchard Ways Water Water courses profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to these premises hereby Granted or any part thereof belonging or in any appertaining And the Reversions and Reversion Remainders and Remainder Rents Issues [?] and profits thereof To have and to hold this four hundred acres of Land be these same more of less and all and singular other the premises hereby Grant with the appurtenance unto the sd William Alexander his heirs admins and assigns from the day before the date here of for and during the [?] and time of one whole Year from thence fully to be Compleat and ended yielding and paying therefore the rent of of one peper Corn on Lady Day nexyt if the same shall be Lawfully Demanded to the Intent and purpose thereby
[page 243]
Virtue of these presents and of the statute for Transferring possession the sd William Alexander may be in actual possession of the premises and be thereby enabled to accept and take a grant and Release of the Reversion And Inheritance thereof to him and his heirs In Witness whereof the sd Hugh Campbell hath here unto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written...
Sealed and Delivered
In the presence of
[signed] Hugh Campbell
Will Brown
Esther {her mark} Campbell
Michael Dickey
John Hear
John Alexander
At a court held for Augusta County My the 28th 1751
Hugh Campbell and Esther his wife in open Court acknowledged this their Lease for Land Indented [?] to William Alexander which on the motion of the sd Alexander is Admitted to Record.
TesteWm [signed] John Madison C of Court
This Indenture made the 11th day of April in the year of Our Loard one thousand seven hundred and fifty one Between Hugh Campbell of the County of Augusta yeoman of the one part and William Alexander of the aforesd County Farmer of the other part. Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of twenty eight pounds current money of Virginia to the sd Hugh Campbell in hand paid by thie sd William Alexander at or before the sealing and Delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledged and thereof doth Release Acquit and does charge the sd William Alexander his Execs. And D... by these presents he the sd Hugh Campbell Hath granted Bargained sold alined Released and Confirmed unto the sd William Alexander in his actual possession now being by Virtue of abargain and Sale to him thereof made by the
[page 244]
Not copied
The following document, dated 1769/1770, appears to record the transfer of this land from W. J.'s uncle to his father:
Augusta County VA Deed Book 15
John Alexander to brother James Alexander
20 Mar 1769/1770
135 acres [part of 400 acres granted to Wm Alexander on Naked Creek]
[page 331]
This Indenture made the twentieth Day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine Between John Alexander of the County of Augusta of the one part and James Alexander his Brother of the County aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Alexander for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings Current Money of Virginia to him in Hand paid by the same James Alexander at or before the sealing and delivery of these the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto
[page 332]
the said James Alexander and to his Heirs one certain piece or Tract of Land containing one hundred and thirty five acres being part of a larger Tract of four hundred Acres granted to William Alexander decd lying and being in the County of Augusts on the Head Branches of Naked Creek and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at a White Oak and small black oak on the Patent Line and thence north forty degrees East fourteen poles to a Black Oak and Hiccory on a Ridge and thence South fifty five degrees East fifty poles to a Black Oak by a Road and thence South three Degrees West one hundred and twelve poles to a large White Oak and thence South thirty Degrees West eighty poles to the Patent Line and thence with the same North forty three Degrees West ninety six poles to three White Oaks on a Ridge and North forty seven Degrees East seventy six poles to a Black Oak North forty three Degrees West ninety six poles and North forty seven East one hundred and twelve poles to the Beginning and all Houses Buildings Orchards Ways Waters Water courses profits commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises hereby granted or any part thereof belonging or in anywise Appurtaining and the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainder rents Issues [?] and profits thereof To have and to hold the Lands hereby conveyed and all and singular this the premises hereby granted with the Appurtenances unto the said James Alexander his Executors Administrators and Assigns from the Day before the Date hereof for and during the full term and time of one whole year from thence rent [?] ensuing fully to be complete and ended yielding and paying therefore the Rent of one pepper corn on Lady Day next if the same shall be lawfully demanded to the intent and purpose that by Virtue of these Presents and of the Statute for transferring uses unto Possession the said James Alexander may be in actual possession of the premises and be thereby enabled to accept and take a grant and release of the Reversion and Inheritance thereof to him and his Heirs In Witness whereof the said John Alexander hath hereunto set his Hand and Seal the Day and year first above written.
[signed] John Alexander
Sealed and delivered
In the presence of
William Thompson
Matthew Thomson
John Thomson
At a Court continued and held for Augusta County
March 22, 1769 John Alexander acknowledged
this his release for land to James Alexander
Which is ordered to be Recorded.
Test [signed] J Madison
Clk of Court
[page 333]
This Indenture made the twenty first Day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty nine Between John Alexander of the County of Augusta of the one part and James Alexander of the County aforesaid of the other part Witnesessth that for and in consideration of the sum of seventy pounds current Money of Virginia to the said John Alexander in hand paid by the said James Alexander at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge and thereof doth release acquit and discharge the said James Alexander his Executor and Adminstrators by these presents he the said John Alexander hath granted bargained sold alined released and confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien release and confirm unto the said James Alexander in his actual possession now being by Virtue of a bargain and sale to him thereof made by the said John Alexander for one who year by Indenture bearing Date the Day next before the Day of the Date of these presents and by force of the Statute for transferring uses unto possession and his Heirs one certain Piece or Tract of Land containing one hundred and thirty five Acres being a part of a larger Tract of four hundred Acres first granted to William Alexander decd lying and being in the County of August on the Head Branches of Naked Creek and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at a White Oak and small Black Oak on the Patent Line and thence south fifty Degrees East sixty five poles to two White Oaks and North forty Degrees East fourteen poles to a Black Oak and Hiccory on a Ridge and south fifty five Degrees East fifty poles to a Black Oak by a Road and thence south three Degrees West one and one hundred and twelve poles to a Large White Oak and thence south thirty Degrees West eighty poles to the Patent Line and with the same North forty three Degrees West ninety six poles to three White Oaks on a Ridge North forty seven Degrees West ninety six poles and North forty seven Degrees East one hundred and twelve poles to the Beginning and all Houses Buildings Orchards Ways Waters Water courses profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Premises hereby granted or any part thereof belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Reversion and Reversions remainder and remainder Rents Issues [?] and profits thereof and also all the Estate right title Interest use trust property claim and demand whatsoever of him the said John Alexander of in and to the said premises and all Deeds Evidences and Writings touching or in any wise concerning the same To have and to hold the Lands hereby conveyed and all and singular other the premises hereby granted and released and every part and parcel thereof with this and every of their Appurtenances unto the said James Alexander his Heirs and Assigns for ever to the only proper use and behoof of him the said James Alexander and of his Heirs and Assigns for ever and the said John Alexander for himself his Heirs Executors and Administrator doth covenant promise and grant to and with the said James Alexander his Heirs and Assigns by those presents that the said John Alexander now at the time of sealing and delivery of these presents is seized of a good and perfect and indefeasible Estate of Inheritance in fee simple of and in the premises hereby granted and released and that he hath good power and legal and lawful and absolute Authority to grant and convey the same to the said James Alexander in Manner and Form aforesaid. And that the said Premises now are and so forever shall hereafter remain and be free and clear of and from all former and other Gifts, grants bargains sales downright and title of Dower Judgments Executions --charges and Encumberances whatsoever made -committed or suffered by the said John Alexander or any other person or persons whatsoever Quit rend hereafter to -due and payable to our sovereign Lord the King his Heir and Successors for and in - of the Premises only excepted and -- that the said John Alexander and his Heirs all and singular the Premises hereby granted and released with the Appurtenances unto the said James Alexander his Heirs and Assigns against him the said John Alexander and his Heirs and all and every other person and persons whatsoever shall warrant and forever defend by these Presents In Witness whereof the said hath hereunto set his Hand and Seal the Day and year first above Written.
[signed] John Alexander
Sealed and delivered
In the presence of
William Thomson
Matthew Thomson
John Thomson
At a Court continued and held for Augusta
County March 22 1769 John Alexander
acknowledged this his Release for Land to
James Alexander which is ordered to be
Recorded.
Test [signed] J Madison
Clk of court
In 1786, John, James and Rachel transferred 200 of the 400 acres to John Long. The senior William Alexander is now listed as deceased. Could the Alexander family have been preparing to move to Kentucky?
Augusta County VA Deed Book 25
John Alexander, James and Rachel Alexander to John Long
19 September 1786
[page 309]
This Indenture made the 19th of September in the year of our Lord God One Thousand Seven hundred eighty six between John Alexander and James Alexander and his wife Rachel of the County of Augusta of the one part and John Long of the County aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Alexander & James & Rachel Alexander for & in consideration of the sum of two hundred & eighty six pounds [correct amount?] lawful money of Virginia in hand paid b the said John Long at or before the Sealing and delivery of these presents granted bargained and -..the said John Long his heirs and assigns forever - certain tracts or parcels of land containing two hundred acres being part of a tract of four hundred acres granted to William Alexander deceased -..the said John & James Alexander bounded as followeth, viz Beginning at a white oak corner -said William Alexander on the North