James Alexander (lawyer)
| James Alexander | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 4th New Jersey Attorney General | |
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In office 1723–1728 |
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| Governor | William Burnet |
| Preceded by | Jeremiah Basse |
| Succeeded by | Lawrence Smyth |
| Member of the New Jersey Provincial Council for the Eastern Division | |
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In office 1722 – April 2, 1756 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Gordon |
| Succeeded by | William Alexander, Lord Stirling |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c1691 Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland |
| Died | April 2, 1756 New York City or Albany |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Spratt Provoost Alexander |
| Children | William Alexander, Lord Stirling |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
James Alexander (May 27, 1691 – 1756) was a lawyer and statesman in colonial New York. He served in the Colonial Assembly and as attorney general of the colony in 1721–23. His son William was later a major general in the Continental Army during the American revolution. Alexandria Township, New Jersey was named after James Alexander.
Alexander was born in Muthill in Perthshire, Scotland on May 27, 1691, to David Alexander ("of Muthil"). He joined the navy, serving on the HMS Arundell in 1712–13, where he learned navigation, mathematics, and astronomy. But in 1714–15 he joined the uprising in support of the James Francis Edward Stuart, and fled to America in 1715 when it failed. In November 1715 he was appointed surveyor general of New Jersey. He personally made surveys, using instruments he had brought from Scotland and resolved disputed titles.
He settled in New York, and in January 1721 married wealthy widow, Mary Provoost. Her DePuyster uncles drafted the prenuptial agreements. Shortly after he was appointed deputy-secretary of New York.
Alexander read law in New York and was admitted to the provincial bar of New Jersey in 1720. He served as attorney general for the colony of New York from 1721 to 1723. Alexander sought membership of Gray’s Inn in February 1, 1725, and returned from London with a large legal library that enabled him to cite legal precedent in court. This was a distinct advantage for a colonial lawyer.James Duane, ward and later son-in-law of Robert Livingston, third Lord of Livingston Manor, read law as a clerk in Alexander's office and became proficient in the area of rights and jurisdiction in land disputes. Alexander practiced law, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and built a considerable fortune. He lived in a brick mansion at Broad and Beaver Streets.
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