>>1 James McAlexander b: 1720 ..... 2 William McAlexander Sr b: January 13, 1743/44 d: March 08, 1822 << According to records submitted to the LDS Ancestral File ver. 4.17 (I can't put my hands on the submitter at the moment), William was born in London Derry, North Ireland. Here's his obituary: >From the "Lynchburg Press" 5 April 1822, page 3: "...on Friday, the 8th ult. at his residence in Patrick County, after a short illness, which he bore with Christian fortitude Mr. William McAlexander, in the 79th year of his age. Few have descended to the tomb more regretted. On the stage of life his conduct has been most exemplary. At an early age he became a professor of religion and a member of the Presbyterian church--he was a strict observer of the sabbat, and never known to use the name of God irreverently. He was firm in his purpose, inflexible in his integrity, unbound in his benevolence he was the friend of the poor, and the protector of the widow and the orphan. The good, disinterested neighbor, his heart was open to every noble feeling. Mr. McAlexander was one amongst the first settlers in that part of Virginia, and as a true repuglican soldier placed himself under the standard of his country, and with active zeal bore a faithful part in obtaining our independence. In him we have lost one of the fathers of our freedom. He has had three wives and 21 children--and now a widow and 18 children, besides a numerous train of connections and friends, are left to mourn their irreparable loss." Jenny was his first wife who died in 1798. She is the mother of Jane (1765), Esther(24 Dec 1767), James (1775), Margaret (1776), Sarah(1778), William (1780), Mary(1782), Nancy(1782), Elizabeth(1787), Alexander(1793), Hannah(1795) and John(1798). I am tracing Margaret (1776) who married Reuben Harris. I have a copy of the family bible and marriage record in 1786 of Alexander McAlexander(1756) and Martha (Patsy) Burnett, both of Amherst County. Alexander filed for a pension #5359 for his service in the Rev. War. He mentions an older brother John still alive in 1834 when he applied. They must be brothers to William. Tamara in sunny San Diego tjbentz@prodigy.net