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 | |
| Born | 1755 Virginia |
| Died | September 12, 1822 (aged 67) New Castle County, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Residence | New Castle County, Delaware |
| Profession | physician |
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.
External links
- "Archibald Alexander". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- History of Delaware 1609-1888
| 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 |