Archibald Alexander (politician)

Archibald Alexander (1755 September 12, 1822) was an American physician and politician from New Castle County, Delaware, near the city of New Castle. He was a veteran of the American Revolution and a member of the Democratic-Republican Party who served in the Delaware General Assembly.

Dr.

Alexander Archibald
Personal details
Born1755
Virginia
DiedSeptember 12, 1822(1822-09-12) (aged 67)
New Castle County, Delaware
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
ResidenceNew Castle County, Delaware
Professionphysician

Early life

Alexander was born in 1755 in Virginia into an Ulster-Scots family and moved to New Castle County, Delaware, when he was a small boy. He attended Newark Academy and studied medicine under Matthew Wilson. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

During the American Revolution, Alexander first served in the state militia but soon after joined the 10th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army as a surgeon. After two years, he left the army to serve as a privateer out of Norfolk. Eventually his ship was captured and he was taken prisoner, serving out the remainder of the war in a prison ship in New York Harbor.

Career

After the war, Alexander returned to New Castle County and practiced medicine. He was also active in the Democratic-Republican Party and was its first candidate for Governor of Delaware in 1795. He was able to carry heavily Presbyterian New Castle County, but lost the remainder of the state and the election to Federalist Gunning Bedford, Sr.. A wealthy man, he was a supporter of banks and a founder of the Farmers' Bank of Delaware. He also led the effort to have a controversial bridge built over the Christiana River in Christiana, Delaware.

Death

Alexander died on September 12, 1822, in New Castle County. He is buried at the Immanuel Episcopal Church cemetery.

Public offices

Office Type Location Elected Took Office Left Office notes
State Senator Legislature Dover 1791 October 20, 1791 January 7, 1794
State Representative Legislature Dover 1794 January 6, 1795 January 5, 1796
State Senator Legislature Dover 1796 January 3, 1797 January 2, 1798
State Senator Legislature Dover 1797 January 2, 1798 January 6, 1801
Prothonotary Executive New Castle 1801 1805 New Castle

Election results

Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1795 Governor Archibald Alexander Democratic-Republican 2,142 48% Gunning Bedford, Sr. Federalist 2,352 52%
1798 U.S. Representative Archibald Alexander Democratic-Republican 2,142 39% James A. Bayard Federalist 2,792 61%

References

  • Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.
  • Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.
  • Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
  • Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Thomas Montgomery
Democratic-Republican nominee for Governor of Delaware
1795
Succeeded by
David Hall
Political offices
Preceded by
James Sykes
Governor of Delaware
1802–1805
Succeeded by
Nathaniel Mitchell
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