The Alexander Family of Cumberland County

By Kentucky Kindred Genealogical Research on November 20, 2019 • ( 1 Comment )

John Alexander, Kentucky, Sgt. lee’s Legion, Continental Troops, Revolutionary War, October 17, 1830. Alexander Cemetery, Cumberland County, Kentucky.

John Alexander, born December 14, 1741, Goochland County, Virginia, died October 17, 1830, Cumberland County, Kentucky, married before 1770, Lucy Nunn, born 1752, died July 19, 1815, Cumberland County, Kentucky.

John Alexander, born 1741, died 1830.

John served during the Revolutionary War as sergeant in ‘Light Horse’ Harry Lee’s Legion, Continental Troops.

Lucy Alexander died July 19, 1815.

John Alexander’s will was written in 1825. He died five years later in 1830. Eleven children, listed below, were named in his will, as well as two grandsons.

Children:

Thomas Alexander, b. 1770, m. Mollie Ramsey
John Martin Alexander, b. 1771, m. Winnie Jones
Ingram Alexander, 1772-1841, m. Elizabeth Nunn, 1787-1871
Sarah C. Alexander m. Mr. Barton
Robert Alexander m. Polly Miller
Reuben Alexander m. Eliza Miller
Joseph Henry Alexander, born July 30, 1780, m. 1^st Nancy Bouldin; 2^nd Sarah Bouldin
Phillip Alexander m. Susan Bouldin
Obediance Alexander m. Peter Gearhart
Elizabeth Alexander m. Thomas Smith
Susan Alexander m. 1^st Michael Hall, 2^nd ? Porter

Many members of the Alexander family, including John and Lucy, and several of their children are buried in the Alexander/Davis Cemetery, just south of Hwy 90 on Hwy 100 in Cumberland County. All photos were taken in this cemetery.

The following biography, by Dr. N. P. Allen, was written before his death in February of 1909.

Biography

Of the Pioneer Settlers of the Marrowbone Valley of Cumberland County, Kentucky

By Dr. N. P. Allen, of Bowling Green, Kentucky

Sketch of the original Alexander family: Joseph Alexander, Reuben Alexander, Martin Alexander, Ingram Alexander, Thomas Alexander, Robert Alexander and Phillip Alexander. Also, a sketch of John Martin Alexander and family.

The seven Alexander brothers emigrated from Virginia to Cumberland County, Kentucky, in an early day. Five of them settled on Marrowbone Creek and two on Little Rennicks and Big Rennicks creeks. They all reared families. They were all farmers and owned slaves. By their help they subdued the forests, cleared away the cane-brakes, opened up fine farms, and built houses to shelter them from rain and snow storms. They planted the rich virgin soil in corn and wheat for bread. Wild animals as bear and deer were in the hills and canyons, and furnished savory meat for the table. The pioneers were a hardy race of people, well calculated to brave the new west, and build up homes. The first white men who visited Kentucky reported on their return to Virginia that it was a rich country, abounding in natural wealth; so many gathered up their all and moved to the new Eldorado.

The Alexander family were leading citizens and took an active part in the development of Cumberland County. They occupied prominent positions in both County and State. The following sketches of the families of the seven Alexander brothers who settled in Cumberland County is true to the best of my knowledge.

Joseph Alexander, Sr., lived on Little Rennicks Creek. He was a first-class business man. The court records show he transacted a great deal of business for other people. He lived to a good old age. His children were as follows: Fayette W., was a banker and merchant in Burkesville. Thomas Tyler was Circuit Judge for a number of years in the Burkesville district. Robert M., a physician in Burkesville for many years, died in Texas, 1907. Milton, Richard, and Joseph left Cumberland County many years ago. One daughter married Joseph Baker, settled at Bakerton, Kentucky, and reared a large family. Sarah, another daughter of Joseph Alexander, Sr., married Clay Baker and lived below Burkesville on the farm now owned by Mr. A. A. Huddleston, and reared a family. Judge H. C. Baker, at present Circuit Judge of the 29^th judicial district which includes Cumberland County, is a son of Clay and Sarah Baker. Martha Alexander married the Rev. Martin Baker, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. Some of her grandchildren live in Richmond, Kentucky. Fayette W. Alexander, above mentioned, left the following children: Susan is now the wife of Dr. W. G. Hunter, Louisville, Kentucky. Sallie married W. F. Owsley, Jr., of Burkesville. Nannie married John H. Ritchey. Three sons are now living in Burkesville: W. F., a druggist and farmer; H. K., a farmer and stock raiser; and Charles W., a banker.

Reuben Alexander died October 26, 1864, aged 72 years, 7 months, 3 days.

Reuben Alexander, Sr., lived on Marrowbone Creek, where the late Wm. R. Davis lived. Reuben reared four sons and six daughters. The sons were: Dr. Edwin, William, Fountain and Miller. The daughters were: Louisa, Caroline, Martha, Sarah and Mary.

Eliza, wife of Reuben Alexander, died April 6, 1855, aged 70 years, 5 months.

Martin Alexander, Sr., settled on Marrowbone Creek on the farm Waterview is now on, known as the Joe Henry Alexander farm. He had one son, Joseph H. Alexander, who married Julia Ritchey, and lived on his father’s homestead and reared a family of four sons and four daughters. The sons were: William, Henry, Sam and Charlie. The daughters were Eliza, who married John Owsley; Sophia, who married W. R. Davis; Theresa, who married Fayette Beck; Betty, who married James Cheek. For biographies of the sons see biography of the Ritchey family.

Ingram Alexander, April 8, 1772 – June 11, 1841.

Ingram Alexander, Sr., settled on Marrowbone Creek where Mrs. Nancy Alexander now lives. He reared four sons and two daughters. The sons were John I., Phillip, James M. and Reuben. The daughters were Sally and Nancy. Sally married Jerry Wade and lived at the head of Marrowbone Creek. They reared six daughters and one son, James B. Wade. Nancy Alexander never married. She lived to an old age and died on the old family homestead. John I. Alexander married Emeline Allen, daughter of Nathan Allen, Sr., and moved to Warren County, Kentucky, in 1834, and died in 1837, leaving one son and two daughters: Reuben A., Elizabeth and Martha Jane.

Elizabeth Nunn Alexander, August 23, 1781 – August 30, 1871.

Thomas Alexander, Sr., lived near Ashmole Church. He reared three sons and one daughter. The sons were Martin, Greenwood and Phillip. The daughter married a Mr. Pace and reared one daughter. This daughter married Press Lloyd, the father of Rev. John Lloyd, who lives on Rennicks Creek with his mother, who is still living.

Robert Alexander, born February 28th, 1778, died April 3, 1857.

Robert Alexander, Sr., lived on Marrowbone Creek at the mouth of Ferris Fork Creek where J. D. Davis now lives. He reared one son and two daughters. The son, J. D. Alexander, married Parmelia Allen, moved to Warren County, Kentucky, and reared four sons and five daughters. The reader is referred to the biography of J. D. Alexander and family; and also, that of David Allen, Sr., and family. Kitty Alexander married John Davis, Sr., and lived at the mouth of Ferris Fork Creek, where J. D. Davis now lives. They reared four sons and one daughter: W. R., J. D., Edward and Mary Davis. Mary Davis married Toliver Elliott and moved to Texas.

Sacred to the memory of Mary Ann Alexander, wife of Robert Alexander, died September 12th, 1829, aged 52 years and a wife beloved, a mother dear, in death’s embrace reposes here.

Phillip Alexander, Sr., lived on Little Rennicks Creek, near Salem Church, and reared three sons and two daughters. The son were John Alexander, Paul Alexander and Hillary Alexander.